Arena A buzzed with excitement as waves of cheers echoed through the stands. The long-awaited moment had arrived—Wisdom Academy's secondary team was finally making their debut. For four matches, the crowd's anticipation had grown, and now, the team from Wisdom Academy stood ready to battle. Despite being the secondary team, they hailed from a prestigious institution, and their reputation promised strength not far removed from their primary team.
But their opponents were formidable—none other than the secondary team from the White Lily Empire. The Empire's impeccable record in the elimination rounds left the outcome uncertain. Could Wisdom Academy overcome this undefeated powerhouse?
As both teams entered the arena, tension filled the air. They took their positions at opposite ends of the field, forming tight, disciplined circles.
"Now, I'll explain our strategy," Harvey said firmly, addressing his team. "Gwen, this victory lies in your hands."
Gwen let out a quiet sigh, doubt creeping into her mind. Could she pull off the critical task Harvey had entrusted to her?
Earlier, Harvey had Gwen secretly test her illusion magic against him. Following his instructions, she conjured an illusory whale that only Harvey could perceive. The massive creature seemed so vivid and real, even emitting eerie, haunting songs as it hovered overhead. Astonishingly, the illusion emitted no detectable magical fluctuations, meaning it could easily deceive hunters of the 7th level and below.
"Do you all understand the plan?" Harvey asked after explaining the intricate strategy.
The team responded with wide-eyed admiration, gazing at Harvey as if he were a genius.
"Yes!" they chorused with confidence.
With the referee's signal, the supervising teachers exited the arena, and the match was about to begin. Each team moved to their positions, adopting unique formations. Strangely, Clayton—a knight whose natural position was at the front—stood at the very back. A single step backward, and he could easily jump out of the arena.
The giant monitor overhead introduced each participant. Clayton's designation as a knight raised eyebrows, as it seemed unusual for a knight to protect the rear. However, with a second knight positioned in the front alongside an assassin, the audience assumed it was a calculated choice.
Wisdom Academy's formation took a peculiar shape: two in the front (Kai and Zak), one behind them (Cain), three in the middle (Gwen flanked by Heidi and Raylee), and Clayton in the rear. Viewed from above, it resembled a 2-1-3-1 arrangement.
Meanwhile, the White Lily team adopted a more conventional 2-3-2 formation. A knight and assassin anchored the front, with a mage and priest in the rear. The middle consisted of two warriors and a shapeshifter.
"Get ready... Battle start!"
The referee's announcement triggered a flurry of activity. All participants activated their abilities simultaneously, the arena transforming into a chaotic battleground. Gwen wasted no time, weaving her illusion magic to fill the arena. No one—not even the referee—noticed her subtle manipulations.
Moving her hands as if casting a summoning spell, Gwen's actions suggested she was a summoner. The illusion misled the opposing team, who only knew her as a level 2 mage from the brief introduction on the monitor. Summoners, though often underestimated in team battles, could summon beasts one or two levels above their own. But with Gwen at level 2, her summons would typically be limited to level 4 beasts—manageable threats, or so the White Lily team assumed.
To their shock, dozens of magical circles appeared across the battlefield. From these circles emerged a diverse array of beasts, their roars echoing ominously. But what truly unsettled the White Lily team was the level of the beasts—level 6!
"How is she summoning this many tier-6 beasts?" one member asked, panic seeping into his voice. "Is she really just a level-2 mage?"
"Stay calm!" the captain barked, rallying his team. "Regroup and form a defensive array. She can't sustain this many summons for long. Once her mana is drained, they'll disappear."
Quickly, the White Lily team assembled into a straight-line formation to bolster their shield array. Just as Harvey predicted, they were playing right into his hands.
Gwen's hands trembled slightly as she maintained the illusion. Harvey's instructions replayed in her mind:
'Gwyneth, use your illusion magic to break their formation and mask your teammates' actions.'
Her illusions had always been about misdirection and fear. Using them offensively, especially in such a demanding scenario, was uncharted territory. Yet, there was no turning back now. Fueled by determination, Gwen burned through her mana reserves, amplifying her magic.
The illusory beasts charged at the White Lily team, crashing against their shields with terrifying force. Hidden among them was Zak, his stealth skill masking his presence. Following closely behind a wolf-like beast, Zak closed in unnoticed.
At the perfect moment, Zak struck. His dagger, enhanced by Raylee's strength-boosting magic, pierced the shield with ease, shattering it. The White Lily team stood defenseless, stunned by the sudden breach.
"What? How?" their captain stammered, locking eyes with Zak, who smirked slyly.
"Disperse!" the captain ordered, but it was too late. None of them could move.
Unseen to the audience, Heidi had unleashed her ultimate skill, Ice Sculpture, freezing the White Lily team in place. Though the ice was invisible thanks to Gwen's illusions, the immobilizing effect was real. The chill seeped into their bones, leaving them helpless.
Zak seized the golden opportunity, systematically kicking opponents out of the arena one by one. Within moments, the match was over. Wisdom Academy's secondary team was declared victorious.
The crowd erupted into wild cheers, louder and more enthusiastic than when Wisdom's primary team had entered earlier. The unexpected triumph left the audience in awe.
How could a seemingly weaker team overpower such a formidable opponent? What the crowd failed to see was the seamless teamwork behind the victory. Raylee's strength-enhancing magic had elevated Zak's attacks to the equivalent of a level 6 assassin. Similarly, Heidi's freezing magic—boosted to peak level 5—had incapacitated the opposing team. All of this was veiled by Gwen's masterful illusions, ensuring no one noticed the subtle contributions of each member.
"We did it!" Kai shouted, his voice brimming with excitement. He turned to Gwen, grinning. "Junior classmate, your magic is incredible!"
The others chimed in with similar praise, their spirits soaring. Yet, Gwen's gaze drifted toward Clayton, who had remained at the back throughout the battle. Something about him unsettled her.