Chapter 44 Fighting An A-Rank Monster

Diana hurriedly spoke as we were closely examining the A-rank monster.

"We have company!"

Ares chuckled as he heard her and said,

"So, they're finally here, huh."

"What? Do you have plans to collaborate with other teams? Diana asked while furrowing her brow.

"Or do you think we can defeat that massive bastard alone?" Ares grinned at Diana and questioned her.

"B-But even so, didn't you know that the group who defeats that A-rank monster would be ranked #1?" Diana spoke anxiously.

Ares added, still grinning,

"Yeah, I know that very well, alright. No matter how much damage you deal to it, getting the kill depends on which group can land the final blow."

After realizing Ares's intention, Diana said while giggling

"Ahh, as expected of you Ares, I always believed in you, though, I already intended the same thing,"

"...."

When Eric and Penelope heard our conversation, they weren't sure what to do, and I just remained expressionless as I stared at Diana without saying a word.

After that, we headed in the opposite direction, toward the groups that were close by. We observed that the team was on guard as we approached the area Diana had indicated to us; they were prepared to attack us as soon as we came within range.

And as they caught a glimpse of my silhouette, they prepared their weapons. But when I got closer to them, they recognized me and uttered,

"Ares?" Ziona and Ayla spoke simultaneously, as it was Team 2, which was Lucas's team.

When I heard my name, I smiled at both of them, but Lucas gave me an unhappy look, followed by his other team member, who was on the lookout for me.

As I was about to speak, I heard my name coming from a different direction as well.

"Ares!" A blue-haired girl called my name and came over to me while smiling broadly. As she walked toward me, I immediately recognized that it was Livia.

The expressions on her other team members' faces were the same as Lucas's, and they didn't appear overly pleased.

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself when I saw the expressions on Claude and Kevin's faces. I don't know how they are still alive despite having stayed close to a ticking time bomb like Livia.

In the novel, Livia even killed all of her teammates which annoyed her and insisted that it was unintentional. However, In the story, Claude wasn't part of her team.

'It appears that my interference altered some of the events that were planned. Not that I care about it, though.' I thought to myself.

Hearing Diana's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Hello, everybody. I suggest we work together to defeat the A rank monster because, as you are all aware, It is still too much for a single group to defeat it. Of course, the group that deals with the final blow will be awarded the kill." Diana spoke out.

"So you want us to collaborate with you guys so you can score a knockout blow once we're all worn out?" Ayla said in a sarcastic tone.

"You are free to attempt to land a final blow if you so choose, and everyone is encouraged to give it their all. Yay! Let the most powerful team win!" Diana made a sweet comment while cheering aloud.

I struggled not to laugh aloud, but I couldn't help but smile when I saw Ayla and Diana. The male students all agreed with Diana by nodding their heads as they were bewitched by her beauty, but Ayla, who can spot a scheme, was giving Diana a skeptical look.

'These girls are scary.' I internally pondered.

The other first-year students who were still alive arrived as Diana and Ayla continued to stare at one another.

After a short period, the discussion came to an end with Diana's suggestion.

To give everyone a fair opportunity, we agreed to have at least one main attacker from each group. To assist them in fending off the monster's attack, each group's main attacker will be accompanied by a Guardian. They will be supported from behind by the Rangers and magicians.

Alternatively, if they are dissatisfied, they can create their formations.

The teams that already lost one or two members on the way here, however, will inevitably be at a disadvantage, but they didn't dare to raise the issue. As they at least have a chance of achieving a final hit, even if just by coincidence.

Furthermore, they are unsure of what these ominous students will do to them if they choose not to participate.

***

It follows that I will be the team's primary attacker, therefore I decided to let Eric guard Diana and Penelope rather than join me. He can't possibly defend me from strikes and keep up with my speed.

After giving it some thought, I focused on Lucas and Ziona since they appeared to be their team's primary attackers and their other team member was guarding Ayla.

Then my attention was drawn to Livia, Claude, and, Kevin as the three of them opted to be the main attackers, leaving their only teammate in the rear.

The other group of students also sent their primary dealers; some had one, while others had several.

However, I choose to ignore them because most of them will only serve as distractions and perish even before they have a chance to land a hit on a monster.

***

Ziona soon took the initiative and sprinted for the monster that was not very far from us.

When the monster saw Ziona, it attacked her with its tentacles, but Ziona was quick enough to avoid the blows.

She then turned to attack one of the tentacles that were getting closer to her, but her attack didn't even scratch the creature and only pushed her backward.

When they observed Ziona battling by herself, Lucas, Claude, Kevin, and other students moved in and engaged the tentacles that were approaching them.

I simply waited there for a brief period, observing for a chance to move beyond that bothersome tentacles and attack the creature's head. But soon I caught Livia staring at me with a smirk as if she understood what I was contemplating.

I grinned back at her and decided to make my move as well, When I saw how they were being pushed back, I didn't think they could even make an opening for me.

The creature was swinging its tentacles at full speed, so I surrounded myself with electricity and ran in its direction while dodging its tentacles.

Numerous guardians attempted to stop the monster's tentacles from reaching them, but they were all quickly killed by the power of the tentacles.

Diana and Penelope both began launching their arrows and fireballs respectively in the direction of the attacks that were closing in on me.

For a short while, the fighting went on, but most of the students had already died, and some were worn out.

I didn't use my full strength, because I wanted to kill him with a single, strong blow when I get the opportunity...

***

While everyone was engaged in a life-or-death struggle, they spotted a student lazily sitting on her throne and simply observing them, as if she were watching some sort of performance.

"...."

However, once they realized who the offending party was, they thought it would be best to just ignore her and allow her to get away with whatever she wanted to do.

It was Livia Frostine who fashioned an ice throne and reclined on it carelessly and casually. She was watching the students fight from a close-up seat as if she were in the front row of a movie theatre.

***

Soon, The tremendous Auras could be seen all across the battlefield, as they all eventually decided to go all out as not much time was left before the end of the training session.

They all assaulted the tentacles at the same moment and when the tentacles were all attacked at once, the majority of them were now cut into pieces by their powerful attacks but were rapidly regenerating.

However, they had ample time to move toward the monster's head.

So, they all charged toward the monster, with their weapons wrapped in auras.

And it was exactly the moment I was waiting for;

I surrounded myself in electricity, turned to face Eric, and exclaimed,

"Eric, Now!"

When Eric heard me, he nodded his head and prepared his shield. I rushed over to it and hopped on it.

Eric then pushed me as high as he could in the air with his full strength, and I was sent flying high into the air like I was hopping on a jump pad.

I pulled a bow and arrow out of my inventory and, using my hawkeye skill, I aimed at the creature as I was still in the air.

All of the students who were obstructing my view of the creature were either shot or burned to death by lightning-fast arrows and fire spells.

Of course, Diana and Penelope were responsible for their deaths.

The other students were horrified to see them suffer, but they didn't want to pass up the opportunity to kill the monster as well, so they chose to ignore them and assault the monster.

However, even before their strikes could reach the monster, The whole ground was frozen, along with half of the monster's remaining tentacles, and this also restrained all the students who were going to launch their attacks against it.

...

Finally making a move,... it was Livia Frostine.

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