Chapter 636 No Damsels In Distress Here
?The manaship touched down outside Greenwood City, and the passengers exited onto a snow-covered field where a stage was set up to the right. Archer and the girls stepped off the ship and were ushered to a row of seats.
Lioran, Cian, Alaric, and their girls followed behind. Everyone started sitting down. After ten minutes, all the College Of Magic Students sat down, while the Starlight Academy had its own space, just like the other institutions across Pluoria.
Archer noticed the Headmistress Ophelia walking toward the stage and standing at the podium with most Professors behind her.
"Dear students,'' she started speaking with a smile. ''This afternoon marks the commencement of our pre-qualification group matches, which will determine the groups you'll be placed in. I encourage each of you to compete with integrity and uphold the reputation of the College Of Magic. Remember, losing in these preliminary bouts holds no consequence, for the true test lies ahead in the Qualification Rounds that will be held in a week.''
She paced gracefully before them, her words infused with an unwavering conviction. "I want you to give it your all in these fights, not just for yourselves, but for our college. Fight with honor, fight with courage, and most importantly, fight with your heart."
A soft murmur spread through the group of students as they nodded and smiled at each other. The headmistress's words inspired them to do their best in the tournament.
She continued, her voice ringing with promise. "And fear not, for when the Qualification Round finishes, we'll return to Starfall City just as the Frostwinter Festival begins. There, amidst the festivities, we shall celebrate our achievements and forge memories that will last a lifetime."
Cheers erupted from the students, and their enthusiasm was real as they envisioned the glamorous celebrations that awaited them. Ophelia's words had kindled a flame of excitement and competition within them.
With a warm smile, she finished, "So let us face these fights with courage, knowing that our efforts shall be rewarded tenfold. Together, we shall make our mark upon the world when we head to Verdantia!"
Archer watched as everyone around him erupted into applause. The anticipation of the challenges ahead and the festivities filled the air, binding them together in a shared journey of triumph and celebration.
Ella turned to him and said, "Are you excited, Arch? Look at everyone else."
He glanced around the field and saw all the students smiling and eagerly discussing the upcoming fights.
''I am excited, El. I want to fight all kinds of people while using the limiter to test my abilities.'' Archer answered.
The half-elf smiled, but then the two heard Sera ranting at Nefertiti and Hemera, who were giggling at the redhead. ''I'm telling you, girls, I will be in the two hundred just like the rest of you. Stop doubting me!''
When they laughed even more, it angered the dragon girl whose ruby-red eyes glowed. ''How about we fight now, then? I'll take both of you on.''
Nefertiti nodded her head. ''I'll fight you, little Sera. What about you, Hemi? Or are you too scared?''
The sun elf's eyes narrowed, but agreed with one condition. ''We can't harm each other?''
When Archer heard this argument, he interrupted. ''No one will be fighting until we return to the empire. Someone will get hurt and won't be able to compete. So stop being stupid, or I'll punish each one of you.''
After that, he watched them calm down, but they still planned to fight in the domain while traveling back to the empire in two weeks.
He turned back to Ophelia, who concluded with her speech. ''Now. The Professors will break you down into groups of fifty and take you to the fighting stages so we can figure out what group you'd be in.''
Once she was done talking, the Professors started approaching groups of students. Gianna walked toward them and spoke. ''Archer. I have you, your ladies in my group, and another fifty.''
Hearing the green-haired woman speak, they all stood up and said farewell to Lioran and the others before following her.
Archer walked next to Gianna and asked, ''What's the point of this group stage? Why not just fight it out during the Qualification Round.''
A pair of cat eyes turned to him and answered with a smile, ''Well, my little nephew. The rulers decided on this group stage because this part of the tournament has thousands of challengers, and we need a way to organize it.''
She motioned to the groups and continued, ''The seven groups represent different skill and power tiers. For example, you and some of your girls will be in Cosmic, which is the top group in this round. It will allow you to fight stronger opponents.''
Archer nodded with a grin as the other students joined them. He rejoined the girls, who were all excited and talking among themselves. He heard Nefertiti comment in a confident voice. ''We all will win. Since the day our husband started making love to us, we've grown stronger.''
[Mana: 9000/9000][Magic: Fire-Thunder][Strength: 3700]
[Constitution: 6000][Stamina: 8000][Charisma: 8500]
[Intelligence: 10000][Status Points: 0]
'Does sex really boost them this much? I can't imagine what Rank they'd be in a couple of years. But this is really good.' He thought to himself after looking at their stats.
Archer felt relieved they could take care of themselves and checked the last three, noticing they were staring at him curiously.
[Llyniel Oakheart][Race: Wood Elf][Age: 17][Rank: Arch Magus][Exp: 5660/12000][Level: 202][HP: 6000/6000][Mana: 9000/9000][Magic: Enhancement-Earth][Strength: 4200]
[Constitution: 6400][Stamina: 8900][Charisma: 8000]
[Intelligence: 6800][Status Points: 2]
[Nala Lionheart][Race: Lion Demi Human][Age: 18][Rank: Magus][Exp: 5660/12000][Level: 181][HP: 6500/6500][Mana: 7000/7000][Magic: Enhancement-Earth][Strength: 8500]
[Constitution: 6000][Stamina: 12000][Charisma: 6000]
[Intelligence: 5500][Status Points: 0]
[Halime Nagendra][Race: Snake Demi Human][Age: 19]
[Rank: Magus][Exp: 5660/9000][Level: 123][HP: 4200/4200]
[Mana: 8000/8000][Magic: Poison][Strength: 4000]
[Constitution: 7000]Stamina: 4500][Charisma: 7500]
[Intelligence: 6500][Status Points: 15]
'No damsels in distress here. Unless someone powerful attacked them, they should be fine. That's why they are constantly guarded.'
After thinking, he looked at their shadows and saw thousands of eyes staring back at him with respect and fear radiating from them. He wanted to compare them to someone else and looked around.
Archer soon spotted the orange-haired girl Maeve, who was busy talking to Aurelia while their Professor explained something. While she was preoccupied, he scanned her.
[Maeve Avaloch][Race: Human][Age: 20][Rank: Expert][Exp: 7000/9000][Level: 65][HP: 2500/2500][Mana: 3000/3000][Magic: Thunder- Wind][Strength: 4500]
[Constitution: 3500][Stamina: 4000][Charisma: 8000]
[Intelligence: 5000][Status Points: 0]
'Oh, you can see the difference. It was defiantly that skill Tiamat gave me, but this good.'
Archer decided to try Draconic Synergy at night to see if it could strengthen them even more. He also wondered why it didn't affect him, but he figured it might be because he was already stronger than them.
After finishing his assessment of the girls, he chose to use the Status Points he had saved up, totaling two thousand from all the hearts he ate.
[If there are any mistakes, point them out, and I'll edit it. Thanks]
