Sira looked on with apprehension at the direction the battle roars were coming from. The Water Class launched their attack at the Fire Monolith, using their teamwork to overcome the individual capabilities of the Fire Class.

The barrier around the Monolith could only receive so many attacks before breaking. Before long, an announcement was broadcast that the Fire Team was eliminated, taken over by the Water Class. Sira thought that it could be a good chance to attack the Water Class, but Julian had a different opinion.

“We’ll be attacking the Lightning Class; they are the strongest and the most threatening.” Julian shook his head at her suggestion. “If we turn our backs to them, we’re bound to be eliminated. They must be eyeing whoever takes the bait and attack the Water Class’s base.”

“Fighting them head on is just reckless.” Sira couldn’t believe he would even suggest such a thing. “I think we should steer away from them until the end.”

“Nonsense.” Julian spat. “I can take on their leader, all that would be left would be the small fries. The Water Class won’t be attacking us, they would go after the weaker Wind Class. Let’s go! Three people should stay here to inform us if another class attacks!”

Before long, Julian gathered his forces and marched on toward the closest monolith to them, the Lightning Class. After ten minutes of navigating through the forest, they were able to see the purple light piercing the sky.

“After we take them down, everyone else will fear us!” Julian declared his ambitions and they were delusional in Sira’s opinion.

‘We’ll be crushed by that guy.’ She knew it as a fact. ‘The only good thing is that I don’t have to take care of that weakling. If he couldn’t hide probably until the end of the exam, then Lady Valkyrie would understand how useless he is.’

Even though her grace, Valkyrie Helnes, has asked her to take care of him because he was special, Sira couldn’t see it. That student had no redeeming qualities that she could respect, not to mention special ones.

At this time, she couldn’t take care of him. That’s why she had asked Marcus to accompany him but that impudent fellow turned him down again. No wonder he was so hated, Sira thought.

As they approached the monolith, they noticed the sky was beginning to grow darker. When they exited the forest and entered the clearing, they were able to see lightning dye the sky with a purple hue.

“Welcome!” A voice greeted them from above. They craned their necks to see who it was and found a young youth standing atop the monolith with his arms crossed around his chest. “I hate tactics, so let’s go all out against each other!”

He wore unusual clothes that consisted of a light-purple robe that reached his knees and a white shirt lined with engravings. From his ears dangled a pair of earrings that resembled a golden lightning mark.

The youth clapped his hands together and mana exploded from them. The mana turned into a lightning spear that was grasped by the youth. He grinned as he launched the spear at them.

“Scatter!” Julian was reasonable enough to know that crowding now was deadly. The students fled everywhere as Sira jumped backward.

Lightning descended and it brought a dear friend of its, destruction. The ground turned into fine crystals as a wave of heat exploded along with the incoming explosion.

The unfortunate students, who didn’t manage to flee in time, were electrocuted senseless. However, Julian preferred to charge forward than reorganize their forces and help the fallen students.

“Charge!” Julian roared as he and Erza ran forward. The confused students didn’t know what to do other than follow after him. Sira shook her head as she sensed that Lightning Class students were coming to block them.

‘They’re trying to hold us in place until he creates the next spear of lightning.’ Sira realized, panic beginning to take over. ‘I knew that he was reckless, but this is insane.’ She looked at Julian, furious.

“What should we do, my lady?” Marcus asked from beside her and she gritted her teeth. Without saying anything, she ran after Julian.

Even though he was reckless, his choice was correct at the moment. If they get close to the enemy, the lightning would do as much damage to them.

The students from the Lightning team didn’t have the Lightning elemental mana. It was only a coincidence that the heir of a lightning family ended up in the lightning class.

Sira took out her bow and jumped upward. With one swift motion, she nocked three arrows and released them. The arrows found their mark but couldn’t deal a lot of damage.

The war began and the students attacked each other. It was a cruel play that the academy orchestrated for the sole reason of turning them into soldiers. The gap between the students wasn’t that huge, making it hard for anyone to kill others unless they actively worked for it.

Her hair rose as the clouds thundered. She turned with a startled expression toward the sky and saw that the lightning heir jumped from the monolith carrying a sword created from lightning.

‘He’s coming.’ Sira took out a special arrow from her quiver and nocked it to her bow. Her mana gathered into it as she released it. The arrow split the sky with blinding light and flew toward the lightning heir.

“Futile!” The youth roared with a grin and slashed at the arrow with his lightning sword. The two met with a boom but the arrow could only disintegrate in front of lightning.

‘We’re doomed.’ Sira sighed. ‘This is our loss.’ After they were defeated here, the Lightning Class could easily take over their monolith.

As the lightning heir descended with his sword, Julian rose to meet him. Julian’s arms bulged as he punched while his fist was covered in mana.

The two met but Julian’s fist began turning charcoal under the effect of lightning. He roared and retracted his fist before punching with his other hand.

“You overestimate yourself.” The lightning heir smiled in mockery while catching Julian’s fist with his palm. “This battle is mine to win, so move aside.” He kept his grip on Julian while slashing with his sword.

It was then that a cry shook their souls as a whistling sound cut across the sky. All of the students paused their battles and looked above to see the clouds parting as something arrived.

‘Is it a monster?’ Sira frowned. The clouds were pushed aside suddenly as a great falcon descended atop the monolith. ‘Is that…’

“Who are you?!” The Lightning Heir roared before throwing Julian away and sprinting toward the monolith.

Sira looked at the person standing on top of the Falcon with shock. How could she not recognize the person she considered useless a few moments ago?

“Who am I?” Nikolai smiled before jumping from the Falcon. He landed on the monolith next to the key. “I’m just someone who’d rather work smart than work hard.” He walked toward the key as the lightning heir roared

“Don’t you dare!” His hands exploded with lightning, propelling him toward the sky. However, he was too late and Nikolai easily snatched the key floating atop the monolith.

“Oh, why wouldn’t I?” Nikolai smiled as the announcement rang in their ears.

[The Lightning Class has been eliminated!]