The sound of trumpets echoed throughout the arena, and the noisy atmosphere stirred everyone's excitement. Every seat was filled, and cheers flooded every corner of the place.
The Trial of Harmony, one of the most important annual events.
It began as a tradition for the first-year students to get to know the second-year students, but over time it became an event everyone looked forward to.
However, this event existed to show the first-years that the world was vast and to make them realize that they had to keep striving forward.
Not many first-year students managed to conquer the Trial of Harmony. Those who succeeded would surely become the talk of the academy, and that was exactly what I was aiming for.
I had to gather recognition from every cohort. This victory would make the other cohorts acknowledge me, and it would allow me to enter the elite class.
"What's wrong with you?" Misty said as she handed Leon the item he had requested.
"Thank you," Leon replied.
How should I put it? My preparations were already solid, extremely solid, to the point that I remembered every movement required. However, all of my strategies were based on my observations from games.
"Hey, are you sure about this plan? It could be dangerous," Tohime said.
"No. This is the thing they least expect," I replied. Tohime looked worried and threw something toward me. It was a necklace shaped like a dagger. However, it was not a weapon, more like an accessory.
"What is this?" I asked.
"A lucky necklace from the Akira family. It might help you," Tohime said. A lucky necklace? Who would believe in something like that?
"I know someone who believed in that, and it didn't end well. You can keep it," I said, trying to return it to Tohime, but she forced it back into my hands.
"Just take it. I already have one," Tohime said before walking away.
I looked at the necklace for a moment and put it on. Luck? I didn't need luck. With a good strategy, I could decide my own luck.
As I walked away, I met Quri, Penlope, Misty, Tohime, and Elena. Everyone was nervous, especially Elena, who was leading.
"I'm sure everyone thinks I will be giving the commands, but no. Elena will lead. You must follow Elena's orders because she is the backbone of this plan," I said. Everyone looked uneasy, but they decided to trust Elena.
"Frankly, I don't agree with this plan," Quri gave his opinion. "However, I'm sure they won't expect this strategy either."
That's right. Our strategy was unlike the others. In the Trial of Harmony, everyone believed that each person would cooperate closely with their own group. That was exactly what we would make them believe.
Lyena, Princess of Stunning. I hope you put on an interesting performance.
On the other side,
Lyena and her members, Edward, Maurice, Helen, Jamina, and Lucas, stood in formation like soldiers, led by Lyena. They looked serious, as if this were a real battlefield.
"You all know who our opponent is. Yes, Leon Moriet, the one known as a troublemaker. However, do not let that make you careless. From various rumors, he has apparently planned this match thoroughly. Fight them with all your strength. Understood?"
"Understood!"
Lyena wore a blue mantle of sorts. When she put it on, a snow symbol appeared on her shoulder. It was said to be used only by Lyena when her chances of victory were almost perfect. It was clear that Lyena was extremely wary of Leon.
The Trial of Harmony arena was filled with cheers. However, most of the cheers were for Lyena's group. As for Leon's group, the cheers sounded like this.
"Die, Leon!"
"You don't deserve to enter the elite class! You belong in the cattle pen!"
The Trial of Harmony began with a speech from Mentor Arion.
"The Trial of Harmony will now begin. The arena will change randomly. How you adapt is up to you. The rules are simple. Each team has three bases. You must locate your own bases and ensure the enemy does not plant their flag there. Once a flag is planted, it will permanently belong to the enemy. The match ends when time runs out or when one team successfully plants flags in all three enemy bases."
Mentor Arion raised his hand into the air and fired magic upward, which then exploded. That was the signal that the Trial of Harmony had begun.
"May you not die."
The arena changed into a vast snowy field. The weather was so severe that visibility was heavily obstructed. Even though it was only a simulation, it felt real, like an actual battlefield.
As soon as it began, Lyena flew into the air and spread her magic sense to locate her bases. Magic sense was the area a mage required to use magic. The wider one's magic sense, the stronger their magical power.
Lyena's magic was considered quite strong, but she could only sense two bases.
"One is in the southwest, one is in the north. Lucas and Jamina, move and secure the bases," Lyena said, and the two immediately moved.
"They are the fastest in our group. So we proceed with your plan? This place is also suitable for your magic," Edward asked.
"An advantage doesn't guarantee victory. After securing all three bases, we will execute the net strategy," Lyena replied.
The strategy Lyena planned was to utilize magic sense. Three people were enough to expand their magic sense and act like a net that would detect Leon's team. By detecting Leon's team, they could launch an attack and immediately plant the flag.
"Edward, you will carry the flag. Make sure to plant it immediately when we restrain the enemy team. Maurice, go find the third base. Helen, join this plan. To form the net, we need to maintain a wide distance, so signal us if anything happens," Lyena ordered, and they began executing the strategy.
Lyena, Edward, and Helen formed a line with enough distance to cover the arena. They released their magic sense and moved forward, scanning the area.
As they advanced, they found no signs of Leon's team. However, Lyena, now growing doubtful, was suddenly attacked from afar by a whip.
"Hello!" Penlope emerged from beneath the snow and bound Lyena's legs.
Lyena quickly sent a signal by firing ice magic into the sky, which exploded. Edward rushed over, but Helen was nowhere to be seen.
"Edward, where is Helen?" Lyena asked, and Edward did not know either.
Elsewhere, Quri and Misty were fighting Helen and had her cornered. Quri, supported by Misty, prevented Helen from escaping.
"You're really troublesome!" Helen shouted and drew her daggers. Misty saw this and threw several poisons that applied debuff effects.
After being affected by the poison, Helen could not maintain her balance. However, she remained agile in avoiding Quri's attacks.
Helen had the ability to move swiftly like an assassin, possessing sharp senses and wielding two daggers. She deflected all of Quri's attacks despite being under the effects of the debuff.
"I have to signal Lyena and Edward," Helen raised her hand to fire magic into the air. However, she could not feel her Mana.
"What? Don't tell me one of your poisons disrupted my Mana flow?" Helen was shocked. The only person capable of creating a potion that interfered with Mana flow was Zalac, who lived in the Viper Forest filled with poisonous creatures. It was impossible for anyone else to create the same potion.
"Unless you are Master Zalac's student?" Helen said, covering her mouth to avoid inhaling the poison in the air.
"Master Zalac? I wouldn't call that old man my master even if I were cursed into a frog for life. But I am grateful for the Mana-blocking potion I stole from him," Misty said as she pulled out many more bottles filled with poison.
Misty also threw a potion to Quri. "Drink this. It contains a stamina enhancement potion and an antidote for the poison in the air."
Quri drank it and felt his body fill with energy.
"Now, let's begin this fight," he said as he raised his shield and sword to face Helen.