The training grounds gradually descended into growing chaos as discussions spread throughout the gathered students, countless voices overlapping with one another while everyone attempted to understand exactly what sort of "game" Instructor Barrack had just introduced.

Some looked confused.

Some looked interested.

And some already appeared terrified.

Meanwhile, Barrack himself looked thoroughly pleased with the reaction.

His massive figure stood before the gathering like an immovable mountain while the enormous leather ball rested comfortably beneath one arm, his grin only growing wider the longer he watched the students trying to decipher the rules.

Across the field, teaching assistants continued setting up markers and boundaries while several mana-powered pillars emerged from beneath the ground, outlining the designated play area with glowing white lines.

The field itself had become enormous.

Far larger than most students initially expected.

Meanwhile, Damon quietly observed the layout while his thoughts drifted toward something strangely familiar.

The shape of the field.

The objective.

The ball itself.

The emphasis on physical contact.

The focus on territorial advancement.

The similarities became increasingly obvious the longer he looked.

It’s basically rugby...

Not exactly.

The dimensions differed slightly.

The rules would undoubtedly be modified.

Yet the core concept remained unmistakably similar.

The realization immediately caused Damon to understand why Barrack seemed so excited.

Because unlike ordinary sparring—

This type of exercise forced students to think while fighting.

A duel only tested individual ability.

A game like this tested far more.

Coordination.

Positioning.

Leadership.

Adaptability.

Trust.

And perhaps most importantly—

How effectively a group functioned when everything became chaotic.

Meanwhile, the students continued discussing amongst themselves.

"What happens if someone refuses to let go of the ball?"

"Can we throw it?"

"Can we tackle people?"

"How hard can we tackle people?"

That final question caused several students to immediately turn toward Khaira.

The beastwoman herself looked absolutely delighted.

Her burning horns flickered excitedly while an almost dangerous grin spread across her face.

"Hahahaha!"

The laughter escaped her before she could stop it.

"This sounds amazin’!"

Several nearby students immediately looked nervous.

Because if Khaira thought something sounded amazing—

Someone was probably going to suffer.

Meanwhile, Barrack finally raised one hand once more, immediately silencing the growing discussions.

The beastman’s heavy gaze swept across the gathered students before he slowly began walking along the front of the formation.

"Listen carefully."

His deep voice rolled across the training grounds.

"Most o’ ye noble brats spend too much time thinkin’ battles are won through flashy resonance abilities."

The students listened attentively.

"Ye throw bigger spells."

"Ye hit harder."

"Ye train yer mana."

The beastman shook his head.

"An’ somehow ye convince yerselves that makes ye warriors."

His snort carried clear disdain.

"Then reality arrives."

The grin slowly disappeared.

"And reality don’t care how talented ye are."

The atmosphere gradually became more serious.

Meanwhile, Damon quietly listened.

Because unlike many instructors who preferred theories and concepts—

Barrack taught through practical reality.

The kind of reality people bled in.

The kind of reality people died in.

The beastman eventually stopped walking before turning toward the enormous field behind him.

"Let’s imagine somethin’."

His voice remained calm.

"Yer party enters a breach."

The students immediately paid closer attention.

"The terrain collapses."

Barrack continued.

"Visibility disappears."

"The enemy attacks from multiple directions."

His gaze slowly swept across the students.

"Yer mana reserves begin runnin’ low."

Several students unconsciously stiffened.

"An’ suddenly—"

His voice thundered.

"—yer fancy plans fall apart."

Silence spread throughout the training grounds.

"Now tell me."

Barrack pointed toward the field.

"What matters more?"

"The spell ye practiced a thousand times?"

His gaze hardened.

"Or knowin’ where yer teammates are?"

No one answered.

"What matters more?"

"The ability ta destroy a wall?"

His massive hand clenched into a fist.

"Or the ability ta drag an injured companion ta safety?"

The students remained silent.

Meanwhile, even Damon found himself agreeing with the logic.

Because in the end—

Battles rarely unfolded according to expectations.

Barrack continued.

"People think physical trainin’ exists ta make ye stronger."

The beastman shook his head.

"Wrong."

His voice carried surprising seriousness.

"It exists because someday yer mana will fail."

The words settled heavily across the field.

"It exists because someday ye’ll be exhausted."

"It exists because someday ye’ll be injured."

"It exists because someday nobody’s comin’ ta save ye."

The silence deepened.

"And on that day..."

Barrack pointed toward his own chest.

"...all that’s left is what ye built here."

Not a single student spoke.

Because after yesterday’s assembly—

After seeing Valerian standing upon the stage with one arm missing—

Those words carried far more weight than they otherwise would have.

The beastman eventually nodded.

Then slowly—

A grin returned.

A dangerous grin.

The kind every student in Class S had learned to fear.

"Which brings us back ta today’s game."

Immediately, unease spread throughout the gathering.

Several students visibly swallowed.

Barrack’s grin widened further.

"Because if ye’re gonna learn teamwork..."

The ball spun lazily within his hand.

"If ye’re gonna learn coordination..."

Several students instinctively took a step backward.

"If ye’re gonna learn how ta function when everythin’ becomes chaos..."

His eyes gleamed.

"...then we’re gonna do it properly."

The students collectively felt a terrible premonition.

And judging from the expression currently resting on Barrack’s face—

Today was going to be considerably more painful than any ordinary sparring session.

The atmosphere across the training grounds gradually shifted as the final preparations were completed.

The teaching assistants finished placing the boundary markers around the enormous field while several mana-powered pillars activated one after another, creating faint glowing lines that clearly separated the different zones of play. Students continued watching curiously from the sidelines, many still uncertain about what exactly was about to happen despite Barrack’s lengthy explanation.

Meanwhile—

Damon stood together with the members of his assigned party.

Eric.

Mira.

Zarhka.

And the proud male elf who currently stood with his arms folded while looking toward the field as though he had already calculated the optimal strategy for every possible situation.

Unlike Eric, who looked increasingly nervous.

Or Mira, who appeared curious.

Or Zarhka, who remained calm and observant.

The elf somehow looked offended by the concept of a game.

"...This seems unnecessarily primitive."

Eric immediately looked at him.

"You’ve said that six times."

The elf clicked his tongue.

"Because it remains true."

Meanwhile, Damon simply ignored them while observing the field.

The more he looked at it—

The more interesting it became.

Because the game itself wasn’t complicated.

The people playing it were.

Every participant possessed different strengths.

Different weaknesses.

Different personalities.

And once the match began—

All of those variables would collide together.

Meanwhile, nearby—

Khaira looked like a child moments away from receiving the greatest gift of her life.

The beastwoman could barely remain still.

She bounced repeatedly on her feet.

Her tail swayed behind her.

Her horns flickered excitedly.

And every few seconds she looked toward Barrack as though silently begging him to start already.

Eventually—

Barrack stepped forward once more.

The massive beastman crossed his arms before loudly speaking.

"Now then!"

His voice immediately silenced the training grounds.

"Who’ll be tha first ta battle?"

The moment the question left his mouth—

An invisible tension spread throughout the gathered students.

Many unconsciously stiffened.

Several immediately looked away.

Others suddenly became very interested in the grass beneath their feet.

Unfortunately—

One student possessed absolutely none of those instincts.

"ME!"

Khaira’s voice exploded across the field.

Several birds immediately fled nearby trees.

"ME!"

The beastwoman raised both hands.

"ME!"

Then she started bouncing again.

"ME! ME! ME! ME!"

The training grounds fell silent.

Meanwhile, Barrack stared at her for several moments.

Then suddenly—

The massive beastman threw back his head and laughed.

"HAAAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The booming laughter echoed throughout the training grounds.

"NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT!"

He pointed dramatically toward her.

"That’s how a warrior should react!"

Khaira immediately looked victorious.

Several students looked horrified.

Meanwhile, Damon quietly rubbed his forehead.

Because somehow—

This outcome had been inevitable.

Barrack eventually pointed toward the field.

"Khaira’s party!"

The beastwoman immediately pumped her fist into the air.

"HAHA!"

Her teammates looked considerably less enthusiastic.

One of them appeared moments away from regretting every decision that had led him to this academy.

Meanwhile, Barrack turned his attention toward the remaining students.

Then his finger landed upon another group.

"You five!"

A second party immediately stiffened.

The selected students exchanged nervous glances before reluctantly stepping forward.

Within moments—

Ten students stood upon the field.

Five against five.

The rest of the first years gathered around the boundaries to watch.

The atmosphere steadily intensified.

Because despite the simple premise—

Everyone understood what was really about to happen.

This wasn’t a game.

This was Barrack’s version of a game.

Which meant violence was inevitable.

Meanwhile, Khaira stood at the front of her party while stretching her shoulders enthusiastically.

Across from her—

The opposing team looked considerably less excited.

One particularly unfortunate student found himself making direct eye contact with the beastwoman.

Immediately afterward—

He looked away.

Very quickly.

The teaching assistants moved into position.

One carried the ball.

Another stood near the center line.

The conversations around the field gradually disappeared.

Even Damon found himself focusing more intently.

Because regardless of how simple the rules appeared—

The first match would reveal everything.

The strategies.

The weaknesses.

The hidden possibilities.

And most importantly—

What Barrack actually expected from them.

The assistant eventually stepped into the center of the field.

The ball remained held tightly beneath one arm.

The ten students lowered their stances.

The atmosphere became silent.

Then—

The whistle rose toward the assistant’s lips.

Khaira’s grin widened.

The opposing team’s expressions tightened.

And Damon quietly narrowed his eyes.

Because at that exact moment—

Everyone realized the same thing.

Nobody actually knew what was about to happen.

Then—

The whistle sounded.

SHRIIIIIIIII—

And the ball flew into the air.