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Chapter 25: Crystal Clear

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“Alright, listen. The rules are simple.”

After making sure each team aware of their opponent and venue, Sir Kent continued.

“The team match will be the standard ‘Capture the Flag’ operation. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, but still, listen.”

The rules were indeed simple.

Each team must capture the enemy flag for at least a minute to be declared the victor.

Once they started, they could change the location of their flag to within thirty metre of their starting point. They could try to limit enemy’s view of their flag, hiding it behind obstacles.

However, it must not be buried and must be visible from above.

“All of you must equip a Life Armor and a Tracker Bracelet. Keep them on for the duration of the match.”

Kent pointed to a group of staff members from Aurenburg Magic Academy.

Beside them, soldiers were bringing boxes of blue Life Armors and Tracker Bracelets, each shining with a white crystal. The bracelet would make it easy for the observer to track each candidate’s movement. Aside from that, it could also be used to announce any candidate giving up.

Thus, their opponents could force them to surrender instead of using brute force.

“I will now explain the three locations.”

The locations were pine trees beach, coastal hills and coastal forest.

Each team would be placed about two kilometre from another, with their general direction given. The match for each location will start at the same time, with a time limit of one hour. A map of each terrain was displayed in front of them, below the high announcement board.

Every team could use the terrain to their advantage. However;

“You will be using practice weapons. Do not seek to injure your opponents. Focus on their Life Armor or force them to announce their surrender. Accidents happen, true. But do not do it on purpose. We, will know.”

It was a warning.

No matter how minuscule the chance was, Kent still warned the candidates, just in case. Observer crystals were already in place, recording and channeling the whole match for them and the audience.

They had that fact known, clearly.

‘I’ll have to take out the closest observer crystal.’

At the same time Kent gave the warning, Krone had his plan laid out.

‘It must be done during a chaos, an accident.’

“Again, those who focused on magic, wear your Limit Gloves. Don’t worry, Life Armor will count proper damage should you hit your opponent. Take the gloves from the esteemed Professors.”

Kent again pointed to the magicians.

Proper damage was referring to some magics, when used in ambush, only needed one or two hit to take out an opponent. The Life Armor would take that into account.

“Teams for the first matches, you will begin in two hours, at 10.00 am. We will go to your respective location in one hour, so use this time properly. That’s all. Any questions?”

Some candidates raised their hands, asking questions such as what could and could not be done. Kent answered them one by one, while those uninterested already gathered their team for team planning. Some of them took this time to take their Life Armor, Tracker Bracelet and Limit Gloves.

Having no more question posed to him, Kent and the knights left them be.

“Guys, let’s go.”

Krone gestured his team, bringing them with him.

They went over to an empty space near the field, where the obstacle course was. They huddled, with Krone briefing them of his plan. Even without discussing, they already accepted him as their de facto leader.

He took some pebbles near the field, and made a simple representation of the terrain. While the whole terrain was filled with forest, each of their starting points was in an open space, near the coast.

After he finished briefing them, the twins frowned.

“Krone, you can’t be serious.”

“Sis’ right, you can’t face them alone.”

Krone closed his eyes, silent.

Athea had a concerned look, she observed him;

“Have you thought it over?”

“I did.”

Krone nodded. Athea went silent, for a moment.

“Then there’s that. I agree with it.”

“Athea!”

“I thought we’re a team?”

Both twins protested.

Krone had suggested him to be their only attacker, with the four of them staying with the flag.

While Doran had a puzzled look, Athea’s eyes were clear.

“This, is also cooperation.”

“But,”

“Won’t it be hard?”

The twins did not relent. Krone sighed.

It seemed he had to explain.

He wished they could think it by themselves, but it was too much to hope for.

For now.

“Listen. If we lose the flag, it’s over. And me being the lone attacker is only logic. I’ll be able to move freely, and ambush the enemy in the forest. Am I wrong?”

“But Krone,”

“Thiana, please.”

“…Can you really, do it?”

“Yeah.”

“...Fine.”

“Sis?”

Thiana shook her head.

“No use, Lily. He made up his mind.”

“But Sis! Krone, aren’t you pushing yourself too much?”

Liliana took hold of his hand, concerned.

“No, Liliana. This is the best course of action. You want to pass too, don’t you?”

“Of, of course I want to. But this,”

“What do you think will happen, if I bring any of you?”

“That’s,”

What he said struck her. Should he bring any of them, they would just slow him down. Even if he brought Athea, he would be slowed down quite a lot.

“But, can’t you and Athea attack in a pincer move?”

“That won’t do. They would target me, and Athea arriving there alone would not do any good. So please, Liliana, guys, just trust me on this.”

“Ugh, alright…”

“No problem. I trust you, brother!”

“…”

With that, Krone briefed them on some basic tactics.

What they should do to form a defense line, and what course of action to take should the enemy attack. He would try to take out the enemy before they reached them, but even he could not guarantee it would go as planned.

…

Not far from them, Julia was with her team.

They huddled together in the square. With a paper and pencils, they were planning their basic tactics. Ryan, in his black tunic, was in the lead;

“They’ll likely leave the big guy and the twins to guard the flag. So that leaves us with only two likelihoods; a pincer move or Krone and the red girl move together. To deal with Krone, I propose three of us with the best offense work together.”

“One on one with him is just too much, after all.”

Kyril sighed, while Ron’s eyes were eyeing Krone’s group from afar.

Shana interjected;

“Those with best offense would be you, Ron and..?”

“Ron and I attack together, with Julia as support. That’ll be best.”

“Great, so Kyril and I will be without work. We can just loiter around, just great.”

“Don’t be like that. We will deal with Krone. You two will defend the flag, just in case the red girl passes through. We can’t leave the home base without defenders, yes?”

“Well, you guys just go and have fun. We’ll do the boring job well, right Kyril?”

“I don’t mind. It’s still important.”

“Ugh, you,”

Silently listening to them, Ron had a different thought.

“No.”

“What is it?”

His short burst of word gained their attention.

“It’s likely he’s attacking alone.”

“You mean a pincer?”

Ryan asked.

“No, I mean an ambush. Athea will defend the flag.”

“So?”

“To deal with him, I doubt three of us are enough. I proposed we attack with all we got.”

“And leave the flag exposed? What if you’re wrong?”

Ryan frowned.

He had the impression that this Ron ought to be a capable leader, but for him to suggest such a daring, high-risk move?

Absurd.

“We’ll just leave Kyril. Shana seemed eager to join us.”

“Yep, that’s right. Just leave this pretty boy behind.”

“Oi, that’s too much.”

“…I don’t like it. Julia?”

Ryan turned to her, with her being silent all this time.

Seemingly in deliberation, soon she nodded.

“I’ve the same feeling as Ron. He’ll attack alone.”

“Not you too.”

His dissatisfaction was obvious, so Ron remarked;

“Ryan, you’re the leader. Whatever we say, you make the call,”

“…I know.”

After discussing for some more, they stood up. Similarly, other team finished their discussion.

It was time to prepare.

=====

“Wow.”

“What a view.”

“A bit dark, isn’t it?”

Gladdio Forest.

Ten teams followed six knights to the location, led by Sir Kent and Lady Natalia. After walking for half an hour, they reached the designated place, a hill overlooking the whole area.

It was a peninsula, with lush forest covering the view and high, rocky hills in the middle all the way to its tip, meeting the sea.

On each side of the peninsula was sandy coast, separated by a lush forest. The rocky hill shadowed the forest, blocking the wind and sunlight.

Still, wind blew strong enough outside the forest, this was the coastal area after all. Screams of seagulls and other birds echoed the area from afar, while the breaking waves made a pleasant music to the ears.

The sea wind tickled their ears, playful.

Krone eyed the place, noting shiny locations.

‘Two, four, five?’

He counted the number of observation crystals in place.

One crystal was placed for each starting location, hovering on a dragonfly-like device above the flag. The dragonfly device was a hovering device, with hover crystal and magic wings installed. Each was used to carry observation crystal around the terrain.

Three of these were hovering around the middle, covering the view of the forest.

‘The forest is quite dark. If I’m lucky, I might not need to harm any of these devices.’

Harming these devices posed some risk, the risk of his action being discovered.

Not far away, Natalia whispered to Kent.

“Sir Kent, mind if I handle team four?”

“Hah, if I didn’t allow you, I’m just inviting trouble. Do as you please.”

“What do you mean, inviting trouble? Thanks anyway.”

“Just don’t go overboard.”

“What?”

He made a gesture, as if pinching his cheek.

Witnessing this, she startled.

He knew!

“D-don’t worry, I won’t.”

“Good to hear.”

Soon, both of them and the four knights stood in front.

“Team Four, Team Seven, step forward!”

Abiding the command, the two teams stepped forward. They had donned the blue Life Armor, with white Tracker Bracelet on one wrist. Julia and the twins had Limit Gloves on.

“Alright, I believe all of you are ready?”

He observed the candidates, each had a solemn expression.

Julia had resolute eyes, seemingly made her mind. She eyed Krone, with him kept facing the front.

‘It’s fine. You’ll acknowledge us, soon enough. I’ll make you.’

The other teams, witnessing the lineup, gulped.

These two teams surprisingly had four of the best candidates for the entire test. Moreover, three of them were in one team, Team 7.

No matter who, even the most stupid of them ought to understand.

This was deliberate.

So the knights think these lineups are well-balanced.

Seriously, aren’t they overestimating that Krone guy?

This will be interesting, heh.

Let these monsters bite each other!

“Team Four, will follow Lady Natalia. Team Seven, with me! We’ll start exactly at 10.00 am. Is that clear?”

“Sir, yes Sir!”

“Good, let’s go!”

With that, the two teams parted.

Krone felt a pair of familiar eyes on him, but he ignored them.

After all, he must avoid any attachment.

‘After this, all will be clear, crystal clear.’

He took heavy steps as he followed the blonde knight to the starting point.

…

==== Chapter 25 End ====