Chapter 204

Chapter 204: Entering the Top Sixteen

Two days later, the group stage of the New Star Competition was about to conclude. Held in an underground combat room, results were not publicly announced; only a few participants knew the outcomes.

“Today’s matches will decide the top sixteen,” Alena said as they walked together after class.

“Yes, unfortunately, I’ve been eliminated,” Nia replied somewhat regretfully but not too disappointedly, knowing her own capabilities.

“Let’s see how Lolan and Letis fare. You two should advance, right?” Alena continued.

“There’s still one more match tonight,” Letis said, adjusting her hair as if deep in thought.

“The students at Emanas are truly impressive,” someone commented.

“Haha, did you face some challenges too, Letis? Didn’t you say you wanted to win the championship?” Alena teased.

“At least I participated. Some didn’t even make it that far.”

After their banter, the group split up, with Lolan Hill and Letis heading down separate underground corridors.

—

In the underground combat room within the Teaching Hall,

Under dim lights, two youths clashed fiercely. One had short dark red hair wielding dual swords, while the other had gray-black disheveled hair with two triangular ears atop his head.

After several exchanges, they paused momentarily. Rock clenched his swords, breathing heavily. Despite the coolness underground, sweat soaked his forehead and back. Just seven to eight minutes of intense fighting felt like a full day of training.

His opponent, a wolf-eared orc youth, radiated a lethal aura. Though roughly the same age, this youth had likely killed before. His moves were meant to end lives, leaving no room for complacency.

“How strange,” the wolf-eared youth mused, tilting his head.

“Your style clearly favors swift strikes, yet your techniques seem too gentle, lacking brutality.”

“Surely you haven’t killed anyone, thinking you can become an assassin?”

He tossed his dagger, imbued with deep red magic, causing it to glow dangerously.

“Assassins need justifiable reasons to kill,” Rock responded, shaking his head.

“Laughable. Clearly, you’re not from noble stock, yet so naive. Disgusting.”

The shadowy figure darted forward with sword and dagger, swift as lightning.

Clang!

Their swords collided violently, one breaking.

Rock discarded the broken sword, blocking with the other. He punched hard, striking the opponent’s chest, eliciting a grunt. The youth retaliated, kicking Rock in the abdomen, sending him flying.

They continued their exchange, and Rock grabbed the opponent’s wrist. They wrestled on the ground, relying on strength and endurance since their weapons were lost.

A fist struck Rock’s left cheek, scattering droplets of sweat, briefly dazing him. But he quickly retaliated, smashing the opponent’s eye socket, swelling the remaining eye.

They rolled on the ground, engaging in a primal struggle. Each blow landed, neither able to dodge, only enduring and gathering strength for the next strike.

Finally, both bled profusely, barely conscious.

Shaking his head, Rock staggered to his feet, while his opponent lay unconscious beneath him.

Did I win?

Still dazed, it took a while to hear the judge declare victory. Only then did he collapse, satisfied.

In another combat room, Lolan faced Ye Ling.

“It’s Lolan sister,” Ye Ling remarked, dressed in a white robe adorned with ink-drawn bamboo shadows. Her long twin tails hung to her waist. Bowing respectfully, she floated upward.

“I’ll give it my all,” she said, her silver eyes turning pure red, the air resonating with a faint dragon’s roar.

Lolan looked up, watching Ye Ling rise, her arms spread wide, sleeves gracefully waving, leaving trails in the air.

These trails seemed solid, like transparent glass walls, advancing. Ordinary students might suffer internal injuries, animals crushed to bits.

Ye Ling really believes in me, Lolan thought, launching a powerful attack. Transparent barriers rushed forward, compressing the air, stirring dust and debris.

No holding back now.

With this resolve, Lolan closed and reopened her eyes.

Her black hair flowed wildly, true red eyes glowing like a crimson moon in the night.

Blood-red spears formed in the air, not stopping but gathering endlessly. Seven spears, like blood-crystal, floated.

As her arm swung down, the spears shot forward, shattering. Before Ye Ling could react, they pierced through barriers, catching her clothing, pinning her to the wall.

“I yield,” Ye Ling surrendered immediately, seeing the spear tip near her shoulder.

The red crystal spears dissipated slowly, and Ye Ling descended, caught by Lolan.

Burying her head in Lolan’s embrace, her twin tails swayed. After a moment, she whispered softly.

“Lolan sister is amazing, but you owe me new clothes.”

She waved her torn sleeves and robe, revealing small holes at the sleeve, shoulder, and waist, exposing delicate skin.

“Alright, alright, you’re impossible. Were you trying to get new clothes?” Lolan comforted the younger Ye Ling, suspecting mischief.

“Remember, Lolan sister.”

—

Thank you, Xiyavetmitel, for the light smoke under the moonlight, extinguishing the solar eclipse, the wanderer leaving home, the fool, the dream fragment, the return to zero warmth, and the seven patrons.