God's Avatar

Mock Battle Part 1

The day of the mock battle has come.

Netizens throughout the kingdom are anticipating this match. Since the news has spread where the Surrender@20 saved the two princesses, they grow conscious about the capability of such a guild. It was stated in the news spread throughout the kingdom that one particular member in the guild managed to defeat two demon generals.

No one believed it at first, but when Princess Catarina, the second princess of the Kingdom of Bethia testified, who is honest and kind, made the whole country believe.

The battle will be a live stream via communication magic. A type of magic that transmits and projects auditory and visual information. This magic is cast by multiple royal mages from the Kingdom of Bethia, allowing the citizens of the Kingdom of Bethia to witness the power of the savior of the princesses.

Not just the Kingdom of Bethia are able to watch this mock battle, there are other countries as well that can watch through communication magic.

Top guilds around the continents were watching closely this fight. If they are really the ones who saved the princess and are able to defeat demon generals. Then they will be a threat in the upcoming tournament.

So they decided to watch to study their future adversary. 

In this mock battle, they used the system called "Team Match" that will assure them that if they were decapitated in battle they will be whisked away instead of dying literally. 

-

In the East of Bethia lies a forest that will be served as a battlefield. According to the guidelines of this bout, the match will take place in an 8 by 8-kilometer forest and ensure that no one will get caught from the fight. A magic barrier is erected from the four corners of the forest. No magic will be able to penetrate it nor let someone escape from the battlefield. Once you’re on the stage, there is no turning back.

“Okay guys, you know the plan right?” Matthew said to his teammates who are preparing their armor and weapons.

“We know, don’t worry captain, we will certainly win this fight,” Manuel assured confidently.

Since they are given heads-up information about the battlefield, they were able to strategize. They were given a map, the topography of the forest, vegetation, ground elevation, and so on. Which are essential in planning a battle plan.

Everything seems to be ready, Matthew glanced at the back, behind him was a clear crystal that appeared to be 1.5 meters tall, and 1 meter thick. That is the crystal that they will defend, conversely, that is also the crystal that they should destroy from another team.

The starting point of the battle is on both ends of the forest. Meaning that they are eight kilometers away from each other. Albeit they don’t know the exact location.

“It seems we are ready here Captain,” Samantha informed Ethan, the rest nodded.

“Okay, for starters, we need to get Aeyana in the high-ground which is located in the center of the forest. Once we get there, we will have a tactical advantage. Of course, the opposing team knows this as well. It’s a matter of who goes first.” Ethan told them about the gist of their plan.

“Hmm, I see, then are we using ‘that’ plan?” Jericho asked in wonder.

“Yes…”

-

In the royal palace. A huge image was projected, the face of the king can be seen.

“Greetings my people, today is the anticipated match of the new Surrender at 20. Please enjoy watching the battle. Then, let’s start this battle!”

With the go-signal. Both teams reacted quickly.

Matthew soars into the sky with his flight magic. Seeing the forest below him becoming smaller and smaller. He stopped in a certain altitude and began casting magic:

“Come [Phoenix Flame]”

Three flame birds were summoned, each containing enormous magic. Then he released it in three directions.

The three blazing birds searched for their prey.

After flying for about five minutes, it finally saw its prey.

Of course, the other teams saw it and began preparing for defense.

The blazing bird descends rapidly at its prey with dangerous intent. Plummeting into the ground with insane speed.

Seconds later, the phoenix bird caused a huge explosion from a distance. Team B saw it through the horizon, giving them an idea of where the opposing team might be.

“I found Jericho, but he’s not with his team. He’s in the coordinate 33256, 47341. Locating the other team…”

Matthew reported his findings to his teammates and searched for the others—Somehow, he lost contact with the other two birds. No...it vanished instantly. He smirked at the sudden change, most likely it was intercepted by something.

Without data to analyze, he can’t give accurate information to his team. Though he found Jericho but the crystal was not on him, making it useless…

He thought of something, such as how the connection was cut off. It was shot?... Most likely, the only person who can intercept that shot was—.

He realized at this point, it was Aeyana.

“Reporting, my birds were intercepted, locating the other team is impossible. Returning to the base to protect the crystal…Proceed at the center, I will provide cover fire.”

Matthew descends with a sad look on his face. Locating the rest of Team A is crucial information to them. But the opposing side knew this as well. At this point, both teams don't have any idea of where they kept the crystals.

At the forest, Inigo, Ian, and Ann were traversing the forest nimbly, looking around them sporadically as they observed the surroundings.

Until Inigo hears something from the air. He raised his hands up, halting them.

“Did you see something?” Ian asked, pulling out his sniper and aimed it around them slowly.

Inigo didn’t reply, instead, he just closed his eyes, focusing only on his senses. Judging from the ripples from the air, and the swift sound of the wind. He immediately figured out what was coming to them.

“Six arrows heading towards us in five seconds.”

The arrows cut through, making the air howl gently. In an instant, Ann blocked the incoming arrows with her shield. Protecting her two teammates.

Their location has been made yet there is no disappointment in their faces but joy.

“Just as planned…” Ian declared and started firing randomly. The two retreated.

…

Meanwhile, on the opposite side. They can hear gunshots from a distance.

“What do you think Ian is doing, Aeyana?” Ethan asked Aeyana, her arrows nocked and aimed up to the sky.

“I don’t have a clue but I do know where exactly they are…” She continued, “They are in the northwest of the forest, coordinate 43132,61321. Judging from how they knocked out my arrows, I’d say that Ann is in there. But what are they doing? Why are they making the front-line rush at the vantage point?”

Her face filled with doubts, this was the first time that she was not certain about the movement of the enemy. In the game, she’ll most likely be able to pick up the plan but this time she didn’t. There is one thing to be sure of. And that is to fire another arrow again.

Thirteen arrows were shot consecutively in the sky, she fired again her [Tracking Arrows], a skill that can track enemies wherever they are. Up in the sky, the arrows suddenly changed direction as if they became a guided-missile.

However, it was not in the same coordinates. It was decreasing from the original coordinates.

“They are retreating, however, my arrows are following them.”

With her sense, she shared sights with her arrows. Just by focusing on her own arrows makes her connect with it. She can see three people, running in the forest.

But one of them stopped.

It was Ian.

He pulled out his dual-pistol and aimed it at the incoming arrows with accuracy and precision.

Firing consecutively, Ian easily intercepted all of it. Each interception causes a small explosion in the air.

Aeyana clicked her tongue after witnessing her arrows being intercepted by Ian. Her idol and beautiful face was no longer to be seen. Angelica noticed it and began to wonder.

“Hey Aeyana, what happened.”

“They are making us stupid.” She grinned. “They are rushing at the vantage point but retreating after being found out? Ridiculous. What the hell are they planning?”

Concerned at her apprehensive expression. Angelica glanced at the Captain, hoping that he can give some insights about Team B’s plan.

Ethan didn’t answer and continued running towards the vantage point. Seeing that expression, she knew instantly that the Captain had no idea about Team B’s plan…

“Don’t worry, as long as Jericho is in position, we will gain an upper hand,” Jon said, filling them in hope. At this moment, they were losing in wits against the opposing team. Then a voice that she heard that she is anticipating.

“Let’s proceed to plan B. Go to the vantage point.” He glanced back at Jon and Angelica who was following him.

“You two join Jericho, he will be at the enemy’s base at any moment. But before that, I want you to help me set up a defense to defend our crystal. We have to be wary of their Gunslinger. He can shoot from incredible distances.”

“Roger that!”

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the center of the forest. Such speed is impossible to achieve for an average human. There stood a hill that is perfect for the long-range class such as Gunslinger and Sniper. But since Team A was first to arrive. They claimed it and started bolstering their defense to their crystal.

Aeyana who was eyeing the entire battlefield saw the opposing team. Even though they are four kilometers away, she can see them as clear as glass.

Then she noticed something, searing winds tingling on her skin. It was coming from the northern winds. Which is the location of Team B.

A majestic ball of flame appeared on top of their location. She immediately knew that it was a work of Matthew.

It was a similar sensation...a sensation from their very first day in this world.

“A fireball?”

Then that fireball began approaching them at an insane speed. Leaving a trail of fire behind it, scorching and burning up the grass and the trees.

Aeyana sniggered…

“If you’re sending me some simple magic skills, then I’ll send you my simple skill as well.”

She grabbed an arrow from her quiver that was strapped in her thighs and nocked it in her bow. Enormous magic swirling from it and she aimed it directly at the ball of flame.

With intense concentration, a swirl of mana fluttered her pink dress, her graceful stance made the spectators conclude that she is a great archer.

With her thoughts calmed, she fired the arrow. [Charge Shot]

A skill that she used for the first time after transferring to this world.

The arrows she fired collided with the majestic ball of flames, and in the next moment, a hole appears in the ball of fire. From the hole, the swirling arrow wraps up the sun and devours it.

It only took an instant but the huge fireball dissipated without a trace.

“Oh my, you canceled it Aeyana, as expected as one of the battle gods—However.”

He outstretched his arms towards the coming arrow and in an instant. It stopped…

Aeyana was puzzled as to why it stopped completely, using her superhuman sight she saw what happened. She immediately figured out what caused it.

“I…”

“That’s right, I’m an Oracle Mage, a jack-of-trade magician that can manipulate every element including time and space.”

Just as she was about to say the same, Matthew did the explaining. However, it didn’t stop there. The frozen arrow turned opposite. It was not pointing to Matthew anymore but to its owner.

“Let’s see if you can intercept this...Aeyana.”

He snapped his finger with his verdict. The arrow bustled towards Aeyana. It was way faster than before.

There is no need to be surprised if an enemy can control time. Most likely Matthew increased the velocity of the arrow with his time magic.

Aeyana couldn’t react, it was faster...she can’t dodge in time, it was sure to hit.

At this rate, she will be badly injured—Suddenly.

A magic barrier appeared in front of her. The arrow smashed onto the top of the barrier, but it didn’t penetrate. But the great force of impact surely cracked the hill that they were standing on.

Matthew let out a sigh of admiration…

“How splendid, I forgot that you’re in Team A—Chanter class Samantha Estolas.”