The Short-Lived Match

Archie and Johann rushed for the ball, their feet clashing with opposite forces as they tried to kick the ball past the other. Archie felt a shockwave ripple through the ball, sending it flying over his head. The student that had been lit aflame by Michael earlier was on Johann's team, so she used her system, which was coincidentally named "The Abrupt Energy Expulsion System", to send the ball flying. Archie watched as it soared towards his team's goalkeeper, a boy named Reigel. Reigel grabbed the ball with both hands, throwing it towards Archie as a moveable goal materialised behind him. However, Michael had run past Archie, using his flames to direct the ball to himself. Archie sprinted towards him, catching up to him in a second as Michael dribbled it past his teammates.

Archie slid towards the ball, not caring that it was still covered in Michael's flames. Mr Breen stared at him in shock, wondering what Archie was trying to do. Archie used the slide to kick the ball towards the opposite goal, trying to keep in contact with it for the shortest time possible. He didn't want his shoes to get badly scorched. The balm flew into the opposing team's defence line, Archie watching as a wall of earth flung the ball into the air. Lightning brought the ball to the ground as free-flowing water pushed it towards his goal. Reigel showcased his system's abilities, those of the "Incarnated Force System".

Reigel surrounded himself with a golden aura, his fists seemingly coated in a golden material. He punched the ball as it approached him, sending it flying forwards at an impressive speed. Johann activated his system's abilities as the ball rocketed towards him. Johann had a unique "system" with a name he hadn't disclosed, but people called it "The Wind God's System". Johann created a small tornado on his chest, using the generated force from the tornado to drag the ball to his chest, stopping its forward momentum. Johann formed a surge of wind behind him, speeding forward at speeds even Archie couldn't comprehend. Reigel flew into the goal's net, falling to the ground as Johann appeared beside him. He tapped the ball into the goal with his foot, almost as if he was trying to disrespect Reigel.

Archie could only stare in disbelief as he watched Johann slowly walk back to his side of the field, giving Archie a glare as he did so. Alexis kept eating popcorn, treating it like a movie. All they had to do was make sure that Archie didn't die. Archie stretched his arms, walking to the centre of the auditorium. Reigel threw the ball at him, sending it rocketing forwards. Archie caught the soccer ball in one hand, using his fingers to grip it so it wouldn't fall.

Archie placed the ball on the ground, using his foot to keep it steady. He stared at Michael, who had taken his place near the top of the field. Archie smirked, flicking the ball backwards with his heel. This passed the ball to his classmate, who was only known as Go. The name was because he exclusively spoke with the word "Go". Go was a tall boy, his frame looming over most people. He was good of heart, though, since he never appeared to enjoy hurting people. Go ran forward, using his naturally large frame to his advantage.

Michael coated the ball in flames from a distance, forcing Go to kick the ball towards Michael's goal, with a target of the top right corner. The goalkeeper there, a sporty girl named Ellis, stood her ground, creating a wall of earth to block the goal should she miss the ball. Ellis dived for the ball, her fingers grazing off it. However, the earthen wall, made of rocks and dirt, did its job. The ball bounced off it, and Archie could only watch as a swarm of attacks hit the ball, sending it around the auditorium like an annoying fly. Lightning struck the ball as a stream of water carried it and the electricity like a charged snake. Flames coated the ball as wind formed a small barrier around it, allowing it to burn brightly while not extinguishing due to the water.

The multi-elemental blast of energy rocketed forward as Archie ran underneath it, trying to anticipate the destruction that would bring to anyone it hit. Archie tried to jump high enough to reach it, attempting to block it, but he couldn't ascend high enough. His jump was many times higher than before he had a system, but it wasn't high enough to reach the swarm of elements that had now targeted his team's goal.

Reigel's golden aura flared brightly, preparing to block it with all his strength. Archie wanted to yell at him, telling him to move out of the way before he got injured, but no words came from his mouth, his body paralysed with shock. Reigel watched as the ball approached ever closer, deciding to run towards the oncoming metaphorical slaughter that was this elemental shot. "Go." Go told Archie, putting his hand on Archie's shoulder and lightly pushing him forwards. This gave Archie the boost he needed to try and do something, however futile it may be.

Archie sprinted forwards, using his newfound speed to nearly parallel that of the ball. Reigel was the first to encounter the ball, using his system to slow the ball down by a small margin. He saw Archie running towards him and decided to put some trust in him. Reigel had been one of the people to see what had happened to Michael and Johann and knew that Archie had some strength behind him. He held his ground, slowly sliding back as the tips of his fingers burned from the flaming ball. He was able to mitigate the electric shock through his system, but that couldn't stop the ball.

Archie ran up towards the ball, and using his left leg as a pivot point, he kicked his leg at the ball, adding to the defensive force behind it. "Archie, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Mr Breen yelled at him, watching Archie's shoes catch fire as the flaming ball impacted against his foot. Archie's body was overrun by electricity, but it wasn't nearly as potent as Ann's. He gritted his teeth as he kept pushing forwards, his leg paining him as the force behind the ball lessened. To him, his vision went black for just a second, and all he could do was watch his outlined leg, his foot aflame, as he heard a body-shuddering noise.

A snap.

Archie fell to the ground as the ball hit the floor, clutching his knee in agony as his foot distinguished due to it passing through the water surrounding the flames. Mr Breen ran over to him, and before Archie could get a look at the damage, he blacked out. The last thing he heard was Alexis' voice. "You okay, Archie? You seem to have suffered a significant injury." Alexis asked him, commenting on his leg being broken. Alexis didn't understand that injuries don't heal fast without a healing-focused system.

[Congratulations, Wordless Warrior! You've broken one bone!]

[Maybe this will teach you not to be so reckless. You're still human, after all.]