The sun barely broke through the thick clouds hanging over the tournament grounds.
The giant Arena 7 had been transformed into a massive forest battlefield.
Seven towering gates stood around the edges, each belonging to a different school.
Behind one gate — Horizon Academy's team — Ryker, Sol, Izumi, Shin, and Tatsuya stood ready.
The rules were simple:
Six teams.
One giant forest.
Four scrolls would appear at the center of the battlefield.
Grab a scroll and survive.
Fight other teams if needed — anything goes.
The loudspeakers crackled to life.
"All teams, prepare! Gates opening in 60 seconds!"
The air turned electric with tension.
Ryker leaned casually against the gate, hands in his pockets, and looked over his shoulder.
"Oyy, genius," Ryker called lazily to Shin, smirking. "Tell us the plan."
Shin, calm as ever, pushed up his glasses and spoke:
"Simple.
First, we don't rush.
The fools will clash at the center first.
We'll wait — pick off the weakened teams after their first fights.
Secure a scroll cleanly, with minimal damage."
Izumi chuckled, flashing a grin.
"Ambush style. I love it."
Sol grinned too, cracking his knuckles.
"Tch. Sounds too easy."
Tatsuya gave a short nod, sharpening the edge of his blade.
The final countdown began:
5...4...3...2...1...
BOOM!!
The giant metal gates rumbled open.
A fierce wind rushed into the forest.
The smell of dirt, leaves, and adrenaline filled the air.
Without hesitation, Ryker and his team dashed into the dense trees.
Meanwhile — Other Teams
Across the battlefield, other schools made their moves:
Midoriyama High School (Horizon Academy's biggest rival) sprinted aggressively toward the center.
Tenshima Academy spread out cautiously, watching from the shadows.
Tokai Academy and Aldren Academy clashed immediately near the river that split the forest.
Minato Kai Academy moved strategically, avoiding early fights.
Each school had its own strategy.
Each school had killers ready to rise.
But Ryker—
he wasn't here to survive.
He was here to dominate.
The Center
In the heart of the forest, four glowing pedestals rose from the ground.
Each pedestal held a single Scroll of Advancement — the ticket to the next round.
Teams collided at the center.
Swords clashed.
Abilities flashed.
Blood sprayed.
The real battle had begun.
And in the shadows of the trees—
Ryker watched with cold, calculating eyes.
He smiled slightly.
"...Let the slaughter begin," he whispered.
The forest center was a battlefield of chaos.
Screams, the clash of steel, and the roar of unleashed powers echoed through the trees.
Ryker crouched on a high branch, hidden by thick leaves.
His team waited below — completely silent.
Through narrowed eyes, Ryker watched Minato Kai Academy grab one of the four scrolls.
Their leader, a cocky brute named Riku, held the glowing scroll high.
"We got it!! Move to extraction!" he shouted to his team.
They turned, sprinting toward their escape route — but they didn't realize.
They were running straight into Ryker's trap.
Shin's Calm Voice
Below, Shin whispered into the small communicator:
"Target acquired.
They're tired. Formation Three."
Ryker grinned.
"Let's play."
Without hesitation, Horizon Academy's team moved.
Fast. Silent. Deadly.
The Ambush
As Riku's team rushed through a narrow path between trees—
BOOM!
A sudden burst of smoke exploded around them, blinding them.
Before they could react, Izumi and Sol slammed in from opposite sides.
Izumi's chain whip wrapped around one of the enemy's legs, yanking him off his feet.
Sol's fist crashed into another's gut, sending him flying into a tree.
Tatsuya's blade flashed, cleanly disarming their mage.
Panic spread through Minato Kai Academy's team like wildfire.
And then—
Ryker dropped from the trees like a shadow.
He landed in front of Riku, his eyes cold and bored.
Riku stumbled back, gripping the scroll tighter.
"You—! Horizon Academy! Cowards!"
Ryker tilted his head slightly, smirking.
"You're just mad because you're weak."
Without giving him a chance, Ryker dashed forward.
One punch to Riku's chest — cracking his armor.
One spin-kick to the head — dropping him instantly.
The scroll fell from Riku's limp hands, landing softly in the dirt.
Ryker picked it up, casually tossing it once in his hand.
"One down," he said.
Aftermath
The rest of Riku's team tried to retreat — but Horizon Academy didn't let them.
One by one, they were knocked out and stripped of their supplies.
Izumi laughed as he checked their bags.
"Man, this is too easy."
Sol cracked his neck, still itching for a real fight.
Tatsuya cleaned his blade silently.
And Shin just gave a small, satisfied nod.
Ryker tucked the scroll into his coat and turned toward the deeper parts of the forest.
"There are three scrolls left," he said, his voice low and eager.
"And a lot more prey."
The team smiled.
The hunt had just begun.
After Match Dressing room
The Horizon Academy team stumbled back into the dressing room, sweat dripping, clothes dirty, some with small scratches — but grinning.
They had won the first round.
The room buzzed with tired energy.
Sol Yoshida dropped onto the bench with a loud thud, tossing his gloves aside.
Sol: (grinning, breathing hard)
"That was... too easy."
Ryker walked in calmly behind him, barely looking tired.
He grabbed a water bottle, twisted it open, and took a slow sip.
Tatsuya and Izumi slumped down, groaning dramatically.
Tatsuya:
"My legs... I think they're broken..."
Izumi: (laughing)
"Then how are you still talking?"
Meanwhile, at the side of the room, Aisa, Celica, Yumi, Akira, Amelia, and a few others who weren't directly fighting stood, watching proudly.
Aisa: (hands on hips, teasing)
"You boys take longer fixing your hair than winning a match."
Celica: (smirking)
"Still, you looked good out there."
Yumi: (eyes sparkling, looking at Sol)
"Especially you, Sol-kun!"
Sol scratched the back of his head, trying to hide a shy smile.
Akira: (joking)
"I think the audience cheered louder for Midoriyama, though. Poor Horizon Academy."
The whole room chuckled.
On the TV screen in the corner, highlights of the fight replayed —
but the big screen outside mostly showed Midoriyama High School dominating their match.
Everyone had bet on Midoriyama.
But Horizon Academy was moving quietly, step-by-step.
Ryker finished his water and leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
The room grew quieter.
His sharp eyes swept across the team.
Then, in his usual calm voice:
Ryker:
"Oyy, genius..." (he glanced at Sol)
"Tell us the plan for the next round."
Sol smirked, standing up and stretching.
Sol:
"Heh. Simple."
He walked over to the whiteboard hanging on the wall and grabbed a marker.
Sol:
"We crush Tenshima Academy next."
Everyone laughed — but their hearts burned with determination.
Outside, the buzzer rang.
Second round coming.
It was time to move again.
The team stood up, sharper than before, heading toward the tunnel with fire in their steps — Horizon Academy wasn't done yet.
Second Test – Combat Scroll Battle
After surviving the brutal forest test, only the strongest schools remained.
Now, the rules changed:
Direct combat.
One school vs. another.
Winner takes the scroll.
Matchups:
Horizon Academy vs Tenshima Academy
Midoriyama High School vs Tokai Academy
Each side fought in an open arena.
Each academy had a scroll placed behind them.
To win:
Defeat the enemy OR steal their scroll.
The entire stadium was packed.
Banners of the schools waved in the air.
Vendors sold food, while massive speakers blared music.
Betting booths were crowded — and almost everyone bet on Midoriyama High School.