Atlas Reign

Chapter 9.5 A Friendly Dual

The whole student was shocked by that and some of them began to complain. Professor Gazzer ignores their cries and told them to be quiet.

“Go on ahead and ask them.” He instructed us.

We look at the crowd of students and began picking them.

“You there on the far end...” I point my finger at a student on the far end of the crowd.

“Hello, miss can you...” Invo asks a girl student.

We ask them questions about what they get when they saw our fight. Some students' answers are using mana efficiently when dealing with a strong opponent. Other students said that defense is also important as they will decide either if that person wins or lose. Some students explain that there is a need to hide a few tricks from the opponent so that they can get the upper hand in the battle.

“Hey, I think using mana efficiency is more important than defense and hiding a few tricks. Look at how well they used their mana in the battle.” a male student named Cameron shout.

“No! Defense is more important, even if you can use mana effectively or hiding a few tricks during a battle it doesn't mean it will protect you. Look how those two block and dodge each other attack.” A girl student yelled back.

“You two are stupid. Having a proper defense and using mana efficiently will not win the battle if you don't have a few tricks under your sleeve. Look at how Adonis suddenly appear behind Invo during the last move and win it.” A guy name Luke shouts back against those two.

The students began to debate with each other on which is important. I can already feel the atmosphere getting heated by the seconds. I look towards Eltia and Valeri and it seems they already figure it out, and decide to not participate in the debate.

On the other side of the field, Professor Gazzer has no intent to clear the atmosphere instead, he is just smiling when I look at him. It seems that he wants us to clear the situation. I look at Invo and tell him what I think for the best option to clear the atmosphere. He then starts to strategize and told me his plan to which I agreed.

“Alright, students calm down. All of your answers are correct actually, but you forget something very important before the fight started.” I told them.

The whole student looks at me confusedly.

“Something important?”

“Huh?”

“What is it, please tell us.” a student asks me.

“There are students that already figure it out, and I wish for that student to come forward and tell us her answer.” I told them.

I look at Valeri as a sign to stand up and to encourage her to tell the real answer. She noticed it and stood up slowly.

“I-Its t-that y-you kn-knew e-each ot-other very w-well.” he told them with a stutter in her voice

The whole students look confused at what she just said.

“Huh? I don't understand, why's that so important?” Luke asks her.

I can see she is hiding her nervousness.

“Hey, don't be nervous. Right now you're the smartest person in this field. Take this moment and shine.” Eltia reassured her that she can do it.

She takes a few moments and explains the answer.

“What I meant to say is information about the opponent's strengths and weakness.

“How I know this is the answer. That is because this morning when Professor Gazzer and Eltia spoke to each other. They said the words 'friend' which means that they are closed. I have spoken with them near the entrance and based on how they react to each other confirms my speculation.

“Years of friendship has made them knows each other strengths and weakness and using this information made it easier for them to strategize a plan on how to approach the fight.” She explains.

I look at her with a satisfying expression. She notices it and returns it with a smile on her face before she sits down on her chair.

“She finally said it... Hehe.” Professor Gazzer giggles.

Professor Gazzer seems happy that she managed to notice it.

“Thank you, for the explanation Ms. Anko.” I praise her.

Thanks to her explanation. It is now time to move to the second phase of the plan.

“Information gathering is crucial to the success of a mission. When you're fighting against a monster, you need to know what type of monster. Where to fight, when to fight, and the proper tools to fight them.” I told them.

I look at Invo to notify him that it is his turn to explain. He simply nods and takes over the explanation. Invo told the students about how we manage to trap and kill 100 Type 2 monsters this morning by using the information I gave him, which lets him formulate a plan of attack. He then looks at me to take over for him.

“Without the information that I provided, the monster may try to attack us or innocent civilians which will make our task even tougher, and we might get overwhelmed by them if we screwed up.” I continue to explain.

We explain to them the importance of information gathering before entering a battle or a war, and the risk of attacking an enemy without it, by using this morning mission as an example.

After that, I use our fight as an example and tell them how I use the information to win the match against Invo.

“During near the end of the battle, I know Invo will use the firebird as his last move by just looking at his stance. I change my armory for that specific reason and after I cast the dragon I change the elements to wind and dark.” I told them

The students listen closely to the explanation.

“I use a dark elemental spell and shoot the ground to cloud myself with invincibility and waited for him there before appears behind him. I can't move because if I move the spell will be nullified.

“I shoot my boots with wind elemental to cover the sound of being made by the boots when I appear behind him. The boots also function as a piece of false information for him. He already knows how the boots work and I deliberately show it just to have him think that I might use it to lunge at him from the ceiling or wall if he comes near any of those.” I explain to them.

“Adonis, how does someone counter a person who already has enough information about the opponent?”Professor Gazzer finally opens his mouth and asks me about how to counter against an enemy that knows a person's strength and weakness.

“Well...” I smiled at that question and Invo uses that opportunity to strike my body armor from behind.

“Wait, why did he-?” A student was surprised and asks why he does it.

The whole class was surprised to see his action. I take that opportunity to explain.

“Let me tell you about going into a battle. Even if you win, you'll never know what kind of enemy lurking behind your back. They will always wait for their opponents to drop their guard.

“Invo saw that I was too fixated on explaining that I let my guard down, and it cost my body armor to light up red, even defeated opponents can still provide danger to you just like Invo did to me.” I explain why he did that.

“And that is one of the methods to deal with an enemy who knows your strength and weaknesses.” I look at Professor Gazzer when I told him that method.

It is important for someone to be secretive and do not show themselves. To appear weak when strong and strong when weak.

“Now I get it.” A student shouts.

“Yeah, me too.” another one agreed.

The students finally understand the purpose of this fight and the importance of information gathering and being secretive before going into a battle.

“Interesting method, but the Adonis I know wouldn't fall for that.” Professor Gazzer smile as he said that.

“Nevertheless, the students seem to understand. Thank you for the explanation.” he thanks us.

Both of us nod at the same time.

“Alright students, demonstration over. I want all of you to get yourself protective gear from the armory. You will fight against each other on this field. I already get permission from the other professors to cancel their subject for this duel.” Professor Gazzer surprise the students by telling them to get ready for a 1v1 duel against each other.

The students seem anxious but reluctantly agreed. They move towards the armory and get the protective gear.

“Do you two need medical assistance?”

“Now, you're asking if we need medical assistance?” Invo snapped at him

“Hoho... My apologies.” he teases him.

“Just gave Eltia's phone back, and then we're settled.” Invo tells him.

“Alright, a deal is a deal.” He told us with a smile.

He walks towards Eltia who is helping Valeri to wear her body armor and gave Eltia's phone back.

The students prepare themselves by wearing protective gear. Invo and I remove ours and give it to the students. We also help them to wear it. Other than that, we gave them some advice and pep talk before their match.

Invo volunteer, himself to become a referee for the student's duel. On the other hand, I stand on the sideline to observe the students. Let's just say I am gathering information for the commander.

Before I start gathering, I shifted my attention to an individual who is standing near the entrance. He is wearing a white uniform with golden stripes and a dragon logo. I turn my way to Professor Gazzer, but he seems to be too busy to notice him, but I think he already did and wants me to check it out for him. I look at Invo, but he does not seem to even notice the man. As I look towards the man again, our eyes met for the first time and I walk towards him.

“Can I help you?” I ask the man.

“Yes, my name is Mr.Ron, and do you know where can I find Invo Carlsen and Professor Gazzer?” he asks me.

“Sorry, they are busy at the moment, can I ask why you want to meet both of them?”

“There are some unavoidable circumstances regarding a student here, and it required the two of them to follow me right now.” He answers with seriousness in his voice.

I look at the group of students who are currently watching the fight and I notice instantly who that person is.

“I think I know the student you're talking about. Is it serious?” I ask him with nervousness in my voice.

“Yes.” He told me with a low voice

I take a heavy sighed before exhaling it. I look at Mr. Ron's eyes.

“Hold on a minute, I will get them for you.” I told him.

“Thank you.” He replied.

I walk towards Invo and call Professor Gazzer to come to us. Professor Gazzer and Invo told another professor to watch over the fight.

“What is it, you want to tell us?” Invo asks me

Professor Gazzer remains silent.

“It's about a student here that the three of us known.” I whispered.

“Who?”

Invo seems not to notice that person is not in this field right now.

“Invo, look at the students and tell me do you see him, but do not panic. Just keep cool.” I told him with a low voice.

Professor Gazzer seems to understand where I am going with this. Invo looks at the group of students and tries to find him. A sudden cold expression is on his face.

“What the hell? Where is he? What's going on? Professor?” Invo voice began to be louder.

Professor Gazzer remains quiet and does not answer him. I hit his head to get him to calm down.

“Hey! calm down and be quiet. Don't start yelling.”

“That person standing near the entrance will tell you everything when you follow him.”

“You two just go and meet him, I'll be here if you need help.” I told them

The two of them walk towards the man. The three of them began to talk. I can see Invo trying very hard to hide his panic. After quite some time, they finished their conversation. Invo follows the man exiting the field and Professor Gazzer walks towards me.

“It's him right?” I ask him.

“Yes.” He replied with a low voice.

“He is currently in a coma at the Zuella Hospital. The doctors don't know when he will wake up.” He tells me.

“How did he get into a coma?” I ask him.

“He was at the collapsed building.”

“He also said that there are children's bodies in that collapsed building.” He continued.

Children's bodies? Collapse's Building? What's going on?

“Look, I need to follow them, can you help the other professors referring and supervising the students?” he asked me.

“Sure.” I replied.

“Thanks, I need to tell the other professors about the current situation.” he told me with a serious look on his face.

He then walks away and towards a professor and told him about the current situation before leaving the field.

Eltia and Valeri walk towards my side. I can see Eltia's worried expression.

“Adonis, What's going on? Where did Invo and Professor go?” She asks me.

I tell her the current situation and where Invo and Professor Gazzer are going. Her expression suddenly changes to fear, she quickly exited the field and chase after them. Valeri who is beside me seems worried and does not know what to do.

“It's your choice to follow her or stay here.” I told her.

She looks at me and then nods. She exited the field and chase after Eltia. The other student seems confused as to why they leave the field. I turn my back towards them.

“It's nothing to worry about, this type of thing usually happens with those two.” I lied to the students so that they can focus on the duel. They believe what I just say and continue with the fights.

I bring out my phone and message 'that' person to meet in the evening and at the selected location. After that, I turn my attention towards the field. Two students are beginning to battle each other. I ask them if they are ready. They gave me the thumbs up. I prepare myself and two words came from my mouth.

“Battle Begins.”