The Academy's Competition (III)
The fight between the academies continued.
And to everyone's surprise, the Holy Academy won the contest against the Eternum's Royal Academy.
However, none of them had sent their leaders or even the named characters.
I had to admit that the students from each academy were incredibly talented for their age.
Compared to Silverleaf, only three or four of our students could match their level.
But that was good enough for me—our academy didn't need to be the strongest, just smart enough to win.
The next match between Beastkin Academy and Sword Academy was one-sided.
The Beastkin Academy dominated all five battles without losing a single point.
And now it was time to draw the lots once again.
Like before, I was the last one getting the scroll.
Ella's number was 3.
The huge tiger's number was 2.
The sword academy's leader was 1.
The Saintess's number was 2.
That means... my number is 1.
"Tough luck."
I muttered, stretching my arms casually before heading back to our station.
My classmates were waiting nervously, all of their eyes fixed on me. I looked at Vivian and she nodded her head at me.
"Don't worry guys, I have a small plan in mind..."
My smile deepened.
Then, I started explaining my plan to them.
It was simple.
Each of our academy's students specialized in a single attribute or skill, so I planned to use that to our advantage.
The only problem is that everyone in the Sword Academy is a swordsman, so we needed someone who could keep a safe distance and counter them effectively.
A wind user.
"Students, get into the arena!"
The announcer's voice boomed, snapping everyone back to focus.
Immediately, I turned my gaze towards the sword academy's station and as I saw the student stepping it, I turned back.
"You're up. Just stick to the plan, and you'll be fine."
"Um!"
Maria nodded, her green hair swaying slightly as she stepped into the arena. She was one of the strongest wind users in our academy, and I trusted her completely.
We just needed four wins since I'll guarantee the fifth one.
With the two students in the arena, the announcer exclaimed loudly.
"Let the match begin!"
Swish!
Immediately, the student from the sword academy charged, bringing out his sword and slicing it in Maria's direction.
He was quite fast, but it couldn't compare to Maria who was a wind user.
Fwoop!
With a graceful wave of her hand, a gust of wind pushed her back just enough to dodge his opening strike.
Clang!
His blade struck the ground where she had been standing a moment before, sending sparks flying.
And it continued like that.
As the swordsman tried to strike Maria, she would use her wind magic to get away from him instantly.
And soon enough, the swordsman was growing frustrated.
Clang!
Clink!
Fwoop!
Each swing of his sword sounded louder and heavier as he tried to corner her.
Then came the moment we were waiting for.
The swordsman overreached, lunging forward with a powerful strike.
His blade cut through empty air as Maria sidestepped effortlessly, using her wind magic to push herself into the air.
As he stumbled slightly from the missed attack, Maria raised her hands.
Shhhhrrrrrr!
A strong gust of wind swept across the arena, kicking up dust and forcing the swordsman to steady himself.
He planted his feet and tried to push back, but Maria's wind grew stronger.
SWOOOP!
The force was relentless, pushing him closer and closer to the edge.
The crowd leaned forward in anticipation, holding their breath.
Finally, with one final burst...
BAAM!
Maria's magic sent the swordsman flying backward. His feet skidded across the ground before slipping off the edge of the arena.
Thud!
He landed outside the ring, defeated.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.
"The winner is Maria of Silverleaf Academy!" the announcer declared, his voice booming over the roar of the spectators.
Maria turned to us, a small, proud smile on her face as she walked back to the station.
"Great job."
A smile creeped out to my face.
She really followed my plan entirely.
"Did you guys see? I easily won!" she raised her chin proudly, declaring to the rest of my classmates.
I chuckled at her boast but was quite happy for her. Maria, in particular, didn't have much confidence, so hopefully this victory elevates it.
After a while, the announcer called out for the students again.
Unfortunately, this time it was a stronger student, and I knew no one could beat him except me.
So, I shook my head.
One of my classmates stepped forward and went to the battle. He tried his best, but in the need, he easily got defeated.
Such a pity.
However, as the announcer called out and the student from the other academy stepped out, my eyes immediately lit up.
It was going to be an easy win.
"Derek."
I patted his shoulder, and he turned to look at me.
"It's your time to shine." My lips curled into a faint smile.
Derek's eyes immediately shone as hurriedly went to the arena, waving at us.
Soon enough, the announcer's voice echoed through the arena:
"Begin!"
Ding!
The swordsman dashed forward, his sword slashing towards Derek, but he was ready for his attack.
Boom!
A wall made of earth shot up from the ground, blocking the attack. The clash sent dust flying everywhere, making the crowd roar in excitement.
The swordsman tried to break through Derek's defenses, swinging his sword at the earth wall over and over.
Clang!
Thud!
But Derek wasn't just standing still.
With a stomp of his foot,
CRACK!
The ground beneath his opponent shifted, throwing him off balance.
Derek took the chance to send a wave of jagged rocks toward the swordsman.
Rumble!
The swordsman leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding the attack, but as he landed, Derek slammed his hands to the ground.
BOOM!
A massive pillar of earth shot up beneath the swordsman, launching him into the air. He landed outside the arena with a heavy thud!
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"The winner is Derek of Silverleaf Academy!" the announcer shouted.
Derek walked back to us, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
"Two wins down."
I raised my hand, and he dapped me up.
Finally, just like Maria, he also boasted.
These kids...
Since the round began, a smile didn't leave my lips.
However, the next three matches were a disaster.
They sent really strong students and we couldn't defeat them, unfortunately.
It was 4-2, they just needed a single point to win while we needed three.
So, we needed to send one of the strongest students of our academy, and after taking a deep look at the Sword Academy's representative...
I decided to go with Mia, our best fire mage.
Unlike the others, Mia was quite confident as she stepped into the arena, her crimson hair was tied back in a ponytail and her fire-coated staff glinted under the sun.
Her opponent was a swordswoman from the Sword Academy, clad in their academy's uniform.
They started at each other for a while, and then...
The announcer's voice rang out.
"Begin!"
Ding!
The swordswoman wasted no time, charging forward with incredible speed.
Whoosh!
Clang!
Her blade collided with Mia's staff, sparks flying in all directions. Mia gritted her teeth, pushing back with a flare of fire from her staff.
Fwoosh!
The swordswoman leaped back, narrowed her eyes, and dashed to Mia's side, her sword slicing through the air.
Swish!
Mia twisted her staff to block, the sound of steel and fire clashing filling the arena.
Clang!
Fwoom!
Mia didn't just defend, though.
She counterattacked, spinning her staff and sending a wave of flames toward her opponent.
Fwip!
Crackle!
The fire roared as it surged forward, forcing the swordswoman to roll to the side.
Clang!
Boom!
The swordswoman tried to close the distance, however, Mia used her fire to keep her at bay, flames swirling around her in some kind of protective barrier.
Shhhhhhh!
The heat was intense, and the swordswoman's movements slowed slightly, sweat dripping down her face.
"Now!"
Seeing an opening, Mia stepped forward and swung her staff, flames trailing behind it like some kind of fire comet.
Fwoosh!
BOOM!
The swordswoman barely managed to deflect the attack, the force of it pushing her back several steps.
The swordswoman gritted her teeth and charged again, this time aiming for Mia's legs.
Swish!
Mia jumped, flipping in midair as her staff left a trail of fire behind her.
She landed gracefully, her boots tapping lightly against the ground.
"You're good," Mia said with a smirk.
"But I'm better."
With a quick motion, Mia twirled her staff above her head, the flames growing brighter and hotter.
Whoosh!
CRACKLE!
The swordswoman hesitated for just a moment, and that was all Mia needed.
She slammed the end of her staff into the ground.
BOOM!
A wave of fire shot out in all directions, forcing her opponent to retreat once more.
But the heat was too much.
The swordswoman stumbled, losing her foot's grip on the floor.
And Mia took the opportunity with a smile.
She thrust her staff forward, sending a focused blast of fire at her opponent's feet.
Fwoosh!
BOOM!
Thud...!
The impact sent the swordswoman flying backward, landing just outside the arena.
The crowd erupted into cheers as Mia raised her staff triumphantly with her flames dissipating away.
"The winner is Mia of Silverleaf Academy!" the announcer declared.
Mia walked back to us with a confident stride, her face flushed but victorious.
"Three down," she said with a grin, twirling her staff.
"Good job."
"Anything for ya~"
She winked at me with a charming smile.
"Hah."
I let out a small laugh.
If there was anything peculiar about Mia, it was the part that she was quite obsessed with me. I didn't mind her actions though.
Her breasts were quite large after all, maybe an E-cup or larger than that.
And like Isaac Newton once said:
The greater the mass, the greater the force of attraction.
Ahem.
Anyway, now we just needed one more win.
And then I would destroy whoever came against me in the final match.
So, I looked towards the sword academy's station, and to my surprise, there was one classmate of mine who could easily deal with him.
James, who was Derek's brother and was also an earth user.
He faced a lean swordsman who was holding a rapier, which meant that his attack was focused on speed and not damage.
However, James looked really confident.
And soon enough, the announcer's voice rang out.
"Begin!"
Swish!
The swordsman darted forward with lightning speed and James responded immediately, stomping the ground with force.
RUMBLE!
A stone wall shot up, cutting off the swordsman's path.
CRACK!
The swordsman slashed through the wall, sending chunks of stone flying.
"Not bad..." James muttered as he leaped back to secure distance.
He raised his hands, and the ground trembled slightly.
BOOM!
Sharp spikes erupted from the ground, forcing the swordsman to jump back.
The arena was soon a maze of jagged rocks.
But the swordsman remained firm.
Tap, tap, tap!
His light steps danced around the spikes as he closed the distance, slashing through James's rocky defenses.
Finally, his blade struck James' side.
CLANG!
However, the attack bounced harmlessly as a layer of some kind of rock armor appeared in James's body.
"My turn," James said with a grin, before stomping his feet on the ground again.
RUMBLE!
The ground cracked beneath the swordsman, forcing him to leap back.
But before he could regain his balance, a massive stone pillar shot up.
WHAM!
It struck him in the chest, knocking him into the air.
James didn't let up.
He formed a boulder and hurled it with precision.
WHOOSH!
CRACK!
The impact sent the swordsman tumbling out of the arena.
"The winner is James of Silverleaf Academy!" the announcer declared.
James returned to our station with a triumphant grin.
He smiled at me as he made his way to his brother Derek.
They really were brothers...
The two of them defeated their opponents using the same attack as their key attack.
It was quite funny.
"Now, it's 4-4," Vivian exclaimed, and everyone's gaze turned to me.
I only chuckled at their worried gazes.
"Don't worry. I'll destroy whoever my opponent is."
I waved my hand as I turned my back to them and stepped into the arena.
The wind surged up as I did so.
I looked forward and saw the Sword Academy's leader.
Honestly, it was obvious that he was going to be the one fighting against me unless they wanted to hide his abilities.
Soon, the crowd grew louder, their cheers mixing with excited murmurs.
"Looks like Silverleaf is putting out their leader!"
"Finally, we get to see him fight!"
Shing!
He drew his sword, staring at me with the same mechanical cold look.
Then, the announcer shouted.
"The first match between leaders shall begin!"
Swoop!