Enu vs. Oscar(1)

As the transformation began, the once lush forest twisted and shifted.

The towering trees shrank, their bark crumbling into dust, and in their place, ruined skyscrapers emerged, their shattered windows reflecting the artificial sunlight.

Crumbling highways, abandoned vehicles, and smoke rising from distant fires completed the eerie, desolate atmosphere. The air itself seemed heavier, filled with the ghostly remnants of a world long destroyed.

The Apocalyptic Map was fully set.

Up in the stands, Kieran leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. "Alright, place your bets—who's winning this?"

Visconti watched the holographic screen, eyes narrowing in thought. "Difficult to say."

Kieran turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Visconti crossed his arms. "In terms of combat skills and strategy, Enu's team has the edge. He's balanced in both IQ and EQ, and his team is solid in close-range fights. But…"

"But?" Kieran prompted.

Visconti sighed. "There are other variables. Oscar's ability, Clay Dolls, is a problem. He's also a Scout, which means his team will have an early warning system against ambushes. And Ayun…"

"Elijah," Kieran turned to him, "Who's Ayun?"

Visconti frowned, "You know, the girl we met in the forest trial."

"Ah."

Elijah leaned back in his seat, watching the battlefield below. "She's from the Support Department. Healing spells, buffs, and barriers. As long as she stays safe, her team has an insane endurance advantage."

Kieran whistled. "So basically, they're built for survival."

"Exactly," Visconti nodded. "If they focus on stalling and letting Ayun keep them in the fight, they could outlast Enu's team. But…"

Visconti smirked. "That depends on whether Enu lets them."

Below, the battle timer began counting down.

10… 9… 8…

The two teams stood at opposite ends of the ruined cityscape, eyes locked on each other.

This wasn't just a fight. It was a battle of endurance, strategy, and adaptability.

3… 2… 1…

The match began.

As the countdown reached zero and the match officially began, a strange buzzing sound cut through the tension.

Elijah instinctively reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, sleek device. He glanced at the screen and saw a short message:

[Cadet Elijah, the bullets you requested are ready for picking up.]

Visconti raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Elijah smirked, tapping the screen to close the message. "Oh, this. I requested more bullets since I'm almost out. We can never be too cautious, especially with all these variables." He slipped the device back into his pocket and gave Visconti a quick glance.

Before the match started, the instructor had handed each team an earpiece, the signal meant to keep everyone in contact throughout the battle.

The silence in the air was filled with anticipation as the cadets adjusted their gear and put the earpieces in. They were ready.

Below, the arena was alive with movement as the teams began their strategies.

Annis, quick to take the initiative, immediately split off from the rest of the group, moving silently and swiftly into the ruins to scout the area. Her whip was wrapped tightly around her waist, and her dagger was ready in hand, eyes flicking back and forth to catch any movement.

"Smart," Elijah muttered. "Let the scout do the heavy lifting first."

Hanz was the next to act, sending one of his observers to follow Annis' path, another to sweep the surroundings.

His eyes never left the holographic map that hovered in front of him, but his attention was entirely on the battlefield.

The second observer hovered above, scanning for potential ambushes from above, while Hanz took his position in the center, sword at the ready.

Its sensors scanned the area, transmitting real-time data back to Hanz.

Enu wasn't taking any chances either.

He stood firm as another observer flew from his hand and began surveying the terrain.

His second observer was dispatched in a different direction to ensure they had eyes on multiple angles.

Enu's eyes stayed focused on the floating device, his mind analyzing every possible angle.

Observers—small, camera-like drones that could fly and record, were a scout's best tool. They allowed their users to gather intel from areas that might otherwise be too dangerous to approach, or simply too far out of reach.

Every scout was given two observers, but their ability to control them varied depending on their skill and experience. Some cadets were capable of commanding multiple drones with precision, while others struggled to manage just one. The observers were essential tools, giving teams a critical edge in both defense and offense by scouting potential ambush spots or revealing the location of hidden flags.

Back in the stands, the instructor's voice echoed through the venue's speakers, narrating the progress of the battle.

"The team's first objective is to gather flags hidden throughout the map. But with the Apocalyptic Map offering so many places to hide, ambushes are a likely risk. The observers are essential for gaining an advantage over the opposing teams. It'll be a game of intelligence and timing, not just brute force. The first team to adapt and gain control of the situation will likely claim victory."

"Annis has already separated from the team to scout the northern side of the arena, while Hanz and his observer take position to cover the rear. Enu's strategy is to cover all angles of approach, sending his second observer to the western corridor while staying alert for any signs of the enemy. This tactical approach allows them to control their visibility while remaining mobile."

Visconti glanced at Elijah, his voice low. "It's all about finding the right balance between scouting and engaging. If they rush in too quickly, they might miss something critical. But if they're too slow, they risk being outpaced."

Elijah nodded, eyes never leaving the battle. "Exactly. It's all about information. Whoever controls that has the upper hand."

Kieran shifted in his seat. "So it's just scouting for now? No action?"

Visconti didn't take his eyes off the screen, his mind following every move below. "They're playing it smart. Every move matters in this environment. If they don't know where the enemy is, they'll get caught off guard."

Elijah nodded, watching as the observer near Enu hovered silently, scanning the ruins below. "They're all on edge. Whoever finds the first flag gets the advantage."

As if on cue, the instructor's voice cut through the tension again.

"Both teams are working strategically, but remember—this is a race. The first team to find and secure the most flags will gain the upper hand. This isn't just about combat. This is about positioning, awareness, and the ability to adapt."

The cadets in the stands leaned forward as the scene below unfolded.

The observer above Annis zipped through a narrow alleyway, its lens focused on something hidden behind a pile of debris.

Meanwhile, Hanz's drone scanned the northern perimeter, careful not to leave any blind spots.

"This is it," Elijah murmured, eyes glued to the screen. "First flag and it's game on."

Visconti smirked. "Or first mistake. One wrong move and you could end up trapped."

Kieran chuckled, his fingers tapping nervously on his leg. "This is intense. I'll give them credit, they're making sure to play it smart."