Chapter 181: Chapter 180: Group Challenge

Chapter 180: Group Challenge

When all the students entered the portals, they arrived at a meadow where in the distance were some trees.

Edward immediately put himself on guard for any surprise attack and waited for all the students, along with the magical beasts, to arrive.

This small meadow was surrounded by trees in all directions.

“We are very much out in the open and it’s dangerous,” Daniel said in a serious tone.

The Himalayan tigress looked around cautiously.

“We need eyes in the sky,” Edward said immediately, and looking at the surroundings, he commented. “We’ll go to the forest.”

“Daisy, use your partner,” Daniel ordered, accepting Edward’s orders.

Daisy urged her companion, and the silent eagle used magic to hide its movements and then began to fly into the sky at high speed.

The group was about to move when Daisy’s eyes widened.

“We’re surrounded!” she reported immediately.

Edward’s expression changed, and he readied his storm, but at that moment a ranged attack flew towards the eagle.

“In battle formation,” Daniel ordered as he saw Edward prepare to cast his spell immediately.

The command passed from Edward to Daniel immediately, all so that the spell would be cast as quickly as possible.

In the sky, the silent eagle dodged the attack and flew higher and higher.

However, on the ground, the other students could see dozens of enemies in the surrounding area.

They all wore demon masks and were surrounding them.

The number was quite high, doubling the current number of students.

The two academies together had thirty-three students, that meant their number exceeded it.

They did not match it with the magical beasts that the beast tamers had, but directly doubled in number.

The mages began to surround the group, going into a defensive formation, while the magical beasts were in the surrounding area.

They were separated enough to avoid magical attacks, but not enough to make it impossible to help each other.

“The north side has more enemies... Looks like mages!” Daisy reported quickly.

One eagle had good vision, and that was the same for the silent eagle, so through her connection, Daisy received the information from her partner.

Unfortunately, the enemy team knew this and so they moved.

The first attack was not a charge from the encircled enemies, but came from the north.

Demons in mage robes, along with other mages, moved to the entrance of the forest and waved their wands.

The demon mage produced a huge fireball five meters in diameter and the others created their long-distance spells.

The mages’ attacks usually had a set range until they dissipated, but when several mages combined, special spells could be cast.

These spells were the tactics used in the wars and were now used here.

Huge giant boulders, water cannons, and other spells were fired at the group, while everyone around them charged at the same time.

Using the ranged attack as cover, their enemies wanted to get closer to engage in close combat.

“Holy crap... That mage is an S-Rank!” Daniel reported, as he felt the overwhelming power of that attack.

Edward, who had closed his eyes, opened them, getting lightning to fall from the sky and waving his wand in the air in a circular fashion, produced dozens of snakes and fired them at those attacks.

*BOOM!

The fireball exploded when it was struck by lightning, while the other spells that also had explosive capabilities were unleashed.

The lightning bolts were designed without high attack power and the reason was that they were focused on triggering other spells.

As for the giant rocks, Clémentine caught them.

“Attack!”

Without needing orders, the mages of the academy launched their spells with Rachael in the lead, along with the other individuals with ranged attacks.

The Rank-A fire mage waved the wand, creating huge fireballs and threw it at a group to the west.

Clémentine used the giant rocks she had caught and threw them against the group on the south side.

The other lower-ranked magic spells were cast to the east to take down their enemies.

*BOOM*

*BANG*

Explosions sounded from Rachael’s side, but even though her attack was quick, the enemies scattered, managing to get several of them to dodge.

Next to Clémentine, a swordsman with a demon mask appeared, cutting all the rocks, allowing her group to continue advancing.

On the side of spells and other ranged attacks, a psionic produced a powerful barrier that contained all attacks and even Leslie’s best shot.

“Charge!”

As if that wasn’t enough from the north side, another group defending the mages attacked immediately.

Instantly, they were pressured from all sides and things turned ugly when they noticed the three S-Ranks.

At that moment, with a screech, the silent eagle landed on the ground and Edward opened his hands, causing lightning to strike the ground from the great black clouds.

*BOOM*

*Boom*

Small explosions overlapped with gigantic explosions and even though that attack affected an entire area, it was easy to dodge.

However, when they hit one person, those lightning bolts spread to another.

What Edward was looking for when casting this spell was to decrease the life bar of his opponents.

“Four sides, four groups of enemies. Divide into four groups. Daniel lead in the south, Rachael. I’ll leave you the west, I’ll take the east, and Alice the north is yours.” Edward ordered immediately.

At the end of those words, the students immediately moved into organized groups.

They had prepared for all kinds of situations and although this surprise attack was unexpected and sudden; it didn’t mean they had no way to defend themselves.

The other side had a larger number of opponents and while they moved immediately, the battle was just beginning.

The first to move was Alice, who left the lead to Clémentine and with ten black arms behind her, she rushed north where the demons were coming.

Alice’s speed left both allies and enemies open-mouthed and before the battle began elsewhere, that young woman had reached the enemy group, using her black arms to move.

She was carrying a bag of chips in her hand, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t paying attention, as a black arm struck a fighter as soon as she could.

Attacks from swordsmen or A-Rank fighters came towards her and in response, more arms came out from behind her back, to protect her and attack at the same time.

“AHH!”

“Ughh...”

“Shit!”

Cries of pain, surprise, and curses were heard in unison as Alice charged into the enemy ranks, breaking any sense of teamwork.

A fighter had two fists, and a swordsman had a sword, but Alice had drawn close to fifty arms, generating a terrifying sight.

The northern group was slightly large, but when arms were spread out everywhere, it caused teamwork to be impossible.

The worst thing was that sometimes an arm that was close to them would extend spikes or other smaller arms.

It was chaos and extreme danger all while Alice stood in the middle of that place, eating as nonchalantly as ever.

“Watch out!” Clémentine warned, who was approaching as her gaze filled with panic.

To the north was not only this enemy group, but a little further back were the mages, and those mages attacked.

Led by the S-Rank, who launched hundreds of fireballs, other mages cast various spells, all aimed at Alice.

“Retreat!” The group of demons tried to retreat when they saw so many attacks in their direction.

Their movements were so fast that it made it obvious that they had prepared for this situation, as they also made ranged attacks to prevent Alice from moving.

Another mage obstructed the fast movement of the armor and combat suits, making Clémentine turn pale at the sight of that attack.

All of Alice’s arms contracted at a high speed and a cocoon formed and began to grow very quickly to the size of five meters tall.

Then, the moment the black tentacles reached out to strike the spells and make them explode before they arrived.

Alice had been planned to be taken down with ranged attacks!

*BOOM*

*BOOM!*

*BOOM!*

Explosions of all kinds spread out with that S-Rank mage’s attack, causing the most damage.

The sound was so thunderous that the other sides took a look at the development to the north.

A huge cloud of dust and smoke billowed around, and when it dissipated, a grotesque scene was revealed.

Broken black arms and black pieces were scattered around, while Alice’s cocoon had shrunk in size and had received significant damage.

Part of the cocoon was burned or shattered while other masses of blackness were scattered around.

“...”

Under the silent gaze of the onlookers, the black arms and black pieces changed from solid to liquid form, which moved to return to the black cocoon.

As the cocoon regenerated and receded, creating a pool of black liquid at Alice’s feet, she revealed herself looking at the northern mages.

Putting away her chips, she gave a smile and her body was swallowed by the black liquid until it disappeared.

That remaining black liquid became an intangible shadow and swallowed itself to disappear before the eyes of the spectators.

Everyone was stunned at that movement, and at that moment, something happened.

“AHHHH!”

A cry of fear came from the north as dozens of hands that came out of his own shadow caught a mage.

He was caught by surprise and the situation was so terrifying, the mage momentarily forgot that he was a ‘demon’ and that this was a tournament.

Despite the mage’s barrier, the black arms caught his face as if they wished to pull him into the abyss through his own shadow, and the next moment a light shone around that mage and he disappeared.

The life bar had weakened, making it clear that not only was he trapped, but he had also taken damage.

From those black arms that gathered, forming a small cocoon, Alice reappeared with a charming smile.

She seemed motivated by the battle, as if the attack she had received instead of scaring her had flipped a switch.

“Let’s get started!” announced Alice with a big amused smile.

No sooner had her words finished, dozens of black arms, spears, claws, and tentacles extended from that young woman’s back, taking all the nearby mages by surprise.

The battle had begun with that ‘massacre’.

******

“[Ice Cannon]” Érica chanted, casting her powerful spell at a Rank-A fighter who was facing a rhinoceros.

*BOOM*

The Rank-A fighter was hit from his back and not only was he sent flying by the blast, but also his movements were stopped as a layer of ice spread across his body.

“Lord, it’s your turn!”

A shout came from Érica’s back and the rhino charged towards his opponent on the ground and then struck him with his horn, managing to kick up a large amount of dirt.

The fighter immediately disappeared as the life bar ran out.

“Look out!”

Érica heard a scream again, and this time she felt a deep sense of danger.

Before she could react, her body was grabbed by someone and she rolled across the floor in someone’s arms.

At that moment, a sword slash that split the ground spread out where she was before.

Érica turned pale as she realized that if she had stayed in that place and this was a real battle... She would have been split.

No, looking at that large crack in the earth, Érica knew her body would be a pool of blood.

*roar*

A fierce roar swept through the surroundings and into the sky, Daniel, along with his companion Jane, charged back towards the swordsman.

They had tried to take the fight to the distance, but the swordsman was fast and his sword aura powerful, preventing Daniel from performing better.

Staying in this place to put pressure on both of them by making attacks on the students.

On the ground, a terrifying combat was going on, where magical beasts and ability users fought against demons.

“Are you all right?” asked Alvis, seriously giving her space to move.

That young man was an A-Rank fighter and his rhino was also an A-Rank creature, but right now, that young man was hurt and wounded.

“Yes, thank you for saving me,” Érica replied shamelessly as she stepped out of the fighter’s arms.

With her agility, she wouldn’t have been able to dodge that attack, and while she had the ‘blink’ move that would send her away on this battlefield, the best option was to reserve it.

“It’s two guys... Lord is tired and I’m too wounded,” Alvis muttered, analyzing the opponents in front.

The battlefield had been divided into four sides, on this battlefield was in a tense situation.

Alvis was a Rank-A fighter and his partner was a strong and tough steel rhino, but he wasn’t as fast and the advantage was the enormous strength.

Once tired, it was going to be a tough battle and worse when those two enemies were an A-Rank psionic and a fighter of the same rank.

“Help...”

“Charge!”

Before Érica could finish her words, a shout came from behind her opponent’s back and before both groups could realize it, the psionic was caught by the pincers of a night scorpion.

That night scorpion was four meters long and with its two meters tall, it caused terror at the thickness and size of the pincers.

“Sh*t... AHhh...”

The night scorpion used its stinger to attack the fighter, preventing it from helping the psionic.

Managing that before anyone could notice, the psionic disappeared as the life bar depleted.

The night scorpion’s pincers were as strong as a fighter... That meant the psionic was squeezed by an A-Rank fighter.

“Jaffar, you came at the right time!” Alvis exclaimed with an excited tone and, looking at the fighter, announced. “Together, we will crush this bastard.”

His words were directed at the young man who was on top of the scorpion riding him.

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“What? No, run, just run! There’s a cloud of poison coming!”

With a frightened cry, Jaffar grabbed his assault rifle and fired at the people on his back.

The bullets slowed down a small group who were chasing him... No, who was running from a purple cloud.

Érica’s eyes widened as she saw a Giant Chelonia release a huge purple cloud of poison.

A healer was at her side, caring for her and speaking calmly to her.

The poison did nothing to her, however, the group of demons that were running and were delayed by Jaffar took their throats and then disappeared.

“Annie’s Chelonia was enraged when she was hit and now she’s evolving!” shouted Jaffar as the purple cloud continued to spread.

Evolution... It was a way they called the rise of a magical beast, but unlike just rising in rank, it was acquiring unique properties very different from others of its own kind.

Now the Chelonia was releasing a powerful toxic cloud that even managed to affect the vitality of the earth and kill plants.

The poison was more deadly than that of a normal Giant Chelonia and, as if in proof of that, the wings of that butterfly were turning purple.

Magical beasts were always cared for and well-fed by their beast tamers and for them, rising through the ranks was a matter less difficult than that of a human.

They could use cores from other creatures to strengthen theirs and achieve rank advancement, they could eat plants or fruits containing a large amount of magical energy or they could simply wait until they matured.

In the latter case, only some magical beasts had that ability, such as the thundering gorillas, that when they were adults, reached Rank-A.

However, sometimes moving up the ranks depended not only on how well-fed one was, but on the magical beast itself and situations that exploited that ability.

Such as now where the Chelonia’s companion was beaten and because of their relationship, it triggered the chelonia’s fury and desire to become stronger.

A Giant Chelonia was Rank-B and did not have high intelligence, but it was similar to the average intelligence of a dog, maybe higher.

It was now ascending to Rank-A and its venom exposed a higher than normal quality.

A beautiful purple-winged butterfly was releasing a cloud of venom.

Érica without hesitation, turned around and ran, sensing that this battlefield was more chaotic than she could have imagined.

******

*Bang*

Leslie fired her sniper rifle at a swordsman facing Clémentine, managing to take him down.

That swordsman had used his barrier to withstand the shot, but Clémentine immediately attacked with psionic daggers and made him disappear.

Reloading her weapon, Leslie looked at the battlefield.

To the north, Alice could be seen chasing the mage who was trying to retreat.

Apparently, she couldn’t use her ‘Shadow Leap’ because the mage had extended his magical barrier to his shadow to protect himself.

Even so, Alice was still moving through the shadows of the trees using a move similar to darkness magic.

In the east, Edward and a psionic were fighting while from time to time lightning would strike from the sky, helping the group in that area.

A ‘flying eel’ and a ‘sky jellyfish’ were in the air, assimilating the lightning and extending powerful electric attacks to the demons.

On that side, the enemies were being suppressed and unlike Edward, who was able to help his group, the psionic was being pressured to the point of falling.

To the south was a huge purple cloud that made the battlefield spread out to the sides.

All while in the sky, Daniel and his partner were fighting against the S-Rank swordsman.

Students from both academies were spread out all around and Leslie was in her original position, along with other archers.

This was the best position to attack or pressure the demons.

Leslie was using a slow and powerful shot, while Lucas was shooting high-speed arrows.

From the academy group was a Rank-C archer and, although he was less skilled and slow than Lucas, his howling wolf was performing wonders on the battlefield due to his fast movements.

In that sense, he resembled Niels, who moved all over the place, knocking down the weak.

Very different from another archer’s A-ranked ‘Komodo Dragon’ that was fierce and terrifying.

“I need some help in the west...”

Rachael’s voice sounded over the comm system and Leslie looked to the west.

At that location, Rachael was facing two A-ranks and was being pushed hard, while the other students were also in difficult positions.

Even Nicole and Marc, who were in that spot, were having a hard time.

“Give me the opportunity for a shot,” Leslie asked over the west group’s communication system.

She was connected to all groups, but when she spoke she selected the group of her choice, all so as not to interrupt others.

In the west were a larger number of enemy A-Rank.

“I’ll see about giving you a chance,” Nicole replied, who was facing a fighter.

Rachael could not respond because of the pressure her opponents were putting on her.

Leslie loaded the rifle with a special bullet and then overloaded it for a more powerful shot and then waited for Nicole’s chance.

Nicole faced her opponent and when she took a blow to her face, the young fighter caught him by the arm and threw him to the ground.

“I’m coming.”

Without looking at her opponent, who was disappearing because of his depleted life bar, Nicole started running towards the swordsman who was attacking Rachael along with the psionic.

Leslie calmly braced herself as she controlled her breathing.

She was sure Nicole would give her a chance she was looking for to support Rachael.

“Now!”

At that moment, there was a shout from the B-Rank fighter facing Marc.

With just two exchanges of fists, the fighter knocked Marc down and put him away, using fatal strikes.

Not caring about the incredulous look on the faces of those nearby, he ran and intercepted Nicole in an instant, knocking her down leading to both of them rolling on the ground.

Leslie’s gaze turned serious, and she prepared to fire at that fighter, but at that moment the swordsman facing Rachael dodged the fireballs and charged straight towards her small group, attacking from a distance.

“Shit...” Cursing at the swordsman’s high speed, Leslie just signaled for the others to move away.

At the same time, she activated her exoskeleton to engage the enemy.

As for the difficulties of Rachael’s group, that could no longer be up to her.

******

“Ughh...” Nicole rolled on the ground from the blow she received, then quickly stood up to cautiously observe her opponent.

She could see that the surroundings were in chaos.

Being pressed by the enemies, Frank and Alexey, who had been present in this group, were being suppressed while Rachael faced the A-Rank psionic.

In the center, Leslie started a battle with the swordsman, making it clear that she had activated the Rank-A strength of her armor.

“It’s a dangerous move to avert your gaze,” said the fighter and attacked, striking Nicole in her stomach.

Even though Nicole tried to defend herself, that blow was in such a way that made it hard to dodge it.

Enduring the intense pain, Nicole threw a punch, but her arm was caught by the fighter, who lifted her up and threw her away.

“Ughh...”

She was thrown with such force that it became impossible to control her body and she could only roll on the ground and fall back.

As she was about to get up, she felt a pain in her stomach and her vision spun again.

She had taken a big kick from the fighter, who had approached within seconds.

“Is this all you got?” the fighter asked, approaching step by step.

Nicole slowly stood up, but at that moment, she felt a shiver as she saw the battlefield.

The situation was tense on her side and the swordsman pressed Leslie in such a way that caused injuries.

Alexey was trying to resist his last moments, but his pallor showed that he no longer had any magical energy.

On the other side, Frank was protecting a muscular bear whose wounds were already quite heavy.

A giant black spider and a spearman riding it were being cornered elsewhere.

Nicole stood up again, wiping her blood in her mouth, and glared at her opponent fiercely.

*Boom*

Her opponent charged towards her, and their fists collided with each other, creating a small explosion.

Not giving up, Nicole tried to exchange blows with the fighter, and to her lament, on the fifth exchange, the fighter found an opening and performed a spinning kick.

“Agh...”

Nicole, as she was hit, spun in the air, spitting blood until she fell to the ground and although she felt slightly dazed and her vision was blurred, she got back up, stepping into guard.

“Ferocity and tenacity are remarkable, but in life, you can only do so much with it,” The fighter pointed out, walking step by step towards her and with a smile, announced. “Just like now.”

*BOOM!

The psionic hit Rachael and sent her flying to the ground, at the same time launching psionic spears to knock her down.

In Leslie’s confrontation, she was taking a beating and was overwhelmingly pressed down.

The giant black spider had fallen and disappeared, while the spearman riding it waved his spear, trying to drive his enemies away.

Alexey lay on the ground, motionless.

No fatal attacks were made, and he did not disappear, but they still took a beating and he was on his last legs.

“Your tenacity and ferocity are useless and your friends will die,” declared the fighter glaring at Nicole.

Hearing those words, Nicole’s heart gave a beat and before her eyes, the battlefield became unreal and cruel.

Marc, who had fallen before, was with his neck broken, the giant black spider that was gone before was now lying on the ground motionless.

All the while, corpses and bodies of magical beasts were lying on the ground, dead and bloody from the attacks.

Some were enemies and some were friends Nicole had bonded with.

“No matter how fierce and tenacious you are, without the necessary strength, you are nothing,” announced the fighter with a smile.

Before her eyes, the mask-wearing fighter turned into a real demon, looking at her with a smile.

This moment reminded her of the time her group almost ended up dead in the Assault mission.

That A-Rank fighter seemed unbeatable and no matter how much Nicole would get up, his punches were useless.

This time, she felt the same way... She felt her teammates were going to die and for a moment she lost her sense of reality.

Feeling fear and dread at what was happening, but also anger.

“All because you are weak,” the fighter said... The demon smiling vilely.

Yes, she was weak.

As a fighter, no matter how much she would stand up if she didn’t have the strength to resist, she was just like a pig in the slaughterhouse.

But with that fear, with that dread and anger... Nicole stood up with a fierce look on her face.

No matter when she fell, she needed to get up.

This was her way!

Her helplessness and anger combined to become an intense fury of someone who wanted to get better.

An overwhelming amount of magical energy spread through her body and as if something exploded, an aura of combat emanated from her fists and surrounded her entire body.

That tragic vision shattered before her eyes, but Nicole roared with intense fury at that image remaining in her mind.

“Excellent.”

Hearing those words from the fighter, Nicole charged at her opponent and punched him in the face with all her might.

*BOOM*

The sheer force of the punch broke the earth and made the fighter disappear with a single punch.

“...”

Silence spread around and Nicole, who saw that everything was normal and there were no corpses, couldn’t sigh in relief.

In her mind was that image of death and blood, full of corpses.

And it was that image that caused her to take one step and then another until her walk became a run and the run became a merciless charge.

Her footsteps were breaking the earth and Nicole charged, wanting to let out all her fury.

Looking to keep that unreal vision from becoming real.

******

In a private room, a fighter appreciated as he rubbed his chin.

“That hurt...” mumbled the fighter who had been sparring with Nicole.

He opened his holographic watch and looked at the battle where a fierce female fighter was taking down the B-ranks that had been hindering her earlier.

The way she was roaring, punching, and fighting revealed that she was furious.

“I had to mess with her mind a bit and overdo it a bit too much.” Said a white-haired, white-eyed elf who suddenly appeared at the fighter’s side.

The fighter... No, Victor took off his mask and gave an amused smile.

“It’s normal. We’re setting up the right scenario for her to move up the ranks. Not everyone can move up the ranks as easily,” Victor replied, waving his hand dismissively, and with a serious look, he pointed. “This is the first student to move up in rank. No, if we count that butterfly, then the second.”

His tone was amused, but at the same time, one could tell he was cheerful.

Although he put up awards that would make any A-Rank go tantalizing, this was the first time students moved up in rank.

This was a tournament for them and perhaps because of the barrier, they didn’t have that feeling that pushed them to burst with all their might.

That meant it was difficult to move up the ranks even though they could improve in other areas.

Nicole had been on the edge, and Victor had noticed, so he gave her that push.

“She’ll think it was a trick of her mind anyway,” Victor commented, waving his hand in a nonchalant manner.

Nicole was so shaken by the situation that she saw unreal things, and it led her to move up in rank... It sounded implausible, but even if they were suspicious, it wasn’t like anyone could criticize him.

She had just been moved up in rank!

That was all he had to say in this matter.

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