The first event of the Movement Arts Competition was the relay race.
Five students from each of the Five Great Academies raced on a designated track using their movement arts. They switched runners at the end of each lap by pushing their next teammate's back. Only the final runner needed to complete two consecutive laps, and the order of finish determined the rankings.
"To ensure the students' safety and a fair competition, one instructor from each of the Five Great Academies has been appointed as a special supervisor."
As the announcer explained the rules, the relay participants gathered for one last strategy meeting.
"Is everyone nervous?" Tang Soso asked.
The twin brothers of the Azure Dragon Academy Student Council, Yoo Geon and Yoo Gon, nodded stiffly. The freshman Namgung Seok did the same.
These three had been chosen after long deliberation, because all of them were lightweight and skilled in movement arts. The problem was their nerves.
Tang Soso made a lighthearted joke to loosen them up. "Look over there. See? There's someone even more nervous than us."
Her gaze landed on Dokgo Jun, the Azure Dragon Academy Student Council President, who was watching his juniors anxiously.
Although no rule barred multiple entries at the Heavenly Martial Festival, participating in only one event was generally recommended for stamina management and to reduce the risk of injury in any competition. Students aiming for the top ranks of the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament were especially discouraged from participating in the other events. As a result, Dokgo Jun could only stand idly by, watching his Student Council juniors with clenched fists and a dry mouth.
Seeing their President more nervous than the participants, everyone calmed down.
"...He worries too much, anyway."
"Let's win this thing and show him all his worries were for nothing."
Yoo Geon and Yoo Gon spoke one after the other. Namgung Seok forced his stiff expression to relax and steeled his resolve, though he was looking not at Dokgo Jun, but at his classmate, Wiji Cheon.
"Watch closely, Wiji Cheon! As your rival, I'll be the one to bring the Azure Dragon Academy its first trophy!"
This declaration came out of nowhere, but Wiji Cheon was clearly used to such antics by now. He cheered loudly and innocently, "Do your best, Seok! Fighting!"
Namgung Seok turned his head away, blushing faintly. "Hmph! I'll show you. You're not the only one who trained hard this past year."
In any case, his tension seemed to have evaporated. His expression had softened considerably.
"I've already explained the strategy, so I won't say much more. Azure Dragon Academy Student Council, let's win this!"
Tang Soso bit her lip hard.
The three Student Council members nodded at Tang Soso's calm voice. She rarely seemed reliable, yet at that moment, she perfectly captured the demeanor of a Student Council Vice President.
"And Yeo Min." Tang Soso turned to face Yeo Min, who hovered a few steps away from the Student Council gang.
Yeo Min took a step back, disgust written all over her face. "If you're going to say something cringey, don't. I hate that kind of stuff."
"I'm counting on you, Final Runner."
"...Well, you don't have to count on me. I'll win anyway."
The final runner was the most important member of the relay team, so each academy naturally handed the role to its fastest student. For the Azure Dragon Academy, Yeo Min was the obvious choice. Even Tang Soso, who was always competing with the Five Young Azure Dragons, had to admit that no one was faster than Yeo Min.
Having said that, Tang Soso did not intend to dump the whole relay on Yeo Min's shoulders.
"I'll send you off in first place so you can run as comfortably as possible."
Yeo Min shrugged. "Whatever. It doesn't matter what place I start in."
"First runners, please take your positions at the starting line!" the announcer shouted, ending his explanation of the rules.
Yeo Min moved into position and glanced at the Vermilion Phoenix Academy, where Sama Hyeon was warming up. He had lost weight, and his cheeks looked thinner than when she last saw him, but there was more wisdom in his eyes than before.
Just then, Sama Hyeon also looked over, and their eyes met. He gave a light nod, and she nodded back.
"This won't be easy," she muttered, reading the grim determination in his gaze.
Nevertheless, she continued warming up leisurely.
Well, winning wouldn't be any fun if it were too easy.
The first runners of the Five Great Academies lined up at the starting line, and the Heavenly Martial Principal stomped his foot to signal the start of the race.
"Begin!"
BOOM!
Five figures shot forward like arrows.
Their sheer speed drew gasps from the crowd. The line they had started on broke apart quickly as some pulled ahead and others fell behind.
Every Azure Dragon Academy student in the stands leapt up, shouting, "Second place! Not bad!"
"What do you mean, not bad! He's right on the Heavenly Martial Academy's heels!"
"Overtake him, Namgung Seok!"
The first runner from the Azure Dragon Academy was Namgung Seok, a freshman and an ill-fated boy. He had headed into the academy entrance exams certain that he would take first place, but a genius named Wiji Cheon pushed him into second.
At first, he could not accept this outcome. He could not accept that he, a scion of the Namgung Clan, had failed to become the top student at the Azure Dragon Academy. Likewise, he couldn't accept that his opponent, whom he had dismissed, was so much better than him.
However, a year of watching the Azure Dragon Academy change gradually shifted his perspective. He had once regretted enrolling in the school, but now he took great pride in being one of its students.
I'll hold second place, exactly like this!
If not for the rule requiring at least one freshman in the relay, he wouldn't have made the cut at all. The Azure Dragon Academy had so many outstanding seniors that he felt he didn't deserve his spot.
Therefore, Namgung Seok gave it his all, desperately chasing the Heavenly Martial Academy runner who was one step ahead of him. Behind him, the gap between the five runners remained slim.
If I watch for an opening, I might get the chance to overtake the leader...
THUD!
Suddenly, the White Tiger Academy runner approaching from behind collided with Namgung Seok, throwing him off balance. His stride faltered for a moment, and the White Tiger runner shot past.
"That's a foul, you bastards!" Hyonwon Kang yelled. He shot to his feet, looking ready to charge onto the track at any moment.
Dokgo Jun quickly grabbed his shoulder. "Shoulder bumps are allowed in the relay as long as the participant doesn't use their hands or feet. They explained all of that earlier."
"I am simply doing my best to prevent outlandish attempts at cheating and unscrupulous match fixing."
"Even so, that was..." Hyonwon Kang started to argue, but abruptly stopped and stared at Dokgo Jun. "Hey, Dokgo. Take your hand off your sword, will you?"
"...Hm?"
Dokgo Jun slowly let go of his sword hilt, which he had gripped unconsciously. Seeing his Student Council junior get shoved had triggered his reaction on pure instinct.
Unfortunately, the interference aimed at the Azure Dragon Academy, whose skill on the first day had surprised everyone, had only just begun.
"Those bastards...!"
"They're only bumping us!?"
"What kind of cheap trick is this!"