422 Chapter 422: Question of Morale (2/2)
That was a good question. If Kureha was smart and practical, she would send out one of the reserve members in place of the core members instead of risking losing any of them in the individual matches. Such a tactic was understandable – she would be focusing on the team match, gambling everything on the team match. After all, it was unlikely that there was anyone of similar caliber to me in the rest of Jing Tian Academy's team. Or so she believed.
However, Kureha also acknowledged the necessity of appearances and reputation. She couldn't be seen as deliberately throwing away the last match – not only would it reveal that she had acknowledged that her Saint Teresa Academy couldn't defeat our Jing Tian Academy in the individual matches, she would also be lowering the morale of her team while raising ours. Her team was already demoralized from suffering four consecutive defeats, and to throw the last match would further sink their already rock-bottom morale and affect their performance as a whole in the team match. Kureha was not stupid enough to ignore the psychological effects of such statements and outcome.
In contrast, if Kureha fielded a core member and scored a victory in the final match, it would lift the spirits of Saint Teresa Academy considerably – not only would it dispel the impression of my invincibility, it would inspire the remaining members to fiercely launch a counterattack and claw their way back into the game. It would greatly increase their chances of making a comeback.
That was why Kureha understood that they needed a decisive victory in this final round. Very badly at that. Otherwise their morale would completely collapse.
The other side of the coin was that if they lost, their morale would collapse even further than rock-bottom, and there would be only one core member left to lead the team match. That would guarantee their loss and our progression to the semifinal.
Of course, everything was a gamble. There was a risk in whatever we did. There were no guarantees in life, and it was Kureha's responsibility to shoulder all of that and make her decision. I didn't envy her position – in fact, it was the reason why I avoided leadership positions at all cost. There was no way I could withstand such a heavy burden.
\”Do you think Saint Teresa Academy will send Rossetti next?\” Sheila asked thoughtfully.
Harrison shook his head. \”No. Captain Kureha will be personally participating in the fifth round, in hopes of bringing about a decisive victory.\”
\”You believe this based on earlier matches and their fighting patterns?\” Cody inquired. Harrison nodded.
\”That's right…in all of the individual matches so far, Kureha has never failed to participate in all of them. But it's not just that. She wants to send out a statement.\”
\”A statement?\” Bu Fan asked.
\”Yeah. She's trying to boost the ravaged morale of her team and encourage them. Give them hope and show that they can and will win. I would do the same if I was in her position.\”
\”Doesn't that mean Richard will be in for a very hard time?\” Pearl glanced in my direction worriedly. I didn't blame her – it wasn't as if she had no confidence in me, or didn't have any faith that I could pull off a miracle. Honestly speaking, the reputation of the Sword Saint far preceded her. Kureha Franklin was a formidable foe, much stronger than any of the other Saint Teresa Academy students. I personally knew just how strong she was because I had fought alongside her before, back when we confronted the Hellfire Drake along with Troy.
She wasn't someone I could underestimate. I daresay she was probably going to be the strongest opponent I had faced in my life.
Even so, I was looking forward to the match, so much so that I couldn't conceal the grin on my face. Harrison noticed it too and chuckled.
\”Maybe, but Richard doesn't seem to think so.\”
\”I know that smile.\” Yue Chu was laughing. \”You bloody rascal, you have a trump card or two hidden up your sleeve somewhere, don't you?!\”
\”Who knows?\” I responded with a nonchalant shrug. \”We shall see.\”
At the other end of the arena, the remaining members of Saint Teresa Academy finished their discussion. And then, just as Harrison and I had predicted, Kureha took to the stage herself.
\”You're a strong opponent,\” she acknowledged as she stood opposite me. I opened my eyes and slowly got to my feet. Obviously I didn't have enough time to totally recover all of my mana, but I managed to recuperate enough to put up a good fight. Unfortunately thanks to my use of Absolute Zero, I calculated that I could only cast three or four spells before I ran out. Five at most. Even after absorbing Miura's mana, I wasn't able to completely refill my tank.
However, Kureha didn't know that, and she didn't have to know. She did suspect that I was nearing my limits, though, because she had a sympathetic look on her face.
\”Are you sure you want to continue? You still have the opportunity to swap out with a teammate.\”
\”Yeah, I'm sure,\” I assured her confidently. \”I am not going to let this chance sweep by.\”
\”I won't think any less of you if you back off now,\” Kureha said. \”You have already proven yourself in front of everyone and displayed how strong you are. Nobody can make fun of you or call you a coward, not after you've defeated four of Saint Teresa Academy's core members.\”
\”I'm well on my way to achieving an all-kill.\” I grinned. \”I would prefer to have a chance to complete that, no matter how unlikely it is.\”
Kureha studied me for a few moments, and then nodded in resignation. \”So be it. Even if you're exhausted from fighting four consecutive matches, I still won't hold back. I plan to go all out against you.\”
\”That's exactly what I wish for,\” I replied with a weary smile. \”It won't be a true victory otherwise. And I don't want you to use that as an excuse in case I actually win.\”
\”Oh, I won't,\” Kureha reassured me. Then she giggled. \”Honestly, I know exactly how you feel. I'm a little envious of you, you know? If I were in your position, I definitely wouldn't pass up on the chance to score an all-kill, even if it's at the expense of my team. Of course…pulling off an all-kill would benefit the team a lot more.\”
\”Agreed.\”
\”However…that's not going to happen.\” Kureha pointed her sword at me, her eyes narrowing in determination. \”Because I'm going to end your winning streak here and defeat you decisively.\”
\”You can try,\” I scoffed, drawing both of my swords in return. \”And I'll do my best to ensure you fail.\”