Chapter 2273: To the Norse Region

The solo combat is over just like that.

Sam settled for fourth place, while Crow is in the third place. The first two places belonged to the peak stage cultivators, while the fifth place belonged to the late stage cultivator. The line up is weird. It is not unusual for one or two late stage cultivators to take places in top 5.

Middle stage is out of chance though. But this time, there are two of them.

Everyone could already imagine the jeers and sneers they will get from the people of other academies in the finals. They would be a butt of all jokes, but also they will give the most surprising punch ever given in the tournament.

A lot of people are actually looking forward to it.

Next is the team combat.

Sam is not exactly popular in the academy. It is true that they have all defended him against the external enemies, but there are too many questions surrounding Sam and he has been distance since the start.

So, he didn't have a team ready to go ahead and take on the team combat competition. Unlike the freshman tournament, the team tournament of the regular tournament is a bit different. First one is that there are only three man teams and only one team from an academy can join in.

It will always be battle royale of one form of the other.

All the teams will be chucked into the same space at random locations and the would be it. Whichever team stands until the end wins. There are some other auxiliary rewards as well. The rules are also a lot more lenient compared to solo combat.

Ambush, formations, traps, poisons, teaming up, betrayals. It will be a complete package.

Sam is really intrigued by this. But he doesn't have a team and he has no intention of going around and asking people to get them to accept him as a team member.

He was fine just being a spectator.

When the competitions began Sam was really surprised. The number of teams is a lot higher compared to the number of participants in the Solo combat.

Solo combat only had thirty candidates. But there are eighty four teams altogether in just the second grade. All of them are three-man teams. Even more intriguing thing is that the first three places of the solo combat.

Rashma, Chetan and Crow formed a team together and participated.

The competition went on for the old day. Multiple screens were projected so that people could see all the corners of the area and observe the contestants they desire.

Sam's eyes were locked on two teams throughout the competition. The one with the first three winners of the solo combat, another team created by three people who were actually the middle of the list of second grade rankings.

These three people don't have anything special when it comes to their individual prowess.

They would have lost in first round in the solo combat. But when all three of them came together, they had such unique strength. Their movements, thoughts and ideas all matched each other. They are really good.

Sam thought they had a great chance at winning, but in the end Rashma just overwhelmed them. She beat the crap out of the three while walking right through their traps. It appeared like whatever traps and preparations they had, they are worthless in front of her absolute strength.

She won with such a straight face that even Sam felt a bit sorry for her opponents.

That is the last competition that Sam has spectated and he didn't care much about the remaining competition. He just let things be and prepared himself for the finals. Time passed like that.

Meanwhile, because of the travel and communication restrictions the information spread between the academies and regions has slowed down. But still, the Olympian region at least knew that Sam not only broke through but is entering the tournament in multiple auxiliary competitions and solo combat.

This made many people feel lost.

This only happened a few days before the finals are about begin, so most academies couldn't spare time to dig for more information, but most of the Olympian region had a bad feeling about this.

After all, all the major conflicts that happened in the Olympian region somehow had Sam's name appear in the investigations. He appeared connected and there are some connections they could even establish.

They even tried to capture and kill him, but he remained safe.

Now that he is entering the tournament that too solo combat, many people, particularly Deans had different thoughts pop-up in their heads. This smelled like a great opportunity to them. An opportunity to deal with Sam without any interference and no direct consequences.

When the news spread to Zeus academy, Heron and Bloody Chariot were already finalizing the list of students that would go to the finals.

"This kid, Sam. What is he planning now?" Heron muttered.

Bloody Chariot looked at him and asked.

"Christos told me that you are the one that told him to investigate Sam. At first, I didn't think much, but after taking up the position as the Dean and the information that I got... I understand it now.

That guy really might be the mastermind behind all this."

"He could be."

"So, what do you think he is planning now?"

"I don't know. But t wouldn't be good. He knew that he has a giant target on his back. Not just from the Olympian academies, but other academies as well. In fact, they might desire him more than us.

Right now, the Olympian academies lost too much. Man power, resources, students, reputation. The only way we can recover is by gaining something huge and hub the biggest thing right now.

Sam is the only possible link that we can use to get to the hub.

Even if it is just to reduce the Olympian academies' chances they would go after him. They would either try to control him or completely destroy him."

"And that will only cause more chaos. So, you think he is doing this just cause that chaos."

"It is more than likely."

As they are discussing, someone came without even a knock on the door.

It is a familiar face, or rather a familiar mask.

"It seems like I am slipping way too much. Just a first grade brat is not even respecting the Dean's office and just barged in like its his home."

Bloody Chariot said the words very calmly, but White who just entered stiffened in the place. He started sweating that instant. Bloody Chariot's aura pressed on White making him want to lay flat on the floor without any resistance.

He came with so much emotion that he forgot basic manners. It didn't even take much time to get that lesson though.

"I... am..."

"I don't want your apology. But you better have a damn good reason to barge in like this. Otherwise, expect some punishment befitting of your arrogance."

Bloody Chariot spoke. Heron stayed silent as if he is not even there.

Because right now, he is still not the active Dean. After Theron left, Dean Heron understood that there is no way to absolve himself. He just has to wait it out. So, Boody Chariot kept the Dean's position, but made Heron do most of the work.

But in front of the students, Heron refused to speak or act in the authority of the Dean.

"Sir, I am going to attempt my breakthrough to second grade. I aim to do it before our academy members deploy to the finals. So, I want to be allowed as a participant of the Solo combat."

Bloody Chariot dropped the document in his hand and looked at White with a smirk.

He gave him a once over and said.

"You are indeed on the verge of breakthrough, but I don't believe you are at a point to breakthrough in just a couple of days. At least not without external assistance.

And if you are going to use external assistance, I can only say that it is not advisable. As one of the promising students of the academy, your safety and growth are also my concerns.

So, I would try to even slightly force you to not make that decision.

And even setting aside all of that, there is no way I can just let you enter the tournament in Solo Combat."

"I understand why it would be difficult sir. So, I will prove myself. I will earn my right to participate. All I ask is an opportunity to prove myself."

"Prove yourself? What do you think you prove yourself with? All the participants from our academy are peak stage students, except for one. That guy is in late stage and is on the verge of breakthrough. Unlike you, he has an actual chance of breaking through before the finals.

And, you said just a chance? Seems like you are handed everything way too easily, since you can't even understand the significance of a chance.

I would like you to get lost now. Don't ever come in front of me unless I demand to see you."

Bloody Chariot didn't even raise his voice and sent White out.

Days passed. White was unable to breakthrough, but the world still moved on and it is time to go to the Norse region.