Chương 189: Chapter : 189

"It is not wind," Ira stated in her robotic, deadpan voice. Everyone turned to look at Ira. Sayma pushed her glasses up, looking curious.

"If it is not a physical force, Ira, what is it?" Ira turned her blank stare toward Ken. Her analytical mind had immediately picked up the terrifying, impossible truth behind his goofy little finger gun. She didn't say it with any fear or panic. She just stated the facts exactly as she saw them.

"He is not pushing anyone," Ira explained flatly.

"When the cyan bullet makes contact, there is zero kinetic transfer. The dirt on the ground does not scrape. The air does not ripple. Ken is not shoving us." Ira pointed a pale finger at the empty space.

"He is utilizing highly advanced, incredibly rare space-time magic," Ira declared, her voice totally calm.

"He is literally grabbing the physical coordinates of a person's body and bending the space around them to instantly teleport them a few meters away. He has disguised a reality-warping spell as a simple, comedic shove." The entire courtyard went totally, uncomfortably silent. Laxmi's jaw dropped. Naomi stared at Ken in pure shock. Elma's blue eyes widened to the size of saucers. Space-time magic was a legend. It was considered the absolute peak of magical theory, something only ancient masters could even attempt.

And this messy, lazy boy in an untucked shirt was just casually using it to make people miss their targets. Ken blinked his sleepy eyes. He knew he had been caught, but he wasn't going to drop his act. He just let out a loud, lazy laugh and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Space-time magic? That sounds way too complicated, Ira," Ken joked smoothly, totally brushing off her terrifying analysis.

"I don't know anything about bending coordinates. I just call it the Knockback! It makes people slide! It is just a fun little trick I learned!" He gave them a goofy, entirely relaxed grin, acting like it was no big deal at all. Ira stared at him for three solid seconds. Her flat expression did not change. She didn't press the issue, and she didn't accuse him of lying. She just accepted his silly answer and nodded her head.

"Regardless of what you call it," Ira said in her monotone voice, turning back to Princess Iris and Sayma.

"This bizarre magic is an absolutely phenomenal support ability. If Ken can fire those cyan bullets from the backline during the match, he will completely shatter the 15th Prince's offensive rhythm. The enemy will never be able to land a clean hit on our towers." Naomi's shock instantly turned into a massive, excited smile. She reached out and grabbed Ken by the shoulders, shaking him playfully.

"You did it, Ken!" Naomi laughed, her green eyes shining with total confidence.

"You actually gave us the perfect strategy! You can just sit in the back, stay completely safe, and annoy the bad guys while we smash their towers! We are going to crush this tournament!" This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Ken slouched his shoulders, smiling happily.

"So I really get to just sit in the back and do nothing but point my finger?"

"Yes!" Laxmi cheered, punching the air.

"You are our secret weapon!"

"This is the best day ever," Ken declared, feeling completely satisfied. He didn't care that Ira had figured out a piece of his real power. He didn't care about being a legendary space-time user. He just cared that his team was happy, his cover story as a goofy support character was perfectly intact, and he had secured a comfortable spot in the back row for the big match tomorrow. The 13th Unit was officially ready for the arena.

They had a plan, they had their teamwork, and they had the absolute most annoying, highly effective slacker in the entire Empire on their side.

The noise inside the massive, magically reinforced arena was absolutely deafening. Thousands of cheering citizens packed the grandstands, waving colorful flags and screaming at the top of their lungs. Giant, glowing broadcast screens hovered high above the center of the battlefield, projecting every single detail to the entire Belmontia Empire. It did not feel like a traditional, quiet political dispute. It felt exactly like the biggest sporting event of the century.

Princess Iris stood on the bright green grass of the battlefield, her dark blue uniform looking crisp and sharp. Her vanguard stood behind her, gripping their weapons tightly. Naomi was bouncing on the toes of her combat boots, spinning her twin daggers. Laxmi was grinning, small sparks of orange fire popping around her knuckles. Sayma pushed her thick glasses up the bridge of her nose, her analytical eyes scanning the massive arena.

And standing at the very back of the group, Ken Eliot was doing his absolute best to cover his ears.

"This is ridiculous!" Ken yelled over the roaring crowd, his shoulders slouched forward. His navy blue suit was already starting to look a little wrinkled.

"Why is everyone screaming so loudly? Do they know it is barely past breakfast time? I can actually feel the sound waves vibrating inside my teeth. We need to pass a law against loud noises before noon." Naomi looked over her shoulder and let out a highly amused sigh. She didn't yell at him with pure disgust anymore. She just shook her head, treating him exactly like a chaotic, incredibly noisy friend.

"Stop complaining and pay attention, Ken," Naomi instructed, though she offered him a quick, confident smile.

"The coin toss is about to happen. We need to know if we are attacking or defending first." Elma, standing right next to Naomi in her spotless white and gold uniform, quickly smoothed out her sleeves. She glanced over at Ken, her cheeks turning a very faint shade of pink.

"Yes, please try to look somewhat professional," Elma stammered, quickly looking away before he could catch her staring.

"Millions of people are watching us right now. Do not embarrass us by picking your nose on national television."

"I would never," Ken promised, putting a hand over his heart in a dramatic display of fake offense.

"I am a beacon of absolute elegance." High above them, the loud, booming voices of the two sports anchors echoed through the massive stadium speakers.

"Welcome, citizens of the Empire!" the male anchor, Bob, yelled enthusiastically.

"The energy in this stadium is absolutely electric! The 13th Unit has just stepped onto the field, and they are looking completely ready for action! But they are facing an incredibly tough opponent today. Give it up for the 15th Prince, Hades Belmontia, and his elite vanguard!" The crowd erupted into wild cheers as Prince Hades walked onto the opposite side of the battlefield. He wore his flawless, pitch-black suit. His pale face was totally expressionless, and his piercing green eyes looked as cold as solid ice.

Walking perfectly in step behind him were his nine servants: Adrian, Alexander, Carlos, George, Joshua, Philip, Claire, Isabella, and Karen. They moved with terrifying, robotic precision. They did not smile, they did not wave to the crowd, and they did not look nervous.