'My God!　This is the twelfth surveillance mage that's been crushed!

A short distance away from the "Treasure Labyrinth".

　In one room, there was a great uproar over what the boy had done.

''Don't tell me the surveillance was crushed?''
Oh, it can't be!　They must just look like bugs!　The only person who can see through this is the Four Great Sages!

　There is a monitor in the room.
　The state of the "Treasure Labyrinth" is projected through a surveillance tool that looks like an insect at first glance.

　The boy knocked down every single surveillance tool that I pointed at him.
　Because of this, only fragmentary images were able to provide information about the royal capital side.


''It looks like there's an insect over there that's a little bigger than we expected.


　In a noisy room.
　Alone, the man(...) looked calmly at his surroundings.

'Shh, but ... it's just a coincidence, isn't it?
You mean after he broke a dozen of them?
What...?
"Thou art too superficial.
Well, you are indeed one of the Four Wise Men, Mr. Arnolt. You are able to remain calm in a situation like this.

　The man, clad in a robe, stands up.
　The man's name is Arnolt.
　The wrinkles were deeply etched in the fingers that snapped and snapped.

(That boy is definitely strong. But he's no better than a worm in front of me, having enjoyed the power of true magic.

　He had never been defeated by anyone before.
　Eventually he began to reject others.
　He was convinced that they couldn't satisfy him.

(Maybe that boy could quench my thirst.)

　When a man takes a step forward.

Wait a minute!　Where are you going to go!
You know what to do. The Treasure Maze.
What are you talking about?　As you'd expect from a visit to the labyrinth..........................Guh!

　As Arnolt held up his hands, the man who stood in front of him grabbed his neck and began to writhe in agony.
　Then slowly his body collapsed and he stopped breathing.

'If you stand in my way, others may come at you. Let it be good preparation.

　There was no one to answer those words from Arnolt.

'Then let's get right to it... hmm?

　As Arnolt turned to leave the room.
　He felt a strong hostility from the monitor and turned around.

''What in the world is this...?''

　That moment.

　Ballyyyyyyin!

　The monitor broke and an electric shock hit Arnolt and the others.

　◆ ◆

It's still very depressing...
Yes?

　I just crushed my twelfth bug (...) today, and I'm starting to get angry for good.

'What's going on, Kurt? 'Out of the blue,'

　Marise gives me a dubious look.
　It can't be helped if you don't notice........

　It's obvious to me, but the surveillance mages are flying around us a little bit.

　At first glance, this magical tool looks like an insect.
　However, the image can be sent to a distant place through the magic tool.
　That means someone is watching us.
　For what purpose?

　Are the teachers flying in to prevent the students from falling into danger in the exchange war?
　No, no such explanation has been given, and to think of the civilization of this world........

''Surveillance mages are called overtechnology........''

　And if so, then yes, there should be an explanation before the interchange game.
　If that's the case.

'Hey guys, listen up.'
What's going on, Kurt?
'You're collecting items at a good pace.

　It gives everyone pause.

　Now we are in a wooded area.
　We've obtained a supreme treasure in one layer.
　It's a fool's staff, which is an outlier item for me, but the other members said, "It's a great treasure!　SSS rank! And he seemed excited.
　But this stuff wouldn't satisfy me.
　It means I've come to the second tier, collecting items smoothly and successfully since then.

"We have to pull ourselves together at this point. Be careless.

　I gathered everyone together and told them, and they all gave me a look of surprise.

"...Kurt. It's already a piece of cake.
''That's right. I suppose I shouldn't let my guard down either, but this is indeed.......

　Lara and Marise say so.
　The other two third-year students, too.

'I honestly didn't expect freshmen to have this much power,'
I swear I'm starting to lose confidence.
I mean, is storage magic so easy to use?

　He sounded puzzled.
　So normal magic........but then again, "It's not normal! I'm sure he'll return it.
　Instead of answering third-year Corey's question.

Everybody listen up. Someone has been watching us for a while now.
""What?"

　The four of them spoke up.

'Kurt, that means...'
Just like that. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. I think it's safe to say that they're destroying them as soon as they're discovered, but I think the imperial side is probably trying to trick us. That's what you call interference from the outside, right?
I mean, it's against the rules!

　Marlies is right.
　Essentially, under the rules of the exchange game, outside interference.......such as students borrowing power from the teachers, is a foul. If a teacher intervenes in a dangerous situation, it would result in a disqualification loss at that point.
　If you show one of the broken surveillance mages and point out the violation of the rules on the Empire's side, we might be able to win.

　But that would be boring.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　With just one piece of evidence, it's impossible to know what kind of excuses they will make.
　That's why.

"From now on, we are going to put a check on those who are watching us.

　As I declared that, another surveillance mage that looked like an insect flew in.
　The others didn't seem to notice it.

''Voltbird.''

　He raised his palm toward the surveillance mages that flew at him.
　In an instant, the electric magic formula that had been assembled in an instant turned into a bird form and headed towards the surveillance mages.

　Even if it was a direct hit like this, it would only break one of the many insects.
　So.........this time I'm going to try to be a little more creative.


　Normally, the monitoring mages and the relay point are connected by magic power.
　That magic power becomes a cable, so to speak, and sends images flying.....
　If that's the case.
　It's not just a matter of time before you're able to get your hands on a new one.


"Kurt.

　Marise has a question on her mind, but I'll explain later.
　Because even I have to focus a little bit from here on out.

　My plan was successful, and the Voltbird was stuck in the relay point through the surveillance mages.
　At the same time, I reverse the magic power planted in it.
　Then at the same time as the magic reaches you you can also see the image on the other side.

　The image of the other side vaguely popped into my mind.


'Whoa!　What!　Mo, there's a sudden electric shock from the monitor........''
What's going on here? Is there a malfunction?


　The other side of the room seemed to be in a panic as Voltbird rampaged through the room.
　Voltbird is a lightning-attribute spirit magic.
　It has some degree of autonomy and continues to face the target.

　Inside........hmm?　As expected, there are several teachers from the Imperial side in the mix as well. There's also a face I saw before entering the Treasure Labyrinth.........and there's no mistaking it.

　But still........it's pretty sloppy.
　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends.
　I felt that it was a bit lacking, that I should plant a jamming magic or two to prevent that from happening.

''Hahahahaha!　Amazing!　I thought it was possible in theory, but I didn't think there was anything that could really make it happen!　And to think that such a monster would appear not from the Empire, but from the royal capital!''

　Among them.
　There was only one old man wearing a robe who looked like he had a lot of time to spare.

''Hm?　Hmm?
What's up, Kurt? You seem like you've got a lot on your mind.

　I heard Lara's voice, but I was surprised to see the images floating around in my head.

　It's a good thing I'm not the only one.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on.

It's like there are better people in this world.
'Kurt. What is it with you muttering to yourself earlier?　You'll have to explain that to us.

　But it's settled.

'It's confirmed that the Imperial side is cheating.