Just like that, the time for the match drew closer and closer.
When the referee announced that the contestants could enter, the passageways on both sides of the arena began to open, allowing the members of both teams to enter one after another.
The members of E571 Squad entered from the left.
As an E-rank squad with high hopes of being promoted to D rank, this squad had only three members. All of them were students in the preparatory course of the Aerial Combat Mage Department, and all three were girls. They entered wearing protective suits, their faces showing a hint of nervousness and excitement.
There was nothing they could do about it. As an E-rank squad, they certainly had never had so many spectators present during their ranking matches in the past. It was only natural for them to feel nervous and excited.
The squad entering from the right was E601 Squad.
Misora led the way, with Lekti and Riko following behind her. The three of them entered in order.
As the protagonists of the ranking match entered, the stands immediately erupted into thunderous cheers.
However, the content of those cheers was anything but praiseworthy.
"Go! Weakest squad!"
"Go! F-rank squad!"
"Let's see whether you really have what it takes to make Senior Rorerei your instructor!"
"Don't disappoint us!"
"Hurry up and lose!"
"Boo! Boo!"
The cheers caused waves of laughter, turning completely into jeers.
Misora's temper seemed to flare up at once. She wanted to explode, but the timid Lekti clung tightly to her. Meanwhile, Riko simply swept her disdainful gaze across the entire arena, as if she were looking at a group of humanoid apes whose brains had yet to fully develop. This only fanned the spectators' fury, and one after another, they began jeering even louder.