Practical Ground Test Arc: Chapter 18.
The fighting platform boomed, roaring as the two teams' respective heavy hitters connected their fists. The spectators seated in the stands leaned forward, focusing on the white projection board, and were invested in the fight. With each passing second, more and more spectators arrived.
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*Whack!* Mary Anne Grace backflipped, delivering a downward kick towards Lyle Cass's head, striking him down to the floor.
She then gracefully landed behind him, taking a glance. Lyle then rose, charging forward, trying to tackle her to the ground, but she quickly sidestepped and delivered a straight jab to his face. *Whack!*
(As I suspected, he's only strong due to his worldly talent. There isn't a single ounce of actual worthwhile talent inside him. Truly a showoff, he's nothing without his talent.)
Mary Anne Grace thought, flicking her long blonde hair and already concluding that this was merely an entertaining warmup, not an actual challenge. Lyle Cass huffed, steeling himself.
"Strength Ward, Durability Ward, Speed Boost, Greater Speed Boost."
He activated several martial skills, causing Mary Anne Grace to lightly sigh and disapprovingly shake her head. The fight was going to be over before she could even savor the moment.
With great blinding speed, Lyle Cass charged forward, almost instantly appearing in front of Mary Anne Grace, surprising her.
*Whack!* She managed to block the punch in time by crossing her arms. The sheer force was enough to send her back. Lyle Cass relentlessly charged forward again, ready for another strike.
"Power Boost, Strength Ward."
Mary Anne Grace activated two martial skills that she worked hard for. A sour expression formed; her dedication through the training required to acquire a martial skill was being 'mocked' by her opponent. Witnessing her opponent activate several martial skills with little to no training was irritating.
(No skill whatsoever, he's like a child waving around a knife.)
She thought while round-kicking Lyle Cass straight in the face, staggering him.
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(Shit! She's so goddamned strong! I don't even know what to do. I can't think of any strategy or tactic!) Lyle Cass thought, gritting his teeth while desperately blocking the rapid barrage of jabs.
*Whack!* Mary Anne Grace saw an opening and exploited it before leaping backwards, sensing that he would tackle her. He trips over the attempt, sprawling on the ground.
Mary Anne Grace raised an brow, frowning in confusion.
"You... have no fighting experience nor any training, do you?"
Mary Anne Grace asked, slightly damaging Lyle Cass's ego.
"It's pitiful. This fight isn't enjoyable. I don't waste time on non-combatants. I can't believe I even had a somewhat positive opinion of you."
Mary Anne Grace commented, closing her eyes as she effortlessly dodged the firebolt spell with precise timing by tilting her head. It was Catherine Aber who cast the firebolt spell, she tried to intervene. What was supposed to be a team fight turned into a duel.
The members of both team five and seven couldn't fight, stunned by the intensity. They watched the duel with heavy anticipation instead.
Though at this point. It's clear who the winner is. Hanna Bae aimed her palms at her distracted opponents, focusing on the one particular student with a small shield.
"Taser shock."
Hanna Bae chanted, forming a magical rune as a thin line shot quickly forward. However, a single thrown dagger intercepted the spell. Kaye Ketsk then swiftly reeled the dagger back into her hand, disrupting Hanna Bae's spell mid-flight.
Hanna Bae's expression intensified, her window of opportunity was gone as the small glowing rune on her palm faded away. As the other team members prepared to fight, unable to stand in the sidelines.
Lyle Cass surprised everyone. He suddenly slapped himself.
(Fuck it, let's go all in. I still have one card left up my sleeve! I am still intent on giving you a scare. This is for the sake of your character development!)
Lyle Cass mused, planning to activate a certain martial skill that was yet to be fully developed.
(My [Martial Born] worldly talent should give me access to that certain martial skill she developed with the guidance of Instructor Heart. I apologize for taking this from you, Mary.)
"All-Full Martial Boost."
The martial skill was activated, causing Lyle Cass's form to slightly blur. His form glowed in several mixed colors. Mary Anne Grace raised both her brows, surprised.
Full Martial Boost was a martial skill that increased the duration, effects, and side effects of already active martial skills. In the world of
Lyle Cass charged forward, this time creating a larger gust of wind as Mary Anne Grace felt a slight pang of worry.
*Whack!* She thought she could block the punch, seeing as it was predictable. However, she was a half-second too late. The punch connected, directly striking her face, and she was sent back flying.
*Thump!* She landed on the ground but instantly rolled away as the ground exploded. Lyle Cass missed his devastating punch.
"Greater Power Boost!"
Mary Anne Grace activated a martial skill as she rose and delivered another kick, but it was blocked. Lyle Cass grabbed onto her legs, instantly pulling her closer while also punching her in the face. *Whack!*
"Fog!"
Mary Anne Grace cast a simple distraction spell, producing a thin cloud of smoke. Freya May raised a brow upon seeing the spell while leaning against a wall.
With a furious expression, she twisted her body and managed to free herself from the grasp. Sending another kick to his face while she received a punch in the abdomen.
"Kuh!"
Mary Anne Grace grunted as she counterattacked with a kick, but hit nothing. Her heart skipped a beat, thinking that the opponent was behind her. She then instantly kicked backwards with such force that her white pants ripped, and her boots flew off her feet.
However, she hit nothing again.
*Roar!* A roar in the arena boomed, signaling a stop.
The fog cleared, revealing the scene more clearly. Lyle had lost consciousness after the abdomen punch, the fight was over. Mary Anne Grace breathed heavily while she wiped her face, wincing at the nose injury.
"This fight is over. Team four is eliminated. Do not attempt to cast any healing spells on Lyle Cass. I repeat, do not attempt to cast any healing spells."
Madame Cassie Cydonia announced, frustratingly kicking the podium and exhaling heavily. The sight of a collapsed student due to the activation of an unknown martial skill was going to reflect badly on her. The fact that this student has collapsed twice under her supervision wasn't helping either.
The instructors murmured to each other, shaking their heads.
"A team fight transforming into an impromptu one versus one. This situation indicates poor management on both sides, as their team leaders lacked the necessary leadership skills to coordinate effectively.
A feminine instructor commented, sighing.
"This Mary Anne Grace is a force of nature with her remarkable worldly talents. I see why some professionals aren't so keen on tutoring her. She's bound to outperform them within a year."
An instructor remarked, nodding approvingly.
This... Lyle Cass student. What a disappointment. The second highest amount of worldly talents, but with nothing to show for it."
Another instructor added, facepalming.
"He's rough, very rough, but he can be molded to our vision. If anything, his leadership is better than Mary Anne Grace's." Madame Cassie Cydonia added, though the instructors weren't convinced by her molding suggestion.
"That's not a high bar to pass." The feminine instructor replied.