"Now, the next battle is the one the citizens of the hosting nation are all been waiting for," Exea screamed on top of her lungs. She appeared more than ever active.
"Team Rebirth from the Phoenix Academy versus Team Twilight from Aclein Academy."
Both of the teams walked into the arena from either end amid the cheers of sixty thousand spectators. Their representative instructors also walked behind them.
Those who are rooting for Aclein Academy, none of them left the arena because of sleep. So, the cheers for Team Twilight appeared rather higher.
While the co-host briefly described team Rebirth, once again Exea was giving a detailed explanation on describing the members of team Twilight until they stopped before the cubical barrier.
"This is it." Iphi's eyes were fixed on Azzy.
On the other hand, Azzy was as blank as ever. No one knows what's going on in his mind.
"You have 5 minutes to prepare yourselves." The Proctor informed them that if anyone stays outside of the barrier after five minutes, they will be declared as out.
And they couldn't attack the other team in the meantime. Breaking the rules will cause elimination.
Of course, no one is that dumb to break the rules after coming this far.
The first to enter the battlefield was team Rebirth.
Captain Luci summoned a large flying card. Displaying their elegance, everyone mounted on it and landed on the island that was located ten meters from the edge of the barrier.
None of them wasted any time in bringing out their Arcana.
Like the earlier match between Dragon Academy and Central Academy, this was the first time team Rebirth deployed their entire team for this battle.
Five beasts appeared before everyone, making them an all summoner team. Of the five, the most distinguished of them all is a giant fire Eagle that was summoned by the ten-year-old Iphi.
Despite being a peak-rank-4, the intensity generated by this eagle is of platinum grade, which made it the strongest of the five.
This was the fifth platinum-grade beast that appeared in this tournament, filling the audience in amazement.
And the surprise for the audience didn't stop there.
After summoning their beasts, everyone from the Phoenix Academy took out weapons with each of them equipping different ones like sword, spear, bow, Bo staff, and saber.
With a bow in her hand, Iphi mounted on her giant eagle with the flames dancing all over its body.
It isn't a secret that the students of the top-tier Academy were well versed in using other types of weapons so as to not completely depend on their Arcana or skill cards.
Even in the earlier match, all of them used different weapons. If the battlefield is of a forest, perhaps, with the presence of a sniper, Central Academy might have even won the match. Too bad that open battlefield caused the loss of them.
So, this move of theirs didn't come as a surprise to the members of team Twilight as they are prepared for every worst-case scenario.
However, this wasn't the same case for their representative instructor. Sahara's eyes were specially fixed on the little girl in the sky.
"I didn't expect this girl not only knows the swordsmanship but even archery." Looking at the eagle beast and a bow, a frown appeared on her.
Before the team enters the barrier, she quickly clapped her hands to gather their attention, "everyone, listen."
As they turned around, she walked a couple of steps to reach them and handed out the instruction, "Change of plans. Mia, that little girl Iphi should be your priority.
Snivy, you'll pair with Gideon in the frontlines as before."
Azrael, while you are in a battle with their captain, you also need to summon the skeletons to distract the beasts and at the same time, defend the attacks. At the same time, summon your Arcana and place it in defending position.
Its presence might pressure those beasts a little bit. So, it's the perfect protector for Mia. Gideon, as usual, co-ordinate attacks with Snivy.
As for Claire, you just focus on eliminating the beasts after taking out their healer. She was using a Bo staff. So, her range is higher. Be careful."
Everyone nodded indicating that they got it.
As planned earlier, Mia summoned her Oaktree Arcana inside the barrier, which extended its branches towards its five allies.
Azzy and others stepped on the respective branches.
Except for Mia, everyone was gently placed on the island. She rooted herself ten meters above the surface of the water. She too summoned her bow with her eyes were fixed at Iphi whose eyes in turn were fixed at Azzy.
One by one, the members of team Twilight also summoned their Arcana.
At first, everything was fine on their side. However, once Azzy summoned his soul card, a look of shock appeared on the competitors.
*Wow*
With a powerful bark, the black wolf made its appearance, causing unrest in the five opponent beasts that aren't familiar with its presence.
If not for their extensive training against platinum grade beasts, they would have long prostrated on the ground in fear.
Meanwhile, the Arcana spirits on Azzy's side were completely fine, except for the cowardly Oaktree that is barely holding on.
*Whistle*
As the five-minute timer is over, the proctor gave the signal.
"Charge." Pointing the saber at the opponents, Luciana gave the order. The beasts jumped onto the lake and rushed towards their enemies. They were followed by the rest of the team.
The giant eagle dashed towards the tree under Iphi's order as she intended to take her out before going for Azzy. It's this very reason she had chosen a bow in this battle.
Fearing the outcome the beasts killed by Azzy if they were to tail them from behind, the sword user Dewy and spear user Misty Queen mounted on their beasts.
The giant Armored Rhino beast of Captain Luci charged forward alone with its summoner follow it from behind.
With soul energy covering her legs, she was practically running over the water. Beside her, the healer Ardella also charged forward like a warrior with her cute little pig flying above her head.
Team Rebirth's goal was clear. The first to take over the middle island before the other team.
With Iphi in the skies to disrupt the other team, they were confident in making their strategy successful.
However, little did they know that the Vice-principal Sahara already anticipated that move and planned the first move to counter their strategy...
With their plan going successfully, no one from team twilight moved from their spot and the other team took over the middle ground.
Except for Luci and Iphi, a smile appeared on the other team members. Only those two find something amiss. They wondered why none of their enemies were moving.
Did they already give up on taking over the middle island or something? Or were they confident in defeating them in any situation? Their eyes were fixed on Azzy to check out his move.
However, to their surprise, Azzy wasn't the one that made his first move. It was Gideon.
Gideon waited until they reached the middle ground and raised his sword towards the sky. A smile appeared on his face as he unleashed his fourth soul skill that was hidden until now.
"Soul skill: Wrath of the Lightning Dragon"
Suddenly, something clicked in Iphi's mind.
"F**k. It's a trap." At the same time, Luciana, their team's captain, let out a curse and shouted, "Everyone, get away from here…"
"Eh?" They were taken aback for a moment.
With thickened sparks dancing around the lightning sword that, soul energy was poured onto the sword which shot up to the skies like a beam of light.
Just a second later, a lightning dragon descended from the clouds and struck at the center of the island.
*Boom*
A huge explosion occurred.
"Damn, I was a step late." Gideon cursed himself as he saw the opponents managed to dodge it at the perfect time because of their captain's warning. Thankfully, a couple of beasts are in the water. Gideon thought of electrocuting them.
Just as he walked to the edge of the island and about to put his lightning sword in the water, suddenly, he felt a surge of familiar soul energy nearby. He turned his head to see Azzy opened his palm.
A dark spear started to form in his hand while his eyes are fixed on the giant rhino.