331 3-4-3 versus 4-4-2!
When Moss and Bishop exited the waiting area, Aerospace Institute’s team led by Captain Barry and Co-captain Bard had already assumed their “two to eight” formation as they solemnly stood in the ring.
Moss noticed every Aerospace team member looking at him and thought, ‘They were just minding themselves just now. Did my unique temperament attract their attention?
‘Did Little Seven’s performance in my match against Atwood shock them, or is there something else that left a deep impression on them?’
Still, none of that mattered. If Moss could leave an impression on them, it would be more beneficial for developing skills and tactics in the next match. The skills he had already used differed from the things he wanted to hide.
!!
Moreover, in the waiting area, Bishop had told Moss that he no longer needed to hide his strength in the team competition and just needed to play to his heart’s content. This way, Moss had even less to worry about.
He heard the loud cheers from the arena that could accommodate 100,000 spectators and looked around. His lips curled upward slightly, revealing a smile.
‘It’s time to show my true strength!’ With that thought in mind, Moss followed Bishop and slowly walked up the ring, standing in the last row.
“Kyoto will win!”
“I agree!”
…
Following Kyoto’s brilliant performance in the last match, they defeated Donghu University by 6:2. Kyoto had convinced more and more people of their capabilities.
Simultaneously, Moss’s formidable defense in the previous match, the shield that allowed him to be like a fish in water, and his ability to tame magical beasts had left a deep impression on everyone, attracting many fans.
Therefore, Moss’s name echoed throughout the arena. A moment later, Kyoto and Aerospace Institute’s teams stood facing each other amidst the loud drumming.
The audience felt like they were already watching the semi-finals from the 20 participants’ spiritual powers.
In the tense atmosphere where an epic battle was about to ensue, Aurora’s attractive voice sounded, “Ladies and gentlemen, the next round is the third of the top 16 to the top 8. It’s also the most intense round.
“Next, I will introduce Aerospace’s team members. Captain Barry, a level 40 dark guard, Co-captain Bard, a level 40 Dark Wizard.”
After introducing the 20 members of both teams, Aurora dragged her voice like a top-class boxing match opening. “Next, let us give the loudest applause for the contestants in this match!”
The arena resounded with a tsunami of cheers and unparalleled applause before she could even finish speaking. The audience reacted in such a way because they knew the two sides were on par in strength. Moreover, this was a team competition, and judges would decide the outcome in one round.
Beep! Beep! Beep! With a few whistles, the highly anticipated match began. Although the whistle to start the game had ended a few moments ago, Kyoto’s three-four-three formation was still in place.
Team Kyoto had two second-year students and one first-year student in the front row, three second-year students and one first-year student in the middle row, and three first-year students in the back row.
Meanwhile, Aerospace assumed their four-four-two formation. They had four second-year students in the front row, three second-year students and one first-year student in the middle row, and one second-year student and one first-year student in the back row.
No students moved from their respective positions, making the audience, who had finally quieted down, begin to discuss heatedly.
“It seems like both sides can keep their cool!”
“Of course, they have to be careful. It’s not like before when losing one match wouldn’t affect the overall outcome. They’re in a one-match-battle now.”
“Although they’re both part of the top 10 universities, Aerospace is ranked slightly higher than Donghu University. This competition will only get more intense!”
“Aerospace has eight second-year students, while Kyoto only has five.”
“Don’t forget, Kyoto still has Moss, the creator of miracles.”
“His tamed Magical Beast isn’t allowed in the ring. No matter how impressive Moss is, he’s still just a junior. What kind of waves can it set off?”
…
From the audience’s discussion, one could see that even though Kyoto had contributed an exceptionally brilliant victory, Bishop had also displayed extraordinary strength. Still, the audience was worried about Kyoto.
In the most heated corner of the southwest corner, a man with long green hair suddenly asked, “Who do you think will be the winner of this match?”
As soon as he brought up this topic, it aroused the surrounding audience member’s enthusiasm.
“Aerospace has a better chance of winning!”
“I agree with that old man’s opinion!” A young man with a dark red buzz cut pointed at his phone screen and gestured to the people around him. “Look, this is the latest forecast’s results by the Shangde e-sports group.”
“Who are you calling ‘old man,’ kid? I just look a little wrinklier than usual, that’s all.” The “old man” was unhappy that the buzz-cut kid called him that.
Then he changed the topic and growled, “Don’t talk about Shangde e-sports group anymore. They cheated me in the last match. I bet 30,000 yuan on Donghu University winning, and they even added 6:2!
“The score was indeed 6:2, but Kyoto was the one that won!”
“My living expenses for this year are gone just like that!”
“If I didn’t buy the card set for the championship in advance, I couldn’t have afforded to come and watch the competition today!”
“I’m sorry, old…” The buzz-cut kid almost said “old man” again, but he realized something was amiss and immediately rephrased himself, “I pity you, Big Brother. I bet on Donghu to win the last match too.”
However, the previous match was an accident. Moss’s Magical Beasts was a little abnormal compared to the rest.
“Magical Beasts aren’t allowed in this round. After all, Kyoto has three fewer second-year students than Aerospace.”
“Who can say for sure? Although Aerospace was in the top 8 last year, their opponent today is the defending champion. Bishop’s strength is genuinely terrifying.
“He will play a more prominent role in the team competition!” A chubby guy beside the buzz-cut kid said with a severe expression.
“The team competition is still based on overall strength. No matter how strong the five second-year students from Kyoto are, they can’t withstand the joint attack of eight second-year students from Aerospace.”
A middle-aged man with glasses in front of the chubby boy turned and said confidently, “If I were Aerospace’s captain, I would deal with Kyoto’s five first-year students first before slowly dealing with Bishop and the other five second-year students.”
“Sigh, what a pity!” An older man with white hair sighed deeply. He continued, “The newcomers from Kyoto are powerful among their peers, but they’re still slightly inferior to the second-year students, especially when they’re up against any of the top 10 universities.
“That’s how team battles are. Once there is a weakness, the opponent will capitalize on it, and once there is an imbalance of strength, victory will inevitably tilt.”
…
While the audience was still in a heated discussion, a voice sounded from the front of the southwest corner, “Quickly look, Aerospace’s back row has mobilized!”