Practical Ground Test Arc: Chapter 17.
The third test proceeded smoothly for team four. Kaye Ketsk primarily took the lead, guiding her teammates where to hide and what to do. They mainly used fallen pillars and tight crevices as hiding spots. The inside of the arena was smaller compared to the newer school arena, which could hold up to five thousand spectators, whereas the old arena held about a thousand.
Hiding and stealth were more than a passing familiarity to Kaye Ketsk. Eventually, with her guidance, the team passed the third test. They all celebrated in victory, repeatedly punching the air.
This old abandoned arena used to hold one thousand people at once, whereas the newer one could hold up to five thousand. It was where students could prove their mettle and earn possibly profitable sponsorships, both government and private.
Not a single team was eliminated in the third test. Madame Cassie Cydonia approved of this and, after a brief rest, led the remaining teams to the school's new, open arena. It was the school's pride and joy. The main attraction.
Team four walked along with the other teams. The remaining students were excited, gulping at the opportunity. They were going to fight here in the arena, a few months from now.
Two wide entrances, parallel to each other, flank a massive square fighting platform at the center. Tall, flickering blue flames from lit torches cast a soft glow over the area.
All the remaining teams were standing in the huge fighting area, waiting anxiously for the next announcement. Some were even praying.
There were several spectators seated in the distant stands. A few instructors who had some free time, several dozen twelfth-grade students, some school guards, and some scattered civilians. All of them were interested or invested in the fight.
Four huge floating white boards were hanging atop the fighting platform; they weren't supported by any foundations. It was merely steadily floating via some enchantment.
The board had several spherical objects embedded beneath it, acting as cameras. The fight below was going to be broadcast on the screen.
"A few people are watching us. This is kind of unnerving."
Kaye commented while fixing her hair.
"They're spectators, don't mind them. They're mainly here to pass the time."
Lyle Cass answered, ignoring the crowd.
⟐
In the distant stands, four twelfth-grade students were smoking. A student on the leftmost side is seated a slight distance away from the others, reading a newspaper.
"Hey, see that girl over there. The tall blonde one? She's the rapier queen. I've heard that no one can beat her in a duel; some accomplished pros won't even dare challenge her."
A student on the leftmost side said, pointing at the huge white board showing Mary Anne Grace observing her silver rapier.
"Hey, wait a minute. Isn't that...?"
The student in the middle focused his sights on the whiteboard, spotting Lyle Cass.
"Hey, Bane! It's that fucking asshole. The one who bought those three Everflow potions! Our first and last customer before that whore-balist bitch got arrested."
Bane Marigold instantly lowered the newspaper, focusing on the floating whiteboard, and there it was indeed, their first and last customer for this school year. Bane's brows furrowed, eyes glaring in malicious intent.
(My primary source of income, gone in a fucking blink.)
"Winsey, remind me what Frederick managed to know from this guy?"
Bane Marigold asked, crumpling the newspaper and throwing it away. Girdle Winsey flicked away the cigarette butt and spat on the floor.
"Other than the fact that Frederick was confident enough that this guy had a part in that herbalist's arrest? Well, he has three worldly talents, and his father is some pathetic social climber."
Bane Marigold went quiet, filling the air with intense pressure. His three underling classmates awaited his next words, anxiously jittering.
"Let's teach this asshole a fucking lesson. My fucking money, gone. We'll beat him like we did to that whore last year."
Bane Marigold announced, walking away and heading for the exit while his three underling classmates collectively raised their brows, unsure of what to say.
"I still regret, even to this day, doing that to her...."
"Yeah, Bane went a bit too far."
⟐
"Students, welcome to the arena. Now let's get straight to business. Team four and team seven remain on the fighting platform; the rest leave."
Madame Cassie Cydonia spoke through the speakers from an upper platform with the other seated instructors who were already muttering to each other. They focused on Mary Anne Grace, recognizing her as the star of the arena.
The students followed the instructions, leaving team four and team seven on the fighting platform. Lyle Cass didn't even have the time to catch his breath; his team was instantly pitted against Mary Anne Grace's team.
"Two gold potentials...."
Catherine Aber muttered, slightly jittering in fear. Kaye Ketsky excitedly smiled, reading her two daggers and lowering her position. Meanwhile, Eya Herfin and Hojou Sathoru stepped back, losing confidence by the second.
"Now, distance yourself from each other. The team fight will begin in a few moments." Another announcement.
(Are you lot happy now? See what your reckless decisions have led us to? Absolute troglodytes.) Lyle Cass thought, internally cursing his luck while stretching his limbs, already accepting his fate.
(I'm a side character, I'd better just let Mary Anne Grace win. Not that I have a chance of winning in the first place. Maybe give her a slight scare, it should help boost her combat experience.)
(Yeah, that's a good plan. Improve her character development.)
He mused, slightly nodding.
"Let's get this over with."
He said while glaring at Mary Anne Grace, who did the same thing. They both recognized who the biggest threat was.
⟐
Hanna Bae, in the distance, clicked her tongue, grating her teeth.
"In the sidelines, again..." Hanna Bae muttered, biting her nails.
⟐
"What's our plan, leader?" Hojou Sathoru asked, gulping.
"Rush in and fight. I will handle Mary Anne Grace, the rest of you will try to buy me some time."
"T-That's it!? Buy you some time!?" Kaye Ketsk added, surprised by the lack of improvisation.
"My skillsets are simple, what else can I rely on if not my powerful strength? I advise you guys to stick to your strengths. Remember, the fight isn't over until you're ejected from the ring."
Lyle Cass remarked, slightly assuring his teammates.
"No lethal weapons and spells are allowed; we will promptly intervene when we see fit."
Madame Cassie Cydonia spoke confidently, standing on an upper platform with the other instructors, seated nearby.
"Now, we can do this! We didn't come here to just lose and keel over. Let's give it all we've got! Go big or go home a failure."
Lyle Cass smiled, half-heartedly attempting to boost his team's morale. He could feel his worldly talent activating, giving a persuasive boost to his words.
"Breathing Flow, Muscle Elasticity."
Eya Herfin hurriedly cast two spells at Lyle Cass: one to boost stamina regeneration, another to delay muscle soreness.
Catherine Aber lowered her head, muttering:
"My spells are mainly for slight healing, not providing advantages, but I will support you in other ways."
Hojou Sathoru conjured a small shield, as Kaye Ketsk lowered herself into a sprinting position and whispered a single martial skill.
"Power Boost."
"Power Boost, Greater Power Boost, Speed Pace, Exceed Limit, Greater Exceed Limit, and All Ability Boost." Lyle Cass activated several martial skills, slightly unnerving some of the team's seven members.
*Roar!* A roar boomed throughout, signaling the start of the fight.
Lyle Cass and Mary Anne Grace instantly dashed forward and produced a gust of wind. They dashed forward with great speed, leaving their teammates behind while blowing a gust of wind.
*Wham!* Both of them connected their fists, producing another slight gust of wind. Mary Anne Grace smiled, grinning thinly in excitement, whereas Lyle Cass furrowed, huffing.
(Oh my god, she's so hot up close! No wonder she won the first, second, and third popularity polls!)