Extra's Ascent-Chapter 146: Second Stage Set

The duel between Aldrich and Aydin had come to a definitive close, with Aydin Astravon failing to claim even a single victory against Aldrich Aldaman.

For Aldrich, while it had been amusing to participate in a match where he maintained the upper hand throughout, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that it had been a waste of precious time and energy resources better spent refining his skills rather than spoon-feeding an opponent who couldn't keep up.

At least, that's what the duel's outcome seemed to suggest.

Yet deep down, Aldrich knew better.

Aydin Astravon was no novice. Just like Aldrich himself, Aydin is an S-rank student, an accolade that carries significance within Eldora Institute. S-rank status wasn't handed out lightly; it meant excellence, talent, and a fierce drive to surpass limits.

In his own right, Aydin was a genius.

And to be fair, their duel had only measured their raw physical abilities under the influence of mana, nothing more.

There had been no display of Art, no sophisticated techniques unleashed, an element critical to a mystic's true combat potential.

Thinking about it from that perspective, Aldrich decided not to let the victory swell his ego.

This confrontation had been nothing more than a preamble, a test of combat instinct and the ability to make snap decisions that could turn the tide of battle.

Nothing more, nothing less.

There was no reason to lose himself in the fleeting satisfaction of defeating a mystic who hadn't even wielded his full strength.

Having sorted his thoughts with measured calm, Aldrich shifted his focus to the next event awaiting them.

The first-year students had completed their written examinations, and it was now time to move on to the next segment.

After the announcement that the following evaluation would involve group activities with members assigned prior to the commencement of exams, Aldrich went to meet his designated teammates.

His group consisted of:

Dickins (B-Class),

Valeria (A-Class),

Opius (B-Class),

and himself, Aldrich Aldaman.

The four of them gathered in the spacious hall, joining the many other students who stood awaiting further instructions.

The next stage was revealed to be a team-building exercise, pitting two groups against each other in a competitive setting.

The rules were straightforward:

• One ball. Two teams. Two goalposts.

Each side was tasked with capturing the ball and scoring by throwing or kicking it into the opposing team's goal.

There were no restrictions on how the ball was handled. Hands, legs. Anything went as long as it crossed into the enemy's goal.

A successful score would award one point to the team. However, if the attacking team managed to have all four members inside the opponent's keeper's area when the ball entered the goal, an additional four points would be granted, totalling five points for that single play.

The excitement built as the groups were led to their designated locations for the exam.

Aldrich's team moved quickly, arriving at their assigned training ground.

Inside, their opposing team was already waiting.

Upon entering, Aldrich's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Familiar faces greeted him.

"Uhu? Al, what are you doing here?!" A familiar voice rang out.

"Checking on a friend, obviously," Aldrich replied smoothly, his tone dripping with teasing sarcasm.

Saldrich Aldaman his younger sister stood across from him, already piecing together the situation. She had seen him arrive with three others, clearly a full team. It didn't take much to realize that they were opponents.

Yet despite the obvious, she still had the gall to ask why he was there.

Aldrich decided such a ridiculous question deserved an equally ridiculous answer.

"Nice comeback, brother. I'll get you back for it, promise," Saldrich vowed, flashing a challenging grin.

"Of course, you will," Aldrich said, his mechanical laugh mocking yet playful. "But until then, I'll savour this moment of triumph."

"I only asked because I wasn't expecting our teams to be matched against each other," she explained, brushing aside his mockery with casual ease.

Fair enough.

Aldrich had also been caught off guard when he entered and recognized the opposing team.

If facing his sister wasn't enough, he spotted other familiar faces as well:

Fiona Helmsworth his beloved girlfriend whom he greeted with a soft smile and a subtle wave.

Selina Von Degure, cunning, sharp-tongued, and generally unlikeable, though undeniably competent.

And finally, Aydin Astravon, his roommate and recent sparring partner.

What a lineup.

Fate certainly had a sense of humour.

"Can you two siblings just shut the hell up for once?! You're stinking up the place!" Selina's voice cut through the air like a whip, accompanied by a dramatic wave of her hand as if fending off a foul odour.

"Oh, if it isn't Miss Cranky herself," Aldrich quipped, smirking. "One of my least favourite people to run into, ever."

"I could say the same about you," Selina snapped back immediately.

"Glad we're on the same page," Aldrich shot back without missing a beat, determined not to let her have the last word.

Before more barbs could be exchanged, a commanding voice interrupted, echoing throughout the room with no discernible source.

[The settings for this category have already been explained.]

The omnipresent voice paused, then continued.

[In this segment, anything goes including the use of Art and any mana-based techniques.]

The announcement commanded everyone's attention.

[The only rule: no killing. Aside from that, participants are permitted to use any method necessary to retrieve the ball and score.]

[The match will last for one hour.]

[During that time, each team must score a minimum of ten points. Failure to meet this requirement results in immediate disqualification, regardless of the match's standing.]

[In the case that both teams surpass the ten-point threshold but one still loses, a bonus stage will be initiated to determine final placement.]

As the voice fell silent, a spherical object roughly the size of a basketball materialized and dropped to the centre of the field positioned equidistant between the two opposing teams.

It landed with a faint thud, perfectly poised between Aldrich's team on the right and Saldrich's on the left.

[Now participants, choose your geographic settings and let the game begin!]

The final command echoed across the room, thick with rising anticipation.