After walking for a while, the six students finally arrived at the field where Noel awaited them. "I do not see why we were not just instructed to go here in the first place," Z complained.
"Welcome! Are you ready to fight?" Noel said with a strong battle intent while caressing the back of the Emerald Eagle beside him, an eagle the size of a bus with wings made of hollow emerald. "Think of it as your first team bonding experience to hone your cooperation for the event six months from now."
'Traveling again?' Z complained in his thoughts as he rode the bird.
Contrary to Z's resistance, the other five were thrilled to go out on the battlefield, especially Gale who had excitement painted all over his eyes. His happiness was evident when he felt the wind rush through his face due to the speed at which the Emerald Eagle was flying.
The lot continued to travel the vast ocean for days which caused Z to be extremely bored. "Ugh, it is too quiet," Z sighed.
Everyone except Gale and Ashe looked at him as if he just murdered someone which caused him to get confused. "Why?" Z asked.
"Are you unaware that we should not say the q word when traveling? It supposedly brings bad luck," Lea said. "It is a banned word for merchants since bandits always seem to come after somebody says that."
"What kind of ridiculous superstition is that?" Z mocked. However, just then, a group of flying Wind Falcons surfaced from the distance. There were ten of them and each of them was half the size of the Emerald Eagle. Individuals were also riding the Wind Falcons with menacing looks on their faces.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me," Z said as he received the contemptuous gaze of everyone around.
"Prepare for battle," Noel said with a serious face.
"What kind of maniacs would pick a fight against The Celestial Academy?" Z asked.
"The Integrals. They are the sole opposition of The World Force which is behind The Celestial Academy. You see, in the Era of Wars, there was no centralized government for the entire world. This resulted in countless bloodshed, which pushed all of the powerhouses of the world to sign a treaty that will create a centralized government known as The World Force. Of course, there were a lot who did not subscribe to this idea. Therefore, when The World Force was established, they created The Integral whose goal is to return the world back to what it was," Lea explained.
"Why is it called The Integral?"
"Beats me."
As they were talking, the group of Wind Falcon riders had already surrounded them. Noel, despite his serious appearance, did not seem concerned, but he was not leisurely standing either.
"Ho? If it isn't Professor Noel of The Southern Celestial Academy. It seems like you have quite the seedling you have there," a man with a muscular physique with red hair, and black eyes said. He and his entire brigade was wearing bandit-like outfits, and coupled with the scar on his face, made him seem like a veteran on the field.
"Your intelligence group is really something, Roderick. How about you let us pass for old times' sake?" Noel said with a grin.
"Our visit would be pointless if we do that," Roderick responded while pulling his blade. Consequently, everyone prepared themselves as well.
"Have you grown brazen enough to think that you can win a fight against me? Did you finally reach the Violet Tier?" Noel asked with a daring face.
"Well, you are about to see!" Roderick said as he and his group charged toward the Emerald Eagle.
"Umbra!" Z called after leaping high up and stabbing the black feather into the air. There, Umbra appeared and made the birds around look small.
"So that was the darkness in the trials," Lea realized. 'How much more is this person hiding?'
"Kallel!" Roderick shouted.
"On it!" a man with three eyes said as he chanted.
[Oh, Great Sextant Constellation, give me your insight! Assimilate!]
{Constellation: Sextans}
{Sextans: Minor Authority}
Unwavering Sight|
Kallel cast a series of spells that negated the illusion Umbra placed on the scene.
"How troublesome," Z sighed before ordering Umbra to make it rain with feathers.
The fight raged on, forcing everyone to call upon their Celestials as the heated battle continued. The opponents outnumbered Z and his group, but it was countered by Lea's ability, so the battle seemed even.
"Proceed to our plan!" Roderick said before gathering an immense amount of Arcane toward him. The Fornax Constellation behind him glowed as he emitted terrifying heat.
"Tsk! Students, survive for as long as possible. I will come to defeat him as fast as I can," Noel said with a concerned face. 'There are Black Class Students here, but the enemies can use Authorities and vastly outnumbers them, damn! Lea is here. If she spent a lot they can surely last for a while,' he thought while looking at Lea with hopeful eyes.
Seeing the concern on Noel's face, Lea sighed before saying, "Sir Noel, I will hold them back, but the academy should repay me."
"Hahaha! Of course," Noel said full of relief.
Roderick grunted before glowing bright red. He seemed like he was burning up from the inside as the Constellation behind him glowed even brighter. Just then he shot an attack toward Lea which was immediately blocked by Noel.
"It seems like it's you and me again, old friend," Roderick said with a grin.
{Fornax: Complete Authority}
Grand Smithery|
"You rascal! You unlocked your Complete Authority!" Noel exclaimed with eyes full of disbelief as they were both swallowed by darkness, completely separating them from the battle.
"It seems like it is just us now," Lea said.
"Why? Are you afraid you cannot pull your own weight?" Z mocked.
"Tsk! Take me up and protect me," Lea said with an annoyed look.
After getting on Umbra, Lea assimilated her Constellation and pulled out a Violet Arcane Crystal from her pocket. She was looking at it with great disappointment as she dropped it into the air, unlocking a portal.
{Plutus: Minor Authority}
"The price had been paid! Come! Dexter!"