Leveling Up With My Dragon System

The room grew quiet as everyone leaned in to listen. "We use the terrain to our advantage," she began, her eyes glinting. "We know they're fast and unpredictable, so we'll lay a trap, something that plays into their overconfidence."

Erik's eyes narrowed. "What do you have in mind?"

Annika pointed to a section of the map where several ice pillars stood tall. "We set up an ambush near the pillars. Frode, you can use your illusions to make it look like the ground is safe, but we'll have it cracked beneath the surface. Once they step on it, they'll fall into the freezing water."

Frode nodded, already visualizing his part of the plan. "And I can create a thick fog to obscure their vision, making it harder for them to anticipate the trap."

Ingrid chimed in, her mind racing with ideas. "We can use the echoes in the cavern to our advantage. I can manipulate the sound, making it seem like we're coming from multiple directions. It'll disorient them and keep them guessing where we are."

The team nodded in agreement, their strategies slowly coming together like puzzle pieces. They knew that Team 11 would be expecting something, but they had to be unpredictable.

"And what about you, Kai?" Frode asked, looking at the dragon-node bearer.

Kai studied the map, his eyes lingering on the ice pillars. "I'll use my speed to draw them in, leading them straight to the trap. Once they're in the water, I can use my fire dragon breath to keep them at bay while we retrieve the artifact."

Erik's gaze sharpened. "But be careful, Kai. If they catch on, you'll be their main target."

Kai nodded, acknowledging the risk. "I know. But I can handle it."

The team spent the rest of the day refining their strategy, going over every possible outcome and counter-move. They trained tirelessly, pushing their abilities to the limit, preparing for the treacherous ice cavern.

The day of the match arrived, and the arena transformed into a frosty wasteland. The air was thick with anticipation as the recruits of Team 12 and Team 11 took their positions at the opposite ends of the cavern. The ice gleamed under the artificial lights, casting an eerie blue hue across the room.

"Remember the plan," Kai murmured to his team, his breath creating a mist in the cold air. "We stick together, and we win together." Experience tales at empire

Annika gave a curt nod, her eyes focused on the path ahead. "Let's get this done."

The match began, and Team 12 quickly dispersed, each member moving with purposeful strides, setting the stage for their trap. Frode created the illusion of solid ground around the pillars, while Ingrid worked her magic with sound, sending echoes bouncing around the cavern.

Team 11, known for their unorthodox tactics, approached cautiously. Their leader, a water node bearer named Hakon, eyed the map with a smug look. "They think they're clever," he said to his team, "but we're ready for them."

The first few minutes of the match were tense as both teams navigated the treacherous ice, probing for weaknesses. Kai noticed the subtle shifts in the ice under his feet, hinting at the hidden trap they had set. His heart raced as he waited for Team 11 to take the bait.

Suddenly, Hakon's smug expression turned to a snarl as he spotted Kai darting between the pillars. "There he is! After him!" Team 11 broke into a sprint, their boots cracking the ice in pursuit. Kai's plan was working. He led them closer to the trap, his breath coming out in short, misty bursts as he pushed himself to the limit.

"Now, Frode!" Kai called out, just as Team 11 reached the illusory safe zone. Frode's eyes flickered with concentration, and the ice beneath the pillars shattered, sending Team 11's members plummeting into the icy water. Hakon was the last to fall, his scream of surprise echoing through the cavern.

The water began to churn as the trapped recruits struggled to escape the freezing embrace. Kai stepped up to the edge, his dragon breath warming the air around him. He took a deep breath, focusing his power before releasing a burst of flame that danced on the water's surface, creating a fiery barricade. "You won't be going anywhere soon," he said with a smirk.

Frode's illusions grew stronger, the fog thickening, as Team 12 moved swiftly towards the artifact. The ice pillars loomed over them, casting eerie shadows in the dim light. "We're almost there," Ingrid whispered, her voice bouncing around the chamber.

The artifact was nestled atop a frozen mound, its golden glow piercing through the dense fog. The team's eyes locked onto it, their hearts racing with excitement and determination. As they approached, the sound of cracking ice grew louder, hinting at the danger beneath their feet.

"Remember, stay light," Ingrid reminded them, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. "And be ready for anything."

With the trap sprung, Team 12 had the advantage. However, the Ice Cavern was known for its unpredictable terrain, and they couldn't let their guard down. Kai took the lead, his eyes scanning for any signs of movement beneath the opaque surface of the water. He could feel the cold seeping into his boots, a stark reminder of the danger that lay beneath.

As they approached the artifact, a sudden rumble echoed through the cavern, and the ice beneath them began to shift. "They're trying to escape!" Frode exclaimed, his eyes darting around the room.

Ingrid's gaze remained fixed on the artifact. "We don't have much time. Focus on the prize."

Kai nodded, his eyes narrowing as he sensed the disturbance in the water. He knew Team 11 would be coming for them. "Spread out. Don't let them split us up," he instructed, his voice cutting through the icy silence.

The ice began to crack and heave as Team 11 emerged from the water, their faces twisted with cold fury. Hakon led the charge, his water node allowing him to manipulate the ice to create a makeshift path. Frode's illusions swirled around them, making it difficult to discern friend from foe.

Ingrid took a deep breath, focusing her sound manipulation to create an intense sonic boom. The cracking ice shattered, sending shards flying in every direction. Team 11 was momentarily stunned, allowing Kai and his team to act.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Kai's eyes locked onto Hakon, the water node bearer's movements swift and calculated. "Annika, take the artifact. We've got to keep them busy," he yelled as he sprinted towards Hakon. Annika nodded, her boots digging into the ice as she bolted towards the golden prize.

The dragon node pulsed within Kai, his blood boiling with anticipation. As Hakon approached, Kai felt the familiar warmth of his dragon breath building in his chest. He waited for the perfect moment, then unleashed a torrent of fire directly at the water node bearer. Hakon raised his arms, creating an ice shield to deflect the flames, but the intensity of Kai's attack was too much, the heat causing his shield to crack and shatter.

Ingrid's eyes darted around the chaos, her mind racing with strategies. She focused her power on the ground beneath Team 11, causing it to rumble and split. The recruits slipped and slid, struggling to maintain their footing. Frode took this opportunity to unleash a flurry of illusions, creating a dizzying array of doppelgängers to confuse their adversaries further.

Meanwhile, Annika reached the artifact, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the power of the dragon's breath behind her as Kai and Hakon clashed. Gritting her teeth, she bent down to grab the artifact, only to find it was heavier than she had anticipated. "Come on," she grunted, lifting it with all her might. The ice beneath her cracked threateningly, and she staggered under the weight.

Just as Annika began to turn, a figure emerged from the fog. It was Erik, his eyes glowing a fierce yellow. "Drop it, Annika!" he barked, his hand extended. Without waiting for her response, he sent a shockwave of energy that sent Annika and the artifact tumbling back toward their team.

"Erik, what are you doing?" Kai roared, his dragon breath fading.

Erik's eyes remained focused on the artifact, his expression cold and determined. "Proving myself," he said, his voice filled with a newfound confidence. He turned to face the team, the yellow light of his node pulsing erratically. "This is our chance to be recognized. To show the academy that we are more than just a bunch of misfits."

The room grew tense as Kai's teammates exchanged confused glances. Frode took a step forward, his hands up in a peaceful gesture. "Erik, we're a team. We stick together."

Erik's eyes flicked over to Kai, his gaze unwavering. "You've always had the spotlight, Kai. You're the chosen one with the dragon node, the one everyone wants to be. But what about me?"

"This isn't about me, it's about us," Kai retorted, trying to keep his emotions in check. "We're a team, and we win together."

Erik's lip curled in a snarl. "No, Kai. This is about survival of the fittest. And right now, I'm the fittest here."

The air grew colder as the fog thickened. Frode's illusions swirled around them, obscuring the battlefield even further. Ingrid took a step back, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. "Erik, please," she pleaded, "we don't have to do this."

Ignoring her words, Erik took a step closer to the artifact. His power surged, the yellow light of his node becoming brighter. "You're all just holding me back," he spat. "This is my chance to prove I'm not just a sidekick."