Zither Emperor Volume 3 Chapter 19.1

Chapter 19 – Power Shaking Heavy Cavalry (I)
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Xiang Luan sent him an unhappy glance, and Yin Zhu couldn’t help but blank out because of the flirtatious expression within her beautiful eyes. “Allow me to explain what is happening. Tomorrow, our Divine Music division’s opponent won’t be as easy to deal with as those other divisions in the Magic Department. The four final divisions are the Magic Department’s Summon division and our Divine Music division, as well as the two traditionally powerful specializations of the Martial Arts Department: the Heavy Sword division and Heavy Cavalry division.
“Each of them is not an easy to handle character. In fact, we’re out of our league, however, our luck is still extraordinarily good. The traditional triumvirate of the Magic Department—the Spiritual, Spatial Domain, and Summon divisions—are not as balanced as they were in the past. The Summon division that has emerged is a new force to be reckoned with, allowing them to achieve total victory within the preliminary competition and enter the finals.
“In addition, because the Spiritual division and Spatial Domain division went all out against each other, they both forfeited, just like us during our match against the Summon division. This gave the two divisions a two losses: seven victory record, tying them both for third place. We, at second place, have an eight victory: one loss record. Because of this, we qualified for the finals and will later confront our first opponent, the first place division in the Martial Arts Department preliminary competition, which had also achieved a total victory record when they passed the qualifying round—the Heavy Cavalry division.”
“Oh.” Ye Yin Zhu nodded and looked to the side at Sura, rubbing his belly. Sura knew he was hungry and laughed slightly as he promptly left for the kitchen.
“Oh, my ass.” Xiang Luan’s temperament didn’t resemble her gentle and soft outward appearance. Glaring at Ye Yin Zhu, she asked, “Are you even a little worried?”
Ye Yin Zhu, stunned, said, “Worried? Why would I be worried?”
Xiang Luan revealed an adorable, resigned expression to him. “I really don’t know what your brain is full of. At present, no one at the institution is optimistic about our Divine Music division match against the Heavy Cavalry division. Everyone believes we will lose.”
“So it’s just like before? Weren’t they also unsupportive about us previously?” Ye Yin Zhu said, smiling.
Xiang Luan stared blankly. Right! It was the same as before; nobody supported the Divine Music division, yet the Divine Music division still entered the finals of the Freshman Competition. One should know that this was the first time the Divine Music division had competed in the Freshman Competition since the beginning of history!
“Speaking like this, aren’t you very confident?”
Ye Yin Zhu shook his head and said, “No. I am only going to compete with all of my strength.”
“Speaking with you is quickly becoming infuriating.” Xiang Luan was honestly a bit dissatisfied with Ye Yin Zhu’s attitude. “Are you still not making any preparations since you aren’t confident? Dean Nina permitted me to tell you that since we were able to advance to the final stage, she is already quite pleased. She doesn’t wish to see the five of you come to any harm tomorrow during the semifinals. If there is no chance to contend against your opponent, she is expecting you to immediately admit defeat.”
“I have methods to allow the others to remain uninjured.” A faint light flashed through Ye Yin Zhu’s eyes. Xiang Luan didn’t take note of it, but Hai Yang saw the resolute, determined light in his gaze.
“Praise Blue Dias, I am indeed preaching to deaf ears. I’m not talking anymore. I’m going back to bed.” Xiang Luan stood up to leave, kicking Ye Yin Zhu’s calf as she left in extreme anger.
Ye Yin Zhu forced a smile as he kneaded his leg and said to the still seated Hai Yang, “Senior Hai Yang, what’s up with Senior Xiang Luan? She seems to be angry.”
Hai Yang dully said, “Elder Sister Xiang Luan’s temperament has always been very blunt. She came with good intentions to warn you, and felt a little resentful upon seeing that you apparently didn’t care much. Be at ease, she is unlikely to be genuinely angry. Only—Ye Yin Zhu, you are aware of the circumstances surrounding our opponent tomorrow?”
Ye Yin Zhu shook his head.
Hai Yang explained, “Heavy Cavalry—on the continent, this specialization plays a critical role in the military of any country. For instance, the famed Dragon Cavalry on the continent is a type of Heavy Cavalry. Also, within the Heavy Cavalry groups are the most powerful warriors. Their strength is extremely terrifying. In such a close range battle as the training field, it’s impossible for us to have a chance to cast magic due to the cavalrymen’s strength, in addition to that of their steeds. To the best of my knowledge, tomorrow we will be facing the five-student team of the Heavy Cavalry division, which has two Intermediate Level Yellow Rank students, two Advanced Level Yellow Rank students, and a Primary Level Green Rank student.
“For a long time now, our Magic Department has always been the champion of the Freshman Competition. This is the first time the Heavy Cavalry division has seemingly been prepared ahead of time. Each of their five competing students are even equipped with magic-resistant equipment, meaning they must be aspiring for the championship.”
Ye Yin Zhu said, “Senior, I have an idea for tomorrow. When the moment comes, I want you to support me, okay?”
Hai Yang didn’t ask what Ye Yin Zhu’s plan was. She only nodded, saying, “Okay.”
Ten days had already passed since the start of the new term. Although classes haven’t officially started, the Milan Institution for Magic and Martial Arts was unprecedentedly bustling with noise and excitement today. The final stage of the Freshman Competition had begun at last. As far as the Milan students were concerned, the Freshman Competition finals’ period of prosperity was their holiday.
The matches of the final stage were carried out over a period of three days. The first day was for the semifinals. In the morning, the Divine Music division would face the Heavy Cavalry division, while in the afternoon, the Summon division faced off against the Heavy Sword division. The next elimination day would determine third place, following the losers of the two semifinals the previous day, while the winners advanced to the ultimate finals. The Milan Institution for Magic and Martial Arts conducted this third match in the central training field.
The central training field of the Milan Institution for Magic and Martial Arts was in the middle of the two largest branches of the Martial Arts Deparment and Magic Department and was adjacent to the Mixed Residence District. It was five times the size of the training fields of all the other specializations. To the east of this huge circular training field was a rostrum that could hold three hundred people. Extending from either side of the rostrum and to the west were ten storied towers. These towers could hold the entire student population of the Milan Institution for Magic and Martial Arts. The training field was as grandiose as a huge wrestling ring.
Ten people altogether were competing on this huge training field because it allowed ample space for everyone. At this moment, in the surrounding viewing platforms of this central training field, the students of the Magic and Martial Arts Departments were sitting according to their respective specializations, already waiting early. Accompanying the enthusiastic atmosphere were the echoing waves of constant shouting.
“Heavy Cavalry! … Heavy Cavalry! … Heavy Cavalry!” The Martial Arts Department’s student body was double that of the Magic Department. Five years worth of students used dou qi as the foundation for their crazy shouting, completely and vigorously suppressing the Magic Department section. After all, it was impossible for the voices of the mages to be louder than the warriors.
“Divine Music division! … Divine Music division! … Divine Music division!” Although the Magic Department section was not optimistic at all about the Divine Music division, due to the dignity of a mage and their noble arrogance, they naturally cheered for the mages of the Divine Music division. Unfortunately, their clamor had already been completely overshadowed by the Martial Arts Department.
The match had yet to begin, but the students of the two departments were already secretly competing. Teachers of either specialization amongst the students also didn’t prevent the shouting students of their respective divisions. The competition system was essential for stimulating student growth.
Ye Yin Zhu was currently standing to the side of the central training field, the other four competitors for the Divine Music division were also with him. Long black hair scattered over and past his shoulders. Ye Yin Zhu’s mood appeared to be very calm as he quietly waited for the match to begin. Hai Yang stood beside him. “So you have really decided on doing this?”
Ye Yin Zhu nodded. “Yes, I have already decided.”
“All right. Be careful.”
Xue Ling and Lan Xi’s expressions were both very tranquil, merely looking somewhat adoringly at Ye Yin Zhu in front of them. Only Kong Que’s face expressed her arrogance, her eyes brimming with discontent.
At this moment, a voice from the rostrum attracted everyone’s attention.
“Students, please be quiet.” The voice was low, but it was full of unquestionable authority. All of the students and teachers currently present clearly felt their souls shake. The entire central training field immediately became quiet.
Faint violet rays of light set off. President Ferguson stood in the front of the stage. He hadn’t used any amplification equipment. As the number one Spiritual Violet Rank Great Magister, his spiritual power was easily intimidating. The four simple words stunned the entire audience of thousands upon thousands of students. This was Violet Ranked strength.