"Team Crucible," Desta announces during our strategy session, eyes flickering with code as she accesses facility records. "Match scheduled in forty-eight hours. Three consecutive victories, specializing in environmental manipulation and sustained area denial."

  Our fourth match comes faster than expected, the facility clearly accelerating the schedule for teams approaching the advancement threshold. Two undefeated teams facing off, with Team Exodus's synchronized enhancement approach against Crucible's reputation for turning entire arenas into death traps.

  "Their whole strategy revolves around controlling the battlefield," Ember explains, flames dancing thoughtfully around her fingertips. "Magma, their leader, can liquify solid surfaces. Frost creates ice formations that restrict movement. Catalyst accelerates chemical reactions within materials. Tectonic manipulates structural stability."

  "So they transform the arena itself into a weapon," I summarize, watching footage of their previous matches where opponents found themselves trapped in constantly shifting environmental hazards. "They don't attack directly, they make the battlefield attack for them."

  When match day arrives, the arena has been specifically configured for maximum environmental malleability, concrete platforms that can be liquified, metal structures subject to rapid temperature changes, chemical compounds embedded throughout the floor for potential reaction catalysts. Everything designed to favor Crucible's manipulation capabilities.

  But Team Exodus has evolved beyond countering opponent strategies, we've developed our own integrated combat approach that functions regardless of battlefield conditions.

  When match day arrives, the arena has been specifically configured for Crucible's advantage, platforms that can be liquefied, chemical compounds embedded throughout the floor, unstable support structures. Everything designed to favor their manipulation capabilities.

  The moment the match begins, Crucible unleashes hell. Magma drops to one knee, plunging his hands into the concrete, which instantly begins bubbling like lava. Frost creates a forest of jagged ice spikes erupting from the floor. Catalyst triggers chemical reactions that fill the air with colored vapor. Tectonic's eyes glow as support columns begin to groan and shift.

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  "They're trying to turn the whole arena against us," Eli says, watching the transformation spread rapidly across the battlefield.

  "Then let's show them who really controls this environment," I reply, catching everyone's eye. "Lambda sequence, now!"

  What happens next leaves the audience speechless. Instead of retreating from the environmental assault, Team Exodus surges forward in perfect formation.

  Eli's gravity fields neutralize Tectonic's structural manipulations, stabilizing collapsing columns and creating safe passage through what should be death traps. Ember's precision flame control counters both Magma's molten floors and Frost's ice barriers, maintaining perfect temperature zones around our team. My molecular manipulation disrupts the chemical catalysts before they can fully form, the colored vapor dissipating harmlessly.

  "What the hell?" Magma shouts as his liquefied pathways suddenly revert to solid ground beneath our feet. "They're neutralizing everything!"

  Team Crucible's panic is visible. Their entire strategy depends on environmental dominance, but Team Exodus moves through their death trap like we're taking a casual stroll. Without their battlefield advantage, they're forced into direct combat, exactly where we excel.

  Our rhombus formation hits them like a precision strike force. Eli creates gravity wells that pin Frost and Catalyst in place. Ember's flames neutralize Magma's molten attacks before they can form. Desta's system manipulation prevents Tectonic from accessing the structural supports he relies on.

  I engage all four of them simultaneously, telekinesis and enhanced strength flowing together in the integrated combat style I've perfected through my solo matches. The fight is embarrassingly one-sided once we've neutralized their environmental advantage.

  The match concludes in just over five minutes, Crucible's environmental specialists overwhelmed by an opponent that turns their own battlefield against them. Another victory for Team Exodus, more decisive than the last, our synchronized enhancement approach evolving to counter even specialized environmental manipulation.

  Victory streak: 4.

  One more to reach the advancement threshold.