Elite Mages’ Academy (Web Novel)

Chapter 456: Wang Dalin’s Challenge

It was a real battle, and the medical treatment would be covered by the academy.

Xiao Lin was getting a headache and he grinned. He could already vaguely perceive everyone’s unkind gazes toward each other. Usually, people got along just fine and were friendly with each other. However, there was always friction. There would be people who held grudges against someone else, but because of academy regulations, no one dared to fight in private.

In Yu Mei’s actual combat lesson, Xiao Lin understood that it was an opportunity for people to settle grudges and carry out revenge. In the end, if two people usually had a good relationship, it was unimaginable how they could be ruthless toward each other in a battle like this.

However, despite the complaints, Yu Mei, as a teacher, undoubtedly stood by her decision.

The grouping was soon to commence. As people were free to choose their opponents, and considering that injuries would inevitably occur in the next battle, everyone appeared to be quite hesitant and cautious. Yu Mei then repeated the grouping principles. Opponents may be chosen freely, under the condition that there must be a combination of magical versus melee fighters.

Xiao Lin was starting to understand the point of this class.

The grouping took quite a long time. As there was an imbalance in the number of magic and melee groups, many people had to wait a little longer.

“In the future, you are all likely to be fighting in the New World. If you encounter an opponent of a completely different type, and you have no choice but to engage in battle, then you need to know what you should do. I know you have all gone through several monthly exams, but in actuality, your monthly exams are nothing more than something that happened in history. Actual combat tactics are constantly being improvised. Allow me to first demonstrate to you.

“First of all, as a melee fighter, what should I do when I meet a spellcaster…”

Then came a long lecture period. Although everyone complained about the arrangements for actual combat in the beginning, however, as Yu Mei continued her lecture, everyone settled down quickly and listened intently.

Though they were no longer novices, as the monthly exams gradually provided them with some combat experience, it was all in a self-explored manner. In the first half of the semester, the professional course teachers only taught basic knowledge. They were not allowed to run before they learned to walk.

Hence, this class was the first time they were actually exposed to systematic combat methodologies. What they did not know was that, before this, these courses were only meant to be taught in the second semester of the sophomore year.

“I know that many of you used to play games. So, tell me, what should a melee fighter do when they see a spellcaster? Do you just charge in brainlessly? Try to beat the opponent in the shortest time possible, right?”

Many students snickered at Yu Mei’s comment. These words brought everyone closer together. Who would have thought that Yu Mei played video games too?

“If you do the same on Planet Norma, I’ll give you two words, plain suicide!” Yu Mei’s words escalated just as quickly.

“Indeed, when your strength reaches Gold-rank and beyond, a person with expertise in agility can do something like this. However, it is impossible for most other people to run up directly to a spellcaster in his casting phase to kill him. I believe you all experienced the power of spells. Without preparation or relevant resistances, rushing in is tantamount to suicide!

“So, how do you fight a caster? It’s simple, interfere with the casting! Use high-speed movement, evasion, and other actions. Also, make use of obstacles to increase the difficulty of the opponent’s lock-on. When the spellcaster is injured or in an abnormal state, the success rate of casting will drop drastically. For example, the spellcaster can be repelled, stunned, or paralyzed with special sword auras. In summary, you have to maneuver around it. Unless you can guarantee beating spellcasters with brute strength, maneuvering around the spellcaster and depleting the opponent’s mental strength to exhaustion are always good choices…

“As for spellcasters who face melee fighters, you need preventive measures. Although the chances of melee fighters getting into close range are slim, all they need is to succeed just once, and the spellcaster will be devastated. In addition, everyone’s misconceptions must be corrected. Spellcasters must learn to cast their spells reasonably. How many of you present can accurately tell how many Novice spells can be cast by your current mental strength capacity? How many Black-iron rank spells…”

Yu Mei chose her words carefully. Some people had already experienced these concepts to a certain degree through the monthly exams, but nobody revealed who these people were, and some were even completely neglected.

However, Yu Mei did not say much. In her own words, they did not need to know too much. They first had to apply what they knew into battle.

With this as groundwork, not many would be complaining when actual combat practice started.

Xiao Lin, who was double-cultivating, actually did not care. However, as a monitor, not many ordinary students were willing to practice combat against him. To do so was basically masochism.

Chen Dao and Cheng Ming were both eager to try, but someone rushed ahead of them. When Xiao Lin saw the person standing in front of him, preparing to spar, he was shocked for a long time before saying, “Wang Dalin?”

Xiao Lin’s impression of Wang Dalin remained at the beginning of the academy when the guy kept on targeting him. However, since becoming the monitor, Wang Dalin suddenly disappeared and kept a low profile. Xiao Lin was not one to hold a grudge, and he stopped paying attention to Wang Dalin after that.

“I’ll fight you!” Wang Dalin seemed a little unusual today. His aggressive tone was very unlike his low-key style from before.

“Do you want to challenge me?” Xiao Lin frowned.

Wang Dalin frowned back. Displeased, he said, “It’s not a challenge! Challenging is a term used by the weak when they are faced against the strong. I admit that you’re not weak, but you underestimate me!”

Xiao Lin did not want to accept. He knew his own strength. If they fought seriously, what if he actually disabled his opponent? Even if it could be cured, it would not be good if it left some psychological trauma. Anyway, they were still students and fellow classmates.

However, Wang Dalin’s attitude was very unpleasant. In front of a crowd, he was even a little instigatory. Xiao Lin did not want to hurt others for no reason, but he was not afraid either. Xiao Lin did not know what Wang Dalin was cooking, but he decided to accept the challenge.

“As you wish. I shall accept your challenge.”

Xiao Lin once again emphasized the word ‘challenge’, causing Wang Dalin’s expression to turn even darker. The two of them removed their weapons. Although this was actual combat, using their own weapons was prohibited. Instead, they had to use the weapons on the weapons rack at the venue. Compared to training swords, these swords are significantly higher in both quality and sharpness.

The venue was large enough, but the others still consciously spread out to give them more space.

“I remember you used knives. Then, I will use spells,” Xiao Lin muttered, then shouted to Chen Dao, who walked not too far away. “Hey! don’t walk away. I want to spar with you later. Wait for a moment, this will be over soon.”

Wang Dalin’s face twitched fiercely.