The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy

Chapter 324: Karma (XLII)

BOOM!The air rippled as every Seraphim’s wings flared open at once, white feathers bursting out in a blinding wave of mana.

And this time, they were much faster than before, and were also moving together.

The ball shot forward like lightning, passed between them so fast it left trails of gold behind.

Eric didn’t even touch it; his teammates did everything, guided by the faint light threads that connected their bodies to him.

"Left flank!" Tyrian yelled.

"I see it!" Kael growled, sliding in. His boot clashed with one of the Seraphim’s, sparks flying as the ball ricocheted between them.

The crowd gasped.

"They’re moving like one mind!"

"The Blessing’s linking them!"

"How do you even stop that?!"

I dashed back into position, scanning the field with Odin’s Eye.

Every movement was pure rhythm as each Seraphim passed the ball without hesitation, like they could sense exactly where everyone else was.

One cut through the center.

Another sprinted up the right side.

A third dived in from above, literally flying a few meters off the ground before kicking the ball mid-air.

"Kael! Cover the right!"

"I’m trying!"

The ball hit the ground once, bounced, then twisted past Tyrian before slamming toward the goal.

THUMP!

Our keeper blocked it, but the rebound rolled straight into another Seraphim’s path.

He struck again.

"Damn—!"

I lunged forward, slamming my foot into the ball before it crossed the line. The impact shot a jolt through my leg, but it worked.

The crowd roared in chaos.

"That was close!"

"They almost scored again!"

I barely had time to breathe before another Seraphim swooped in, his expression fierce, golden veins pulsing under his skin.

Their aggression was insane; they didn’t hesitate to crash into us, to use their wings, to push every advantage.

Tyrian took a hit to the shoulder and stumbled while Kael kicked the ball upward to buy time.

"Pass!" I shouted.

He didn’t need to think twice.

He flicked the ball my way, which I caught mid-sprint, using my thigh to absorb the impact before rolling it along my foot.

Fwoop!

Two Seraphim came from both sides instantly, like predators closing in.

"Fuu..."

A cold breath escaped my lips as I twisted left, then abruptly stopped.

Thrum!

My mana pulsed out, a faint wave of pressure spreading beneath my feet.

.

The barrier around the goal shattered in a burst of golden dust.

BOOOOOM!

The crowd went insane.

"GOAAAAAAL!!!"

"SERAPHIM CAPTAIN ERIC DOES IT AGAIN!!"

"A SOLO RUN! A SOLO RUN FROM HALF FIELD!"

I stood there, frozen, my breath heavy as I looked at him.

My chest burned from the recoil of that clash.

He turned his head slightly, looking straight at me across the field.

That same calm smile.

That same golden aura flickered faintly behind him.

"Keep up, new captain," he said quietly, his voice carrying through the mana waves.

Kael groaned from behind me, clutching his head.

"We’re so screwed..."

Tyrian spat dust from his mouth.

"He just danced through all of us."

"Okay, so, how the hell are we supposed to stop that? He’s basically a flying nuke with good aim." Kael rubbed the back of his neck, staring at the scoreboard with a grimace.

Tyrian sighed, wiping a bit of dust off his chin.

"We can’t outpace him, that’s for sure. His reaction time’s too clean. And those wings? He’s getting aerial support from divine mana currents... We’d need at least three people marking him."

"Three?" Kael muttered. "We barely managed one before he disappeared."

I stayed quiet, watching Eric in the distance. He was talking to his teammates, calm and relaxed, like he hadn’t just humiliated half our lineup.

Kael groaned again.

"We need a plan, man. Otherwise, he’s gonna walk all over us until the timer runs out."

"I’ll cover him."

Both of them turned sharply toward me.

"...You?" Tyrian raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-concerned.

Kael blinked. "You sure about that? You saw what he did—"

"I’m sure." I met his gaze, voice even. "Don’t worry about it. Just keep your focus on the field. If you see me open, pass. I’ll get it done somehow."

Something in my tone must’ve convinced them, because neither argued after that.

"Alright, captain. We’ll back you up." Kael clicked his tongue, nodding. "

Tyrian grinned faintly, giving a small salute before turning to the others.

"You heard him! Adjust formation — Aestrea’s taking the front!"

They scattered to reposition.

I stayed still for a moment, letting out a slow breath. The tension around me thinned, sound fading until all I heard was my own heartbeat.

The faint crimson shimmer in my eyes dimmed, the glow of my vertical slits fading until they looked human again.

"...Let’s do this."

The referee raised his whistle once more.