The 5th and 1st classes, each divided into two groups, sat in a circular formation, with their respective professors at the center.
“Is there anyone who would like to participate?”
“I’d like to suggest Leo and Chelsea!”
As Karl raised his hand and spoke, the students nodded in agreement.
Leo not only held the position of grade representative but had also left a strong impression during the temporary class period, firmly establishing himself as a talented individual in the minds of his peers.
As for Chelsea, her credentials spoke for themselves; she hailed from a renowned family of heroes and had achieved the highest score on the 5th class entrance exam.
“Leo Plov, Chelsea Lewalin. Any objections?”
“None from me.”
“Me neither.”
“Very well. Karl Thomas, who made the recommendation, you will join as well.”
“What? Shouldn’t someone else participate instead of me…”
“You do not have the option to decline.”
“Yes!”
With reluctance, Karl agreed to participate.
“Who’s next?”
“I’ll go!”
“I want to be a part of it too!”
Iliana and Tade enthusiastically raised their hands.
“Iliana Raden, Tade Marcoa. Four more to complete the team.”
“I’ll participate.”
“Nella Kavin.”
As Nella spoke in a relaxed tone, the male students eagerly volunteered. The inclusion of Nella, one of the most beautiful girls in the class, served as motivation for them.
Thus, eight participants stepped forward.
“It appears that the 5th class has finalized its team members as well!”
Professor Sedgen extended his arms.
Wooong-!
Light emanated in the arena, and rectangular lines were drawn. Simultaneously, goals made from mana lines materialized at the corners of the square.
The players from both teams assembled in the center.
“The match will last for 20 minutes. While victory is important, sportsmanship is paramount. I will grant you a moment for a strategy meeting.”
Professor Sedgen, who provided them with this brief respite, moved to the referee’s seat.
“You’ve ventured forth?”
“We’ll defeat you soundly.”
Selia and Chloe fixed menacing smiles on Karl, who cowered behind Chelsea in fear.
After exchanging greetings, the players from both sides gathered at the center.
Upon Chelsea’s recommendation, Leo was selected as the captain.
“Setting aside the team leaders, what about the other students in the 1st class?”
“They all come from prestigious families.”
“They’re determined to win.”
“Wasn’t the 1st class the one with the highest average scores?”
Amidst the planning, Leo, clad in a blue vest, inquired.
“But doesn’t the Knight Academy have a clear advantage in physical prowess?”
“What are you talking about, Leo? Just because it’s the Knight Academy doesn’t guarantee a clear advantage. The performance of the Magic and Summoning departments is also crucial!”
Tade responded.
“Why?”
“Why, you ask? Well…”
Tade hesitated, as if remembering something.
“Leo, have you ever played Bastelaro?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“You’re from the Delard Kingdom, right?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, I see. Delard is a remote kingdom, so you might not be familiar with it.”
Tade covered his face.
“In Bastelaro, the team that scores the most goals within a limited time wins. However.”
“However?”
“The time for the strategy meeting is over. Each team’s captain, step forward! We’ll decide who goes first.”
Leo emerged as the representative.
Class 1’s representative was Duran.
Sedgen, holding a coin, asked Leo,
“Which do you choose, heads or tails?”
“Heads.”
Glancing at Duran, Sedgen nodded nonchalantly.
Ding-!
The coin spun and landed on the back of Sedgen’s hand.
“Tails. Class 1 will go first.”
Duran, receiving a transparent ball, flashed a fierce grin.
“I’ll definitely crush you this time.”
Leo shrugged off Duran’s taunt.
Watching this, Duran returned to his side and handed the ball to Selia.
“Finish the explanation.”
At Leo’s request, Tade spoke with a tense expression.
“No time for explanations! Experience it firsthand! Here it comes!”
“Huh?”
Whoosh-!
The transparent ball turned red and burst into flames.
“Here it goes!”
Selia hurled the ball with all her strength.
Flash-!
The ball followed a straight path, hurtling at incredible speed toward Leo.
Leo hastily dodged it.
Thump-!
“Ouch?”
The male student behind Leo took a hit to the side and was sent flying, screaming.
Thud! Roll-roll-roll!
Selia pushed her disheveled hair back and exchanged high fives with her teammates.
Seeing his friend writhing on the ground, Leo asked with a serious expression.
“…Is it not dangerous?”
“We’re protected by the protective gear… but it hurts a lot.”
Karl replied with a strained voice.
Tade swallowed hard.
“This is Bastelaro! If you hit the opponent with the ball, you gain the offensive advantage! If you get hit and can’t move, you’re out! It’s a perilous sport where a strong thrower could even risk someone’s life!”
Only now did Leo grasp why the students were so tense.
Scoring was one way to win, but defeating all opponents was also a victory.
***
“Outstanding! Formidable! Graceful! As expected from the Zerdingher lineage!”
Sedgen applauded enthusiastically.
“Hallind! Your class doesn’t stand a chance against ours!”
“The game is still in its early stages, isn’t it?”
“Hehe, true! But with Selia on our side, we have an absolute advantage! You must understand how specialized the Zerdingher family is in Bastelaro!”
“…”
In response to Sedgen’s words, a Class 1 student raised a hand and inquired,
“Why does the Zerdingher family have an advantage in Bastelaro?”
“Excellent question! The most effective attribute in Bastelaro is the high-destructive fire attribute! And among humans, the fire wielded by the Zerdingher family is considered the most potent!”
He pointed proudly at Hallind.
“Your senior, who has become a legend at Lumerun Academy! One of my first disciples and a friend of ours! Even the Bastelaro Empress hailed from the Zerdingher lineage!”
Senna, who had been listening, chuckled.
“We also have a student skilled in controlling the aura of fire.”
Hallind looked at Leo, who was holding the ball.
Fire emanated from the ball Leo held.
***
“So, it contains mana without an attribute?”
Leo assessed the ball’s nature and lightly rolled it on his palm, surrounded by the aura of fire.
Class 1 students watched Leo with anxious expressions.
“Karl.”
“Hmm?”
“Is it permissible to attack or restrain using abilities?”
“No, you can only mark to block someone, and the attack must be made exclusively with the ball.”
“So, the ball is the sole means of offense. Whoever possesses the ball has a clear advantage.”
“Is that clear?”
As Leo gathered information, Nella was the first to approach a downed male classmate and projected her aura.
A white light burst forth, visibly easing the male student’s expression.
“Oh? A healing attribute aura? That’s a rare attribute.”
There were various attributes to the aura.
Typically, they enhanced attacks, but as in Nella’s case, some could heal wounds.
“Leo, if you hold the ball too long, it’s considered a foul, and the offensive possession will be lost.”
“Understood. One more thing, can you kick the ball instead of using your hands?”
“It’s allowed, but won’t that reduce your accuracy?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Leo tossed the ball into the air and delivered a powerful kick.
Bang-!
The aura at the tip of Leo’s foot exploded, adding to the ball’s momentum.
The ball rocketed towards Team 1’s goal even faster than when Selia threw it, driven by Leo’s instantaneous firepower and tremendous physical abilities.
“Defend it!”
Selia urgently shouted.
Zzzzap-!
Magical energy surged from Chloe’s body, forming a thick ice wall in front of the goal.
Crash-! Snap-!
The ball penetrated deeply into the sturdy ice barrier.
“As long as I’m here, scoring a goal is impossi—”
“Possible?”
Leo, who had stormed into Team 1’s territory, flashed a grin at Chloe and sprinted toward the goal.
The students of Team 1 were in disarray.
“What’s happening…!”
Meanwhile, Leo leaped toward the ice wall.
“Ah!”
Crack-!
He executed a mid-air kick at the ball embedded in the ice wall.
Zzzzap-! Smash-!
The ice barrier shattered, and the ball found its way into Team 1’s goal.
Whistle-!
“Team 5… scores the first point,” Professor Sedgen announced, his voice tense.
“He’s truly the grade representative!”
“His reflexes are incredible!”
Cheers erupted from Team 5.
“So, they’re not to be underestimated.”
“Oh, I let my guard down.”
“This guy!”
Selia, Chloe, and Duran glared at Leo with disgruntled expressions.
“Well done! The first point is crucial!”
Karl gave a thumbs-up in approval.
“Excellent! Let’s maintain our defense against Team 1’s offense and take control of the game!”
Iliana, the enthusiastic spirit of the team, raised her hand and cheered.
“Ooh!”
Team 5’s morale soared.
“It might have seemed like a reckless attack, but he employed quick thinking to score!”
Senna exclaimed in admiration, while Hallind nodded thoughtfully.
“No, that’s strategic thinking.”
“Huh?”
‘According to Ain, Leo took on a leadership role even on the day of the entrance ceremony. He must have analyzed Chloe Muller’s strengths in advance.’
Chloe excelled in ice magic and was the fastest spellcaster in her class, making her the ideal player for defending Team 1’s goal.
Leo had anticipated this and exploited the vulnerability.
‘He’s a strategist beyond his years.’
Hallind stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming.
Meanwhile, Team 1 launched a counterattack.
Duran, holding the ball, charged into Team 5’s territory.
Fzzzzt-!
Golden aura sparks crackled around him.
Swoosh-!
As he sprinted, Chelsea quickly caught up.
Both possessed lightning and wind attributes, known for their speed.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
“Tsk!”
Annoyed by Chelsea’s persistent pursuit, Duran passed the ball to Selia, who was trailing behind him.
“Ah!”
Chelsea was taken aback.
‘He may not be skilled, but his passing accuracy is on point.’
Selia, receiving Duran’s pass, made a beeline for Team 5’s goal.
Even though students attempted to block her path, Selia effortlessly evaded them.
Leo stepped in front of Selia.
“Hello.”
“I knew you’d come.”
Selia smiled.
“But what can you do? Luck isn’t on your side.”
Fzzzzt-!
“His speed is actually quite impressive, you know?”
“That’s quite a statement coming from you, Selia Zerdingher, all about brute force.”
Suddenly, Duran leaped over Selia’s head, pushing Chelsea aside.
No matter how swift Chelsea was, she had no chance in a jumping contest against Duran.
Selia and Duran exchanged glares, revealing their strained relationship.
However, they were determined not to let personal feelings jeopardize their quest for victory.
Swoosh-!
Selia passed the ball to Duran.
Leo made no effort to intercept it.
‘What’s this? Has he given up?’
Selia looked puzzled at Leo, noticing his lack of resistance to the pass.
Then, after a closer look at Leo’s expression, she sensed something was amiss.
“Duran, wait…”
But by the time Selia’s words reached him, Duran had already released the ball.
Fzzzzt!
“This evens the score!”
Cliche Novel 