War of Flags IX

As the group moved through the dense trees, their footsteps barely making a sound, Jin Ashbluff cast a sidelong glance at Ren Kagu. The quiet between them felt unnatural, considering the task they had ahead: driving a wedge between Starcrest and Slatemark, two of the most powerful academies after Mythos. 

"So," Jin said, breaking the silence as they maneuvered through the thick undergrowth, "you seem awfully... compliant these days, following Arthur's orders without much fuss. That's not like you."

Ren didn't look up from his path, his expression calm but unreadable. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jin shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You know what I mean. I remember you being less… obedient. You used to hate his guts."

Ren's sharp gaze flicked toward Jin, but his voice remained level. "You don't follow him because you like him either. So, what's your deal? Why the sudden change?"

Jin's smirk faltered as he mulled over Ren's question. He hadn't expected to get called out like that. "Fair enough. But you didn't answer mine."

Ren's steps slowed, and for a moment, the gravity mage appeared lost in thought, his usual cocky demeanor replaced with something more guarded. "You think I like this? No. But things have changed. Arthur's... different now. So is Lucifer. We've all seen it."

"Different how?" Jin pressed, his curiosity piqued.

Ren stopped, turning to face him. "Before, it was easy. I thought I could surpass them if I reached their mana rank. I thought power was straightforward like that—get stronger, beat the next guy. But now? Lucifer unlocked a second Gift. The same Gift as me. Only better. That changes everything."

Jin let out a low whistle. "So, you're afraid of them now."

Ren's eyes narrowed, though his voice remained steady. "Not afraid. Not exactly. But I'm not stupid. I can't just think of them as obstacles to surpass anymore. They're not just stronger—they're different. Arthur's not just some rival. And Lucifer… well, he's something else entirely now."

Jin fell silent for a moment, digesting Ren's words. He had to admit, it made sense. Lucifer's second Gift was something none of them had anticipated. It had shaken their understanding of power dynamics at Mythos Academy. 

Jin crossed his arms. "Huh. I thought you of all people would never give up on surpassing them."

Ren's jaw clenched. "I haven't given up. But I'm not a fool. I don't rush headfirst into a losing fight just because I want to be stronger. I need to get smarter, too."

Jin raised an eyebrow. "And you think following Arthur's orders is the way to get smarter?"

Ren shot him a look, his expression hardening. "What about you, Jin? You've been just as compliant. You used to walk around with that smug face of yours, thinking you'd surpass Lucifer one day. So why are you following orders?"

Jin let out a low chuckle, his smirk returning. "Touché. Guess we're all rethinking things after that last year, huh? It's not that I don't want to surpass them. But after seeing what they're capable of, maybe I'm realizing it's not as simple as I thought." He glanced at Ren. "Lucifer's second Gift, Arthur's freakish war strategies... it's like the more we try to keep up, the more they pull ahead."

Ren nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah. It's frustrating, isn't it? But at the same time, there's something... freeing about knowing they're out of reach for now."

Jin frowned, not quite following.

Ren continued, "I don't have to beat them yet. Not today, not tomorrow. But if I stay close enough, if I learn enough, maybe someday..." His voice trailed off, as if the rest of his thought was too dangerous to voice aloud.

Jin's smirk widened, though there was something more serious behind his eyes. "You're playing the long game, then?"

Ren gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Exactly."

The two continued walking in silence for a few moments, the weight of their words hanging between them. The landscape around them was shifting, with the dense forest giving way to rocky terrain as they neared the north-west edge of the island, closer to Slatemark and Starcrest Academy's territories.

Jin eventually broke the silence again, his voice quieter this time. "Think we're really gonna pull it off? Turning Starcrest against Slatemark?"

Ren smirked, though there was no cockiness in it, just a quiet determination. "If Arthur's right, we're about to start a fight neither of them saw coming."

Jin nodded. "Then let's make it count."

The conversation dropped as they focused on the task at hand. Ahead of them, the terrain opened up, a sprawling valley nestled between the two academy strongholds. This was the place. It was time to set the trap and let the pieces fall where they may.

Ren and Jin moved silently through the rocky terrain, their units trailing behind them. The valley they had scouted lay just ahead, the perfect place to set their trap. As they approached, Ren's sharp eyes caught movement in the distance.

"Starcrest Academy," he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he recognized Seol-ah Moyong at the head of the group. She moved with the grace of a swordsman born and bred, her posture straight, her movements deliberate. Even from a distance, her presence was palpable.

Jin caught sight of her too, a low whistle escaping his lips. "Well, well. Looks like we've got ourselves an audience."

Ren's lips curved into a smirk, his mind already calculating the next steps. "Let's give them a show."

Without warning, Ren launched himself forward, using his gravity magic to propel himself into the air, his fists crackling with energy as he closed the distance between him and Seol-ah in an instant.

Seol-ah's golden eyes flicked up, sensing his approach. She barely had time to draw her sword before Ren's fist came crashing down. Metal clanged against magic as she blocked the strike, her body sliding back a few feet from the force of it.

Ren landed gracefully, not missing a beat. "You're faster than I expected," he said, his tone more amused than complimentary.

Seol-ah's eyes narrowed. "And you're exactly as predictable as I thought."

She lunged forward, her blade singing through the air as she aimed for Ren's midsection. He dodged, the air around him warping as he manipulated gravity to throw off her trajectory. But Seol-ah was no amateur. She twisted mid-strike, her blade curving in a way that forced Ren to bring up his forearm, the metal of her sword biting into his skin.

"Nice try," Ren grunted, flipping backward to avoid her follow-up strike.

Seol-ah didn't let up, her sword a blur as she pressed her attack. Each of her strikes was precise, aimed to take Ren down quickly. But Ren was quick too—he deflected her blows with practiced ease, his fists colliding with her sword in rapid succession.

The two exchanged blows, neither giving an inch. It was a dance of power and precision, with Seol-ah's swordsmanship clashing against Ren's gravity-infused fists.

"Is this what you wanted?" Seol-ah asked, her voice calm despite the intensity of their fight. "A distraction?"

Ren smirked as he deflected another strike, this time using his gravity magic to push her back just a little. "Something like that."

From the corner of his eye, he saw Jin's unit moving into position. They were guiding the rest of the Starcrest unit into the valley, making it look like they were retreating from Ren and Seol-ah's fight. 

Seol-ah followed Ren's gaze, catching sight of Jin and her fellow Starcrest students being led into the trap. Her eyes flashed with realization. "You're trying to lead us into a fight with Slatemark," she said, her voice low and dangerous.

Ren grinned, not denying it. "You figured that out quick."

Seol-ah's grip tightened on her sword. "Do you think I'll let that happen?"

Ren shrugged. "Doesn't really matter what you let happen. You're already here, aren't you?"

Before Seol-ah could respond, the ground shook beneath them. A low rumble echoed through the valley as Slatemark Academy's forces came into view, their unit moving swiftly from the other side of the valley. 

Seol-ah's eyes flickered between Ren and the approaching Slatemark students. For a split second, uncertainty crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with resolve. 

"You think you're clever, don't you?" she said, her voice cold as ice.

Ren shrugged, the smirk never leaving his face. "I just know how to play the game."

Seol-ah glanced over her shoulder at the Starcrest unit, who were now caught between Jin's retreating forces and the advancing Slatemark unit. The trap had been sprung, and even she couldn't deny how well it had been executed.

With a grunt of frustration, she pulled back, disengaging from Ren. "This isn't over," she muttered, her eyes flashing with determination.

Ren chuckled as he watched her retreat toward her unit. "Wouldn't expect it to be."

As Seol-ah regrouped with her Starcrest students, the battle between Starcrest and Slatemark was inevitable. The two forces clashed in the heart of the valley, their mana-infused weapons lighting up the rocky landscape. 

Jin gave Ren a nod from across the battlefield, signaling that their job was done. They had successfully led Starcrest into a confrontation with Slatemark, just as Arthur had planned.

"Mission accomplished," Ren muttered under his breath, his gaze shifting back to the chaotic fight unfolding before him.

Now, all they had to do was watch as the two academies tore each other apart.