Aethelgard Academy Forest
Deep within the thick canopy of the forest, a group of five could be seen navigating the dense terrain, scouting their surroundings.
"We need to find another group, and fast," Edward said, adjusting his glasses.
"True, but who's going to protect the flag? I'm not doing it—I don't think I can hold it," said Maya, who had been handed the flag by Edward a few moments prior.
"Give it to Leon," Arthur replied curtly, his eyes scanning the perimeter.
"There! I hear something from that direction!" Zina suddenly pointed toward the east, her tone urgent.
"Your wind sensory ability is actually quite useful," Leon noted as he headed toward the area Zina indicated.
"Hahaha, finally!" Arthur laughed, bolting past Leon at high speed.
It didn't take long for the two groups to collide. The opposing team was Group 14, consisting of three boys and two girls. Before they could even process what was happening, Leon and Arthur launched a pre-emptive strike.
"Fire!"
"Crush!"
A vortex of flames erupted from Leon's hand, streaking toward two students standing side-by-side.
BOOM!
"Agh!!"
A sharp cry rang out as the flames scorched one of them. Leon was cold and decisive, showing no hint of mercy. Simultaneously, the remaining three members felt a staggering pressure—as if the very air above them sought to grind them into the dirt. Their resistance vanished instantly as they were crushed against the ground without pity.
By the time Edward, Maya, and Zina reached the scene, the battle was already over.
"What is this? They're pathetic," Arthur remarked, his voice laced with disappointment.
"Well, it was a surprise attack. They didn't have time to react," Leon replied calmly, stripping the flag from the arm of a large, unconscious boy. "Though even if they did, the result wouldn't have changed."
"You two! We're a team!" Maya shouted, pointing an angry finger at Leon and Arthur. "If you keep acting like this, the three of us will be disqualified because we haven't shown any performance!"
"You damn brat," Arthur spat, looking at Maya with pure disdain. "Do you think I care if you get disqualified?"
"Arthur is right, Maya," Leon added in a flat tone as he handed the stolen flag to Arthur. "Only about ten people from each batch are accepted. We don't have time to play babysitter. Only the strongest survive here."
"You need to fix your mindset, Maya. They're right," Edward said, standing near the trembling Zina.
"But—!"
"It's time!" Arthur cut her off, glancing at the watch which had begun revealing the positions of the remaining groups.
"Let's move. There are three groups nearby," Arthur pointed enthusiastically, already breaking into a run.
Over the next half hour, the group performed exceptionally well, taking down several teams. Most of the credit went to Arthur's overwhelming raw power, followed by Leon's tactical use of his [Fire] element.
In another part of the forest, two other groups met.
"Oh, look who we have here. If it isn't Lady Rochefield," Michael sneered. The muscular, red-haired boy stared down at Jill and her teammates.
"Freeze."
Jill didn't bother responding to Michael's sarcasm. She activated her [Ice] element immediately, an icy gale spiraling from her hands at incredible speed. Michael's eyes widened as he leaped back to dodge the attack, but his teammates weren't as fast—they were frozen solid instantly.
"You bitch!" Michael cursed, his face contorting with rage.
"AAAGH!" A deafening roar erupted from Michael's throat as he unleashed his [Sound] element.
Jill quickly encased herself in a barrier of ice, but the crystalline structure shattered under the sonic vibration. Her teammates, already lagging behind, lost consciousness as their ears began to bleed from the sheer intensity of the blast.
Michael didn't waste a second. He lunged forward, driving a powerful fist into Jill's stomach.
"Ugh..." A gasp of pain escaped Jill's lips, but she reacted instinctively, shaping an ice blade and stabbing Michael in the arm.
"You...!"
Michael's expression twisted in pain. He grabbed Jill by the collar and hurled her a considerable distance. She scrambled to her feet, conjuring several ice spears and launching them at him. Michael dodged the projectiles, closing the distance between them with increased speed.
"Damn it," Jill muttered, trying to maintain her distance, but Michael caught her again.
"Hehehe... let's see where you run now!"
"AAAGH!" Michael roared again, using his element at point-blank range.
Jill's vision blurred, but her mind remained sharp. I won't lose this easily.
"Ice Age!"
She unleashed her ultimate move just as she was on the verge of blacking out, blood trickling from her ears due to the sonic assault. The attack was devastating; she froze herself and everything in her immediate vicinity—including Michael.
CRACK!
Suddenly, the ice encasing Michael exploded outward. He looked down at the frozen, unconscious Jill and scoffed. "Is that all you've got?"
"[Gravity]."
A cold voice cut through the air. Michael suddenly felt an invisible weight trying to crush him into the earth.
"A—" He opened his mouth to use his sound element, but another voice cut him off.
"Fire."
A fireball streaked with high velocity directly toward Michael's open mouth. A searing, sharp pain flared through him. He jerked his head up and saw two figures approaching: one with ordinary features and black hair, and the other with handsome, arrogant mien and purple hair.