"Oh? Alice wants to be a team leader?" Larien hums in surprise.
Like I would pass up such a good opportunity. It doesn't matter how or by how much. Any chance I get to increase my influence, I'll take it.
"Wow. I can totally see you fitting the role perfectly!" Darius exclaims.
"Then, shall I be your first teammate?" Larien says with a dubious smile.
Huh? This... is troubling. I was hoping he would become a team leader of his own. That way, winning would be even more rewarding. My strength would be compared to that of a prince, and my reputation would take new heights. But if he joins my team... I can just see the headlines now. 'The orphan commoner's team was only able to win because they had the strength of the third prince with them.' That would suck.
"Uh... As a prince of the kingdom, wouldn't you find it more beneficial to lead a team of your own rather than team up with a social reject like myself?" I state, hoping he'll change his mind immediately.
"That's not true. Just being of help to someone as skilled as you is fulfilling enough, but if I team up with you, I'm sure I'll get to see more interesting things and learn a lot," He speaks, not allowing the smile on his face to fade. "Besides, if it is about a matter of proving my strength and achievements to the kingdom, then I can just do so in the individual matches."
"Individual matches?"
"Hm? Yeah. It's not like the competition is focused solely on team play. There are several individual contests mixed in, so you don't necessarily have to be in a team to join." Larien explains.
"I see."
Although that makes the idea of letting him join my team less distasteful, Larien is still a prince. It would be inevitable that all eyes would fall on him during the competition, however, I guess there is a plus side. If everyone wants to watch the third prince compete, they'd just as well be interested in the team he's competing alongside with.
"Alright. I guess that's fine. How many people need to be on a team exactly?"
"Excluding the team leader, you'd need no less than three and no more than six. So four to seven people allowed on a single team. With me, you'd need two more people to be eligible to compete in team plays." Larien states, counting vaguely with his fingers.
"I'm joining too! I-If you don't mind." Darius exclaims, leaning in with his hand up.
"Uh... sure."
"Good. Then you only need one more person to be able to register your team, though I'd recommend a five person team." Larien says with a soft grin.
"Hm? Why?"
"Some rounds in the competition are more advantageous to teams with a higher number of people, though having a larger number of teammates can also be a disadvantage so I've often heard that five is the golden number."
"So we'll aim for two more members then."
Though it doesn't really matter the number of the opposing teams or our own. We'll be leaving everyone else in the dust regardless.
"It shouldn't be too hard with Prince Larien on our team," Darius adds, with a hint of enthusiasm in his voice.
"Do I need to fulfill any special conditions to be a team leader?"
"Not really. The competition is open to every student, though the teachers are more likely to select students in the top classes of Desdan and Bland." Larien answers.
Then it shouldn't be a problem for me then. This competition couldn't have come at a better time. Winning it would progress my plans by a lot. It's a little exciting.
With the loud bell, Professor Lauren walks in as usual to start the lesson, and on cue, he mentions that the selection for the team leader participants will be held after class.
After two hours of the long lecture on magic circles and enchantments, Professor Lauren glances at his pocket watch that usually hangs around his necked and tucked in his shirt pocket, then closes his books containing lesson materials.
"Okay now. I believe you are all aware of the procedures of the Averos competition. Then we'll get straight to it. At present, how many students are interested in the team leader positions?"
After a few whispers, eight nobles go ahead to put their hands up, one of which I believe is Evie. I think that was her name.
Just in case, I peek at Larien who sits calmly beside me. So he's really not putting his hand up? And it seems I'm not the only one curious, as I notice all eyes in the class had turned to Larien who casually played off ignorant with both his hands down.
Whispers and chatter break out among them as they remain puzzled as to why the prince would not be interested in leading a team. Though some are visibly relieved at the fact they would either not have to compete against him, or now have the chance to recruit him on their teams.
Well, I suppose that's fine. Disappointing as it seems, Larien is still a capable fighter and someone I can very well use. I might as well. As if adding fuel to a raging fire, the whispers grow as I slowly put my hand up as well.
Professor Lauren flinches a little, probably noticing why Larien didn't choose to become a leader, before he scribbles my name onto the list with the rest of the other eight nobles.
All the stares that were once solely on Larien had now been split between us.
"Very well. You have until the end of the month to register your team with at least three other valid members. I urge you select wisely." Lauren states before leaving the class in a still disarrayed state.
From the corner of my eye, I notice Evie approach me with three other nobles behind her. I can already guess what this is about. If years of playing fantasy games and reading isekai manga has taught me anything, it's that situations like these are the classic, 'You're a peasant so you're not good enough to compete against me' scenarios.
"I guess if you mingle with the low-borns long enough they'd actually start to think that an ant is anything more than a common bug," Evie muses, hovering above me with a glare that attempts to put me in my place.
The other three nobles behind her laugh to terrifyingly lame joke.
"Honestly this is surprising. I don't mean to be rude your highness, but what possessed you to want to sit next to this commoner, not to mention team up with him? Is this some act of benevolence or pity?"
Really now. Is this girl for real? or is she just dumb?