Chapter 373

Chapter 373: One Side Withdraws

As usual, there were certain restrictions and balances between inter-academy confrontations. The current alchemy machinery of High Tower Academy took advantage of the fact that teachers did not actively interfere. Otherwise, it would have been reasonable for Bridge Pier Academy to bring all students onto the battlefield for a fair fight. However, once things had progressed this far, complaining would be of no use. After a fierce battle, Darsi struck down two golden dragons from the high tower, but he felt a wave of fatigue.

But the opponents outside the tower did not allow these knights any time to rest. Nearly 30 Sequence 6 dragons soared in the sky, forming several large concentric circles, casting enormous shadows on the ground.

Then, flames descended.

Enormous flames erupted from the dragons’ mouths, creating a massive fire vortex about a kilometer in diameter, enveloping the high tower and melting the frost within. Inside the tower, it was like a hell, filled with scorching and suffocating smoke, distorting vision, turning the world into another dimension.

In just a few seconds, many knights inside the tower were overwhelmed by the flames, causing their barriers to collapse, and their resonance fields dispersed.

Darsi swung his spear amidst the flames, attempting to destroy the final guardian golem.

Several flashes appeared beside the golem, and a group of mages dressed in dark blue robes arrived through short-distance teleportation. Although he managed to knock them out and force them to withdraw in time, the best opportunity had passed. Mages continued to cross the flames one after another. Bridge Pier Academy’s students, having lost their numerical advantage, began suffering heavy casualties; some fell in the sea of fire, while others were struck down by reinforcements. Only a few remained clustered around Darsi.

The situation had become irreparable at this point.

After the flames dissipated, humanoid dragon sequence students charged into the battlefield, tipping the scales in favor of High Tower Academy.

Knights clad in cold iron fell to the ground, exhausted by the flames and lightning. In the center of the field, only Darsi remained. At this moment, these students of High Tower Academy surrounded him and gradually ceased their attacks.

Despite being opponents, they could not help but admire Darsi’s strength and tactics, nearly destroying the hopes of High Tower Academy.

Perhaps to outsiders, High Tower Academy won this time and gained a significant advantage, but only they knew how terrifying Darsi’s surprise attack was. It must be noted that today’s High Tower Academy was different from the past. Under Jack’s leadership, the new generation of power seeds had been trained, making the combat strength of participants this year surpass previous years.

However, even so, they nearly fell victim to Darsi’s sneak attack, suffering heavy losses. Although they emerged victorious, they were also left weakened. Facing Fortress and Temple next would be even more difficult.

At this moment, Darsi stood atop the high tower. His helmet had been shattered during the battle, his short hair mixed with soot and blood. The tip of the tower had been knocked off by the dragon and the aftermath of the battle, allowing white light from above to shine down on the now relatively quiet scene.

A young man in deep blue mage robes flew out from behind, crossing through thick smoke and ruins, slowly descending into the formation. The reactions of the High Tower students around indicated that he seemed to be their leader.

“Who are you?” Although Darsi had a vague guess, he still asked.

“Call me Jack, Senior Darsi,” the young man removed his hood, revealing his golden short hair in the remaining firelight. His plain face exuded an air of scholarly refinement, making it hard to associate him with the current top student of High Tower.

“So it is.”

Facing the encirclement of numerous opponents, Darsi understood the current situation and admitted defeat straightforwardly, without uttering any bitter words or defiance.

“I look forward to our confrontation at the end of the year.”

Carrying his wounded comrades, the imposing figure of the Bridge Pier chief slowly faded away in the firelight and ruins.

Since Bridge Pier Academy had officially conceded, Jack did not obstruct or make things difficult. He allowed subordinates and comrades to clear a path, letting these opponents leave.

Thus, on the second morning of the competition, Bridge Pier Academy, a favorite to win the championship, quietly withdrew. Everything happened too quickly for anyone to react. The campus fell into a brief period of tranquility, and the remaining factions rapidly absorbed this news.

In the central school building, in the dining hall, a group of freshmen in various colors were chattering in different corners.

Compared to Lolan Hill’s class, their lives were much more exciting. Soon after entering the academy, frequent internal conflicts began among the different schools. They saw various seniors competing and dueling daily, and within three months, the campus-wide competition started, another grand celebration.

“Hey, did you hear?” A freshman excitedly told his companions, holding a delicious drink.

“What happened?” A sleepy companion responded casually.

“Bridge Pier Academy conceded this morning. It’s rare. I heard before I entered the academy that Bridge Pier Academy was powerful, with many military generals coming from there. I didn’t expect them to lose so quickly this time. Looks like I might consider going to High Tower Academy in the future, where magic and alchemy are cool.”

“Don’t be so decisive. If you choose the magic sequence, do you have good math scores?”

“I’ll choose the dragon sequence then.”

“That requires higher standards, both talent and lineage are required, not everyone is suitable for the dragon sequence.”

“Why are you always arguing? Then which one will you choose?” He said angrily.

“Natural sequence.”

“Why?”

“Because there are many pretty girls.”

“How shallow is your pursuit? Disgusting.”

“It’s important, let me tell you.”

Freshmen excitedly discussed the latest events on campus, while a petite girl with small goat horns slowly walked by with a plate.

“Nya, you’re here,” a girl with deep purple hair looked up and said.

“Yeah, how have things been, Cafra?”

“Not bad, though there’s some pressure, I’ve adapted.”

The two girls sat at the table, chatting as they ate lunch.

They first met in Lolan Hill’s club, but because of similar backgrounds, they quickly became familiar and close friends. Unlike Letis and Lily, who came from wealthy families, or Ye Ling and Bumansa, who were geniuses, the two of them, ordinary and common, had more in common.

“The news spread quickly today,” Nya began.

“I never expected Senior Darsi to lose so quickly.”

“In fact, it’s not his fault. Mainly, this year’s academy competition was too extreme.”

“In previous years, it was not allowed to use students from the same academy as logistical support. Moreover, this year, the number of Sequence 6 students in High Tower Academy suddenly increased. According to the senior spectators, there were over 100 Sequence 6 participants this time, surpassing historical records.”

“Sigh, why don’t the wise ones stop such chaos?” Cafra sighed, then slowly ate her lunch.

Nya speculated, “I don’t know. Perhaps the wise ones want to give everyone a practical training, seeing what these students can achieve without teacher interference.”

“Maybe. Unfortunately, we don’t know the current situation of Fortress Academy. Lolan is there, and now Fortress seems shrouded in mystery. No one knows the details, only guessing through staff accounts.”

“Mmm, if Lolan also participated in the competition, it would be even more exciting.” Nya slowly said, others may not understand Lolan Hill’s strength, but she, who witnessed her prowess on the grassland, deeply knew the extraordinary abilities of this usually low-key roommate.

(End of Chapter)