282 Chapter 282: Training against Hell Beasts (1/2)
Even though we wanted revenge on Diego for hurting Theodore, we couldn't just beat him up. That would make us no better than us. And stop calling us spineless or weak-willed or stupid. This is being mature. Once some of you readers grow up and realize that violence is not the solution to everything, and that you have to be a responsible adult in society, you will understand that you do not go around attacking people for revenge over hurting your friends or you.
If you really want justice (which is very different from revenge), contact the authorities. Which was what we did, so Diego got punished. I didn't know the details of his punishment, but needless to say he never provoked Jing Tian Academy or any of the other schools during the rest of the exchange session again.
Returning to the present, as promised, we showed in the gymnasium the next day because of Lilith's invitation for us to run a practice match against her Hell Beast team. Everyone was fired up and excited over the match, especially since we knew what kind of reputation the Hell Beast team possessed. They were known as the strongest team in the northern provinces of the Federation for a very good reason, and their team captain belonged to one of the ten Great Families.
Having both fought with and against Lilith, I was also keenly aware of her power. I would put us at one win and one defeat apiece. She was definitely not someone we could afford to underestimate. The only chance for us to win was to prevent her from summoning Kagutsuchi, otherwise it would be extremely difficult.
As of now, I doubted Draco could defeat Kagutsuchi. There was always the nuclear option, but I would end up nuking myself along with her and resulting in mutual defeat. Seriously, would you detonate a nuke while you were still in the vicinity? Not to mention, my strategic-scale spell was so powerful it would obliterate the boundary field and render its enchantments ineffective, which would kill not just me and Lilith but probably everyone in the audience as well. Half of the city would be blown into oblivion, never mind the whole school.
Even so, Harrison seemed to have a plan, and after listening to him, all of us had some measure of confidence. Besides, it was just a practice match. It was all right to lose, but obviously we intended to go all out and do our best to win.
”Hello, Jing Tian! Everyone's so early!”
Lilith was astonished to see our team already waiting inside the arena. She arrived with her own team, which comprised of five people, including herself. The two who stood beside her, in particular, were very familiar.
”I'm sure you all already know Riley and Brutus.” Lilith smiled as she introduced her teammates. I nodded, having exchanged a few words with them over the past few days, and they also showed up to talk to us yesterday night, at the restaurant. Riley waved in a friendly manner and Brutus nodded politely. Lilith then gestured toward her other teammates. ”So let me introduce our other teammates in the Hell Beasts team's main lineup. We have the Assassin, Victor, and Kassim, who provides long-ranged support.”
”Hello, everyone!”
Both of them greeted us. Victor, in particular, resembled a Frenzor Assassin, what with those muscles and burly figure. So he was more into shock assaults, terror tactics and overwhelming strength to kill rather than stealthy subterfuge. The dark-skinned Kassim, on the other hand, had a lean figure and was wearing a turban of some sort, probably indicating his Sikh or Muslim origins. He was a lot more reserved, clasping his hands and lowering his head as he greeted us. His white teeth sparkled against his olive flesh.
”All of them are pretty strong, you know?”
”I don't doubt that.” Craig grinned in anticipation. ”I'm itching to test my skills against them.”
”All right, that's enough for introductions!” Lilith was also rubbing her hands in glee. Evidently Hell Beasts team was just as enthusiastic as we were. ”Let's get started!”
”Yeah!”
After everyone cheered, we began the match.
Harrison had elected to put Craig, Sheila, Theodore and me in the team, and he personally led us against Lilith and her team. There were quite a few students watching the match eagerly, wondering who would win. It was only natural. A team with the reputation of the Hell Beasts' would definitely draw a lot of attention from the other schools.
”Wait, we aren't skipping the fight scene and going straight to our after-match discussion?” Lilith asked, confused. ”Where Richard starts analyzing my Hellfire Bear and giving me advice on how to improve my use of it?”
”…lady, you really have to stop confusing this story with Battle Frenzy. And I'm not Wang Zhong. How the fuck would I know how to improve the way you use your Hellfire Bear? And besides, don't you have Kagutsuchi? Your Hellfire Bear is already quite the formidable foe. If it's not enough, then just nuke everyone with Kagutsuchi!”
”I'm surprised you even know what she's talking about,” Harrison remarked dryly. ”I have enough of people breaking the fourth wall.”
”Better get used to it,” Theodore told him kindly, placing a hand gently on our team captain's shoulder. ”As long as you hang out with Richard, you'll get used to it eventually.”
”…seriously?”
”Whatever! Let's just begin the match!”
Blushing furiously from embarrassment, Lilith cast a fire spell. At her signal, her teammates immediately lunged forward, coordinating their attacks. Most of them, anyway – Kassim stayed back and summoned his gigantic cannon, and then he began bombarding our position.
”Scutum Sobiescianum!” I shouted, summoning the Constellation shield to protect us from his attacks. Under cover of my hovering Constellation shield, my teammates lunged forward to meet the other team in combat.
Theodore swung his thunder hammer at Brutus, who raised his gauntlets to parry the strike. There was a clap of thunder and deadly electricity rippled from the two of them, even as a crater opened up beneath Brutus's feet. Grunting, the big guy shoved the thunder guy back, but Theodore regained his balance quickly and countered with his hammer once more. Lightning erupted from the collision of their armaments, almost blinding me and the others.
I saw Craig and Sheila moving to engage Kassim, but Victor was up to the task, sneaking upon them from the shadows before unleashing a powerful attack. However, Craig responded reflexively, spinning around to parry his power sword. Arcane energies crackled as demonic spear met the power field of the glowing sword, and the two of them sprang apart. Without a word, Sheila darted forward, intent on eliminating Kassim, who shifted his aim toward her when he realized the threat she posed. Fortunately, Sheila didn't need my Scutum Sobiescianum to protect her. Possessing a shield of her own, she shouldered the powerful bombardment aside and thrust her spear forward.