The very first duo battle turned out to be an unexpected surprise to Azzy and the other students that are standing below the platform.
"Lark Sandrou of grade-8 Elite division, Zona of grade-10 Elite division, Mia Leveret of grade-9 Elite division, and Snivy of grade-9 Soul weapon division. The four of you, please step onto the platform."
Several students were surprised to this daughter of the Ex-president teamed up with a rival of hers from the soul weapon division.
Just a week ago, they even battled against each other in a team battle, although it was stopped in the middle.
As for Zona and Lark, they weren't that surprised now that they are dating. Even though they were disappointed that this goddess has been taken, the younger male students still cheered for Zona, the student council vice-president.
Lark summoned his Orange furred dog beast and lovely Zona summoned a slime monster, which suddenly transformed into that of Lark's Arcana.
Meanwhile, Mia summoned her Oaktree and Snivy summoned the giant hammer that's twice her size. It appeared so heavy that it even made a small dent on the platform as she casually put it down.
The scouts as well as the students from other academies were stunned to see so many gold-grade Arcanas, one after another.
After all, in their view, Aclein city is a place for talentless people.
The city was constructed in the eighth Epoch. For the past 20 thousand years, and to date, there isn't a rank-9 Arcana Master emerged from the Aclein city.
Even the sole rank-8 Arcana Master from the last Epoch passed away.
As for the academy, everyone just considered it as a mediocre academy despite possessing a few talents that shined in national and international tournaments.
It's because none of them were able to grow stronger and ended up being mediocre after admitting into special academies for advanced education.
So, naturally, the scouts, as well as the guests, look down on the academy and its students.
However, they didn't expect the academy is hiding so many talents.
For example, the four people who are standing on the platform… all of them possessed gold-grade Arcana spirits. Not to mention, one of them being a mid-rank-5 expert who was restricted to peak-rank-4.
It isn't rare for students to possess gold grade Arcana if they belong to top academies but the fact that this small academy in a mediocre city possessing such talents is indeed rare.
Some academies even felt ashamed for thinking that they are superior to these students.
The crowd cheered in excitement as the battle started with Lark and Zona's offense.
"Is this classmate of yours strong?" asked Barbara upon hearing the announcement that he's from the Elite division of grade-8.
"Compared to an average person, Lark is indeed not only stronger but also smarter, although he's a terrible leader. I don't know much about Zona but both of them will be helpless against the girl with the oak tree spirit. Snivy wouldn't even need to make a move." Azzy made a statement in a plain tone as if he already saw the outcome.
"The girl is that strong?" Barbara was surprised as she focused on the contestants. She wondered how that is possible with a rank-5 on the field.
But, when she saw the battle, the scenery appeared different from Azzy's claim. It was just going how she thought it would go.
Both of the dog beasts were fiercely attacking the tree. It was trying to defending itself with its branches. However, with their bite force being quite high, the oak tree's branches are getting snapped.
As for the two girls, they aren't even standing on the platform. Both of them were spotted sitting on the branches.
While most of the audience wondered what kind of cowardly tactic is this, the experts saw through their strategy immediately. Most of them have mixed opinions on that.
"Are you sure you are talking about the right person?" Barbara looked at Azzy in suspicion. She wondered whether he was just kidding. No matter how she saw it, Mia and Snivy were at a disadvantage with the tree getting damaged.
"Yep." Azzy nodded in confidence. He saw both of their potentials, a week ago. In his view, their combat ability is quite high. "They have a sure-win plan."
"I wonder what kind of plan is this," Barbara mumbled. "Are they trying to exhaust the two dog beasts or something?"
"No, they are setting up an ambush," Neal said to her to clear the doubts. "This girl Mia indeed knows how to lead a battle. Very soon, the roots will ambush both of the summoners."
"Ambush?" Barbara and Azzy looked at him. Azzy had seen her ability in a person. So, he had an inkling about her secret attack.
But, this guy was watching her for the first time. How was he able to recognize the strategy? Is rank-7 that powerful? Or this guy has some special eye ability? Azzy wondered.
Meanwhile, Neal continued, "However, I think they should worry about this girl, Zona. Higher rank doesn't just mean they have higher soul power. It also means they have more battle experiences.
In my view, her beast is the one with the most potential on the field. If the girls won't be careful, they might even lose before their plan even gets succeeded," Neal voiced his opinion, standing on Lark and Zona's side.
"Hmm?" Barbara frowned as she looked at the scene. The dogs were still snapping the branches and the girls aren't making any movements. "Mister, do you think Lark and Zona will win?" She asked.
Neal shook his head with a smile, "there's no certainty in battle. Every single decision and every moment of hesitation will change the outcome drastically. However, statistically, just based on the Arcana spirits, this Zona's Arcana must have the properties of imitation.
The key to this battle depends on how strong is its ability. Is it just limited to appearance? Can it also imitate soul skills? How fast can it change its appearance frequently?
The answers to these questions determine its potential in the battlefield."
Just as his words ended, suddenly, one of the two identical dog beasts transformed into a python. It started to crawl up the tree in a spiral motion.
Not only Mia and Snivy but even the audience was also taken aback in surprise. The scouts noted her name in their minds.
"Should I make my move?" Snivy asked Mia upon seeing the python already reached halfway.
"Let's hold on for a while. Saphira's roots have almost spread enough. All we need a perfect moment to ambush." Mia's face turned serious.
"Just like I said earlier, to get into the Champions League, we will have to conserve our skills as much as we can. When the time comes, people will underestimate you and will target you for sure. Unless we do that, we have no chance against these rank-5 seniors."
Meanwhile, Zona, who was watching both of the girls, felt something wrong with their stillness.
As the python reached her opponents, she ordered it to attack them. She was also prepared to use soul skill to paralyze them with its poison.
Just as she opened her mouth, all of a sudden, several thick roots erupted from the ground and captured both of their legs.
Before they realized what's going on, they were already hanging upside down, twenty feet in the air.
A few moments later;
"We admit defeat." Zona hurriedly shouted as their Arcana spirits were also being captured by the tree roots and their life force being sucked away.
When the both of them were captured by the roots, the python and the dog quickly abandoned their intention to attack the enemy and turned around to save their masters.
However, no one expected the attack of the roots all over the field. Before they even reach their masters, they were captured tightly. Saphira's roots then started to suck the life force of the Arcana spirits.
The beasts became thin in no amount of time.
Before they get killed, Zona admitted defeat while dismissing her beast. After all, if their beasts were killed, it would take a while for them to revive and the couple would be forced to give up the tournament.
"Wow" Barbara exclaimed as the proctor announced the winner. "She was really too strong."
"Told you so." Azzy let out a comment and glanced at Neal to check his expression.