4.17.

{-Lives-

Eluive Academy: 2

Covenant's Academy: 2

}

"Hm?"

The magic circle began to spin. This was something that didn't happen in the rounds previously.

The green light came on for Eluive Academy's ensemble.

The beads fired off from the magic circle at once. Like explosive machine gun rounds, they scattered across the defensive barrier–

Perhaps they were testing Eluive Academy's defenses, the magical rounds only lasted six seconds. Likely, they didn't spend a lot of mana on this grand spell.

Then came Covenant Academy's turn to defend. Their barrier showed a golden tint, runes could be seen pulsating on the surface.

A magic circle which had not been seen previously formed on the side of Eluive's ensemble.

Then the green light came on.

A strong death ray tore through the scene.

GOOONNN!!!

A heavy impact caused everything to rumble, one could feel the impact through one's chest. The light was so bright it forced the audience to squint their eyes. The intense force only stopped after ten mortifying seconds.

When the field was revealed, it was found that the golden shield remained inviolated.

It was a perfect defense.

{-Lives-

Eluive Academy: 2

Covenant's Academy: 2

}

["A strong defensive move by Convenant's Academy! Eluive Academy's potent spell was not able to break through!"]

'That should've taken a lot of mana..'

Covenant Academy came with yet again, the round of magical beads. Again, they only fired for only five seconds before ending their attack.

{-Lives-

Eluive Academy: 2

Covenant's Academy: 2

}

When it was Eluive Academy's turn, they used a smaller version of the laser previously, lasting half a minute before turning off the channeling. They drew out the length in hopes that it would force the opposing team to waste more mana.

{-Lives-

Eluive Academy: 2

Covenant's Academy: 2

}

"What defense is that anyways? It looks hella strong," Daizo commented.

"I'm trying to analyze it myself," Sequence said.

'If I could learn the concept behind it, I might actually be able to add it into my arsenal.'

After the match, Sequencee considered trying to find Linton to get an answer.

Crackle–

["Covenant's Academy has been holding back on their attack! What will they show us this time?!"]

A smaller than average magic circle appeared on the field. Odd glass shattering sounds could be heard intermittently. It was unknown what exactly it was that's causing the effect.

Eluive Academy had chosen to use the same reflective barrier they had used the previous few rounds. Except this time, it was much stronger. One could see the density of mana utilized from the clear distortions in the air.

The crackling sounds grew louder. And when the green light finally came on, from within the magic circle appeared a spherical projectile. Five of them, like drifting bubbles. They traced a random trajectory towards Eluive Academy's shield– slowly.

'It wastes their time by the slow traveling.. causing waste in mana. That's an interesting way to use the rules.'

Finally, the first magic sphere reached the barrier, creating slashing sparks. The second, third.. fifth came and did the same thing. Five spheres kept pushing against the barrier, growing slower by time. The spheres began sinking in.

Eventually, all five spheres, now no bigger than a human torso, managed to slip past the defences.

And at command, all five created an earth shattering explosion, causing the field dust to burst into the sky.

{-Lives-

Eluive Academy: 1

Covenant's Academy: 2

}

["A successful breakthrough! It seems Covenant's Academy has the upper hand here!"]

"They're really using the rules to their advantage. At this rate, Eluive Academy may lose," Schwii said.

"Covenant's Academy really planned their attack well. It feels like they've gotten everything under control."

"We'll see about that.."

Elusive Academy's turn.

Again, Elusive manifested a large magic circle; again, Covenant erected a gold barrier.

The green light came on.

This time though, the harrowing noise of a storm could be heard from within the magic circle. A churning mass wiggled out from within, and the seconds after the tip came into the world, the rest shot out and fired forward.

Like a spinning drill, it shot through the air and collided with the golden barrier. The shape of the grand spell went from something like an egg shape drill to a thin lance shaped projectile. The intensity of the bit forced a crack into Covenant Academy's defenses.

A grueling half a minute passed, finally the drill-type grand spell shattered through. A powerful burst of wind swirled through the spectator's seat.

{-Lives-

Eluive Academy: 1

Covenant's Academy: 1

}

["It's finally come even! However, it seems that a lot of mana had been expended on their grand spells. What will both ensembles do now?"]

Both teams went on a back and forth session of attack and defenses.

And in the end..

["The winner of this match is Covenant's Academy!"]

A crashing wave of applause resounded.

"Didn't expect that," Sequencee said awkwardly.

"See. I told you," Leticia said with triumph.

"Perhaps they lost on purpose. After all, there is still the match for the reclamation round." Schwii drawled.

Elusive lost because they ran out of mana.

A break time was called, marking the end of today's matchup. The reclamation fight for the loser bracket will begin tomorrow. The day after that is when the final showdown will begin.

Sequencee looked to the stage, the members of Eluive Academy. He noticed the twins– both of them were looking in his direction.

'What are they planning..'

===

["Eluive Academy managed to fight their way back into the top! they will proceed into the semi finals!"]

Representatives from the final four teams were ushered onto stage. Eluive's Prestigious Academy for Heroes, Covenant's Academy, Riestallia Academy and Saint's Academy.

The two unexpected underdogs for this year's matchup was Riestallia Academy and Saint's Academy. Neither team had managed to reach the semi final stage in the past half decade, it was an unprecedented change to the scoreboard.

Din went up on stage along with the other conductors. They casted lots– when Din showed the number.

"We got Eluive Academy!"

"What? No way.."

"That's better than Covenant's Academy at least right?"

'What a coincidence.'

For the rounds leading to the final, there would be no more reclamation matches. Instead, the ensemble attacking first will have to land a strike within the first round. If the attack of the first team fails, they will lose one life, if it passes, the opposing team will lose a life by default. Each team gets two lives. The team going first will have to give it their all, deciding on a penalty of one strike defeat– which means that the first clash will decide which ensemble ends up with two lives, which ends up with only one.

A period of a few minutes are given for the two ensembles to get to know each other. Part of letting rivaling teams mix is to rouse a fighting spirit between the two groups. The actual match will begin tomorrow.

And taking this chance, Azaleas and Rose approached Sequencee.

"It's been a while," Azaleas greeted with a smile.

"Yes, it has been a while."

"Stop being such a bitch and just get on with the main topic already," Rose harshly berated Azaleas.

'Wow.. these two are completely different..'

"My apologies. Sequencee, I believe you're concerned about Leticia's situation, am I correct?"

"And?"

"Can you not use one word responses? It's rude," Rose complained.

"Big sis, let me handle this," Azaleas said in a commanding voice.

"Huh. Fine, fine. Do what you want.. it's as if I'm a nuisance," Rose uttered sarcastically under her breath.

"I want to help them get back together. I will apologize in my brother-in-law's stead if that's what you require. As his family, and as someone who failed to see through my sister-in-law's desperation in the past, I too hold some responsibility in the matter. I want to make up for it."

'Hold on.. what?'

"What? So I'm left out?" Rose gripped.

"Did you not disagree the last time I asked you?"

"Because it's a waste of time to try to talk to that bitch."

"Mind your words big sis.."

"Fuck you," Rose spat, walking away.

"My apologies for her behavior.. that's my sister."

"No. It's alright.."

'I kind of pity how she has a sibling like that..'

"Sequencee. I ask again, would you be interested in cooperating with me? I know you care a lot about Leticia, mending the relationship between the two is something that can't be done by me alone," Azaleas lowered her head.

Sequencee hadn't expected that someone would actually take the initiative here. If she hadn't told him anything, Sequencee would've simply allowed Leticia to do as she wished– that being to ignore her brother's existence for the rest of her life.

'But something feels wrong though..'

It sounded nice on the surface, to repair the relationship between family. Digging deeper however, trying to resolve the conflict between those two siblings isn't a simple matter of just accepting the past.

Leticia would have to actually go on and face the Stravince family directly.

And as someone who ran away from nobility, being dragged back into that environment which she hated makes no sense.

'Sometimes it's better to not fix anything.'

Was something Sequencee learn from the many adventures he had with his mother in the past.

'If Leticia wanted to reconcile, then perhaps I'd say yes. Otherwise, it would just cause more pain..'

"I'll need to ask Leticia's opinion about this."

"I don't need her opinion. I need your's. Lancet has already relinquished the matter to fate. He doesn't believe that he would be able to fix things between them."

"I know this sounds weird coming from me.. I get that you're concerned, but don't you think by having them reconcile, it's only going to worsen the issue?"

"..."

"If Leticia has any wish to reconcile, I'll help. Otherwise, I won't try to make things harder for both of them."

"You have a unique point of view."

"You do too."

"If she agrees, then you can tell me. Please be quick about it. We only have a few days left."

"Days?"

"That will be when I have the plans set in motion. Otherwise, I'll act on my own."

"Got it."

"The best of luck tomorrow. We won't be so lenient."

"Likewise."

They shook hands.