Second Flag (1)

But Zero had other plans. Using the environment to his advantage, he continued to divert their attention, picking them off one by one. Their conversations became a mix of frustration and disbelief. They couldn't understand how one person was managing to outmaneuver them so effectively.

With every red bracelet, Zero's confidence grew. He was living up to his reputation and proving that strategy and skill could overcome sheer numbers.

One of the students, frustrated, shouted, "Where is he?!"

Another responded, "He's toying with us!"

But amidst the smoke and confusion, one student managed to close the gap on Zero, lunging at him with a staff. Zero parried, using his own weapon, and their brief skirmish began.

As the staffs clashed, sparks of tension flew. To any onlooker, it was clear that the student Zero was facing was no ordinary combatant; the emblem on his uniform indicated that he was the leader of Celestial Academy. Yet, even faced with the leader's skill and experience, Zero's demeanor didn't change. Instead, he grinned, displaying a mixture of cockiness and amusement.

Zero deflected every blow that the leader sent his way, sidestepping attacks with grace and ease. At times, it seemed like Zero was merely dancing around him, avoiding every hit, not even trying to land one himself. The leader's face grew flushed, frustration evident in his tightened jaw and narrowed eyes.

Instead of going for quick, decisive strikes, Zero chose to toy with him, aiming for areas that wouldn't disable the leader's bracelet. It was a game of cat and mouse, and Zero was clearly enjoying every moment of it.

The leader's staff whistled through the air, aiming for Zero's head, but Zero ducked effortlessly, letting the staff pass harmlessly overhead. Taking advantage of the opening, he delivered a calculated blow to the leader's side. While it wasn't enough to disable the bracelet, it certainly winded the leader.

As the fight dragged on, the leader's movements became more desperate. Every swing, every thrust, seemed fueled by frustration and anger. Zero could see the hope waning in his opponent's eyes. With each unsuccessful attack, the leader's confidence dwindled.

The final moments of their confrontation came suddenly. The leader, in a last-ditch effort, lunged forward, putting all his weight and power behind the blow. Zero, anticipating the move, sidestepped and swiftly struck the leader's hand. The sound of cracking bones filled the air, followed by the leader's agonized scream. He crumpled to the ground, clutching his injured hand. His bracelet began to beep loudly, its light shifting from green to flashing red, signaling a severe injury.

Kneeling next to him, Zero's eyes shone with dark mischief. "Oops, my bad," he said with a chilling smile, his voice dripping with feigned innocence. As the medical team rushed to the scene, Zero stood, looking down at the fallen leader, the weight of his actions clear to all who witnessed it.

=====

Calm Mind Rank F+ has detected an unstable mind and emotion, the skill will be activated.

=====

with a deep breath, Zero then decided to deal with the rest of the Celestial students.

Back at the flag's location, Clara made her move. Swiftly approaching, she took hold of Celestial Academy's flag, tucking it securely with her.

As Mike continued to disable traps, he felt a presence. Turning swiftly, he saw a student lunging at him. Reacting just in time, he ducked, causing the student to trip over him and land right into one of his own academy's traps.

The three of them navigated through the forest, relying on the natural sounds to mask their footsteps. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig was a potential threat, and they moved with heightened awareness.

"Got the flag?" Zero asked in a low voice, casting a glance at Clara.

She nodded, adjusting the flag wrapped around her wrist. "Right here."

Mike, wiping the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve, chimed in, "And I've managed to deal with most of the traps. Still, keep an eye out. Might've missed one or two."

They kept a brisk pace, wanting to put as much distance between them and the Celestial base as possible. Their breaths became synchronized as they ran, and the weight of their task hung in the air.

Zero occasionally looked over his shoulder, ensuring no one was tailing them. The silence was a good sign, but he wasn't about to let his guard down. "Almost there," he whispered, spotting the familiar markers of their base through the trees.

Reaching their base, they quickly made sure the coast was clear before regrouping and catching their breath. Clara unwrapped the flag, placing it securely next to the other raided flags. 

Clara looked at the array of flags they had accumulated and remarked, "It looks like they managed to get a flag."

Mike, slightly puzzled, asked, "Who?"

"The Solstice Academy," Clara clarified. "That's Ares and Kolson's academy, right, Zero?"

Zero, taking a moment to observe the flag, confirmed, "Yeah. And it seems they've acquired Astral's flag. They were one of the favorites to win this festival."

Mike, with a smirk playing on his lips, replied, "So, you're saying they're strong?"

Clara let out a soft sigh, "Hmph. Looks like they weren't all talk after all."

Zero added with a cautionary tone, "They are formidable, so be on your guard and don't underestimate them."

Clara nodded, "Understood, Zero. What's our next move?"

"We currently hold three flags. If we can defend them, we should be able to secure our lead. I think it's best if we shift to a defensive stance for now," Zero proposed.

Mike, stretching a bit and getting ready for the next phase, responded, "Whatever you say, Zero. I'm with you."

***

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric. Every seat was filled with excited fans, some wearing merchandise of their favorite academies, waving flags and chanting slogans. The enormous screens displayed an aerial view of the playing field, showing real-time footage of the teams, their bases, and the flags they had acquired.

Suddenly, the screens faded to black, and the familiar face of the tournament commentator, a woman with fiery red hair and a vibrant personality, flashed on screen.

"Good evening, everyone!" she boomed, her voice echoing throughout the stadium. The crowd responded with a deafening roar of excitement.

"Let's take a quick recap of the past 30 minutes!" A montage began, showcasing key moments, breathtaking captures, near-misses, and intense battles between the teams. Every major play was replayed, with the commentator giving her rapid analysis of each.

After the recap, she continued, "With only 20 minutes left in this thrilling tournament, the stakes are higher than ever! And as it stands..." The screen displayed a leaderboard, "Team 1 has taken a dominant lead!"

The mention of Team 1 caused a significant portion of the crowd to erupt in jubilant cheers, while others groaned, showing their loyalty to other teams.

"But remember, folks," the commentator warned, her eyes gleaming with excitement, "anything can happen in these final moments! Will Team 1 maintain their lead or will there be a surprise turnaround? Stay tuned!"

The screen then transitioned back to the live footage, focusing on Team 1's base, with their three flags displayed prominently. The anticipation in the air was palpable. Everyone knew that the most intense and unpredictable part of the tournament was about to unfold.