Chapter 7

The moment the countdown hit 0 students immediately started to attack each other. It was utter chaos as mages were chanting their spells while the melee combatants were locked in combat. People whose weapon choices were of the range categories such as bows or guns immediately ran probably trying to find a spot to snipe people safely. The more daring ones stayed and attacked in plain sight.

Ria unlike the rest wasn’t as interested in the rank up as the other students are since it would force her to go on more missions that would benefit the people she hates. She still considered ranking up as something beneficial since ranking up would allow her more freedom. In the end she decided to fight defensively to be able to qualify to the next round. She didn’t attack anyone who didn’t attack her first. Anyone who did attack her would be disqualified as she mercilessly countered with her claymore.

Her enchance senses allowed her to detect projectiles that were aimed at her which she would easily deflect with her claymore. Any magic attacks which were launched at her was easily avoided as she used her enchance senses to its fullest. Her swordplay was impressive for someone her age since she didn’t neglect training her swordplay despite having control over the elements. Demibeast were generally unable to cast any spells too complicated so she had to rely on her swordplay in examination such as this anyways.

The number of students remaining in the arena slowly dwindled as the intense battle royal carried on. Most of the students who were disqualified were the reckless ones who focused on nothing but pure offence. The smarter ones who paid attention lasted much longer. Mages managed to disqualify many of their fellow students but they were also easy picking for the melee students who went too close not giving the mages time to recite their chants.

Ria tried her best to not stand out as she defeated the students who attacked her and just like that there were only 10 students remaining. It didn’t take too long since most of the students weren’t that strong the next round however will not be as easy since all 100 students are capable enough to survive the first round of battle. After the announcement congratulating the 10 survivors Ria and the other 9 students who survived left the arena to the resting room awaiting the next round which would take place on the same day.

The next round for Ria batch will be held in arena C as well so there wasn’t a need to leave. The 9 students in the room were introducing themselves to each other as Ria did what she normally did and found a empty seat near the corner where she sat down to avoid the other 9 people in the room. To her dismay 1 of the 9 people suddenly walked up towards her.

“ Hey I’m Lionel whats your name” he said with a smile towards her.

“I I I’m Ria” she replied stuttering a little due to both the fact that he approached her and also because he didn’t seem to mind the fact that she was a demibeast which wasn't something she was used to.

-Lionel POV-

I thought I was seeing thing during the match but it turned out I was right Ria was part of the same group I was in. This was the best chance I would have to finally approach her. After introducing myself to the other 8 people I walked up to her sitting alone in the corner with the same look she always had on her face. When I introduced myself to her she seemed shocked and was a little flustered when she replied back which I honestly found cute. I was estatic with this opportunity to finally get closer to her something I have been dreaming of for years. I wanted to somehow improve my relationship with her so I decided to take things slow and pretended that this was our first meeting.

-Ria POV-

“Why is he talking to me. What should I do.’ She nervously thought to herself .Since he held no ill will she couldn’t possibly ignore him like she would normally do towards the people who enjoyed insulting her.

“Excuse me what do you want to talk about.” She manage to say after some time.

-Lionel POV-

I couldn’t help but find her really adorable as her normally emotionless face suddenly looked nervous. Not as if I could blame her since I haven’t actually seen her actually talk to anyone in school before. She must be shocked for someone to suddenly approach her like this. I decided

that she would need some time to get used to someone talking to her so i decided to end this conversation for now.

-Ria POV-

“Good luck for the next round hope to see you in the tournament talk to you later” he said with a smile before leaving.

I couldn’t understand what has just happened. This is the first time a fellow student approached me without any ill intent. As I continued to sit in solitude thinking of what had just happened time flew by and before I knew it the next round was about to start. I picked up the claymore I had placed resting on the wall next to me.

I entered the arena again with the other 9 people from the same round as me. Another 90 people should have also entered since it was suppose to be a 100 student battle royal. Like the previous match there was a giant timer displaying the time left before the start of the match. Since I didn’t want to be near anyone when the match starts I dashed away from the group the other 9 including Lionel had the same thing in mind as they too split up into different direction.

When the countdown hit 0 the situation wasn’t as chaotic as the first time around since every single person in the arena already had experienced it once. Ria had no attention to fight offensively and was planning to battle defensively as she had done in the first round.

The first person to attack her were a group of 2 people who seemed to have formed a truce to work together. One of them wields a sword and shield the other held a grimoire indicating the fact that she was a mage. The guy using the sword charged ahead as the female started chanting her spell. Ria raised her claymore into a stance as she used her feet to accelerate her entire body forward faster than the guy could react. A single slash through his abdomen and his body disappeared as he was disqualified . The female started to panic since her support was gone. She quickly launched her spell which was a simple fireball. Ria easily evaded the fireball and tighten her gripped as she once again accelerated faster than her opponent could react and slashed defeating her opponent.

The timer was replaced with the number of students left in the arena which is apparently a mere 46. It didn’t take very long for more than half the participants to get disqualified.

-Lionel POV-

I quickly disqualified any students in my sight. The faster I could get rid of them the higher chance Ria would make it to the 3rd round. If she makes it that far we would both be D rank and there would be hope to be in the same class as she was again. With that in mind I lifted the double sided axe I wield as my weapon of choice and effortlessly swung it mercilessly at any who appears before me. I told myself that I would defiantly make sure this round ends as quickly as possible for the sake of the possibility to get closer to Ria.

-Ria POV-

There were only 13 people left when a group of 5 people surrounded me. They most likely have been fighting 5 versus 1 the whole time to increase their chances. I readied my stance and tried to dash into the blind spot for the person wielding a great sword but the archer from the back shot an arrow towards me forcing me to jump backwards to avoid it. The greatsword user took the chance to slash his blade towards me. I parried his blow only to get shot at by the archer and the mage shot a blade of wind towards me. I dodged the arrow and destroyed the blade of wind with a swing of my sword. I quickly parried a 2nd blow from the great sword and parried another blow coming from a hammer. In the instance I parried the hammer I instantly slashed the wielders abdomen which disqualified him. The other mage shot a ball of ice at me and the fist one shot another wind blade at me. I narrowly dodged it and parried the sword again.

Suddenly an announcement rang through the arena

“Congratulations to the 10 survivors who will move on to the next round.”

The attacks from the 4 stopped after the announcement as they walked away just like that. I was relieved that I somehow managed to reach the top 100. The next round was a tournament style battle which would be held the next day so for now I could finally rest.

Author note:

i didn't really have time to profread so pointing out any mistakes i made would be greatly appreciated ^^