Chapter 38: Possibility Flags
In the first battle they had to take, if ever they were picked, Cillian had already made preparations beforehand.
Being the first person to be able to read the theme for how this year’s tournament would unfold, he carefully analyzes how the academy matches would progress if it continued to develop as it is.
The students who just received the information last week from their homeroom instructors didn’t know the full concept of the theme, as not everything was included yet in the document they received, just like most of the class, who were unable to see it.
The ones who held full information were the people who possessed the same knowledge as Cillian. He didn’t know if they were smart enough to come up with the same strategy as him, but since they got the entire concept, they must be leading to the same plans.
’Class 1-G, huh.’
Regarding how they will determine their opponents in the upcoming tournament, it’s related to the exams on Friday. Since there are seven classes in each class batch, the total exam scores are summed up, which determines which class fight another class.
The total score is a pivotal lead that could determine how each class progresses.
This made Fergus’s absence already a disadvantage since he was still calculated as part of Class 1-A.
After all, the first place of each batch can fight twice in the tournament, with each class having seven teams.
Cillian came to know that Class 1-C was placed first in the overall rankings.
And he knew the leader of this class.
’Jack Trade...’
Well, there was nothing to do about it.
’I’ll win anyway. It doesn’t matter if it’s that guy or not.’
In fact, Cillian was already looking forward to fighting Class 1-C. He still couldn’t forget the time Jack tried to hurt him with a kick.
Cillian set aside these thoughts since if there was ever a chance to take the first place, he would’ve taken it, but alas, he couldn’t control anything.
It’s better to move on with better strategies.
Cillian saw Class 1-A gathering around Aster, who was unanimously selected as the class person who would hold their own flag.
It seemed that their plan was for Aster to take the flag and hold it for the betterment of Class 1-A’s future fights.
It was an obvious decision one has to make if they ever witnessed his skills.
If it wasn’t Aster who would take care of their flag, who is competent and capable enough to do it?
There was one such person.
’I’m going to steal that position from you. You’re nothing but a fake commander right now.’
Cillian snickered before hearing Ulrich’s announcement at the front as if guiding little children.
After saying things here and there, mostly heartfelt advice coming from him, Ulrich smiled and said.
"Class 1-A, are you ready?"
Aster and his squad nodded on behalf of the entirety of Class 1-A before the homeroom instructor of Class 1-G on the other side said the same thing. Once both classes gave their cue that they had all made their preparation, the two instructors signaled before leaving their classes.
"I wonder what landscape we are going to enter?"
"Will our equipment be enough?"
"Hey, quiet down! Remember to not move, okay?!"
Once the instructors had left the site, as the students readied themselves for the incoming fight, the view of their front started to change.
The solid floor of the ground complex was being replaced with a mushy, green meadow that spread across the surface. Tall trees started spawning on the battlefield to bring the landscape not so bland, and added a bit of variety to the landscape.
Eventually, due to the trees starting to cover their positions, Cillian wasn’t able to spot the other class at the very end of his sight and was covered by the same trees.
’Virtual Reality...? Freaking awesome!’
After the landscape had settled in and the signal from the versioned battlefield announced the start of the match, they checked themselves if they were moving.
"Wow..."
"Sorcery has become very advanced."
Most of the people reacted naturally, but their excitement and reverie regarding the versioned battlefield was short-lived when Willow took the reins forward.
"Let’s move, all of you!"
Everyone begins to work.
Willow began to ask everyone to make makeshift camps and followed through with the lists of the things they had planned beforehand. With the help of most people, their preparation should be done in a day.
However, some people in their class are just unwilling to cooperate. Fred, Baron, and the rest of the outcasts seemed to be another group on their own as they broke themselves into the main group.
This made the progress slightly halted.
The only outcast left in Willow’s command is Cillian, who is unwilling to help the main group and doesn’t seem to join Fred and the rest of their group.
He was just alone.
"Hey, a little help here!"
Kash, a member of a noble family in the Land of Viola, arrogantly asked for Cillian’s assistance since he wasn’t doing anything.
Cillian looked at Kash, flashing both of his middle fingers at him before he sat down on the ground and leaned against the tree, resting his back properly.
"This guy...! Tsk."
Kash ignored him and went to find others who were willing to help.
Cillian observed the rest who were trying to make haste on their buildings as he shook his head.
’They look like they are planning on being defensive? That’s not good, Willow. The time limit for each match might be a week, but you don’t know the consequences of not being able to seize the flag of your opponent after the time limit. Well, it’s not like I’m planning to tell any of you this, though.’
Cillian mused inwardly before adding.
"Don’t worry, I will not let it get to that point."
Cillian paused as he looked at the artificially bright sky before glancing at the corner of his eye.
[Death Flag System has started!]
’Looks like I’ll finally have some leisure time to study this system.’
Cillian looked around before clicking the screen in front.
[Death Flag System!]
[Detecting user’s strength...]
[Unlocked Lower Features!]
[Locked!]
[Locked!]
[Death Flag System Lower Features!]
[Name: Possibility Flags
Description: Flags aren’t permanent but merely show possibilities. The Death Flag System constantly calculates these possibilities through actions, information, allies, and circumstances. A Death Flag today might become a Red Flag tomorrow. Likewise, a harmless White Flag can suddenly spike into a Death Flag.
Passive Ability: Able to identify basic flags.
White Flag: Potential threat. Danger is indirect or distant. Lowest level of danger and no immediate risk or weak omens. Easy to influence and change. Actions may or may not require
Red Flag: Significant warning signs. The current threat is present. A danger becomes genuinely possible rather than a distant outcome. Actions may or may not require.
Black Flag: Severe threat is present. Threats that hurt become a realistic possibility. Usually requires a deliberate effort to resolve. Actions may or may not require
Death Flag: The highest warning signs of threat. Deaths are one of the expected outcomes. Doesn’t guarantee death but strongly favors it. Produced by accumulated mistakes, impossible circumstances, or encounters beyond one’s capability to solve. Very difficult to remove. Actions may or may not require]
’Holy crap, it’s almost as if I have an automatic danger meter. And it seems to be the sme flags I saw on myself and others. So it’s a passive ability. No wonder.’
Cillian couldn’t help but gulp in amazement once he realized this was a passive ability from his system.
This explains why Cillian was able to see these flags even though the Death Flag System hasn’t even started yet.
’But I have a question, though. Do the flags indicate my possibilities or people’s possibilities of death flags? Or, is it both?’
If it indicates Cillian’s death flag possibilities, does that mean he’ll have to watch out for these flags?
Because the only time his white flag above his head turned into a death flag was the moment the System repeatedly warned him through the illusory deaths.
’Maybe I was meant to die there?’
Cillian shivered at the mere thought.
The [One Time Plot Armor] saved him just in time.
How? Why? And who was that lone figure who helped him get out of that certain death?
The second question regarding the death flag possibilities was the people’s possibilities of death flags.
Cillian noticed white flags from Vin and Phillip. How Aster’s White Flag turned to Black when he saw him. Then Bard’s Red Flag in his room. Finally, the Death Flags appeared above Aiden when he saw him for the first time.
Were the flags meant for them and their current possible death flags, or is it going to indirectly affect him in the process?
Well, Aiden’s death flag almost killed him if not for his system. In fact, if it wasn’t for him, Caspin, Phillip, and Vin might’ve been dead already.
"Can you read my mind? Can you answer me? Do possibilities come from them or me? Or..."
Is it both?
Cillian was more likely to think that flag possibilities might have affected both, which is directed to him and the people he was meeting with.
Cillian sighed as the Death Flag System didn’t answer.
"He’s whispering to himself."
"Crazy guy is whispering to himself!"
Both the Rofter twins, Gary and Dary, mumbled to themselves, which was enough for Cillian to hear, which he didn’t mind.
All he did was give him a glare and proceeded to look at the next functions of the Death Flag System.
[Nearby Flag Presence]
[Domino Trace]
[Death Flag Probe]
All of them are active abilities
Cillian couldn’t help but feel excited.
’Let’s see what we got here.’
