While Others Tame Beasts, I Level Up

The final wave of the individual round had concluded, and the battered contestants stood in a tense silence as the arena shifted.

Magical platforms rose from the ground, rearranging the battlefield into a more confined, segmented layout.

The announcer's voice boomed, now brimming with excitement.

"Congratulations to all who survived the individual rounds! But this is where things heat up—it's time for the Group Fights! The Semi-Annual Competition is not only a test of individual strength but of teamwork, strategy, and leadership. Teams, prepare yourselves!"

The group fights introduced a new dynamic. Instead of facing waves of summoned beasts, contestants were now pitted against each other in a series of elimination matches. Each team would fight with their tamed beasts to determine who would advance to the finals.

The announcer continued, "The rules are simple! Each team will face another in a 5-versus-5 match. Victory is achieved when all opponents are either incapacitated or surrender. Now, let's see which teams will clash first!"

A massive magical screen lit up above the arena, showing the matchups. My team, Group 8, was pitted against Group 15—a team composed of upperclassmen. The crowd murmured in excitement.

"First-years against veterans? This will be interesting."

"That Carter kid is impressive, but can he handle experienced tamers?"

I exchanged glances with my team. While most of us were still catching our breath from the previous rounds, the reality of the challenge had rekindled our determination. 

Kas, ever vigilant, coiled tighter on my arm. "These are no mindless beasts. They will think, adapt. Be ready."

I nodded, gripping my Mythril-Edged Sword. "Good. So will we."

As we stepped onto the battlefield, Group 15 was already waiting for us. They exuded confidence, their familiars positioned strategically around them. Their leader, a tall, broad-shouldered boy with a fiery mane of hair, smirked at us.

"First-years, huh? Try not to embarrass yourselves," he taunted. His familiar, a hulking Lava Hound, growled menacingly. 

[Lava Hound 

Tamed Rank: D+ 

Level: 20 

HP: 400/400 

Abilities: Flame Burst, Magma Shield]

Behind him, his teammates had a variety of familiars—a Steelback Armadillo, a Wind Vulture, a Frost Drake, and a Shadow Stalker. Each one bristled with power and experience.

"Don't underestimate them," I warned my team. "We've made it this far for a reason."

The referee raised a glowing flag. "Let the battle commence!"

Group 15 attacked immediately, their familiars moving in perfect sync. The Lava Hound spewed a stream of fire, forcing us to scatter.

The Frost Drake followed, freezing the ground to limit our mobility.

"Focus!" I shouted. "Kas, take the high ground!"

Kas uncoiled, slithering up the rubble to position himself above the battlefield.

I activated Quick Dash, closing the gap with the Lava Hound and landing a precise slash across its shoulder.

[-120 HP]

The beast roared, turning its attention to me. "Kas, now!"

From above, Kas launched Erosion Spit, the venom sizzling as it struck the Lava Hound's exposed flank. The creature howled in pain, its Magma Shield weakening.

Nearby, one of my teammates, a girl with a Lightning Lynx, faced off against the Frost Drake.

Sparks danced between her fingers as she coordinated with her familiar, launching a bolt of electricity that cracked through the ice shield encasing the drake.

"Keep pressuring their defenses!" I called out, weaving between attacks. 

The Wind Vulture dived toward Kas, its talons gleaming, but he dodged with agility, countering with Coiling Dominion.

The bird screeched, struggling in his grip.

The Steelback Armadillo barreled toward me, its spiked shell spinning like a deadly wheel. I jumped over it with Double Jump, slamming my sword down onto its exposed back.

The impact sent shockwaves through the ground.

[-150 HP]

The Shadow Stalker attempted to flank me, its shadowy tendrils reaching out to bind me. Kas hissed a warning.

The world sharpened, and my movements became a blur. I sidestepped the tendrils and drove my sword through the creature's chest.

[Shadow Stalker defeated! +2,500 EXP]

Despite their experience, Group 15 was unprepared for our relentless assault.

One by one, their familiars fell, until only the Lava Hound remained.

Its tamer, now desperate, activated its ultimate ability: Flame Burst Overdrive.

The ground erupted in flames, forcing us back.

The audience gasped as the entire arena was engulfed in a fiery inferno.

"George!" Kas hissed urgently. "Now or never."

I went forward again, the boost allowing me to power through the flames.

Kas launched another volley of Erosion Spit, weakening the Lava Hound further.

With a final leap, I drove my blade into its core, extinguishing the flames.

The Lava Hound collapsed with a thunderous crash, and the referee's voice rang out. "Group 8 is victorious!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, though some still murmured in disbelief.

"First-years beating veterans? Impossible."

"We did it," I said, sheathing my sword. Kas slithered back onto my arm, his tongue flicking in satisfaction. 

"One fight down. More to come," he hissed.

I nodded, my gaze turning to the magical screen as the next matchups were announced.