We were going to be destroyed. I was confident about our powers, but that was only to a point. Going up against the team most likely to finish number 1 in a month was a daunting prospect. I quickly got over those nerves; however, my logical mind came into play; it was a great opportunity to measure the playing field and see just how good we would have to be to win.

They walked into our courtyard as if they owned the place. Which if they were anything like Urtil, they probably did.

The team was entirely filled with Natives who looked down on us immediately.

Unfortunately for us, their strength really did back that up, even the weakest of them was close to the peak of Tier 4, there was little chance for us to defeat them one on one. The strongest on their team was half-step Tier 6.

There was every chance he would become a prime before the Culling, which would be nice, but I think he stopped himself from advancing for a reason. As soon as you reached Tier 6 while still in the programs, you would immediately be made a prime.

So why their leader hadn't done so already was a complete mystery.

Still, his glare towards Urtil was sign enough that they weren't going to let us off easily. Their captain followed in behind them. His force of presence was definitely more than our Captain, but unlike Unusu, he was still lacking. So that filled me with a little bit of hope.

As we went over the tactics for the battle, I realized I shouldn't have bothered raising my hopes. Anything we were capable of, they were better at. Even their summoner was stronger than Urtil. He was only the third strongest on the team as well.

Both Unusu and the Captain touted that we should be able to reach the Top 5, was the difference between 5th and 1st place really so stark.

They seemed like an insurmountable mountain.

Still, I was used to that. I would have to continue as usual, with one step at a time.

We lined up in our formation, the news from the captain really had been dour, nearly everyone became demotivated. Apart from Iirin, Urtil and I. I had never seen Urtil so serious, in fact.

His face was dead set in a grimace, his eyes shooting fire all around.

Their leader looked back and smiled like he was looking at misbehaving kids.

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I was confident Iirin, and I would at least be able to surprise the opposing team.

With the whistle, the match began.

I immediately leaped back, shields covering me, made by both me and Lirop, As I moved to the back of the formation I began to summon as fast as I could, drawing inspiration from the summoner I had seen on the first day, knowing that in terms of raw power I wouldn't be able to touch anyone in the opposing team just yet.

As I began to focus, the simple spells coming to me in droves, attacking me constantly. They weren't doing much damage to my shields, but they were focusing on several single spots. I couldn't see through the fighting who was doing it.

All I would have to do was finish some summoning, then move position, continue that process until we had a chance.

Suddenly my vision of the fight was completely blocked. A massive cloud of dirt rose the ground, circling the main group, impossible to see into.

That was when I saw my attacker reach around the dome. His arms a glowing blue. I was mid-summon, my spell on barely canceling as he let loose. I dove to the side. My side exploded in pain, the backlash from the shield breaking seemingly ripping my head apart. I had never felt so much force behind the magic.

I tried to get up; all I could feel was the pain.

Another bolt struck hitting my shoulder, sending me to the ground, the rocks and stones digging into my back.

He appeared in my vision, the haunting smile searing itself into my brain. He raised his arm, and the world exploded.

One of Iirins' familiar beams struck him right off my back. I was never happier to have my hair and eyebrows singed off again.

I looked around as I struggled to my feet.

Urtil had managed something incredible; he was controlling for the first time I had seen two summons.

A glowing dirt giant seemed to be a collection of all the dust that was once blocking them.

His other summon, a giant stone wolf that seemed very happy running around ripping into mages.

Iirin was limping towards me, looking very worse for wear. Still, I had to be happy for him, the aura of a Tier 4 spread out from him, the breakthrough had increased his strength significantly. I was looking forward to seeing what he could do now.

The guy who had been attacking me was out for the count. He was lying on the ground, not looking like he wanted to get up anytime soon.

The said could be said for a lot of our fighters. There were only four of us still standing, Adrian and I, the only outsiders still in fighting form. Adrian wasn't going to last long. He was barely contending against a massive man, a 4th tier combat mage. I was surprised Adrian wasn't long since defeated.

Urtil was keeping most of their attention with his summons. That was when I noticed the leader of the opposing team. He was standing still where we all started. He hadn't even involved himself in the fight yet.

We were fucked.

I couldn't keep my head together to summon anything, Iirin was sending shots at everyone else, most having little effect, even with his new strength.

Their captain was grinning, obviously quite happy with himself.

I had to get myself together. I had to bring out the biggest summon I had.

It had appeared just after I reached Tier 3, a giant creature, the size of the house I used to live in. Scale armor covered its back. Ferocious claws adorned each of its six legs. Its main purpose was actually to dig into the earth.

It would make a pretty good distraction.

I managed to start the process slowly.

The dirt on the ground began to rise once again.