Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world-Chapter 371: Number seven [2]

Eira pouted her lips in annoyance "Tsk, I and Brandon are not on the same team; this actually sucks."

With a sigh, Brandon wrapped his arm around her shoulder "It’s okay, dear... Let’s see who it is for us."

Leaning back slowly, he glanced around the room.

Students were shifting in their seats, some comparing numbers with excited whispers while others looked like they were about to faint.

The teacher stepped forward and took a tablet from the desk in front of her "Now, I will call each number. The student holding that number will stand up so I can register your pairings."

She tapped on the tablet’s screen, preparing the list.

And then she lifted her chin slightly. "Number one," she called out, and two girls rose at opposite ends of the room, glancing at each other with faint nods as their names were recorded.

The process continued, and Brandon listened with half-focused ears as his attention flicked back to his paper every so often.

As the numbers climbed, more of his classmates stood up, and the teacher recorded their names.

The teacher finally spole. "Number seven."

Brandon stood up from his seat with an exhale.

The girls were surprised to see the only guy stand up and glanced around to see who the ’lucky’ girl was.

"BRAN?"

Eh? He turned his head and saw Elena standing beside her desk with her mouth slightly open in surprise.

Her bright eyes widened even more as she stared at him, and then the corners of her lips pulled up in a triumphant smile.

"Elena?" Brandon replied and blinked slowly.

Elena jumped from her seat over her desk and she rushed toward him.

"BRAN, WE ARE IN THE SAME TEAM?" she squealed and it made a few girls roll their eyes in envy.

Looking at her overflowing enthusiasm, Brandon let out a soft sigh, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "Seems like it,"

Honestly, he is relieved. Of all the possible partners, at least he got someone he actually felt comfortable with.

The teacher tapped twice on her tablet as she recorded their names.

"Brandon Kael and Elena Zoyrdius."

Before Brandon could even sit, Elena slid into the empty seat beside him with a burst of speed.

She leaned in without hesitation and wrapped her arms tightly around his torso, burying half her face against his shoulder. "We are a couple, Bran!"

With a chuckle, Brandon hugged her back ’She is energetic as always...’

On his other side, Eira’s lips twitched faintly "No, we are a couple..."

Elena peeked over Brandon’s shoulder and grinned, "Ah, you are jealous.. sure, sure," she giggled, waving a hand lazily as if to dismiss the argument.

"Then I and Brandon are a pair."

"Not a pair either."

Elena blinked, pretending to look confused as she tapped her chin. "Eh? Partners then?"

"No..."

"Duo?"

"...Sure. Duo."

Looking at them Brandon shook his head helplessly and spoke "I am glad it’s you, Elena; I could have gotten someone else."

Grinning, Elena raised her arms, showing her biceps "Don’t worry, Bran... I will fight and get you through the preliminary round."

Squeezing her bicep, he nodded "Sure, Miss Elena, I will be relying on you."

Hearing this, she giggled and tapped his shoulder playfully.

The teacher continued with the numbers eight and nine.

"Number nine."

Eira rose from her seat gracefully, brushing her hair back as she turned her head.

Her eyes instantly met Callistra’s, who stood up from across the room almost at the same moment.

A soft smile bloomed across Eira’s face, "Oh, it’s Callistra," she murmured, exhaling lightly.

"Then it’s all good."

Elena clapped her hand "Oh, its the OG duo."

Brandon looked at Elena and chuckled "OG duo?"

Elena nodded her head and murmured to his ear "You know... how Calistra and Eira were so close in the past."

Brandon nodded his head, as they were the first ones he met in that rupture.

Elena continued "But after you came, Eira got attached to you... and since you guys are lovers, Calistra distanced herself from Eira, thinking that she might be a third wheel."

Brandon’s gaze lowered "Oh... I see."

Eira walked to Callistra with a big smile on her face "Oh thank god, it’s you, Calistra."

Calistra showed a faint smile and nodded her head "Mhm."

Once the last pair had been confirmed, the murmurs in the classroom settled.

The teacher rested both palms on the desk, leaning forward slightly. "Alright, now that the pairings are done, let’s go over the rules for the preliminary round."

"The preliminary matches will take place in the East Arena," the teacher continued, tapping the tablet to bring up a map.

"Each duo will face another duo randomly selected. There will be no rematches, no second attempts, and no redrawing of pairs. What you get is what you must work with."

"In this stage," the teacher went on, walking slowly in front of the class, "ether usage is allowed, but heavily regulated. You may use body enhancement, elemental ether, defensive barriers, and weapon summons as long as they fall under the first-year rank permitted by the Academy."

Her gaze narrowed, "Anything beyond that will be grounds for immediate disqualification."

Someone in the back raised her hand timidly "So no advanced techniques?"

The teacher shot her a dry look. "If you had advanced techniques, you wouldn’t be in the first-year tournament."

Returning to the front, the teacher tapped her screen again "Victory is achieved by forcing the opposing pair to surrender, immobilizing them, or pushing them out of the arena limits. Lethal force is strictly forbidden."

"Anyone causing intentional, severe injury will be suspended."

Brandon let out a soft breath. It was fair... but also irritatingly limiting.

Beside him, Elena was practically bouncing in her seat in excitement.

"You will be judged on combat synergy, efficiency, control, and ability to protect your partner."

"Yes, protect your partner. This is a duo match, not a solo showcase."

Elena nudged him with her elbow, "Hear that, Bran? You gotta protect me."

He gave her a side glance. "You mean I have to keep you from charging like a wild boar."

She stuck her tongue out at him.

The teacher cleared her throat sharply, "You will also be graded individually. Just because you have a strong partner does not mean you get to slack off. We will be assessing each student’s performance."

She raised the tablet, checking something before continuing "Matches begin in two hours. You will receive your arena numbers shortly."

Her tone softened slightly as she added, "Use this remaining time to discuss strategies with your partner, warm up, or prepare mentally."

Brandon leaned back in his seat, exhaling slowly.

Elena immediately turned to him, "Bran, this is going to be so fun."

With a smile, he asked "That depends on your definition of fun."

Elena puffed her chest proudly "Beating people up with my best friend is fun!"

Brandon laughed, unable to help himself.

Looking at his laugh, Elena’s eyes softened "Ok now, let’s go and train before the fight."