Shadow Author

As I stood next to the man who would eventually be responsible for the death of thousands my body unconsciously shook.

Thankfully the third member appeared and took the pressure off of me having to start a conversation.

"Yo, what's up? Aye, Noah, I didn't know I would be with you. This is gonna be easy, you better carry us!"

The man who I had no recollection of slung his arm around Noah's shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah just make sure I don't get hit."

The two of them seemed pretty close but I don't ever remember writing about someone who looked like 429. Nor do I remember having him be friends with someone like Noah.

"Yo and who is this?"

429 asked while pointing at me but then it seemed like a light bulb went off in his head.

"Wait, aren't you the one who called the professor boring?"

"Ah, I wouldn't say that."

"No, no, it was definitely you. Yeah, you're the crazy dude who called him boring. You got some real balls!"

429 led Noah closer to me and he also swung his arm around my shoulder.

He made it seem like the three of us were the best of buddies. I didn't like it.

"Oh yeah, by the way, I'm Billy but you can call me Bill and this here is Noah but you probably already knew that. Everyone knows Noah."

"Yes, nice to meet both of you. My name is Lucas."

With greetings out of the way, Noah told us the formation and plan of attack.

.

When Noah reached into the basket to pull out a ticket and saw that it was Bill he was indifferent. Bill was a decent warrior and would serve as a good partner.

But what Noah really worried about was his swordsman. He wanted someone fast and nimble who could take out the enemy's support.

When he reached his hand in and pulled the number he cursed his terrible luck.

"993."

He called out the number and waited for the piece of trash to come over.

Noah's plan was completely ruined. Without a good swordsman, his formation would completely fail.

Today Noah wanted to go for a risky move and do a dual swordsman single warrior formation. This would leave no supporters but he planned to overrun the enemy with strength.

Noah and the warrior would attack together while the second swordsman would rush past and take out the support then come back and attack from behind.

But when he saw the low number his plans were scrapped.

Noah began to think of all kinds of plans when an arm went around his shoulders. He knew it was Bill's. Bill was always a touchy-feely guy.

Then Bill began talking to 993 but Noah didn't pay any attention; he was forming a new plan.

Unfortunately, nothing good came to mind so he was forced to stick with the original plan.

Noah figured he would just cut his loss and make up for it tomorrow when he would hopefully get better teammates.

With both of his teammates giving him their full attention, Noah explained how they would attack.

Then the first battle began.

It always started from the 1st place ranker, Elijah.

When Noah saw Elijah get into the arena with two supporters he got angry.

Elijah was already unmatched in swordsmanship but with two additional supporters, it would be a clean sweep.

That's why Noah went with the two swordsmen and one warrior combo.

If Noah's team ever fought Elijah, Noah would have the advantage. He and Bill would double-team Elijah while the third would take out the support.

It was a perfect plan but it seemed like lady luck was not smiling because he was paired with someone ranked 993rd.

.

As I listened to the plan I thought it was decent. Noah was extremely strong and Billy was probably decent which meant I would have a clear path to taking out the people in the back.

I liked the plan because it didn't put much pressure on me.

The first battle began. It was the first-place team vs the sixth.

The first consisted of Elijah, 321, and 859. While the second was 6, 334, and 603.

It was going to be a close match in terms of ranking. But none of that mattered when it came to Elijah.

With the support of both his mages, he easily took down 334 and 603. Number 6 managed to last a while longer but eventually tired himself out.

With the end of the first match, all other matches could begin. It was customary to watch the first fight.

All the other teams then broke apart and spread out through the room while the one without a team went into the corner with the teacher.

I followed behind Noah and we took our space in the center of the room.

Because Elijah finished and moved out of the way it was clear for us to use. Plus no one would dare to take Noah's spot.

The team we were facing was fourth. The team included Mia, 742, and 748.

It was going to be a close fight.

Mia was a swordsman like myself and Noah. 742 was an archer and 748 was a mage.

Our team was a perfect counter to theirs as long as I pulled my weight we should be able to win.

Noah's and Mia's team's squared up and after a countdown, the battle began.

As soon as it started Noah shouted the plan one final time.

"Go 993, Bill you're with me."

Both Noah and Bill charged toward Mia. They were going to double-team her.

With the only protection of the supporters busy, I made my move.

Dashing past the clashing of swords and axes I locked on to my first target, 748.

If I take out the mage it will weaken Mia so Noah and Billy should be able to take her out.

Being full of confidence I charged ahead.

Passing the fight I moved towards the mage.

But it wasn't as simple as I thought as an arrow came flying at me.

Knowing I had to dodge I swerved to the left. Unfortunately, it wasn't quick enough and the arrow pierced my side.

Since it was training and this was a school, real weapons weren't allowed. However, that didn't mean there was no way to regulate damage.

The floor of the room was made with sensors along with the magic that calculated and monitored the health of a student.

Below everyone's feet was a health bar that displayed how much health someone had left.

With that single attack, my health bar went from green down past yellow and into red.

"Tsk."

One more hit and I would be eliminated. That was the difference in our skills.

Preparing myself for more I raised my sword in front of my body to give myself a chance at cutting down an arrow.

Just like I expected, another arrow came flying at me. I could see it clearly but it was moving at a quick pace. I had no way of dodging it and was forced to cut it down. But that's what I was prepared to do.

Right, when it was in range I swung my sword down to cut the arrow in half. However, rather than going as I expected my movement was too slow and I swung after the arrow had already hit me.

Seeing it go through my chest I looked down at my feet as I watched the bar that was red empty. I was dead.