The first round was already spectacular indeed. Capere Astra team got hands, Ursa Major got feet.
Many believe that getting hands bring a major advantage. After all, your hands can clutch the ball and keep it in place, unlike your feet.
But Ursa Major proved to be quite competent even with this, as one of them was a Clairo mage with power over the wind.
Through this wind power, they managed to blow away the metal ball from the Capere Astra's hands, and let it float into the air for them to kick.
Capere Astra's team captain, Volken, ordered all attacks to focus on this wind magic user. They did manage to temporarily incapacitate this person---
But then another was a Hero Mage with a lasso as a Mage Focus, skillfully catching the players attacking the wind user and throwing them to the side like herding cattle!
Ursa Major's captain, the one with a bow and arrow blessed by Pallas which allows him to make everyone he shoots be frozen in place momentarily, had managed to bring the ball to the Capere Astra's base!
Things were looking dire for the Academy's team, and it was just the start of the game.
But then, someone valiantly yelled:
"Sunburst!"
Some students in the Academy who were present during the try-outs, including Ronin and Kai, were aware that it was time to close their eyes.
Using the blinding light of his sword, Cermin managed to take the ball from the Ursa Major's captain, and ran across the field.
"Volken, heads up!" He yelled with a grin as he tossed the ball to his own captain.
Volken caught it, and with his strong hands and great aim, he managed to throw the ball directly to the X mark!
"First point goes to the Academy's Capere Astra!!!!" Rabuka exclaimed with her loudened voice, and Pavone turned the paper scoring board to show 1 point for their own school's team.
"Yes!!!" The team cheered, however, it was their turn to use their feet.
An Ursa Major player with Morpho magic used it to control the soil around the Capere Astra players, turning it into mud and making it difficult for them to move their legs!
He had the ball in his hand and running for the X mark.
A Capere Astra player who also uses the bow and arrow, though much more deadlier as it was blessed by the Goddess of Snakes, shot him.
However, because their feet were stuck, they cannot take the ball from the fallen player.
Another Ursa Major managed to rush to his fallen teammate's side and take it for him, and Cermin panicked, yelling once more: "Sunburst!"
However, they would soon learn that this was a very one-trick skill as the Ursa Major player closed his eyes on time, and dunked the ball on their X mark!
"Point goes to Ursa Major....." Rabuka said, sounding much less excited as both teams were now 1-1.
Only 2 rounds out of 10, and everything was already so intense. Both groups decided to take a break first before the next round to take care of the wounds and injuries they sustained....
And of course, to change game plans according to the enemy's performance.
Ronin and Kai just quietly slink behind the wall to remain unnoticed by the Capere Astra team as they entered their Breakroom. Things were not looking well for them.
"One of them has wind powers, one turned soil into mud, one has a lasso, and one can make you incapacitated when shooting. These people were born to play a great defensive team." Volken evaluated, his face looking very grim.
"They are very good at tying us down while we're at the offensive. They are also smart. They can figure out our technique in just one glance."
Cermin frowned at this. "I'm sorry. I thought Sunburst would work again."
One player patted his back. "Hey, you helped us gain a point at least. We had the first score because of your Sunburst."
"Yeah, you did really well, little Goldie!" Another exclaimed.
All the other team members comforted Cermin. It seemed that they have become closer to him the moment he joined the Main Six and they played together.
Meanwhile, Volken, the supposed 'friend' among the group, said nothing to their rookie player and walked back and forth, deep in thought.
Ronin walked a little closer so he would be in the range to listen to his mind.
(The chances of us winning this game is very slim. I had never encountered a team almost as formidable as ours when it comes to defense.)
(Without Rainer's bubbles, we won't be able to match their skill. It's a lost cause to even try, the first two rounds says it all.)
Rainer was the team member who had his right arm completely shattered at the last game, and was replaced by Cermin in his Main Six position. He was a Morpho Mage that can control very small bubbles into large, thicker, and less dense ones, that he uses to trap his opponents inside.
He needed to take a month to recuperate, and it has not healed until now. He's on the substitution bench, but with his injury, he would not be allowed to rejoin.
Volken sighed, but suddenly, he seemed to have a eureka moment.
(That's right. Why do I have to worry about losing? This isn't even a championship game and the effects of it would not dampen the Academy's reputation very much compared to losing with bigger name teams like Orion Belt and Canis Major.)
He looked at Cermin, and grinned. (But losing would be seen as the team captain's fault, unless a certain member showed complete incompetence in the game.)
(You'll be that sacrificial lamb, little Goldie. We may lose, but that's because some new upstart 2nd year was forced to replace our star player and not our fault.)
Ronin smirked and waited to see how Volken would sabotage Cermin as he expected.
"Hey, little Goldie. Come a bit, I have something for you." Volken said.
Cermin was brought along inside the replenishment room, where there were several snacks and drinks for the players to regain energy. "What is it, Volk?"
"Have this." Volken handed him a bottle of strange murky liquid.
"Er, thanks. But what is this?" Cermin uncapped the bottle, and smelled it. "Urk! That's..."
He coughed. "That smells a little strong, isn't it?"
"This is an energy potion made of sweet cider and a little bit of crushed Mercury Snail paste." Volken explained. "It makes you more alert on your feet and move faster. I noticed that you were a little slow to react earlier, so I thought this might be of help."
"It's made of snails but makes you faster, huh? That's kinda funny. " Cermin sniffed again, but felt that it was really too pungent.
"Drink it." Volken said, more like a command than a suggestion.
"Uhm.... Does it taste better than it smells?" He asked nervously.
He's not really doubting Volken though. After all, they were buddies, they were just looking out for each other!
He's the captain, he must know what's best for the team, right?
"Yes. Want me to drink it with you?" Volken said with a smile.
He drank a bit of the Mercury Snail potion, and made a satisfied "Ah." He handed it back to Cermin.
"Just try it." He said with a wide smile.
Cermin took the bottle back, and said. "Okay..."
And drank.
"It's not so bad at all!" Cermin exclaimed. "It tastes a lot like soda, actually!"
Volken smiled wider. "Keep drinking. You really need to replenish your strength and gain more speed."
He continued to gulp the entire thing down. As he kept drinking, Volken then took it from him before he can finish the whole bottle.
"That's enough." He said.....
Because drinking any more than that would have killed Cermin.
Which he wouldn't mind if it happens, but just poisoning him with a potion was enough for now.