Chapter 13 – The Simulation Battle

The academy’s training field was livelier than usual that morning. Every student from both the Attack and Support Paths gathered under the open sky. The wind howled across the arena, kicking up dust, and the academy’s flag flapped proudly atop the central tower.

Master Ardian stood at the center of the wide field, his staff striking the ground. A massive magic circle lit up beneath everyone’s feet, covering the entire arena.

“Today, you will take part in the Grand Simulation Battle,” his voice boomed, echoing across the space. “This is not just an exam, but a test to measure your ability to coordinate across paths. You will be divided into two factions—the Red Team and the Blue Team. Your mission is simple: capture the enemy’s flag or defeat all members of the opposing team.”

Cheers erupted among the students. Many looked excited, some even impatient to begin.

Ardian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Remember—this is not a real battlefield. Use your magic wisely and do not seriously injure your peers. But… treat this as though it were a real war. If you do not take it seriously, you will be the ones who fall.”

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Team Division

When the names were called, Zareen was placed in the Blue Team, while Gino was assigned to the Red Team. The moment they heard it, their eyes locked across the field.

Gino grinned. “Perfect. At last, we’ll face each other properly.”

Zareen simply gave a calm nod. Deep inside, he knew this battle would be the true test of their rivalry.

The Blue Team was led by Dyra, the elegant wind mage. Brant and Arven were also present, which gave Zareen some comfort—at least he had fought alongside them before. Still, he knew some of them had yet to fully trust him.

The Red Team was led by Karel, the stubborn blue-haired student. Gino was their spearhead, supported by Rina and Darel, who still had unresolved tension with him from their previous missions.

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The Battle Begins

The sound of a loud bell signaled the start of the match. Both teams moved immediately.

The Blue Team opted for a defensive formation. Dyra summoned a curtain of wind to obscure their position, while Brant and Arven held the front line. Zareen took position in the middle, his focus locked on maintaining a barrier.

“Do not be reckless,” Dyra ordered. “We’ll wait for their move.”

Meanwhile, the Red Team launched a frontal assault. Gino’s fire magic pierced through the wind curtain, exploding with a roar that shook the arena. The blast startled several Blue Team members.

“Him again!” Arven shouted. “Always making a scene!”

Zareen raised his staff just in time, and a violet shield shimmered into place. Gino’s fire slammed into it, shaking the ground, but the barrier held.

From the distance, Gino smirked. “Of course he’s the one putting up shields. No problem—I’ll break through it sooner or later.”

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Mounting Pressure

Wave after wave of attacks from the Red Team pressed the Blue Team back. Dyra’s wind curtain was thinning, and Brant was tiring from parrying Karel’s earth spells.

“Your barrier is strong, Zareen,” Dyra panted, “but we can’t just keep defending. We need to strike back.”

Brant growled. “If we rely on him forever, when will we ever advance? Shields don’t win battles.”

Zareen stayed silent for a moment, then his gaze hardened. “I’ll open a path. Attack when I give the signal.”

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Blue Team’s Counterattack

When the next wave of fire came, Zareen braced himself and formed a thicker barrier. Sweat rolled down his temple as the flames slammed into it. But this time, he changed his tactic—rather than holding the shield steady, he let it shatter deliberately, scattering into blinding shards of violet light.

For a brief moment, the Red Team was blinded.

“Now!” Zareen shouted.

Dyra unleashed a powerful gust, Brant followed with a crackling lightning strike, and Arven tore the ground open with an earth-shaking blow. The combined attack forced the Red Team’s front line to stagger back.

Gino narrowed his eyes, clearly impressed.

“Not bad,” he muttered under his breath. “But if you think that’s enough, you’re dead wrong.”

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An Indirect Duel

The clash continued, each side trading blow after blow. But amidst the chaos, one thing became clear: this was more than just a team battle—it was a duel between Zareen and Gino.

Every time Gino unleashed a wave of fire, Zareen was there to block it.

Every time Zareen created an opening, Gino was the one to close it with a counterattack.

Even from afar, their eyes kept locking, as though the entire match revolved around their silent rivalry.

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The Turning Point

Eventually, Karel made a bold decision. “Gino, burn down the illusion forest in front of them! Leave them nowhere to hide!”

Gino blinked, then grinned wide. “Now that’s a plan I like. I’ll carve a path of fire!”

A massive torrent of flames erupted from his staff, consuming the illusionary trees and tearing away Dyra’s wind cover. The Blue Team was now completely exposed.

Zareen lifted his staff, summoning a wide barrier that covered the entire team. His whole body trembled from the effort, and the heat from the flames felt unbearable.

“Zareen!” Dyra called out, worry in her voice.

But he refused to falter. I cannot fall. If I fall, this match is over.

In that moment, Zareen knew—this was the time to prove that being a supporter did not mean being just a shadow.

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End of the Simulation

Just as the fire was about to overwhelm the barrier, the second bell rang. The simulation was over. All spells vanished, and the illusionary forest dissolved, leaving only the empty training field.

The students panted heavily, some collapsing onto the ground.

Master Ardian stepped forward, calm but with a spark of pride in his eyes. “An excellent fight. Both teams displayed tremendous strength. But the most remarkable thing today was how rivalry itself shaped your strategies.”

His gaze fell on Zareen and Gino. “The two of you—without even clashing directly—dominated the battlefield. That is proof enough that neither of you are ordinary students.”

The arena erupted in applause. Some cheered for Gino’s ferocity, others began to acknowledge Zareen, who had stood firm against even the fiercest flames.

Gino glanced at Zareen, his grin sharp and full of fire. “You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that. But I’m still not going to lose.”

Zareen smiled back calmly. “And I won’t stop. If you want to win, you’ll have to break through my shield first.”