Sophia didn't even ask questions before entrusting full command to Celitia.

Even though she had anticipated Sophia's choice, this trust still moved Celitia deeply.

If back then...

No, reflecting on the past now was completely meaningless.

Moreover, Celitia knew very well—

People's hearts could change.

Suppressing the distracting thoughts in her mind, Celitia methodically began making arrangements.

The intelligence on the roster personnel was assigned to Sophia.

Sophia was responsible for collecting information on all participants, and the two would analyze it together.

Anyone who could be won over would be approached by Sophia personally.

Shanie's social abilities were unmatched, so Celitia arranged for her to lobby the red team members.

Planting spies was naturally essential.

The task of analyzing the competition venue was given to Benita.

Terrain factors on the battlefield influenced the tipping of victory's scales and absolutely could not be overlooked.

Besides this, during their spare time from studies, Celitia had Sophia gather a group of people for extra training near the small villa where they lived.

Among the competition participants were both nobles and commoners. Celitia needed to know their strength levels and train them accordingly.

Days passed one by one, and soon, the day of the competition arrived.

"Margaret is truly despicable!"

Sophia was exceptionally angry.

The reason was simple—to obstruct them, Margaret had used every trick in the book, even resorting to the underhanded tactic of poisoning.

Having grown up in the court, Sophia was particularly careful about such things and quickly discovered it.

The person who had assisted Margaret in plotting against them was naturally kicked out of the team by Sophia.

"Counting it up, out of fifty people, only about twenty are trustworthy..."

Sophia counted and couldn't help feeling very dejected.

Only when it came time to use people did she discover how weak the power she controlled actually was.

"It's normal," Celitia comforted her. "Loyal people are always fewer than you imagine."

"But it's fine. It's not about quantity—as long as they're elite enough."

Sophia was still frustrated:

"I should have poisoned Margaret and them too! Made them have diarrhea so bad they couldn't come to the competition today!!"

Sophia realized her moral standards were still too high.

Before Margaret put laxatives in her water cup, she hadn't even thought of using such methods to scheme against opponents.

"You could," Celitia chuckled softly. "After all, watering your opponent's money tree to death could be considered part of business warfare. And moreover—"

She touched the pouch hanging at her waist, a sly smile appearing at the corners of her lips.

The former Templar Knight Commander's moral standards weren't particularly high either, though of course Celitia wouldn't admit to that.

Attracted by that smile, Sophia stared for a moment before curiously asking: "And moreover what?"

Celitia winked at her: "Nothing."

Keep it secret for now.

As the two talked, gradually, the time was approaching the agreed-upon assembly time.

Shanie stretched her neck, looking around everywhere, asking in confusion: "Huh, isn't it almost time? Why are there still only twenty-something people?"

Until now, under the blue team's banner, only about half the original number had assembled.

Meanwhile, the red team led by Margaret in the distance had basically everyone present, their formation twice as long as the blue team's.

Sophia counted heads, gradually frowning as an ominous premonition arose in her heart.

Sure enough, when the appointed time arrived, the number of people assembled on the blue side hadn't increased, still remaining at the original twenty-something.

Dean Colton, who was in charge of hosting the competition, walked leisurely to the front of both formations, carrying a thick stack of papers.

"Very regrettably, just before the competition begins, I actually received a large pile of withdrawal applications..."

Waving the papers in his hand toward the students, Colton looked toward the blue team led by Sophia, his face showing an expression of "just as expected."

"Those who withdraw will be permanently banned from participating in academy competitions. Knowing this full well, they still submitted applications to me."

Adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, Colton shrugged helplessly.

"Things being as they are, even as dean, I can't possibly drag them here to force them to participate in the competition."

After hearing Colton's words, the scene erupted in chaos, with everyone discussing heatedly.

Amidst the clamor, Sophia turned her head in disbelief, looking toward Margaret on the other side.

Margaret raised her chin, looking back at her proudly, a satisfied smile curving at her lips.

It was indeed Margaret's doing!!

Sophia's fists were about to shatter from clenching.

"Dean!"

Shanie's voice rose above the boiling crowd noise as she called out loudly, "What should we do now?"

"There are two choices."

Colton gestured for everyone to be quiet, signaling for silence.

"First, continue the competition with the current numbers and groupings. Second, end this competition here and proceed no further..."

Colton's tone shifted, "...but it would count as a blue team defeat."

"Why? That's completely unfair!"

Sophia couldn't help stepping forward, glaring up at Colton with fierce momentum.

"First, Princess Sophia, you need to understand that in this world, there are very few completely fair things. When two countries clash, or when lords have conflicts, no one will talk to you about fairness."

Colton paused slightly, looking calmly at Sophia, who was obviously somewhat stunned.

"Second, from the moment the grouping results came out, the competition had actually already begun. Allowing the enemy to find an opening and turn your teammates against you—very regrettably, Your Highness, you have already lost the pre-competition preparations."

Hearing this, Sophia fell completely silent, having to admit that Colton made sense.

"Either continue the competition under current circumstances, or end it here and acknowledge your side's defeat..."

Colton smiled slightly, "Please choose, Princess Sophia."

Sophia clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, almost drawing blood.

Choosing the first option meant facing a situation where the enemy had twice their numbers.

Choosing the second option meant directly declaring defeat.

No matter which one she chose, it seemed they were destined to lose.

She had thought their preparations were sufficient, yet it had turned out like this.

Why was she so useless that she couldn't even compare to Margaret?

Was she really going to disappoint everyone's expectations like this...?

As Sophia wavered violently, a soft hand gently grasped hers, separating the five fingers that were tightly clenched against her palm.

"No need to hesitate, Sophia."

Celitia's voice sounded by Sophia's ear, calm and composed.

"If you choose to give up, defeat is the only result; but if you let go and fight, there's still a chance to grasp that thread of victory."

She quietly gazed at Sophia, her eyes gentle yet firm.

"Consider this my advice—never give up, Sophia."