Instructor Lyra watched the newcomers with keen interest. "The new recruits this year are impressive," she remarked, her voice carrying a tone of admiration.
Master Kaelor nodded approvingly. "They have potential. With the right guidance, they'll become even stronger."
The instructors and guests murmured their agreement, appreciating the budding talents on display.
The scene shifted to Team B, where the yellow-haired boy appeared practically dead inside, trudging through the muck as if the life had been drained out of him. In front of them stood three lizard-like creatures, their moss-covered bodies covered in spiny, root-like ridges. Two of the beasts were smaller but equally menacing, their eyes glinting with hunger.
The pink-haired girl, Nia, grimaced in disgust. "Ugh, why do I have to deal with these revolting Chillisks!" she spat, looking over her shoulder with irritation. "Hey, newcomers, go deal with these filthy things."
The newcomers exchanged glances, their faces showing irritation at her command. The green-haired girl, Mina, stepped forward with an excited grin, her eyes starting to glow. With a low rumbling sound, a thick root burst from the swamp, skewering each of the beasts in a series of brutal strikes, impaling them with a sickening crunch.
Nia, the pink haired senior sneered, wiping a fleck of mud from her face. "Well, well, newcomer, looks like you've got some strength after all."
Mina gave a mocking bow, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Why, thank you, Senior Nia."
Nia's face twisted with irritation, but before she could retort, Jasper stepped forward, her voice firm. "Shouldn't we discuss some kind of strategy?"
Nia laughed dismissively. "A strategy? You weaklings need a strategy. I know Xan inside and out, and I doubt those two filthy boys he's with have anything special to offer."
Elara clenched her fists, sparks of electricity crackling in her palms. "Who are you calling filthy?"
Nia turned, her eyes narrowing as her voice dripped with disdain. "Oh, so the newcomer has some nerve to talk back. Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"
Elara's eyes burned with fury. "And who the hell are you that I can't talk back?"
Nia's face contorted with rage. "You bitch." Her hands began to emit a faint pink mist, a dangerous shimmer in her eyes.
Elara's fists clenched tighter, lightning sparking more violently around her fingers. "Come on then, you whore. Let's see what you've got!"
Mina, standing beside them, was practically bouncing with excitement, her eyes wide as she watched the clash brewing. Jasper, visibly frustrated, stepped between them. "Enough, both of you! We don't need to fight each other."
Elara glared at her, voice unyielding. "She called me a bitch and insulted them. Why should I stop? She should apologize first."
Nia scoffed, her smirk widening. "Apologize to you? I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking."
Elara's anger flared, her fists sparking dangerously. "You…you—"
From behind, the yellow-haired boy muttered in a deadpan voice, "Uh… I think there's a…"
All three of them turned on him, snapping in unison. "Shut up!"
He shrank back, his eyes growing duller. "But…I was just trying to say… there's a Gravewake coming…"
His warning was ignored as they continued to bicker. Mina looked around in delight, clearly entertained, as the arguments escalated. Unnoticed by the group, a Gravewake leapt toward them with a low, menacing growl.
Jasper, sensing movement, unsheathed her crystal katana with a sharp schiiink. In one swift motion, she sliced through the Gravewake, her blade flashing in the swamp's dim light. The beast let out a final, guttural screech as it split in two, its decayed, blood-stained halves falling on either side of her with a sickening splat. Blood sprayed from the creature, splattering Jasper, Elara, and Nia with dark crimson.
Nia recoiled, wiping blood from her face in disgust. "What the fuck!"
The yellow-haired boy tried to explain, his voice even weaker than before. "It's…an inf... adult… Grav... wake…" But no one paid him any attention as the girls continued to bicker, their clothes now streaked with swamp muck and blood.
Suddenly, a massive boulder came flying toward them from across the swamp. They all noticed it at the last second, dodging as it crashed into the swamp water with a thunderous thud, sending waves of mud and muck splashing onto their already-soiled clothing.
Nia's face contorted with rage as she wiped yet more mud from her face, nearly on the verge of tears. "Why is this happening to me? And who the fuck threw that goddamn boulder?"
They turned and saw Xan approaching with a smug look, his eyes glowing brown as he levitated more boulders, twigs, and broken branches struck in them, around him. With a calm wave of his hand, he sent another barrage of mud-soaked boulders flying toward them.
Thud—splash—crack!
Mud and debris splattered over everyone as they ducked and scrambled to avoid the onslaught. Nia, her face splashed with muck, shouted furiously, "Why, Xan? Why you of all people? You know I hate dirt!"
Xan looked down, his eyes losing their glow as he muttered, "I… I'm sorry…"
As the swamp settled again, a shadowy figure moved through the murky water toward the group, slipping unnoticed amidst the chaos. The yellow-haired boy suddenly straightened, his eyes wide with alarm as he spotted the shadow. Without hesitation, he threw his wooden stick directly at it.
At that moment, Ryen arrived on the scene with his fist raised, aiming a punch straight at the yellow-haired boy from behind.
Back in the observation room, Regin and Alastair stood with their hands covering their faces in disappointment as they watched Team B's antics escalate. Master Kaelor watched the girls squabbling with a smirk. "Women."
Instructor Lyra's eyes narrowed as a pulse appeared on her forehead, arms crossed and an irritated smile on her face as she silently fumed beside him.
The scene shifted back to Team A, where Ryen, Xan, and Varek were making their way through the swamp.
Ryen broke the silence. "Should we, I don't know…think of a strategy?"
Xan looked at him, caught off guard but nodding. "Uh…yes, I think so too."
Both of them turned toward Varek, who was trudging along, his expression sour. He noticed their stares and frowned. "Why are you guys looking at me?"
"We need a strategy," they said in unison.
Varek rubbed his temples, clearly annoyed. "Fine. Here's the strategy: let's grab a flag and then attack Team B."
Ryen hesitated. "But…that's not really a strategy…"
Varek shot him a glare. "Do you have a better idea?"
Ryen scratched his head. "Uh…no…"
They turned to Xan, who shrugged helplessly. "I…I think…no, I don't know either."
Ryen sighed. "Okay, fine. Let's just find our first flag."
They started walking aimlessly through the swamp, barely any more coordinated than their rivals.