Chapter 378: Competition Starts!


    Here we go, Miles muttered silently. It had been a week since they were taken to the militarypound close to the area where thepetition would be held. In that week, Miles met with other students as he was the captain of the first grades. They were also briefed about thepetition . It would be a cage battle where all the academies were ced in a vast mountain range and they would have toplete various tasks to earn points. Each task had varying points allocated depending on difficulty, team effort, and other criterias.


    Captain! 9 students greeted Miles, as they entered the make-shift base they constructed. All the academies were given a map and the area of the base for each team was 100 kilometers in diameter. Students were free to build their bases anywhere in this area. And anywhere, really meant anywhere.


    AIs are banned in the area to prepare the students for situations simr to Dead Zones. Although AI Wristwatches are a great help, we have to be able to navigate without any exterior help. Miles said as he looked at the students.


    Out of 14, Milosh told him to choose 9, after they learned the tournament details. With the files detailing their information, Miles chose several to cover everything he would need.


    Connor, you will createmunication stones with the help of Asai. Put as much energy as you can to make themst the longest. Miles said as he looked at the teen and the girl. The girl, Asai Masumi, had the Superpower Stone Image. It was one of the rare types that allowed her to create illusions as well as real stones even when she was still in Grace-Rank. After she joined the academy, she studied hard in Heart and Mind Branches to cultivate both masteries to a decent degree. Her elemental manifestation couldst longer than others, as they were Earth Elemental.


    Connor Wells, on the other hand, has the superpower, Sound of Elements. His superpower was simr to Vals, allowing him to hear elements, increasing his pace of mastering new elemental abilities. His elements were Earth and Wid, allowing him to work with Asai. In the academy, he spent most of his time mastering Mind Branch techniques as he could increase his elemental proficiency much easier on his own.


    Out of all the first-year students, he was the only one who could create Psychic Imprints on inanimate objects to use formunication. It was quite simr to the telepathy sub-branch of the Mind Branch, allowing people to exchange thoughts by holding two objects with the same imprint.


    Captain, the range will be less than 5 kilometers, Connor reported in disbelief. He knew who Miles was, and he saw how thetter saved their lives in the elevator, but he was still displeased to leave themanding position to him. Everyone who joined thepetition knew what it signified. He, in the academy and even before, has always trained in Mind Branch to be a goodmander, and with his abilities, he couldmand all the soldiers on the battlefield, but the chosenmander didnt even know the short range of inanimatemunication telepathy.


    That is why you will stay behind as a signal tower, Miles said tersely. Although he knew there were some who were dissatisfied with his current position, he couldnt care less. Milosh gave him a task, and he was determined to win first ce. Especially after the incident.


    What?! Connor asked with his eyes wide open, his face flushed red with anger. Do you even know how the imprinting works? I know you are some kind of genius in energy, especially in the Body and Heart branches, but the Mind Branch is different. If you dont know how it works, at least be honest and ask, dont bber nonsense.


    First of all, I am the Captain. Be careful of your tone or I will rece you right away. Remember who chose, all of you. You are as useful as my orders. If you cannot fulfill them, I dont need you. Miles said with a squint. Others clenched their fists because of his stark threat. Secondly, obviously it is you who doesnt know shit about the branch you excel at.


    As Connor was about to explode and insult Miles, something incredible happened. The vision in front of them changed, and they found themselves in a white room.


    This is a virtual room. Simr to Energy Domain, Virtual Room is a creation of Energy that can amplify other abilities of the same branch. In this case, Mind Branch. In the Virtual Room, the creator can strengthen every ability. Tell me, Connor, can you create a Virtual Room?


    Yes, sir. Connor saluted with a red shade on his face, Not as big as this, but I achieved small sess in Virtual Room not long ago, sir.


    As reported in the files. Miles nodded, You probably didnt know that via using Virtual Room, you can use your body as a signal tower to increase the range of inanimatemunication telepathy. If your range is 5 kilometers in normal time, with Virtual Room, it will increase to 50 kilometers. Do you think it is adequate enough?


    Yes, sir. Connor nodded.


    Good, you can start creating them. Miles dismissed them. Asui didnt reject, only saluted and followed behind Connor. The rest of the students dismissed the rebellion in their hearts after they saw the disy of strength. Every first-year knew Miles was a monster when it came to Body Branch. In Heart Branch, although he didnt have an element, he could already change the characteristic of his energy. Now, even in Mind Branch, he was better than one of the best.


    Kasey, I was briefed that you can summon three Wind Elemental birds. Miles turned to look at one of the girls.


    Yes, sir. Kasey saluted and then gave details, My first summon is Eagle-Winged Snow Owl. It has excellent visual abilities and very fast speed. The Second is, Hurricane Hawk. Although not as good as Snowy, it has excellent eyes and is much faster. The third is Giant Vulture. To be honest it is bulky and slow. I use it as a mount.


    Have the first two patrol the area. They should alert us as soon as they see anything. Miles ordered. Summoners couldmunicate with their summons, thus they were the best scouts depending on their summons and elements. For example, Everyperson, Miles, Alex, Maya, and Val met on their quest, had the best potential to be a scout if trained properly. Sadly he was born in Chanter Town and wasnt even trained.


    Yes, sir. Kasey saluted and left as well.


    Rest of us will build the base. We have two hours before we can nt our g. After that, we need to select tasks. Miles nodded, then turned to walk towards the area he selected earlier.