Chapter 386: The Beasts Take the Stage

"Wait. We’re fighting other students already?"

Sun leaned over the railing as the enormous crystal structures rising from the arena floor began forming walls, towers, and narrow streets.

Professor Scolding stood on the central platform, watching the transformation with his usual stern expression.

"Not directly," he announced. "The second stage is a tactical assessment. Each participant will enter a controlled scenario with their registered Beasts and complete an assigned objective."

Arthur’s eyes brightened. "Oh! That sounds interesting!"

Mithra examined the changing arena. "It looks like they’re building an entire town."

The crystal structures finished forming, revealing several miniature districts filled with buildings, roads, and defensive positions.

Scolding continued. "Each scenario contains simulated threats, changing conditions, and an objective that must be completed within the time limit. Your opponents will be controlled by Academy instructors."

Athena adjusted her glasses. "Then they can respond to our decisions instead of following fixed patterns."

"Correct," Scolding replied. "And the instructors have reviewed your first-stage performances."

Arthur blinked. "So they already know how we approached the obstacles?"

Vedas folded his arms. "Naturally. We should expect them to prepare accordingly."

Melo smiled mischievously. "That means they know Sun likes charging forward."

Sun looked offended. "I have other strategies!"

Kong nodded. "Sometimes we charge from the side."

Mithra burst into laughter.

Scolding pointed toward the arena. "Your goal is not simply to defeat the simulated enemies. Protecting the objective and making appropriate decisions will matter just as much."

Arthur smiled. "Good. Now this is going to be fun."

...

The first few competitors entered their scenarios.

One student attempted to defend a supply convoy against simulated attackers. His Beast defeated the first wave easily, but the instructor controlling the enemies changed tactics and attacked the unprotected wagons.

The student managed to recover, although several supplies were lost.

Another competitor successfully evacuated simulated civilians from a collapsing district by using her Beast to clear debris instead of confronting the approaching enemies.

Arthur applauded enthusiastically.

"That was clever! She didn’t even need to fight them!"

Vedas nodded. "She recognized the actual objective."

Nearby, several students were discussing Arthur’s first-stage performance.

"His Goblin King is dangerous."

"And that slime can fit through narrow openings."

"If he gets a rescue scenario, the instructors should block those routes."

Arthur overheard them and smiled.

"They’ve been paying attention."

Athena nodded. "As they should. We need to do the same."

A bell rang.

"Sun, report to the eastern district!"

Sun immediately grinned. "Finally!"

Kong jumped onto his shoulder. "Our turn!"

...

Sun’s scenario involved defending three crystal towers from a group of simulated attackers.

He entered confidently, with Kong already preparing to leap toward the nearest enemy.

Then the attackers split into three groups.

Sun stopped. "Oh."

Melo watched from the stands. "That doesn’t look good."

The first group approached the central tower, while the others moved toward the outer structures.

Kong pointed toward the largest enemy. "That one looks important!"

Sun started to agree, then remembered their training.

"Wait. If we chase him, the others reach the towers."

Kong lowered his fist. "Then what?"

Sun studied the battlefield.

The simulated enemies were approaching from different directions, but two groups would have to pass through the same narrow street.

A grin appeared on his face.

"Kong, take the rooftops. Don’t attack yet."

Kong looked disappointed but obeyed.

Sun moved toward the central tower, deliberately allowing the largest enemy to approach him.

The simulated attacker charged.

"Now, Kong!"

Kong launched himself from the rooftop and struck the ground between the approaching groups.

The impact scattered the enemies and blocked their path with fallen training debris.

The spectators cheered.

"Nice!" Arthur shouted.

But the instructor controlling the scenario immediately adapted.

Two smaller enemies climbed over the debris and rushed toward the eastern tower.

Sun noticed them.

"Kong! Forget the big one! Protect the tower!"

Kong turned in midair and intercepted both attackers.

He struck one aside, grabbed the other, and threw it away from the structure.

The final bell rang.

"Objective secured. Two towers undamaged. One tower sustained minor damage. Successful completion!"

Sun raised his fist triumphantly. "We did it!"

Kong landed beside him. "We punched things!"

Sun laughed. "Yes, but we punched the right things!"

Arthur cheered loudly, while Athena recorded the result.

Mithra smiled. "He actually changed his plan when the enemies changed theirs."

Melo giggled. "And Kong listened. That’s the surprising part."

...

Athena entered the western district next.

Her objective was to identify and disable a hidden control crystal while simulated enemies guarded several possible locations.

Athy flew above the buildings, examining the structures.

"Four possible locations," Athy reported. "The eastern building has the strongest energy reading."

Athena frowned. "Which makes it the obvious choice."

The spectators watched as she approached carefully.

Suddenly, several simulated enemies emerged from the surrounding buildings.

Athena immediately retreated behind cover.

"An ambush," Athy observed.

"Yes. They expected us to follow the strongest reading."

Instead of attacking, Athena studied the enemy movements.

The guards were protecting the eastern building aggressively, but their patrols occasionally passed through another street.

Athena’s eyes narrowed.

"Athy, follow the patrol route. Don’t approach the building."

Athy obeyed.

Moments later, the little owl discovered a concealed passage leading beneath the northern structure.

Athena smiled. "There it is."

She entered through the passage while Athy distracted the guards by circling above the eastern building.

The simulated enemies rushed toward the disturbance.

Athena reached the hidden crystal and disabled it.

A bright light spread across the district.

"Objective completed. Successful!"

The crowd applauded.

Arthur grinned. "She figured out the trap!"

Vedas nodded approvingly. "She allowed the enemy’s behavior to reveal what they were protecting."

Athena returned looking satisfied.

Sun greeted her with a grin. "You barely fought anything!"

Athena adjusted her glasses. "That was intentional."

Athy nodded. "An excellent victory."

...

Mithra’s scenario began with a simulated rescue.

Several civilians were trapped inside a building while enemy constructs patrolled the surrounding streets.

Melo hovered beside Mithra, examining the area.

"Three guards near the entrance," Melo observed. "And another two watching the windows."

Mithra nodded. "Then they’ll probably expect us to use an illusion."

Melo grinned. "How rude."

They approached the building.

Melo created an illusion of Mithra running toward the eastern street.

The guards immediately turned.

Then, instead of chasing the illusion, they moved to block the building’s exits.

Mithra stopped.

"They anticipated that."

Melo looked impressed. "Oh! They’re learning!"

Mithra considered the situation before smiling.

"Then let’s give them something different."

Rather than creating another false person, Melo filled the street with the illusion of falling debris.

The simulated guards moved away from the apparent danger.

Mithra used the opening to enter the building.

Inside, she located the civilians and guided them toward a rear passage.

But one guard returned unexpectedly.

Melo immediately moved between the guard and the escaping civilians, creating several false doorways along the corridor.

The guard hesitated, unable to identify the correct path.

Mithra led the final civilian outside.

"Rescue completed. Successful!"

The crowd cheered.

Arthur clapped enthusiastically. "That was amazing!"

Sun stared at the disappearing illusions. "I would’ve fallen for that."

Melo returned with a delighted smile. "That’s because you’re very easy to trick."

Sun opened his mouth, then closed it.

Mithra laughed. "At least you’re aware of it."

...

Finally, Arthur’s name appeared above the central district.

The crowd immediately grew louder.

"Arthur Cronwall!"

"Let’s see what his Goblin King can do!"

Arthur entered with Vedas and Star.

Eden remained close to him, ready to participate only within her recovery limits.

Their objective appeared on the display.

Protect the evacuation route and escort the simulated civilians to safety.

Arthur studied the district.

Several crystal figures stood near the center, representing civilians waiting to be evacuated. A narrow street led toward the safe zone.

"Alright," Arthur said. "Vedas, take the front. Star, watch the smaller passages."

Vedas nodded. "Understood."

The signal sounded.

They moved forward.

Almost immediately, three simulated attackers emerged from the surrounding buildings.

Arthur smiled. "Here we go!"

Vedas stepped forward and intercepted the first enemy, striking it aside before turning toward the second.

Star bounced toward a narrow passage to check for additional threats.

Then the street changed.

Crystal barriers rose behind the civilians, blocking the route Arthur had planned to use.

Arthur stopped. "Seriously?"

From the stands, Athena leaned forward. "They’ve blocked the narrow passages too."

Sun grinned. "They remembered Star!"

Inside the arena, Arthur examined the new obstacles.

"Vedas, can you clear the front?"

"Yes, but that would leave the civilians exposed."

Arthur hesitated.

Another simulated attacker appeared on the rooftop.

Before Arthur could give an instruction, Vedas moved.

He positioned himself between the civilians and the approaching enemy, then struck the attacker away from the group.

"Arthur, secure the rear passage," Vedas ordered. "I’ll protect them here."

Arthur immediately nodded. "Got it!"

Star slipped beneath a partially raised barrier and reached the control plate on the other side.

But the plate didn’t respond.

Arthur frowned. "They changed it."

Vedas glanced toward the barrier. "Then don’t waste time forcing that route."

Arthur looked toward the buildings.

The upper walkway connected directly to the evacuation zone.

His eyes brightened.

"Vedas! Can you get everyone onto that walkway?"

Vedas examined the structure.

"Yes. But you’ll need to keep the route clear."

Arthur grinned. "Leave that to me!"

He directed Star toward the lower supports while Vedas began guiding the civilians upward.

A simulated attacker rushed toward Arthur.

Star bounced into its path, striking its legs and knocking it off balance.

Arthur immediately moved past the fallen enemy.

"Nice one, Star!"

The little slime bounced proudly.

Another attacker appeared near the upper walkway.

Vedas stepped forward to intercept it, but a second enemy approached from behind the civilians.

Arthur noticed the danger.

"Eden, can you help with that one?"

Eden focused carefully.

A brief temporal adjustment disrupted the enemy’s movement, giving Vedas enough time to turn and strike it away.

Arthur smiled. "Perfect! That’s enough, Eden!"

She returned to his side without attempting another technique.

The evacuation continued.

Then the instructor controlling the scenario sent the remaining attackers toward the safe zone.

Arthur’s eyes widened. "They’re going after the destination!"

Vedas immediately understood.

"Star, stay with the civilians. Arthur, follow me!"

Arthur grinned. "Right!"

Vedas moved ahead, intercepting the attackers before they could reach the exit.

Star remained beside the civilians, guiding them through the final opening.

The last crystal figure crossed into the safe zone.

A brilliant light spread across the arena.

"Evacuation completed! All civilians secured!"

The crowd erupted.

Arthur raised his fist. "YES!"

Star bounced excitedly against his shoulder.

Vedas stood beside him, looking satisfied.

Arthur turned toward him with a wide smile. "You were incredible!"

Vedas blinked. "I simply made the necessary decisions."

"Exactly! You didn’t even wait for me to tell you what to do!"

Vedas smiled faintly. "A leader must recognize when action is needed."

Arthur laughed. "Then I’m glad you’re our leader too."

From the stands, several students stared at the Goblin King.

"He was giving orders?"

"And Arthur listened immediately!"

"That wasn’t just a strong Beast. He understood the entire situation."

On the viewing platform, Steven smiled.

"That Goblin King has developed remarkable judgment."

Elaine nodded. "And Arthur trusted him enough to follow his decisions."

...

When the results appeared, Arthur, Mithra, Sun, and Athena had all advanced.

The four reunited near the arena entrance.

Sun grinned. "Another victory!"

Kong raised both hands. "Closer to food!"

Melo laughed. "You really are counting every round."

Athena examined the results. "Several competitors performed extremely well. The next stage won’t be easy."

Arthur nodded. "I know. Did you see how those instructors adapted?"

Vedas folded his arms. "And our future opponents will have watched us."

Before anyone could respond, the arena’s display screens changed.

FINAL-STAGE BRACKET CONFIRMED.

Names began appearing across the enormous screens.

Arthur looked up, searching for his position.

Then he noticed the name placed along his path toward the final.

A nearby student saw it too and whistled.

"Oh, that’s going to be interesting."

Arthur smiled.

He recognized the competitor from the Academy training grounds, but the performance he had witnessed earlier suggested they had improved considerably.

Sun leaned closer. "Looks like you’ve got a serious opponent."

Arthur’s grin widened.

"Good. I’ve been looking forward to this."