Days passed by like this.
As time went on, the entire Mistgun continued to buzz with discussions about the status of the E601 Squad, drawing an unprecedented level of attention.
The influence brought by Rozen was so significant that people were constantly talking about it, showing an unusual amount of concern for the E601 Squad's upcoming ranking battle.
This level of excitement wasn't even stirred up by battles between A-rank squads.
So, if the goal was to gain fame, perhaps the E601 Squad was doing exceptionally well, even if it was thanks to Rozen's name pushing them forward. Now, they were undoubtedly the most watched group in Mistgun, aside from the S128 Special Squad.
With that in mind, if the E601 Squad could win their next ranking battle, they might really become famous overnight.
Of course, everything has its pros and cons. Winning would bring fame, but losing would instantly bring infamy, an irreversible outcome.
In this situation, the girls of the E601 Squad, as if realizing there was no turning back, threw themselves into intense training.
Meanwhile, news about the E601 Squad's next ranking battle, eagerly awaited by many, finally started to surface.
"The opponent is the E571 Squad, huh?"
Rozen, who was writing a paper on the Alchemist Division in his villa, slightly raised an eyebrow when he heard the news brought by the uninvited Chloe Sevegny.
"This was just announced this morning, and it's already spreading like wildfire."
Chloe, still hovering in mid-air with a smile on her face, couldn't hide the fact that she had once again trespassed through the balcony.
"The E571 Squad?" Rozen pondered, saying, "If I remember correctly, they're a squad that's highly regarded among the E-rank squads, right?"
"That's right." Chloe explained considerately, "According to the Sky Wizard Division's head, they have a strong potential to be promoted to D-rank. Before graduating from the prep course, they are likely to reach C-rank, and once they enter the undergraduate course, if nothing goes wrong, they'll likely become a B-rank squad, if not A-rank."
"I see." Rozen smirked and said, "Then they must be really unlucky to run into the toughest squad at the same level. They're in for some trouble."
Typically, unless there's an unusual circumstance, ranking battles only occur between squads of the same rank.
In other words, as an E-rank squad, the E601 Squad's next two ranking battles would be against other E-rank squads.
However, in this ranking battle, their opponent was a squad expected to be promoted to D-rank, practically a star squad among the E-ranks.
Encountering the strongest E-rank squad in the ranking battle right off the bat—if that doesn't count as bad luck, what does?
Chloe, however, seemed a bit puzzled.
"I remember you saying that those girls' abilities are higher than expected, far beyond what an E-rank squad can compare to. Among them, two girls could even hold their own against A-rank squad members under equal conditions. So, if the opponent is just an E-rank squad, it should be easy to deal with, right?"
That was indeed Chloe's belief.
Considering the E601 Squad's strength, which didn't match their evaluation, even if the opponent was an A-rank squad, they wouldn't necessarily be helpless. Logically, facing a squad that's not even D-rank shouldn't pose much of a challenge.
But Rozen still had to point out:
"Even if they have the strength, they still lack something crucial." Rozen explained, "As a squad, they're still incomplete."
That's the crux of the matter.
Because of this, Rozen believed that even against an E-rank squad, the E601 Squad wouldn't have an easy time winning.
Not to mention, Rozen's presence also played a significant role.
"Speaking of which, the girls in the E571 Squad seem to be your fans." Chloe recalled with a smile, "They definitely wouldn't want to see their idol taken by another E-rank squad. With envy and jealousy fueling them, they might be highly motivated in the next ranking battle."
"Is that so?" Rozen responded indifferently, "Then they really are out of luck."
To be unlucky to this extent, Rozen even started to wonder.
"Are you suspecting that the Sky Wizard Division's head is manipulating things behind the scenes?"
Chloe directly voiced Rozen's thoughts.
"…So you really don't have mind-reading abilities?"
Rozen was extremely speechless.
"Don't think of other people like that." Chloe gently smoothed Rozen's slightly ruffled hair and said softly, "Freon is also very concerned about the E601 Squad's situation."
After all, the E601 Squad did have someone connected to that woman.
But precisely because of that, Rozen doubted whether that woman had pulled any strings.
"With her level of strictness towards both herself and others, she's definitely the type who would set up the most brutal trials even for her own family."
Rozen rolled his eyes.
"Hahaha…"
Chloe laughed awkwardly, clearly thinking the same.
"When is the ranking battle?"
Rozen asked casually.
"Next week." Chloe immediately replied, "At that time, not just the Sky Wizard Division's head, but both Kanata and Yuri also said they would come to watch."
"Kanata and Yuri too?" Rozen was slightly taken aback, then shrugged, saying, "That makes sense. With their personalities, it's impossible for them not to come and watch."
Yuri went without saying; because of her personal grudge against Rozen, that stubborn girl would definitely come to watch.
As for Kanata, this free-spirited troublemaker loved to see this kind of drama. Knowing there was such a highly anticipated match coming up, and that one of the squads had received guidance from Rozen, with the outcome deciding whether Rozen would become a squad instructor, he certainly wouldn't miss it.
Plus, given the attention this battle was receiving in Mistgun, the audience for this ranking battle would likely be packed.
"A match between E-rank squads actually drawing a full house—this might be a rare record."
Rozen couldn't help but chuckle.
"Of course, I'll also be watching. Rozen's disciples are bound to surprise us, right?"
Chloe stated with a smile, something that didn't surprise Rozen at all.
The two of them continued chatting casually, even engaging in some physical contact without hesitation, their years of close friendship evident at a glance.
At that moment…
"Attention, attention."
A voice suddenly came from a speaker that broadcasted throughout all of Mistgun.
"Chloe Sevegny of the S128 Special Task Squad, Sky Wizard Division, second-year undergraduate, please report to the Sky Wizard Division Head's office immediately upon hearing this broadcast."
"Repeating, Chloe Sevegny of the S128…"
The broadcast interrupted Rozen and Chloe's actions.
Especially Chloe, who showed a slight hint of concern between her brows.
"Well, I'll head over now."
Chloe stood up seriously, as if sensing something.
"Be careful."
Rozen didn't say much, only giving this advice.
Chloe immediately showed a smile as angelic as ever, then activated her flying magic, flying out of the room and sweeping over the balcony.
Rozen watched Chloe leave.
Then…
"I told her, using flying magic in front of me like that, I can see everything…"
Muttering to himself, Rozen continued writing his paper.
Meanwhile, countless thoughts raced through his mind.