After familiarizing the members of each group with each other’s skills, they quickly devised a strategy.
Surprisingly, Aria was a key component of the plan. Her talent along with her contract will be used to lull the surrounding Stags.
However, her talent even when amplified by her contract has limited effect on yellow-grade spiritual creatures. Therefore, Queen will also use Noble Breeze to further reduce all of their vigilance before a Bea-containing mist will begin to infect all of the Stag.
Kain made sure to let the others know that the mist will ensure that all red-grade spiritual creatures and below die within seconds. Therefore, the remaining individuals each would be responsible for hunting the orange-grade Stags.
Although none of the students had yet crossed the threshold to 3-stars and have orange-grade spiritual power, after the Stags had been physically weakened by Bea, and their vigilance and aggression reduced due to a combination of skills, even the weakest of them should have no problem killing an orange-grade Stag solo—except for probably Aria, who seems to have little, if any, offensive capabilities.
After all of the weaker stags were taken care of to avoid them interfering in the larger battle with their leader, all of them will then encircle the yellow-grade leader and attack to kill.
“Everyone familiar with the plan? We will begin on the count of 3. 1…2…”
“Wait!” Aria yelled. “Do we start when you say 3 or right after you say 3.”
Kain glanced at Aria, barely concealing his irritation. “We start right after I say 3, I will even say ‘Go!’ so that it is extra clear for you,” he confirmed. “Be ready.”
Aria nodded, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. Kain raised his hand, preparing to give the signal.
“1… 2… 3…GO!”
Aria drew in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began to sing.
Her voice, soft and melodious, floated through the clearing as an ethereal chant. The melody was both haunting and calming, as it wove a spell of tranquility over the clearing.
Even though he was prepared, Kain could even feel his muscles unconsciously relaxing. If his mental strength was not so high, he really may have forgotten his purpose for coming here.
Thankfully, Bea and Queen remained largely unaffected. True to the plan Queen began to flap her wings rhythmically as the Noble Breeze swept through the surrounding. The previously on-guard creatures now appeared drowsy and sluggish after the combination of Aria and Queen.
Kain then summoned a mist to envelope all creatures in the clearing. The red-grade Stage quickly began to fall, their bodies convulsing briefly before going completely still. freewebnovel.cσ๓
The red-grade Stags were now completely neutralized by Bea, leaving the remaining threat—the orange-grade Stags—vulnerable but still very much alive.
“Now!” Kain barked, signaling the group to engage.
Addison and Finn, likely the most familiar with receiving orders from Kain, quickly had their contracts launch into the mist.
However, not long after, the remaining teammates also sent the summons to go hunting in the mist.
Through Bea’s feedback Kain could sense that the orange-grade Stags were dropping like flies, the combat power of his allies truly formidable.
‘I can’t afford to slack off at all. If I do I may find myself overturned by a much lower ranked trainee during the re-ranking.’
As the last of the orange-grade Stags fell, the group regrouped, preparing for the final confrontation.
The yellow-grade leader could be seen shaking its head erratically about as it tried to get rid of the multiple skills affecting its mind.
Kain exchanged glances with the other members to confirm that they were all ready before signalling to launch their attacks simultaneously.
The leader Stag’s head snapped up as it sensed the incoming threat. With a mighty bellow, it charged, its antlers swinging menacingly. Fiona’s defensive inclined contracts played a crucial role in holding it back. However, despite their impressive defense, cracks that shimmered like stars began to be left on their surfaces due to the Astral Stag leader’s attacks.
Many of the melee spiritual creatures, such as Finn’s serpent contracts, moved in for the kill. While Kain’s Vespirae guards, Addison’s Fire Sprite, and other more long-distance attackers launched their attacks from afar. Thankfully, they had worked out a tempo beforehand on when each group of long and close distance attackers would go so that there were no cases of friendly fire.
Kain had actually been worried about if a lack of practice and mutual understanding may lead to some of their attacks hitting their own. Thankfully, such worries were useless.
Kain’s team was relentless. Each attack was calculated, aimed at weakening the Stag further. The coordinated strikes from the group, combined with their spirits’ abilities, began to take their toll. The Stag’s once-proud stance faltered as it was besieged from all sides.
Finally, the Astral Stag leader collapsed with a mournful cry.
The group paused, catching their breath as the clearing fell silent.
‘Thankfully, we grouped up with Addison’s team. The difficulty of the mission was lowered substantially. Had it been us 5 alone, it would have taken a lot longer and we would have likely sustained much more injuries’
Kain approached the antler, carefully prying to saw the antler fused to the flag off with his spear. However, it was to no avail.
“Anyone got a saw or anything?” Kain asked looking around.
Thankfully, Addison handed over a 2-star short sword. It wasn’t anything impressive, but it did have sigils that increased sharpness and cutting ability. Kain could tell she probably bought precisely for extracting more challenging materials.
After he’d finally managed to remove the antler, Kain held the flag aloft, the crest of their college shimmering in the light.
“Well done, everyone,” Kain said, his voice a mix of exhaustion and relief. “We pulled it off.”
Finn, Fiona, Aria, and even Liam, all gathered around with relieved smiles on their faces at having finally completed the mission.
As they began to collect their spoils of war from the Stags, Kain couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride for his team. The battle had been intense, but their planning and teamwork had seen them through. The flag was theirs, and with it, a hard-earned victory.
