Chapter - 31

Sam started walking as the rest of the three stared at his back in daze. They really heard and remembered the elder's words, but only understood now, how much those words can mean.

"Come on, only half of the seniors are out, there is still other half of them roaming around. I think it won't take long before they figure out something happened to their main base. Let's just go to their main base and rest for mow and we can plan further." Sam said in an unusually loud tone. The three of them were quite puzzled but didn't mention anything and followed Sam.

As soon as four of them left, a black shadow moved and started travelling in the opposite direction. He is none other than a member of the second scout team.

Sam halted in his steps in the narrow pathway and turned around completely. He smirked as he looked at the back of the figure who is moving at a rapid pace. Sam then spoke.

"Change of plans. We need to set a huge trap inside the main cave and let then find another hiding point." The three of them were obviously confused by Sam's decision and exchanged glances. Sam shook his head and said.

"Trust me. The information of us going to rest is already on its way to the rest of the team which is still in out there, I really underestimated Philip. He really did a great job forming an information network. Okay let's go before the wolves wake up. We need to make our preparations as early as possible." Sam said and started running towards the Main cave of the Senior team.

Meanwhile at the viewing platforms. Everyone stared at Sam as if they were afraid to miss any of his actions. They really broadened their horizons. They saw Sam making use of the most common traps and then taking out half of the Senior team all by himself. Even though there are other three, they really didn't help much. When they looked at the screen showing the score, they saw that out of 55 members that are eliminated in senior team. 35 are under Sam and the rest of the twenty members are under the remaining three who followed Sam. The remaining freshmen team really did nothing.

"This guy is too smart." One of the elders said and rest couldn't help but nod in acceptance. Sam really used every resource in the forest as if they were his own personal tools. They really felt that Harry made a mistake without using him properly. Now, not only is he humiliating all the seniors by making fools out of them by using these tricks, he is even decreasing the chances of the remaining freshman team. The nobles felt like they should really take care of him as soon as possible. Because, with Sam's intelligence and talent and the way he remembered and took revenge for all the grudges, they might really be in trouble.

In the testing grounds.

While Sam and the other three are planning on how to deal with the remaining senior team members, something major happened in the forest near the Freshmen Base camp vicinity. This situation even diverted the attention of all the spectators at the viewing platforms from the Sam and his group.

At a place not far from the river crossing. The Senior attack team and the junior attack team are both in a confrontation. Both the attack teams are in a stand still not daring to make the first move at all. Even though the junior attack team has out numbered the Senior attack team by more than twice as they were around thirty members and the senior team has only fifteen members left, the junior team is at a major disadvantage as there are more late stage Acolytes in the Senior attack team.

Harry looked at the team members of the senior attack team with nervousness apparent in his eyes. He really didn't think that he will land in this kind of situation. He thought that he can go around the attack team and then directly confront the defence team of the Seniors at their main base and try his luck at merging the sphere in between the battle. Never in his dreams did he think that the senior attack team will directly clash with them. He almost wants to curse them all.

"We are in luck to meet Harry the son our City lord this early in the competition. What do you think everyone?" The leader of the attack team addressed his teammates in a sarcastic way.

"Mason, don't get too c.o.c.ky quickly. We haven't even battled yet to know who is the winner." Harry said in anger as he heard the team leader's sarcastic manner.

"Well, you guys think too highly of yourselves to think that you can beat us, just because you outnumber us." Mason, who is the team leader of the senior attack team said. He is the son of the captain of the city guards. So, he is clearly acquainted with Harry and both of them didn't get along well at all.

"You are overconfident." Harry retorted with a sneer.

"You could say so, because you don't outnumber us by as much as you think. ATTACK!!!!!" Mason roared, but neither him nor the team mates behind him made a move. Just as Harry was getting puzzled, three men suddenly came out of the ground beneath the freshmen team and attacked by catching them off guard. They each took care of people at same time and eliminated six of the freshmen team.

The freshmen team was immediately in chaos. Just as Harry was about to command something and control the situation. Mason and his team moved and started attacking. Fire balls, water spheres, wind blades were flying through as they started hitting each other. This is not like a battle at all. It is more like a mob fight.

Out of nowhere, more members from the senior team came joined the battle. Harry sweated profusely as he tried to think of a solution. Just then a whistling sound came as an arrow tore through the wind and pierced through his back.

"Ahhhhhh." Harry screamed in misery. The City lord immediately stood up in his seat as he saw his son got injured. But he couldn't do anything.

Harry looked at the direction from which the arrow came and saw a young man in the senior uniform aiming and shooting at the freshmen. Harry realised that winning is impossible. 'Flee'. This is the only thought that is left in his mind. Even if the team here is eliminated. He has still twenty people at the defence and another forty-five people in the form of various scout and battle teams. If he can escape now and gather them at a same place and fight back, he might actually stay for more time in the test. This is what Harry thought as he tried to flee. Then another arrow pierced his leg. He fell down and started screaming in pain. Mason slowly moved towards him and stood in front of him. Then he made various hand seals and a lot of vines grew from the ground and tied Harry in his place. Then he said with a smirk.

"Harry, you better give up now and handover the sphere. You already lost."

Harry gritted his teeth and his eyes are filled with unwillingness and resentment. He wanted to shine in this competition and wanted to be titled as the best freshman, but first Sam came and foiled his plans and now he was caught by the senior attack team and that too in the hands of the son of the subordinate of his father. He felt like he is humiliated. He looked at Mason's face and wriggle his hand out and reached into his pocket. Mason thought that he is going to break his token, so he didn't stop him. But Harry took out the silver sphere and started frenziedly injecting all his spiritual energy. Mason widened his eyes and just as he was about to make a move, he realized it was already too late. The silver sphere burst into several particles and turned into a powder. Everyone saw what happened and were dumbfounded by Harry's actions.

"Hahahahaha, If I can't have the bonus of merging the sphere, nobody can have it." Harry said hysterically as he broke his token. All the seniors started cursing under their breaths as they watched Harry vanishing from the spot. The freshmen had even more unsightly expressions as they saw the sphere destroyed. They were more concerned about the sphere being here than the fact that Harry has destroyed it. After all they didn't have much expectation on winning against the senior team. But they didn't expect their team leader to be this self-centred and didn't trust the team members at all. He just wanted the points of merging which will inevitably make him the best freshman with the highest number of points.

"Shit, this ass hole" Mathew cursed and then spoke to the one beside him. "Give the signal and tell all the team members to assemble at the cave. All the members retreat." Mathew said as he started running. The rest of the team also followed and the seniors still kept on pushing with long range attacks. By the time the remaining attack team of the Junior team were in safe place. They were only ten members left. Mason, didn't give the command to follow as he saw a scout coming towards him in a hurry. He thought that something happened and just ordered everyone to stay.

After a few moments the scout finally reached them and said in a shaky voice. "Mathew, the main base is compromised. All fifty members in the defence are down."

As soon as the rest of the members heard this news, they were all stupefied. After a few seconds silence, Mason spoke after he took a deep breath. "How?"

"According to the scouts from team 2, four people from the junior team, lured the Dark wind wolf pack towards our main base and made them move towards the trap they previously set. Fifty members are already out." The scout said.

"How did you guys know this?" Mason asked again after digesting the information.

"The team 1 sent us an urgent report which has to be delivered to the main base. The scout who is responsible went there and saw the scene where the scenario happened and the four freshmen discussing the plans for further action. Apparently, they were going to our main base and hiding there until we return." The scout finished saying in a single breath.

"I knew this would happen." The earth element warrior- mage from the Evergreen family, who is also part of the trio from the first team said as he sighed. Everyone turned and looked at him in a puzzled expression.

"Dorman, what do you mean?" Mason asked.

"Previously, when we took out the defence team of the Freshmen team, we got a piece of information. The person named Sam, about whom Philip had warned us against has been set free and another three people followed him." Dorman said.

"What do you mean set free?" Mason inquired. But some people who saw the second round had already understood.

"Actually, this guy Sam is the first ranked candidate and he defeated the rest of top 100 by luring them into a trap by setting up a formation. He is not only good in hand in hand combat, he is also good at formations and archery. He even defeated Harry when he was surrounded by all of Harry's lackeys. So, Harry took the leadership role and then completely didn't include Sam in the team and kicked him out. What Philip said is that with Harry's petty character, he would drag Sam down by giving him as worse task as possible, but he really overestimated Harry's intelligence. Now, Sam not only is free but also has some helpers. He will be really dangerous as he is very proficient in setting formations and plotting strategies. If we can't catch him as early as possible, he will be a head ache." Dorman said as he sighed dejectedly.

Mason also remembered what Philip said and so did the rest of the team. Honestly, they first thought that Philip is just exaggerating as some of them are confident that they won't fall for his tricks and some of the people who saw the second round thought that since, they saw it, they can avoid it. But when they heard about the news of fifty seniors getting eliminated, they were at a loss of words on what to say. They really didn't think that Sam would be this troublesome, just as they were feeling happy about their overwhelming victory on the freshmen, they got a news that their team has got reduced by half.

"That despicable sc.u.m. He is nothing but a trash who has to resort to these kinds of petty traps and tricks. He is nothing but a coward." Just as the whole team were silently thinking on what to do, someone cursed. When they turned towards the direction, they saw Carl gritting his teeth and his face was red with anger. Not only him the rest of the noble household students are all in the same state except the people from the Evergreen family. Carl noticed all the gazes and said.

"I will lead a team and eliminate him." Even though he didn't mention who he was speaking to, everyone can make a guess and turned towards Mason.

Mason thought for a moment and said. "No need for you to go. We will all first attack the main base of the freshmen and move back to deal with Sam and his followers. You already heard how he lured the wolf pack, if we separate now, the rate of the success is very low. We already lost more than half of our team, which is the first time in history. The highest the previous freshmen got against their seniors is at most less than half of our losses. We can't afford to lose anymore and humiliate ourselves. Scout team 2 will keep watch in them"

Everyone in the team agreed and nodded. Seeing that he can't convince them, Carl gritted his teeth and just followed the team. So, the team all started walking towards the freshmen main camp.

At the freshmen main camp, right at this moment, all the freshmen are gathering. All the scout teams and ambush teams all came and formed a group. Mathew took the responsibility of the leader and spoke.

"The defence team at the main base is eliminated and we are the only ones left in the team. The senior team is coming to attack our main base. We are going to take a stand here and are going to defend and survive as long as we can. We have to drag as many people as we can with us."

"Yes" All the freshmen shouted and started moving to take their positions. After a few minutes the senior team came. There are about 35 people in the team. Right now, the senior team has assembled all the team members on this side of the river crossing. Only ten people are left on other side and all are part of the team 2 scouts. The team 1 is of 10 people and team 2 is of twenty people. The people of team 2 are responsible for information transfer. Now, all are assembled.

The battle at main base of the freshmen started and is completely one sided. Even though there are more people on the freshmen team, they are completely overpowered due to their inferiority of their cultivation base and soon all of them are eliminated and the senior team had to pay a price of five people.

Senior team took some rest and all of them stayed silent. Nobody, is happy as they lost a total of sixty people and this is a clear humiliation and all of this is due to four freshmen. In fact, it could be said that it is all due to one person. He only with the help of three others took out more than half of the team. This only made their mood gloomier.

After a few hours. The sun is already high up in the sky and there is still more than 12 hours to the finish of the competition. Due to the fact that Harry destroyed the sphere, there are only two ways to win the competition. First one is to eliminate all the candidates from the opposite team and second one is to eliminate a greater number of people than the other team before the time limit is up. That is the reason, Mason declined the idea of Carl leading a team to eliminate Sam and his companions. He doesn't want any mishaps to happen. If Carl and the team he led got eliminated, he would surely regret it.

Mason and the rest of the team are currently at the river crossing, they probed and further confirming that the river gators are gone, they crossed the river and then started walking towards their main base, On the way the rest of the team also joined and the remaining forty people of the senior team slowly and cautiously travelled until they came to the narrow path leading to the open grounds before their main base cave.

A team of ten people cautiously travelled through the narrow route and came out from the other side. When they saw that there are no traps like the pits they saw earlier, they started checking the flow of energy for any presence of the formations. After confirming that everything was clear, they immediately signalled the rest of the group to come.

Soon the group slowly made their way to the cave and cautiously entered it. On their way, they clearly saw the tracks of the wolves. But to their luck the wolves already returned to their lair after they became conscious. When they finally entered the cave and confirmed there are no traps, they heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed a bit. But Mason has a gloomy expression and was in deep thought.

At the viewing platforms, the spectators all observing the scene without batting an eyelid. Because, Sam and his companions right now are on a small hill top near the cave and are looking towards the cave.

Sam was watching the scene of the Seniors' team entering the cave cautiously as if they were walking on the egg shells. He has a cold smirk on his face as he looked at their looks of concentration and vigilant expressions. The remaining three are all looked at Sam waiting for his next move.

Sam looked at the cave which is not far but not near either. He then took out a weapon out a black metal bow and nocked a ranked arrow. He then pulled the string to its limit and injected his golden flame energy ready to fire at any moment. He then said to the other three.

"Get ready we are going to have a melee combat with them after the initial attack. So, as soon as they get out of the cave hit them with your best long- range attacks. Move now and inform me when you are ready." As soon as he finished the remaining three immediately moved. After a few moments the signal came and Sam immediately released the arrow.

The arrow tore through the air and entered a hole which is previously created by Sam and entered the cave and hit the ground in the middle with a loud explosion and a crashing sound of glass could be heard as a red vapour immediately filled the cave.

Mason immediately felt that something is not right and shouted. "IT'S A TRAP GET OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!". But it was already too late. Some of the people in the cave already fell unconscious and the rest of them ran outside. Just as they were trying to catch their breath, suddenly they felt a sense of danger. Mason immediately looked around and out of blue he felt an acute pain in his leg. He looked down and saw an arrow pierced through it and then he looked towards the direction where it came from. He saw a figure clad in black as his outer cloth swaying slightly wind. That man has a bow in his hand as he shot arrow after arrow at the senior team, with a speed so high that he can't even see his movements.

He came out of his daze and turned towards his teammates to give orders to hide, but he saw they were all being attacked by various long- range attacks. Some people are struck in soil and some people are being attacked by some flying daggers, some water spheres could also be seen. He shouted. "Be careful. Defend yourself." He shouted again as he took shelter behind a think rock.

Soon the seniors came to their senses and started defending themselves, By the time they took shelter and the commotion died, they saw only fifteen members of the team are still conscious. There are around ten people who fell unconscious on the ground and the morale of the senior team died down.

"Don't worry, they are not yet eliminated. As long as we can take them down and not let them break the tokens of our team members, we can save them." Mason shouted to his team members as he tried to boost their morale. All the seniors looked at their friends and then exchanged glances. Soon, someone spoke.

"Yo, kids. Is that all you got? Are these little tricks the only thing you know? If you have guts come and fight me?"

"Yes, what is the name of your leader again? Sam, right? I heard you are so great in close combat and are not afraid of anyone. Why don't you come out and let us see for ourselves?"

"How come you guys are not coming out?"

"Come on, let us fight hand to hand instead of these cheap tricks."

Everyone started to provoke Sam and others as they continued to spout endless nonsense.

Not far away Sam and the other three are also hiding behind a rock. Now that the seniors are on guard against them, it is almost impossible to attack long range. Sam is hearing the provocations with an amused smile. Suddenly, he heard Shawn shouting from beside.

"All of you call yourselves seniors. We are four and you are more than ten and some of you guys even have cultivation above us. And you have gall to ask us to fight head on." he scoffed loudly. Immediately all the provocations died down. Suddenly, another voice came from the seniors' side.

"Sam, you despicable piece of shit. Come out if you are really a man. If I don't make you regret living today, I won't call myself Carl again." Hearing this all the seniors looked puzzled and dumbfounded. Then another shout came.

"You country bumpkin, come out and accept your fate."

"You piece of trash come on if you have balls."

All the noble family students in the senior team are insulting Sam. The other seniors felt quite confused.

"Sam has a feud with all the noble families except for the Evergreen family. Due to that feud he deliberately targeted all the other candidates from the noble families and eliminated them very early in the second round. Now only Harry and the candidates from the Evergreen family are the only students belonging to the noble families in the freshmen." Dorman explained to the remaining seniors and realisation dawned on to them. They felt this Sam is crazy to have a feud with the noble families and eliminate the juniors of the family making them fail in the admission. 'No wonder, this Carl and others are all angry.' Everyone thought. Then Dorman continued.

"Carl has an extra reason. He lost a bet with Philip and five thousand Spirit stones are gone because Sam beat his cousin in second round." Everybody looked at Carl with a weird look. 'Why bother betting and why bother taking it on someone who didn't even know you lost because of him? Damn, so much for being a noble. You might as well blame the tree, since the bird pooped on you has a nest on it.' All the seniors who are a little broad-minded have thoughts like these.

Carl glared at Dorman and then he felt the gazes of all the other seniors he felt incredibly ashamed and shouted. "SAM, I WILL F.U.C.K.I.N.G KILL YOU TODAY."

Meanwhile Melisa and others all looked at Sam, whose expression got colder and colder as they heard all the insults hurled at him. Sam suddenly stood up and took out a staff. This is not the black staff he used yesterday. Instead, it is golden in colour and is shining brightly under the sun. The staff has smooth surface and there is a symbol of 'Double S' (Cover) near one end of the staff and there are some engravings near it. Sam looked at the three and said.

"Cover me from afar. You don't have to directly attack anyone. All you have to do is distract them if anyone tries to sneak up on me from behind." Sam said and started walking.

"Sam. Its dangerous." Melisa said from behind. But all he got in reply is a cold stare which seemed to say. 'Do what I say'. He then left without turning back.

As soon as seniors saw someone walking towards them, they looked at him and saw Sam walking towards them with a golden staff in his hand. His face was as cold as ice and the aura around him is completely chilly and evil. Sam's expression is now completely sinister as he stopped a few meters away from them. He then held the staff on one end and kept the other end on his shoulder and said in an emotionless voice.

"Those who called me can come and say all the shit to my face. Of course, the context his that you have balls to say that." His voice is soft but cold. He didn't even glace at them when talking and looking to the side as if it was beneath him to look at them and treated them as thin air. The seniors looked at his arrogant demeanour and felt like they were humiliated. But none of them made a move and looked at the seniors who called out Sam and waited. Soon, around seven members came out of their hiding spots as they looked at Sam with angry eyes. They were instructed by the family. 'Kill him, if chance arrives.' Even though they know that Sam can escape as soon as he broke the token, they still had to try their luck.

The seven surrounded Sam. There are three who are at late stage Acolytes and all of them are seventh stage. Carl is one of them and is the only mage warrior. The remaining four are all middle stage Acolytes. Out of which three are at fifth stage and the last one is at sixth stage. Sam looked at them nonchalantly as if he doesn't have any pressure. This made them even more infuriated and one of the guys in middle stage made a move. He is a warrior and swung his sabre at Sam with a ferocious aura. But just as he was about to hit, his target vanished and appeared behind another one of the middle stage Acolyte, who didn't make any move.

Before anyone could understand how Sam escaped, they saw Sam swinging his staff in an extreme speed. All they saw is a golden blur and flash of a golden flame sphere at the point of contact between the staff and the person. That's it. Before they realised, a golden flame explosion occurred and by the time, the flames are gone, they saw the senior who got hit lying there unconscious with his body scorched black.

They all looked at the place where Sam stood and before they could make sense of the situation, they saw another blur and another guy also got scorched black as if he was grilled on fire. This time Sam didn't move and stood there. He placed a foot on face of the guy and placed the staff on his shoulder and looked at all the seniors who came out of their hiding and scanned them with his cold gaze.

Then all the people there heard Sam saying. "Tch, TCh. What a shame they fainted." Then he looked at Carl and said. "You are right to call me trash. They are still breathing after all."