Explosions of magic were erupting across various platforms and in the lower arena as the students descended to a safer area for a multi-mage battle. Roberto, who jumped to another platform after defeating those four, tried to keep track of his teammates' movements in case they needed help.
'They're a bunch of maniacs.'
Focusing on the others, he was caught off guard by a surprise fireball hitting his back.
"Shit, got distracted."
Turning, he pointed his hand at the one who cast the spell. A blue light appeared, forming as he prepared to launch his own spell.
"You're not touching my teammate."
Behind him, a boy with a sword aimed at his ribs. Seeing that he couldn't dodge, Roberto decided to take the hit to launch a stronger counterattack. When the strike didn't land, he noticed an arrow piercing the boy's stomach. Realizing it was Enrico, he became worried — if someone were killed, they'd be disqualified.
"Enrico, don't shoot to kill."
"Don't worry."
Seeing the boy's body vanish, Roberto realized the barrier wasn't just to protect spectators; it also prevented fatalities. Jumping beside Enrico, he still felt some concern for the boy.
"Still, won't this traumatize him?"
"This barrier shuts down the user's mind when death is imminent. That guy didn't even feel it."
"Terrifying… but I want to know how you know that."
"Because I've seen some kids kill others without mercy."
Looking where Enrico had pointed, he saw someone trying to kill as many people as possible, always retreating when he realized he couldn't succeed.
"How does this guy know, then?"
"He's from Vesparello and also from an important family, so he probably received information."
That boy was Matteo, but since Roberto had never met him, he simply nodded; from his clothing, he did seem important.
"I thought you'd fight without looking at your teammates."
"I may be crazy, but I still want everyone from the academy to pass."
Enrico jumped once more, intervening among eight opponents. In the teachers' area, the instructors seemed relieved, grateful that they weren't idiots.
"If that's how it's going to be, I'll focus more on combat."
With Elaris, she created a wall of ice capable of resisting multiple spells. Squeezing her hand, she transformed the wall into numerous spikes and launched them at opponents, piercing several. Now that she saw from Enrico's actions that no one there could die, she threw everything she could.
"Ice Claws."
Grabbing two students by the arms, she hurled them toward their allies. Pointing her fingers, multiple ice attacks shot out, hitting her enemies.
'So far, it looks like the strongest are eliminating the weaker ones — that's good.'
Feeling a powerful force, Elaris glanced toward Lira and saw multiple students being thrown into the air. Without a doubt, Astrong Academy was eliminating the most competitors, though it wasn't the only one putting on a show.
The top five students of Shengtian were also defeating a good number of opponents. Liang Xuanwu, who had been with them in the dungeon, seemed to have become rank 2. Beside him was Yue Qianlan as rank 4, working with another boy — she didn't notice, but he was likely rank 5.
'Seems ranks one and three thought the same as us.'
In the distance, she saw a girl and a boy fighting separately, wearing the same Shengtian Academy uniforms. Focusing on the elimination screen, she saw thirty students remaining before the phase ended.
"We've passed the halfway mark — better take this more seriously."
Concentrating power in her hands, two spheres of ice formed, chilling the surrounding air. Pointing her palms, the spheres shot forward, freezing anyone they touched.
"Multiple Arrows."
Fire arrows seemed to head toward her but passed harmlessly by her face, striking someone wielding a dagger instead.
"Thanks, Enrico, but I already sensed him behind me."
"Really? Then I won't help you anymore."
"Wait, that's not what I meant."
Using his charged impulse, Enrico advanced straight at two opponents.
'Zero Impact.'
Hitting both in the stomach, Enrico spun in the air and delivered a kick, sending them off the platform. Forming steel, he fired at some opponents surrounding Roberto. Taking advantage of the chaos, Roberto concentrated magic in his hands and directed it at them.
"Diamond Magic: Diamond Soldiers."
Several blue diamonds appeared around two students, transforming into sword-wielding soldiers that began fighting them.
'Diamond Magic — very strong and much more durable than normal once reaching the third circle.'
Enrico watched his teammates handle their opponents easily. Since the strongest didn't want to tire themselves unnecessarily, this phase served purely to eliminate the weaker students.
"I got excited for nothing."
He was a bit disappointed at the lack of challenge, though he was still using circular breathing to improve while fighting.
[At least you're doing some exercises that will improve you since you're using a lot of magic.]
'You're right… only eight left… I'll finish this quickly.'
Enrico noticed the weaker students were being very careful approaching others. Forming an arrow, he infused it with a large amount of mana, preparing an enhanced spell.
'Maximum Flaming Shot.'
Releasing the arrow, it vanished from his sight, passing through all the students who didn't dodge in time. Enrico's face remained neutral, with a small bead of sweat on his forehead, as he witnessed the resulting explosion.
'Damn, this was my first time using it, so I lost control.'
[I think you messed up.]
They were in this state not because only eight students were eliminated, but seventeen. The students around him stared in disbelief, while Queen Sofia sighed, seeing the chaos and not wanting to deal with it herself.