Chapter 370

Chapter 370: Initial Battle Situation

Every two years, the inter-academy competition began.

The entire campus was designated as the battleground, with each academy serving as their own stronghold and base camp. Losing control of their territory meant failure, and the duration of the competition was one week. Students not participating would stay within the designated safe zones and would not affect their daily lives.

Additionally, participating students were not allowed to enter the safety zone; entering it would mean they had withdrawn. If a student was severely injured during the competition, they would automatically be considered to have withdrawn. Each participant wore a special bracelet to monitor their safety status. In critical situations, isolation barriers would activate to protect them, preventing death or severe injury. However, triggering such barriers also resulted in automatic disqualification.

On the first day of the competition, the battle commenced. This time, it was the Fortress Academy against the Central School Building.

“It’s starting!” Alena rode her broom high in the sky, overlooking the scene below. In her arms was Ye Ling, both wide-eyed, watching the intense battle unfold.

The Fortress Academy students clad in black never intended to engage in ground combat; they launched an aerial assault directly at the Central School Building.

Dozens of red streaks tore through the night sky, leaving chaotic trails. As these high-ranking members took action, the sky below began to be covered by thick leaden clouds. Then, scorching iron flames poured down, striking the designated central base of the Central School Building.

A group of students riding white herons rose into the air urgently, but before they could fly far, they were ambushed by archers who had been lying in wait. Dark green arrows with long feathers pierced through the sky, embedding themselves into the herons and the bodies of the riders, causing blood to spurt and feathers to scatter. These aerial riders then fell like rain, crashing to the ground and forming circular shields, signaling their elimination.

Seeing the situation deteriorate, Mairwen shouted loudly. The remaining white heron knights transformed into azure lightning, briefly piercing through the leaden clouds, then flashing with electricity. They engaged in fierce combat with their airborne opponents using the lightning and their exquisite skills.

Crimson wings and white lightning knights continuously clashed and mixed in the air.

In the forest below, a member leaned toward the leader beside him and asked, “Should we continue our attack on the main base, or go support the battle in the sky?”

The red-sailed man holding the maple leaf bow waved his hand and leaned against a tree branch, closing his eyes to rest. “No need. We’ll just wait here,” he said.

“Although we’re teammates in this competition, our leader is Miss Lolan. It’s unnecessary to cooperate so closely with the ‘Black Veil.’ If they can’t even take down the Central School Building, I really look down on these people.”

“Regardless, all participants from our academy are ranked Sequence 6.”

In the sky, Mairwen fought increasingly nervously. The Central School Building already had few people, and although he had good authority and could generally gather them, they barely mustered 30 Sequence 6 students. Only under normal circumstances, when the Order Department could mobilize other academy club members, could they have over 80 Sequence 6 students. But now, this was all the strength of the Central School Building.

During the aerial phase, many Sequence 5 members were shot down by arrow rains or struck by meteoric fire. Only a small number of elites and Sequence 6 members managed to ascend. He had hoped they still had some fighting power, but reality was cruel. These opponents clad in crimson wings were all Sequence 6, even among the elite. Without demonic beast support, these individuals could easily repel the white heron knights’ attacks and even strike back.

Thus, about 80 white heron knights fought valiantly amidst the thick clouds and lightning, but what kept falling were not enemies but their own allies.

White herons wailed, their wings torn by sharp swords, blood and feathers scattering across the sky. Members of the Central School Building had to painfully watch their companions fall, accepting defeat.

In this confrontation, the ‘Black Veil’ only deployed 60 members, and with the assistance of 30 ‘Black Lotus’ members, they easily seized control of the Central School Building’s strongholds. Mairwen’s past legends crumbled instantly, shocking the many spectators.

“When did the students of the Fortress Academy become so formidable?” Grace remarked incredulously from a distant hillside.

Though the Central School Building lost due to fewer participants, it should not have fallen so quickly. This scene was truly surprising.

“Judging by this, there might be nearly 100 Sequence 6 students among the Fortress Academy competitors. That’s quite a challenge,” he said worriedly, then a familiar voice came from beside him.

“True as it may be, Darci won’t give up easily,” Jielanen said, wearing a masked knight armor.

“We always emphasize fighting with more against less, weaker against stronger. In terms of joint operations and being the main players in many battles, it remains us,” he turned away from the fallen Central School Building and headed south.

“Big Brother is right, but you didn’t participate this time. Isn’t that a bit regrettable?” Grace followed.

“A little, but family honor restricts me from participating in the fights within the academy.” Jielanen mounted his horse, and the two figures gradually vanished behind a hill.

—

Northern Tower, Cold Stone Valley.

“So soon?”

Standing on one side of the valley, Jack was surprised after hearing the report.

It seems my colleague is quite capable. I am looking forward to it, he thought, his indigo robe flapping in the cold mountain wind.

“Speed up, let them start working on component Number 1,” Jack instructed. Following this, a special magical chime rang out, and dramatic changes occurred in the valley below. Giant and grotesque dragons shook their heads and tails, some digging into the mountain walls while others belched flames, melting the ore inside the pits, which then flowed along channels into another area. After several rough processes, the molten iron and metal solutions finally solidified in a mold hundreds of meters wide and long, resembling a massive cone.

On the other side of the valley, countless alchemists were busy adjusting, inscribing, and enchanting parts, making them stronger and more durable.

Although the school competition only allows 160 participants, there are no restrictions on logistics and support. The Tower Academy utilized this loophole by having numerous magic-sequence students serve as auxiliary support, creating powerful war machines. Despite the tight schedule, with the help of these skilled and excellent alchemists, progress was visibly advancing.

“Just give me a bit more time, I will surely shock all of Emanas,” Jack said, looking at the gradually forming giant steel body, praying silently, as the fierce wind blew and his robes fluttered.

—End of Chapter