Difference between revisions of "Melee"

The '''Melee''' wasis a annual [[Rithmatics]] competition run by [[Armedius Academy]].

It testedtests the skills of the Rithmatic students. Each professor is able to enter a team consisting of up to twelve students.{{cite}}

[[Paul Crew]] and [[Adelle Choi]] were the final two Rithmatists remaining in the 1888 Melee. Paul's team had been able to protect him for most of the match, leaving him with an almost pristine circle. Adelle's team had been eliminated during the first few minutes. She was heavily bombarded by Lines of Vigor and [[chalkling]]s from Paul and her defense was almost gone when she bounced a Line of Vigor off of three Lines of Forbiddance to reach a weak point at the rear of Paul's circle. This won her the match.{{book ref|Rithmatist|1}}

This Melee is unusual in that, not only did a non-Rithmatist ([[Joel Saxon]]) compete, but he was also part of the winning team. ItHe exploited a loophole inwhich limited the rulesentrants which states that onlyto students of Rithmatic professors, arerather permittedthan tobarring participate,all [[Joelnon-Rithmatists. Saxon]]As servedJoel aswas a research assistant to Professor [[Fitch|Professor Fitch]], and sohe counted as a student. He joinedand [[Melody Muns]] atshared herthe positionsame indefense theand centercombined both of thetheir arena.strengths (Joel's precision line-drawing and Melody's chalkings) to great effect. Joel drewwould thedraw defense,their adefenses nine-pointand circleattacking [[Rithmatics#Line of Vigor|Lines of Vigor]]/[[Rithmatics#Line of Revocation|Revocation]], which Melody would then traced,trace. givingThis thetechnique lineshad theirnever Rithmaticbeen properties.attempted before Melodyand drewits thelegality chalklingswas usinghotly herdebated skill inby the areaspectating professors. Joel's Theyability alsoallowed usedthem theto newlyset discoveredup Linea ofstrong Revocationnine-point todefense, greatwhich effect,protected Joelthem wouldfrom drawattacks by the lineother andteams. waitJoel's drawing allowed Melody to focus on drawing intricate chalklings. They also untildeployed the idealnewly-discovered momentLine toof haveRevocation, Melodywhich tracewas very effective against the lineunsuspecting students. Despite the considerable odds against them, theyand wonbeing thetargeted matchby quite[[Andrew decisivelyNalizar|Professor Nalizar's]] hand-picked team of 12, they were victorious.{{book ref|Rithmatist|25}}

The Melee arena at [[Armedius Academy]] wasis a large open area that resembled a ice skating rink. It hadhas a rough black surface in order to maximize the visibility of the chalk drawn by the participants. Above the playing field wasis a seating area for professors, because Rithmatic duels are best viewed from above. The ceiling consisted of glass squares with metal supports in between them. Along the perimeter of the playing field wereare seats for the general public, and even though there are a lot of seats, there still isnaren't enough for everyone who wants to attend to sit.{{cite}}