Ren's mantis wasn't physically stronger than other beasts here, actually way weaker in terms of pure base statistics... The distinction mattered significantly for understanding combat dynamics.

In theory, a Silver 1 beast was approximately five times stronger than a Bronze 2 in terms of base power metrics. The bonuses that tamers received didn't differ as dramatically when comparing a Bronze 2 fused tamer versus a Silver 1 fused tamer... that progression was more gradual in how it affected human combat capability.

And that was Yano's model of combat: A chivalrous knight-like style where the tamer of higher rank threw away their biggest advantage, their beast's raw overwhelming power, to instead use their 'smaller' advantage of personal enhancement bonuses.

Fighting fused with beast rather than commanding it separately was a cultural preference that 'disadvantaged' higher-rank tamers in some ways.

But when discussing the beast itself in direct combat... physical strength, SIZE, natural resistance... Those differences were substantial and couldn't be ignored.

Especially the size differential that came with a full rank advancement.

And in situations like this exam where cultural preference for fighting fused with beast didn't apply due to the rules requiring beast-versus-beast combat, those rank advantages became significantly more pronounced.

A Silver 1 beast should always, theoretically, dominate a Bronze 2 in direct combat even with elemental disadvantage when accounting for the five-times stronger body, or what could be considered a 5x 'multiplier' in base stats.

Should be… In a situation that assumed all other factors equal.

But there were other factors like abilities, tiers, if the beast' species was of slow growth and fast growth at the end or fast growth and slow growth at the end… and also the quantity and quality of the stat increases beasts had accumulated in combat relevant categories.

Not to mention that double tamers had even more increases to count when calculating effective combat power.

And if discussing doubles, there was someone worse than that... 4 beasts despite having one inactive.

All that…

Plus Ren's mantis wasn't an ordinary beast by any measure of normal development.

The multiple elemental control she'd developed through fusion was an enormous advantage that negated traditional matchup planning. The accumulation of bonuses it'd received, approximately five times her base statistics and even more in certain effects through shared bond mechanics, at this point put her in parity with Silver 1 beasts and even some Silver 2 opponents.

But that wasn't everything that made it dangerous.

Abilities like invisibility that made it nearly impossible to track. Rapid movements that bordered on speed impossible to follow with normal perception. Capacity to almost fly for escaping or repositioning that gave it three-dimensional combat options many beasts lacked.

All of that made his mantis a nightmare opponent for any low Silver beast that relied on traditional combat approaches.

In theory they would have similar power levels when comparing pure statistics.

In practice, the mantis had creator mode activated through mechanisms even Ren still didn't fully understand but had learned to utilize.

There was a reason the beast had reached the Gold 3 ring during its previous mission serving as Ren's eyes in that dangerous territory.

"Our first opponent is Team Three," Ren announced after verifying the bracket board that showed tournament progression. "I need to see their composition before deciding our battle order."

♢♢♢♢

FIRST ROUND

Team Three had an interestingly diverse distribution.

Two fire beasts in low Silver rank that would be dangerous against wrong opponents. Two water beasts, also low Silver, providing defensive options. One earth beast at Silver 2 that would be their strongest fighter. One wood beast at Bronze 2, likely their weakest link. Three wind beasts providing mobility and harassment. One neutral element that could adapt to different situations.

Ren studied the list mentally while his team waited for instructions that would determine their approach to the first battle.

The composition told him several things about Team Three's likely strategy and what counters would be most effective for securing victory without exposing his own capabilities more than necessary…

"Here's what we're going to do," Ren began.

His team leaned in, ready to listen to the leader who'd proven time and again that he understood combat dynamics better than most people twice their age.

"Ron, you'll go first," Ren decided after studying Team Three's composition and calculating probability matrices in his head.

Ron blinked with surprise that was evident in his expression and body language. "Me? Don't you want to go at the start to crush everyone and show off your dominance?"

"I don't like to 'show off' without reason," Ren responded with a tone that came from a genuine philosophy rather than false modesty. "I don't want to reveal all my cards unless it's necessary for victory. They have three wind beasts in their lineup. High probability they'll put one at the start thinking it's advantageous against the 3 water beasts in our team composition. Your salamander can handle the wind element effectively… also they have two fire beasts, which neutralizes elemental advantage in those matchups. And your control is better than average for your rank."

Ron nodded slowly while processing the logic behind the decision, understanding dawning as he worked through the strategic implications.

"Bolo, you're second," Ren continued while building the complete battle order in his mind like chess moves planned several turns ahead. "If Ron loses, you'll probably face a water or earth beast they'll want to use as a counter to your fire. Your wood element Treant has advantage against both elements."

"Trevor, third position. Your earth element is perfect for what comes after. If Bolo loses there, it's likely against fire or wind that exploit wood's weaknesses."

Iris was assigned fourth position by the same logic, wind against probable wood or water opponents that would follow natural progression...

He continued assigning order based on probability calculations rather than simple power rankings. It wasn't exact science, couldn't predict perfectly what the opposing team would do given human unpredictability. But there were patterns that emerged from how people thought about combat. And Ren had learned from his sleeping friend to follow those patterns even when they seemed to not be there.

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