SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 24 out, this is Chapter 25 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OC.

Chapter 25: Flower of Resolution


In the arena...

"I'm so hyped." Asta was getting himself pumped up.

"What are you so excited about?" Zora asked. "This is an exam. Take it seriously, you dumbass. We should be scouting the area and thinking about strategies."

"Calm down, you two." Mimosa played peacemaker. "As Xerx mentioned, we should learn each other's abilities and figure out a strategy. I'm sure the enemy team will be doing that, as well. I specialize in healing and support plant magic. Asta shines in best in close-range combat with his magic-nullifying anti-magic. What kind of magic do you use, Xerx?"

"What?" Asta gaped when the crystal they were guarding was suddenly attacked.

Reacting quickly, Mimosa entwined their crystal in vines, only to have said jewel get attacked again.

"How are they..." Asta was astonished by the accuracy of their opponents' attack.

"Move three meters towards 10 o'clock." in a tree, Rick Cornell instructed, using his 'Crystal Scope' to keep track of the other team. "With my Crystal Magic: Crystal Scope, I can tell exactly where you're moving."

"How dare you insult Freyja-sama, you cur?" Forte Gris growled, readying a 'Burst Javelin'.

"We refuse to give you a chance to shine." Curtis Warren swore, having loaded the flaming javelin on his 'Strong Bow'.

"This is going to end in an instant." Asta gasped when a third fire javelin hit their crystal. "We need to work together..." he was cut off when he saw Zora napping on the ground.


On the sidelines...

"Looks like he isn't the only one asleep." Rhiannon giggled, Charmy had also dozed off on her lap. I see. She realized what Zora had done. You've been very busy last night, haven't you, Zora?


In the arena...

"That Xerx guy is asleep." Rick snarled.

"Maybe it's some kind of strategy?" Curtis wondered.

"No," Rick refuted. "My Crystal Scope can also determine someone's physical condition. He's actually sleeping."

"First, he's rude to Freyja-sama and now he's being this irresponsible?" Forte growled. "Unforgivable."

"No matter what he might have up his sleeve, they cannot win without moving." Curtis was certain. "Let us end this right here and now."

"Plant Creation Magic: Magic Flower Guidepost." Mimosa summoned a 3-D imprint of the battlefield. "Two of our enemies are near their crystal. The other is about 60 meters ahead of them, up in a tree. The two in the back are building up mana. I think they're going to cast a combo spell. But from so far away? They're going to attack." she informed Asta and enabling the Anti-Magic user to cut through the next incoming attack. "Losing a team member is a handicap, but we won't be able to win at this rate." she reasoned. "Let's leave Mr. Useless behind and figure something ourselves, Asta. I'll pinpoint the enemy's position and hold them down while you protect the crystal. Then, the two of us can close in on their crystal and try to destroy it directly. This is our only choice."

"All right." Asta nodded. "Let's do it."

"Incoming." Mimosa warned, the pair were now dashing towards their target.

"What's with that guy?" Rick was astounded to see Asta easily deflecting their attacks. "He's blocking those combo spells so easily and charging at us with their crystal in tow. They're heading right for our crystal. Apparently, one of them can detect positions, too." he relayed to his teammates. "They've almost reached midrange..."

"I see them." Asta stopped behind a destroyed stone wall. "Two enemies and their crystal."

"They're here." Forte barked.

"Stay calm." Curtis assured. "Our crystal is unharmed but their crystal is almost falling apart."

"Plant Magic..." Mimosa summoned her next spell.

"Rock Magic." Curtis readied his defense.

"Magic Cannon Flower!" Mimosa fired her offensive spell.

"Rock Fortress!" Curtis encased both Forte and himself in a stone sphere.

"I'll take the lead." Mimosa stepped forward. "Magic Cannon Flower!" she fired her second shot at the cliff Curtis and Forte were standing on.

"There are two of them." Curtis remarked. "Shall we move closer and surround them?"

"No." Forte replied. "The little gray-haired boy has an anti-magic sword. I've seen him use it before; it's invincible in close combat."

"Anti-Magic?" Curtis echoed. "I've heard rumors about it, but to think a little boy like him... and if he's who I think he is, then it's probably dangerous to get too close. In that case..."

With a unison nod, both Curtis and Forte split off.

"Magic Flower Guidepost." Mimosa wasted no time in activating her tracking spell. "This response... it's the left."

"Got it." Asta responded and the pair went after Curtis.

"Anti-Magic child, behold my ultimate spell." Curtis declared.

"What an intense concentration of mana." Mimosa reported. "A powerful attack spell is incoming."

"I'll cut that." Asta sped on. "And then, the crystal."

This is... Mimosa was stunned to see two more bright spots on her map. There are two similar responses. The other two have powerful midrange attack spells. This position... we're surrounded. If any of those attacks hit the crystal, we're finished. "Asta!" she shouted.

Her warning came too late when Asta stepped onto a paralyzing magical trap Zora had laid the previous night.

"Now!" Curtis barked after Asta fell over and Team A released their attacks simultaneously.

As if on cue, three of Zora's magic traps activated, absorbing the attacks and reflecting them back at their casters.

"Looks like that went well." Zora yawned, Mimosa immediately using the 'Princess-Healing Flower Robe' on Asta.

"What in the world just happened?" Mimosa was puzzled.

"That's a senior Magic Knight for you." Zora walked towards Team A's crystal. "I thought that'd destroy their crystal, too. But to think he managed to keep the crystal intact and stay conscious. Now then, I don't know what else might happen, so I need to take the shortest possible route to destroy the crystal. Looks like you're short on imagination when it comes to unknown magic. Magic Knights are supposed to consider every possibility when fighting." he then smashed the crystal to pieces.

"Crystal magic stoppage confirmed." the referee declared. "Team B wins."


SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.