The bullies didn't even have enough time to get into action. By the time they tried to counterattack, time had already run out, and Satoshi's team came out on top. To top it all off, the difference between first and second place was just one point.
Wearing a shocked expression on his face, Magnus Carter couldn't begin to imagine that Satoshi's unconventional approach to the cavalry test actually proved to be effective. All the other teams couldn't even come close to how they melded together as a team.
"W-we won!" Horatius raised both his hands in the air, celebrating by pumping his fists up. All he did was listen to Satoshi's words right by the letter, and it granted them the win they desperately aimed for.
"We really won, right? Well, that's nothing new," Finana flicked her bright blue hair as if this was a normal occurrence. Inwardly, she was jumping up and down due to the sheer glee she felt. This was another win on her belt, and it was even one of the rarest competitions where they had to work together as a team.
"Wow... Satoshi's really awesome, isn't he?" Leif's eyes sparkled as he directed his gaze at Satoshi who was also doing his own celebratory dance on the ground.
"I didn't believe it at first either. He's really something else, isn't he?" Lucy bashfully said as her face reddened. Her blush reached all the way to her ears while she hung her head low so Satoshi won't notice it.
Deactivating his skills, Satoshi set everyone down while they all gathered in one place. From what they knew, Magnus would give them some form of perk or reward in exchange for winning the entire competition. The five of them smiled at each other, flashing their thumbs up as they unanimously decided to grab dinner together.
"Still... I can't believe that worked. That was a really insane approach to the cavalry test. Who would've thought, right?" Horatius nodded his head while he puffed his chest. He wasn't really celebrating his contributions to the team, but rather, he celebrated Satoshi's impeccable leadership.
"Yeah, I also couldn't believe that worked." Satoshi scratched his head, heaving a sigh of relief. When he first concocted the plan, it worked in his head. However, when they were in the actual competition, it felt like they were at a severe disadvantage.
If it weren't for everyone's participation and complete trust in him, they'd have lost by a landslide. Thanks to Finana's fluid motions, Horatius's all-rounder capabilities, Lucy's Golden Pen Representative, and Leif's super sugoi~ near invincible barrier, they wouldn't have worked that well.
It was as effective as it was unexpected. At the end of it, though, Satoshi was just glad that he could support the team and bring them to victory. It wasn't his win, but rather everyone's collective efforts that bore fruit.
The deafening sound of silence due to a loss surrounded Satoshi's group as they celebrated together. At this point, they were already patting each other on the back and planning what they'd eat at dinner. It was a warm interaction between five teammates— which was a bit out of place since their team was only formed today.
Clapping could be heard from afar as Magnus Carter approached the group. Just like what he mentioned before the commencement of the test, the group who'd win will get a hefty reward. As for what the reward was, they could only wonder.
"That was some perfect teamwork right there. You only met today, right? And from what I could tell based on my observations, your team was never close to begin with, compared to other circles and cliques that existed within my Disciples." Magnus Carter commented.
Nodding his head, Magnus Carter turned around with a smile on his face. Now that it had come to this, he had no choice but to give them an advantage.
"Very well, for your reward, I'll prepare a nice dinner for you five. ALSO! You won't have to do the third quest for the day." Magnus Carter announced, causing everyone to gasp in shock. They couldn't believe that Magnus Carter would give such a big advantage to their team.
"Whoa~! We get to enjoy the entire afternoon?!" Horatius exclaimed. It was rare for Magnus to grant his Disciples free time, so Horatius decided to enjoy this rest to the fullest. Finana and Leif also thought the same thing, that's why they started pumping their fists in the air in celebration.
Honestly, Satoshi was a bit disappointed since he was really looking forward to the third test. But then again, the cavalry test was really enjoyable, and they were able to win it to boot. If any, his experience in Magnus Carter's dimension was nothing but great.
There were a couple of setbacks like the bullies they encountered, but that was normal considering that there will always be competition when it comes to groups such as this. After all, the struggle for power will never disappear when there were groups of people in one place at one time. Satoshi was already aware of it, but he wondered whether Magnus Carter takes action when it came to incessant bullying.
'Then again, Leif could always defend himself, thanks to his superpower... wait a second?!' Satoshi exclaimed inwardly as he briefly glanced at Leif. Now that he thought about it, he realized that Leif could actually decently defend himself from the bullies, and yet he didn't do it. There must be a reason why, and Satoshi's mind couldn't help but dwell on that thought.
"Let's head back. We have the entire afternoon ahead of us!" Horatius called out, to which everyone else on the team screamed in agreement.
On their way back to the residence, Satoshi just had to pull Leif to the side just so he could ask him the question in his head. He had the capability of defending himself, and yet he didn't do it in front of the bullies. It was pretty questionable.
"Ah, Satoshi? I-is something wrong?" Leif asked, sheepishly putting his head down as he reluctantly avoided Satoshi's eye contact. He had no idea why Satoshi pulled him out of nowhere, but based on his gaze, it was clear that he was curious about something.
"Ah, yes. I was just wondering..." Satoshi whispered. Thankfully, the others were preoccupied with dinner talk so they didn't bother eavesdropping. And even if they did, Satoshi made sure not to talk too loudly so as not to attract their attention.
"Wondering?" Leif repeated.
"I just wondering... you're pretty good at using your barriers, right? Why don't you defend yourself when you're getting bullied?" Satoshi asked.
"About that." Leif began as his expression stiffened. He then clenched his fists before he continued. "I'm very proud of my barrier superpower since they are naer invincible. It's what granted me a spot as a Disciple of Magnus Carter himself, I couldn't feel more honored. That's why, in order to become stronger, I decided to not use my barrier in my daily life. That way, I could get used to the physical pain inflicted upon me. I know it sounds weird, but it helped me a lot." Leif said, forcing a smile on his face. his expression slowly softened.
"Also, I owe them a great deal. My mother was sick, and I needed some money from them. I borrowed a lot from them, and I haven't paid everything in full. That's why they were coming after me. I plan to return their money as soon as I can, but since I could barely survive with the mints I earn, and since I had to support my sick mother, I couldn't pay them as fast as I could."
"I deserve their beating. If it weren't for them, my mom would've gotten worse. It was thanks to them that she was still alive, or so that's what I think."
Satoshi had no idea what kind of illness Leif's mother had or how much money he needed. And quite frankly, he didn't want to pry into another person's personal life. That's why he didn't ask any more questions. After all, he more or less already understood why Leif acted that way when he was being bullied. At the very least, the question in his mind had already been answered.
"But still, I'm really grateful that you came to my rescue when no one did, Satoshi-san. You're a very kind person, I can tell." Leif went on since Satoshi wasn't saying anything.
"N-not really, anyone who didn't know would've reacted the same thing. I hope your mother gets a full recovery." Satoshi said. It was probably hard for Leif to support his mom, especially when he needed to focus on being a Disciple. Obviously, he was doing what he could at the present, and Satoshi found it totally admirable.
"Thank you so much," Leif bowed his head in gratitude.
With that, the group continued their walk back home, debating whether they should throw another barbecue party or not.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶