"Hey now, aren't you getting a little cocky-"

For a split second, he sensed a striking intent towards him.

Arx: "You talk a lot."

Arx dashed towards his fellow contestant.

Contestant: "Y-you-!"

He unsheathed his sword and took a stance, ready to strike Arx back.

Arx concentrated his mana in his hand, preparing for a neck chop. When suddenly...

A blinding light erupted from behind the contestant, followed by a fierce gust of wind. Arx halted his movement, eyes narrowing as he tried to discern the source of the disruption.

Contestant: "What the-"

A voice rang out from the shadows.

???: "I can't let you have all the fun."

A figure emerged, revealing itself as a tall, cloaked individual with a confident smirk.

Arx: "(Who is this?)"

The figure raised a hand, and the gust intensified, pushing the contestant back and disorienting him. The cloaked individual turned to Arx, their eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and intent.

???: "Looks like you've got quite the audience. Mind if I join in?"

The other contestants, momentarily distracted by the sudden turn of events, regrouped and readied themselves, their familiars bristling with energy.

Arx: "Try not to get in my way."

The cloaked figure nodded, and with a swift motion, drew a slender blade from beneath their cloak. The two stood back-to-back, ready to face the six opponents and their familiars.

Arx: "Let's end this quickly."

The cloaked figure grinned.

???: "Agreed."

...

Meanwhile...

Aleria rode Algeronte, moving at an alarming speed through the forest.

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Aleria: "Algeronte, halt."

The sea phantom stopped immediately, its keen eyes scanning the surroundings for any potential threats.

After halting Algeronte, Aleria swiftly dismounted, her eyes scanning the forest floor for any sign of the flags.

Aleria: "There should be one around here somewhere..."

She moved cautiously, aware that other contestants might be nearby. Algeronte stayed close.

Aleria: "Got it."

She spotted a glint of yellow beneath a bush and carefully approached. Brushing aside the foliage, she found a flag of deep red, indicating a high point value. She reached out to grab it.

Aleria: "Got one."

As she secured the flag to her belt, a rustling noise caught her attention. She tensed, signalling Algeronte to stay alert.

Contestant: "Hand over that flag, Aleria."

A familiar voice echoed through the trees. Aleria turned to see a fellow student emerge, their familiar—a large, armoured boar—by their side.

Aleria: "I don't think so."

She readied herself for a potential confrontation, her hand resting on Algeronte's side. The other contestant smirked, clearly eager for a fight.

Contestant: "Let's see how well you can defend that flag."

Aleria: "Algeronte, stay close."

...

Back on Arx's side, the battle was in full swing. Arx and the cloaked figure moved in perfect harmony, their combined attacks overwhelming the six opponents and their familiars.

Arx: "Watch your left."

The cloaked figure spun, deflecting a blow from a sword-wielding contestant.

Arx charged forward, disarming one of the mages with a swift strike.

The cloaked figure nodded, their eyes locking onto the remaining opponents.

With a final, coordinated assault, Arx and the cloaked figure took down the last of the contestants, leaving them unconscious on the forest floor.

Arx: "That's all of them."

He turned and began to walk away, not sparing another glance at the cloaked figure.

???: "Where are you going?"

Arx: "I've gathered enough points. You're of no use to me anymore."

The cloaked figure chuckled, a hint of amusement in their voice.

???: "How cold."

Arx didn't respond. His focus already on his next objective.

...

In the meantime, the crowd in the arena went wild. Cheers and applause filled the air as the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers.

Announcer: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first contestant to reach 20 points! Arx Von Azarkey!"

The excitement in the crowd intensified as they watched Arx's figure appear on the large screens. The announcer continued to explain the point system for the flags.

Announcer: "Let's go over the point system for the flags. Retrieving a green flag earns five points, a red flag ten points, a yellow flag fifteen points, and the elusive black flag is worth a whopping 20 points!"

The audience buzzed with anticipation, eager to see how the other contestants would fare.

With a sudden flash of light, Arx was teleported back to the arena. He stood calmly, surveying the scene as he prepared to spectate the other contestants. The crowd's cheers echoed around him, but his focus remained sharp and unyielding.

Arx: "(Time to see who else makes it through.)"

Meanwhile, back at the fight between Aleria and the other contestant, tension hung in the air. Aleria gritted her teeth as she dodged a series of attacks.

Aleria: ("Damn it, just why can't the announcer explain the mechanics all at once?")

She maneuvered Algeronte with precision, their movements a blur as they weaved through the dense forest. The contestant facing her was relentless, his familiar, a large earth elemental, matching Algeronte's speed and agility.

Contestant: "You're quick, but let's see how long you can keep it up!"

Aleria's mind raced. She needed to retrieve a flag and gain points quickly. As she scanned the surroundings, she spotted a glimmer of color in the distance.

Aleria: "Algeronte, that way!"

With a burst of speed, they surged towards the flag, determination etched on Aleria's face.

As Aleria neared the flag, her fingers just inches away, a wall of earth suddenly rose before her, blocking her path. She pulled Algeronte to a halt, glaring at the obstacle.

Contestant: "What's wrong? Can't handle a little earth magic? You're weak, even if you did kill a dragon. You're a Fraud! The Azarkeys are nothing but a joke!"

Aleria's eyes narrowed, the insult stinging more than any physical blow. A dark, ominous aura began to emanate from her, swirling with a palpable menace. With a swift motion, she created a barrier of darkness, trapping the contestant within.

Contestant: "W-what is this?!"

Aleria unmounted Algeronte, her expression cold and unforgiving. She walked towards the contestant, her right hand gripping Solarthrust, her vassal relic. Imbuing her dark energy into the rapier, she raised it, ready to strike.

Aleria: "You shouldn't have insulted the Azarkeys."

Just as she was about to deliver the blow, she regained her senses, shaking her head. She dissolved the barrier, the dark energy dissipating. The contestant, still in shock, couldn't move, paralyzed by fear.

Aleria: "Since we'll be teleported the moment we have enough points, I can no longer meet with Rheylieanne at our spot. I should wait for her in the arena."

She reached for the red flag.

Aleria: "This should be more than enough."

In an instant, Aleria was teleported back to the arena. The contestant, still in fear, was knocked out by a swift wind arrow to the head. Rheylieanne emerged from the shadows, muttering to herself.

Rheylieanne: "She really gave me some leftovers, huh?"

She turned away, scanning the area for more flags.

Rheylieanne: "Time to gather more points."

...