While Enrico and his companions prepared for the beginning of the competition far from the castle region, in another battlefield, Team Seven had already taken their positions.
Unlike the region where the participants from Team Ten were located, this landscape consisted of an extensive forest, with trees of different sizes scattered throughout the area. Some were so large that their trunks could easily provide shelter for several people, while their canopies formed a natural covering that made it difficult for sunlight to pass through. The terrain also featured small elevations, bushes, and narrow paths, making the environment quite favorable for ambushes.
In the center of a small clearing, protected by several trees, stood the flag representing the team. Elaris stood before it, carefully observing the surroundings, while the other four members prepared to receive any opponent who attempted to approach.
"We can't simply stand around waiting for someone to show up. We need to take advantage of the environment and prevent the others from reaching our flag."
Valença crossed her arms while looking at the surrounding trees.
"I agree. However, we shouldn't stray too far either. If we divide our forces without thinking, we might end up giving another team an opportunity to attack our flag."
Kai let out a small smile.
"Then we just have to defeat anyone who shows up. I don't see what's so difficult about that."
"You make it sound so simple."
Rina replied while adjusting the position of her katana.
Liam, meanwhile, observed the surroundings with some curiosity. A few feathers slowly appeared around his body, moving as small currents of air passed between the trees. The spectral spear was strapped to his back.
"Someone's coming."
His declaration immediately made the other four turn their attention toward the same area.
Elaris narrowed her eyes.
"How many?"
"Five. They're approaching from the north."
Kai raised an eyebrow slightly.
"They're already here?"
"Yes. And they don't seem to be trying to hide their presence."
Kai's smile widened.
"Great! I was starting to get bored."
Elaris let out a small sigh before looking at her companions.
"Don't rush in. First, we need to find out who they are."
A few seconds later, five figures began appearing between the trees. At the front was a young woman with dark hair and a confident expression. Her steps were calm, but there was something about her posture that clearly demonstrated her authority over the other members.
Walking beside her was another girl whose hair moved gently, even without any wind. Small, colorful petals floated around her body, leaving a delicate trail wherever she went.
The other three members maintained some distance from one another, carefully observing their opponents.
Kai immediately recognized the symbol on their clothes.
"Shengtian Academy..."
Elaris turned her eyes toward the young woman at the front.
"Are you the team that came to attack our flag?"
The girl smiled.
"Exactly. My name is Mei Zhaolan, first-ranked among the students at my academy. And the girl beside me is Meilin Zhaohua, our fifth-ranked student."
Meilin tilted her head slightly, maintaining an excited smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"It doesn't look like you came here just to talk."
Valença commented, making a small flame appear in her hand. Mei Zhaolan glanced at her before turning her attention back to Elaris.
"Naturally. We have no reason to waste time. Our goal is to destroy your flag and secure one of the spots in the next phase."
Kai took a step forward.
"Then, unfortunately, we won't be able to allow that."
Elaris observed the five and found it quite strange that they had abandoned their own flag. That could only mean they had left something else responsible for protecting it. It could be a powerful summon, a trap, or even some method that would allow them to return quickly if necessary. After all, how had they managed to reach them so quickly? It was possible that their flag was nearby.
'Since we were the closest, they decided to deal with the most dangerous enemies nearby.'
Mei observed the five for a few seconds, mainly analyzing their expressions and the way they were positioned.
"I see. In that case, let's settle this quickly."
She raised one hand, and magical energy began spreading around her body. Small luminous particles appeared in the air, forming delicate patterns reminiscent of flowers in full bloom. However, there was something different about this manifestation. It wasn't simply magic related to plants or nature.
[Mei Zhaolan. Third Circle, 11%. Magical Affinity: Zhaolan.]
Elaris immediately felt the change in the surrounding energy. Kai observed the manifestation for a few more moments.
"Do you know this magic, President?"
"No..."
Mei smiled when she noticed her opponents' curiosity.
"My magic isn't something you'll easily find elsewhere. It would be a shame to reveal everything before we even begin."
Beside her, Meilin also summoned her magic.
[Meilin Zhaohua. Third Circle, 1%. Magical Affinity: Flower Petals.]
The petals floating around the second girl slowly began multiplying. Some were small and delicate, while others had harder edges, as if they could be used to attack.
Kai quickly glanced at the other three opponents. They seemed to be only at the Second Circle.
"Then, let's begin."
Mei raised her hand, and her magical energy spread across the battlefield.
"Zhaolan: Blossoming!"
A large number of luminous particles appeared between the trees. Within moments, they began gathering at different points, creating a kind of magical field around the five members of Team Seven.
Elaris immediately realized that this magic shouldn't be underestimated.
"Be careful!"
Before anyone could respond, Meilin moved her fingers.
"Multiple Petal Explosion!"
The petals around her shot in every direction, advancing toward their opponents like small, colorful blades.
Kai raised his sword.
"Ocean: Tidal Barrier!"
A massive amount of water appeared before the five, forming a barrier that absorbed the impact of the petals. Some were completely absorbed, while others managed to partially penetrate the surface, losing much of their force before reaching the rest of the team.
Valença took advantage of that moment to advance.
"Fire Magic: Flaming Explosion!"
A series of small explosions appeared before her, forcing two of the opponents to retreat. The flames spread between the bushes, illuminating part of the forest.
One of the Shengtian members quickly moved his arms, creating a magical defense to prevent the flames from reaching him.
"Don't think we're that easy to defeat!"
The second opponent took advantage of Valença's distraction to advance from the left, attempting to reach the flag.
However, before he could take a few more steps, a layer of ice began forming beneath his feet.
"Ice Magic: Freezing Prison!"
Elaris extended her hand, causing the ice to spread rapidly across the ground. The opponent tried to jump, but a frozen structure appeared around his legs, trapping him before he could escape.
"One down."
Elaris maintained a calm expression but didn't take her attention away from the other opponents.
Mei narrowed her eyes.
'Third Circle ice magic...'
"I didn't expect to find someone like you right at the beginning."
Mei moved her hand again, and the luminous particles that had appeared earlier began gathering around Elaris.
"Radiant Garden!"
An explosion of energy erupted between the trees. Several magical structures began forming around the girl, creating pressure that made it difficult for her to move.
Elaris realized she couldn't simply remain in that spot.
"Ice Spikes!"
Several spikes emerged from the ground, piercing through the energy attempting to surround her. The collision caused a series of small explosions, making the leaves of the nearby trees tremble. Meanwhile, Meilin had changed her target.
Her petals began moving around Rina, forming a kind of colorful whirlwind.
"You seem to be a swordswoman. I wonder if you can keep up with my attacks?"
Rina didn't answer immediately.
She simply observed the approaching petals, keeping her hand on the hilt of her katana.
When the first one entered her range, her eyes narrowed. A glint ran along the blade as she drew her sword.
With a single movement, Rina cut through several petals that were about to hit her body. The remaining ones passed beside her, cutting some leaves and small branches from the nearby trees.
Meilin's eyes widened slightly.
"You managed to cut all of them?"
Rina repositioned her katana in front of her body.
"If they're just petals, I don't see why I should have any difficulty."
Meilin smiled.
"Then let's increase the number a little."
She moved her arms, causing hundreds of petals to appear around her body. This time, they began spinning at different speeds, forming several layers that advanced toward Rina from different angles. Rina took a small step backward.
Her body moved immediately afterward.
The katana's blade cut through the approaching petals while her feet carefully moved across the terrain. She wasted no movements, using only the amount of force necessary to dodge or destroy each attack.
Meilin began to realize that this opponent wasn't someone who could easily be pressured with successive attacks.
'What a strange girl... She's not even using magic.'
While the two exchanged attacks, Liam began moving his hands.
"Feather Magic: Shooting!"
Dozens of feathers appeared around him, forming small lines that advanced toward one of the Shengtian members.
The young man quickly raised his arms to create a magical defense, but the feathers changed direction before hitting him, circling around his protection and forcing him to dodge.
Liam took advantage of the opening to launch a few more feathers.
"You won't be able to dodge all of them!"
The opponent gritted his teeth and began releasing a greater amount of magical energy.
Although he was at a lower Circle than his companions, Liam had considerable experience with his affinity. His feathers weren't used only to attack; they could also be controlled in different ways, making their movements difficult to predict.
Kai noticed that the battle was spreading across different parts of the forest.
"We need to finish this before another team shows up."
Elaris immediately agreed.
"Valença, help Liam. Kai, keep an eye on the flag. We don't know if one of them is trying to create a distraction."
"Understood!"
Valença turned toward the opponent Liam was fighting.
A large amount of fire began swirling around her arm before being launched at the enemy. The young man tried to defend himself, but the force of the attack pushed him backward, making him collide with the trunk of a tree. A second later, Valença took her staff from her back.
At the same time, Kai noticed that Mei had changed her position.
The leader of Shengtian was watching the flag protected by the trees, apparently looking for an opportunity to reach her objective.
"You're not thinking of simply walking past me, are you?"
Mei turned her eyes toward him.
"You seem quite confident."
"I have my reasons."
Kai raised his right hand.
"Radiant Spear!"
A beam of light shot through the forest, forcing Mei to interrupt her movement. She quickly dodged to the side, but the attack passed close enough to cut off a few strands of her hair.
Mei looked at Kai with a different expression.
This time, there was more than just curiosity in her eyes.
"Light and Ocean magic?"
Kai smiled.
"That's right."
She observed the sphere of water still swirling around his hand.
'Both are at the Third Circle...'
Mei began to understand that this team wouldn't be as simple as she had initially imagined.