"It's not over yet!"
A female voice roared out. It definitely belonged to Alshura Soura!
This had taken the male Yards member by surprise. Not because the voice replied to his question. But because it did not come from the debris of the attack. Instead,
"From behind!"
Bryant reacted quickly. He manifested a wall made of clouds to protect his back.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The next instance, yellow-colored flames bombarded the wall.
"She really had me fooled."
Yoshino Aruven sighed in relief. He was pleasantly surprised by Soura's performance.
"Same here. I dare say."
Steven O said. He also has the same relieved expression on his face. He was most likely been worried too.
"Gosh, you guys lack too much faith. I, on the other hand never doubted Soura."
Ariana Aries reprimanded the two male students. She might say that but she had been silent all this time. She was also clasping her hands nervously.
There was no way she was fooling anyone here.
Yoshino smiled wryly when he realized that everyone in his group was also concerned for Soura.
Well except for Roxas. Because Yoshino never glanced at the merchant-porter. The young man was still bitter from the bill he received for such a useless information.
Having said that, Yoshino felt proud for Soura. Recruiting her was 'absolutely' the correct option back then.
The suspended female lieutenant might look naïve and easy-going at first sight. And she might still be on second sight. Or even in the third.
But her foundations were indeed pretty solid.
Her Advanced skills might have been restricted during this event. Nonetheless she was still a Tier 3 Mage. Her innate attributes and parameters were still available.
And she had utilized it magnificently.
The previous attack of Bryant might look simple and easy to dodge. But that was not the case. Even a High-level Tier 2 would have trouble avoiding that move.
Heck, even a Rookie-level Tier 3 would have trouble if that person lacked practical experience.
And yet Soura was not just able to evade but also retaliate afterwards.
'She can still do this! She can still push back!'
Yoshino clenched his fist in excitement. It did not matter if the retaliation was blocked.
As long as Soura could still fight back, there was still a chance.
Aside from the exclusivity of composite elements, there was another reason why the Standard Elements remained at 24.
This was because they possessed stability. What this meant was that a Standard Element could sustain a well-defined characteristic throughout the battle.
Clouds might be troublesome. But as long as you have enough power to counter the composite element, you would soon realize that it was just water and wind combined.
And as long as you have experience battling these two base elements you could deal with its derived composite eventually. Some experts could even break down the composite and make the base elements conflict one another.
On the other hand, the Fire element was still fire no matter what. It has prominence, persistence, and unrelenting force. Characteristics which could never be broken down any further.
It was similar to an integer. A whole number which can no longer be divided any further, except with itself, to produce another whole number.
Of course there would be those extreme experts who would say otherwise. But that would be a story for another time.
Having said that; the fire element had been recognized, practiced, and further developed by all fire-based skill users around the world throughout the years. This was also true for the remaining 23 respectively.
This collective knowledge had enabled all the Standard Elements to become an established system for cultivation.
Compared to that, the cloud element could be considered as a new field of study. Its sustainability and effectivity were yet to be deemed conventional.
This would be similar to trekking an unpaved road versus passing through a concrete highway. Each path has their own pros and cons.
Personally, Yoshino thought that the concrete highway has more pros.
"Hmph. Is that it?"
Alden Bryant had quickly recovered from surprise he had due to the sudden retaliation. He regained his unimpressed expression. The wall had withstood the bombardment after all.
"Not yet!"
Soura replied fiercely. Her voice called out from the right side of the male YSC member. Another yellow flame bombardment followed immediately.
This had once more taken Bryant by surprise. However he was able to extend the wall of clouds to protect him. He was still able to hold out.
But then,
"Got you!"
Soura emerged in front of the male Yards member. The yellow-colored flames surrounded her as she spun forward. She was like a flaming twister heading towards her target.
"[Fire Dance: Tenki]!"
"[Stratos]!"
Bryant quickly countered. He unleashed another blast of cloud. But instead of aiming it towards the incoming attacks, he used it to propel himself.
"He can do that?"
Yoshino complained. He could not believe that the male Yards member could creatively use his attacks. He could also hear some groans coming from his teammates.
Two streams of clouds had enabled Bryant to soar upwards. In addition, the impact resulting from the blast had prevented Soura to continue her pursuit.
Nonetheless, when the dusts (or clouds) settled, the female lieutenant was unfazed. She shrugged off the dirt on her shoulders and fixed her stance.
Fire elemental energy was still flowing vigorously throughout her body. She roared,
"I can still go on!"
"No."
Bryant shook his head. He had just landed a few meters away from Soura. His unimpressed expression was no longer present. He then continued,
"Let's just end this."
A simple wave of his hand had dispelled the clouds surrounding the battle area.
This had puzzled the female lieutenant. But she did not lower her guard. She asked,
"What was that supposed to mean?"
"Let's just call this a tie, shall we?"
The male YSC member suggested. But this seemed to have confused Soura further. She furrowed her eyebrows. She then replied,
"Why would I agree with that?"
"Haha, then please agree."
Bryant laughed wryly as he scratched his head. Then his expression became serious. He gave a meaningful smile as he added,
"Or else we might end up doing something that we both could not take back afterwards."
…
…
…
"Fine! I accept."
Soura sighed a few seconds later. She seemed to have realized something.
***
And with that the first match of the best of five had ended with a tie. Both participants exited the fountain and had regrouped with their respective teammates.
"How are you feeling?"
Yoshino asked after greeting the female lieutenant. He had also thought that accepting the offer of a tie was correct.
They were at a disadvantage after all. Any result that was not a defeat was wholly acceptable.
And besides, his teammate was able to return safely. That was more than he could ask.
"Hau, still fine. I might have overexerted my Fire Dance skill. But it was not for naught."
Soura replied after gulping a cola – erm, MP Recovery Potion. She looked exhausted but was still quite cheerful.
She had probably gained proficiency points during the battle. She could use those to further improve her skill. But there was no need to talk about that for now.
Yoshino instead asked,
"If you used your advanced skill, would you have won?"
Soura glared at him in return. She had an expression as if she was wronged for some reason. She snarled,
"I'm not that desperate you know!"
"T-that's not what I meant. Just trying to verify something."
The young man corrected himself quickly. He was expecting to be misunderstood. But he never thought that the question would sound worse when said out loud.
"Really?"
"Yes really!"
Soura raised an eyebrow. She seemed skeptical with what she heard. But she perhaps noticed that the young man would only pester her further if she did not answer. She sighed,
"If I used my Advanced Skill, he would have probably used his in return."
"?!"
Yoshino was speechless. He honestly did not know how to react on that answer.
He wanted to cry but there were no tears. He wanted to laugh but he felt hollow inside. He wanted to curse but that would just irritate the female lieutenant in front of him.
And besides, that would be a tactless thing to do.
He could only smile bitterly. He was actually expecting that sort of answer. But deep inside, a part of him wished that he was wrong.
And hearing his suspicions being confirmed hurt him for some reason.
This should have been the logical answer anyway. Soura was utilizing her advantage on innate attributes and parameters during her attacks.
And yet Bryant was able to keep up with her. This would mean that he his attributes were around the same level as that of a Tier 3 Trogan ranked operative.
In other words, Bryant himself had already reached the Advanced Realm!
'Since when did that guy became an Advanced Mage?'
Yoshino cursed in his thoughts. He was staring at the male YSC member across the fountain.
Perhaps sensing the negative thoughts directed towards him. Bryant glanced towards the young man with jet black hair. He smiled and gave a wink. His charming dimples were also noticeable despite the distance.
Yoshino on the other hand felt dead inside. A pretty face, alluring dimples, great smile, and even greater cultivation. Was this guy making fun of him?
"I… want to punch that guy."
Yoshino sighed helplessly. He really wondered why the world was unfair. No, he knew that the world was unfair to begin with. But he never thought it was THIS unfair!
"Hau, me too."
Soura nodded. The young man with pitch black pupils felt touched by this gesture. He did choose the correct option back then. He sniffed,
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
Soura answered affirmatively. But then she added,
"Or else he would simply stomp you with his amazing cultivation."
Yoshino rolled his eyes. He saw the huge grin on the female lieutenant. And this had increased the damage he received further.
Why was he bothered by the pretty guy making fun of him when there was already someone doing it in front of him? Perhaps he made the wrong choice after all?
His despairing thoughts were then interrupted when a voice called out.
"Next participants, come forward!"
Stella Nanaril of the YSC announced after a few minutes.