The following day, Liebe and everyone reached the clubroom.
Licht said, "Liebe, how are your preparations?"
Liebe said, "As good as can be."
Licht said, "Oh? And mind sharing with us?"
Liebe said, "Sure. That is… I just thought about it."
Licht and Alysa just laughed.
"So how will that help?" Licht asked.
Liebe said, "Simple. If I trained, I could only do two or a maximum of three types. But here, there are over fifteen. So if I trained in any three, I would lose points in the other twelve. My best bet is to just let my instincts do the trick."
Licht said, "Why are you like this?"
Liebe said, "Like what?"
Licht replied, "Coming up with plans that sound stupid, but are actually a bit smart and have merit."
Alysa said, "That's Liebe for you."
Then the club began, and Otiz stated, "Thank you, everyone, for coming today. As of right now, a total of 5,472 students have participated. Round one is a qualifying round from which only 256 students will be selected. The qualifying round is an interview. I wish all of you luck. The interviews will begin in ten minutes. Prepare yourselves mentally."
Licht said, "Damn, are you lucky."
As the interview began, the first was Liebe.
Otiz stated, "Hello, Liebe."
Liebe said, "Hello, sir."
Otiz said, "Assume you are in a battle where the enemy has twice the combat power you do. What is your first idea?"
Liebe said, "Simple. What is the enemy formation, their unit type, and where is their commander and ace unit?"
Otiz asked, "Why those, even before asking for your own information?"
Liebe said, "Simple. Regardless of the hand I'm given, in the end, my plan will always be based on assuming the worst. Let's say they are using the Crane Wing Formation. Assuming the worst of the worst gives me the best strategies possible."
Otiz said, "And how did you think of that?"
Liebe replied, "Simple. If you are in a marathon, regardless of how you look at your legs, you can't win. But when you forget about the pain in your legs and run with all your might, that's when you can win the race. The moment you stop, your journey ends. Another example would be playing black in chess. You can't create a better base than white, since white always goes first. So it's better to focus on traps and ambushes."
Otiz said, "Interesting. Your perspective is quite unique. You remind me of another student when she was your age. She was just as exceptional, if not better. Yet it seems you are slightly different, though you share the same ideals and aura."
Liebe asked, "Who was that, sir?"
Otiz said, "Currently, she is the captain of the strongest knighthood—Black Rose. Lilith Faust."
Liebe said, "I understand, sir. I am actually Liebe Al Faust."
Otiz looked at him. "By any chance… are you—?"
Liebe said, "Yes, sir. I am the son of Lilith Faust, and the heir to the throne of Faust."
Otiz said, "Interesting. It would seem the apple might just be stronger than the tree."
Liebe said, "Thank you, sir."
Then it was time for Alysa.
Otiz asked, "Suppose you are stuck on Valhalla Island with no food or water, and you have to survive thirty-six hours until the search parties arrive. What will you do?"
Alysa used her memo pad and stated, "First of all, I would try to find food. But instead of hunting, it's best to rely on fruits as they are less risky—though before consuming, I would make sure they're not poisonous. Then I would try to find a source of drinking water and get started on a camp."
Otiz asked, "The steps you mentioned are quite interesting. But why didn't any of them include you using magic?"
Alysa wrote on her memo pad: "It's simple. My magic power will be most crucial if I'm attacked by a carnivore, as that would be my best chance to survive."
Otiz asked, "Why not just fly and leave?"
Alysa wrote: "The island also has flying monsters, and trying to fly away without strong magic attacks is tough—and overall not worth it."
Otiz said, "That was an excellent suggestion, and some of the best survival tactics I've heard so far."
Then it was Licht's turn.
Otiz asked, "Do you know what you wrote in your form, specifically the portion that states why you wanted to try for the competition?"
Licht said, "I forgot."
Otiz said, "Well, you wrote: 'Because Liebe told me to.'"
Licht turned red with embarrassment.
Otiz then asked, "Assume you are in a situation where the enemy has twice the magic power you do. What is your first idea?"
Licht said, "To ask what my troops are, my total combat power, as well as my ace and commander unit."
Otiz asked, "Why those exactly?"
Licht replied, "Simple. If I don't know what weapon I have, how can I land the killing blow? Plus, regardless of a monster, if I have a knife, I can kill it."
Otiz asked, "What is the reason for your current line of thinking?"
Licht said, "Simple. Think of a runner. Regardless of how smart or talented you are, if your body can't run, you aren't worth it. It's quite similar to the white play in chess. While black uses traps and ambushes. White focuses on improving it's own standing.