Chapter 103.4 - The Second Year at the Academy - Joint Exercise 1 (4)
You can do a plausible deflection, but somethings off.
Deflection intervenes on the trajectory. Avoidance lets you slip away.
[Feather Guard] not only deflects but also disrupts the posture.
The outcome leans toward deflection, yet the sensation is akin to avoidance.
Skills rely on external magical support. They should be doing something akin to magic.
Does it amplify the opponents momentum?
If so, Id expect similar results.
Then, while avoiding, try adding force to the opponents attack with a deflection-like maneuver.
Finally getting my thoughts together, I raised my wooden sword,
Are you okay, Alter!
Lambert leaped in, his expression changing drastically as he swung at me.
What are you doing!? Its like ganging up on someone!
Just lost in thought for a moment.
Lambert turned around, dumbfounded.
Its fine, no fatal wounds, and were in the midst of combat, so focus properly, okay?
Anyway, get out of here!
Even if you say that
Just when I had finally sorted out my thoughts.
Looking around in distress, I noticed a young man standing at a distance, smiling wryly.
Long time no see, Tobias-san. Thanks for being the referee.
Indeed. Lets take this seriously, Alter-kun. Youd get eliminated if it werent for me, you know?
For some reason, I got scolded.
Im taking this seriously enough.
If by seriousness, you mean recklessness, please refrain. The exercise will end too soon.
As I pondered while surveying the front lines,
The left flank was taken by Lambert, and Felix and Elliot were holding up the center.
As for the right flank, wheres Karmaloh, nowhere to be seen, not a soul.
Before I knew it, the right flank had collapsed, and enemy forces were pushing towards our main camp.
More than twenty of them.
Did Karmal and his group get taken out?
Even so, there are too many enemy troops advancing.
Then Im turning my gaze to the enemys main camp.
I couldnt see them, but I felt their presence was sparse.
Theyve deployed the escort and even the magic academy students.
They must have concentrated their forces after seeing our weak right flank and broke through in one go.
Risky move.
This is when the archers shouldno, its no use. Theyre not even being considered by the enemy.
Despite the commanders orders, theyre desperately shooting, but unless they hit the head or chest, the referees wont count it as a fatal blow.
Theyre dodging half-heartedly, and the enemy isnt even paying attention.
I scratch my cheek while observing their situation.
Even if the instructor approves, Im not pleased.
Lambert, come back.
When I called out, Lambert shoved a 2nd year aside, exchanged positions with an ally at the front line, and rushed back with an angry expression.
Whats going on now!? This is a battlefield, you know!?
It seems like our main camp is about to fall.
Lambert was surprised and quickly glanced back.
When did
It looks like the right flank collapsed.
Normally, there would be communication, but blaming that now would be too late.
We should have prepared for this kind of situation and left someone behind.
So, I need your help.
What are you planning to do?
Ill go ahead and hold them off. Lead the archers to our main camp. Dont let them waste their shots.
Lambert nodded and issued instructions.
Felix, Elliot! Leave this to us! Hold the line!
Understood!
Felix stayed in the center while Elliot went to support the left flank.
Watching Lambert rush off, I turned my gaze to the front line.
Thanks to Lambert and the others causing a ruckus. The center is in a favorable position, but the enemy units on the left flank are still going strong.
Its strange even though I did my best.
Regardless, relying only on Elliots support is unreliable. Lets shave off some of their numbers.
With a swing of my single-handed sword, I returned to the forefront.
I struck down the third-years pouncing at me, aimed at the sides of the second-years, and deflected the wooden swords of another group of third-years.
Then, aiming at their stunned expressions, I struck their necks and hearts with the wooden swords.
Three down! Withdraw, all of you!
Tobias promptly declared.
Looking at the remaining Edgem squads, they hesitated before retreating in fear.
We have the numerical advantage, and their morale has waned. We should be able to defend this.
As I thought that, in an instant,
Halt!!
There was a sudden shout.
Not just me, but everyone at the forefront stopped moving, and we all looked toward the Sobal squads position.
The archers who were shouted at directly in front of me were frozen.
Regardless, Lambert approached the archer commander.
Immediately, all the archers assembled and led by Lambert ran towards our main camp.
Thats efficiently done, including the commander.
Regaining my composure, I addressed my allies.
Im heading to the main camp too. Can I leave this place to you guys? Ill be back soon.
Yes, leave it to us!
Whether it was aimed at Lambert or me, a 3rd year responded politely.
I smiled wryly, and even Elliot cheered me on.
Im counting on you for the main camp!
Yeah, Im counting on you too.
And with that, I was seen off by my steadfast allies as I headed toward the rescue of our main camp.
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