Chapter 450 - A Provocative Public Practice
Our Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy is currently making quite a stir.
First, there was our brilliant victory in the first round.
We had our flagship Magic Doll shine brightly and equipped it with a conspicuous magical device to draw attention. Even using such a device was noteworthy, but what really stood out was our clearly superior skill compared to the other schools.
In a Magic Doll battle where up to fifty dolls can participate, achieving a perfect victory without losing a single doll is incredibly difficult. We accomplished it with ease, and that’s impressive.
The three schools we faced in the first round were so far below our level that they hardly provided a gauge of our true strength. Understandably, many people want to know more about us.
This interest extends beyond the Magic Doll Club; journalists from newspapers and magazines are also curious.
While this is a student competition and we are in the midst of the tournament, there are still many intense gazes from all around. Given our ambition to become champions, such attention is to be expected. Uncomfortable stares and probing intentions are all part of the plan, so it’s not a problem.
What’s interesting now is the confusion many onlookers have about our post-match activities, which deviate from the norm.
Typically, after your own match is over, you’d scout the other schools' matches to gather information. Instead, our girls immediately started running around the match venue.
The sight of the normally prim and proper ladies in gray uniforms switching to jogging suits and running in formation is quite a spectacle.
The girls began their run in perfect formation, and their speed was almost at full sprint without using magic.
"One, one, one-two!"
"Heave!"
They completed their first lap, and Hermira’s voice was growing closer.
Their steps were perfectly synchronized with the calls: left foot forward on the first count, right foot on the second.
The group of ladies running steadily and in formation at a brisk pace was quite a sight. The four-kilometer perimeter of the venue, which they were circling while shouting, naturally drew a lot of attention.
Initially, the club members seemed bashful, but by the end of the first lap, they had thrown caution to the wind and were marching confidently.
My plan for today is to draw as much attention as possible after winning the match.
We’ll stand out through our performance and our actions. Our Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy will dominate the headlines.
The Magic Doll battle is a popular sport in the northern continent, and I intend to make us the center of attention throughout the tournament.
A champion doesn’t play the role of a shadowy power. From the start, we need to loudly proclaim our claim to the throne.
One, two, three laps, and the time taken was no more than half an hour. Yet, the venue was already buzzing with an unusual energy.
Such excitement outside the matches is unusual, but we were the ones stirring it up.
Once the girls finished running and caught their breath, I addressed them as usual.
"Alright, five-minute break. After that, prepare your Magic Dolls. Mildree, you decide the basic training drills."
"Yes, ma’am!"
Today is match day, and we are at the venue, but that doesn’t matter. I, the Advisor, have asked them to use any free time for practice. Many schools do light training, but none do such intense foundational drills. We’re not doing anything strange.
I see numerous advantages in our Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy maintaining its usual routine. This way, we can demonstrate our rigorous training and intimidate other schools.
By drawing attention, we familiarize the girls with performing in the spotlight and reduce their tension.
By monopolizing the spotlight, we reinforce the notion of Saint Emeralda’s revival and deter any foul play.
Being the center of attention has many benefits, aside from the initial embarrassment.
This could be embarrassing if we lose, but we are determined to win.
"So, let’s start with our usual drills!"
After a short break, Vice-President Mildree stepped out of the tent and called out. The girls quickly prepared and began their practice.
Schools we’ve faced in practice matches and those who only know of our reputation cannot help but be curious about our training methods. As a result, crowds naturally gathered around our tent.
Look at the skill of our girls.
The drills involve making the Magic Dolls perform a series of predetermined movements. When done in perfect synchronization and at high speed, the drills are a clear demonstration of our skill.
While the movements are simple, they require advanced techniques in terms of the amount and density of mana used, precise timing, and the ability to sense the mana of other Dolls to coordinate movements.
The skill level of our dolls directly reflects the magical prowess of the operators. No other school can match our level, and even other talented students can recognize this after a brief observation.
Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy boasts consistently high abilities and has no weaknesses.
Fear us. Imagine facing us and the ugly defeats that await. Regret glimpsing our practice on the day of the final.
This is the future champion.
Our practice serves as a display of strength, mentally overwhelming and undermining the performance of other schools.
We can win with our sheer skill, but we also use every other advantage to secure victory.
Winning without mercy means this.
We don’t let our opponents perform at their best. We maintain a clear advantage while ensuring we are always at our peak. In this way, defeat is impossible.
Words like ‘fair and square’ are just rhetoric from the half-hearted.
Winning straightforwardly without tricks is the norm. Our Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy can win fair and square against any opponent, but we go even further.
A true champion leaves no room for complacency and does everything to increase the chances of victory. Preparing for failure is unnecessary; we do everything possible.
"—Two more sets!"
"Yes, ma’am!"
It took more than twenty minutes for the first round of drills to complete.
For mere curiosity, it would have been an entertaining spectacle, but for our rivals, it was a stifling experience. Announcing two more sets as a matter of course only added to the intensity.
Performing such advanced drills for an extended period is both physically and magically draining, making our girls’ endurance and skill all the more remarkable.
Our girls stand on a different stage from the others. Our ambition and determination set us apart from other schools, and they will have realized this.
As the day progressed, it was a good time in the afternoon.
We cut the practice short in the afternoon to allow for recovery.
After lunch, we gave the girls a break and free time to prepare for the second round.
Serious club members stayed together, discussing in groups rather than wandering around. While I told them there was no need to watch boring matches from other schools, I admit it might be a bit fun to observe. They seem focused on their next match, which is fine, but a bit more relaxation would be nice.
"The second round’s first match is about to begin. Please assemble at your designated positions."
A booming voice from a magical device in the waiting area announced our turn.
After waiting for a long time, it was finally our turn. This is our last match of the day, so we can give it our all.
The girls sprang into action, quickly preparing themselves.
"Teacher, we’re off."
There was no need for me to give a lengthy speech. I simply said one thing to send them off.
"Hold nothing back and give it your all."
"Understood. We’ll definitely win."
"Yes!"
Everyone seems to be in high spirits. I can relax and watch the match.
I moved to the spectator seats and settled in to watch.
"The second round of the Beltoria Preliminaries is about to begin. Participating schools, please—"
The announcer listed the names of the participating schools.
This time, Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy is in the western tower, wearing yellow bibs.
The introduction is not just a verbal announcement; the impressive light magic displays on giant screens show detailed images of the students and their Magic Dolls.
While listening to the descriptions of the opposing schools, I carefully observed their Magic Dolls’ movements, as did our girls.
I assessed that all three schools were at least two levels below us. Even if they were complacent, we could still win.
"We apologize for the wait. The second round’s first match is about to begin—"
A light magic signal marked the start of the match.
As soon as it began, Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy employed the same strategy as the first round.
Given our easy win and the low level of our second-round opponents, there was no need to show any new tactics.
Again, our flagship doll shone brightly and made a loud noise.
"Come at us, if you dare. It’s a cheap provocation, but with our overwhelming strength, it’s an effective strategy. And the other schools don’t know if it’s truly our flagship doll."
We moved forward boldly, drawing attention and advancing directly as in the first round.
However, the other schools, having watched our first match, had devised a counter-strategy.
Given the skill gap, it was natural for them to try to avoid being picked off one by one. They demonstrated coordinated movements.
The team in the eastern tower, directly in front of us, fortified their defenses, while the teams in the northern and southern towers rushed towards them.
The audience, excited by this development, likely saw it as a one-against-three or a chaotic battle.
"Too naive."
Have they forgotten the skill difference?
Such a basic counter is ineffective against our overwhelming strength.
The speed difference is stark, with our movement speed being more than double theirs. Unlike the first round, we started moving seriously from the beginning.
While the other schools hesitated, we launched a fierce assault on the eastern tower team.
We could predict the position and movements of their flagship doll and easily broke through their defense.
With stunning speed, we shattered their defenses and targeted their flagship doll.
The eastern tower team was the first to fall, signaling their defeat with a blue light magic signal.
After confirming the result, we shifted our focus to the northern and southern towers. With our superior skill, we could engage them in a two-front battle.
We left our shining flagship doll near the eastern tower and engaged the two schools confidently.
Our superior speed, the density of mana in our dolls, and the power of our attacks, combined with our defensive prowess and mental composure, made the numerical disadvantage irrelevant.
Leaving the conspicuous doll in the east was also a psychological move. It drew attention away from the immediate threat, making it easier for us to corner the northern and southern teams.
Even knowing they couldn’t escape, the temptation to break our flagship doll lingered.
Focused divided, the enemy was vulnerable. Our girls needed no tricks, just straightforward and relentless attacks to break through.
Almost simultaneously, the pink and green light magic signals from the northern and southern towers rose into the sky, followed by a large yellow light.
Victory for our Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy.
As the yellow light illuminated the sky, the stadium erupted in cheers. But look at the faces of our girls.
There is no surprise or excitement; they move on to the next task with the calmness of achieving a foregone conclusion. They have come to understand this.
The audience must have felt the presence of true strength.
Yes, not bad. Reflecting on the day, it was a confident and undeniable victory, not just a gimmick.
Combining the wins from the first and second rounds, we have demonstrated the caliber of champions.
Thus, the first day of the tournament came to a close.
A day of complete and attention-grabbing victory for Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy.