The Wilton students were caught off guard when the announcement was made. Their time had come sooner than expected. For a moment, silence fell among them, the realization sinking in that their group battle was beginning now.
They had all half-expected BIMM Academy to pull out, just as they had before. Raze, however, believed it had been the only logical choice. BIMMâs withdrawal wasnât cowardice , it was strategy. The Central Academyâs last match had been too decisive, too overwhelming. Their strength had been displayed so casually, so brutally, that there had been no trouble for them to hide behind.
It was Lee Royâs decision in the end. Competitive to the core, he would rather forfeit entirely than lead his students into a fight they could not win. For him, fighting without the intent to win was meaningless. And that was what he feared: if they fought at their hardest and still fell short, the backlash would be worse than simply stepping aside.
The other mages of BIMM trusted Lee Roy above all else. If he said retreat was the wisest move, then they would follow without hesitation. After all, it was only thanks to his leadership that they had made it this far in the first place.
Because of all this, one truth now stared Wilton in the face. This would be their first, and their last, match as a group. There would be no easing into things. They had to give everything from the very beginning.
"I canât lie," Chiba admitted, her breathing shallow, trying to steady herself as she rolled her shoulders. "Iâm nervous. I wouldâve liked at least one warm-up match before this."
"Donât be nervous," Yolden reassured, though his own hands flexed tensely at his sides. "Besides, remember who weâre fighting. These are the ones who hurt Moze and Piba. We owe them payback. We canât let that slide."
Moze and Pibaâs expressions confirmed Yoldenâs words. Determination burned in their eyes. They werenât afraid , they were eager. Londo, however, stood with his usual detached demeanor, his face calm, his presence unreadable.
Razeâs voice cut through the moment. "We will still aid you in the fight," he reminded them. "Otherwise it would be ten against five, and no matter how much spirit you have, that would be nearly impossible. Weâll help, but we wonât carry the fight for you. This is your battle to fight , your chance to grow."
The reminder settled something inside the Wilton students. This wasnât just about survival or victory anymore. It was about standing as equals in a war of mages, proving that Wiltonâs name deserved to stand beside , or above , the Central Academy.
For Raze, however, another layer of tension lingered beneath his calm voice. He knew the truth. There were now only two opportunities left to deal with Ibarin. Either after they won this match, when the Grand Magus might finally act and step down onto the field... or tomorrow, during the teachersâ event, when Raze would be forced to play his final card. No more time could be wasted.
The platform rumbled beneath their feet as it rose, carrying all ten Wilton students into the open arena together. It was the first time they had stepped out as a complete unit, side by side. The sight alone stirred excitement in the audience.
"Donât worry," Londo said quietly, his tone firm, his eyes forward. "Iâll make sure no harm comes to you."
Liam gave a short laugh as they walked. "I think you should worry more about yourself than anyone else. Although, with how Raze has performed, they might all try to jump him the second the match starts."
The cheers hit them like a wave as the stadium erupted. The sound was deafening, alive with anticipation. This was the final student event of the exchange, and after everything , the upsets, the rivalries, the sudden bursts of overwhelming power , the crowd was desperate to see how it would end.
Many in the audience now believed Wilton would emerge as the victors. But few thought it would be a clean sweep. Central Academy wasnât made of ordinary students. Nearly every one of them was rumored to possess a unique affinity or a rare trait. Even those without such gifts were masters of specialized skills. Their reputation had been built over years of dominance.
By contrast, Wiltonâs roster looked deceptively plain. Only a handful had shown extraordinary abilities so far. The mystery of their hidden talents only fueled the crowdâs speculation further.
Both groups spread out as they reached the battlefield, giving themselves room to maneuver. It was a natural tactic, to avoid being trapped by wide-range spells and to maximize their casting angles. The tension crackled, magical energy already gathering in the air, and then the signal came.
"The group match... begins now!" the announcer bellowed.
Instantly, an array of spells lit up the field. Bolts of flame, shards of ice, whipping currents of wind , attacks launched from all directions, colliding in a dazzling storm of light and sound.
Londo reacted first, slamming his hands to the ground as walls of earth surged upward, absorbing the brunt of the assault. Beatrix was beside him in an instant, her own spells intercepting attacks that threatened to curve around the defenses.
Further back, Dame and Liam moved with calm precision, channeling their Qi like threads of wind to deflect incoming projectiles. Their movements were sharp, efficient , warriors adapting magecraft into their own unique rhythm.
The Wilton students didnât remain passive. They were setting up countermeasures of their own. Chiba chanted swiftly, water pooling and then bursting forth in heavy, rapid streams. At her side, Yolden added her wind magic, compressing the torrents into high-pressure jets that cut across the battlefield like slicing blades.
The combined spell was breathtaking , raw power shaped into precision. But it was George who stepped forward to meet it. With both hands raised, flames roared outward in a massive wall. Fire and water clashed violently, steam erupting across the field.
The Central Academy students shifted their strategy. They began to break apart, no longer fighting as a single front. Individually, each of them was a weapon honed to perfection. If they could isolate Wiltonâs fighters, overwhelm them one by one, victory would come quickly.
Razeâs eyes narrowed. He could already see the shape of their plan.
âI see... They havenât used the pills yet. Theyâre holding back. But if things turn against them, theyâll use them. I need to keep watch for that moment.â
The battle was only beginning, but already the pieces were in motion.
****
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