Within just two months, Rozen's former companions had all experienced remarkable growth.
Loki had reached the final level of the Mind's Eye.
Charlotte had inherited the legacy of Spirit Arts.
Even Frey could now control thirteen Garm-series automatons, greatly boosting her strength.
These three were now much more confident than before.
Especially Charlotte—her confidence was now accompanied by a carefree and composed demeanor. She was no longer pushing herself so hard just to win at the Night Party.
Sigmund, clearly pleased with this change in Charlotte, seemed much more at ease as well. No longer perched atop Charlotte's hat, he now flew beside her, as if declaring to everyone that this girl no longer needed his constant protection.
And thus, Charlotte appeared before the group.
She immediately glared straight at Rozen.
"Uh…" Rozen asked in confusion, "Why are you looking at me like that? Did I offend you or something?"
His question was met with a scolding from Charlotte.
"You didn't offend me, but I just don't like the sight of you. Is that a problem?"
Charlotte spoke with clear displeasure, even carrying a trace of grievance and dissatisfaction, which left Rozen even more baffled.
What's up with this girl?
Thankfully, Charlotte's considerate translator stepped in just in time.
"Don't take it personally, Rozen," Sigmund explained. "Charlotte is just sulking. She's been back for two days now, and in that time, you haven't come to see her once. Meanwhile, you've been spotted all over campus by students and professors, busy with your activities, while Charlotte has been holed up in the dorms, with no one coming to visit. Naturally, she's feeling pretty unhappy."
"I-Is that so?"
Rozen was instantly speechless.
"Charl…"
"Miss Charlotte…"
Even Frey and Yaya looked at Charlotte with sympathy and pity.
Charlotte panicked at once.
"T-That's not it!" she shouted, flustered and annoyed. "I'm not mad because no one came to see me! And I wasn't hiding in my dorm! I even visited Henri while she was working!"
But rather than easing the situation, her words only earned her even more sympathetic looks.
"D-Don't look at me like that… stop it…!"
Charlotte covered her face with teary eyes and squatted down.
Seeing this, Frey hurried over.
"Don't cry, Charl. I'll come hang out with you next time."
She tried her best to comfort her.
Even Komurasaki couldn't help but speak up.
"Big Sis, don't be sad. I'll come play with you next time too, okay?"
Komurasaki also joined in to console Charlotte.
Little did they know, these words only made things worse for her.
"I don't need you all to come play with me! I'm not a child!"
Charlotte snapped in frustration.
The girls immediately burst into laughter and teasing, their bond clearly growing stronger in the process.
But not everyone shared in their cheerful mood.
Especially the other Glove Holders who would be competing alongside Rozen and his group—they watched the scene of merriment with rather unpleasant expressions.
Then...
"If you want to play, why not go play somewhere else? This is still a Night Party battlefield, you know?"
With this voice, the laughter ceased. Everyone turned toward the source.
From the gathered Glove Holder participants, a figure stepped out like a representative and approached Rozen and his companions, wearing a disapproving expression.
It was a boy wearing glasses, with an intellectual face, draping a formal coat over his shoulders.
A metallic golem followed closely by his side, clearly his automaton.
Seeing this person, Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't this Abein-senpai ,the Black Iron Crystal?"
With her words, everyone recalled this young man's identity.
Abein, as Charlotte said, was their senior, ranked 51st overall and the highest-ranked participant tonight. His codename: Black Iron Crystal.
His strength was formidable—just one step away from the top 50. Excluding Rozen, Charlotte, Loki, and Veyron, he was considered the strongest participant of tonight's Night Party by many students. Even Frey, who controlled five Garms, was believed to be no match for him. In terms of overall skill, he was indeed powerful within the academy.
Of course, strong by general student standards—but not quite enough when standing before Rozen's group.
"Are you here to formally declare war, Abein?" Loki asked with a mocking tone.
"I'm just here to give you all a warning," Abein said as he pushed up his glasses and sneered. "We're up against each other next, and this battlefield belongs to us too. Don't think your victory is guaranteed."
"Oh?" Charlotte shot back aggressively. "Senpai, are you actually under the impression that you can win? Are you stupid?"
Harsh words—but not without reason.
After all, realistically, Abein shouldn't have the confidence to say he could win.
Not only were Charlotte and Loki both among the Thirteen Ranks, but Rozen was also present. Where was Abein getting his confidence from?
Rozen turned his gaze toward Abein, smiling faintly.
"Could it be, senpai, that you've prepared some grand countermeasure to surprise me?"
Rozen's tone was amused.
Abein's face stiffened slightly. Being stared at by Rozen seemed to make him a little nervous, but he quickly composed himself.
"You'll find out soon enough whether I've got a strategy," Abein replied stiffly. "Don't get cocky. The Night Party is, after all, a Machinart competition, where puppeteers command automatons in strategic battles. If you were summoning magical beasts with ancient magic, that would be another story. But your use of ancient magic won't be recognized by the Night Party's Execution Committee."
This wasn't entirely wrong.
If Rozen were to rely solely on jujutsu to fight, it likely would be stopped by the committee.
The Night Party was a Machinart competition, measuring puppeteers' skills. While summoning Shikigami or Spirit-based familiars might be permitted, magic like those are likely wouldn't be allowed.
Otherwise, if someone couldn't attack puppeteers directly and had to face an opponent using unregulated spells, it would turn into target practice.
So Rozen probably couldn't rely on jujutsu in this competition.
"Plus, the space here is limited and surrounded by spectators. You won't be able to summon many magical creatures for battle." Abein continued confidently. "In the Night Party, you can't unleash the terrifying power you showed two months ago. You'll have to fight as just another puppeteer, using your automaton in battle."
"In that case, we're not without a chance."
With that, Abein finally sounded like he had some confidence.
"We've gathered 19 puppeteers under my command. It's not impossible for us to defeat you."
"If you underestimate us, you'll only be hurting yourself."
"We'll see you on the battlefield."
Leaving behind those words, Abein turned and left decisively.
Completely unaware that everyone was staring at him with cold, detached eyes.