65 The Old Rivalry

Vice Principal Zhang went wide eyed as Arata walked off stage. Arata had completely disregarded him and ignored what he asked him to do. Vice Principal Zhang stared at Arata completely stunned. No one else would dream of treating him this way. Even though he knew that Arata was a special case, it was still a shock. And he wasn't the only one that was stunned. The teachers and students in the Arena were all amazed. Not only at Arata's power, but also his attitude and behaviour. He was so angry that he blatantly refused to heal Cassius.

Arata reached his class. They all looked at him with awe and respect. He had fought for their injured classmate and delivered a powerful beating. Arata came over to Antioch. He was unconscious as Teva healed him. She looked up with a grin.

"I have replenished his blood and Energy, but his internal organs are still damaged and disordered. Some of his organs were completely pierced through. I have been able to regrow the things that were largely damaged and I must first heal them before I can close the wound. I can't move him yet as I am directly connected to the Natural Energy in the area. The Energy is keeping him from bleeding out of the open wound. Until I heal his internal injuries and close the wound, we have to stay here."

Arata nodded.

"Understood, I'll make sure you get some food and water to keep you going."

Arata looked up at Biron and Telem. They both nodded in understanding as they rushed off. Teacher Takuma stood on the side with a grin on her face. Arata had exceeded her expectations immensely. Not only did he keep the Class 7 name from being tarnished, but he set a powerful image into the hearts of all those that were watching. He also brought the class closer as a unit, he had turned them into comrades, brothers and sisters in arms.

She was extremely satisfied with these results. She looked over to the other teachers. The next section of the tournament was supposed to start now, but there were some minor delays. The other classes didn't want to compete in the 2 on 2 battles. Nor any other battles. Class 7 were just too intimidating. They gestured for her to come over to join them.

She walked over and bowed. The teacher in charge gave her a grim look.

"Teacher Takuma. The other classes have chosen to forfeit their places in the upcoming battles. The only classes that remain are Classes 1, 2 and your Class 7. However, we have a small issue..."

At this, another teacher cut in, glaring daggers with his eyes at Teacher Takuma.

"Small? Small issue? My students are all injured because of your students. And one of your students has the ability to reverse his spell and heal one of them, yet he chooses not to. Is this how you teach your students?"

The man that spoke was tall and fairly handsome, although his eyes and his demeanor caused people to steer clear of him. He gave off the impression that you were speaking to a cunning and deceptive snake. Teacher Takuma frowned angrily.

"And I suppose that it was OK for your students to severely injure one of my students? By using cheap and despicable methods, attacking before the battle started?"

The male teacher laughed.

"Despicable methods? Please, there is no starting cue in a real battle."

Teacher Takuma quickly replied.

"Then by your logic, why would there be a need to heal the enemy in a real battle?"

The teacher was furious at Teacher Takuma, but was silenced by a simple hand. Vice Principal Zhang gestured for him to stop, and he did. He then turned to Teacher Takuma.

"Although I don't agree with Class 2's methods, they are still children. They will act rashly and foolishly at times, but that is our job as teachers to guide and lead them on to the right path. Teacher Takuma, would you please ask Arata to remove the spell on Cassius?"

Teacher Takuma had a natural respect for Vice Principal Zhang. His power, character and achievements were all at a high level, so his words would obviously carry weight and influence. Teacher Takuma, however, looked at the male teacher and thought about her students. She nodded her head, making the male teacher grin devilishly.

"I will send Arata to undo the spell..."

Vice Principal Zhang smiled. She knew about Teacher Takuma's temper and was glad that she was acting reasonably. He was about to thank her, but she cut him off and continued talking.

"After Antioch has been fully healed."

The grin on the male teacher's face dropped. Vice Principal Zhang sighed. He could see that she would stubbornly put her foot down for this and would not be moved. The male teacher furiously walked to the stage. He stood at the center before turning around.

"Teacher Takuma. I challenge you to a battle."

The Arena of teachers and students went silent. They were stunned that a teacher would actually call out another teacher. This behavior was definitely not proper conduct for a teacher. The male teacher continued.

"If I win, your student must reverse the spell immediately. If I lose, my class will pull out of the competition and Class 7 will be crowned as the champions."

Everyone was stunned even further. This was a large bombshell to drop. Before Teacher Takuma could reply, another voice cut in.

"Crowned as the champions? Are you going to just ignore us?"

A beautiful young woman stepped forward. Although she seemed to be quite young, she had an old look in her eyes, like she had witnessed the passing of ages. She was the teacher in charge of Class 1. Teacher Takuma and the male teacher on stage both looked at the woman with a fierce look. The three classes were always fighting against each other. The Royal Institute had their system set up so that the teacher would remain the teacher for their class until the end of the classes studies. They would stay with them for the 5 years until the students either graduated and left or were admitted to the Inner Court. The teachers would then rotate to a new class the next year and repeat.

Classes 1, 2 and 7 were always at war with each other. Although Class 7 had predominantly dominated, Classes 1 and 2 were not any weaker. They still bore a strong grudge with each other. And naturally, the teachers of their classes carried that same competitive spirit. The three teachers were known to be constantly trying to one up each other, having also attended their respective classes when they were kids.

Their methods of teaching followed a specific philosophy that were unique to their classes. Class 7 were known as the Class of Monsters. They focused on pushing students to their limits, allowing them to burst with strength, dominating the battlefield with power. If you didn't have the talent or the potential to grow at these rates, you were discarded and cast aside. Only monsters and freaks were permitted.

Class 1 were known as the Class of Angels. They trained and taught through purity. By purifying one's character, you would be able to create a path of righteous strength, enabling you to grow with a powerful foundation beneath you. They also focused on unity and coordination, which was why they didn't participate in the one on one battles. They specialized in team battles.

Class 2 were known as the Class of Devils. They believed that victory was everything. Morals, feelings and emotions got in the way of reaching true power. If you wanted something, you took it. They believed that your desires will lead you to power. They put value into the end result, the methods and how you battled were just tools. It didn't matter how you won, but only that you win in the end.

Teacher Takuma and the pretty teacher locked eyes. Teacher Takuma smirked.

"Would you like to join the battle then, Teacher Diya?"

The beautiful woman smiled.

"I can't let the two of you have all the fun."

The two women walked on to the stage. Vice Principal Zhang knew that he couldn't stop them at this point, so he walked on stage as well. The other teachers wouldn't be able to properly judge and contain the three teachers Energy when they fought. He stood in the centre of the three teachers, who were glaring viciously at each other. The students in the Arena sat up excitedly as they were going to witness a battle between experts. Vice Principal Zhang spoke.

"Teacher Nyoka has stated his terms for winning, that Class 7's Arata remove the spell from Class 2's Cassius. His terms for losing will be that his class will forfeit the remaining battle competitions. Teachers Takuma and Diya, what are your terms?"

Teacher Diya spoke up first.

"I'm OK with his terms. If he wins, I will offer his class some cultivation resources, and if he loses, I am perfectly fine with him withdrawing his class. As for Teacher Takuma, if she wins, I will also withdraw my students from the remaining battle competitions. But if I win, in the battle competitions, I would ask that those that have previously fought be unable to fight in the remaining battles."

Teacher Diya looked offstage to Arata. She smiled at him. Arata clearly understood her meaning. Teacher Takuma smirked at Teacher Diya's terms. She spoke up.

"If Teacher Nyoka wins, I will fulfill his request. If Teacher Diya wins, I will accede to her terms as well. I have no additional terms."

The students were all looking forward to the battle that was going to take place. Especially those from Classes 1, 2 and 7. They watched anxiously. This was a battle of pride and respect. If Teacher Nyoka won, Class 2 would gain cultivation resources from Class 1, which was a good prize. But having Class 7 submit and be made to heal their comrade, that was something that the Class students desperately wanted. If Teach Diya won, not only did they not have to worry about fighting Class 2, but Class 7 would be weakened by having Arata, Ryouma and Cephas removed from participating.

It was obvious that this term was to get rid of Arata. Class 7 didn't have much to gain from this battle. They would automatically win the competition, but they lost more if they were to lose. Either being weakened by losing their strongest classmate, or the shame of being made to heal someone they despised. They chose to trust and believe in their teacher.

Vice Principal Zhang stepped back, getting ready to begin the match. Teacher Nyoka smirked as he looked at the two women.

"You both are fools for accepting my challenge. It will be fun having my with you both."

Teacher Diya made a look of disgust.

"Your perverted ways will be cast out by the light. Prepare to be defeated."

Teacher Takuma rolled her eyes.

"Shut up. You idiots talk too much "

The three Teachers took up their fighting stances. Vice Principal Zhang paused before sending out a powerful wave of Energy. The three teachers rushed to the middle. They had vanished from the students vision as they moved too quickly. Even with Shadow Awareness activated, Arata also had trouble keeping up with their movements. The three teachers clashed in the middle and a powerful shockwave was felt throughout the Arena.

This was a level far away from where they were currently. The gap between the teachers and the students was made known here. Arata knew that he would be crushed if he had to take on a frontal assault by any of these three teachers. They were all pushed back. Lightning was dancing on and around Teacher Takuma as she held a glowing golden spear. Teacher Diya had four pure white Angel wings on her back. She was also holding a shining white staff with gems embedded into it. Teacher Nyoka had a red and black shadow hovering over him and his black scythe, which had what looked like red veins that covered it. The veins seemed to be moving across the scythe.

The three teachers channelled their Energy before sending forth a wave of attacks.