14 Final Round 1

Arbors team is huddled up in a corner recovering any minor injuries that they suffered in the previous bout and discussing amongst themselves a strategy on how to win. They are comparing who can use what type of battle skill and elements each person has at their disposal and how it can be combined with another skill.

After the time it takes for an incense to burn, Elder Ocas called the teams and told them to line up for the last round. Arbors team had decided to split into three different teams. Arbors, Leo, and Sald formed a team and took the center of the court.

During the planning beforehand, Arbor learned that Leo has a battle skill that will increase his already monstrous strength, and Sald, has an affinity with wind that can aid in speeding up or slowing down a projectile.

How can Sald apply wind to her attacks if her cultivation is too low to start comprehending the laws of the world? This is possible if he soul spirit grants her this affinity. It is the same principal as Arbor being able to use vines since his soul spirit has vines apart of it.

"The final round is about to begin. Remember, you are able to use battle skills and weapons. I wish the best of luck to you all. On my mark," Elder Orcas paused, "Go."

At the sound of Elder Orcas command, Arbor pushed his speed to the maximum to secure two metallic spheres. Once the two balls were in his grasps, he moved back next to Sald and Leo.

"Do not worry about dodging, Ill protect you. Just practice working together and get your timing and aim right." Arbor communicated to his group as he handed over the balls to Leo.

"You ready Sald? Remember to activate your spell right before I throw the ball. You can use your wind to push the ball where ever you need or want to. As Tagas said, just focus on your task, and he will protect us." Leo instructed Sald.

"Right. Ill do my best"

As Arbor is protecting his group from any ball that is in route to hit them, Leo and Sald are practicing their teamwork. Leo will throw the ball at an opponent then Sald will apply a wind technique to the ball to increase the speed. At the same time Sald will also slightly change the trajectory of the ball as it moves. Eventually she built up her control enough to completely change the direction and target of the ball.

Sald noticed that her ability to control the wind and the velocity that she could make the wind move at was increasing with every attempt. Although, this came with a price, fatigue. She was pushing herself too much.

"I have a hang of it, but I'm exhausted now. My essence is almost depleted, and I do not know how much more I can handle. Tagas if you can protect us for a little bit, I will be able to get back to recover and I will be able to go again."

"No worries Sald. Take your time and recover completely. Remember that there are contribution points riding on this. I want to try something out also." Arbor answered.

As Arbor said this, he returned one of the dodgeballs back towards the other team with the help of his staff. He then firmly planted both of his feet on the ground and held the staff upright in his right hand. Arbor was completely still except when he needs to deflect any incoming objects, either it be the dodgeballs or anything that came from a battle skill.

When a piece of earth would be heading towards Arbor he would split it in half, when a wall of fire was heading towards Arbor he would twirl his staff and disperse the flames. Ice, water, or any other elemental type attack was no exception. In addition, dodgeballs were disguised and hidden within the attacks.

While, this did not cost Arbor a lot of physical effort, it pushed his concentration to the limit. He had to continuously scan for multiple projectiles at once, determine their flight pattern, decide the proper direction to deflect each object towards, and act accordingly all at the same time.

Unknown to everyone else in the exercise there are five vines forcing their way beneath the earth. These are the vines that Arbor can control. His feet are glued to the ground so that he can hide them in the earth. Arbor is able to handle the physical stress of both of these tasks due to the weight training that he has to go through. While his overall strength has not increased that much, his endurance has soared rapidly. This is due to the small increase in pressure each day by the length of time he is required to endure the pressure by.

Arbor dismissed the vines in the ground with a grin.

Five minutes later, Sald had recovered and readied herself to resume her support role.

"Are you guys ready?" Arbor asked his teammates.

"Yes, who should we go for first?" Leo mused.

At this time both teams have eight players left. Arbor scanned his opponents a couple of times before picking out a target. After spending the past couple of months with his classmates and the previous two matches, he has a grasp on each individuals strengths and weaknesses. He picked out one of the smaller classmates, who had focused on opening the meridians in their torso and legs.

"Look for the one who is unable to move." Arbor added.

Across the field Arbor's target had suddenly been locked down. Vines sprouted out of the ground from beneath his feet. Two of the vines encased themselves around his legs to prevent him from moving. Two more went straight for the targets arms to cut the chances of him getting ride of the vines or defending himself from any attacks. The fifth vine wrapped itself and his waste and yanked him down to the ground.

Leo and Sald reacted in an instant once they noticed their opponent get tied up. Leo hurled the ball in his hand towards Delo, who is tied up. The ball's speed was almost tripled due to the wind pushing from behind by Sald.

Delo's teammates had noticed that he had gotten tied up as soon as it happened. But before they could react and help him out it was too late. He was the first victim of the trio's teamwork.

"What the fuck. The speed and accuracy and those vines. What the hell are we supposed to do?"

"We have to use our own strengths to combat theirs. We cant give up."

"Start thinking of a way to deter them."

Words filled with anger, confusion, and surprise sounded out from Delo's team.

"We have something special here. We might be able to win this." Leo blurted out.

"Don't get complacent meat head. We must adapt to what ever strategy our opponent has to counter what we are doing. Fighting, war, battling, everything has a strategy. Just going in and trying to muscle your way through everything will not get you that far." Sald lectured Leo.