Chapter 199: Match Ready Set: Part 3

Maria released the attack.

A concentrated bolt of mana shot across the arena, aimed at the center of Squad Seven’s formation. Noah moved immediately.

"Damien, left! Luna, cover him!"

Damien shifted to intercept Zelen while Luna released a controlled burst of energy toward the incoming attack. Their strikes collided with Maria’s mana, disrupting its trajectory just enough for Laura to redirect the remaining force into the protective barrier.

The impact sent a ripple across the arena.

Maria clicked her tongue.

"They’re getting annoying."

Zane glanced at her. "You sound surprised."

"I’m not surprised. I’m irritated."

Across the field, Eric laughed as he blocked another strike from Zelen.

"That’s what happens when you underestimate us!"

"You’re talking too much," Zelen replied.

He pressed forward with a powerful swing. Eric blocked, but the force pushed him backward.

Noah noticed the exchange.

Eric was strong, but Zelen was forcing him into a direct contest that favored Zelen’s aggressive style.

"Eric, stop meeting his attacks head-on!"

Eric barely avoided another strike.

"Any other suggestions?"

"Make him chase you!"

Eric grinned.

"Now that I can do."

He retreated toward the center, deliberately leaving openings that tempted Zelen to advance. Zelen took the bait, pushing forward until Eric suddenly changed direction.

Damien was waiting.

He intercepted Zelen’s next strike, forcing him to turn sideways. Eric immediately swept his wooden sword across Zelen’s guard.

Zelen stumbled backward.

The spectators erupted in cheers.

Squad Seven had finally broken through one of their opponent’s defensive patterns.

But Maria wasn’t finished.

"Zane, switch!"

Zane disengaged from Sophia and moved toward the center. Torino abandoned his contest with Noah, joining the repositioning maneuver.

Their formation changed in seconds.

Maria moved forward while the other three created space around her. A faint glow gathered around her hands, growing brighter with every passing moment.

Noah recognized the danger.

"Everyone, spread out!"

The squad separated just as Maria released a wide mana burst.

The attack swept across the arena, forcing everyone to move. It wasn’t powerful enough to overwhelm the protective barrier, but it covered enough ground to disrupt Squad Seven’s coordination.

Sophia narrowly avoided the edge of the blast.

Luna retreated toward Laura.

Eric stumbled while recovering his footing.

Noah landed near the center of the arena and immediately looked for his teammates.

Everyone was still standing.

Good.

Maria lowered her hands, breathing slightly harder.

"That should slow you down."

Noah straightened.

"Maybe."

He glanced at his squad.

They were tired, but they were learning. Every exchange revealed another weakness in their coordination, and every adjustment brought them closer to working as a proper unit.

Noah raised his sword.

"One more push."

Laura nodded.

Sophia moved into position.

Damien and Luna adjusted their spacing, while Eric rolled his shoulders and prepared to engage again.

Across the arena, Squad One regrouped.

Maria smiled at Noah.

"You know, you’re much more troublesome than I expected."

"Funny. I was thinking the same thing."

Professor Astrid watched the two squads carefully.

Neither team had secured a decisive advantage.

But the match was approaching its turning point.

Noah could feel it in the way his teammates moved, in the concentration on Maria’s face, and in the growing tension among the spectators.

One mistake could decide everything.

Noah tightened his grip.

"Let’s finish this properly."

The two squads advanced toward each other.

And the final exchange began.

The two squads advanced.

Noah watched Squad One carefully, searching for any sign of their next move. Maria remained behind Zelen and Torino, while Zane shifted toward the right side of the arena.

They were preparing another coordinated attack.

This time, Noah wouldn’t let them dictate the pace.

"Eric, take Zelen. Damien, support him. Sophia, stay with Luna."

He glanced at Laura.

"Can you keep Maria occupied?"

Laura nodded. "For a while."

"That’s all we need."

Squad Seven moved.

Eric charged toward Zelen, but instead of attacking immediately, he forced him toward the edge of the arena. Damien followed, cutting off the route Zelen might use to escape.

Sophia and Luna advanced together, putting pressure on Zane and preventing him from assisting Maria.

That left Torino.

Noah met his gaze.

"Looks like it’s us again."

Torino raised his wooden sword. "I was hoping you’d say that."

Their weapons collided.

Torino fought with measured movements, conserving his energy and watching for mistakes. Noah couldn’t afford to attack carelessly. Every time he attempted to break through, Torino redirected his strike and forced him to reset.

Meanwhile, Laura moved against Maria.

A burst of mana flashed between them.

Maria attacked from a distance, but Laura continued changing her position, refusing to remain an easy target. Neither gained a decisive advantage.

"You’re difficult to pin down," Maria remarked.

Laura smiled faintly. "I’ve heard that before."

Maria fired another attack.

Laura redirected it, but the effort cost her precious time.

Maria took advantage of the opening and moved toward the center.

She wanted to support Torino.

Noah saw her coming.

He stepped away from Torino’s next strike, allowing the older pattern of their exchange to break.

"Torino, behind you!"

Torino turned instinctively.

Noah didn’t attack him. Instead, he moved past him, cutting across the arena toward Maria.

Torino immediately pursued.

For a moment, Noah had both opponents approaching from different directions.

It was a risk.

But he trusted his teammates to recognize the opportunity.

"Now!"

Eric abandoned his pressure on Zelen and moved to block Torino’s path. Damien closed the remaining gap, preventing Zelen from reaching the center.

Sophia forced Zane to retreat.

Luna supported Laura, giving her enough room to intercept Maria’s next attack.

The arena became a flurry of movement.

Maria released a final concentrated burst of mana toward Noah.

He twisted aside, allowing the attack to pass his shoulder. The force struck the protective barrier behind him.

Noah continued forward.

Maria raised her guard.

Their wooden weapons met.

She blocked his first strike.

He adjusted and attacked again.

Maria parried, but her footing slipped as she tried to retreat.

Noah stopped his blade just before it touched her shoulder.

At almost the same moment, Eric’s sword halted against Zelen’s guard, while Sophia and Damien had forced the remaining members of Squad One into defensive positions.

Professor Astrid raised her hand.

"Enough!"

The protective barrier dimmed.

For a moment, the arena was silent.

Then Astrid announced, "The match is over."

Noah lowered his sword and stepped away from Maria.

She looked at the blade that had stopped near her shoulder before glancing toward the others.

"So that’s it?"

"That’s it," Noah replied.

Maria exhaled and laughed.

"Fine. You win this one."

Eric immediately raised both arms.

"Squad Seven!"

Zelen groaned.

"You don’t have to celebrate that loudly."

"I absolutely do."

Zane shook his head, while Torino offered Noah a respectful nod.

"You adapted well," Torino said.

Noah returned the gesture. "So did you."

Professor Astrid approached the two teams.

"Both squads demonstrated good coordination and adaptability. However, Squad Seven made better use of the opportunities created during the final exchange."

She looked at the students.

"Remember that the result could easily have been different. One successful match does not establish permanent superiority."

Eric lowered his arms.

"Professor, let us enjoy this for five minutes."

Astrid gave him a flat look.

"Three."

The students burst into laughter.

As the two squads left the arena, Maria walked beside Noah.

"Next time, we’re winning."

Noah smiled.

"Then we’ll have to train harder."

"Definitely."

They separated near the training hall entrance, each returning to their own squad.

Noah looked back at his teammates.

They were tired, sweaty, and arguing about which moment had decided the match.

But they were smiling.

For once, victory didn’t feel like the difference between life and death.

It was simply something they had earned together.

And Noah thought that was worth celebrating.