The first battle was decided easily.

Lilia's team rejoiced while the enemy team had bitter expressions.

Their captain didn't show any expression though.

The lanky youth returned to his team wearing a bitter smile on his face.

"Sigh... I expected this outcome. At least you put up a good fight."

He consoled him.

Despite the setbacks and failures this man had done, he was still a part of his team. Furthermore, the event helped him grow much more mature.

"You two, it's your turn. Go."

He called out to two young women behind him.

Two women of identical looks walked out to the stage.

"Twins?"

Serra called out.

Indeed. They were identical twins.

They looked exactly the same.

If there was anything to differ them, one of them wielded two swords while the other wielded a spear.

"Hm... In terms of equipment, we're disadvantaged. So, our tactic is for me to face two of them with you supporting me?"

Seileen asked.

"Yes. I'll strive to create an opportunity to finish one of them off. I'll block the other one as you strike the other one off stage."

Serra said.

Seileen nodded.

"Got it."

The four took their stances.

The twins were side-by-side while Serra was behind Seileen.

As soon as the signal was released, Serra froze the ground then unleashed his familiar ice balls towards the twins.

Wary of them, the twins dodged with ease.

"Hm... This will be difficult."

Serra spoke.

"Freeze the ground instead!"

Seileen suggested.

"Got it."

Serra nodded.

Unleashing his skill, he swiftly froze the ground.

The twins stopped moving.

One of them raised her spear and a fiery red glow covered it.

"Fire? Oh dear. The ice won't hold them off for long."

Serra called out alarmed.

"Not if I can help it!"

Seileen unleashed several spear-lights towards them.

But the other twin blocked them with her own sword-lights.

Seileen frowned as she continued to unleash them in a desperate attempt to hold the other twin off from unleashing her skill.

Alas, it was useless.

The twin completed her skill and stabbed it to the ground.

The flames rushed towards them.

It also thawed out the ice on the ground.

As the might spear-light headed out to them, the two dodged.

"Close combat is unavoidable? It appears we can't face them off in the manner we agreed on. I'll take on the spear user while you deal with the twin sword user."

Serra said.

Seileen nodded.

"Here they come!"

Serra spoke as they reached them.

Seileen charged towards the twin sword user while Serra bombarded the spear user with his ice balls.

He gathered his ki and formed a sword and shield of ice.

Equipping them, he faced off against the spear user.

The four unleashed their skills as they fought on the field.

Serra used his shield to block off the attacks as he moved forward.

Seileen kept her distance as she continuously stabbed forward.

They were stuck in a stale mate.

As they kept up the battle, the tide of battle favored Serra's team.

Serra created an ice ledge where the spear user tripped.

Making use of this, he threw his sword towards her.

His sword wasn't just some lump of ice.

The moment it reached her, it exploded.

Freezing her.

Although it didn't freeze her entire body, the ice has rendered her incapable of combat.

"Sister!"

The twin sword user called out in alarm.

"Don't get distracted now!"

Seileen called out with a grin.

She stabbed out and pierced her shoulder.

"Urk!"

She cried out in pain.

"You've lost."

Seileen called out.

Looking bitter, the girl nodded as she saw that she can't beat her with Serra supporting her.

Lilia and the rest cried out in victory while the enemy had bitter faces at the outcome.

Letting out a sigh, the enemy captain stepped forward and expressed his intention to surrender.

The referee announced his decision and the battle concluded.

The enemy captain looking bitter stepped forward.

"Congratulations on your victory."

He spoke bitterly.

"Thank you."

Lilia said solemnly.

"No, you've earned this victory. But beware, there is still a chance for us to reclaim our rank."

He warned.

Lilia was taken back.

There was still unwillingness and a will to fight present in his eyes.

He still hasn't given up.

He might come for us soon. And after that, he'll come after the 9th seat...

Lilia thought.

But smiling back with a fierce light in her eyes, Lilia merely laughed.

"Then, we'll wait for you. We'll defend our place with everything we've got."

The man laughed.

"Good! But if you want to face us again, it'll be you challenging us."

He smiled mysteriously.

"What?"

Lilia was puzzled.

They were ahead of them.

As a higher ranked team, they didn't have the right to challenge one ranked below them.

Leaving the puzzled Lilia, the man laughed then left.

................................

"What do you think he means?"

Lilia asked the group amidst their celebrations in the base.

Despite their victory, Lilia was concerned about those words.

"With the rules in mind, they might be planning to challenge the 9th team."

Luisa replied.

"What? Challenge the 9th team? Didn't they just lost?"

Aies asked.

"I don't know what gives them confidence of victory. But they must have enmity still with the 9th team and after battling them, they created a plan for sure victory."

Luisa analyzed.

"...Seriously? That brings trouble to us then."

Lilia was worried.

"No... They still need to recover their injuries and a week isn't enough for that. We could challenge the 9th team as well but I doubt they'd go down easy."

Seileen said.

"No. It's better not to. It's enough for us to take this spot. Recklessly challenging a team we're not confident of beating would just give us trouble. Furthermore, that warning might be a bluff. Something to put us in a state of carelessness. We have enough trouble holding our own rank. Let's focus on defending our rank."

Luisa advised.

The rest nodded including Aies.

She might be childish but she's not a fool.

"Then, let's wait for things to unfold."

Serra suggested.

The rest agreed.

They'll see how things play out.

They'll also keep tabs on the 11th and 12th team. They're the ones they have to watch out for.

...........................

Days passed and the battles between the various teams began to conclude as the final rankings were starting to get finalized.

The teams now knew the strength of the other teams and knew where their ranks lay.

They understood their limits.

Things have at last began to calm down except for a few battles between unwilling teams who have yet to give up.

But for the most part, things were quiet.

Various teams were just waiting for the month to end and the rankings to finalize at last before they go home.

Some teams were even treating the tournament as finished and just enjoying themselves. Treating the entire time they have left as a vacation.

Others took the opportunity to make allies and connections while some went shopping to look for artifacts or materials.

It was still lively.

But as days passed into weeks, some changes came at last.

The Green Ghosts and Violet Ghosts were surpassed by the team that aided Serra's group becoming the 13th team.

Serra and the rest came to offer their congratulations.

After that, when the month was starting to end, the 11th team challenged the 9th team and won.

As per the rules, their ranks were switched.

Serra's team remained 10th while the former 9th ranked team was delegated to 11th team. The most vexing matter was that they can no longer challenge them since before the week ended, the tournament would.

Defeated teams must wait for one week before they can issue another challenge leaving that team filled with unwillingness.

This matter shocked the various teams.

The 9th team suffered grievous injuries and could not recover their strength fast.

While the 11th team had fully recovered theirs. As a result, they lost to the fully rejuvenated 11th team.

This change of ranks was the last.

The month ended at last and the final rankings were finalized to the delight of the top teams and the sorrow of the defeated teams still grieving.

While alliances were made, there were some grudges newly made that would carry on to the next tournament.