(Elsewhere in the Association grounds)
While Team 3 celebrated their victory in the cafeteria, Team 6 stood in the shadowed courtyard.
Jackie lashed out, his boot cracking against the stone wall with a thunderous bang, "That damn bastard actually won!" he shouted, his voice echoing off the ancient stones.
Second place wasn't just a loss—it was a searing insult, a brand on his pride that burned deeper than lightning.
Joseph and Violet sat at a nearby table, unfazed by his fury. Violet sipped her tea delicately, the steam curling like a wraith, "You should calm down. Anger is terrible for your health."
"I don't give a flying fuck about health!" Jackie snarled, his voice raw with rage, but after a seething moment, he slumped into a chair, defeated for now.
His fingers drummed against the table, lightning flickering between them, "I refuse to live in a world where Miles beats me at anything. The next event? They're going down. I'll make sure of it."
Joseph swallowed a bite of cake, "You realize the next test is a rescue mission, right? They'll grade us differently on how each team rescues a target from danger."
A bolt of electricity erupted from Jackie's clenched fist, scorching the grass in a sizzling arc, "Then I'll find another way to crush him. Doesn't matter what it is, I must remain victorious over that damn emo bastard."
Violet and Joseph exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them.
"How about soccer?" Joseph suggested, his tone was casual, "There's a court in the gymnasium. We can settle it there; besides, it gives us an opportunity to learn our enemies' skills outside of combat."
Jackie's eye twitched, a storm brewing behind it. Then, slowly, a grin split his face like a crack in the earth. He stood, draining his tea in one aggressive gulp, "Perfect. Let's go find them."
(Back in the cafeteria)
Team 3's laughter was cut short by a voice like rolling thunder.
"MILES!"
The cafeteria doors slammed open with a resounding crash, Jackie storming in with his teammates trailing behind him.
Miles nearly choked on his drink, the liquid spraying as Jackie marched toward their table, only to freeze when the Wyrm materialized around Miles, its eyes blazing with a deathly glare toward Jackie, "Don't hurt him," it murmured, its voice a low, menacing hiss.
Arthur leaned back, his chair creaking under his relaxed posture, "Can we help you?"
Joseph stepped forward, hands raised in a gesture of peace, "Just a friendly invitation. How about a game of soccer to pass the time?"
Gwin's eyes lit up like fireworks, "Ohhh, a showdown! Yes!"
Miles wiped his mouth, "Define 'friendly.'"
Jackie's grin turned feral, baring teeth, "He means a bloodbath—" but Violet gently bonked his head with a firm tap, silencing him.
"A simple 3 vs 3 game. One striker, defender, and goalkeeper. Triggers are allowed but can only be applied within our respective roles," she clarified, her tone smooth but firm.
Arthur thought about it, a smirk curling his lips, "My, my. Now that sounds interesting."
Joseph smirked in return, "I'm glad to hear you guys are interested in this. How about we start right away since the day is still young?"
---
The gymnasium buzzed with tension as the two teams faced off on the indoor soccer court.
The teams lined up across from each other, wearing uniforms tailored for the occasion:
Team 3 (wearing a sleek black-and-blue uniform) Striker: Arthur Defender: Gwin Goalkeeper: Miles
Team 6 (wearing a regal white-and-gold uniform) Striker: Jackie Defender: Violet Goalkeeper: Joseph
The referee for this match was Vanessa, chosen at Arthur's request.
"Alright, boys and girls, we will have a standard 90-minute match. The rules are simple: whoever has the most goals wins, and no using Triggers outside of respective roles," she shouted.
"Teams, please go to your respective positions," she announced, and each member scattered to their spots.
A smile crept up on her face as she shouted, "BEGIN!" before tossing the ball high into the air with a dramatic flourish.
Without hesitation, Jackie and Arthur both sprinted to snatch the ball, their feet pounding the court. But unsurprisingly to Arthur, Jackie was a bit too fast, his lightning-enhanced agility snatching the ball away in a blur.
He outran Arthur, dashing toward the enemy goalpost with a roar, "You're going down, Miles!" His voice echoed.
Gwin braced to intercept, her blood-red stance ready, but Jackie planned to score his way. He kicked the ball into the air, and it erupted in a blinding light, a flash that disoriented Gwin, forcing her to shield her eyes.
Then he dashed in a blinding flash, reappearing where the ball hung, and reared back for the shot, "DIE, YOU EMO BASTARD!!!" The ball transformed into a bolt of pure lightning, rocketing toward the goal with a deafening crack.
Miles' eyes narrowed, his focus sharpening, "Not today."
Dark hands erupted from the ground like vengeful spirits, catching the electrified ball inches from the net. The force sent a shockwave rippling through the court.
Score: 0-0
"DAMN IT!" Jackie shouted.
"ARTHUR!" Miles drop-kicked the ball to Arthur, who caught it with his chest and let it rest against his ankle.
"My turn," he muttered, before dashing toward the enemy goal.
He weaved through the field with fluid grace, but Violet stepped into his path, her voice cold, "Over my dead body." A thick, purple haze spread before Arthur, a poisonous mist that forced him to skid to a halt, the air stinging his lungs.
"Tch. Cheap trick," he growled.
Gwin sprinted up beside him, her voice teasing, "Does my hubby need a boost?"
Arthur grinned, "Do it."
Gwin's blood formed a platform beneath him, a crimson catapult that shot Arthur into the air, soaring over the mist. His leg ignited mid-kick, the ball transforming into a roaring fireball that blazed toward the goal.
Joseph braced himself, a radiant shield materializing, but the explosion shook the gym, the walls trembling. When the smoke cleared…
The ball was embedded in the net, the crowd erupting in cheers.
Score: 1-0 (Team 3 Leads!)
Jackie's eye twitched, "You think that's enough?!"
He snatched the ball, his entire body surging with power, electricity arcing across his frame, "I'm ending this NOW!"
The sky itself seemed to crackle as Jackie unleashed a devastating shot—a spiraling tempest of electricity that tore through the air, the sound a thunderous roar.
Miles gritted his teeth, "I can—" but he couldn't react fast enough, the speed overwhelming.
The shockwave shattered the gym lights in a cascade of sparks. When the dust settled…
The ball had torn through the net, leaving a smoking hole.
Score: 1-1 (Tie Game!)
With seconds left, Arthur stole the ball in a daring lunge, "This ends here."
Jackie and Violet rushed him, but Arthur dodged, weaving between them with grace.
Violet tried to unleash her poison mist, but Arthur's left eye pulsed, disabling her power before she could act, leaving her gasping.
Joseph braced, "You won't get past—"
Arthur's eyes blazed with determination.
He kicked the ball into the air, the ball igniting into a phoenix of pure flame, its wings spreading in a dazzling display. Arthur flew toward it, spinning in the air like a wild tornado, before delivering a powerful kick that sent it rocketing toward Joseph.
Joseph's shield shattered on impact with a resounding crash—
GOOOOOAL!
Final Score: 2-1 (Team 3 Wins!)
Jackie collapsed to his knees, his fists shaking with rage, "Damn it… DAMN IT!"
Joseph sighed, a wry smile on his lips, "Well played."
Violet patted Jackie's head, her touch gentle, "There, there. We'll crush them next time. Besides, it was fun, wasn't it?"
Jackie glared at her, his pride wounded, before storming away.
Gwin was jumping up and down, celebrating, "Best buddy, we win! We win! We win!" she shouted.
Miles dropped to the ground, completely exhausted, his breath ragged, "Yeah, but something tells me that was the worst outcome," he said with a stiff smile, glancing at Jackie's retreating figure.
Arthur smirked, tossing the ball aside with a casual flick, "You were holding back, Joseph."
Joseph laughed, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, "You noticed. Forgive me, but I'm saving my strength for our duel in the combat exam."
Arthur crouched down, his tone curious, "By the way, you wanted to know your grandfather's final words—"
Joseph simply covered his ears, cutting him off, "Nope, I want to hear it when you and I are in the finals together. Depending on what it is, I might give you a really bad time."
Arthur stood and lightly chuckled, "Fine by me," and made his way back to his team.