For Eastsea Academy, the annual Promotion Match was a grand event and a test of every student's practical combat training.
Students who performed exceptionally in the Promotion Match would have their results recorded in their files, which would play a crucial role in recommendations for entering higher-level academies in the future.
Moreover, the material rewards were generous. Classes that achieved outstanding results in the Promotion Match would not only see their rankings change, but their homeroom teachers would also receive commendations.
Thus, after so many years of development, the Promotion Match had become a symbol of honor at Eastsea Academy. Being defeated by a lower-ranked class was a disgrace, while defeating a higher-ranked class was glory.
That was why it was held three months after the start of the school year. It not only tested the homeroom teachers' teaching abilities, but also gave each class ample time to select participants and arrange tactics.
The weather was fine today, with clear skies stretching for miles. It was perfect for a competition.
A competition platform had already been set up in the center of the Intermediate Division's field. Though it was called a platform, it was actually just a metal floor reinforced by an extra ten centimeters. A specialized Soul Guidance barrier surrounded it to prevent accidents during the matches.
Today was the first day of the competition. To avoid disrupting classes, the matches were held after school. As the dismissal bell rang, students poured out of the Teaching Building—but instead of heading for the Intermediate Division, they all ran toward the Advanced Division.
After all, what was there to see in a match between first-year Class Four and Class Five?
They had neither combat skills nor outstanding martial souls. It was better to watch the upper-year matches, where they could both