บท 1499: -1480- Former opponents?
As dusk fell, the students wrapped up their day of classes and training, ready to head to the commercial district together for some relaxation.
Just like before, Rozen appeared at the school gate, waiting for Yuri to arrive.
This time, however, Yuri didn't try to hide away but hesitantly walked out of the campus to meet up with Rozen.
"Well then, shall we go?"
"Y-Yes."
The two didn't argue like before; instead, they exchanged brief, polite conversation and headed toward the commercial district together.
Along the way, Rozen casually started a conversation with Yuri, naturally focusing on work-related topics.
"I heard that Vebel is going to host the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival soon. Every floating academy city has to select a representative team to participate in Vebel. Freon and Chloe must be busy with this, right?"
"Y-Yes." Yuri nodded, barely able to conceal her nervousness. She honestly replied, "Because Kanata-senpai is very interested in the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival, the special task force might participate."
"Kanata, huh?" Rozen wasn't surprised at all. In fact, he thought it was the expected outcome. "Don't be fooled by that guy's demeanor; his competitive streak is strong. It's not just a matter of pride; he genuinely loves aerial combat and enjoys the process. So, the chance to battle against the strongest teams from around the world at Vebel is undoubtedly a feast for him."
Ever since the 128th squad, led by Rozen, became an S-ranked special task force, the squad members had been the undisputed strongest in Mistgun, reigning supreme.
But this dominance was confined to Mistgun alone.
Other floating academy cities also had their own strongest teams, whose strength and rank might not be inferior to the S128 Special Task Force, and perhaps could even surpass them.
Under these circumstances, with the strongest fighters from each academy city gathering to compete in aerial combat at Vebel, it would be surprising if Kanata didn't feel fired up.
"We were promoted to S-rank during our second year in the preparatory course, so it's been more than three years now. Given Kanata's personality, he's probably long been nostalgic for those days of battling in the ranking matches. Now that the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival is approaching, he's likely the most excited one."
Rozen spoke with certainty.
"Indeed." Yuri, perhaps reminded of Kanata, relaxed a bit, her nervousness diminishing. She said, "However, this Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival is fraught with suspicious elements. Whether to send Mistgun's ace team there is still under deliberation by the Sky Wizard Division Head. Besides, our team isn't the only one interested in participating; other teams also have members eager to join the competition."
This was indeed a fact.
Though the S128 Special Task Force was undoubtedly the strongest team now, several teams in Mistgun still regarded the S128 Special Task Force as a target and watched them closely.
For instance, the famous A-rank teams were not far from reaching S-rank. With Rozen and his squad having ascended three years ago and not participating in ranking matches for a long time, those teams that had honed their skills over these three years would undoubtedly want to challenge the S128 Special Task Force and settle the score.
Not to mention…
"The A177 squad has been itching to settle the score with us. Every time we run into them, they always give us looks filled with fighting spirit and hostility."
At this point, Yuri's expression became a bit more serious.
"The A177 squad, huh?"
Rozen raised an eyebrow.
This team was not unfamiliar to Rozen either.
Back when Rozen's team was still an A-rank team, they often faced off against the A177 squad in the same arena during ranking matches.
However, due to the overwhelming strength of Rozen's A128 squad at the time, the A177 squad was never a match for them, suffering defeat after defeat without a single victory.
Later, Rozen's squad was promoted to S-rank and became a special task force, while the A177 squad continued to battle in the arena. Now, they were the top A-rank squad, holding the first place in all of Mistgun's ranking matches.
In other words, this squad was the strongest in Mistgun, aside from the S-rank squads, second only to the S128 Special Task Force.
"They've also heard about the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival and expressed to the Sky Wizard Division Head that they're determined to become the representative team and participate in the festival."
Yuri looked troubled.
"I've met the members of the A177 squad, and their demeanor suggested that, rather than simply wanting to participate in the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival, they're more interested in…"
She didn't get to finish her sentence before Rozen interrupted her.
"More interested in surpassing the S128 Special Task Force and becoming Mistgun's representative team by defeating us, right?"
Rozen pointed out the truth.
"Yes."
Yuri sighed.
Since this competition was about selecting the strongest team from each academy city to determine the world's strongest, every academy city would undoubtedly send its most powerful team to represent them.
Even if only to avoid embarrassing their academy city, each would send their top-tier fighters to participate.
For Mistgun, if there was any team with such reputation and strength, it was undoubtedly the S128 Special Task Force.
But the A177 squad didn't acknowledge this.
They had their own ambition to become the strongest team and were driven by a desire to defeat the S128 Special Task Force.
With this in mind, it was only natural for them to voice their objections.
And they had the strength to back it up.
As the reigning champions among A-rank teams, many were curious to see if, after three years, they could defeat the S128 Special Task Force and replace them as the strongest.
Especially now, with Rozen almost retired and likely not participating in the matches, leaving Chloe, Kanata, and Yuri to face off against the A177 squad, it wasn't entirely without suspense.
Therefore, the A177 squad's objection wouldn't be ignored.
Most likely…
"In the end, to determine the true representative team, the Sky Wizard Division Head will have the S128 squad and the A177 squad compete in a ranking match, with the winner deciding everything, right?"
Rozen foresaw this outcome.
And this might be exactly what the A177 squad wanted—a chance to finally settle the score with the S128 Special Task Force.
"Sounds intriguing…"
An amused smile appeared on Rozen's face.
Seeing this, Yuri's eyes lit up.
"Um, Senpai." Yuri couldn't help but ask, "Would you consider joining us…"
She didn't get to finish her sentence before Rozen interrupted her once again.
But this time, the situation was different.
"…It seems we have unexpected guests."
Rozen suddenly stopped walking, his smile fading.
"Unexpected guests?"
Yuri was taken aback.
At that moment…
"Whoosh—!"
A gust of wind swirled around them, roaring as it expanded.
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