-1541- The start of the competition

The Ninth Artificial Floating Island

This place is an incredibly dense forest.

In addition to serving their own specific functions, the artificial floating islands surrounding Vebel have also recreated environments that a typical floating city could never possess.

Here, the familiar natural environments that humans used to experience when they lived on land before the invasion of the Armored Beetles have been faithfully recreated on these artificial floating islands.

The ninth artificial floating island recreates a forest environment, with even the outer edges covered in lush, dense foliage. The trees grow wildly, unpruned by human hands, almost entirely blocking the light from above. The thick vegetation makes the paths difficult to navigate, creating a tropical forest scene unlike anywhere else.

However, the closer one gets to the center of the ninth artificial floating island, the sparser the forest becomes, replaced by rivers and waterways.

Looking down from above, one can see rivers stretching toward a large central lake.

This massive lake occupies one-fifteenth of the total area of the ninth artificial floating island. The average depth is forty meters, with a maximum depth exceeding one hundred meters, making it a facility that defies common sense.

In addition to the lake, the central area also contains vast plains.

The artificial facility is located there.

This facility includes the Central Control Tower, which controls the island's entire functionality, as well as a large-scale Wizard Field used for forced teleportation. Beneath the surface are large-scale purification tanks and pumps to filter and circulate the island's water, along with massive storage tanks to maintain the necessary water volume in the lake. Together, these elements ensure the preservation of the rich ecosystem.

In this environment, representatives from floating cities all over the world are about to engage in a three-day, two-night survival competition.

"Clang—Clang—Clang—Clang—"

As the long, drawn-out bell rang throughout Vebel, one after another, the Sky Wizards flew out from Vebel, gathering above the ninth artificial floating island.

The air was thick with Sky Wizards, scattered across the various parts of the island.

Rozen's group, naturally, was among them.

"Finally, it's time."

Kanata Age, carrying his jet-black magic sword, smiled, full of fighting spirit.

"Yes, it's finally time."

Yuri Flostre, sensing the tension in the air, wore a serious expression.

"Mm, this tension feels great."

Mena Purpleton was thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere.

"The forest terrain doesn't seem to favor artillery users much."

Chloe Sevegny, the team's vice-captain and rear guard, was deep in thought about the island's environment.

The four of them all donned their protective suits, looking heroic.

Only Rozen stood out, wearing just his Mistgun uniform without deploying any Magical Alchemic Weapon, completely out of sync with the surrounding tension.

Mena couldn't help but grumble about it.

"We're already here, and you're still not wearing a protective suit?"

Mena seemed quite displeased.

Rozen was already famous for never using Magical Alchemic Weapons or wearing protective suits, even during his battle against the A177 Squad.

Ever since then, Mena had been bothered by this.

"You're a Master Alchemist with excellent skills. If you wanted to, you could equip yourself with the best Magical Alchemic Weapons and protective suits. So don't tell me you don't have them—I won't believe it."

Mena was unusually talkative.

Rozen found himself a bit amused.

Magical Alchemic Weapons?

Was she expecting him to use the Injunction Shackles or Tenyuryo?

That wouldn't be necessary yet.

As for a protective suit?

Was she suggesting he summon Kinu?

That was even more unnecessary.

With Kongouriki, a technique that grants near-invulnerability, and the power of highly compressed mana, Rozen didn't need Magical Alchemic Weapons or a protective suit.

So...

"If I come across someone worthy of using Magical Alchemic Weapons and a protective suit, I'll consider equipping them."

Rozen responded.

This only made Mena more upset.

"Fine, just don't lose because of overconfidence."

Mena chose to drop the subject.

"Yeah, yeah."

Rozen shrugged, brushing it off.

At that moment, a voice came from above.

"Is everyone here?"

Descending slowly from the sky, Hartmann Endycase, the President of the Council, stood atop the highest point, overlooking all the Sky Wizards below as he spoke into a microphone.

"Since all the participants have gathered, let us begin the competition."

As he spoke, Hartmann pointed toward the ninth artificial floating island below.

"As you can see, this competition takes place in a forest environment."

"You all will spend three days and two nights here, engaging in a survival contest, during which you must obtain the orb that were distributed to each team this morning from the other squads."

"As long as you collect three orbs in addition to your own, making a total of four, by the end of the three-day, two-night period, you will pass the first round of the competition and proceed to the elimination round."

"In this unprecedented environment, what kind of performances will you show? Not just I, but even the Pope is looking forward to it."

After finishing the rules, Hartmann issued a final reminder.

"Because this is a competition, I hope everyone will follow at least two rules."

"First: No leaving the competition area before the time is up, or you will be disqualified."

"Second: Do not kill your opponents, let alone your comrades. Violations will result not only in disqualification but also in punishment by the Council."

"That said, the ninth artificial floating island has a Wizard Field for forced teleportation, so anyone who suffers excessive harm will be automatically transported out of the island, ensuring their safety."

"Of course, once you're transported out, you cannot return to the competition."

After delivering the rules in one breath, Hartmann gave the command.

"Now, let the competition begin. Please descend."

Upon hearing this...

"Yes!"

A resounding cheer rang out, and the squads scattered in all directions, entering the ninth artificial floating island from various positions.

"Let's go!"

Rozen also shot forward.

"Roger!"

Kanata, Chloe, Yuri, and Mena responded in unison, full of fighting spirit, flying after Rozen.

As they moved, Rozen glanced toward Hartmann.

At that moment, he caught Hartmann's gaze directed at him.

Hartmann observed Rozen for a while before turning and flying back toward Vebel.

Rozen smiled indifferently, then continued leading his companions toward the forest below.