-1498- The day of the departure
Thus, the announcement that the S128 Special Forces Squad would represent Mistgun in the upcoming competition in Vebel was made to everyone by the Sky Wizard Division's head.
Upon hearing this news, everyone erupted into discussion.
"They're directly appointing the representative squad?"
"I thought there'd be a competition to determine which squad would get the qualification."
"I also thought that some squads would propose a challenge to compete against the S128 Special Forces Squad."
"But they just decided right away, huh?"
Many voiced their thoughts.
In a typical situation, this could have sparked some dissatisfaction.
After all, not only the S128 Special Forces Squad and the A177 Squad, but many other squads had been eager to use this opportunity to challenge strong opponents. Some squads, even the more self-confident ones, believed they wouldn't lose to the S128 Special Forces Squad or the A177 Squad, and were gearing up to upset the hierarchy by defeating these squads and competing in Vebel against strong opponents from around the world.
In such a scenario, the decision to directly appoint the representative squad could have come as a huge shock to these squads.
Normally, this would cause a lot of dissatisfaction.
However, two pieces of news quickly calmed all discontent.
The first was the announcement that Mena Purpleton had joined the S128 Special Forces Squad and would participate in the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival with them.
This news left many stunned.
"Mena-senpai joined the S128 Special Forces Squad?"
"Is the sky falling?"
"This is unbelievable."
"Indeed."
Many were astonished.
Many knew about the rivalry between the A177 Squad and the S128 Special Forces Squad.
Especially with Mena, it was well-known that she was still upset over Rozen's decision to transfer to the Alchemist Division, and she had taken a negative stance toward Rozen's actions.
For someone like her to join the S128 Special Forces Squad—who wouldn't be surprised?
If the first piece of news was surprising, then the second was downright shocking and exhilarating.
The second piece of news was that Rozen would be making a comeback.
Rozen would once again take up the role of captain of the S128 Special Forces Squad, leading them to compete in the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival in Vebel.
Once this news was announced, the entire Mistgun erupted.
"Rozen-senpai is coming back...!?"
"This is amazing!"
"Finally, we can see Rozen-sama in aerial combat again!"
"This is fantastic!"
All the students and staff were thrown into a frenzy.
They became ecstatic, unable to contain their excitement.
After all...
"Rozen-senpai is returning, and Mena-senpai is joining—the S128 Special Forces Squad is truly unbeatable now!"
"This is undoubtedly the strongest squad in Mistgun's history!"
"All the top five Sky Wizards have gathered in one squad, and with Rozen-sama among them, who can defeat this squad?"
"This time, victory at the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival is definitely ours!"
"Absolutely!"
With the announcement of Rozen's return and Mena's addition, the S128 Special Forces Squad was universally acknowledged as the strongest, with no equal.
No matter how confident the other squads were, they couldn't claim they could defeat the S128 Special Forces Squad and take the title of the representative squad.
Thus, the decision to have the S128 Special Forces Squad represent Mistgun was accepted wholeheartedly by many, spreading like wildfire.
The thought of such a powerful squad representing Mistgun to battle the strongest teams from around the world in Vebel stirred great anticipation.
Everyone looked forward to the S128 Special Forces Squad winning the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival, becoming the strongest squad in the world, and bringing glory to Mistgun.
Even the girls of E601 Squad, upon hearing the news, couldn't contain their excitement.
"The top five Sky Wizards of Mistgun in one squad—that's way too strong, isn't it?"
Misora Whitale was utterly speechless.
"So impressive... in every way..."
Lecty Eisenach muttered in awe.
"I can't believe they're calling themselves the strongest without me, and I'm not even in the top five. This city's residents still have no sense of judgment."
Only Rico Flamel was upset over something that seemed entirely irrelevant.
However, after witnessing the S128 Special Forces Squad's training firsthand, even these girls had to admit defeat.
To perfectly integrate Mena into the team and refine their formations with a full team for the first time, as well as practice new tactics, Rozen's private training field was no longer being used by the three girls of the E601 Squad. Instead, it was taken over by the S128 Special Forces Squad.
While the E601 Squad trained on the sidelines with the magic they had learned from Rozen, they also had the chance to observe the S128 Special Forces Squad's training, watching this most powerful squad demonstrate their strength.
It was a scene on a completely different level from what the E601 Squad was used to.
With Kanata Age, Yuri Flostre, and Mena Purpleton in the vanguard, Rozen as the center, and Chloe Sevegny in the rear, they flew through the training field, facing countless Armored Beetle golems, all of which were medium-sized. The attack and movement patterns of these golems were vastly different from those of the golems used for E601's training, and their difficulty was on par with a massive army of medium-sized Armored Beetles.
Even so, under the relentless assault of the S128 Special Forces Squad, not a single squad member had a speck of mud on them. Even as Rozen continuously increased the strength of the golems, they easily dodged, attacked, and coordinated with one another, both strong and precise, in a realm far beyond that of the E601 Squad.
Seeing all this with their own eyes, how could the girls not be convinced?
"This... this is way too strong...!"
Misora Whitale cried out in shock more than once.
"Ugh... there's no way we can win..."
Lecty Eisenach was on the verge of tears.
"..."
Rico Flamel silently continued to train her magic, behaving like a stubborn little girl refusing to accept reality.
Thus, the day of the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival grew ever closer.
And the day to depart for Vebel also arrived quietly.
...
That day, at the departure field in Mistgun, Rozen stood at the forefront with many students gathered around.
"Good luck, Special Forces Squad!"
"Make sure you win!"
"Let the world know of Mistgun's existence!"
"Victory to the strongest squad!"
The students gathered like fans to send off the S128 Special Forces Squad, who were preparing to depart for Vebel.
"Take care, Captain."
"Be sure to win."
"Make sure to come back safely."
"We'll be waiting for you."
The members of the A177 Squad also came to bid farewell to Mena.
"Don't worry."
Mena nodded heavily to them.
Naturally, the three members of the E601 Squad were there as well.
"Crush those guys!"
"G-Good luck, Instructor!"
"Don't embarrass us."
Misora, Lecty, and Rico expressed their thoughts in either excitement, effort, or a high-and-mighty tone, causing Rozen to smile wryly.
Even Freon Flamel was present, surveying the members of the S128 Special Forces Squad.
"Go."
Freon gave her concise instruction.
""Yes!""
The members of the S128 Special Forces Squad responded in unison.
Only Rozen's gaze turned toward two other companions.
They were none other than Cristine Barkhorn and Elis Wiegert, who had remained silent, with Elis avoiding eye contact with Rozen from start to finish.
These two would also be joining them on the journey to Vebel.
In fact, the transport ship Rozen and his team would be boarding was the same one Elis had used to come to Mistgun.
This transport ship would also head to other floating cities to pick up their representative squads.
For the next few days, they would be on this ship.
"Well, let's go."
Rozen turned and walked toward the ship.
Kanata, Chloe, Mena, and Yuri followed, boarding the transport ship with resolute determination.
The transport ship took off amidst the cheers and farewells of the students.
Finally, it soared toward the distant sky, flying away.