The next day, Khalid appeared drained, his exhaustion a testament to a night spent training relentlessly. The guards arrived at dawn, leading the group to the tournament grounds. As they neared their destination, they saw the other group of kids across the field, already preparing for the day's events.
Frozenfang and Lord Moonshade stood waiting. Moonshade, with his long black hair and piercing yellow eyes, exuded an air of dominance that made the children uneasy. His refined attire only served to heighten his intimidating presence.
Frozenfang's expression was as cold as ever. "Today marks the start of *The Battleground*," he announced, his tone devoid of warmth. "This challenge will simulate the harsh realities of war. You'll need to display not only combat prowess but also strategic acumen and teamwork. Fail to meet my expectations, and you will find yourself in dire circumstances."
Moonshade's smile was one of twisted pleasure. "Ah, such a delightful challenge, Frozenfang. Your numbers are so... modest. 16 against 21. But I'm sure you'll find a way to make it interesting," he said, his voice dripping with mockery disguised as politeness. "After all, it's not the quantity that counts, but the quality of those who remain standing."
Frozenfang's gaze was cold and unyielding. "You think your larger numbers give you an edge, Moonshade? Be wary. If you fall short, it will reflect poorly on me—and my standards are unforgiving. Disappointment will be met with harsh consequences."
Moonshade's eyes gleamed as he addressed his team. "Enjoy the advantage while it lasts, children. Outnumbered or not, you'll need to prove your worth. I expect nothing less than perfection. Fail to deliver, and you'll find that my patience has limits."
The rules for *The Battleground* were then explained: a large-scale simulation filled with obstacles, traps, and shifting terrain designed to challenge their strategic thinking and ability to work under pressure. The goal was clear—capture the enemy's flag or eliminate the opposing team.
Moonshade's voice carried a note of dark amusement. "Capture the flag or eliminate the other side. The survivors will be victorious, and their Lord will demonstrate the superiority of their training. Let's see if your so-called warriors can withstand the test."
Frozenfang's gaze was stern as he addressed his team. "You are here to prove that even with fewer numbers, you can outwit and outfight your opponents. Show them your worth. Failure is not an option."
As the children prepared for the challenge, the atmosphere was charged with the weight of their Lords' expectations. With their lives at stake, they knew they would need to rely on every ounce of their training and resolve to survive.
The sun was high as the teams gathered in their respective camps. Tension crackled in the air as the children of both teams began to strategize. Frozenfang's team, though smaller in number, needed to be quick and cunning. Meanwhile, Moonshade's team was brimming with confidence, bolstered by their numerical advantage.
Khalid, visibly agitated, paced back and forth. "We should go after Lysander," he said through gritted teeth. "That bastard made our lives hell back at the frozen forest. I want him out of the picture."
Evelyn glanced at Khalid with concern. "I understand your anger, but we need to think this through. We can't afford to act recklessly. If we focus solely on revenge, we might end up losing more than we gain."
Darius, the purple-haired boy, who had been keeping to himself, finally spoke up. His voice was rough, a hint of frustration evident. "And why should we trust the plans of someone who's barely used their brain in the first place?" he shot back at Khalid, who had been staring at him from a distance.
Khalid's eyes narrowed. "I don't speak to people who can't think for themselves. I see no reason to waste time on you."
Before things could escalate further, Evelyn stepped in, her voice firm. "Enough. We need to focus on the strategy, not personal grudges. Darius, is it? What's your plan?"
Darius's expression hardened, but he nodded. "Alright. We should set up a strong defense. I'll take the rear with a few others. Our priority should be to hold our ground and protect our flag while others scout the area."
Evelyn considered this. "Agreed. We need to have a balanced approach. Some of us should stay behind to defend, while others scout for the enemy and look for opportunities to strike. We'll need to coordinate well to outmaneuver Moonshade's team."
Khalid, still fuming but now more focused, added, "I'll take a small team to hit their flank. We need to disrupt their formation and create openings. But if I see Lysander, he's going down first."
At this point, Kenshin, who had been silently observing, spoke up. "I can take on a defensive role. The other team will probably underestimate me because I'm blind. They might think I'm an easy target, but that can work to our advantage. I can be where they least expect me, and defend our flag effectively."
Darius raised an eyebrow, skeptical but acknowledging the point. "Alright. If you can hold them off, it might give us the opening we need."
Evelyn nodded. "We'll use that to our advantage. We need to make sure that everyone knows their role and is prepared for the challenge. Let's focus on the strategy and work as a team."
With their plan in place, the team prepared for the battleground, aware that every move would count in the fight for victory.