486 Ranking matches rules and confusing rumors

“Don’t pity me. I will have to take the number one spot next year. That’s all.” Melissa announced. Unlike her love for praise, Melissa hated being pitied the most. She only loved positive attention.

*Bam* Maria hit the table for attention. “Quite down, or I will stop explaining.

*Tsk* Maria clicked her tongue as if she wanted the student to continue speaking and give her an excuse to stop the explanation.

*Sigh* “Because this is the last week of the month, each team must participate in at least one ranking match from the next month onwards. That means each team will have to decide on which of the four to five Thursdays they compete in.”

Maria looked at Melissa and continued, “However, if a team has missing members, they will not suffer from the penalty of participation stacking.”

[I thought it would be something problematic, but this is already the last week of the second month.]

[Furthermore, we have four months remaining until the academic year ends. It means we can use the last month to fight every Thursday.]

[Hehe. It’s not like we will face a problem with the disparity of power levels between you and the students. You could even agree to surrender when the fight starts.]

[We can also...]

.....

However, while Kazumi was planning on how they should spend the last month of the academic year, Maria let out a long sigh.

*~Sigh~* “The grand alliance tournament will begin in the last month of our academic year. The best team will represent the academy, causing the ranking matches of the last month to have little to no meaning.”

*Sigh* “All of you will need to compete at least three times by the end of January. Usually, the winning team is chosen in January’s first or second weeks. But sometimes there would be multiple strong teams and delay the winning team by a week or two.”

Maira glared at all the students in the classroom and threatened, “Do not complain that I didn’t warn you all about the last weeks of the ranking matches, or I might have to become your teacher in the next academic year if I feel like teaching you all some manners.”

One of the students nervously raised his hand and asked, “Teacher Maria. Can I please know if there be fights without rankings?”

historical

*Sigh* “Yes. They will be every Saturday and Sunday.”

Maira took out a paper and placed it on the table. *Sigh* “I am parched after talking so much. Read this if you want to know more.” She said before leaving the classroom.

“Did she get tired talking to us?”

“Don’t speak badly about teacher Maira or she will teach next year. It would be a nightmare.”

The students stopped complaining when a cold chill ran down their spine.

Melissa didn’t let this opportunity slip past her hands. She went over to the teacher’s desk and read the paper for everyone to hear.

“In the Arrival Hall is a no entry door. Behind the guarded door is a teleportation device for an arena island used only for matches.”

“For a team to compete, the team must choose a team leader first. The team leader will need to arrange a random or planned match with a royal soldier invited to attend every Thursday.”

“On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a person appointed by the academy’s headmaster to register the matches instead of the royal soldier. Nevertheless, the arrangement of a random or planned match will remain the same.”

“Each match will have a time limit of ten minutes, and if there is no winner until the match ends, the referee supervising the match will use a point system to choose the winner.”

“The referee will rate the two teams based on their creativity, team play, combat, and mannerism. Barbaric or perverted actions will lower the points.”

“However, if the referee deems such uncivilized actions to be over the top, the referee has the approval to stop the match and give the victims the win.”

“Additionally, the referee has the authority to mark if a match was fixed or not. After the board of teachers reviews the match at the end of the month, they will give the final verdict.”

“The same process will happen if a team cheats by using enchanted equipment not created by students or purchased in Paradise Island. The same rule applies to potions. Only potions purchased in Paradise Island can be used.”

“The grand alliance tournament is a respectable event, and only those who participate fairly will have a chance to represent the Lusterfall Kingdom. Thus, if a team gets caught fixing their match or cheating, their chances of participating will greatly decrease.”

Melissa placed the paper on the desk and said, “With the rules out of the way, I hope we can place higher than third place like last year.”

“Furthermore, there are rumors that the Selos Kingdom might not participate this academic year.”

“That rumor stems from the rumor of a possible war, and this war-related rumor stems from the Selos Kingdom not participating in the tournament.”

“Confusing, right?”

“I asked my father, the headmaster of the academy. He told me I shouldn’t need to worry for now. He told me how there isn’t concrete proof at the moment that this might be a rumor created to give the students anxiety and hinder their growth.”

“Regrettably, I can not participate. So do not let the rumors hinder your training.” Melissa smiled and winked at the boys. “I hope a team from our class gets to represent the first years.”

A few female students frowned at Melissa’s sudden flirty wink, while the male students slightly blushed. Only Vincent and Nick were unaffected.

[Let me summarise real quick.]

[The first month was like an introduction. The second month added the Friday history class and the library’s opening. From the third to the fifth month will have ranking matches, and the sixth month will have the tournament, meaning fewer students and teachers.]

[Now I wonder. Does it mean the last month might be more relaxed for people like us who will not participate?]

-Right! If a team from our class is chosen to represent the first years, then Maria will leave for a couple of weeks or a month.-

Vincent grinned at the thought of spending more time in the physical lesson and training using Energy Flow. However, he knew Maria’s tutoring would be missed if she went to the tournament.

Lilith nudged Vincent’s shoulder and curiously asked, “Are you grinning at Melissa?”

“What?” Vincent shook his head. “I thought how the last month might be more relaxed with fewer teachers.”

*Phew* “I thought you were beginning to like Melissa after saving her life.” Lilith said, revealing how she felt anxious at the thought of Vincent smiling at Melissa.

“Like her? Hehe.” Vincent chuckled.

“Why like her when I have a goddess sitting beside me.”

Lilith blushed when Vincent flirted with her. She moved her gaze, and her heart skipped a beat. Clair and Jun Ye Rim were staring at her as if something was on her face.

*Cough* “I want to read a book. Does anyone want to come with us?” Lilith tried to change the subject while averting her gaze.

“I need to brush the excess hair on Pussy...” Clair paused, and her face became red after realizing it sounded dirty. She used the command and left the classroom.

“I need to send a letter.” Go without me.” Nick said. He got up and left the classroom.

Jun Ye Rim didn’t respond. She got up and left as well.

*Sigh* “I guess we need to tell them later how I want our team to surrender when the match starts. I can’t let you get hurt.”

“Really? I thought my husband would gallantly win and offer the victory to me. But I like how overprotective of me you are. It makes me feel like a princess, hehe.”

[Why don’t both of you go to the library instead of flirting?]

“Is Kazumi jealous, perhaps?” Lilith teased after noticing Vincent stop.

[...]

Vincent chuckled and deemed it was best not to answer. He got up and extended his hand. “Shall we go, my lady?”

“Am I not a goddess anymore?” She teased.

Sometime later, the only elf student in the academy walked alone. After spending some time gazing at the clouds, she felt the urge to sit.

Jun Ye Rim went to the beautiful flower garden where her eye could only see nature and couples.

*Sigh* “Horny humans everywhere.” She mumbled while traversing the garden.

Jun Ye Rim stopped when she noticed a couple acting suspiciously. Sometimes they acted like lovebirds and, at other times, talked to each other like strangers while looking around as if they were looking for someone.

Jun Ye Rim didn’t care. “Humans are bizarre.” She murmured while heading to the library.

Gusto saw Jun Ye Rim enter. He was so happy to see her that he excitedly said, “Welcome, Jun Ye Rim.”

Jun Ye Rim blushed and signaled with her hand to keep quiet. However, the shy elf soon saw Lilith poke her head behind a bookshelf and wave at her.

‘Why did I come here?’ She questioned while having second thoughts. ‘I should’ve stayed on our island and played with Blemish.’

Regardless of how unhappy she looked and acted, Jun Ye Rim approached Lilith and said, “I came because you begged me to come. It’s not like I wanted to come or anything.”

Lilith smiled as she was starting to get used to Jun Ye Rim. “How about I find you a nice book to read?” She asked.

“It’s not like I want to read a book, but now that I am here, I might as well see some words.” Jun Ye Rim peeked at the book in Lilith’s hand and continued, “I hope it has a better title than that.”

Lilith patted her chest and said reassuringly, “Leave it to me.”