33: A Methodical Disassembly

33: A Methodical Disassembly

The battle started, as many do, with the BANG of the starter pistol. The Class One students took the initiative, fanned outward, and took as many strategic positions around the training field as they could—high-ground, chokepoints, and fortified positions, anything that could give them an advantage.

Slade and the others, however, stayed still with calm smiles. Content to let Class One launch the first attack of the battle, they made some light conversation while keeping their opponents within view.

Once in position, the Class One team prepared to launch their assault. One to the left began pulling the ground up and around herself, forming a metallic cocoon jutting into the sky. Another, on the right side, plucked his hairs, then blew them into the wind to form a legion of clones. The captain, in the center, opened her palms out towards the sky while materializing a huge scroll in the sky.

Among the fighters, Nyssa also took note of Troy as he surrounded himself in a sea of fire. His fire took on a distinct shade of crimson—a tone much darker than Titus’s flames.

With their preparation complete, they launched a wave of attacks towards Slade and the others. Over the course of a few seconds, the battle devolved into a full blown mess as the hero team left their spots to engage the students. The projection hero engaged the student who had spawned clones of themselves while the other three worked together to fight off a group of four students. Slade, however, the combatant she cared about the most, took on the captain and the metal bender.

... Nyssa really didn’t know anyone’s name. A big problem, but not one she had the intention to change. ‘Projection hero,’ ‘clone person,’ ‘hair hero,’ and ‘metal bender’ were all viable names! Right?

It was a little disrespectful but the names just didn’t stick... Plus, Class One not getting introduced didn’t help. They just assumed everyone in the school would know these supposed ‘superstars’! She, in a situation similar to those slugs that sat on the same rock for thousands of years while not getting a hint of sunlight, was seeing these faces for the first time in her life.

Even more, it wasn’t like they were making a good first impression.

Mr. ‘I can make clones of myself’ was getting whooped by the Projection hero. They both could make copies of themselves, but he was fighting with traditional weaponry—badly too. The hero, on the other hand, had more traditional... powers. Light emanated from her chest as projections blossomed outward. Giant fists, copies of herself, and sharp projectile constructs all made out of hard light hammered down on the small army of clones.

---

“And we’re done!” Kaiser announced to the school as a raucous round of applause sounded out across the training field. “Staff, well, judges, I should say, what are your thoughts on this process? I think our students fared quite well against the hero team plus that Slade kid.”

With Slade just shaking his head while laughing and sighing, Kaiser walked through the battlefield while giving a few of his own thoughts. Helping to pull the captain out of the ground, he gave her some words of encouragement before turning to the judges who were now holding their overall ratings. “Amazing job! The judges, accounting for your situation, and your inevitable loss, have given you all a... NINETY! Congratulations!”

Chuckling, Kaiser shook everyone’s hand before turning off his microphone to let the judges speak their minds. The judges, themselves, were patient. They took their time writing their notes and gathering their thoughts while letting the cheering calm down on its own.

After a couple minutes, the judges began standing up one by one and sharing their thoughts.

“I thought everyone performed quite admirably. If I had to point out something on my mind, I’d point to the very beginning of battle. I think this is a textbook case of how seizing the initiative of battle doesn’t always guarantee success. It’s because of this rushed start that allowed for Slade’s team to choose the matchups instead, and they... countered you all quite handily.”

“Again, I’d like to commend you all for your fearlessness. It takes a lot to be able to perform like you all did when you know the ending is predetermined. I, of course, agree with the previous advice, but to highlight something else, I’ll bring up the lack of penetration. The spread out strategy you all adopted didn’t allow for a very powerful frontal attack. Of course, it’s a strategic choice but I think in hindsight you all would’ve done better to stay together.”

Zoning out as the next judge began giving his thoughts, Nyssa yawned. What... verbosity. Sure, it was insightful, but... how were they so good at fluffing up their words...

“Stay awake, Nyssa,” Celeste interrupted while reaching over and patting Nyssa’s cheeks. “We’re on next.”

“You’re right, you’re right,” Nyssa yawned once more while replying with a few sleepy nods. “I’m awake. Very much so.”