Chapter 198: Match Ready Set: Part 2

The eastern training field had been reserved for the friendly match.

By the time Noah arrived, several students had already gathered around the arena. Word had spread beyond Squad Seven and Squad One, attracting curious freshmen who wanted to see how the two highest-ranked teams would perform against each other without the restrictions of the official evaluation.

Noah looked at the growing crowd.

"So much for a quiet match."

Eric grinned. "You say that as if you don’t enjoy an audience."

"I enjoy winning. Audiences are optional."

"That’s the spirit."

Squad Seven gathered beside the arena while Professor Astrid Veyr checked the protective barriers. She had agreed to supervise after hearing about their arrangement.

"This is a friendly exercise," she reminded both teams. "No lethal techniques, no deliberate attacks against incapacitated opponents, and no continuing after I call the match."

Her gaze settled on Eric.

"That includes you."

Eric placed a hand over his chest. "Professor, I’m deeply offended."

"Good. Perhaps you’ll remember the rules."

Sophia laughed quietly.

Across the arena, Maria was discussing something with Zelen. Zane listened while Torino examined the field’s layout.

Noah watched them for a moment.

They weren’t behaving like students who had simply shown up to fight. Their positioning suggested that they had discussed their approach beforehand.

He turned toward Damien.

"Any changes to our plan?"

"One. Don’t assume Zelen will take the bait."

Noah nodded. "Agreed."

Laura adjusted the straps on her gloves.

"We should also remember that we haven’t fought them together before. Their habits might be different when they’re working against us."

"Then we adapt," Sophia said.

Luna smiled. "We’ve been practicing that all week."

The teams approached the arena.

Maria stopped in front of Noah.

"Ready?"

"Ready enough."

"That’s not particularly reassuring."

"You’ll survive the disappointment."

She laughed.

"I’ll remember that."

They took their positions on opposite sides of the field.

The protective barrier shimmered into existence, separating the arena from the spectators. Professor Astrid stood between the teams, holding a small crystal used to monitor the match.

"Both squads understand the conditions?"

Everyone nodded.

"Then begin when the signal sounds."

Noah raised his training sword.

Across from him, Zelen rolled his shoulders while Maria moved toward the rear of their formation. Zane positioned himself between them, and Torino took a place slightly to the side.

Their formation looked simple.

That made Noah suspicious.

The crystal flashed.

The match began.

Zelen moved first.

He charged directly toward Squad Seven, just as Damien had predicted. Eric stepped forward to intercept him, but Noah noticed something else.

Maria hadn’t raised her hand.

Zane hadn’t moved to support Zelen.

And Torino was watching Noah.

They’re waiting for something, Noah thought.

"Eric, hold your position!"

Eric checked his advance just before engaging Zelen.

The two fighters clashed, their wooden swords striking with a sharp crack. Zelen pressed forward aggressively, forcing Eric to defend.

Noah shifted to help, but Torino immediately moved to block his path.

Their weapons met.

Torino’s first strike was measured, testing Noah’s guard rather than attempting to overpower it.

Noah parried and stepped sideways.

Torino followed.

Behind them, Maria finally raised her hand.

A concentrated burst of mana shot across the arena toward Squad Seven’s formation.

Laura intercepted it with a controlled counterattack, diverting the blast into the protective barrier.

The impact rippled across its surface.

Sophia moved to support Eric while Damien repositioned himself beside Luna.

For a few seconds, the arena became a contest of movement and timing.

Noah blocked another strike from Torino.

Then he noticed something that made his expression sharpen.

Torino wasn’t trying to defeat him.

He was keeping Noah occupied.

Noah glanced toward the rest of Squad One.

Maria was already preparing another attack, while Zane had begun moving toward the side of the arena.

Their plan was unfolding.

And Squad Seven had only just begun to understand it.

Noah tightened his grip on his sword.

"All right," he muttered. "Now it’s getting interesting."

Noah stopped trying to reach Torino.

After their third exchange, he understood what Squad One was attempting. Torino wasn’t looking for a decisive strike. He was controlling Noah’s movements, keeping him occupied while the rest of his squad worked around him.

It was a sensible strategy.

Unfortunately for them, Noah had noticed.

He stepped away from Torino’s next attack and glanced toward Eric.

"Switch!"

Eric understood immediately.

He abandoned his direct contest with Zelen and moved toward the center of the arena. Zelen followed, expecting to keep him on the defensive, but Eric abruptly changed direction and forced him to turn.

That small adjustment opened a gap.

"Sophia, now!"

Sophia moved through the opening, intercepting Zane before he could reach the side of their formation. Their weapons collided, and the two exchanged several quick strikes.

Meanwhile, Damien shifted closer to Luna, giving her room to attack without leaving herself exposed.

Squad Seven was finally responding as a unit.

Maria noticed.

"They’ve changed their formation."

Torino stepped back from Noah.

"Good. That was the point."

Noah raised an eyebrow.

"You were testing us?"

"Partly."

"That’s annoying."

Torino gave him a faint smile. "You’re welcome to return the favor."

Noah almost laughed.

The match continued.

Maria fired another mana burst, forcing Laura to redirect it. Zelen attempted to exploit the disturbance, but Eric anticipated the move and blocked his advance.

For the first time, Squad One’s formation began to lose its shape.

Noah saw the opportunity.

He moved toward Zane, forcing him to defend against a series of quick strikes. Zane retreated, but Noah didn’t chase recklessly. He maintained his position, keeping Zane occupied while Sophia moved to support him.

Their coordination was improving.

Not because they had suddenly become stronger, but because they were beginning to recognize what their teammates needed without waiting for instructions.

Then Maria changed tactics.

She stopped firing at the formation and aimed directly at the ground between Noah and Sophia.

The mana burst struck the arena floor.

Dust scattered across the field, obscuring their vision for a moment.

"Careful!" Laura called.

Noah stepped back, anticipating an attack.

A shadow moved through the dust.

Torino emerged from the left, his wooden sword aimed toward Noah’s shoulder. Noah blocked, but the impact forced him off balance.

Zane appeared behind him.

Noah twisted away just before Zane’s strike connected.

He landed several steps from the two fighters, breathing harder now.

Squad One had recovered its formation.

Maria lowered her hand.

"Still think we’re easy to read?"

Noah smiled despite himself.

"Not anymore."

The spectators had grown noticeably quieter. What had begun as a friendly match between freshman squads had become a genuine tactical contest.

Professor Astrid watched from outside the barrier, making no attempt to interrupt.

Both squads were following the rules.

Both were learning.

And neither was willing to surrender the advantage.

Noah glanced toward his teammates.

Eric was still holding Zelen back. Sophia was engaged with Zane, while Damien and Luna were working together to keep Maria from freely controlling the field. Laura remained positioned to support whoever needed her.

They were stretched thin.

But they hadn’t broken.

Noah raised his sword.

"Squad Seven, tighten the formation!"

Everyone adjusted.

This time, nobody questioned the command.

The distance between them narrowed, leaving fewer openings for Squad One to exploit.

Noah watched Maria carefully.

She was skilled, confident, and clearly more thoughtful than her playful attitude suggested.

He respected that.

But he wasn’t about to let her win.

Across the arena, Maria met his gaze.

Her smile returned.

"All right, Noah. Let’s see what you’ve got."

She raised her hand, gathering mana for another attack.

Noah planted his feet.

The next exchange would determine which squad could adapt faster.

And neither team intended to make it easy.