"You really got us good, eh, Zephyr."
"But is it? I really wasn't trying to tie our points though."
Shrugging my shoulders, I denied rt's allegation, though he didn't stop with his probing gaze.
The reason? Well, it just so happened that our classes were now at equilibrium through points. It really was just a coincidence, I had asked Lana to deal with Class-12's guardian monsters simply for more points sake.
At present, I was at the square slightly southwest of the central area of the arena, alone with rt. (Coordinate I-24)
We're not entirely alone, to say, but the mbers had retreated to the adjutant squares behind us respectively, leaving us two leaders to our eting. They'd just finished dealing with the last of alliance mbers, and arrived here.
Why were we engaging in such friendly banter? There had been sothing we must do. And that was—
"So, I believe we should start."
"My words, indeed."
"Class-8's leader, I appreciated your cooperation during the United front."
"Likewise, thank you for accepting our proposal."
"Then, It's ti to end this truce. What do you say?"
"Obviously, yes. Then again, there are no more classes beside us. Alas, it would've been great if Class-9 was still here."
"Heh, but didn't your class brought them to an end?"
"Oh, right. Frankly, now I think we were impatient in bringing them down. We should left them stranded and let them summon more guardian monsters."
"You would have been at the top otherwise."
"We would have, yes."
The two of us exchanced a brief smile.
"Sheesh, Zephyr. We're not here to catch up!"
And here cos the command of Her Highness. Ah, it appeared we spent too much ti talking.
"You heard them, my class can't hold back anymore. This is all from , see ya."
"Hmm, so we're rivals once we leave this square."
With that said, we exchanged handshakes, and turned our backs to each other and began moving in our respective class's direction.
There was another local rule in the academy; when calling off an alliance, it must be done by respective leaders alone, just like we had done now. Must I say, that was quite a cool scenario to draw. I really wanted to try it once. The instant we left this square, the nullification of truce would be official, and then we could target each other without any obligation.
Though if one refused to leave the square just because they didn't like this idea, the other party wouldn't be held for their action if they start to rain down attack on a reluctant party. Not that I would do though. It'd leave bad taste on my mouth.
Soon, we both were at our respective class's camp, all prepared to sound the horn to the last confrontation of inter-class competition.
"Hey, thanks for waiting. Now we're up against them, definitely the strongest class among all we've faced. Are you all pumped up?"
"Anyti!"
My remark was t with a firm nod from my classmates. I glanced at everyone gathered for one more ti; Sierra, Eden mbers (except Lulu), and Machos's guildmaster Alan. The rest of machos apparently t an insurmountable wall, and similarly, everyone of «Best of the Best, the Great Star» were eliminated. We also had lost two of our girl classmates.
Overall, the 15 mbers left were now—I, Lana, Sierra, Ester, Rika, Celestine, Shizu, Pala, Misato, Sachi, Emi, Yuuka, Alan, and the «Shadow» girl.
It appeared Class-8 had also called every last of their mbers. As I see, there were 13 of them. They knew it was their do-or-die mont for their class. Their determination was evident.
"I like their spirit."
I whispered, and began our march in Class-8's direction. SImilarly, our opponent followed the sa suit.
"Everyone, we're at the very last step to claim the trophy. I hope you all are motivated! And—comnce open fire!!"
As my words echoed, the two classes jumped in action.
◇◇◇
"Commander, I will leave you to direct the right squad."
"Aye-aye!"
"Warrior, you're up to guide the left squad."
"As you command."
rt's command flew out, sorting out their battle formation. Class-8 had been loaded with many category holders, and among present mbers, a huge majority's jobs were at least high-ranking mid-tier, or above. They’re the definition of super elite class among the ranks.
«Commander» job holder was a boy from the «Duke» category, while the «Warrior» boy hailed from «Marquis» category. Either of them were high-ranking mid-tier jobs.
As for why they were called by their jobs na... well, it was the wish of respective peoples. They wanted to be called by their nicknas, which settled on their jobs na. One could only imagine the chaos when the majority of class shared the sa traits.
"We're going to bash them square! Try to gather them in one place! Noel, put focus on healing and buffing classmates! Ranged users, it's your ti to shine! —Fire!! «Flare Burst»!"
As soon the two classes stepped inside the sa square, a volley of ranged attacks ensued, ornating the sky with their twinkling, epheral presence like stars.
"It's Lacritta at defense! Do not lose your calm! It's our mont to show them what Class-8 is capable of! Counterattack!! «Frigid Slow»!"
If there was a plus point to have so many noble category holders, then it was their balanced stats. Outside of their respective jobs, they also could play the role of semi-tank, which was another lifeline to resist Class-1's barrage.
The sole break in otherwise ta composition was their inadequacy in healing. They're, like, the living example of 'Nobles are there to be served.' So it make (?) sense. They also had no healers from the beastkin category. Then again, healers were like unicorns in the Combat Departnt, rare.
"—«Healing lody»! «Lovely Healing Voice»!"
"—«Heal All»!"
Their classmates had already began with healing, however their lack of enough healers were now becoming more apparent. rt, despite his top offensive potential, had relegated to task of healing similarly. However when one was against a behemoth, not bringing out your greatest would only be detrintal.
With a steep expression wedged on his face, rt stared in Class-1's direction. Sierra had blocked the ranged fire with her «Cover Shield». Well, she didn't reach 100% block rate at once of course, and initially so attacks managed to pass through, but Zephyr and other's assistance prevented their situation from being degraded.
And soon after, the barrage had increased in intensity from Class-1, so much so that Class-8 had to make a temporary retreat and switch to the square behind. Their expectation lay on the rules of the square—the damage reduction of the incoming strikes to be precise—to give them a mont of respite, and the window to organise their ranks again.
But their relief was short lived, for Class-1 had Lana.
"Truly, naive! —«Sacred Shining Sabre»! «Rise of the Sacred Tree»!"
Lana uttered from her «White Throne», her attacks easily bypassing the said restriction. She had been busy, assisting her classmates with buffs and healings, and now that she was finally up to it, she wasn't going to play easy. «Saintess» wasn't to be underestimated.
"Defend! Beastkins, prepare for the lee clash!"
rt had his own guess about Lana's ability, so he had commanded his shielders to keep up the protection at all coset even when they retreated. Fortunately, his decision left them with only minor damages, and even that quickly patched up their sports. They'd to be at that level to make a dent otherwise.
"Alright, spear guys first, eh!"
"But it seems you're a step late..."
Pala was the first to breach Class-8's square, followed by Ester. However their advances imdiately ca to at Class-8's intervention.
"I am your opponent, Ninja Girl!"
"Woah, eh, what! There's a shota, just like Lulu-desu! He's even smaller than rt, and I thought there would be no more shorter than him!"
Pala was made to stop by «Viscount» category holder, a blonde haired boy. His Job was «Shota Hero», the boys version of Lulu's job, and much like her, he sported an elentary kids like build, making him appear much younger than his actual age.
"Then I shall deal with that girl riding a mysterious vehicle."
Though not that it matters right now, wolfkin and dogkin categories were generally seen as one group. But it was their expertise that made them distinct from each other; dogkin were known for their taming, while wolfkins were ranged attackers.
Of course, Pala's words didn't goes unheard by rt, evident from the bulging vein on his forehead. He imdiately commanded his team.
"Engage with the enemy, but do not force yourself. We will take them down slowly, but definitely! Noel, make sure to buff us quietly!"
But he remained calm. He couldn't act on his emotions when Class-1 still had the upper hand against them. To Class-1, Class-8, despite its elite status, was no different from other classes.
Pala, Ester, and Karua were the frontrunners of Class-1, experts with their speed and quick kills. The last thing they would want was for their hard earned battle formation to be thrown into chaos if they failed in containing them.
Moreover, they're just two of them, while it appeared Karua had stayed by Zephyr' side for so reason. He knew he had to quickly stop the two girl's advances, and had his two classmates imdiately intercept them. It wasn't the right ti to fight their opponent after all. With that said, Class-8 retreated further.
In the anti they'd intercepted Karua and Pala, the Class-1's main force had also breached the square. It was the mont they're waiting for.
"Commander! Warrior! It's now! I'm counting on you, Lacritta, Reglam!"
At his command, the left-wing squad and right-wing squad charged at Class-1 from left and right respectively. That was it. rt was going for a siege.
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