A stage was set up in the centre of the arena, much like our first match. In the middle stood Class-1's assistant teacher Ladveena-sensei, and Mukai-sensei.
The eight finalist classes took their spot before the stage.
"Then, we shall now begin with the field for the final battle! Once the field is decided, starting from Class-1 and in descending order of class ranking, select a location for your base and inform Mukai-sensei. Though beware that ti is limited, so do not stick up for too long."
Ladveena-sensei spoke in what appeared to be a mick-esque item, her voice imdiately travelling to all corners of the arena from the huge speaker. Then she turned to signal Mukai-sensei who, as usual, promptly began to fiddle with the tablet in his hands.
The giant screen hovering above the arena displayed a sequence akin to slot machines.
In contrast to the randomly selected field by Mukai-sensei, the finale's field was rather pre-planned, or more accurately, it was randomly chosen from pre-designed several other complicated maps. 5th arena was typically used by sophomores, so the list also had several complex fields to match the standards of seniors.
In fact, it was the mont where all would wait for the result with baited breath. It was the mont of excitent and anticipation for many.
—*Vrrr*
The slot machine-esque screen spinned, demanding the attention of everyone present.
*Gulp* The arena was filled with a tension so thick, with silence running amok, that even the gasping voice was audible to us.
Then, as everyone stared in nervousness, Ladveena-sensei shattered the silence.
"......Oh, dear. This map is going to be the source of many problems for participants. But either way, the field has been decided! The Inter-class battle's year 1 field is—«Five Mountain Formation Sequences»!"
——Whooooaaaaa!
An excited scream escaped from the audience's mouth as Ladveen-sensei announced, the giant screen above displaying a bird-eye view of the field; the map had a huge mountain in the centre, and four mountains in the four directions. To be precise, the four mountains were placed like four corners of a square, with the biggest mountain in its centre. Aside from that, the entire field was overrun by mountains of all sizes.
The map had no pond or lake or any water body. Each hindrance encountered would be mountain. Overall, there were only a few patches of flat land intermittently, while the roads were extrely narrow. The map had been shaped after the mountain district!
And of course, a nuisance map like this was a staple among second year students.
"Uh-huh, «Five Mountain Formation Sequences» field huh. It's going to be a tough ride."
I whispered to myself and gazed at the screen. I didn't have any trick to check my expression, but I just knew my lips must have been curled into a smile.
Few patches of flat land, and narrow roads—it was the perfect field for frequent encounters, encouraging quick battles. In fact, this was the most challenging field in the 5th arena.
Well, well, guess since the field wants to go whom and bam quick, that would be our policy.
Then again, with so many obstacles on the way, I wonder how the audience would be able to see the whole situation playing out.
Oh well, not my circus to take care of, so whatever.It's ti to select our base.
"Already, step forward, Class-1's leader, and choose your base."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
The base selection order in the finale was ranked based on the superiority of points scored in the semi-final between. Class-1 had made a new breaking record so, obviously, we were first.
The rest of the class order was—Class-51, Class-5, Class-8, Class-9, Class-12, Class-3 and Class-10.
I walked in front of Mukai-sensei and tapped on the location of our choice before returning to my spot. Well, this would be obvious, but yes, the choice wasn't reflected on the map.
anwhile, other classes stirred up when they saw I decided on our base in re seconds. Perhaps they hadn't expected to decide in a mont given the complexity of the map.
"That was quite a zippy decision, Brave-san."
"Hmm, either you're a quick decision maker, or this was all concluded in your plan, huh? Either way, sounds like a well-thought decision."
I heard so murmur from the other classes.
Well, their guesses weren't exactly wrong. The non-randomized fields were no different from what I knew from the ga, so it was an easy sneezy decision.
The field had many efficient spots to defend against, given the nature of layout, but of course, there were also so more easier to defend than anyone else. I just picked one of them myself.
It was really great to be the No.1, heeheehee.
Following after , Rina, as the leader of Class-51, stepped up. She, too, montarily decided on her base.
A few murmurs broke out among the audience when they recall the 2nd contestant was a class dominated by mid-ranking jobs.
Moving onward, Class-5 opted for their base location, albeit after a mont of contemplation. Similarly, rt from Class-8 took his ti before decided their location. I montarily felt rt's gaze scanning , but either way, he made his choice.
When it was the turn of Class-9, their leader had shown a faint look of surprise, but otherwise, he promptly made his decision. I guess he must have found one of the pri locations available.
Then in turn of Class-12, their leader took a good ti to decide, but then her eyes widened suddenly and she made her choice. However—'Beep,' an error sound echoed. It seed she had selected her base too close in proximity to another base. Well, while the rules allow freedom of choice, there were also rules like a base couldn't be too close to others. And since two of the squares in front of the bases were the guardian monster's active zone, the minimum space between the bases had to be five squares apart.
After a mont of reluctance, Class-12 eventually decided the location.
After her, the fox-kin leader of Class-3 took almost all the allocated ti and after much pondering, selected her base. In the end, Class-10's leader let out a groan when it was their turn, a helpless expression spread on his face before he, too, decided his base.
With little flat land on the map, all the good serviceable spots must have been hogged by previous classes, so Class-3 and Class-10 especially had a hard ti.
I wonder which places they'd choose for themselves. Well, not that we would know. I did have a hunch however. I an, there were just that many plain fields to choose after all. Plus, it wasn't feasible or allowed to choose the summit or inclination. Then again, it was just as easy to blend oneself in that field with so many covers.
In the anti other classes were pondering over their choices, I promptly jotted down so notes and handed them to Karua.
"This field has too many corners and gaps to take cover in. You must be careful around these parts. Also, make sure to investigate which class they might be in."
"Hmm."
I murmured in a voice inaudible by other classes.
Once everything was set, Ladveen-sensei took the mick in her hands again.
"Great, so everyone has selected their location. Now we will proceed with field construction. The central stage is going to be replaced by a mountain as well, so return back to your waiting room for the ti being. You will be notified as soon as the field is constructed, and after ten minutes of transfer, the match will begin officially."
Then, before we could have shouted acknowledgent, Mukai-sensei promptly manipulated the tablet and imdiately, a teleportation circle appeared beneath our feet, transferring us to our respective waiting room from earlier.
There was no mix-up with other classes, nor were there any strays. Everything was quick, and clean. Teleportation OP, yay! Just kidding.
Afterward, the loud rumbling sound dominated the arena for the ti being, and in a few minutes of our watch, the field was now littered with, literally, heaps of mountains.
"Damn, the arena is so convenient, and high-tech."
My impression unwittingly escaped from my mouth.
Once the field was set, a teleportation circle appeared beneath our feet again. After a mont of transition, we found ourselves on our selected base.
On another note, the teleportation wasn't the OP, but arena to be precise, wasn't it? In a flash, the field is transford, and in another flash, you're teleported so cleanly another class wouldn't even notice your presence. Oh man, how I wish this could have straight teleported to the boss room of the dungeon. Then it would be a boss parade, ahaha!
I looked at my classmates—they're curiously looking around—and raised my voice.
"Attention, everyone!"
Everyone's eyes gathered on . Affirming that, I proceed.
"Since you know, this is going to be the last match, anything below the top throne is unallowed! Let's decimate all!"
" " "Decimate all!" " "
"Alright, so let's confirm the situation and then I will assign the roles."
And thus, we kicked off our final match of Inter-class battle.
T/N - Aha, well, I initially planned to update these two on monday, but felt a bit behind in completing second chapter in ti, and then it kinda dragged on to second update. That's why you shouldn't drag deadlines.
There's second chapter next to this. And I noticed I accidentally miss count 2nd chapter ant from the goal. Will upload it soon.
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