According to what Professor Gibson had said, students who hadn't gotten a team were automatically paired with themselves.
No one, even the members of those teams were confident in themselves because there was no way a team put together the previous day would outperform those who had been training a long time ago.
The teams were given serial numbers according to the time they were registered. Blake's team was given number 7, while that of Damon was given number 1 since they were the first to register.
"Apart from Damon's team, what other team are we meant to look out for?" Tessie asked as she looked at the different teams present.
"None." Luciano said.
"Don't you think it is wrong to underestimate our opponents?" Tessie said to Luciano.
"I am only stating a fact." Luciano said indifferently.
Truly, Luciano was stating a fact because during the capture the flag exercise, not only were their 2nd elements prohibited but their weapons were also prohibited.
This time they were able to use any and everything they had.
"I think what she means is who are some exciting team to watch?" Blake asked Tessie who nodded.
"I will say that of Kade and Vlad." Blake answered.
"Why?" Brian and Castiel asked with raised brows.
"Well, Kade has always been an interesting character even though he isn't in the top ten, and I will like to see how much he has grown. As for Vlad, I am just interested in seeing who ends up knocking his team out." Blake said with a smile.
"To prevent accidents like that of last semester's team exercise. The school has decided to make sure every team has a level of coordination before going into the wild once again and that is the main reason for this exercise." Professor Gibson said.
"The rules of the exercise are quite simple. There are 13 teams, meaning there will be 4 rounds and the matchups will be random. As for those not meant to take part in the 1st set will be a random pick while the second will be determined by the fastest in the 1st round." With that said, the random match-up began.
(AN: The teams are odd numbers so a team is meant to take a rest each round.)
"Team 7 versus Team 9."
"This should be interesting." Blake thought.
The team leader of team 9 was none other than Beyoni who was the current rank 13 and his team comprised mostly of lower 5 in the top 20.
"I don't want to spend too much mana so let's get that position." Luciano said with an unchanging expression.
"Alright, save your mana and leave this to us." Blake said as they walked unto the battleground.
'Why are the heavens against me?' Beyoni cursed when he was matched up against Blake's team.
If Blake hadn't eliminated him then, there was a very high chance that he would have won the exercise. Now he was going to be eliminated in the first round, but his main concern was that his steam would be the first.
Everyone knew Blake was a beast among the students, but right now the number 2 was also in the picture.
"Begin!"
Once the announcement was made, Blake and Luciano stepped forward while the rest stepped back.
"What are they trying to do?" The students from the normal class couldn't help but wonder.
"Now they are getting too corky." The spectating students snorted.
'Fuck me.' Unlike what the spectating students thought, Beyoni was cursing the heavens in as many languages as he knew.
Just as he had thought, Blake and Luciano were planning on ending it quickly.
Blake activated lightning reinforcement and summoned Reaper before dashing towards the enemy team at a terrifying speed. Luciano's body burst into golden flames as he launched himself forward.
'Let's see how long we can last.' Seeing Blake's speed, Beyoni didn't waste any more time as he spread out his hands sending for rays of light towards Blake.
Mirage rays!
The rays moved at very high speeds, but Blake had no plans of dodging them.
When they hit him a sharp pain spread to every part of his as the rays of light had solidified and became two light rods that pierced through him.
"Huh?"
Beyoni expected to see Blake on his knees, but instead, Blake continued moving forward without showing a sign of pain.
"How?!" Beyoni was shocked but managed to get himself together. He cast a water barrier in front of him, but it was useless.
With his incredible speed, all Blake needed was a few maneuvers and he was already behind Beyoni.
Ding!
A golden barrier appeared just in time, protecting him from Blake's sword, but Blake wasn't done yet.
Not wasting a second more with Beyoni, Blake had already spun beside his female teammate who tried putting up an earth wall.
Ding!
Before the earth wall was up, a golden barrier had already enveloped her.
'Too predictable.' Blake thought as he sensed the wind blade coming at him.
Using mini flame bursts to propel himself out of the way, Blake appeared behind the student, spinning with legs thrust by flames.
BAM!
Blake landed a devastating roundhouse kick strong enough to shatter his skull into bits, but that was when a golden barrier appeared.
"AH!"
The student was sent crashing into another student, but that was when extremely scorching golden flames engulfed both of them, activating the other student's golden barrier.
"I surrender!" The last opponent surrendered out of fear when he saw Blake coming for him.
"You know you should have left some for me." Luciano said as Blake returned to the team.
"Sorry, got carried away." Blake said with a smile as scratched he the back of his head.
'Now I understand what he meant when he said there was no one to look out for.' Tessie was stunned by Blake's performance.
She knew Blake was very strong, but not to this extent. Who would have thought he would be able to single-handedly wipe out a team made up of the top 20!
"Winner team 7!" The referee announced. Getting the first victory, Blake's team automatically got to the resting spot.
"Too bad I didn't get to watch his match." Just when they had moved to the team resting area, Kade's team had been eliminated by that of Damon.
"At least we get to watch Damon's next match." Luciano said.
The first round quickly came to an end and the 2nd round of random match-making began.
Damon's team was matched against team 6 which comprised of students in the top 30's, while Vlad was paired against team 13.
Team 13 was a randomly assembled team, but surprisingly they were paired against a similar randomly assembled team and won.
"He really is lucky, but why do I have the feeling he will be matched up with us in the next round." Luciano nodded in agreement.
It was a free win for Vlad, so they didn't bother watching the match because it would be boring.
They switched over to Damon's battle ground, but all they saw was a one-sided beat down.
Their opponents weren't considered a threat, so they went on an all-out attack, effortlessly crushing the team.
"Winner Team!" The referee announced.
…
Minutes later, the second round was over and the random match-making began.
"Team 3 vs team 7!"
"Just like I thought." Blake shook his head as they began walking to the battle ground.
Team 3 was Vlad's team which comprised of Ansgar, Owen the rank 6, and the other 2 from the top 15.
'Vlad always feels like the stupid noble who ends up getting killed by the MC in novels.' Blake thought as he saw the smirk on Vlad's face.
[It is quite surprising how he was able to convince the rank 6 to join his team.] The system thought.
Owen was a white-haired noble who had with haired and caramel skin color. He was 5' 9" meters tall and gave off an arrogant noble vibe.
"Although it doesn't matter I would like to know who the leader of the team is." Blake asked. It was then that Owen signified by raising his hand.
"Just like I thought." Blake said while trying to hold back his laughter.
"What do you mean by that?" Vlad asked with furrowed brows.
"Nothing…" Blake couldn't hold back his laughter.