“What is this, Dean of the War God Academy?
I never knew you were so generous, willing to offer up your prized treasure ,” the Head Abbot of the Vajra Academy stated as he began to walk towards the new Dean of the War God Academy.
Upon hearing the line up of the War God Academy team, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of smugness, as the power levels of the two teams didn’t seem to match up.
He began to furrow his brow, deep in contemplation, trying to decipher just how the War God Academy had managed to defeat the Royal Mage Academy despite having weaker mages.
However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find an answer, frustrated he lifted his head to watch the match that is when he noticed the Dean of the War God Academy.
For now he could only attribute their victory over the Royal Mage Academy to the latter’s underestimation of the War God Academy team, as based on the information he had received, he believed the only opponent his team had to be wary of was Alec, who was currently absent.
“Just watch the match,” the new Dean of the War God Academy said with a frown, gripping the handle of his chair tightly, causing it to emit a creaking sound.
Internally, he was worried and lamented about Alec’s whereabouts, realizing he should have made sure Alec was with the rest of the team, as he had no intentions of losing this bet with the Head Abbot even when he’s team was seen as the weaker side, it was just not an option he was willing to accept.
Meanwhile, Selene and the Coordinator of the Vajra Academy initiated the draw to determine which team would be required to send out a fighter first.
This outcome favoured the War God Academy, although it didn’t hold much significance for them, as they had already planned their line up, nevertheless, the coin toss was a necessary formality, and once the decision was made, the two coordinators began making their way back to their respective team’s seating area.
“And don’t forget everything we discussed, just keep him busy and push him to the limit, surrender when you feel your mana levels are low, you don’t have to be critically injured, the team has no healing pills as it is,” Instructor Jasper continued to emphasize, determined to drill the instructions into Sophia’s ears.
Interrupting their conversation, Selene intervened, gently pushing Jasper away.
“You don’t need to put so much pressure on her, she’s already feeling the weight of the responsibility you’ve placed on her, now don’t make her more nervous,” Selene told Instructor Jasper before turning to Sophia.
“I know if Alec were here, he would just tell you to try your best and make sure you don’t get hurt, so go out there and stay alive,” Selene said, using Alec as a source of motivation for the visibly anxious Sophia.
Fortunately, it worked, as Sophia managed to smile after her words, what the new instructor didn’t understand was that Alec wasn’t just the captain or the strongest mage in the group.
He held a deep significance for all of them, Alec had performed countless miracles and guided them through situations they never thought they would survive, and they in return had come to associate Alec with the embodiment of miracles.
He was like a beacon of spiritual belief for the whole team, and with Alec’s absence, they all felt a sense of unease, realizing the monumental disadvantage they faced against the Vajra Academy, this was something they would have never considered if Alec were there.
“The first match will be Victor Steele versus Sophia Gordons,” the referee announced, levitating into the air with his hands outstretched.
Both fighters stood poised on opposite sides, eagerly awaiting his command to begin the match.
“What the hell is the War God Academy doing?
It’s starting to look like a surrender match to me, why would they field a Tier 4 Mage in the first match against the Vajra Academy?” questioned a member of the Battle Mage Academy, directing the question to the rest of his team sitting around him.
Vincent Whitefang on the other hand remained fixated on the battle ring, his gaze intent as if he were attempting to decipher the War God Academy’s strategy.
Among the few who believed that the War God Academy would put up a fight, it was quite amusing to see a captain of one academy supporting another.
If asked, Vincent would willingly admit that he wanted the War God Academy team to qualify, however, he couldn’t deny that he, too, harboured doubts about their chances of winning, especially with the chosen line up and Alec’s absence.
As Vincent and some members of his team contemplated the unfolding situation, Vlad, sitting beside him, let out a chuckle.
“I already feel this is going to be an interesting battle, the War God Academy team never fails to entertain us,” Vladimir remarked, his jaw supported by one hand as he watched with keen interest.
“Begin,” the referee’s voice commanded, and promptly, a light screen materialized above the shielded dome surrounding the battle arena.
As it connected with the dome, an image of Steele emerged, as he was propelled by the wind currents he had cast upon his feet, moving towards Sophia.
Steele unleashed a flurry of punches, resulting in a barrage of wind fists materializing in the air and hurtling towards Sophia.
Reacting swiftly, Sophia moved to maintain distance unlike Steele who was trying to lose distance, opening a shadow portal in front of her as a defence.
This time, Sophia’s portal had grown bigger and wider due to her breakthrough to the Mid Ranks, allowing her to effectively deflect all of Steele’s attacks back towards him.
Steele was caught off guard by the unexpected return shadow portal formed behind him, as he was struck by his own attack, sending him flying through the air.
Sophia, despite having a lower realm, felt a surge of satisfaction as she landed the first strike.
However, as Steele regained his footing, he seethed with anger at Sophia’s counterattack.
“You will pay for that,” Steele threatened, charging towards Sophia once again.
His legs blurred as he attempted to close the gap between them, believing that only then would he be able to overpower her as he desired.
In the changing room of the War God Academy team, Alec emerged from his room in his fitted uniform and was surprised to see Arthur standing before a small light screen.
“Whoa!” Alec exclaimed, taken aback by the unexpected sight.
“It seems this small screen is connected to the larger one hanging above the light shield, that means the match has already begun, we need to move out now,” Arthur explained to Alec.
“Yeah, I can’t wait!” Alec responded with a smile.
As they all left the changing room, unaware that something had changed within the screen after their departure.