(Elsewhere in the Association grounds)
While Team 3 celebrated their victory in the cafeteria, Team 6 stood in the shadowed courtyard, their mood starkly different.
Jackie lashed out, his boot cracking against the stone wall, "That damn bastard actually won." He shouted.
Second place wasn't just a loss—it was an insult.
Joseph and Violet sat at a nearby table, unbothered by his fury. Violet sipped her tea delicately, "You should calm down. Anger is terrible for your health."
"I don't give a fly f*** about health!" Jackie snarled, but after a seething moment, he slumped into a chair.
His fingers drummed against the table, lightning flickering between them, "I refuse to live in a world where Miles beats me at anything. The next event? They're going down. I'll make sure of it."
Joseph swallowed a bite of cake, "You realize the next test is a rescue mission, right? They'll grade us differently on how each team rescue a target from danger."
A bolt of electricity erupted from Jackie's clenched fist, scorching the grass, "Then I'll find another way to crush him. Doesn't what it is, I must remain victories over that danm emo bastard."
Violet and Joseph exchanged a glance.
"How about soccer?" Joseph suggested, "There's a court in the gymnasium. We can settle it there, besides it gives us an opportunity to learn our enemies skill outside of combat."
Jackie's eye twitched. Then, slowly, a grin split his face. He stood, draining his tea in one gulp, "Perfect. Let's go find them."
---
(Back in the cafeteria)
Team 3's laughter was cut short by a voice like thunder.
"MILES!"
The cafeteria doors slammed open, Jackie stormed in with his teammates behind him.
Miles nearly choked on his drink as Jackie marched toward their table only to freeze when Miles wyrm materialized around Miles with deathing glare towards Jackie, "Don't hurt him," the wyrm murmured.
Arthur leaned back, "Can we help you?"
Joseph stepped forward, hands raised in a peaceful manner, "Just a friendly invitation. How about a game of soccer to pass the time?"
Gwin's eyes lit up, "Ohhh, a showdown! Yes!"
Miles wiped his mouth, wary, "Define 'friendly.'"
Jackie's grin turned feral, "He means a bloodbath-" but Violet gently bonk his head.
"A simple 3 vs 3 game. One striker, defender, and goalkeeper. Trigger are allowed but it can only be applied with our respective roles."
Arthur thought about it and smirk, "My, my. Now that sounds interesting."
Joseph smirked as well, "I'm glad to hear that you guys are interested in this. How about we start right away since the day is still young."
---
The gymnasium buzzed with tension as the two teams faced off on the indoor soccer court.
The air was thick with competitive energy. A friendly game that will be filled with a lot of person grudge.
The team across each other wearing uniform that best suit this environment:
- Team 3 (wearing a black and blue uniform)
- Striker: Arthur
- Defender: Gwin
- Goalkeeper: Miles
- Team 6 (wearing a white and gold uniform)
- Striker: Jackie
- Defender: Violet
- Goalkeeper: Joseph
The referee of this match was Vanessa due to Arthur request.
"Alright boys and girls, we will have a standard 90 minute match. The rules are simple, whoever has the most goals win and no using trigger outside of respective roles." She shouted but noticed everyone hungry glare.
She thought to herself that she better record this Arthur match and show the other heroe.
"Teams, please go to respected position." She announced and each member scattered to their position.
A smiled crept up on her face as shouted, "BEGIN!" Before tossing the ball in the air.
Without any hesitation, Jackie and Arthur both run to try to snatch snatched the ball. But unsurprisingly to Arthur, Jackie was a bit too fast for him and he quickly snatched the ball away.
He managed to out run Arthur and dash towards his enemy goalpost, "You're going down, Miles!" he roared, charging forward.
Gwin was getting ready to intercept the attack but Jackie was planning on scoring away.
He kicked the ball into the air before it erupted in an blinding light that prevent Gwin from attacking.
Then he dashed in a blinding flash reappearing were the ball was and reared back for the shot, "DIE YOU EMO BASTARD!!!"
The ball became a bolt of pure lightning, rocketing toward the goal.
Miles eyes narrowed, already preparing for the shot, "Not today."
Dark hands erupted from the ground, catching the electrified ball inches from the net. The force sent a shockwave through the court.
Score: 0-0
"DAMNIT IT!" Jackie shouted.
"ARTHUR!" Miles drop kick the ball to Arthur, who caught it with his chest and let it rest against his ankle.
"My turn." He muttered before dashing towards the enemy goal.
He weaved through the field, but Violet stepped in his path, "Over my dead body." A thick, purple haze spread in front of Arthur, forcing him to skid to a halt.
"Tch. Cheap trick."
Gwin sprinted up beside him, "Does my hubby need a boost?"
Arthur grinned, "Do it."
Gwin's blood formed a platform beneath him before shooting Arthur into the air, soaring over the mist.
His leg ignited mid-kick, the ball transforming into a roaring fireball.
Joseph braced himself, a radiant shield materialized, but the explosion shook the gym. When the smoke cleared…
The ball was embedded in the net.
Score: 1-0 (Team 3 Leads!)
---
Jackie's eye twitched, "You think that's enough?!"
He snatched the ball, his entire body surging with power, "I'm ending this NOW!"
The sky itself seemed to crackle as Jackie unleashed a devastating shot—a spiraling tempest of electricity.
Miles gritted his teeth, "I can—" but sadly Miles couldn't react fast enough.
The shockwave shattered the gym lights. When the dust settled…
The ball had torn through the net.
Score: 1-1 (Tie Game!)
---
With seconds left, Arthur stole the ball, "This ends here."
Jackie and Violet rushed him but Arthur dodged, weaving between them.
Violet tried to his use her poison mist but Arthur disable her power before she had the chance.
Joseph braced, "You won't get past—"
Arthur's eyes blazed.
He kicked the ball into the air, the ball igniting into a phoenix of pure flame.
Arthur flew towards the air spinning in the air like a wild tornado before performing powerful kicked that went flying to Joseph.
Joseph's shield shattered on impact—
GOOOOOAL!
Final Score: 2-1 (Team 3 Wins!)
---
Jackie collapsed to his knees, fists shaking, "Damn it… DAMN IT!"
Joseph sighed, "Well played."
Violet patted Jackie's head, "There, there. We'll crush them next time. Besides it was fun wasn't it."
Jackie glared at her before storming away.
Gwin was jumping up and down celebrate, "Best buddy, we win. We win. We win." She shouted.
Miles dropped to ground completely exhausted, "Yeah, but something tells me that was the worst outcome." He said with a stiff smile once he glanced at Jackie.
Arthur smirked, tossing the ball aside, "You were holding back, Joseph."
Joseph laughed while rubbing the back of his head, "You noticed, forgive me but I'm saving my strength for our duel in the combat exam."
Arthur crouched down and asked, "By the way, you wanted to know your grandfather finally words-"
Joseph simply covered his ears, "Nope, I want to hear it when me and you are in the finals together. Depending what it is, I might give you a really bad time."
Arthur stood and lightly chuckled, "Fine by me." And made his way to his team.