The Festa was a grand martial arts tournament jointly hosted by the Integrated Enterprise Foundation. Any student from the six academies could register, provided they were between the ages of 13 and 22—and each person could only participate up to three times.
The six conglomerates constantly competed with one another. To expand their influence and secure profits, they brought Genestella from around the world to this city and broadcasted the tournaments globally, charging massive fees.
With rare exceptions like Elise and Sylvia, many students here were more popular than actual celebrities.
That was why the Festa was the most beloved spectacle in the world.
...
Noon, on the rooftop of the academy building.
"Eh? You're planning to sign up for the Lindvolus Festa, Elise?"
Laetitia, who was eating lunch with Elise, overheard her plans by chance.
"Hmm, even though you don't have a ranking within the academy, with your strength, I think you could take the championship."
"That's hard to say. After all, last year's Lindvolus champion is also planning to participate again this time," Elise replied calmly.
Because the Lindvolus did have one individual capable of suppressing everyone.
The top-ranked student at Rewolf Black Institute—
The Venom Witch, Orphelia Landlufen!
Her name had already spread across the floating city when she claimed the previous Lindvolus title.
She had the power to control poisonous smoke and miasma. Just touching it could corrode flesh. Worse, she could make her poison colorless and odorless, with a variety of terrifying properties.
Beyond that, she possessed a Prana reserve even greater than the original protagonist, Amagiri Ayato!
Elise had researched Orphelia online, especially footage of her matches from the last Lindvolus.
Orphelia had completely dominated the tournament. Sometimes, she didn't even move—her passive aura of poison alone overwhelmed her opponents.
For most, her ability seemed nearly invincible. After all, humans couldn't go without breathing. Nor could they completely isolate themselves from the air.
"But if it's you, Elise, I'm sure you'll find a way." Laetitia sounded confident. After spending considerable time with Elise, she still couldn't gauge her true strength.
Elise responded with a soft chuckle, offering no confirmation.
"Can I trouble you to submit my application for me? Please and thank you!"
"That's no problem. But since you don't have a rank, they'll probably set up a few mock battles to evaluate your strength."
"That's fine! I'd like to meet some new classmates properly anyway."
...
At the director's office of Queenvail Girls' Academy—
"Hmm? You plan to stay in the city for a while after returning? Why? Explain."
A sharply dressed woman radiating the aura of a powerful career executive was on a call.
She was the director of Queenvail Girls' Academy, and also a senior executive at W&W.
Petra Kivilehto.
Currently, she was also Sylvia Lyyneheym's manager, and had just received word that Sylvia planned to remain in the floating city.
"A friend of mine is entering the Lindvolus Festa, and I'm planning to participate too. I want to face her on the battlefield," Sylvia explained.
But Petra was surprised by something else entirely.
"You have… a friend?"
"Petra! That's really rude! I do have friends, you know!"
Sylvia's indignant voice came through the call loud and clear. Petra realized belatedly what she had just said.
"Apologies."
But in truth, it wasn't entirely unreasonable. Although Sylvia was always kind and warm to everyone at the academy, she had never formed deep connections. To Petra, that always seemed like a form of emotional distance.
It was difficult to imagine what kind of person Sylvia's friend might be. But Petra shelved the thought for now—she would have Stjarnagarm investigate it later.
"As for your participation in the Lindvolus Festa, there's no problem. In fact, if you can achieve a high placement, it'll make things much easier for us."
Students from Queenvail were usually trained to be celebrities. They weren't typically suited for the Festa—a fact known across all six academies, including Queenvail itself.
Due to its unique educational direction, Queenvail focused almost entirely on how to become a star. Combat training was something students had to pursue on their own.
Though the school had the fewest students of the six academies, its profits far outstripped the others.
Since Sylvia had already decided to participate, Petra saw no reason to object. It was the perfect chance for Queenvail to boost its visibility again.
Having made up her mind, Petra began preparing Sylvia's application. But before that, there was one thing she needed to do.
"Inform Stjarnagarm—I want them to run a background check."
A textbook case of misusing her authority for personal curiosity. Petra just couldn't suppress her intrigue.
...
Meanwhile, at Rewolf Black Institute—
In the deepest part of the school building sat a room with no windows. The flickering overhead lights added to its barren, oppressive atmosphere.
"Tch! What a pain."
A red-haired man with a solid frame sat cross-legged in the president's seat, his expression perpetually stern—exuding an aura of hostility, as if he were constantly on the verge of erupting.
"The plan only required two rounds of the Festa. Why add a third? Are you moving up the timeline?"
Dirk Eberwein.
The student council president of Rewolf Black. Though he wasn't a Genestella and lacked an official alias, people still whispered his name in fear:
Tyrant.
Clearly, this ordinary man was anything but. Even Genestella were wary of his abilities.
He had just received a message—an instruction to send out their ace once again.
"Of course. Let the world witness once more the uniqueness and power of the Genestella."
The voice came only through the speaker. Its owner remained unknown, though their cheerful tone made their satisfaction clear.
"If anything goes wrong, you're taking full responsibility," Dirk said grimly. He knew full well that person's strength made defeat unlikely—but still.
"Naturally. Since I proposed it, I'll take responsibility."
Still casual. That person probably didn't believe defeat was possible.
After a long silence, Dirk gave a curt reply and ended the call. He turned his gaze to the adjoining room.
"Hey! You're entering the Lindvolus again. I've already handled your registration."
There was no response—but Dirk knew she had heard him. She wouldn't disobey his orders.
After a moment, a quiet sigh came from within.
"How tragic…"