Chapter 11 - Combat Class [1]

In a pin drop silent room, all the students eagerly gazed upon their new unnamed leader. From his mannerism to his speech, some found themselves envious of his personality while others developed hatred. Due to the way the country was ruled, most of the girls in class-D were either engaged or married all because of political reasons. All that people wanted was to be better than their neighbor or friends and family, the survival of the fittest but instead of might people were being judged using money or physical commodities.

The loud bell resounded across the entire floor; it signaled the start of combat training with Sophie Mirabelle. Most students here were oblivious to her real identity, however, some well-informed scholars were mildly interested to see how a so-called demon of death would deal with them. Since the start of the semester, as the Academy lacked any specialist in the combat department, teachers would rotate and do physical enhancement instead of actual combat. Some people agreed, while others thought of it as a farce, all their discontent was thrown out of the window when the director announced that an actual battle-mage would teach them the ropes to becoming strong.

"Staxius, what kind of teacher is your big sister?" Julius asked as everyone packed their bags to head for the battle-arena.

"I couldn't say, I've never had any lessons with her even though I'm her apprentice." Staxius casually replied as their conversation continued.

"Lucy, is this where the supposed arena where us weaklings aren't allowed?" He pointed at a massive building situated behind the also huge gymnasium. Said building seemed to have enough place to welcome an approximate fifty thousand spectators.

"O-oh, y-yes..." She was brighter than a tomato, her smile was concealed by her hands as she tried hiding her embarrassment. Staxius's plan to win her over was a bit too effective, she crushed on him badly, he laughed internally.

In the middle of a familiar scene stood atop of some broken down training dummy was Sophie. Her sword was fully drawn, her stance was truly elegant, not to forget the fact that it was both on fire and had sparks running up and down the blade. Her feet seemed as if she was levitating.

"So, Sophie is a mage who wields three elements, fire, lighting, and wind, impressive." Staxius was startled by her sister's strength.

With a quick wink directed at Staxius, she spoke,

"Hello students from classes A, B, C and D. From today forth, I shall be your instructor, I know that you people like your disparities so why not play a mini-game to see who truly is superior. There are weapons in your designated starting zone, pick up whatever you like, you shall fight to death. The last one standing will have a chance to face me, also did I mention that this little exercise will be a ranking match, meaning that anyone who performs poorly will be demoted and promoted if you fight bravely."

"Pardon me instructor Sophie, but can we use magic or another method to fight?" The representative of class A inquired.

"That's Emma Mint, she's a hybrid and the strongest in the first year's badge. Her element is ice." Silvio spoke as he gazed fondly upon a truly mighty warrior.

"Thank you for that, Silvio." Staxius dropped all the grudge he previously held and befriended everyone during lunch break.

"Don't mention it, however, this won't be easy, there are a lot of formidable opponents here, we better watch out," Rudolph added, he was one of Silvio's gang.

"Looking back, Julius, you've never told me what hybrid you were," Staxius asked with his interest piqued.

"Oh, my hybrid is one of a kind, it's a mix between lightning and fire. People gave it the name of purgatory flames, it's a bit embarrassing, sadly I can't control it's full power yet." Despite how he acted the first time around, Julius was actually a very down to earth modest guy.

"Don't forget Stein Volheim, a drop out from the noble Claireville Academy, the class B's leader, people call him a prodigy. His element is Tempest, a rare and the strongest wind element, people usually train to attain that level but he was born gifted. With his current strength, his probably an A-rank battle mage just because of the element he wields." Lucy added.

"What about class C?" Julius asked.

"Oh, their class is filled with strong mages, but no one really stands out, either they wield fire and something or lightning plus something, they are a mystery."

"Alright everybody, are your strategy meetings over? Go solo or as a team, I don't care, I wish to see who truly is the strongest."

"Instructor, if anyone dies by accident, who will be responsible?" Staxius spoke out, it was an indirect question asking if he should hold back.

Seeing his outfit, the inconspicuous Staxius was finally exposed to all the classes, a roar of gossip soon filled the entire arena.

"Teacher what is an apprentice doing here, aren't they supposed to stay with their master?" Someone of class-A mockingly asked.

"Judging by the suit, he's an SSS-ranked mage's apprentice," Emma added.

"Silence, yes he is an apprentice, but I'll tell you his true identity once the battle is over, now for your question, in case of fatal injuries we have healing mages and the top doctors around the country on standby. So, don't hold back anyone, that includes you too apprentice." Sophie headed to the control room.

"Hold up, that apprentice was thinking about holding back against us, class A?" An enraged student spoke his discontent.

"Look at his smug face, he's not even carrying any weapons."

"Calm down everyone, if he truly is that strong, we shall test his might together." Mint calmed her whole class instantly.

"Three, Two, One, BEGIN." The fight was on the way.

"MINT, leave that apprentice to me," Stein dashed to Staxius's last location.

To his surprise, the grey suit fellow was gone, he disappeared.

"FIREBALL." Class C worked together to fend off Stein, they were taking turns firing by having each student recite their incantation, this, in the end, proved to be overwhelming, the arena was divided into four quarters. Top right and bottom left were for class A and D. While Top left and bottom left were for B and C. A barrage of spells from the bottom left hit practically anyone within twenty meters. Their defenses were strong, it seemed impregnable.

Class A and Class B were having a showdown in the upper half of the round arena, Class D was slowly getting picked off by the teamwork from Class C. Despite their strength, Silvio, Julius, and Lucy were the only one left, everyone else either ran or were defeated by the ice monster. It was Emma Mint, she was using mid-tier magic, she truly was powerful. She ran up and down the arena and shot anyone she saw using ice-spear, the trio from class D managed to stay alive thanks to the flame and lightning magic that Julius could barely control.

"Staxius, where are YOU," Julius shouted as he finally fell from exhaustion, the scream resounded across the arena, the battle momentarily stopped but started back again.

"TEMPEST BREATH," Stein blasted away the remaining trio. Unconscious, the only one barely aware was Lucy.

"Man, what a pitiful battle," it was Staxius, he was over watching the whole battle from the scoreboard situated above the arena. He wasn't doing anything against the rule, so Sophie just winked at him. The battle was finally coming to a close, the ice princess, also known as Emma Mint defeated class C with a full-frontal assault with the help of her classmates. She was the only one left standing, yet, she didn't even seem as if she were tired.

Class B was annihilated by their own leader, Stein. The only people remaining were the trio from Class D, Emma, and Stein.

"HA-HA-HA." It was Lucy, she laughed.

"W-what are you d-doing..." Julius asked half-awake.

Knowing that the battle would end with someone getting brutally massacred, Lucy decided to face the remaining monsters so that she could be bait until Julius was strong enough to get away. With a quick bow of the head, Lucy stepped into the freight.