Chapter 211: First Battle (1/2)
The yellow platform was raised to three metres high, spanning almost all the ground area in the hall. The stage was elliptical in shape, 60 metres in length, and 30 metres in breadth. It spanned an area of 1414 square metres, a large moving space.
Thanks to the depth of it, situated 3 metres below the raised yellow platform, the students had to be decisive in jumping down and climbing up, a fraction of a second delay or a single misstep could cost them their lives.
Four teams currently stood on one edge, in teams of two. Standing on the left extreme was Ashten, giving a piggyback to Jyorta. To the extreme right was Esina, carrying Haesha. To her left was Dalna Doppler, carrying Laila.
Finally, to Jyorta's right was a boy, a head taller than him, sporting a slight blush on his face. Jyorta remarked, ”Are you nervous? You don't seem well.”
”Heh, I will fare better than you, Jyorta.” The boy scoffed, his expression though was plain, the hint of a smile apparent.
”George is enjoying the situation, Jyorta. See that blush on him? Don't interrupt him.” Ashten snickered. Carried on George's back was a tall girl, possessing a relatively thin frame. She had short hair, a smile etched on her face, slightly blushing. It was Laekha Walta.
”Once this ends, let me smack you once.” Laekha raised her hand, puffing her cheeks as she glared at Ashten.
”Is everyone ready?” Dalna Doppler's voice resounded. Once everyone nodded in return, she spoke with a solemn voice, ”This will be our first fight with a Frenzy Beast. I advise caution. If we encounter any difficulties, we will readily retreat. There is enough time and we have the terrain advantage.”
The remaining students had turned calm by now, part of their attention on the One-horned Rhino while the rest was focused on Dalna Doppler. They watched the actions of her and her team with anticipation.
The best of their Batch had begun to take action. They wanted to first gauge the situation and see how the top students fared before planning to follow along.
”I will focus on the front. Thanks to my Skill, I can manage myself. George will focus on its back,” Dalna Doppler gazed at George, ”Keep it distracted and prevent it from focusing on me for too long. We'll take turns distracting it.”
Dalna Doppler then looked at the other two teams, ”Ashten will take its left while Esina will take the right. You will get more chances than us to attack its eyes; keep moving, but keep attacking.”
Once she finished her instruction, she turned silent, waiting for the opportunity. The moment the One-horned Rhino turned her way, she shouted, ”Now!”
The four teams made a jump, landing on the stage. The legs of each of the four Warriors were steady, only bending a little to use up the momentum, displaying the shock-absorbing capacity of their nurtured bodies.
Dalna Doppler sprinted, having long activated her Skill, letting out a bellow to garner the One-horned Rhino's attention. The One-horned Rhino perked its head, alarmed, its eyes regaining clarity, brimming with frenzy.
Its Skill was related to smell, detecting the four approaching figures. Thanks to the position of its eyes on the sides, it had difficulty seeing far ahead. But, it noticed two figures approaching on its sides.
Dalna Doppler charged straight while Ashten proceeded left. George sprinted on the right while Esina followed behind. With a mild shout, George raised his speed, crossing Dalna Doppler.
The One-horned Rhino turned its head to the left, focusing on him in alarm. George suddenly closed in on it, letting out a loud bellow when he was three metres from it. As the One-horned Rhino reacted, he stepped away, going past it, running towards its back.
Using the distraction, Dalna Doppler arrived before it, slightly bending her body backward. In response, Laila let go of her hold, landing on the ground, watching Dalna Doppler slide on the floor a little, using the momentum to land a kick to its lower jaw.
Using the rebound of her kick, her legs landed on the floor, kicking on it to propel her body backward. The One-horned Rhino turned its head, shaking it a couple of times to rid itself of the effects of the kick, charging towards the foe before it.
Dalna Doppler quickly retreated towards Laila, allowing the other party to jump on her back. Dalna Doppler showcased her speed as ran backward, with the One-horned Rhino charging on the front.
Laila had long unleashed her psychic arm, a startling 80 centimetres, keeping it ready, pointed at the eyes of the One-horned Rhino. The One-horned Rhino beat its hooves as it raised its speed, closing in on Dalna Doppler.
To its back charged George, raising his speed to the limit, trailing right begin it. Laekha Walta rested her head on his shoulder; her psychic arm emerged from her head, inching forward before grabbing hold of the One-horned Rhino's tail.