Difference between revisions of "Melee"

This Melee is unusual in that, not only did a non-Rithmatist (Joel Saxon) compete, but he was also part of the winning team. He exploited a loophole which limited the entrants to students of Rithmatic professors, rather than barring all non-Rithmatists. The match was adjudicated by [[Exton L. Pratt]], who correctly stated that Joel was legally allowed to do as he did. As Joel was a research assistant to Professor Fitch, he counted as a student. He and Melody Muns shared the same defense and combined both of their strengths (Joel's precision line-drawing and Melody's chalkings) to great effect. Joel would draw their defenses and attacking [[Rithmatics#Line of Vigor|Lines of Vigor]]/[[Rithmatics#Line of Revocation|Revocation]], which Melody would then trace. This technique had never been attempted before and its legality was hotly debated by the spectating professors. Due to their poor position (at the very center of the arena, surrounded by opponents), Joel chose to employ a complex [[Rithmatics#Nine-Point Circles|nine-point defense]]. Nine-point defenses are typically very difficult to draw precisely and quickly, but Joel and Melody's teamwork allowed them to accomplish it, and the inherent strength of the defense enabled them to survive the initial barrage of attacks. Joel's drawing allowed Melody to focus her efforts on drawing intricate chalklings. They also deployed the newly-discovered Line of Revocation, which was very effective against the unsuspecting students. Despite the considerable odds against them, and being targeted by [[Andrew Nalizar|Professor Nalizar's]] hand-picked team of 12twelve, they were victorious.{{book ref|Rithmatist|25}}