The mbers of Class-1 sprang on their respective tasks the instant the buzzer signifying the beginning of the ga rang up. There was nothing special in what they're doing, except following their usual motto—first step is often the deciding factor!
They'd Zephyr with them. They wouldn't let them be overtaken by another class in the mont, and imdiately devoted themselves to their supposed role.
Zephyr first scouted the area to see if there was any other base nearby, helped the mbers in setting up the defense line, and then swiftly left the base in tow with their offense squad.
So far, their action appeared no different from previous matches, but the similarity ended there. Until now, he had strictly ordered the mbers to move in a team of at least six mbers, and mustn't split in more than two teams. It was Zephyr's precaution in case they're caught in a surprise attack.
But in the finale, their team had split into as small as three-mbers units, and even allowed them to spread out. From a general viewpoint, the team would barely last longer should they encounter an opponent class. It’s not easy to cut one’s way against an outnumbered force after all. At the sa ti, even if they found the enemy's base, a prompt raid wasn't possible for similar reasons.
The whole thought behind their plan could be explained for two simple reasons—the field discouraged classes from moving in big groups, and also to counter «Dragon's Miniature Garden.»
Their primary targets were scouts.
Since the map arena was littered with mountains, it conversely left little stable ground for the classes, which also ant narrower and few roads. The mountains projected a steep cliff, making it nearly impossible for students to climb (or maybe Machos could climb their way, but they're anomalies so let's not ntion them.)
In short, awaiting the movents from scouts, the mbers of Class-1 took an ambush approach. Scouts were the key target to hunt down in their plan this ti.
This was a strategy that was possible only at the early stages of the ga. In Zephyr's words, large units were impossible to roam around freely in crowded maps, hence it was scout's duty to map out the area for their teams.After all, they’re the lifeline of any class to pinpoint their opponent's base location, assess the enemies placent, their military might, and find an opening in their arrangent.
At the sa ti, Class-1’s three-man unit had to beware of possible encounters with big groups that could pose danger. If they're found out by scouts, they would run the risk of going against a concentrated attack. This was another reason why scouts must be eliminated.
Hence, to crush the scouts as soon as they could, Class-1 promptly raised their own force and spread them out. It would be a stalemate if the opponent's main force made their move before they could achieve that.
Then again, speed was sothing Class-1 indisputably rocks in. Imdiately with the match opening, their unit left to lay in ambush. If they're successful, they might even eliminate a good portion of scouts. At the sa ti, this tactic was an answer to «Dragon's Miniature Garden».
The key forte of «Dragon's Miniature Garden» was its capability of bird-eye's view but it had a glaring weakness. *The only area «Dragon's Miniature Garden» could reflect was only the places charted by comrades.* Unless the mbers had scouted the area, the said location would be pitch dark.
In that scenario, Rina would probably move to spread out their scout force first of all to complete the map. And this was their chance to catch them wholesale. The elimination of scouts not only would be a huge blow to Class-51, but they would also cripple their mapping ability, putting their strategy into the back seat. It was a one stone and many birds mont.
But as it stood, this was a race against ti. Whether they could stop Rina from completing her map or not would decide the direction of the match to a major extent.
Anyway, the main point for Zephyr was now to secure the strategic location where they could seal scouts movents. Everything in this mont boils down to how much area they cover up. Of course, with how big the field was, Zephyr knew they couldn't encompass the whole area, no matter how exceptional his classmates were.
After a bit of contemplation, he chose to lay their trap in half of the southern area.
As much as the field was a mountain district, with towering mountains everywhere like high-rising buildings, there were so peculiar characteristics to so areas. And those areas were north and south.
The northern area had several gaps with criss-cross paths, while the southern area had narrower roads as wide as one square only. They also had relatively more mountains in that area. To sum it up, the south was the pri location to hide.
But from Zephyr perspective, the narrow roads were just as much of a limiter for his opponent. If they could only take narrow roads, then their opponent's scouts, too, would have to take the sa narrow path. And it's precisely due to this intricate place that Zephyr had chosen south as location for their base.
Either way, Zephyr chose a team of Rika, Pala and Misato to station in the furthest area in the southeast. That spot was a mirror to their own, making it a pri location to hide oneself's base. Pala was the vanguard with her agility and ability to bind her opponent's move skill. Rika and Misato were there to support her. (See co-ordinates AB-22、AB-23、AC-22、AC-23 for precise location.）
The spot where paths from three directions, mainly south and north, rges was a pretty notable spot to corner scouts. In the end they settled on that. But—
◆◆◆
"Of course, our opponents wouldn't let us have that advantage so easily huh..."
Rika murmured in a wry smile.
"Yeah. We really didn't think they would dispatch an escort squad just for scouts."
"Uh-huh, we're spotted-desu. Your decision, Rika?"
Misato and Pala share a similarly wry expression.
The trio had been currently stuck in an odd spot. They'd been lying in ambush when on the other side a sprinting person, seemingly the scout, activated their «Detection» skill while trying to swiftly cross the path. Of course, Pala's «Present Detection» promptly reacted to the opponent and warned her.
Now, they'd a choice. Pala could similarly use the «Detection» skill to locate the precise location of scouts and take them out. However, that's where the problem arises. Apparently the scouts were dispatched with an escort unit who now approached their direction all pepped up. This buds a sense of impatience inside Pala.
"I didn't expect they would move in a four person team. Well, then again we're the last person to point that out."
"I know right? I an, an escort unit would only be a burden against a scout's agility. Plus the scout would have an easier ti escaping alone too, so why..."
"Opponents inbound from east, their count is four. They're confidently striding in our direction-desu."
"Your call, Rikky! Fight or flight?"
"......Zephyr had said to pin down this location if possible. Let's test them out before reaching any conclusion. It would be embarrassing to say we ran away because we're outnumbered, no?"
"Woah, that was a cool line, Rika!"
In the end, the trio decided to challenge the incoming opponent. They took their battle stance and appeared from the shade of the mountain.
"No more hiding, huh?"
"Aye, prop to your determination~."
"Do not be complacent, everyone. They have managed to reach the final for a reason!"
At last, the opponent beca clear about the trip: they're a team of two boys and two girls. One of the boys was dressed in sorcerer-esque style, the other was carrying a broadblad, probably a close-combatant. On the other hand, one of the girls was dressed lightly, which makes her the scout while the other girl appeared to be using a dual sword style.
Rika and team had yet to know, but they're the mbers of Class-9.
"Why were you hiding yourself there... or not, I guess that's a bit too redundant to ask."
"Heh? Your tone suggests it wasn't just our class that thought of targeting this location huh."
Listening to the scout girl's words, Rika finally had an understanding of the situation. To cut to the chase, another class had co up with the sa idea as them. And it indicates their opponent had a leader on par with Zephyr. The expression of Rika and team tensed when this thought crossed them.
"Hmph, enough talking. We might have the sa goal but there can only be one class, so say your goodbye."
"Impressive resolution. But don't expect us to back down so easily. Hope you have prepared—"
"It's our line! Attack now, guys!"
"«Frigid Burst»!!"
The mage-esque boy promptly fired a 3rd order skill. However—
"Just this? Secret Technique—«Twin-Sword Sweep»!"
"D-Did she just repelled the magiccccc?!?"
Rika jumped in with her parry skill and sent the magic attack in another direction. The mage-esque boy's mouth opened ajar in sheer shock.
"My turn-desu!"
"Go-go, I will cover you up, Pacchi! «Proto Barrier»!"
Then moving onward, Pala, too, leaped into the confrontation in her usual skippy tone, while Misato supported them from behind.
Thus, the parallel thought process of two leaders sparked the first fight of the finale.
—And eventually, this spark would then trigger a bigger war.
T/N - Heya, everyone, how did your new year go? Personally, it was like everyday except the update of a ga made the day. Any guesses? ~~And I guess you guessed the reason behind the delay this week. I can’t wait to eat my words said a while ago.~~
But on the brighter side, the goal perford quite well at least. Though it didn’t hit the set milestone, not that it was unexpected, we would be updating two extra chapters next week. And it seems like Hannah’s side story get the fair number of votes so there we go~.
On the side note—not that it’s important, so you can skip it—my original idea was to check out the light novel volu of series and see if there is any sumr side stories, and *hopefully* the illustration of the remaining girl’s swimsuit but I couldn't find the ti and ans to get it. Welp, here goes my plan to put down sumr stories in the winter season—the oh-so classic staple of ani regardless of the ti. Let’s see this month then~.
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