December website update


    Inter-ss Battle—One of the major events that happens once a year in the academy.


    The first match of first-years from the ?Combat Department? kept the audience at their toe for the entirety of the duration. The downfall of the six bases in a mere short time since its beginning, in contrast to the overall 4 hours, was just as much of a rare sight.


    It was a major point of discussion further due to the absolute high-ranking sses first block had mixed in. They''d all imagined it to be a longsting, battle of attrition of sort match. But when the results were out, it left everyone speechless in its wake.


    ◆◆◆


    In a certain lounge. Gathered inside thepletely soundproof room, something fitted for a secret meeting of sorts, the two male students were currently having discussion among themselves.


    "ss-1 indeed takes the top rank huh, nothing surprising. It was a bygone result for everyone."


    "True enough, overall they''re correct. However, how they achieve is nothing short of incredible. To lose only four of their members after those intense battles, and having the headcount of at least 70 opponents is another point. How in the world do you reach that strongest in your grade?"


    "Pretty much. They''re everyone''s fan favourite, especially with their strength. No haphazard n would work."


    "I mean, how about we just... don''t try to counter them? I just can''t find any way to justify the cost that woulde with that victory. Here, focus on this part. Thebined force of ?ss-15? and ?ss-58?, a troop of 47 students, tried their luck on their base, but was easily routed by 20 of ?ss-1? members. While thetter just lost 3 people. Do you really think we have a chance to win?"


    "......"


    The proactive boy found no words at the other boy''s counter-argument who thrusted today''s edition of the newspaper in front of his face, written in it was the details of a staggering performance of ss-1.


    The proactive boy was Jay. The leader of ss-10.


    The newspaper depicted a breakdown of the first-block''s match—or to be more clear, the details of ss-1 performance. The newspaper was nothing sort of life-savour for them toe up with a n against ss-1, however this also had several of the ss cradle their head in headache.


    "At the very least, we must be capable of achieving that to even stand at the same starting line. And look at this, see, they managed to weather the storm by not engaging against ss-1."


    So said a short-statured boy as he pointed at the newspaper. His name was Keel, leader of ss-9.


    Perhaps it was the curious nature of that male student, he was analysing the performance of ss-1 with bubbling curiosity.


    "They made a short work of the match. No, I guess, it just happened in the flow, caught up in the situation pushed by other sses to be precise. However they had moved in much skillful manoeuvre for sure in the beginning ten minutes. Something that is impossible from other ss. It''s not just strength, they knew what they''re doing, details that couldn''t be found from other. Though their consumption shouldn''t be that easy, eh."


    Keel was keenly analysing the details. Trying to find out all sorts of connections mixed among.


    Jay had approached Keel to seek that silver bullet sort-ish n against ss-1, a weak point or something he could exploit. He was just that impatient. As the winner of their third block, his ss-10 was bound to face ss-1 in the semi-final.


    He had gone to see the ss-1 in action, but he spotted a single cinch in their armour. So he came to rely on the wits of his childhood friend, which he had been doing since his childhood.


    But right now, as much as he was grateful for the exnation, he was dying to know that n—he certainly wasn’t much of a man for brain—and urged Keel to continue his words.


    "......What you mean is?"


    "They might show their weakness in the long run. Like, consider each student has 100 units of power, and they have to make do with it for the next four hours. Now, one would think to use them more smartly, kind of in continuous form, however ss-1 instead uses them in bursts. So, I wouldn''t say that would happen promptly, but this would prompt a quick downfall of their count, and the longer it goes, the more you will see gaps in their defense."


    "...And?"


    "The only reason the match ended up running short was due to the convoluted events happening in the background. While everyone were cautiously treading on their steps, ss-1 was making for a run. The doom of each ss was nothing but of their own creation. After cornering themselves, they unsurprisingly took their arms in hand, but that barelysted long. But! Look at this! ss-99 and ss-116 didn''t make their move till the end, and they survived with barely any loss, even scoring one of the top-rank that was in contrast to the rank of their actual power! They reaped the benefit by taking no action, despite how much the arena was stuffed with gunpowder! —Overall, there''s a way to win!!"


    Oh, in the name of holy—don''t take him wrong, he really appreciated Keel''s input—the exnation really ended up windy.


    As the thought passed in his mind, Jay nodded inprehension. He believed Keel''s reasoning held weight. The oue of the first block match made it clear. High-ranking, even mid-ranking upper tier ss, only got bottom-barrel ranks. On the other hand, low-ranking ss, ss-116, achieved 3rd position, while ss-99, a mid-ranking low tier ss, scored 2nd position for him.


    While their victory was out of circumstance, rather than performance, conversely speaking, they won the battle by staying out of the loop.


    It was impressive to think that simply staying out of the fray and letting the other sses battle it out allowed them to rise to the top, all without losing any resources.


    "Of course, there are other sses, so it won’t be that easy. However a strategy like ss-24’s would work. y defensive in the first half, and then attackter. There were three ring reason why ss-24 however fumbled their game: their pride led them to set up their base in a location that was easily discoverable—surrounded bykes—and they couldn’t fullymit to a defensive stance. And of course, there was the conflict with their allied ss. As long as you work around it, no one is a bigger king than you!."


    Keel eventually suggested ss-24''s tactic.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    In the match, the situation wouldn''t havee to this if only they''d stuck in ying defence. But they let greed take over themselves. They couldn''t resist the temptation of 300 points from ss-2 base. Otherwise the strategy was perfect.


    "Points don’t matter when you’re up against Group 1. In the semifinals, ranking wouldn''t be decided by ''judgement,'' but the order at which base falls. ss-99 has shown you can be runner-up even without points."


    "I see. So, I take it we should rather form an alliance, or a united front of sorts, while settling our base as far from everyone''s reach as possible to win?"


    "Yes, I see no harm in it. ss-1 has shown by their action they don''t take their chances on a well-defended base. Well, it might be pathetic to copy others, but it was just that perfect. Man, that was such a waste though, honestly. They had victory in their hand, but their pride ruined everything. They would''ve been now—"


    "Alright, we will be following that strategy."


    Seeing as the conversation was derailing from the main topic, Jay hurriedly interrupted Keel and epted the proposal.


    "Huh... ahh, yes, yes. My bad. My imagination ran wild on its own. Anyway, it''s on you now, Jay. With the strategy, you must illuminate that path to victory others have failed at."


    "Thanks. But for now, I need to see which ss is worth teaming up with. What do you think?"


    Jay asked as he showed the screen of ?Smartphone?. It disyed the list of sses qualified for the semi-finals.


    Keel nodded again, and suggested.


    "ss-99 is clearly out of option. I heard there are quite a few members who had provoked ?Eden? in ss-7, so it''s better to stay out of their troubled waters. ss-6 and ss-37ck the firepower so much that alliance would bring nothing to table. ss-1 is just that much of a surmountable wall after all. Now that leaves two sses, ss-4 and ss-18. Personally, I would suggest ss-18."


    And so, their meeting continued.


    The finalist for the 7th block were—


    ss-1


    ss-4


    ss-6


    ss-7


    ss-10


    ss-18


    ss-37


    ss-99