The upcoming magical competition was announced by Naki the next day in the class of sages.
None of the students were particularly unsettled by this announcement as they pretty much expected it to happen.
However, their confidence was unfounded, for there was a painful fact that hung over their heads.
Naki dropped a piece of sheet on the podium in the hall.
"Going by the information instructor Samantha sent to me, we currently have no hope as it stands of winning the competition. Who here can guess why that is?" asked Naki.
"pfft." Louise snickered and covered her mouth.
"Turns out you have lost every single contest against the sage potentials of the other factions in Allura and Sorusha prior to this event," Naki said, shaking his head in frustration.
"What the hell, aren't you supposed to be world beaters or something?" he asked, annoyed.
They've all heard those words before. Bisky was busy chewing on a bubble gum while applying her makeup, Habiki looked the other way, while Louise was having a hard time suppressing her laughter.
Only Jhun and Maya were taking Naki seriously.
"Sir Naruki. The situation is well documented, and while I hesitate to say this, we're competing against those who had an overseer instructor guiding them. The same couldn't be said for us." Maya raised a hand and said on the class's behalf.
"With you joining us, we're hoping there'll be a reversal in our fortunes soon, otherwise...well, we won't get another chance again," she concluded.
Naki nodded and grabbed the booklet he was given
"Basically, my job is to get all your work as a team for the finale of the event."
Everyone in the class got attentive, this was new. Bisky had to lay low the makeup to listen.
"(A team effort? does that mean we get to...)" Bisky thought, as images of her past dealings with Habiki flashed through her mind.
"As a team? you mean to say the board decided on a team event as opposed to individual performance like previous years?" Jhun asked, adjusting his lenses for effect.
"Yes", Naki nodded. "I arrived at this conclusion after analyzing everyone's performance back in the sparring session and respective session histories"
He picked up a pen and went to the board.
"Fate, or otherwise, this class has been blessed with what I'd refer to as the ideal party," he said, detailing everyone's attributes on the board.
"You have Jhun for offensive, Habiki for defense, Maya for Healing, that's the basic triad covered. Then, for more experienced formations, Louise acting as support can make any team explosive with her well-timed buffs."
Everyone watched as he showed how they could coordinate their actions.
"Jhun can engage any foe with confidence, a trait any attacker should have. Habiki the prodigy excels in defenses that could fend off even the likes of giant serpents with ease."
"Added to her high tactical mindset, she remains an invaluable member of the team."
Naki emphasized on the chemistry between Jhun and Habiki.
"With well-timed defenses and attacks, added with tactical ingenuity, Jhun and Habiki have the potential to make a formidable strike force. However, there are some opponents that offensive alone won't suffice, defence will weaken, that's when Maya comes in."
"With her restorative powers, she can keep the party alive, while Louise acts as the general supporting unit; she must both be protected and kept motivated, to ensure the team is fluent in their actions."
Using what could only be described as magical symbols and illustrations, Naki carefully plotted the dynamics of the team.
This revelation amazed everyone in the hall; it was only a theory, but the words made for vivid imagery.
"(Huh...I never thought the class was so well aligned. Naki is quite the strategist, isn't he? I wonder how much he is keeping from me...or rather, how much I have yet to ask)" Habiki thought with a delighted smile.
Naki concluded his explanation, then Louise raised her hand.
"Heya sir, so I can't help but notice a certain individual is missing completely from you know...all this?" She was referring to Bisky, who had no place in the charts Naki had drawn.
The whole class cast a glance at Bisky behind them, who appeared unfazed.
Instead, she had a sly smile on her lips, her gaze fixated on Naki.
"Good question, Louise," Naki nodded and went back to the chart. "And the answer to that is quite simple."
Naki dropped the board pen and grabbed his booklet.
"They say there's no I in team. However, I believe every truly legendary team needs one wildcard, an individual that can tilt the scales of battle in a split second, doesn't play by the rules, and can work alone."
Naki said and pointed to Bisky.
"Said individual is usually the difference between victory and defeat when facing a formidable party, and I've neither seen nor experienced a better fit than Bisky."
All attention fell on her as she blew her gum once again with a cheeky smile.
"Well well teach. It appears you know me well," she said
"(Bisky as the wildcard...I suppose that makes sense. The question is, would she actually follow the plans we put in place. She's always been one to play by her own terms)"
Naki nodded and addressed the rest of the class.
"We meet in the sparring hall once again to practice scenarios. The time has come to put an end to our abysmal record, and we shall start by claiming the ultimate prize."
Naki concluded and made his way out of the hall. Maya watched him go and smiled.
"(His confidence in us is sweet...Reminds me of Naki. Wait for me, Naki. Once I become a sage, I promise I will help get rid of the dark might that took our childhood away from us. Sir Naruki will help me become a sage, he must.)"
Maya's ambition to help Naki, someone she wholly admired, remain.
She remained oblivious to the fact, she's been interacting with him for the past 3 days already.
Outside the hall.
Naki stared once again at the 6 circles.
"(tsk...I have to do something about this before it's too late. It'll be tricky guiding the class without room to manoevre)"
He adjusted his glove and held the booklet close.
"(For now I'll have to workaround with self-harm, long enough for an opportunity to present itself. I will also meet with Habiki later. She needs to know of the progress with the mission)"
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As planned, Naki followed through with his promise of training the sage potentials on the art of teamwork and combat. While the other disciplines were handled by the other instructors. It took several days of intense practice and sessions to get the sage potentials in their best shape for the upcoming competition
<><><>
Several days passed - 1 more day till the Magic Competition
Listeria Academy - Lunchroom
Naki was seated at the table. He had a soda and simple fries in front of him as he analyzed the booklet he had updated, detailing the records of the sessions and training exercises they had been through.
"(They've come a long way. We managed to get Habiki to master 70% of her Pshi gate 7 abilities. Louise improved her casting speed by 30% while Maya learned a super technique on party healing effects.)"
He grabbed the soda, still looking at the booklet.
"(Jhun was actually more than talk, he's a super smart mage. He picked up everything quickly, and his attacking prowess with his grimoire Azazel is second to none in the class. Speaking of grimoires though, Bisky is yet to show me hers...)"
"(Habiki did say she was a prodigy without the divine entity, so there's a chance she doesn't need a grimoire...but she does have one. Also, did she manage to get power from Emile already?)"
Naki lost in thought, didn't notice when Maya took the seat in front of him. It was only after he set down the booklet that the sudden lunch companion startled him
"Ah, it's you, Maya. I did not see you coming." Naki exclaimed.
Maya had a charming smile.
"Hihi, sorry. You were so engrossed in your duties, I thought it rude to interrupt."
"Hahaha, that's so like you, Maya, always so considerate," laughed Naki. Forgetting briefly, he had to put on a front.
"!? umm...I guess" Maya was confused. For a moment there, she just heard her teacher sound like he had known her from way back.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Naki settled the booklet and gave Maya his full attention.
"Oh, nothing too serious," she waved her hands, embarrassed, "I just wanted to share lunch with my instructor before the big day tomorrow, ahah," she added.
"I see. Well, don't think too hard about it. We've put in the effort, and from what I can see, I have no doubt you guys will emerge as victors," Naki said confidently.
Maya smiled and looked down.
"I...I sure hope you're right, Sir Naruki."
Naki couldn't help but notice her moody expression.
"Maya? Is something wrong?" he asked in a concerned tone.
"Ummm...(well, it's not like I have to hide it...He's my instructor, I just feel like...talking to someone about it, and I don't know why I feel...he would listen)" Maya thought, then pushed her lunch plate aside.
"It's just...becoming Sage is really important for me, instructor, and I can't afford to fail, I can't fail because..." she said, her voice trailing off.
Naki waited for her to continue, but she didn't.
"Because?" he said, to give her a push.
"My...someone important to me, he's...counting on me. I feel like he's giving up, and if I can't pull this through, I might lose him forever."
Naki was stunned by her words. Maya has never once expressed this to him. She's always been cheerful, happy being with him. He had no idea she was doing that for his sake, while also trying to become a Sage to help him.
Naki's heart was stung, but not because of Maya's struggle to aid him, but not of his ignorance and weakness back then, no.
He was hurt because the pain Maya is feeling right now is all on him.