MTLNOVEL Chapter 22: Chapter 21:The Team Battle
The first round was over, and Kai's victory made waves across the Colosseum. His team's performance left spectators buzzing, their earlier skepticism replaced by genuine curiosity. But there was little time to bask in the attention. The second round, the **Team Battle**, was already being set up, and Kai's name was called once again, this time as part of a group.
The rules were simple: three tamers would be teamed up to face another opposing trio in a chaotic free-for-all. The team with the last beast or tamer standing would be declared the winner. Strategy, synergy, and raw power would make all the difference.
Kai was led to his assigned team near one of the preparation areas. He found himself standing beside two unfamiliar faces. One was a lean, wiry boy with messy brown hair and an easy smirk. He wore a green uniform and carried a short staff. His beast, a **Razorclaw Falcon**, perched on his shoulder, its sharp talons flexing threateningly.
"Name's **Eren**, air division," the boy said, offering Kai a lopsided grin. "Looks like we're on the same team for this one. You're the bug guy, right?"
Kai nodded, glancing at the falcon before turning his attention to the second teammate. She was a tall, serious-looking girl with short black hair and piercing gray eyes. Her uniform bore the insignia of the water division, and a sleek **Silverfin Lynx** padded silently beside her, its fur shimmering like liquid mercury.
"I'm **Akari**," she said curtly, her tone making it clear she wasn't one for small talk. "Don't get in my way."
Kai raised an eyebrow but refrained from commenting. "Kai," he said simply, gesturing to his team. "That's Tiny, Stinger, and Glow. Let's focus on winning."
Akari's eyes briefly flicked to Tiny, her stoic expression betraying a hint of surprise. "A Fortress Ant? Huh. Maybe you're not as much of a joke as they say."
Kai smirked but said nothing. Eren let out a chuckle. "Well, this should be fun. Let's see what the bug squad can do."
The opposing team entered the arena to loud cheers from the crowd. At the center of their group stood **Marcus Vayne**, a hulking figure with a reputation for brute force. His beast, a massive **Rockscale Lizard**, stomped onto the field, its heavy tail dragging across the dirt. Beside him were two equally formidable tamers: **Leah**, a fiery redhead with a snarling **Emberfang Fox**, and **Dren**, a quiet, brooding boy whose **Umbra Serpent** slithered menacingly around his shoulders.
The referee raised the flag, signaling for silence. "Second round: Team Battle! Begin!"
The moment the flag dropped, chaos erupted.
Marcus wasted no time. "Rockscale, **Boulder Crash**!" he roared.
His lizard slammed its tail into the ground, sending a shower of dirt and rocks flying toward Kai's team. The debris scattered across the arena, forcing everyone to dodge or block. Tiny planted itself firmly in front of Kai, activating **Harden** to shield him from the onslaught.
"Eren, take the high ground!" Kai shouted, already analyzing the battlefield. "Akari, keep their lynx off Stinger!"
Eren nodded, his Razorclaw Falcon launching into the air with a piercing screech. It swooped toward Leah's Emberfang Fox, its razor-sharp talons glinting in the sunlight. The fox leapt aside, its fiery tail lashing out as it tried to counter with a swipe of its claws.
Meanwhile, Akari's Silverfin Lynx darted forward, intercepting the Umbra Serpent before it could close in on the group. The lynx moved with liquid grace, its claws slashing at the serpent's dark, coiling body. The serpent hissed, its fangs dripping with venom as it struck back, the two beasts locked in a deadly dance.
"Tiny, push forward! Stinger, harass the lizard!" Kai commanded.
Tiny charged toward the Rockscale Lizard, its massive frame kicking up dust as it barreled forward. The lizard snarled, raising its tail for another crushing blow, but Tiny was faster. With a powerful **Mandible Strike**, it clamped down on the lizard's armored tail, the impact sending cracks spidering through the thick scales.
Stinger zipped through the air above, its wings humming as it launched a series of rapid **Poison Stings** at the Rockscale's head. The lizard roared in frustration, shaking its massive body as it tried to swat the hornet away.
"Leah, back me up!" Marcus growled, his voice strained as he tried to regain control of the battlefield.
Leah's Emberfang Fox broke away from the falcon, its fiery eyes locking onto Tiny. "Emberfang, **Flame Burst**!"
The fox opened its jaws, unleashing a scorching wave of fire that rushed toward Tiny. The Fortress Ant braced itself, its **Harden** skill absorbing most of the flames, but the heat was intense, and Kai could see the strain on his beast.
"Glow, blind them! **Radiant Flare!**" Kai shouted.
Glow fluttered higher into the air, its golden wings pulsing with a burst of brilliant light. The sudden flash disoriented both the Rockscale Lizard and Emberfang Fox, their movements faltering as they blinked against the glare.
"Now, Tiny! **Acid Spit** on the lizard!"
Tiny reared back, its mandibles opening as a stream of corrosive acid sprayed toward the Rockscale Lizard's exposed side. The acid hissed as it ate away at the beast's scales, eliciting a pained roar.
But Marcus wasn't done yet. "Rockscale, **Tail Sweep**!"
The lizard spun, its massive tail whipping through the air in a wide arc. Tiny was knocked back, its heavy body skidding across the dirt. Stinger barely avoided the attack, zipping higher into the air.
On the other side of the field, Eren's falcon screeched as it clashed with the Emberfang Fox, its talons raking across the fox's back. The fox retaliated with a burst of fire, forcing the falcon to retreat momentarily.
Akari's lynx was holding its own against the Umbra Serpent, but the serpent's agility and venomous strikes were beginning to wear it down. Akari's sharp commands echoed across the battlefield as she directed the lynx to dodge and counter, but the serpent was relentless.
Kai clenched his fists, his mind racing. The battle was chaotic, but he could see the cracks forming in their opponents' strategy. Marcus's team was powerful, but they were too focused on brute force. If Kai's team could exploit their lack of coordination, they had a chance.
"Eren, focus on the fox! Akari, keep that serpent tied up a little longer!" Kai called out. "Tiny, go for the lizard's legs! Stinger, hit its eyes!"
Tiny charged back into the fray, its massive legs kicking up dirt as it lunged at the Rockscale Lizard. This time, it aimed low, its mandibles snapping at the lizard's hind legs. The beast roared, its movements faltering as it struggled to keep its footing.
Stinger darted in from above, its glowing stinger striking the lizard's face. The venom worked quickly, clouding the lizard's vision and sending it into a blind frenzy.
"Glow, keep the pressure on! Another **Radiant Flare!**"
Glow unleashed another burst of light, disorienting the fox and serpent as well. The Emberfang Fox stumbled, its fiery attacks faltering as Eren's falcon seized the opportunity to strike. The falcon's talons raked across the fox's side, sending it tumbling to the ground.
Akari's lynx capitalized on the serpent's momentary distraction, landing a powerful swipe that sent the snake recoiling. With a final, calculated strike, the lynx pinned the serpent to the ground, its claws digging into its scaled body.
The Rockscale Lizard, now blinded and weakened, let out a final roar before collapsing under Tiny's relentless assault. The referee's whistle blew, signaling the end of the match.
---
"Winners: Kai, Eren, and Akari!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as the three tamers stood victorious. Kai wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing at his team with a satisfied grin. Tiny clicked its mandibles, Stinger buzzed triumphantly, and Glow shimmered faintly as they regrouped.
Akari gave Kai a curt nod, a rare smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Not bad, bug guy."
Eren laughed, clapping Kai on the back. "You're full of surprises. Let's see if you can keep it up in the next round."
Kai smirked, his eyes flicking to the center of the Colosseum where the final round would take place. The Boss Challenge was next, and the real test was about to begin.