16 Chapter 3 (1/7)

Student Intermediate Mages tournament battle is different compared to Student Novice Mages. The group of six will be split into three teams that fight three rounds. Each team will have up to three members. A minimum of one member and a maximum of three members per match. That means a group could have put up to three members to fight with another two members of the opposing team. The team members who have already fought could not fight again in the next round.

For example:

First-round. A team of 2 members versus another team of 2 members.

The second round, 3 versus 2.

Then the last round will be 1 versus 2.

Similarly,

First-round. A team of 3 members versus another team of 1 member.

The second round, 2 versus 2.

Then the last round will be 1 versus 3.

However, many groups follow traditional matches such as:

First-round. A team of 2 members versus another team of 2 members.

The second round, 2 versus 2.

Then the last round will also be 2 versus 2.

If two out of three teams win then that group would win the battle.

Are you confused? Yeah, me too. Let's move on.

The first battle of Student Intermediate Mages. Mages' Academy of Lineguard versus Mages' Academy of Ganarion. Lineguard is the capital city of Tarlakalian Theocracy, located to the East of Bifjorkian Theocracy. Ganarion is the capital city of Nalas Kingdom, a small nation next to the Bridia Kingdom.

Needless to say, Lineguard defeated Ganarion by 2-0. Lineguard 2 wins, Ganarion 0 win. Ganarion does not have a chance for the third round as two of their teams have lost.

The second battle of the Student Intermediate Mages. Mages' Academy of Shimbermi of Cloudia Empire versus Mages' Academy of Mapmaw of Commonwealth of Mapmawia. Many people predicted that Shimbermi would win as Cloudia Empire is also a big nation with many talented mages. However, the battle ended with Mapmaw having 2 wins, and Shimbermi only 1 win.

Vincenzo walked into the room dedicated to Arthur's group and said, "Your opponents will be students of Smot. Get ready, your team will be up next."

Except for Arthur, the rest of the team was stunned to hear this. Mages' Academy of Smot in the Kingdom of Ronia was ranking #3 in all Mages Academies of Toria Continents. Who could have thought that their first match would be this unlucky?

"Guys, what’s up with that expression? Cheer up and don't be afraid because we have Arthur Castillon. As his professor, I know how strong he is." As Vincenzo said this, the group started to gain some confidence back.

"Professor Biersack, I will not let you down again. No other Intermediate Mage can defeat me. I will bring victory to our Mages' Academy." Arthur confidently said.

"Arthur, since the day you joined the Mages' Academy of Nosh, you have never let me down. It does not matter what the outcome of this battle will be. As long as you have done your best, let me worry about the rest. Understood?"

"Yes, Professor Biersack."

"Now, go out there and show them that the students of Nosh are no weaklings!"

As Arthur's group started walking to the arena, the arena announcer introduced battle contenders on both sides to the audience, "Ladies and Gentleman. For our third match of Student Intermediate Mages, let me introduce the first team who came from the Mages' Academy of Nosh. Sofia Verardi, twenty-two years old, a Light Mage. Quinn Belltoward, twenty-two years old, a Wind Mage. Randall Oakbar, twenty-two years old, an Ice Mage. Alethra Dalton, twenty-one years old, an Earth Mage. Astra Falck, twenty-one years old, a Black Mage. And huh? Oh... sorry about that. And Arthur Castillon, nineteen years old, a Conjurer Mage."

The announcer had to double-check because Mages' Academy of Nosh has never registered any Student Intermediate Mage at the age of nineteen. The audience started talking about Arthur Castillon as they heard of his young age.

After Arthur's group walked in, the announcer continued, "Uh-oh, their opponents are Student Intermediate Mages from Mages' Academy of Smot. Let me introduce Eleanor Leerstrom, twenty-two years old, a Conjurer Mage. Samm Lancaster, twenty-one years old, a Fire Mage. Milos Greenguard, twenty-one years old, a White Mage. Ballard Donoghan, twenty years old, an Ice Mage. Belka Holland, twenty years old, a Black Mage. And Krynt Browser, nineteen years old, a Wind Mage."

Arthur was not surprised to hear Mages' Academy of Smot had a nineteen years old Student Intermediate Mage. Perhaps lost to Kain in a duel had taught Arthur a lesson of recognizing that he was not the ‘Chosen One’. There was and always will be someone else stronger than him in this universe. Arthur didn't know if Krynt Browser has mastered the Intermediate-tier yet or not. But he will never allow himself to look down on the other again.

After the announcer finished, both groups walked to their reserved areas outside of the fighting ground and waited for further instructions. Two minutes later, the arena master gave commands for the first team of each group to enter.

Like the groups on both sides have planned, the first round will be 2 versus 2. The team of Quinn and Alethra versus the team of Krynt and Eleanor.

A signal was fired to indicate the battle had started.

Quinn immediately casted [Wind Walk] spells on himself and Alethra, allowing them to fly. Alethra then casted [Earthquake], level 20 Earth spell, to create a strong earthquake that keeps the opposing team off their feet.

Krynt thought to himself, "Nice... They do have a mastered Intermediate Earth Mage. This is going to be fun."

Krynt casted [Wind Walk] spell on himself and flew up to avoid being shaken by the earthquake. Before Krynt could cast [Wind Walk] spell on Eleanor, Quinn casted [Wind Strike], level 1 Wind spell, to create a strong wind pressure that could cut through flesh. The [Wind Strike] quickly flew toward Krynt’s direction.

Krynt was forced to casted [Warding Wind] to reflect the [Wind Strike] at Quinn. But the [Wind Strike] weakened and faded before it could touch Quinn. Krynt continued keeping his [Warding Wind] spell up to prevent another attack from Quinn while casting [Wind Walk] spell on Eleanor to help her fly up as well.

The earthquake had stopped as Alethra stopped using her mana to maintain it. However, neither team decided to deactivate [Wind Walk] spells first. If Krynt and Eleanor landed on the ground, Alethra could cast another [Earthquake] spell to make them fall.

Krynt smiled and told Eleanor, "Eleanor, you don't have to be worried because my mana pool is large enough to hold both of us flying for at least two hours. Let's fight this battle using airborne techniques and show them how strong we truly are.”