16 Final Round 3

A loud thud sounded as Hadrex's body smashed into the array that acted as a back wall to the court.

During the time that each person's attention was on Leo a seventh ball was masked by a spell that made it invisible. Orion's team only planned on successfully using Leo as a distraction to find a vulnerable target. Hardex needed to use all is attention and effort to throw his fire golem since his strength is not at the top of his class. This caused his downfall.

Orion and his team retreated with haste after the successful attack on their opponents. An eight-foot earth barrier rose up to cover the team of three on three sides. As the barrier rose into the air the opposite side of the court returned to normal.

Arbor and Sald regrouped once they were able to get their footing.

"I wonder how long they will stay behind that wall. They have the advantage in numbers and power. We can wait for them to attack and react or take the initiative to attack first. Any thoughts." Arbor started the conversation. As he was conversing with Sald, he gathered the balls in the area with the help of his vines.

"With a disadvantage in numbers it would be best to attack first and keep the pressure on them. If we start in a defensive position first, we can be put in a big disadvantage since we are outnumbered. The elephant in the room is how we go about getting around the wall they have put up." Sald added.

Arbor whispered to Sald, "Throw these balls above the wall with only a small interval in between each throw. Make sure that they are in different spots. I will use my vines to redirect the balls towards whoever I get a hold of. Let us start now"

Orion is crouched behind the barrier and conversing with his other two teammates. Orion's teammates, Luc and Sheru had their backs to the open end of the barrier that surrounds them. Luc felt the slight movement in the ground behind him milliseconds before three vines popped out of the ground and made a defensive maneuver. Orion is the furthest distance away from where the vines protruded from the ground and was able to make a safe escape.

Sheru, on the other hand, was not so lucky. One vine skimmed past her ankle before it turned made a sharp turn and wrapped around her ankle a few times before making its way up towards her thigh. When the vine that made the first contact with her, the other two made a quick change in direction towards Sheru's location and tied her up.

Before she could even react two metallic spheres landed just six inches in front of her. She looked up and noticed a third dodgeball too late. Before Sheru, Orion, or Luc could even react, she had been struck in the thigh.

"Out!"

When the yell of Elder Ocas pierced the ears of those in attendance the vines released Sheru and disappeared into the ground.

Cheers from Arbors and Salds teammates erupted when Sheru had got eliminated. After losing the first round their confidence had dropped. The second-round win had brought their spirits back up. While they might not have the advantage in physical bodies, they do have a chance when they are able to use their essence. Their emotions have been up and down with the quick succession of eliminations. The quick elimination of two teammates had created a sliver of doubt in their minds. A quick elimination by Arbor and Sald had gotten their emotions to rise drastically.

The two teams started to play back and forth without any schemes or plans. Minutes passed by before Luc had gotten eliminated by Sald. She had used three balls to create an opening in his earthen shield to allow another ball pass cleanly through.

Arbor is going back and forth with Orion. He was standing in place as he has been. Vines kept popping in and out of the ground like moles near Orion. Orion's attention is fully focused on avoiding the incoming balls from Arbor. Typically, he would not throw anything back as he doesn't have any particular advantage for offence, but when Luc had got eliminated, he started to take a small offensive approach.

Once Sald finished with her fight, she sent a big gust of wind towards Orion that swept his two feet into the air. Now that he is technically immobilized, Arbor sent all five vines through the air, since they travel faster this way.

Orion got caught in Arbors vines and got eliminated seconds later.

Long sighs and curses accompanied cheers and words of praise after Orion was eliminated. Mixed feelings filled the students in attendance.

This was not the first competition within the class. Martial arts tournaments going from one against one all the way up to five on five, strength contests, discussions over worldly to cultivation knowledge, races, and predatory competitions are the distinct types of competitions that the class took part in. Each game was played for a specific lesson to tutor the students in different areas of life.

"Congratulations everyone on the valiant effort today. You all have come a long way in a couple of months since you all have enrolled here. As always, the winning team is awarded with ten contribution points to be spent at the shops within the school. I hope when you return to your residence you reflect on everything that happened today. Per the style of the school, you are on your own to digest and comprehend on your own what you did wrong and what you did right. I will see you all next class. Class dismissed." Elder Ocas said.

The students discussed with themselves for a few moments before they separated. Orion and Arbor walked off together before their simple conversation was interrupted by their names being called. When they turned around, they noticed Leo and Sald walking towards.

"Can you jog my memory for a second Orion. How many competition losses have you lost in a row?" Leo poked while closing the distance between them.

Orion sighed and said with his eyes closed. "That makes two."

"Don't forget that this was your first win Leo." Arbor added.

"Anyways, Sald and I are heading to the rewards hall. We were wondering if you two wanted to tag along."

"What could you possibly get with your lowly amount of points?" Arbor added.

"No need to rub it in Tagas. We aren't as fortunate as you to win over half of the competitions." Sald chimed in.

"How about this, since you two came to ask us and help me win, I will help you two cover some costs. But you two owe me a favor at some point in the future. Deal?" Arbor proposed.

Leo and Sald contemplated for a moment before nodding in agreement. The group proceeded towards the hall to browse the items they have to offer.

"A favor from you can't be that over the top." Sald said.

Leo and Sald became frightened at the menacing look on Arbors face and the evil laugh he bellowed out.

The two attempted to run away but soon found themselves tied up by Arbors vines after only getting a couple of feet away.

"I take it back. No deal. No deal." The two sobbed.

"Not so fast. You two are with me now whether you like it or not. Don't you two worry. You won't regret it." Arbor spoke.