Freedom Jumper-Chapter 149: Organizing The Teams

Once again, the morning was signified by the voice that resonated through every corridor and room.

Elijah had reconvened with Niko the night before and learned of the reasons for keeping his distance.

Apparently, Niko was brutally embarrassed during the secret power game held after a fabulous dinner. A blonde haired boy that could materialize anything into thin air created a metal cocoon that caused Niko to miss out on the second half of the game. Although he was able to burn through it with the heat of his flames, it was at the cost of nearly all of his mana, and several burns that he had to have healed within the medical rooms on the bottom floor of each building.

Niko's mood was quite blunted by it, and Elijah began to notice that both of their moods were becoming bipolar to a degree that isn't unhealthy, but part of the life that they are living.

Standing directly in front of the barracks gate was Borus Greyrat, the Vice President of the Northern Sefrah Academy. Of course, the simple man stood atop a stone pedestal that also stood in the center of four more empty stone pedestals — a few feet lower than its elder.

"Thank you all for a fabulous and efficient first few days. I have to say, while your group has its issues, there is more power here than I have seen in a very long time. With there only being roughly 3,000 Paladin spaces at each academy, not all of you will be chosen for your selected academy, with many of you being shifted around to different academies."

"There are many more groups coming after you, so I say we finish off strong. The final game will be something known as Capture the Flag. Of course, this game will be held inside the forest behind the barracks, and will not involve everyone at once. I know this might sound, well... bad for a lot of you, but the teams will be chosen by captains. Your captain will be the one to make the calls, if you are caught disobeying your captain, you will be removed from the game."

"The whole point is to use everything you need to become a Paladin. Whether it be fighting, strategy, following orders, or defensive tactics... Also, all your magitech gear that you have brought can also be used, except for anything fire related and anything that forms spells in the shape of a blade. We will also provide you with a large selection, so do not fret if you have only brought fire related items."

"...Now, I will choose four captains for the group that will participate in the game first."

Four names were called, of which those people came to the front and took their places as captains. One by one, they left their small pedestals to gather people they wanted on their team. Not a single professor or assistant had helped them during the process except for keeping track of how many teammates they had picked. Eventually, there were 49 people behind each pedestal with a captain that stood in the middle.

Since not everyone had the chance to eat breakfast, loads of food were brought on small carriages while the first group made their way to the forest.

Niko began to talk whilst the next set of teams began to be chosen. "Elijah, I'm not sure we will be on the same team if one of us are not captains, so let's try to avoid each other if possible..."

"You are right. Because right now... I don't think I can hold back against anyone."

"Elijah?" Niko was confused about his words.

Finally, after thirty minutes of the crowd slowly disappearing, a familiar name was announced as a team captain. "Niko Trident!" Along with the names of, "Jonah Astallac! Virgil Braston! Cassie Foreword!"

Niko gave a quick smile towards Elijah as he would be his first pick.

Funny enough, Elijah had been very confused as to why he was chosen, and quickly thought that maybe Niko had chosen the combat strategy test instead of the physical combat test. Maybe even both.

"You may now choose your teammates." Said Borus Grayrat — with an excited face.

Instantly, Jonah was seen running deep into the crowd, ignoring every single person he passed while one specific individual was in his mind.

"I choose you..." said Niko, who appeared directly in front of the face of Elijah — also in front of Jonah who had failed to finish uttering the words he had wanted.

"W-what?! You were just behind me! Impossible!!" Jonah was astonished at the development he had failed to predict, and somehow a development Niko had adapted to.

Niko's eyes veered towards Jonah who began running into the crowd. After passing his friends who were confused just as much as everyone else, a premonition related to Elijah arose in his mind.

While diving into the depths of the crowd, Niko created an illusion right in front of Elijah — asking him to join his team.

"Thank you." Elijah hadn't even seen through it, and stared at Jonah as he passed by his face with a simple smile.

All he got in return was nothing short of Envy. Jonah must have seen something inside of him on the rooftops yesterday morning — a feeling that gave him the idea of this kid being a notable figure with his lack of hesitation and ignorance towards the acts of his friends.

"Niko? Is that even you?"

Soon, within the harsh density of the crowd, Niko's form vanished into a light smoke that then revealed his true body. "Now it is! You are welcome by the way. It seemed Jonah wanted you on his team for some reason."

"I guess so... I'm assuming you had a run in with him?"

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"He's the one who trapped me inside a cage. So he may have done this because he knows we are close."

"Maybe... or he may have also tried to choose me because of the run-in I had on the rooftops with him and his friends."

Elijah did not explain any further as Niko had quickly left to pick the people he knew were strong, and were familiar with. Because of the large group, there were people Elijah was not familiar with that may even be stronger than Jace and Curtis! Especially when there were around 500 people within the special game held after dinner — a game one was only invited to if they had a power or affinity.

However, this did not include the people who had dropped out simply because of their power being one not suitable for combat.

"Now that you have decided on the teams..." Borus glanced at Niko shortly. "... You may start planning different strategies while sticking together. Even if you forget who your captain is, we have marked down every one of you and your captain..."

Just as Niko waved his group towards the gate exit, Borus had said one last thing. "I suggest you start introducing yourselves and your strong suits."

Just like Borus had suggested, they walked outside the gate, and into the grassy fields where they bang conversing between each other. While there were a few oddballs who were angry at their captain for choosing them, they knew the consequences of refuting an order.

Although, when Niko had said he would not order around a single person, confused glances came washing over his figure, and even anger for some unknown reason.

"... Please! The only way we can destroy the other teams is if we play this game in a completely different manner. Yes, I am the captain, but I am going to pick a few people who you all want to be chosen... who will lead different strategic teams! We need defense, stealth, a few assault teams, and a distraction team!"

Finally, the chatter amongst the team members had mellowed out after thinking more about Niko's unorthodox methods.

Even Elijah was interested whilst standing next to Niko.