Chapter 189

Chapter 189 – Face the Sun

Hit where it hurts and attack the weak points . During confrontations of lineup, one would usually try to find an opportunity to destroy the defensively weaker back lines . This was the proper course of action in a group battle . Yet, Cecil actually wanted to destroy their front lines?

It was hard to really note how strong Emily was, but the survivability of an assassin was very high . Grai’s strength was already revealed to all, so that left Barran . This honest freshman was still an unknown, and it was difficult to determine whether he was at Cecil’s level or not . Even so, he was a ferocious person who managed to use brute strength to take out Rosenberg . Was Cecil’s decision to take out the front lines truly correct?

“The explosiveness and firepower of our opponent’s long-range attacks aren’t sufficient . Arrows and pistols required time before they can unleash a string of continuous attacks . The threat they pose to our own front lines is minimal at the very start . ” Cecil’s analysis hit the nail on the head . He quickly went down his lineup . “Elena, you are in charge of Grai . Use a feint and trick them into thinking you’ll be charging the back . Lure him away . Regardless of whether or not he takes the bait, you’ll still have to take the initiative and sneak-attack him . Draw him away from the front lines of their formation . Don’t clash head-on with him; your goal is to restrain!”

During the match between Grai and Adonis, the latter had purposefully courted disaster and attacked recklessly from the start . This made him waste large amounts of soul power and strength . Grai’s own strength was not clear for all to see .

Even so, restraining him should be possible . If it were Elena, she should be able to succeed . Group battles and solo matches were different, and the way one defended and attacked was also different . If Elena put her all into defending, even Cecil wouldn’t be able to deal with her within a short amount of time .

“Berlean, you’ll have to restrain that Emily . If you get the chance, finish her off!”

Although Emily’s strength was still relatively unknown, she was still just an assassin . As the main soldier of Adolf, regardless of the superiorities between occupations or the strength one held, Berlean definitely wasn’t afraid of a freshman assassin . Even if she were to be regarded as someone on Elena’s level, he definitely wouldn’t be inferior .

“After all that,” Cecil’s arrangements for this stage and his goal was clearly presented, “we will just have to block the first round of attacks from their ranged fighters . Wait for a gap in their attacks before focusing all our firepower on their heavy soldier first!”

Using Elena’s feint lure as the core, their fake 1:3:1 lineup was still, in fact, Adolf’s most familiar 1:4 lineup .

This was an absolutely vicious tactical arrangement!

Aiming to instantly take out their opponent’s heavy soldier, the one who possessed the greatest defense, was in reality an extremely difficult task . Heavy soldier Barran was very powerful, but in the end he was still just a freshman . Although he had learned that counter-charge combat technique from somewhere, his foundations and usability in squadron cooperation would definitely be weaker by a notch . If random freshmen popping up were truly that all-rounded, then there wouldn’t be any point in having others mix around .

With these arrangements, it could instantly turn the match into an advantageous three against one . As long as Qi Lian Shan was matched up properly against Barran, then with Simon and Cecil’s strength they would definitely have the chance to take out Barran .

Right now, a three-dimensional image of the fight had already been formed within everyone’s mind . The arrangement was very bold and violated common sense, but it produced instantaneous results . This was violence that couldn’t be met head-on . Their captain had finally gotten serious!

“This is a possible tactic!” Simon pushed up the glasses that rested on his nose . “Our arrangement of targeting their heavy soldier is definitely abnormal and won’t be easily seen by them . Interweaving truth and lies is a part of the art of war . The best result is when it’s hard to tell apart the truths and lies . If we can achieve our goal, the rest of the match will become easier . But will Qi Lian Shan really be fine?”

This was the critical element of their strategy . It would require, at the very least, that Qi Lian Shan wouldn’t be countered by their opponents . This substitute heavy soldier faced quite the disparity compared to Rosenberg, while Rosenberg had been dealt with by their opponent in just a second .

“Qi Lian Shan, you’ll have to display a charging attitude in order to confuse Barran . That’s it . Still, you’ll need to put all of your soul power into your defense . ” Cecil further explained, “Resist for three seconds and victory will be ours!”

Qi Lian Shan, who sat beside them all, appeared slightly nervous . He was, after all, going up against the one who had gotten rid of his most respected senior, Rosenberg .

To the side, Rosenberg lay flat on a stretcher . He could only move his upper body, but still interrupted the briefing to say, “A’Shan1, there’s no need to be so terrified of that fool . He isn’t as strong as you think he is . At most, his soul power is at 130 grassos . I, your brother, was just too careless that time—”

Before he could finish his statement, Cecil tossed him a chilling glare that caused him so much fright that the rest of his words got stuck in his throat .

“The strong are strong, the weak are weak . You better not be trying to find an excuse for losing!” Cecil said coldly . “Qi Lian Shan, you’re not necessarily inferior to your opponent, but there’s no need for heroes in the core of this battle . Tactics and strategy will suffice . Your defense isn’t weak and you’re also a member of our Adolf Academy! Remember your task well! Don’t underestimate your opponent like some fool . ”

Rosenberg’s mouth was shut tight, not daring to utter any more nonsense . As for Qi Lian Shan, he firmly nodded while shouting, “Understood, captain! Leave it to me . I’ll focus completely on defending and block him even if I die!”

☀

The half-hour preparation time quickly ended . Currently, the audience watching from the stands had already calmed down by quite a bit, but there was still a level of excitement within them all . Even so, the loud roars and shouts had already died down, and only the lingering rumble of discussion could be heard within the competition grounds .

In reality, everyone was feeling very nervous and a bit apprehensive within their hearts . Group battles was the highest test of a squadron’s strength, and it was also the most difficult test . Tianjing’s squadron had been established not so long ago and had even gone through a bout of chaos . Would the group battle go well for them?

Could Wang Zhong truly command this squadron? All everyone could do was choose to believe him . Just, they didn’t have a lot of confidence .

As they watched Wang Zhong lead his group of five onto the arena, it seemed as though he’d given them quite the long discussion as he decided their lineup . The competition grounds quickly grew quiet .

After a moment, reporter Little Mei of the academy newspaper raised her microphone to her mouth . “Our lofty academy, and brilliant heroic souls…”

Countless voices rose in accordance to her voice .

“For our lofty academy and brilliant heroic souls,

No fetters can bind our Tianjing students .

We students will ride the winds,

We students will crest the raging waves .

Our runes are extraordinary and beautiful,

Our century-long history in science will rise to the skies .

For centuries Tianjing souls have stayed with us,

For centuries they have propped up and lifted our Federation’s roof .

Give us bright and resplendent wings .

Let us break through dimensions and space .

Bring us on a voyage through our dreams…”

The singing voices fluttered across the entire competition grounds . This was Tianjing Academy’s school song . It didn’t only echo throughout the arena, but even outside as tens of thousands of people sang in chorus .

When the over twenty-thousand people began to spontaneously sing the school song, even Headmaster Greene couldn’t help but echo them in a low voice alongside the professors and teachers sitting behind him .

Headmaster Bradley, who was originally supposed to be his enemy, couldn’t help but feel deep respect . At the very least, in this moment, he witnessed and remembered the splendor and glory of Tianjing Academy .

This song had been sung by Headmaster Greene in his youth . Tianjing Academy was his alma mater while he was pursuing his studies and he’d once seen its splendorous and glorious period that was reflected in this song . For example, there was the time when Grace had led the academy to rush into the top eight of the CHF . It was a situation where over ten-thousand people had spontaneously gathered in the public square to start singing the school song as they watched the broadcast from a large screen . Headmaster Greene would never forget that till the day he dies .

But how long ago had that been? Ten years? Twenty? The song had already become an ‘accompanying’ song regularly played during academy get-togethers . There weren’t many who felt the song was nice to hear, and even fewer truly felt that the song brought them glory and honour . On the contrary, they would be ridiculed as ‘hillbillies’ when they were heard .

Yet now, everyone sung it . This wasn’t some request from the academy, and this definitely wasn’t some get-together . It had happened because they wished to sing it!

Greene suddenly felt that their academy, which had declined after so very, very long, finally came together for the first time today . It was a feeling of having emerged to shoot toward the rising sun!

Using A’ in front of a person’s name is usually done as a term of endearment .