Inna glared at Favian fiercely.

"What the f.u.c.k is this?! Why are they our opponents? Aren't you supposed to choose them? Wasn't it supposed to be 'fair'?"

Favian's pale face grew a few shades paler that his dark circles are now very visible under his gla.s.ses.

"Y-yes. But—"

"Why the f.u.c.k are we against them, then? The difference between us is like heaven and h.e.l.l!"

"Uhhh, according to what the Grand Elder told me, it seems that there is no other choice. The other teams are well partnered up and their diversity of professions also match well. If we were to exchange both teams, both matches would be greatly imbalanced. So, they decided to make do with this arrangement, so that they can at least minimize the 'damage' done. This happens sometimes so it's nothing new. It's just that... good luck."

Favian said as he looked at her with pity.

Then, he proceeded to stay beside Elder Fang together with Rira.

Inna looked at the opposing team nervously before looking at her own team.

I guess I'd have to go with Plan B.

She called her teammates over and began to relay out her plan.

"Okay, guys. It's still unsure if we can win. Let's aim for a draw instead. Let's drag out the fight for two minutes—ah, I mean moments."

The scrawny girly boy looked at her with annoyance.

"'Unsure if we can win?' It's totally sure we will 'lose!' Better forfeit this battle, it'll save us some time!"

Inna glared at the boy.

"There's always a chance. If you want to be Mr. Negative, do it on your own. You don't have to include us or be a douchebag about it."

"I need you to tell me your professions and specialty spells now."

May looked at Inna shyly before speaking out.

"I'm a m-m-mage. I u-u-usually use s-s-speed enhancement s-spells and b-barrier spells."

Inna stared at the trembling guy beside May, waiting for him to speak next.

The small guy slightly hid behind May before he finally spoke.

"ah, I-I-I-I'm a P-p-p-pries-s-s-t. I-I…. H-h-healing sp-p-pells."

Then, Inna looked at the person beside him. Knowing that it was her turn, the sickly girl had a coughing fit before she was able to speak.

"Ahem. I'm a Priestess. Healing spells are my specialty."

The whole team looked at her in surprise.

This sickly girl can heal people?! She can't even heal herself!

The sickly girl glared at all of them as she replied.

"I might look like this but I get the job done. I can't heal myself because my condition can't be treated. It was with me ever since I was born so deal with it."

Inna nodded in understanding and decided to move on to the rude scrawny girly boy.

"Before I say anything, I have a question."

Inna raised an eyebrow in surprise then she nodded for him to continue.

"Why is the weakest one in the group acting like our leader? Do you see us as someone weaker than you that you feel superior to us? Remember, Eldora Academy is an Academy for Geniuses. Only those who had great apt.i.tude can enter. That means that usually people that are in the low rank middle stages of their professions are never able to step foot in the academy. In fact, from what I know, ever since it was built only you were able to enter despite being heavily below the standards. All of us here, in this team, may be on the Chamomile cla.s.s or on the Anemone cla.s.s, but don't forget, we are about one level higher than you!"

Inna furrowed her brows at the guy's sudden animosity. He always had this att.i.tude with her ever since they grouped up. Inna tried ignoring it but being confronted like this now, she felt like she had to speak up in her defense as well.

"I'm not acting as the 'leader' in this group. I'm just helping the team to actually communicate! We don't even know each other's names much less our professions! How are we going to devise a plan if we don't work together?"

"Besides, I'm a judgmental person, I know that but you have to try and understand where I'm coming from. To be honest, your appearances and behaviors would totally give anyone the impression that you guys were all just some spineless cowards who only had magic tricks up your sleeves!"

"And me, do you even know me? I'm originally a fighter. If we see people like you, it's almost instinctual for us to think we're stronger! So, can you blame it all on me now for thinking like that?"

Or that's what a fighter would normally think, right?

The other members looked at each other before nodding in understanding. Although they had the abilities, their personalities can't reflect it. They were either too insecure, scared, paranoid, shy, or indecisive about everything.

Inna didn't notice it but there was a seed of change that started to sprout in their hearts. They took her words seriously and decided that if they were to be called 'geniuses' in their own towns, then they should start acting like one.

Confident, humble, brave, and headstrong. That's what they'll aim to be.

Hearing her words, the scrawny guy also sighed in surrender.

"I'm a Mage. I specialize in strengthening spells and invisibility. I used to always be the support in the party of adventurers. Sorry if I've been so on edge. Being in a family of adventurers, we usually let the strongest take control. You could say that along with that and the paranoia from trying to survive for years while taking those hunting quests, I already got used to only following and trusting the strongest of the group. Since, you know, they actually have the ability to do the things they spout out."

Although Inna couldn't fully relate, she can more or less know what he meant.

After all, it's wiser to trust an experienced professional than a newbie who just arrived.

Since his family are adventurers, she can already imagine what it would be like for him to spend every day trying to survive. He probably had too many near-death experiences that he had trouble trusting others who weren't strong and reliable enough to actually finish a 'quest.'

Inna patted his shoulder in understanding as she smiled lightly.

"Sorry for underestimating you as well. All of you."

Inna gazed intensely at the eyes of the members with heartfelt sadness. But then she started feeling awkward after a few seconds. Trying to break the awkward silence, she decided to introduce herself.

"As you all might now, I'm only a starter rank in all professions but my specialty is actually Combat. Since direct Combat is prohibited, the plan is just simple. I'll be the offensive player in this team. The rest of you, you know what to do."

The team nodded in understanding, finally figuring out her clever plan.

Feeling a.s.sured that they understood what she meant, Inna looked across her to survey the opposing team as they finished talking. Her eyes scanned them and they soon met with the smug faces of the annoying women.

She returned those smug faces back to them as she smirked.

Heh, you think you can beat us easily?

Not on my watch, b.i.t.c.h.