The clash of combat abilities never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the collision of crystal energy blades resembled fireworks during festivals, continuously bursting across the arena. New wounds were rapidly accumulating on both sides!
The clash of combat energy between the two sides never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the collision of energy swords were like fireworks during a festival, continuously erupting across the arena. New wounds were rapidly accumulating on both combatants!
Whether it was the audience in the training ground or the residents of the planet Fila watching the match on their screens, everyone was struck silent by the sheer brutality of the competition.
In the rest area of the Almythius Academy’s Psychic Arts Department, the atmosphere was equally silent. The instructors of the Psychic Arts Department all perked up their ears, listening intently to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were too complex to put into words.
The only Psychic Arts instructor not present in the rest area was Irina, who had been left alone in the hall by Katerina. At this moment, Irina sat alone in the Almythius Academy’s rest area, in the seat reserved for the lead instructor.
The beautiful female instructor of the Psychic Arts Department lowered her head, clenched her fists tightly, and crossed her long legs tightly. Beneath her form-fitting combat suit, her nearly perfect figure trembled slightly. Anyone seeing Irina at this moment would likely assume she was overwhelmed with excitement for the Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department’s spectacular performance.
However, if someone were to approach closely, see the expression Irina was hiding, and hear her muttered words, they would immediately realize that Irina was not excited at all. She was on the verge of being driven mad by jealousy and resentment towards Zhang Wen.
The brutal “wound-for-wound” game on the field lasted for more than ten minutes before it suddenly ended.
After helping Amelie fend off Link’s strike towards Zack, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell to the ground.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, not the sound of a normal fall.
Taking advantage of the gap created by Cloud’s fall, Link leaped back without hesitation, creating some distance between himself and Zack and Amelie.
“Cloud?” Amelie glanced quickly at Cloud and realized he had closed his eyes and passed out.
“Quick, quick! That Almythius student has fainted!” Several psychics shouted, rushing into the arena to carry Cloud to the rest area.
While the psychics were taking Cloud away, Zack also walked over to Amelie and gently tapped her.
“Zack,” Amelie turned to him and noticed that Zack’s face was also pale, devoid of any color.
“Hey, Amelie…” The intense pain made Zack’s voice waver, but he clenched his teeth, gasping for breath as he whispered, “Cloud’s out, and I can’t hold on much longer either. I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are shaking just standing here! We can’t afford to wait; we have to end this quickly. Fortunately, that guy over there is also badly injured. Even with just the two of us, we still have a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll draw his attention and create an opening for you. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Mm…” Amelie clenched her teeth and nodded.
In the chaotic battle of the past ten minutes, Amelie had also sustained numerous wounds. But compared to Zack, her condition was much better. It was only natural that she would take on the responsibility of delivering the final blow.
As Zack and Amelie stood together, quietly planning their final move, Link, standing not far from them, had the same idea.
In truth, if Link didn’t want to engage in a decisive battle with Zack and Amelie, his ninth-tier speed would have made it impossible for them to force him into a confrontation in the vast arena.
However, Link didn’t know that Zack was on the verge of collapse. All Link knew was that his numerous wounds were making it increasingly difficult for him to move. Every time he attempted an attack or defense, his movements were hindered by excruciating pain. The continuous blood loss also made him feel weaker and weaker as time passed.
Link was not the type to leave victory to chance. So, before he became too weak to control his own fate, he decided to determine the outcome of this match!
Thus, the moment the psychics carried Cloud out of the arena, both sides, equally determined to end the battle, unleashed all their remaining strength in a straightforward, head-on collision!
“Ah! It seems both sides believe that waiting any longer would be to their disadvantage. The winner of this battle will be revealed in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience in commentating on combat matches, Bolt immediately recognized that this clash would be the final one of the match.
Three… two… one! Freeing his mind of all distractions, Zack calculated the distance between himself and Link. When they were just one step apart, he and Link swung their energy swords at each other almost simultaneously. Amelie, following closely behind Zack, also took advantage of the moment to counter Link’s attack.
But at that very instant, Link’s energy sword suddenly traced an unexpected arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s sword, he bypassed it and thrust directly at Amelie behind Zack! Without Cloud’s support, Zack alone was powerless to stop Link’s speed.
When Zack realized he had failed to draw Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank. The speed of a ninth-tier speed-type combatant had been perfectly demonstrated to them by Xiao Xi earlier. Without Zack’s interference, Amelie had no chance of striking Link before he could strike her. In other words, Amelie would have to endure Link’s full-force attack!
Amelie also saw the energy sword, crackling with blue electricity, thrusting rapidly towards her chest, but she was too late to block the attack.
Failure? This thought flashed through Amelie’s mind, but she immediately clenched her teeth. Amelie did not give up. Since Zack had failed to block Link’s sword, she decided to use all her strength to lunge at Link with a determination to take him down with her.
Victory! After his sword bypassed Zack’s futile block, Link inwardly roared with triumph.
Link paid no attention to Zack and Amelie’s desperate, last-ditch effort. Even though his stamina was nearly depleted, even though he could only muster twenty or thirty percent of his peak combat power, Link remained absolutely confident. His speed was more than enough to ensure that after striking Amelie, he could calmly evade Zack’s attack.
If everything had proceeded as Link had anticipated, his victory would indeed have been unshakable. However, unexpected events often occur when least expected.
Just as Link’s final thrust was about to hit Amelie, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation, as if guided by fate, caused Link’s energy sword to collide with Amelie’s sword before it could strike her!
Having undergone Zhang Wen’s hellish training, Amelie instinctively reacted the moment her energy sword touched her opponent’s weapon. Her wrist and body moved before her brain could even process the situation.
Twist the wrist to the left… use the hilt of her energy sword to block the center of Link’s sword, slightly closer to the tip.
Screech… Amidst the harsh sound of metal grinding, Amelie, using all her strength, managed to deflect Link’s energy sword slightly.
Of course, Amelie’s efforts were not enough to completely avoid Link’s attack. However, she effectively slowed down his strike!
Originally, Link was confident that he could take down Amelie and then evade Zack’s attack. But now, he was no longer so sure! If Zack’s full-force strike hit him, even after defeating Amelie, Link wasn’t certain he could overcome the seemingly indomitable Zack.
It must be admitted that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of the combatants. Even in the face of a sudden crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link still made the choice most advantageous to him.
He decided to let go of Amelie, who had shifted to defense, and instead swung his already veering energy sword towards Zack!
Since Amelie had switched from offense to defense, as long as this attack forced Zack to do the same, the worst outcome would be a return to the situation before the decisive battle. Link would still hold the initiative in this fight.
However, what Link failed to anticipate once again was the sheer determination Amelie had put into this attack!
When Amelie saw Link abandon his attack on her and instead swing his energy sword towards Zack, only one thought remained in her mind!
Go all out!
Boom! The explosion of colliding combat energy rang out once more. The scattered debris from the earlier fight was sent flying into the air by the full-force strikes of both sides. The three combatants, colliding head-on, were all sent flying backward!
“Ah!” Almost all the spectators exclaimed as they stood up.
General William also gripped the armrest of his seat tightly, taking a few deep breaths. Among the audience present, General William was likely one of the few who clearly saw what happened in that final moment.
As Link attempted to use his strength to deflect Amelie’s energy sword and attack Zack, Amelie suddenly moved half a step sideways, physically blocking Link’s attack path!
The result of Amelie’s action was that she, along with her sword, was sent flying by the immense combat energy carried by Link’s energy sword! However, at the same time Link struck Amelie, Zack’s energy sword also hit Link.
Having used all his strength in the attack, Link was equally powerless to block Zack’s strike. Hit by Zack’s full-force attack, Link also sprayed a fountain of blood as he was sent flying.
If the battle had ended there, Almythius Academy would undoubtedly have won the final victory. But the arrival of misfortune is always so sudden. This time, it was the Almythius team that was unlucky.
When Amelie was struck by Link, her energy sword, propelled by the immense force of the combat energy explosion, flew out of her hand and struck the already battered Zack across the chest. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately exploded, sending Zack flying as well.
The three combatants fell back to the ground one after another.
In the No. 7 Training Hall of the Themis Academy, which had been filled with deafening noise just five minutes ago as the audience mocked the Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department students, there was now complete silence.
As Mr. Bolt had said earlier, no one could have imagined that a team once known for being easily bullied, which had suffered a 0-5 defeat against the Themis Physical Arts Department’s reserve team last year, could now face ten opponents with just four members and utterly defeat the mighty Themis Academy! Three mere sixth-tier combatants had fought the genius Link to a standstill…
“…We see that all three combatants from both sides have fallen! Could this match end in a draw? We see the referees and psychics entering the arena… Oh no! Almythius Academy’s Zack seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly refuses to let the psychics take him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the field, Amelie had already been taken to the medical room by the psychics. Link, however, as he was being carried to the rest area, had the two psychics set him down, and he lay on the stretcher, watching Zack struggle to get up.
“Come on! Get up!” From the silent stands, someone suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Get up!”
“Get up!”
“Get up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people… The voices of everyone merged into a roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing the sky.
Zack desperately knelt up, then gasped for breath, using one hand to support himself as he shakily stood up. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing blood to flow from them.
“Get up! Almythius man! Damn it!” Sir Wilson, next to Bolt, suddenly grabbed the microphone and let out a roar that seemed to carry a sob.
Though his stance was unsteady, amidst the desperate shouts of everyone, Zack managed to stand up. The two psychics beside him quickly moved to support him.
At this moment, Governor Kalayan’s face turned ashen. Beside him, Chief Instructor Gelt’s eyes seemed to burn with anger. The other Themis Physical Arts Department instructors in the stands mostly slumped in their seats, utterly defeated. The Themis Physical Arts Department members who had been kicked off the field by Xiao Xi stared in disbelief at the bloodied Zack in the center of the arena, a hint of fear in their eyes.
However, no one was concerned about Governor Kalayan’s anger or the Themis team’s despair anymore.
Whoosh~!
As Zack stood up, the No. 7 Training Hall erupted into unprecedented applause. Not just in the No. 7 Training Hall, but on the planet Fila, on the planet Cassares, in every corner of the empire… almost everyone who witnessed this scene couldn’t help but applaud.
In the visiting team’s rest area, the Psychic Arts instructors of Almythius Academy also set aside their prejudice against the Physical Arts Department and loudly applauded their victory. Little angel Carlette, with tears in her eyes, excitedly clapped until her hands turned red.
“Whew…” Katerina, who had been staring at the broadcast screen since returning to the rest area, finally let out a long breath. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head in a direction where no one could see her.
“Tch! Almythius people…” Link, who had been carried to the rest area by the psychics, shook his head in frustration before closing his eyes and lying back on the stretcher.
“He’s up! Almythius Academy Physical Arts Department’s Zack! With sheer willpower, he’s accomplished the impossible! Almythius Academy has won! They’ve defeated Themis Academy! This was truly an unforgettable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Bolt didn’t stop his excited, incoherent shouting.
“Whoo!” On the streets of Cassares City, countless people hugged each other, jumping and shouting as if in a carnival.
“Woo!” At Almythius Academy, Instructor Xin and Fox hugged each other, crying in excitement.
“Well done, well done.” Governor Temiso forcefully pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, muttering excitedly as he undid the top three buttons of his collar.
“I think I’ll never forget this match! It not only witnessed the rebirth of Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department but also showcased the resilience and effort of three young people. Let’s repeat their names once more: Zack, Cloud, Amelie, you’ve done well! May good fortune always be with you!” The famous Almythius Academy critic, Sir Wilson, also offered his heartfelt blessings.
However, Mr. Bolt’s subsequent question made Sir Wilson’s old face turn red with embarrassment. Bolt asked when Sir Wilson planned to fulfill his promise of running naked around the Babylon city center for a week…
The friendly match between Almythius Academy and Themis Academy thus ended in an atmosphere of excitement. Governor Kalayan left Themis Academy with a cold expression, followed by the furious Chief Instructor Gelt.
As Governor Kalayan departed, the audience in the No. 7 Training Hall gradually dispersed. General William and Countess Melissa left the training hall shortly after most of the audience, following closely behind Governor Kalayan.
“Melissa, you don’t seem very satisfied with today’s match. Wasn’t it a very exciting match?” As they walked along the Sky Avenue of Themis Academy, General William continued to discuss the match with great interest.
“Hmph! General William, you’re certainly pleased.” Countess Melissa shot General William a displeased look.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot, Countess Melissa is the Alliance’s envoy. Among the severely injured Almythius students, there’s also Cloud, the third son of the Alliance’s Chief Executive.” General William smiled, quickly understanding the reason for Countess Melissa’s displeasure.
“Sigh! You understand, then!” Countess Melissa sighed heavily. “Anyway, General William, I’ll take my leave now. Prince Cloud is severely injured; I must go visit him.” With that, Countess Melissa gave General William a helpless smile, then hailed a passing psychic car and got in.
※※※
“Woo…” Although the match between Almythius Academy and Themis Academy had ended long ago, the middle-aged combat enthusiast driving Zhang Wen’s taxi was still wiping away tears while continuously tapping on the “frequency-hopping” playback device.
“These kids… they actually won.” Zhang Wen also looked up, recalling every detail of Zack and the others’ battle with Link in disbelief. Finally, Zhang Wen had to shake his head with a bitter smile, gently applauding his students.
“Woo… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination.” After a while, the combat enthusiast driver finally stopped the car, still sobbing.
On the roadside where the psychic car stopped was the hotel where Shura and his team were staying. Zhang Wen got out of the car and handed the tearful driver a hundred Imperial Shield note.
“Hmm!” Standing outside the hotel, Zhang Wen stretched comfortably, but his gaze inadvertently glanced towards a certain direction behind him.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the psychic car at Themis Academy, he had felt someone following him. Although the follower had switched cars three or four times, they still hadn’t escaped Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hey! If the kids can perform so well, how can we adults fall short?” Zhang Wen’s lips curled into a slight smile as he muttered to himself, then pushed open the door and entered the hotel.
As soon as Zhang Wen stepped into the hotel lobby, he sensed something unusual. Normally, today was the day he had agreed with Shura and the others to challenge the Kaimel Arena. Shura and the other fighters should have been waiting in the lobby for Zhang Wen to arrive from Themis Academy to join them.
However, as Zhang Wen scanned the lobby, he didn’t see a single Cassares fighter.
Inside the break room of the Almysthes Academy’s Psionic Department, the atmosphere was equally silent. All the psionic instructors had perked up their ears, listening intently to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were complex beyond words.
The only psionic instructor absent from the break room was Elena, who had been left alone in the lobby by Katerina. At this moment, Elena was sitting alone in the designated seat for the team leader in Almysthes Academy’s rest area.
The beautiful psionic instructor lowered her head, clenched her fists tightly, and crossed her long legs together. Beneath her tight combat suit, her shapely body trembled slightly. Anyone who saw Elena at this moment would likely assume she was overwhelmed with excitement at the martial arts department’s spectacular performance.
However, if someone were to approach closely, see the expression she was hiding, and hear the words she muttered under her breath, they would immediately realize that Elena wasn’t excited at all. She was practically on the verge of madness from jealousy and hatred toward Zhang Wen.
The brutal game of “exchanging injuries” on the battlefield lasted for about ten minutes before suddenly coming to an end.
After jointly blocking Link’s strike against Zack with Aeris, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, definitely not the sound of someone falling normally.
The clash of combat energy between the two sides never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the collision of crystal energy swords were like fireworks during a festival, continuously blooming on the battlefield. New wounds were rapidly accumulating on both sides!
Whether it was the audience in the training ground or the residents of Planet Fila watching the match on screens, everyone was stunned into silence by this “brutal” competition.
The restroom of the Almitis Academy’s Mental Arts Department was also eerily silent. The instructors of the Mental Arts Department all pricked up their ears, listening to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were too complex to be described in words.
The only Mental Arts Department instructor not present in the restroom was Irina, who had been left alone in the hall by Katerina. At this moment, Irina sat alone in the Almitis Academy’s rest area, in the seat reserved for the leading teacher.
The beautiful female instructor of the Mental Arts Department lowered her head, clenched her fists, and tightly crossed her long legs. Her curvaceous body, clad in a tight combat suit, trembled slightly. Anyone seeing Irina at this moment would likely think she was thrilled by the Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department’s brilliant performance.
But if someone truly approached, saw Irina’s concealed expression, and heard her muttered words, they would immediately realize that Irina was not excited at all. She was now almost driven mad by jealousy and resentment towards Zhang Wen.
The cruel “exchange of wounds” game on the battlefield lasted for more than ten minutes before it suddenly ended.
After helping Amelia fend off Link’s sword thrust towards Zack, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, not the sound one would make from a normal fall.
Taking advantage of the gap created by Cloud’s fall, Link decisively leaped back, slightly increasing the distance between himself and Zack and Amelia.
“Cloud?” Amelia quickly glanced at Cloud and found him unconscious with his eyes closed.
“Quick, quick! That Almitis student has fainted!” Several mentalists shouted, rushing into the field to carry Cloud to the rest area.
While the mentalists were carrying Cloud away, Zack also walked over to Amelia and gently tapped her.
“Zack.” Amelia turned her head and noticed that Zack’s face was also pale, devoid of any color.
“Hey, Amelia…” The intense pain made Zack’s voice sound different, but he clenched his teeth, gasping for breath as he whispered, “Cloud has fainted, and I can’t hold on much longer either. Hey! I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are shaking just standing here! Hey! We can’t afford to wait; we must end this quickly. Fortunately, during that last exchange, the opponent was also heavily injured. Even with just the two of us, there’s still a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll distract him and create an opening for you. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Hmm…” Amelia clenched her teeth and nodded.
During the chaotic battle of the past ten minutes, Amelia had also sustained many wounds. But compared to Zack, her condition was much better. It was only natural that she would take on the responsibility of the final blow.
As Zack and Amelia stood together, secretly planning their final strike, Link, standing not far from them, had the same idea.
In fact, if Link didn’t want to engage in a decisive battle with Zack and Amelia, with his ninth-tier speed, Zack and Amelia would have no way to force Link into a decisive battle in the vast arena.
However, Link didn’t know that Zack couldn’t hold on much longer. Link only knew that the numerous wounds on his body were making it increasingly difficult for him to move. Every time he made an attack or defense, his movements were disrupted by intense pain. The continuous blood loss also made Link feel that he was becoming weaker and weaker as time passed!
Link was definitely not the type to leave the outcome to luck. So, before he became too weak to control his own fate, Link decided to determine the result of this match!
Thus, the moment the mentalists carried Cloud out of the arena, both groups, equally determined to fight to the end, unleashed all their remaining strength and collided head-on without any fancy moves!
“Ah! It seems both sides believe that waiting for time to pass is unfavorable to them. The winner of this battle will be revealed in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience in commentating on arena battles, Bolt immediately saw that this clash would be the final collision of the match!
Three… two… one! Freeing his mind of all distractions, Zack calculated the distance to Link in his heart. When only a step remained between them, he and Link almost simultaneously swung their crystal energy swords at each other. Amelia, following closely behind Zack, also took the opportunity to face Link’s attack.
But at that moment, Link’s crystal energy sword suddenly traced a bizarre arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s sword, he bypassed it and thrust directly at Amelia behind Zack! Without Cloud’s cooperation, Zack alone had no way to stop Link’s speed!
When Zack realized that he hadn’t managed to attract Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank to the bottom. The speed that a ninth-tier speed-type physical artist could possess had been perfectly demonstrated by Xiao Xi earlier. Without Zack’s obstruction, Amelia had no chance of hitting Link before Link struck her. In other words, Amelia would have to endure Link’s full-force strike!
Amelia also saw the crystal energy sword, shimmering with blue electric sparks, rapidly thrusting towards her chest, but she was already too late to block the attack.
Failed? This thought also flashed through Amelia’s mind, but she immediately clenched her teeth. Amelia didn’t give up. Since Zack hadn’t managed to block Link’s sword, Amelia decided to use all her strength and threw herself at Link with a determination to take him down with her.
Victory! After his sword bypassed Zack’s futile block, Link had already roared in his heart.
Link didn’t care at all about Zack and Amelia’s desperate, life-or-death strike. Even though his stamina was exhausted, even though he could only exert twenty to thirty percent of his peak combat power, Link still had absolute confidence. His speed was enough to ensure that after hitting Amelia, he could calmly dodge Zack’s attack.
If everything had proceeded as Link had anticipated, his victory would indeed have been unshakable. But accidents often happen when least expected.
Just as Link’s final thrust was about to hit Amelia, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation, as if guided by fate, caused Link’s crystal energy sword to first collide with Amelia’s sword before it could strike her!
After undergoing Zhang Wen’s hellish training, Amelia’s wrist and body had already begun to move before her brain could react the moment she felt her crystal energy sword touch her opponent’s weapon.
Turn the wrist to the left… use the hilt of her own crystal energy sword to block the point slightly closer to the tip of the opponent’s sword.
Sssssss… Amidst a piercing metallic friction sound, Amelia, using all her strength, managed to deflect Link’s crystal energy sword slightly.
Of course, Amelia’s efforts weren’t enough to completely avoid Link’s attack. But she effectively slowed down Link’s strike!
Originally, Link was confident that he could knock down Amelia and then dodge Zack’s attack. But now, he wasn’t so sure! If Zack’s full-force strike hit him, even if he managed to take down Amelia, Link wasn’t sure he could defeat the seemingly indomitable Zack.
It must be admitted that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of physical artists. Even in the face of a sudden crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link still made the choice most beneficial to him.
He simply let go of Amelia, who had switched to defense, and swung his already veering crystal energy sword, redirecting his attack towards Zack!
Since Amelia had already switched from attack to defense, as long as this attack could force Zack to also switch from attack to defense, the worst outcome would be returning to the situation before the decisive battle. Link would still hold the initiative in this fight.
However, what Link miscalculated again was that he underestimated the determination Amelia had put into this attack!
When she saw Link give up on continuing to attack her and instead swing his crystal energy sword at Zack, only one thought remained in Amelia’s mind!
Go all out!
Boom! The explosion from the collision of combat energy rang out again. The scattered rubble from the previous fight was sent flying into the air by the full-force strike from both sides. The three who had collided head-on were all sent flying backward!
“Ah!” Almost all the audience exclaimed as they stood up.
General William also gripped the armrest of his seat, taking a few heavy breaths. Among the audience present, General William was probably one of the few who clearly saw the final moment.
When Link tried to use his strength to deflect Amelia’s crystal energy sword and attack Zack, Amelia suddenly moved half a step sideways, using her body to block Link’s attack path!
The result of Amelia’s action was that both she and her sword were sent flying by the immense combat energy carried by Link’s crystal energy sword! However, at the same time Link hit Amelia, Zack’s crystal energy sword also struck Link.
Link, who had used all his strength in the attack, was equally powerless to block Zack’s strike. Link, hit by Zack’s full-force attack, also spewed a fountain of blood and was sent flying.
If the battle had ended here, undoubtedly Almitis Academy would have won the final victory, but the arrival of the Goddess of Misfortune is always so sudden. This time, it was the Almitis people who were unlucky.
When Amelia was hit by Link, her crystal energy sword flew out of her hand due to the immense force of the combat energy explosion, and it happened to strike the heavily wounded Zack across the chest. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately exploded, and Zack was also sent flying.
The three fell back to the ground one after another.
In the No. 7 training hall of the Temis Academy, which had been filled with deafening noise and mockery towards the Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department students just five minutes ago, the audience was now completely silent.
As Mr. Bolt had said earlier, no one could have imagined that a team known for being bullied by everyone, which had suffered a 0-5 defeat against the Temis Physical Arts Department’s substitute team last year, could now, with four against ten, completely overwhelm the powerful Temis Academy! Three mere sixth-tier physical artists had fought the genius Link to a draw…
“…We see that all three contestants from both sides have fallen simultaneously! Could this match end in a draw? We see the referees and mentalists entering the arena… Oh no! Almitis Academy’s contestant Zack seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly stops the mentalists who want to take him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the field, Amelia had already been taken to the medical room by the mentalists. But when Link was carried to the rest area, he had the two mentalists put him down, and he lay on the stretcher, watching Zack desperately trying to get up.
“Come on! Stand up!” In the silent audience, someone suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people… Everyone’s voices merged into a roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing the clouds.
Zack desperately knelt up, then gasped for breath, supporting himself with one hand, and shakily lifted his leg to stand up. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing hot blood to flow from them.
“Stand up! Almitis man! Damn it!” Sir Wilson, next to Bolt, unexpectedly grabbed the microphone and let out a roar that seemed to carry a sob.
Although his stance was not very stable, amidst everyone’s desperate shouts, Zack still managed to stand up. The two mentalists beside him quickly stepped forward to support him.
At this moment, Governor Kalayan’s face was ashen. Beside him, Chief Instructor Gelt’s eyes seemed to be spitting fire. The other Temis Physical Arts Department instructors sitting in the stands mostly collapsed in their seats, disheartened. The Temis Physical Arts Department team members who had been kicked off the field by Xiao Xi were staring in disbelief at the bloodied Zack in the center of the arena, a hint of fear in their eyes.
But now, no one cared about Governor Kalayan’s anger or the Temis people’s dismay.
Clap~!
As Zack stood up, the No. 7 training hall erupted in unprecedented applause. Not just in the No. 7 training hall, but on Planet Fila, on Planet Kassares, in every corner of the empire… almost everyone who saw this scene couldn’t help but offer their applause.
In the guest restroom, the Almitis Academy’s Mental Arts teachers also set aside their prejudice against the Physical Arts Department at this moment, loudly applauding the Physical Arts Department’s victory. And little angel Carlette, with tears in her eyes, excitedly clapped her hands red.
“Phew…” Katerina, who had been staring at the broadcast screen since returning to the restroom, finally let out a long breath. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head in a direction where no one could see her.
“Tch! Almitis people…” Link, who had been carried to the rest area by the mentalists, shook his head unwillingly, then closed his eyes and lay back on the stretcher.
“He’s up! Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department contestant Zack! With his own willpower, he truly accomplished this incredible task! Almitis Academy has won! They defeated Temis Academy! This was truly an unforgettable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Bolt never stopped his excited, incoherent shouting.
“Woo hoo!” On the streets of Kassares City, countless people hugged each other and jumped around, roaring as if in a carnival.
“Woo woo!” At Almitis Academy, Instructor Xin and Fox also hugged each other, crying in excitement.
“Well done, well done.” Governor Termiso forcefully pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, excitedly muttering as he unbuttoned the three buttons below his collar.
“I think I’ll never forget this match in my lifetime! It not only witnessed the rebirth of Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department but also showed us the strength and effort of three young people. Let’s repeat their names once more: Zack, Cloud, Amelia, you guys are awesome! May good luck always be with you!” The famous Almitis Academy critic, Sir Wilson, also sincerely offered his blessings.
However, the question that followed from Mr. Bolt made Sir Wilson’s old face turn red with embarrassment. Because Bolt asked when Sir Wilson planned to fulfill his promise of running naked around the Babylon city center for a week…
The friendly match between Almitis Academy and Temis Academy thus ended in an exciting atmosphere. Governor Kalayan left Temis Academy with a cold face immediately, accompanied by the furious Chief Instructor Gelt.
As Governor Kalayan left, the audience in the No. 7 training hall gradually dispersed. General William and Countess Melissa left the training hall shortly after most of the audience, closely following Governor Kalayan.
“Melissa, you don’t seem very satisfied with today’s match. Wasn’t it a very exciting match?” Walking on the Sky Avenue of Temis Academy, General William still talked with great interest about the match just now.
“Hmph! General William, you’re certainly happy.” Countess Melissa gave General William a displeased look.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot, Countess Melissa is the envoy of the Alliance. Among the severely injured Almitis students, there’s also Cloud, the third son of the Alliance’s ruling officer.” General William smiled, quickly understanding the reason for Countess Melissa’s displeasure.
“Ah! You know it well!” Countess Melissa sighed heavily, “Anyway, General William, I’ll take my leave now. Prince Cloud is severely injured; I must go and visit him.” Saying this, Countess Melissa gave General William a helpless smile, then flagged down a passing mind-driven car and got in.
※※※
“Woo woo…” Although the match between Almitis Academy and Temis Academy had ended long ago, in the taxi Zhang Wen was riding in, the middle-aged arena enthusiast driver was still wiping his tears while continuously tapping on the “frequency-hopping” player.
“These kids… they actually won.” Zhang Wen also looked up, recalling in disbelief every detail of Zack and the others’ battle with Link. Finally, Zhang Wen had to shake his head with a bitter smile, gently applauding his students.
“Woo… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination.” After a while, the arena enthusiast driver finally stopped the car, still sobbing.
On the roadside where the mind-driven car stopped was the hotel where Shura and his group were staying. Zhang Wen got out of the car and handed a hundred Imperial Shield bill to the tearful driver.
“Hmm!” Standing outside the hotel, Zhang Wen stretched comfortably, but his gaze inadvertently glanced towards a certain direction behind him.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the mind-driven car at Temis Academy, he had felt someone following him. Although the other party had switched three or four mind-driven cars to tail him, they still couldn’t escape Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hey! The kids have done so well; how can we adults lose to them?” Zhang Wen’s lips curled slightly as he muttered to himself, then pushed open the door and entered the hotel.
Entering the hotel lobby, Zhang Wen immediately sensed something unusual. Normally, today was the day Zhang Wen had agreed with Shura and the others to challenge the Kemel Arena. Shura and the other fighters should have been waiting in the lobby early for Zhang Wen to arrive from Temis Academy and join them.
However, after scanning the lobby, Zhang Wen didn’t see a single Kassares fighter.
“Cloud?” Aeris quickly glanced at Cloud and immediately realized he had his eyes closed and had already fainted.
“Quick, quick! That Almysthes student has fainted!” Several psionicists shouted in panic, rushing onto the field to carry Cloud to the rest area.
In the brief moment when the psionicists carried Cloud away, Zack also approached Aeris and lightly tapped her on the shoulder.
“Zack.” Aeris turned her head and immediately noticed that Zack’s face was pale, devoid of any color.
“Hey, Aeris…” The excruciating pain distorted Zack’s tone of voice, but he gritted his teeth, panting heavily while whispering, “Cloud has fainted, and I myself can’t hold on much longer. Hey! I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are trembling just from standing! Hey! We don’t have the luxury of waiting anymore—we have to finish this quickly. Fortunately, that guy was also heavily injured just now. Even if it’s just the two of us, we still have a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll draw his attention and create an opportunity for you to attack. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Okay…” Aeris clenched her teeth and nodded.
During those ten minutes of chaos, Aeris had also accumulated many wounds. However, compared to Zack, her condition was significantly better. It was only natural for her to take on the responsibility of delivering the final blow.
As Zack and Aeris stood together, secretly plotting their final strike, Link, standing not far away, was also harboring the same thoughts.
In fact, if Link had not wanted to confront Zack and Aeris directly, with his ninth-stage speed, there was no way Zack and Aeris could have forced him into a decisive battle in the massive arena.
However, Link was unaware that Zack was already nearing his limit. What Link did know was that the numerous wounds on his body were making it increasingly difficult for him to move. Each offensive or defensive action was disrupted by intense pain. Moreover, the continuous blood loss made Link feel weaker with each passing moment!
Link was definitely not the kind of person who would entrust the outcome of a battle to luck. Therefore, before he became too weak to control his own fate, Link had already decided—he must determine the result of this match!
Thus, at the very moment the psionicists carried Cloud off the battlefield, both groups, equally determined to settle the match decisively, unleashed all their remaining strength in a head-on collision without any tricks!
“Aha! It seems both sides believe that time is not on their side. The winner of this battle will be decided in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience commentating on martial arts matches, Mr. Bolt immediately realized that this clash would be the final confrontation of the entire match!
Three… Two… One! Discarding all distractions, Zack mentally calculated the distance between himself and Link. When only one step separated them, he and Link almost simultaneously swung their crystal energy swords at each other. Right behind Zack, Aeris also rushed forward to confront Link’s attack.
But at that moment, the crystal energy sword in Link’s hand suddenly traced a strange arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s blade, he bypassed it and aimed straight for Aeris behind Zack! Without Cloud’s coordination, Zack alone was simply unable to stop Link’s speed!
When Zack realized that he had failed to intercept Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank to the bottom of his stomach. The speed of a ninth-stage speed-type martial artist had already been perfectly demonstrated by Xiaoxi. Without Zack blocking his way, there was no way Aeris could strike Link before he struck her. In other words, Aeris would have to endure Link’s full-force attack!
Aeris also saw the crystal energy sword, crackling with blue electric sparks, rapidly thrusting toward her chest, but she was already too late to block the attack.
Have we failed? The thought flashed briefly through Aeris’s mind, but she immediately gritted her teeth. Aeris did not give up. Since Zack had failed to block Link’s sword, Aeris instead threw herself at Link with all her might, embracing a suicidal determination.
Won! As Link’s sword bypassed Zack’s futile attempt at blocking, he had already roared inwardly.
Link paid no heed to the desperate final strike from Zack and Aeris. Even though his stamina was now nearly depleted, even though he could now only unleash two or three-tenths of his peak combat ability, Link still had absolute confidence. His speed was sufficient to allow him to strike Aeris and then calmly evade Zack’s attack afterward.
If everything proceeded exactly as planned, Link’s victory would indeed be unshakable. However, accidents often occur unexpectedly.
Just as Link’s final sword strike was about to hit Aeris, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation caused Link’s crystal energy sword, almost upon Aeris, to unexpectedly make contact with Aeris’s sword first!
After enduring Zhang Wen’s hellish training, the moment Aeris felt her crystal energy sword touch her opponent’s weapon, her wrist and body had already begun moving instinctively, even before her brain could fully process the situation.
Twisting her wrist slightly to the left… using the hilt of her own crystal energy sword to block the point slightly closer to the tip of her opponent’s blade.
Zzzzz… Amid the grating sound of metal scraping against metal, Aeris, exerting all her strength, deflected Link’s crystal energy sword slightly.
Of course, the effort Aeris had made was not enough for her to completely evade Link’s attack. However, she had effectively slowed down the speed of Link’s strike!
Originally, Link had been confident that he could knock down Aeris and then dodge Zack’s attack. But now, he no longer had such confidence! If he were struck by Zack’s full-force attack, even if he managed to knock down Aeris, Link could not be sure he could defeat the seemingly indestructible Zack.
It must be acknowledged that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of martial artists. Even when faced with an unexpected crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link still made the most advantageous choice for himself.
The clash of combat energy between the two sides never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the collision of crystal energy swords were like fireworks on a festive day, continuously blooming across the arena. New wounds were also rapidly accumulating on both sides!
Whether it was the audience in the training ground or the residents of the planet Fila watching the match on their screens, everyone was struck silent by this “brutal” competition.
The same silence pervaded the lounge of the Almitis Academy’s Mind Arts Department. The instructors of the Mind Arts Department all pricked up their ears, listening to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were too complex to describe in words.
The only Mind Arts instructor not present in the lounge was Irina, whom Katerina had left alone in the hall. At this moment, Irina sat alone in the Almitis Academy’s rest area, in the seat reserved for the lead instructor.
The beautiful female instructor of the Mind Arts Department lowered her head, clenched her fists, and tightly crossed her long legs. Beneath her tight combat suit, her nearly perfect figure trembled slightly. Anyone seeing Irina at this moment would likely think she was thrilled by the Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department’s brilliant performance.
But if someone truly approached, saw the expression Irina was hiding, and heard her muttered words, they would immediately realize that Irina was not excited at all. She was now almost driven mad by jealousy and resentment towards Zhang Wen.
The cruel “exchange of wounds” game on the field lasted for more than ten minutes before it suddenly ended.
After joining forces with Amelie to deflect Link’s sword thrust towards Zack, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, not the sound of a normal fall.
Taking advantage of the gap created by Cloud’s fall, Link decisively leaped back, slightly increasing the distance between himself and Zack and Amelie.
“Cloud?” Amelie quickly glanced at Cloud and found him unconscious with his eyes closed.
“Quick, quick! That Almitis student has fainted!” Several Mind Arts practitioners shouted, rushing onto the field to carry Cloud to the rest area.
While the Mind Arts practitioners were taking Cloud away, Zack also walked over to Amelie and gently tapped her.
“Zack,” Amelie turned to find Zack’s face pale and bloodless.
“Hey, Amelie…” The intense pain made Zack’s voice falter, but he clenched his teeth, gasping for breath as he whispered, “Cloud’s out, and I can’t hold on much longer. Hey! I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are shaking just standing here! We can’t wait; we have to finish this quickly. Fortunately, that guy over there is also badly injured. Even with just the two of us, we still have a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll distract him and create an opening for you. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Mm…” Amelie clenched her teeth and nodded.
In the chaotic battle of the past ten minutes, Amelie had also sustained many wounds. But compared to Zack, her condition was much better. It was only natural that she would take on the responsibility of the final blow.
As Zack and Amelie stood together, secretly planning their final strike, Link, standing not far from them, had the same idea.
In fact, if Link didn’t want to engage in a decisive battle with Zack and Amelie, with his ninth-tier speed, Zack and Amelie would have no way to force him into a confrontation in the vast arena.
However, Link didn’t know that Zack couldn’t hold on much longer. Link only knew that the numerous wounds on his body were making it increasingly difficult to move. Every time he made an attack or defensive move, his actions were hindered by intense pain. The continuous blood loss also made Link feel himself growing weaker with each passing moment!
Link was not the type to leave victory to chance. So, before he became too weak to control his own fate, Link was determined to decide the outcome of this match!
Thus, the moment the Mind Arts practitioners took Cloud off the field, both groups, equally resolved to fight to the end, unleashed all their remaining strength and collided head-on without any fancy moves!
“Ah! It seems both sides believe that waiting for time to pass is not in their favor. The winner of this battle will be revealed in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience commentating on combat matches, Bolt immediately recognized that this clash would be the final collision of the match!
Three… two… one! Freeing his mind of all distractions, Zack calculated the distance to Link in his heart. When they were just one step apart, he and Link almost simultaneously swung their crystal energy swords at each other. Amelie, following closely behind Zack, also took the opportunity to face Link’s attack.
But at that moment, Link’s crystal energy sword suddenly traced a bizarre arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s sword, he bypassed it and thrust directly at Amelie behind Zack! Without Cloud’s support, Zack alone had no way to stop Link’s speed!
When Zack realized he hadn’t managed to attract Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank to the abyss. The speed a ninth-tier speed-type Physical Arts practitioner could achieve had been perfectly demonstrated by Xiao Xi earlier. Without Zack’s obstruction, Amelie had no chance of striking Link before he hit her. In other words, Amelie would have to endure Link’s full-force strike!
Amelie also saw the crystal energy sword, shimmering with blue electric sparks, rapidly thrusting towards her chest, but she was too late to block the attack.
Failed? This thought flashed through Amelie’s mind, but she immediately clenched her teeth. Amelie didn’t give up. Since Zack hadn’t managed to block Link’s sword, Amelie used all her strength, charging at Link with a determination to take him down with her.
Victory! After his sword bypassed Zack’s futile block, Link roared in his heart.
Link paid no heed to Zack and Amelie’s desperate, all-out attack. Even though his stamina was depleted, even though he could only muster twenty to thirty percent of his peak combat energy, Link remained absolutely confident. His speed was enough to ensure that after hitting Amelie, he could calmly evade Zack’s attack.
If everything had proceeded as Link had anticipated, his victory would indeed have been unshakable. But unexpected events often occur in the most unforeseen moments.
Just as Link’s final thrust was about to hit Amelie, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation, as if guided by fate, caused Link’s crystal energy sword to first collide with Amelie’s sword before it could strike her!
Having undergone Zhang Wen’s hellish training, Amelie instinctively reacted the moment her crystal energy sword touched her opponent’s weapon. Her wrist and body moved before her brain could even process the information.
Twist the wrist to the left… use the hilt of her crystal energy sword to block the point slightly closer to the tip of Link’s sword.
Sssssss… Amidst the grating sound of metal scraping, Amelie, using all her strength, managed to deflect Link’s crystal energy sword slightly.
Of course, Amelie’s efforts weren’t enough to completely avoid Link’s attack. But she effectively slowed down the speed of his strike!
Originally, Link was confident that after taking down Amelie, he could still evade Zack’s attack. But now, he wasn’t so sure! If Zack’s full-force strike hit him, even after defeating Amelie, Link wasn’t confident he could overcome the seemingly indomitable Zack.
It must be admitted that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of Physical Arts practitioners. Even in the face of a sudden crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link still made the choice most advantageous to him.
He simply let go of Amelie, who had switched to defense, and swung his already veering crystal energy sword, redirecting his attack towards Zack!
Since Amelie had shifted from offense to defense, as long as this attack could force Zack to also switch from offense to defense, the worst outcome would be a return to the situation before the decisive battle. Link would still hold the initiative in this fight.
However, what Link miscalculated once again was the extent of Amelie’s determination in this attack!
Seeing Link abandon his attack on her and instead swing his crystal energy sword at Zack, only one thought remained in Amelie’s mind!
Go all out!
Boom! The explosion from the collision of combat energy resounded once more. The scattered debris from the earlier fight was sent flying into the air by the full-force strikes of both sides. The three who had collided head-on were all sent flying backward!
“Ah!” Almost all the spectators exclaimed as they stood up.
General William also gripped the armrest of his seat, taking a few heavy breaths. Among the audience present, General William was probably one of the few who clearly saw the final moment.
When Link tried to use his strength to deflect Amelie’s crystal energy sword and attack Zack, Amelie suddenly moved half a step sideways, using her body to block Link’s attack path!
The result of Amelie’s action was that both she and her sword were sent flying by the immense combat energy carried by Link’s crystal energy sword! However, at the same time Link hit Amelie, Zack’s crystal energy sword also struck Link.
Having used all his strength in the attack, Link was equally powerless to block Zack’s assault. Hit by Zack’s full-force strike, Link also sprayed a fountain of blood as he was sent flying.
If the fight had ended there, undoubtedly Almitis Academy would have won the final victory, but the arrival of the Goddess of Misfortune is always so sudden. This time, it was the Almitis people who were unlucky.
When Amelie was hit by Link, her crystal energy sword, propelled by the immense force of the combat energy explosion, flew out of her hand and happened to strike the already battered Zack across the chest. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately exploded, sending Zack flying as well.
The three fell back to the ground one after another.
In the No. 7 Training Hall of the Temis Academy, which had been filled with deafening noise just five minutes ago as the audience mocked the Physical Arts students of Almitis Academy, there was now complete silence.
As Mr. Bolt had said earlier, no one could have imagined that a team known for being easily bullied, which had suffered a crushing 0-5 defeat to the Temis Physical Arts Department’s reserve team last year, could now, with only four members, thoroughly defeat the powerful Temis Academy! Three mere sixth-tier Physical Arts practitioners had fought the genius Link to a draw…
“…We see that all three contestants from both sides have fallen simultaneously! Could this match end in a draw? We see the referees and Mind Arts practitioners entering the arena… Oh no! Zack from Almitis Academy seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly prevents the Mind Arts practitioners from taking him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the field, Amelie had already been taken to the medical room by the Mind Arts practitioners. But when Link was being carried to the rest area, he had the two Mind Arts practitioners set him down, and he lay on the stretcher, watching Zack desperately trying to get up.
“Come on! Stand up!” From the silent spectator stands, someone suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people… The voices of everyone merged into a roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing the clouds.
Zack desperately knelt up, then gasped for breath, supporting himself with one hand, and shakily lifted his leg to stand. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing hot blood to flow from them.
“Stand up! Almitis man! Damn it!” Sir Wilson, next to Bolt, unexpectedly grabbed the microphone and let out a roar that seemed to carry a sob.
Though his stance was unsteady, amidst the desperate shouts of everyone, Zack managed to stand up. The two Mind Arts practitioners beside him quickly stepped forward to support him.
At this moment, Governor Kalayan’s face was ashen. Beside him, Chief Instructor Gelt’s eyes seemed to be burning with anger. The other Physical Arts instructors from Temis Academy sitting in the stands mostly slumped in their seats, disheartened. The Temis Physical Arts team members who had been kicked off the field by Xiao Xi stared in disbelief at the bloodied Zack in the center of the arena, a hint of fear in their eyes.
But now, no one cared about Governor Kalayan’s anger or the Temis people’s dismay.
Whoosh~!
As Zack stood up, the No. 7 Training Hall erupted into unprecedented applause. Not just in the No. 7 Training Hall, but on the planet Fila, on the planet Cassares, in every corner of the empire… almost everyone who witnessed this scene couldn’t help but offer their applause.
In the visiting team’s lounge, the Mind Arts instructors of Almitis Academy also set aside their biases against the Physical Arts Department at this moment, loudly applauding the Physical Arts Department’s victory. And the little angel Carlette, with tears in her eyes, excitedly clapped her hands until they were red.
“Whew…” Katerina, who had been staring at the broadcast screen since returning to the lounge, finally let out a long breath. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head in a direction where no one could see her.
“Tch! Almitis people…” Link, who had been carried to the rest area by the Mind Arts practitioners, shook his head in frustration, then closed his eyes and lay back on the stretcher.
“He’s up! Zack from the Physical Arts Department of Almitis Academy! With his sheer willpower, he’s truly accomplished this incredible feat! Almitis Academy has won! They’ve defeated Temis Academy! What an unforgettable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Bolt couldn’t stop his excited, incoherent shouting.
“Woo hoo!” On the streets of Cassares City, countless people hugged each other, jumping and shouting as if in a carnival.
“Woo hoo!” At Almitis Academy, Instructor Xin and Fox also hugged each other, crying with emotion.
“Well done, well done.” Governor Temiso forcefully pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, excitedly muttering as he undid the top three buttons of his collar.
“I think I’ll never forget this match in my lifetime! It not only witnessed the rebirth of the Physical Arts Department of Almitis Academy but also showcased the resilience and hard work of three young individuals. Let’s repeat their names once more: Zack, Cloud, Amelie, you’ve done well! May good fortune always be with you!” The famous Almitis Academy critic, Sir Wilson, also wholeheartedly offered his words of blessing.
However, Mr. Bolt’s subsequent question left Sir Wilson’s old face flushed with embarrassment. Because Bolt asked when Sir Wilson planned to fulfill his promise of running naked around the city of Babylon…
The friendly match between Almitis Academy and Temis Academy thus concluded in an atmosphere of excitement. Governor Kalayan left Temis Academy with a cold expression immediately after, accompanied by the furious Chief Instructor Gelt.
As Governor Kalayan departed, the audience in the No. 7 Training Hall gradually dispersed. General William and Countess Melissa left the training hall shortly after most of the audience, closely following Governor Kalayan.
“Melissa, you don’t seem very satisfied with today’s match. Wasn’t it a very exciting game?” Walking up the Sky Avenue of Temis Academy, General William still spoke with great interest about the just-concluded match.
“Hmph! General William, you’re certainly pleased.” Countess Melissa gave General William a displeased glance.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot, Countess Melissa is the envoy of the Alliance. Among the severely injured Almitis students, there’s also Cloud, the third son of the Alliance’s ruling official.” General William smiled, quickly understanding the reason for Countess Melissa’s displeasure.
“Sigh! You understand, then!” Countess Melissa heaved a heavy sigh, “Anyway, General William, I’ll take my leave now. Prince Cloud is severely injured; I must go and see him.” With that, Countess Melissa gave General William a helpless smile, then hailed a passing Mind Arts vehicle and got in.
※※※
“Woo hoo…” Although the match between Almitis Academy and Temis Academy had ended long ago, in the taxi Zhang Wen was riding in, the middle-aged combat enthusiast driver was still wiping away tears while continuously tapping on the “frequency-hopping” playback device.
“These kids… they actually won.” Zhang Wen also looked up, recalling in disbelief every detail of the fight between Zack and the others against Link. Finally, Zhang Wen had to shake his head with a bitter smile, gently applauding his students.
“Woo… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination.” After a while, the combat enthusiast driver finally sobbed as he stopped the car.
On the roadside where the Mind Arts vehicle stopped was the hotel where Shura and his group were staying. Zhang Wen got out of the car and handed a hundred Imperial Shield note to the tearful driver.
“Hmm!” Standing outside the hotel, Zhang Wen stretched luxuriously, but his gaze inadvertently glanced towards a certain direction behind him.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the Mind Arts vehicle at Temis Academy, he had felt someone following him. Although the follower had switched vehicles three or four times, they still hadn’t escaped Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hey! The kids have performed so well; how can we adults lose to them?” Zhang Wen’s lips curled slightly as he muttered to himself, then pushed open the door and entered the hotel.
Upon entering the hotel lobby, Zhang Wen immediately sensed something unusual. Normally, today was the day Zhang Wen and Shura had agreed to challenge the Kemal Arena. Shura and the other fighters should have been waiting in the lobby for Zhang Wen to arrive from Temis Academy to join them.
However, after scanning the lobby, Zhang Wen didn’t see a single Cassares fighter.
Since Aeris had shifted from attacking to defending, as long as this strike forced Zack to also switch from offense to defense, then at worst, it would merely return to the situation before the final confrontation. Link would still maintain control of the battle.
However, what once again caused Link to miscalculate was that he underestimated just how determined Aeris had been in this attack!
When Aeris saw Link abandon the opportunity to continue attacking her and instead swing his crystal energy sword toward Zack, only one thought remained in her mind!
Go all out!
Boom! Another explosion of combat energy erupted. The scattered stones from earlier fights were blown into the sky by both sides’ full-force strikes. The three people who collided head-on were all sent flying backward!
“Ahh!” Almost every spectator stood up in shock.
General William gripped the armrests of his seat tightly, taking several heavy breaths. Among the audience present, General William was likely one of the few who had clearly seen what had happened in that final moment.
When Link attempted to deflect Aeris’s crystal energy sword to attack Zack, Aeris suddenly moved half a step sideways, using her body to block Link’s attack route!
The result of Aeris’s action was that both her and her sword were blasted away by the immense combat energy carried by Link’s crystal energy sword. However, at the same time Link struck Aeris, Zack’s crystal energy sword also struck Link.
Equally unable to block Zack’s assault, Link, who had poured all his strength into the attack, was also hit by Zack’s full-force strike, spewing blood into the air as he flew backward.
If the battle ended here, Almysthes Academy would undoubtedly claim victory. However, the arrival of the goddess of misfortune is always sudden. This time, it was the Almysthes team’s turn to suffer misfortune.
When Aeris was struck by Link, her crystal energy sword, propelled by the immense force of the energy explosion, flew from her hand and landed horizontally on Zack’s chest, already battered and bruised. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately erupted, sending Zack flying as well.
The three fighters fell back to the ground one after another.
Five minutes ago, the number seven training hall of Temisthys Academy had been filled with deafening noise, with spectators mocking the martial arts students of Almysthes Academy. Now, it was completely silent.
As Mr. Bolt had previously said, no one could have imagined that a team long known for being weak and pitied, which had suffered a humiliating 0-5 defeat against Temisthys Academy’s reserve team last year, could now, with only four fighters against ten, utterly crush the mighty Temisthys Academy! Three martial artists of merely sixth-stage strength had fought the prodigy Link to a draw…
“…We see that all three fighters from both sides have fallen! Will this match ultimately end in a draw? We see the referees and psionicists entering the battlefield… Oh! Almysthes Academy’s fighter Zack seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly stops the psionicists who try to take him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Mr. Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the battlefield, Aeris had already been taken to the medical room by the psionicists. As Link was being carried to the rest area, he had two psionicists set him down, lying on the stretcher while staring at Zack, who was desperately trying to get up.
“Come on! Get up!” Someone in the silent audience suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Get up!”
“Get up!”
“Get up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people… All their voices merged into a thunderous roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing through the clouds.
Zack struggled to kneel upright, then gasped heavily, supporting himself with one hand while shakily lifting his leg to stand. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing blood to flow from them.
“Get up! Almysthes! Damn it!” Unexpectedly grabbing the microphone, Sir Wilson, sitting beside Mr. Bolt, suddenly let out a roar that seemed to carry a hint of tears.
Although his stance wasn’t very steady, under the desperate cheers of everyone, Zack still managed to stand up. Two nearby psionicists quickly rushed forward to support him.
At this moment, Governor Karajan’s face was ashen with anger. Beside him, Chief Instructor Gelt’s eyes seemed ready to burst with fury. Most of the other Temisthys martial arts instructors sitting in the stands were sitting there in a daze, stunned. The Temisthys martial arts team members, kicked off the field by Xiaoxi, stared in disbelief at the blood-soaked Zack in the center of the battlefield, their eyes showing a trace of fear.
However, no one was paying attention to Governor Karajan’s anger or the Temisthys team’s disappointment anymore.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The clash of combat energy between the two sides never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the collision of crystal energy swords were like fireworks during a festival, continuously erupting across the arena. New wounds were rapidly accumulating on both combatants!
Whether it was the audience in the training ground or the residents of Fira Planet watching the match from their screens, everyone was struck silent by the sheer brutality of this competition.
The same silence pervaded the rest area of the Almitis Academy’s Psychic Arts Department. The instructors of the Psychic Arts Department all perked up their ears, listening intently to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were so complex that words could hardly describe them.
The only Psychic Arts instructor not present in the rest area was Irina, who had been left alone in the hall by Katerina. At this moment, Irina sat alone in the rest area of Almitis Academy, in the seat reserved for the lead instructor.
The stunningly beautiful female instructor of the Psychic Arts Department lowered her head, clenched her fists tightly, and crossed her long legs. Beneath her tight combat suit, her nearly perfect figure trembled slightly. Anyone seeing Irina in this state would likely assume she was overwhelmed with excitement by the impressive performance of Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department.
However, if someone were to approach closely, see the expression Irina was hiding, and hear her muttered words, they would immediately realize that Irina was not excited at all. She was on the verge of being driven mad by jealousy and resentment towards Zhang Wen.
The brutal “exchange of wounds” game on the arena continued for over ten minutes before it suddenly came to an end.
After teaming up with Amelie to parry Link’s thrust aimed at Zack, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell to the ground.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, not the kind of sound one would expect from a normal fall.
Taking advantage of the gap created by Cloud’s fall, Link decisively leaped backward, creating some distance between himself and Zack and Amelie.
“Cloud?” Amelie quickly glanced at Cloud and noticed that his eyes were closed; he had already passed out.
“Quick, quick! That Almitis student has fainted!” Several psychics shouted, rushing into the arena to carry Cloud to the rest area.
While the psychics were taking Cloud away, Zack also walked over to Amelie and gently tapped her.
“Zack,” Amelie turned her head and noticed that Zack’s face was also pale, devoid of any color.
“Hey, Amelie…” The intense pain made Zack’s voice tremble, but he gritted his teeth, gasping for breath as he whispered, “Cloud’s out, and I can’t hold on much longer either. Hey! I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are shaking just standing here! We can’t afford to wait; we have to finish this quickly. Fortunately, during that last exchange, the guy on the other side was also badly injured. Even with just the two of us, we still have a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll draw his attention and create an opening for you. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Mm…” Amelie clenched her teeth and nodded.
During the chaotic battle of the past ten minutes, Amelie had also sustained numerous wounds. But compared to Zack, her condition was still much better. It was only natural that she would take on the responsibility of delivering the final blow.
As Zack and Amelie stood together, secretly planning their final strike, Link, standing not far from them, had the same idea.
In truth, if Link didn’t want to engage in a decisive battle with Zack and Amelie, with his ninth-tier speed, Zack and Amelie would have no way of forcing him into a confrontation within the vast arena.
However, Link didn’t know that Zack was on the verge of collapse. All Link knew was that the numerous wounds on his body were making it increasingly difficult for him to move. Every time he made an attack or defensive move, his actions were hindered by excruciating pain. The continuous blood loss also made Link feel himself growing weaker with each passing moment!
Link was not the type to leave the outcome of a match to chance. So, before he became too weak to control his own fate, Link decided to settle the result of this match!
Thus, the moment the psychics carried Cloud out of the arena, both groups, equally determined to end the battle, unleashed all their remaining strength in a straightforward, head-on collision!
“Ah! It seems both sides believe that waiting for time to pass is to their disadvantage. The winner of this battle will be revealed in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience in commentating on combat matches, Bolt immediately recognized that this clash would be the final collision of the match!
Three… two… one! Freeing his mind of all distractions, Zack calculated the distance between himself and Link. When they were just one step apart, he and Link swung their crystal energy swords at each other almost simultaneously. Amelie, following closely behind Zack, also took the opportunity to meet Link’s attack.
But at that moment, Link’s crystal energy sword suddenly traced an eerie arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s sword, he bypassed it and thrust directly at Amelie behind Zack! Without Cloud’s support, Zack alone was powerless to stop Link’s speed!
When Zack realized that he had failed to attract Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank to the depths. The speed of a ninth-tier speed-type physical artist had been perfectly demonstrated by Xiao Xi earlier. Without Zack’s interference, Amelie had no chance of striking Link before he could hit her. In other words, Amelie would have to endure Link’s full-force strike!
Amelie also saw the blue electric arc of the crystal energy sword rushing toward her chest, but it was already too late for her to block the attack.
Failure? This thought flashed through Amelie’s mind, but she immediately clenched her teeth. Amelie did not give up. Since Zack had failed to block Link’s sword, Amelie decided to use all her strength, charging at Link with a determination to take him down with her.
Victory! After his sword bypassed Zack’s futile block, Link roared triumphantly in his heart.
Link paid no attention to Zack and Amelie’s desperate, all-out attack. Even though his stamina was nearly depleted, even though he could only muster twenty to thirty percent of his peak combat energy, Link remained absolutely confident. His speed was more than enough to ensure that after hitting Amelie, he could calmly evade Zack’s attack.
If everything had proceeded as Link had anticipated, his victory would indeed have been unshakable. But accidents often happen when least expected.
Just as Link’s final thrust was about to hit Amelie, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation, as if guided by fate, caused Link’s crystal energy sword to strike Amelie’s sword before it could reach her body!
After undergoing Zhang Wen’s hellish training, Amelie instinctively reacted the moment her crystal energy sword touched her opponent’s weapon. Her wrist and body moved before her brain could even process the situation.
Twisting her wrist to the left… using the hilt of her crystal energy sword to block the center of Link’s sword, slightly closer to the tip.
Screech… Amidst the piercing sound of metal grinding, Amelie, using all her strength, managed to deflect Link’s sword slightly.
Of course, Amelie’s efforts were not enough to completely avoid Link’s attack. But she had effectively slowed down Link’s strike!
Originally, Link had been confident that he could take down Amelie and then evade Zack’s attack. But now, he was no longer so sure! If he were to be hit by Zack’s full-force strike, even after taking down Amelie, Link wasn’t certain he could defeat the seemingly indomitable Zack.
It must be admitted that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of physical artists. Even in the face of a sudden crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link made the most advantageous choice for himself.
He simply let go of Amelie, who had switched to defense, and instead swung his already veering crystal energy sword, redirecting his attack toward Zack!
Since Amelie had switched from offense to defense, as long as this attack could force Zack to also switch from offense to defense, the worst outcome would be a return to the situation before the decisive battle. Link would still hold the initiative in this fight.
However, what Link failed to anticipate once again was the sheer determination Amelie had put into this attack!
When Amelie saw Link abandon his attack on her and instead swing his sword at Zack, only one thought remained in her mind!
Go all out!
Boom! The explosion of combat energy colliding rang out once more. The scattered debris from the earlier fight was sent flying into the air by the full-force strikes of both sides. The three combatants, who had collided head-on, were all sent flying backward!
“Ah!” Almost all the audience members exclaimed as they stood up.
General William also gripped the armrest of his seat tightly, taking several deep breaths. Among the audience present, General William was probably one of the few who clearly saw what happened in that final moment.
As Link attempted to use his strength to deflect Amelie’s crystal energy sword and attack Zack, Amelie suddenly moved half a step to the side, physically blocking the path of Link’s attack!
The result of Amelie’s action was that both she and her sword were sent flying by the immense combat energy carried by Link’s crystal energy sword! However, at the same time Link struck Amelie, Zack’s crystal energy sword also hit Link.
Having used all his strength in the attack, Link was equally powerless to block Zack’s strike. Hit by Zack’s full-force attack, Link also spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward.
If the fight had ended there, Almitis Academy would undoubtedly have won the final victory. But the arrival of misfortune is always so sudden. This time, it was the Almitis team that was unlucky.
When Amelie was struck by Link, her crystal energy sword was sent flying by the tremendous force of the combat energy explosion, and it happened to strike Zack, who was already covered in wounds, across the chest. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately erupted, sending Zack flying as well.
The three of them fell to the ground one after another.
In the No. 7 training hall of Themis Academy, which had been filled with deafening noise just five minutes ago as the audience mocked the Physical Arts students of Almitis Academy, there was now complete silence.
As Mr. Bolt had said earlier, no one could have imagined that a team known for being bullied, which had suffered a crushing 0-5 defeat against Themis Academy’s reserve team last year, could now face ten opponents with just four members and utterly defeat the mighty Themis Academy! Three mere sixth-tier physical artists had managed to fight the genius Link to a draw…
“…We see that all three participants from both sides have fallen! Could this match end in a draw? We see the referees and psychics entering the arena… Oh no! Almitis Academy’s Zack seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly refuses the psychics who want to take him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the arena, Amelie had already been taken to the medical room by the psychics. However, as Link was being carried to the rest area, he had the two psychics set him down, and he lay on the stretcher, watching Zack struggle to get up.
“Come on! Get up!” From the silent audience, someone suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Get up!”
“Get up!”
“Get up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people… The voices of everyone merged into a roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing the clouds.
Zack desperately knelt up, then gasped for breath, supporting himself with one hand as he shakily stood up. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing blood to flow from them.
“Get up! Almitis! Damn it!” Sir Wilson, next to Bolt, suddenly grabbed the microphone and let out a roar that seemed to carry a hint of tears.
Though his stance was unsteady, amidst the desperate shouts of everyone, Zack managed to stand up. The two psychics beside him quickly stepped forward to support him.
At this moment, Governor Kalayan’s face turned ashen. Beside him, Chief Instructor Gerolt’s eyes seemed to burn with fury. The other Physical Arts instructors of Themis Academy sitting in the stands mostly slumped in their seats, utterly defeated. The Themis Physical Arts team members who had been kicked off the field by Xiao Xi stared in disbelief at Zack, who was now covered in blood, a hint of fear in their eyes.
However, no one cared about Governor Kalayan’s anger or the despair of the Themis team anymore.
Whoosh~!
As Zack stood up, the No. 7 training hall erupted into unprecedented applause. Not just the No. 7 training hall, but across Fira Planet, on Kasares Planet, in every corner of the Empire… almost everyone who witnessed this scene couldn’t help but offer their applause.
In the visiting team’s rest area, the Psychic Arts instructors of Almitis Academy also set aside their prejudice against the Physical Arts Department at this moment, loudly applauding the Physical Arts Department’s victory. Little angel Carlette, with tears in her eyes, excitedly clapped her hands until they turned red.
“Whew…” Katerina, who had been staring at the broadcast screen since returning to the rest area, finally let out a long breath. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head in a direction where no one could see her.
“Tch! Almitis…” Link, who had been carried to the rest area by the psychics, shook his head in frustration before closing his eyes and lying back on the stretcher.
“He’s up! Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department’s Zack! With his sheer willpower, he’s truly accomplished this incredible feat! Almitis Academy has won! They’ve defeated Themis Academy! This is truly an unforgettable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Bolt never stopped his excited, almost incoherent shouting.
“Whoo!” On the streets of Kasares City, countless people hugged each other, jumping and shouting in celebration.
“Woo!” At Almitis Academy, Instructor Xin and Fox also hugged each other, crying tears of joy.
“Well done, well done.” Governor Termiso forcefully pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, excitedly muttering as he undid the top three buttons of his collar.
“I think I’ll never forget this match in my lifetime! It not only witnessed the rebirth of Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department but also showcased the resilience and effort of three young individuals. Let’s repeat their names once more: Zack, Cloud, Amelie, you’ve done well! May good fortune always be with you!” The famous Almitis Academy critic, Sir Wilson, also wholeheartedly offered his blessings.
However, Mr. Bolt’s subsequent question left Sir Wilson blushing with embarrassment. Bolt asked when Sir Wilson planned to fulfill his promise of running naked around Babylon City for a week…
The friendly match between Almitis Academy and Themis Academy thus concluded in an atmosphere of excitement. Governor Kalayan left Themis Academy with a cold expression immediately after, accompanied by the furious Chief Instructor Gerolt.
As Governor Kalayan departed, the audience in the No. 7 training hall gradually dispersed. General William and Countess Melissa left the training hall shortly after most of the audience, closely following Governor Kalayan.
“Melissa, you don’t seem too pleased with today’s match. Wasn’t it a spectacular game?” As they walked along the Sky Avenue of Themis Academy, General William still enthusiastically discussed the match.
“Hmph! General William, you’re certainly happy.” Countess Melissa shot General William a displeased glance.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot, Countess Melissa is the envoy of the Alliance. Among the severely injured Almitis students, there’s also Cloud, the third son of the Alliance’s Chief Executive.” General William chuckled, quickly understanding the reason for Countess Melissa’s displeasure.
“Sigh! You understand, then!” Countess Melissa heaved a heavy sigh, “Anyway, General William, I’ll take my leave now. Prince Cloud is severely injured; I must go and visit him.” With that, Countess Melissa gave General William a helpless smile and flagged down a passing psychic car, getting in.
※※※
“Woo…” Although the match between Almitis Academy and Themis Academy had ended long ago, the middle-aged combat enthusiast driving Zhang Wen’s taxi was still wiping away tears while continuously tapping on the “frequency-hopping” playback device.
“These kids… they actually won.” Zhang Wen also looked up, recalling every detail of the fight between Zack and Link with disbelief. Finally, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile, gently applauding his students.
“Woo… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination.” After a while, the combat enthusiast driver finally managed to stop the car, still sobbing.
The roadside where the psychic car stopped was the hotel where Shura and his team were staying. Zhang Wen got out of the car and handed the tearful driver a hundred Imperial Shield note.
“Hmm!” Standing outside the hotel, Zhang Wen stretched luxuriously, his gaze inadvertently glancing toward a certain direction behind him.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the psychic car at Themis Academy, he had felt someone tailing him. Although the pursuer had switched cars three or four times, they still hadn’t managed to evade Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hey! If the kids have performed so well, how can we adults let them down?” Zhang Wen’s lips curled into a slight smile as he muttered to himself, pushing open the hotel door and stepping inside.
As he entered the hotel lobby, Zhang Wen immediately sensed something amiss. Normally, today was the day he had agreed with Shura and the others to challenge the Kemel Arena. Shura and the other fighters should have been waiting in the lobby for Zhang Wen to arrive from Themis Academy.
However, as Zhang Wen scanned the lobby, he didn’t see a single Kasares fighter.
In the visiting team’s break room, the psionic teachers of Almysthes Academy, at this moment, set aside their bias against the martial arts department and loudly applauded for the martial arts team’s victory. Meanwhile, the little angel, Carite, clapped her hands red with excitement, tears streaming down her face.
“Phew…” From the moment she returned to the break room and hadn’t taken her eyes off the broadcast screen, Katerina finally exhaled deeply. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head toward another direction no one could see.
The clash of combat energy between the two sides never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the collision of crystal energy swords were like fireworks during a festival, continuously blooming across the arena. New wounds were rapidly accumulating on both combatants!
Whether it was the audience in the training ground or the residents of Fila Planet watching the match on their screens, everyone was struck silent by the sheer brutality of the contest.
In the resting room of the Almitis Academy’s Mind Arts Department, the scene was equally silent. The instructors of the Mind Arts Department all perked up their ears, listening to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were so complex that words could hardly describe them.
The only Mind Arts instructor not present in the resting room was Irina, who had been left alone in the hall by Katerina. At this moment, Irina sat alone in the Almitis Academy’s resting area, in the seat reserved for the leading instructor.
The stunningly beautiful Mind Arts instructor lowered her head, clenched her fists, and tightly crossed her long legs. Beneath her form-fitting combat suit, her nearly perfect figure trembled slightly. Anyone who saw Irina at this moment would likely assume she was overwhelmed with excitement at the Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department’s impressive performance.
However, if someone were to approach closely, see the expression Irina was hiding, and hear her muttered words, they would immediately realize that Irina was not excited at all. She was on the verge of being driven mad by jealousy and resentment towards Zhang Wen.
The cruel game of “exchanging wounds for wounds” on the battlefield lasted for more than ten minutes before it suddenly ended.
After teaming up with Amelie to deflect Link’s sword thrust towards Zack, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell to the ground.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, not the kind of sound one would make from a normal fall.
Taking advantage of the gap created by Cloud’s fall, Link decisively leaped backward, slightly increasing the distance between himself and Zack and Amelie.
“Cloud?” Amelie glanced quickly at Cloud and noticed that his eyes were closed—he had already passed out.
“Quick, quick! That Almitis student has fainted!” Several Mind Arts practitioners shouted, rushing into the arena in a panic to carry Cloud to the resting area.
While the Mind Arts practitioners were carrying Cloud away, Zack also walked over to Amelie and gently tapped her.
“Zack,” Amelie turned her head and noticed that Zack’s face was also pale, devoid of any color.
“Hey, Amelie…” The intense pain made Zack’s voice tremble, but he still gritted his teeth, gasping for breath as he whispered, “Cloud’s out, and I can’t hold on much longer either. Hey! I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are shaking just standing here! Hey! We can’t afford to wait; we have to finish this quickly. Fortunately, during that last exchange, the guy on the other side also took some serious damage. Even with just the two of us, we still have a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll draw his attention and create an opening for you. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Mm…” Amelie clenched her teeth and nodded.
During the chaotic battle of the past ten minutes, Amelie had also sustained numerous wounds. But compared to Zack, her condition was still much better. It was only natural that she would take on the responsibility of delivering the final blow.
As Zack and Amelie stood together, quietly planning their final strike, Link, standing not far from them, had the same idea.
In truth, if Link didn’t want to engage in a decisive battle with Zack and Amelie, his ninth-tier speed would make it impossible for Zack and Amelie to force him into a confrontation within the vast arena.
However, Link didn’t know that Zack was on the verge of collapse. Link only knew that the numerous wounds on his body were making it increasingly difficult for him to move. Every time he made an attack or defensive move, his actions were hindered by intense pain. The continuous blood loss also made Link feel himself growing weaker with each passing moment!
Link was not the type to leave victory to chance. So, before he became too weak to control his own fate, Link was determined to decide the outcome of this match!
Thus, the moment the Mind Arts practitioners carried Cloud out of the arena, both groups, equally resolved to end the battle, unleashed all their remaining strength and collided head-on without any fancy maneuvers!
“Ah! It seems both sides believe that waiting for time to pass would be to their disadvantage. The winner of this battle will be revealed in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience commentating on combat matches, Bolt could tell at a glance that this clash would be the final collision of the match!
Three… two… one! Freeing his mind of all distractions, Zack calculated the distance between himself and Link. When only a single step remained between them, he and Link swung their crystal energy swords at each other almost simultaneously. Amelie, following closely behind Zack, also seized the opportunity to meet Link’s attack.
But at that moment, Link’s crystal energy sword suddenly traced an eerie arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s sword, he bypassed it and thrust directly at Amelie behind Zack! Without Cloud’s support, Zack alone was utterly incapable of stopping Link’s speed!
When Zack realized that he had failed to draw Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank to the depths. The speed that a ninth-tier speed-type Physical Arts practitioner could achieve had been perfectly demonstrated by Xiao Xi earlier. Without Zack’s interference, Amelie had no chance of striking Link before he struck her. In other words, Amelie would have to endure Link’s full-powered strike!
Amelie also saw the crystal energy sword, crackling with blue electric energy, thrusting rapidly towards her chest, but she was already too late to block the attack.
Failure? This thought flashed through Amelie’s mind, but she immediately clenched her teeth. Amelie did not give up. Since Zack had failed to block Link’s sword, Amelie decided to use all her strength and charged at Link with a determination to take him down with her.
Victory! After his sword bypassed Zack’s futile block, Link roared triumphantly in his heart.
As for Zack and Amelie’s desperate, last-ditch attack, Link paid it no mind. Even though his stamina was nearly depleted, even though he could only muster twenty or thirty percent of his peak combat energy, Link remained absolutely confident. His speed was more than enough to ensure that after striking Amelie, he could calmly evade Zack’s attack.
If everything had proceeded according to plan, Link’s victory would indeed have been unshakable. But accidents often happen when least expected.
Just as Link’s final thrust was about to hit Amelie, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation, as if guided by some unseen force, caused Link’s crystal energy sword to strike Amelie’s sword before it could reach her!
After undergoing Zhang Wen’s hellish training, Amelie instinctively reacted the moment her crystal energy sword touched her opponent’s weapon. Her wrist and body moved before her brain could even process the action.
Twist the wrist to the left… use the hilt of her crystal energy sword to block the point slightly closer to the tip of Link’s sword.
Screech… Amidst the piercing sound of metal grinding against metal, Amelie, using all her strength, managed to deflect Link’s sword slightly.
Of course, Amelie’s efforts were not enough to completely avoid Link’s attack. But she had effectively slowed it down!
Originally, Link was confident that after taking down Amelie, he could still evade Zack’s attack. But now, he was no longer so sure! If he were to be hit by Zack’s full-powered strike, even after taking down Amelie, Link wasn’t certain he could defeat the seemingly indomitable Zack.
It must be admitted that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of Physical Arts practitioners. Even in the face of a sudden crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link still made the choice most advantageous to him.
He simply let go of Amelie, who had switched to defense, and swung his already veering crystal energy sword, redirecting his attack towards Zack!
Since Amelie had already switched from offense to defense, as long as this attack could force Zack to also switch from offense to defense, the worst outcome would be a return to the situation before the decisive battle. Link would still hold the initiative in this fight.
However, what Link failed to anticipate once again was the sheer determination Amelie had put into this attack!
When she saw Link abandon his attack on her and instead swing his crystal energy sword towards Zack, only one thought remained in Amelie’s mind:
Fight to the end!
Boom! The explosion of combat energy colliding rang out once more. The scattered debris from the earlier fight was sent flying into the air by the full-powered strikes of both sides. The three combatants, colliding head-on, were all sent flying backward!
“Ah!” Almost all the spectators exclaimed as they stood up.
General William also gripped the armrest of his seat tightly, taking a few deep breaths. Among the audience present, General William was likely one of the few who clearly saw what happened in that final moment.
When Link tried to use his strength to deflect Amelie’s crystal energy sword and attack Zack, Amelie suddenly took a half-step sideways, using her body to block the path of Link’s attack!
The result of Amelie’s action was that she, along with her sword, was sent flying by the immense combat energy carried by Link’s crystal energy sword! However, at the same time Link struck Amelie, Zack’s crystal energy sword also struck Link.
Having used all his strength in the attack, Link was equally powerless to block Zack’s assault. Hit by Zack’s full-powered strike, Link also spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying.
If the battle had ended here, there was no doubt that Almitis Academy would have emerged victorious. But the arrival of misfortune is always so sudden. This time, it was the Almitis team that was unlucky.
When Amelie was struck by Link, her crystal energy sword was sent flying by the tremendous force of the combat energy explosion, and it happened to land horizontally on Zack’s chest, which was already covered in wounds. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately erupted, sending Zack flying as well.
The three of them fell to the ground one after another.
In the No. 7 Training Hall of Themis Academy, which had been filled with deafening noise just five minutes earlier as the audience mocked the Physical Arts students of Almitis Academy, there was now complete silence.
As Mr. Bolt had said earlier, no one could have imagined that a team known for being bullied, which had suffered a crushing 0-5 defeat against Themis Academy’s reserve team last year, could now, with only four members, utterly defeat the mighty Themis Academy! Three mere sixth-tier Physical Arts practitioners had fought the genius Link to a standstill…
“…We see that all three participants from both sides have fallen! Could this match end in a draw? We see the referees and Mind Arts practitioners entering the arena… Oh no! Almitis Academy’s Zack seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly refuses the Mind Arts practitioners who want to take him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the battlefield, Amelie had already been taken to the medical room by the Mind Arts practitioners. Link, however, as he was being carried to the resting area, had the two Mind Arts practitioners set him down, and he lay on the stretcher, watching Zack struggle to get up.
“Come on! Stand up!” From the silent audience, someone suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people… The voices of everyone merged into a roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing the clouds.
Zack desperately knelt up, then gasped for breath, supporting himself with one hand as he shakily lifted his leg to stand. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing hot blood to flow from them.
“Stand up! Almitis man! Damn it!” Sir Wilson, next to Bolt, unexpectedly grabbed the microphone and let out a roar that seemed to carry a hint of tears.
Though his stance was unsteady, amidst the desperate shouts of everyone, Zack managed to stand up. The two Mind Arts practitioners beside him quickly stepped forward to support him.
At this moment, Governor Kalayan’s face turned ashen. Beside him, Chief Instructor Gelt’s eyes seemed to burn with anger. The other Physical Arts instructors from Themis Academy sitting in the stands mostly slumped in their seats, utterly defeated. The Themis Physical Arts team members who had been kicked off the field by Xiao Xi stared in disbelief at Zack, who was now covered in blood, with a hint of fear in their eyes.
But now, no one cared about Governor Kalayan’s anger or the Themis team’s despair.
Clap~!
As Zack stood up, the No. 7 Training Hall erupted into unprecedented applause. Not just the No. 7 Training Hall, but on Fila Planet, on Casares Planet, in every corner of the empire… almost everyone who witnessed this scene couldn’t help but offer their applause.
In the visiting team’s resting room, the Mind Arts instructors of Almitis Academy also set aside their prejudice against the Physical Arts Department and loudly applauded their victory. Little angel Carlette, with tears in her eyes, excitedly clapped her hands until they turned red.
“Phew…” Katerina, who had been staring at the broadcast screen since returning to the resting room, finally let out a long breath. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head in a direction where no one could see her.
“Tch! Almitis people…” Link, who had been carried to the resting area by the Mind Arts practitioners, shook his head in frustration before closing his eyes and lying back on the stretcher.
“He’s up! Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department’s Zack! He’s actually done it, with his own willpower! Almitis Academy has won! They’ve defeated Themis Academy! This is truly an unforgettable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Bolt never stopped his excited, almost incoherent shouting.
“Woohoo!” On the streets of Casares City, countless people hugged each other, jumping and shouting as if in a carnival.
“Woo!” At Almitis Academy, Instructor Xin and Fox also hugged each other, crying in excitement.
“Well done, well done.” Governor Termiso forcefully pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, excitedly muttering as he undid the top three buttons of his collar.
“I think I’ll never forget this match in my lifetime! It not only witnessed the rebirth of Almitis Academy’s Physical Arts Department but also showed us the resilience and hard work of three young people. Let’s repeat their names once more: Zack, Cloud, Amelie, you’ve done well! May good fortune always be with you!” The famous Almitis Academy critic, Sir Wilson, also wholeheartedly offered his blessings.
However, Mr. Bolt’s subsequent question made Sir Wilson’s old face turn red with embarrassment. Bolt asked when Sir Wilson planned to fulfill his promise of running naked around Babylon City for a week…
The friendly match between Almitis Academy and Themis Academy thus ended in an atmosphere of excitement. Governor Kalayan left Themis Academy with a cold expression, accompanied by the furious Chief Instructor Gelt.
As Governor Kalayan departed, the audience in the No. 7 Training Hall gradually dispersed. General William and Countess Melissa left the training hall shortly after most of the audience, following closely behind Governor Kalayan.
“Melissa, you don’t seem too pleased with today’s match. Wasn’t it a very exciting contest?” Walking along the Sky Avenue of Themis Academy, General William still spoke with great interest about the match.
“Hmph! General William, you seem quite happy.” Countess Melissa shot General William a displeased glance.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot, Countess Melissa is the Alliance’s envoy. Among the severely injured Almitis students, there’s also Cloud, the third son of the Alliance’s ruling councilor.” General William chuckled, quickly understanding the reason for Countess Melissa’s displeasure.
“Ah! You understand, then!” Countess Melissa sighed heavily. “Anyway, General William, I’ll take my leave now. Cloud has been seriously injured, and I must go visit him.” With that, Countess Melissa gave General William a helpless smile and flagged down a passing Mind Arts vehicle, getting in.
※※※
“Woo…” Although the match between Almitis Academy and Themis Academy had ended long ago, the middle-aged combat enthusiast driving Zhang Wen’s taxi was still wiping away tears while continuously tapping on the “frequency-hopping” playback device.
“These kids… they actually won.” Zhang Wen also looked up, recalling in disbelief every detail of the battle between Zack, Cloud, and Link. Finally, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but shake his head with a bitter smile, lightly applauding his students.
“Woo… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination.” After a while, the combat enthusiast driver finally stopped the car, still sobbing.
On the roadside where the Mind Arts vehicle stopped was the hotel where Shura and his team were staying. Zhang Wen got out of the car and handed the tearful driver a hundred Imperial Shield bill.
“Hmm!” Standing outside the hotel, Zhang Wen stretched comfortably, but his gaze inadvertently glanced toward a certain direction behind him.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the Mind Arts vehicle at Themis Academy, he had felt someone following him. Although the follower had switched vehicles three or four times, they still hadn’t escaped Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hey! The kids performed so well; how can we adults let them down?” Zhang Wen’s lips curled into a slight smile as he muttered to himself, pushing open the hotel door and stepping inside.
Entering the hotel lobby, Zhang Wen immediately sensed something unusual. Normally, today was the day Zhang Wen had agreed with Shura and the others to challenge the Kemel Arena. Shura and the other fighters should have been waiting in the lobby for Zhang Wen to arrive from Themis Academy.
But as Zhang Wen scanned the lobby, he didn’t see a single Casares fighter.
“He stood up! Zack from Almysthes Academy’s martial arts department! With his own willpower, he truly accomplished this incredible feat! Almysthes Academy has won! They have defeated Temisthys Academy! What an unforgettable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Mr. Bolt hadn’t stopped shouting excitedly, his words tumbling over each other in his excitement.
The clash of combat energy between the two sides never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the collision of crystal energy swords were like fireworks during a festival, continuously erupting across the arena. New wounds rapidly accumulated on both combatants!
Whether it was the spectators in the training ground or the residents of Fila Planet watching the match on their screens, everyone was struck silent by the sheer brutality of the competition.
In the resting room of the Almis Academy’s Mind Arts Department, the atmosphere was equally silent. The instructors of the Mind Arts Department all perked up their ears, listening intently to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were so complex that words could hardly describe them.
The only Mind Arts instructor not present in the resting room was Irina, who had been left alone in the hall by Katerina. At this moment, Irina sat alone in the Almis Academy’s resting area, in the seat reserved for the lead instructor.
The stunningly beautiful Mind Arts instructor lowered her head, clenched her fists tightly, and crossed her long legs. Beneath her tight combat suit, her nearly perfect figure trembled slightly. Anyone who saw Irina at this moment would likely assume she was overwhelmed with excitement at the Almis Academy’s Physical Arts Department’s spectacular performance.
However, if someone were to approach her closely, see the expression she was hiding, and hear her muttered words, they would immediately realize that Irina was not excited at all. She was on the verge of being driven mad by jealousy and resentment towards Zhang Wen.
The cruel game of “exchanging wounds for wounds” on the battlefield lasted for more than ten minutes before it suddenly ended.
After teaming up with Amelie to deflect Link’s sword thrust towards Zack, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, not the kind of sound one would make from a normal fall.
Taking advantage of the gap created by Cloud’s fall, Link decisively leaped backward, creating some distance between himself and Zack and Amelie.
“Cloud?” Amelie quickly glanced at Cloud and noticed that his eyes were closed—he had fainted.
“Quick, quick! That Almis Academy student has fainted!” Several Mind Arts practitioners shouted, rushing into the arena to carry Cloud to the resting area.
While the Mind Arts practitioners were carrying Cloud away, Zack also walked over to Amelie and gently tapped her.
“Zack,” Amelie turned her head and noticed that Zack’s face was also pale, devoid of any color.
“Hey, Amelie…” The intense pain made Zack’s voice waver, but he clenched his teeth, gasping for breath as he whispered, “Cloud has fainted, and I can’t hold on much longer either. I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are shaking just from standing! We can’t afford to wait; we have to end this quickly. Fortunately, during that last exchange, the guy on the other side was also badly injured. Even with just the two of us, we still have a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll draw his attention and create an opening for you. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Mm…” Amelie clenched her teeth and nodded.
During the chaotic battle of the past ten minutes, Amelie had also sustained numerous wounds. However, compared to Zack, her condition was much better. It was only natural that she would take on the responsibility of delivering the final blow.
As Zack and Amelie stood together, quietly planning their final strike, Link, standing not far from them, harbored the same thought.
In truth, if Link didn’t want to engage in a decisive battle with Zack and Amelie, given his ninth-tier speed, Zack and Amelie would have no way of forcing him into a confrontation within the vast arena.
However, Link didn’t know that Zack was on the verge of collapse. All Link knew was that the numerous wounds on his body were making it increasingly difficult for him to move. Every time he attempted an attack or defense, his movements were hindered by excruciating pain. The continuous blood loss also made him feel weaker and weaker as time passed!
Link was not the type to leave the outcome of a battle to chance. Therefore, before he became too weak to control his own fate, Link was determined to settle the result of this match!
Thus, the moment the Mind Arts practitioners carried Cloud out of the arena, both sides, equally resolved to end the battle, unleashed all their remaining strength in a direct and unadorned collision!
“Ah! It seems both sides believe that waiting for time to pass is to their disadvantage. The winner of this battle will be revealed in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience in commentating on combat matches, Bolt immediately recognized that this clash would be the final confrontation of the match!
Three… two… one! Freeing his mind of all distractions, Zack calculated the distance between himself and Link. When they were just one step apart, he and Link swung their crystal energy swords at each other almost simultaneously. Amelie, following closely behind Zack, also seized the opportunity to counter Link’s attack.
But at that moment, Link’s crystal energy sword suddenly traced an eerie arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s sword, he bypassed it and thrust straight toward Amelie behind Zack! Without Cloud’s support, Zack alone was utterly incapable of stopping Link’s speed!
When Zack realized he had failed to draw Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank to the depths. The speed of a ninth-tier speed-type Physical Arts practitioner had been perfectly demonstrated by Xiao Xi earlier. Without Zack’s interference, Amelie had no chance of striking Link before he struck her. In other words, Amelie would have to endure Link’s full-powered strike head-on!
Amelie also saw the crystal energy sword, crackling with blue electricity, thrusting rapidly toward her chest, but she was already too late to block the attack.
Failure? This thought flashed through Amelie’s mind, but she immediately clenched her teeth. Amelie did not give up. Since Zack had failed to block Link’s sword, Amelie decided to use all her strength, charging at Link with a determination to take him down with her.
Victory! After his sword bypassed Zack’s futile block, Link roared triumphantly in his heart.
As for Zack and Amelie’s desperate, last-ditch effort, Link paid it no mind. Even though he was exhausted, even though he could only muster twenty to thirty percent of his peak combat energy, Link remained absolutely confident. His speed was more than enough to ensure that after striking Amelie, he could calmly evade Zack’s attack.
If everything had proceeded as Link had anticipated, his victory would indeed have been unshakable. However, unexpected events often occur when least expected.
Just as Link’s final thrust was about to hit Amelie, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation, as if guided by fate, caused Link’s crystal energy sword to collide with Amelie’s sword before it could strike her!
Having undergone Zhang Wen’s hellish training, Amelie instinctively reacted the moment her crystal energy sword touched her opponent’s weapon. Her wrist and body moved before her brain could even process the situation.
Twist the wrist to the left… use the hilt of her own crystal energy sword to block the point slightly closer to the tip of the opponent’s sword.
Sssssss… Amidst the harsh screech of metal grinding against metal, Amelie, using all her strength, managed to deflect Link’s crystal energy sword slightly.
Of course, Amelie’s efforts were not enough to completely avoid Link’s attack. However, she effectively slowed down Link’s strike!
Originally, Link had been confident that after taking down Amelie, he could still evade Zack’s attack. But now, he was no longer so sure! If he were hit by Zack’s full-powered strike, even after defeating Amelie, Link wasn’t confident he could overcome the seemingly indomitable Zack.
It must be admitted that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of Physical Arts practitioners. Even in the face of a sudden crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link still made the choice most advantageous to him.
He simply let go of Amelie, who had switched to defense, and with the crystal energy sword already veering to the left, he redirected his attack toward Zack!
Since Amelie had already switched from offense to defense, as long as this attack forced Zack to also switch from offense to defense, the worst outcome would be a return to the situation before the decisive battle. Link would still hold the initiative in this fight.
However, what Link failed to anticipate once again was the sheer determination Amelie had put into this attack!
When Amelie saw Link abandon his attack on her and instead swing his crystal energy sword toward Zack, only one thought remained in her mind:
Go all out!
Boom! The explosion from the collision of combat energy rang out once more. The scattered debris from the earlier fight was sent flying into the air by the full-powered strikes of both sides. The three combatants, who had collided head-on, were all sent flying backward!
“Ah!” Almost all the spectators exclaimed as they stood up.
General William also gripped the armrest of his seat tightly, taking several deep breaths. Among the audience present, General William was likely one of the few who clearly saw what happened in that final moment.
When Link attempted to use his strength to deflect Amelie’s crystal energy sword and attack Zack, Amelie suddenly took a half-step sideways, using her body to block the path of Link’s attack!
The result of Amelie’s action was that both she and her sword were sent flying by the immense combat energy carried on Link’s crystal energy sword! However, at the same time Link struck Amelie, Zack’s crystal energy sword also hit Link.
Having already used all his strength in the attack, Link was equally powerless to block Zack’s strike. Hit by Zack’s full-powered attack, Link also spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward.
If the battle had ended there, Almis Academy would undoubtedly have won the final victory. But the arrival of the Goddess of Misfortune is always so sudden. This time, it was the Almis Academy’s turn to suffer.
When Amelie was struck by Link, her crystal energy sword was sent flying from the immense force of the combat energy explosion, and it happened to land horizontally on Zack’s chest, which was already covered in wounds. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately erupted, and Zack was also sent flying.
The three of them fell back to the ground one after another.
In the No. 7 Training Hall of Themis Academy, which had been filled with deafening noise just five minutes earlier as the audience mocked the Physical Arts students of Almis Academy, there was now complete silence.
As Mr. Bolt had said earlier, no one could have imagined that a team known for being bullied, which had suffered a crushing 0-5 defeat to Themis Academy’s reserve team last year, could now face ten opponents with just four members and utterly defeat the mighty Themis Academy! Three mere sixth-tier Physical Arts practitioners had fought the genius Link to a draw…
“…We see that all three participants from both sides have fallen simultaneously! Could this match end in a draw? We see the referees and Mind Arts practitioners entering the arena… Oh no! Almis Academy’s Zack seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly refuses the Mind Arts practitioners who want to take him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the arena, Amelie had already been taken to the medical room by the Mind Arts practitioners. However, when Link was carried to the resting area, he had the two Mind Arts practitioners set him down, and he lay on the stretcher, watching Zack struggle desperately to get up.
“Come on! Stand up!” In the silent audience, someone suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people… The voices of everyone merged into a roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing the clouds.
Zack desperately knelt up, then gasped for breath, using one hand to support his body as he shakily lifted his leg to stand. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing hot blood to flow from them.
“Stand up! Almis Academy! Damn it!” Sir Wilson, sitting next to Bolt, suddenly grabbed the microphone and let out a roar that seemed to carry a hint of tears.
Although his stance was unsteady, amidst the desperate shouts of everyone, Zack managed to stand up. The two Mind Arts practitioners beside him quickly stepped forward to support him.
At this moment, Governor Kalayan’s face turned ashen. Beside him, General Instructor Gerolt’s eyes seemed to blaze with anger. The other Physical Arts instructors from Themis Academy sitting in the stands mostly slumped in their seats, utterly defeated. The Themis Academy Physical Arts team members who had been kicked off the field by Xiao Xi stared in disbelief at Zack, who was now covered in blood, and a hint of fear flickered in their eyes.
However, no one was concerned about Governor Kalayan’s anger or the Themis Academy’s despair anymore.
Whoosh~!
As Zack stood up, the No. 7 Training Hall erupted into unprecedented applause. Not just the No. 7 Training Hall, but across Fila Planet, on Cassares Planet, in every corner of the Empire… almost everyone who witnessed this scene couldn’t help but offer their applause.
In the visiting team’s resting room, the Mind Arts instructors of Almis Academy also set aside their prejudice against the Physical Arts Department at this moment, clapping loudly for the Physical Arts Department’s victory. Little angel Carlette, with tears in her eyes, excitedly clapped until her palms turned red.
“Whew…” From the moment she returned to the resting room, Katerina’s gaze had never left the broadcast screen. Only now did she let out a long breath. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head in a direction where no one could see her.
“Tch! Almis Academy…” Link, who had been carried to the resting area by the Mind Arts practitioners, shook his head in frustration before closing his eyes and lying back on the stretcher.
“He’s up! Almis Academy Physical Arts Department’s Zack! With his sheer willpower, he’s actually accomplished this incredible feat! Almis Academy has won! They’ve defeated Themis Academy! This is truly an unforgettable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Bolt never stopped his excited, almost incoherent shouting.
“Woo-hoo!” On the streets of Cassares City, countless people hugged each other, jumping and shouting as if in a carnival.
“Woo!” At Almis Academy, Instructor Xin and Fox hugged each other, crying in excitement.
“Well done, well done.” Governor Temiso forcefully pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, muttering excitedly as he undid the top three buttons of his collar.
“I think I’ll never forget this match in my lifetime! It not only witnessed the rebirth of Almis Academy’s Physical Arts Department but also showcased the resilience and hard work of three young individuals. Let’s repeat their names once more: Zack, Cloud, Amelie—you’ve done well! May good fortune always be with you!” The famous Almis Academy critic, Sir Wilson, also wholeheartedly offered his blessings.
However, the question that followed from Mr. Bolt made Sir Wilson’s old face flush with embarrassment. Bolt asked when Sir Wilson planned to fulfill his promise of running naked around the Babylon city center for a week…
The friendly match between Almis Academy and Themis Academy thus ended in an atmosphere of excitement. Governor Kalayan left Themis Academy with a cold expression immediately after, accompanied by the furious General Instructor Gerolt.
As Governor Kalayan departed, the audience in the No. 7 Training Hall gradually dispersed. General William and Countess Melissa left the training hall shortly after most of the audience, following closely behind Governor Kalayan.
“Melissa, you don’t seem too pleased with today’s match. Wasn’t it a spectacular competition?” Walking along the Sky Avenue of Themis Academy, General William still spoke with great interest about the match.
“Hmph! General William, you’re certainly happy.” Countess Melissa shot General William a displeased glance.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot that Countess Melissa is the Alliance’s envoy. Among the severely injured Almis Academy students, there’s also Cloud, the third son of the Alliance’s Chief Executive.” General William chuckled, quickly understanding the reason for Countess Melissa’s displeasure.
“Sigh! You understand, then!” Countess Melissa heaved a heavy sigh. “Anyway, General William, I’ll take my leave now. Prince Cloud is severely injured; I must go and check on him.” With that, Countess Melissa gave General William a helpless smile and flagged down a passing Mind Arts vehicle, getting in.
※※※
“Woo…” Although the match between Almis Academy and Themis Academy had ended long ago, in the taxi Zhang Wen was riding in, the middle-aged combat enthusiast driver was still wiping away tears while continuously tapping on the “frequency-hopping” playback device.
“These kids… they actually won.” Zhang Wen also looked up, recalling every detail of Zack and the others’ battle with Link in disbelief. Finally, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but shake his head with a bitter smile, gently applauding his students.
“Woo… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination.” After a while, the combat enthusiast driver finally stopped the car, still sobbing.
On the roadside where the Mind Arts vehicle stopped was the hotel where Shura and his group were staying. Zhang Wen got out of the car and handed a hundred Imperial Shield note to the tearful driver.
“Hmm!” Standing outside the hotel, Zhang Wen stretched comfortably, but his gaze inadvertently glanced toward a certain direction behind him.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the Mind Arts vehicle at Themis Academy, he had felt someone following him. Although the pursuer had switched vehicles three or four times, they still hadn’t escaped Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hey! The kids have performed so well; how can we adults let them down?” Zhang Wen’s lips curled into a slight smile as he muttered to himself, pushing open the door and entering the hotel.
As soon as Zhang Wen stepped into the hotel lobby, he sensed something unusual. Normally, today was the day Zhang Wen had agreed with Shura and the others to challenge the Kaimel Arena. Shura and the other fighters should have been waiting in the lobby early for Zhang Wen to arrive from Themis Academy and join them.
However, after scanning the lobby, Zhang Wen didn’t see a single Cassares fighter.
“Waaah!” At Almysthes Academy, instructors Xin and Fox were also excitedly hugging each other, crying their eyes out.
“Good job, good job.” Governor Temiso pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, excitedly muttering to himself and unbuttoning the last three buttons of his collar.
“I think I will never forget this match in my lifetime! It not only witnessed the rebirth of Almysthes Academy’s martial arts department but also showed us the strength and effort of three young people. Let’s repeat their names once again: Zack, Cloud, and Aeris—you did great! Wishing you all the best!” Even the famous Almysthes Academy critic, Sir Wilson, sincerely offered his blessings.
However, Mr. Bolt’s next question made Sir Wilson blush with embarrassment. Because Mr. Bolt asked when Sir Wilson intended to fulfill his promise to run naked around the city of Babylon for a week…
The exhibition match between Almysthes Academy and Temisthys Academy thus ended amidst an atmosphere filled with excitement. Governor Karajan left Temisthys Academy immediately with a cold face, followed by the furious Chief Instructor Gelt.
With Governor Karajan’s departure, the audience in the number seven training hall gradually dispersed. General William and Lady Melissa also left the training hall shortly before most of the audience, closely following Governor Karajan.
The clash of combat energy between the two sides never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the collision of crystal energy swords were like fireworks on a festive day, continuously erupting across the arena. New wounds were also rapidly accumulating on both sides!
Whether it was the audience in the training ground or the residents of the planet Fila watching the match on their screens, everyone was stunned into silence by this “brutal” competition.
The same silence pervaded the resting room of the mental arts department at the Almythius Academy. The instructors of the mental arts department all pricked up their ears, listening to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were too complex to be described in words.
The only mental arts instructor not present in the resting room was Irina, who had been left alone in the hall by Katerina. At this moment, Irina was sitting alone in the resting area of Almythius Academy, in the seat reserved for the leading teacher.
The beautiful female instructor of the mental arts department lowered her head, clenched her fists, and tightly crossed her long legs. Beneath her tight combat suit, her nearly perfect figure trembled slightly. Anyone seeing Irina at this moment would likely think she was thrilled by the brilliant performance of the physical arts department of Almythius Academy.
However, if someone were to approach closely, see the expression Irina was hiding, and hear her murmurs, they would immediately realize that Irina was not excited at all. She was now almost driven mad by jealousy and resentment towards Zhang Wen.
The cruel “exchange of wounds” game on the field lasted for more than ten minutes before it suddenly ended.
After teaming up with Amelie to fend off Link’s sword thrust towards Zack, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, not the kind of sound one would make when falling normally.
Taking advantage of the gap created by Cloud’s fall, Link decisively leaped back, slightly increasing the distance between himself and Zack and Amelie.
“Cloud?” Amelie quickly glanced at Cloud and found that his eyes were closed; he had already fainted.
“Quick, quick! That Almythius student has fainted!” Several mentalists shouted, rushing onto the field to carry Cloud to the resting area.
While the mentalists were taking Cloud away, Zack also walked over to Amelie and gently tapped her.
“Zack,” Amelie turned her head and noticed that Zack’s face was also pale, devoid of any color.
“Hey, Amelie…” The intense pain made Zack’s voice falter, but he still gritted his teeth, gasping for breath as he whispered, “Cloud has fainted, and I can’t hold on much longer either. Hey! I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are shaking just standing here! Hey! We can’t afford to wait; we must end this quickly. Fortunately, during that last exchange, that guy on the other side was also badly injured. Even if it’s just the two of us, we still have a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll draw his attention and create an opening for you. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Mm…” Amelie clenched her teeth and nodded.
In the chaotic battle of the past ten minutes, Amelie had also sustained many wounds. But compared to Zack, her condition was much better. It was only natural that she would take on the responsibility of delivering the final blow.
As Zack and Amelie stood together, secretly planning their final strike, Link, standing not far from them, had the same idea.
In fact, if Link didn’t want to engage in a decisive battle with Zack and Amelie, with his ninth-tier speed, Zack and Amelie would have no way of forcing Link into a confrontation within the vast arena.
However, Link didn’t know that Zack couldn’t hold on much longer. Link only knew that the numerous wounds on his body were making it increasingly difficult for him to move. Every time he made an attack or defensive move, his actions were disrupted by intense pain. The continuous blood loss also made Link feel himself growing weaker with each passing moment!
Link was not the type to leave victory to chance. So, before he became too weak to control his own fate, Link was determined to decide the outcome of this match!
Thus, the moment the mentalists carried Cloud off the field, both groups, equally resolved to end the battle, unleashed all their remaining strength and collided head-on without any fancy maneuvers!
“Ah! It seems both sides believe that waiting for time to pass is unfavorable for them. The winner of this battle will be revealed in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience commentating on combat matches, Bolt immediately recognized that this clash would be the final collision of the match!
Three… two… one! Freeing his mind of all distractions, Zack calculated the distance between himself and Link. When only a step remained between them, he and Link almost simultaneously swung their crystal energy swords at each other. Amelie, following closely behind Zack, also took the opportunity to face Link’s attack.
But at that moment, Link’s crystal energy sword suddenly traced a bizarre arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s sword, he bypassed it and thrust directly at Amelie behind Zack! Without Cloud’s support, Zack alone had no way of stopping Link’s speed!
When Zack realized he hadn’t managed to attract Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank to the bottom. The speed a ninth-tier speed-type physical artist could achieve had been perfectly demonstrated by Xiao Xi earlier. Without Zack’s obstruction, Amelie had no chance of striking Link before he could hit her. In other words, Amelie would have to endure Link’s full-force strike!
Amelie also saw the crystal energy sword, crackling with blue electric sparks, rapidly thrusting towards her chest, but she was already too late to block the attack.
Failure? This thought flashed through Amelie’s mind, but she immediately clenched her teeth. Amelie did not give up. Since Zack hadn’t managed to block Link’s sword, Amelie decided to use all her strength and charged at Link with a determination to take him down with her.
Victory! After his sword bypassed Zack’s futile block, Link roared triumphantly in his heart.
Link paid no heed to the desperate, life-risking strikes of Zack and Amelie. Even if his stamina was exhausted, even if he could only unleash two or three-tenths of his peak combat power, Link remained absolutely confident. His speed was sufficient to ensure that after hitting Amelie, he could calmly evade Zack’s attack.
If everything had proceeded as Link had anticipated, his victory would indeed have been unshakable. However, accidents often occur when least expected.
Just as Link’s final thrust was about to hit Amelie, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation, as if guided by some unseen force, caused Link’s crystal energy sword to first collide with Amelie’s sword before it could strike her!
Having undergone Zhang Wen’s hellish training, Amelie instinctively reacted the moment her crystal energy sword touched her opponent’s weapon. Her wrist and body moved before her brain could even process the action.
Twist the wrist to the left… use the hilt of her crystal energy sword to block the point slightly forward of the center of Link’s sword.
Sssssss… Amidst the ear-piercing sound of metal grinding, Amelie, using all her strength, managed to deflect Link’s crystal energy sword slightly.
Of course, Amelie’s efforts were not enough to completely avoid Link’s attack. However, she effectively slowed down Link’s assault!
Originally, Link was confident that after knocking down Amelie, he could still evade Zack’s attack. But now, he was no longer so sure! If he were to be hit by Zack’s full-force strike, even after taking down Amelie, Link wasn’t certain he could defeat the seemingly indomitable Zack.
It must be admitted that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of physical artists. Even in the face of a sudden crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link still made the choice most favorable to him.
He simply let go of Amelie, who had switched to defense, and with a swing of his already veering crystal energy sword, redirected his attack towards Zack!
Since Amelie had already switched from offense to defense, as long as this attack could force Zack to also switch from offense to defense, the worst outcome would be a return to the situation before the decisive battle. Link would still hold the initiative in this fight.
However, what Link miscalculated once again was the extent of Amelie’s determination in this attack!
Seeing Link abandon his attack on her and instead swing his crystal energy sword towards Zack, only one thought remained in Amelie’s mind!
Go all out!
Boom! The explosion from the collision of combat energy resounded once more. The scattered debris from the earlier fight was sent flying into the air by the full-force strikes of both sides. The three who had collided head-on were all sent flying backward!
“Ah!” Almost all the spectators exclaimed as they stood up.
General William also gripped the armrest of his seat tightly, taking a few deep breaths. Among the audience present, General William was probably one of the few who clearly saw the final moment.
When Link attempted to use his strength to deflect Amelie’s crystal energy sword and attack Zack, Amelie suddenly moved half a step sideways, using her body to block Link’s attack path!
The result of Amelie’s action was that both she and her sword were sent flying by the immense combat energy carried by Link’s crystal energy sword! However, at the same time Link hit Amelie, Zack’s crystal energy sword also struck Link.
Having used all his strength in the attack, Link was equally powerless to block Zack’s assault. Hit by Zack’s full-force strike, Link also spewed a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward.
If the fight had ended here, undoubtedly Almythius Academy would have won the final victory, but the arrival of the goddess of misfortune is always so sudden. This time, it was the Almythians who were unlucky.
When Amelie was hit by Link, her crystal energy sword was sent flying by the tremendous force of the combat energy explosion, and it happened to strike Zack, who was already covered in wounds, across the chest. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately exploded, and Zack was also sent flying.
The three fell back to the ground one after another.
In the No. 7 training hall of the Themis Academy, which had been filled with deafening noise just five minutes ago as the audience mocked the physical arts students of Almythius Academy, there was now complete silence.
As Mr. Bolt had said earlier, no one could have imagined that a team known for being bullied, which had suffered a 0-5 defeat against the Themis physical arts substitute team last year, could now, with four against ten, completely overwhelm the powerful Themis Academy! Three mere sixth-tier physical artists had managed to fight the genius Link to a draw…
“…We see that all three participants from both sides have fallen simultaneously! Could this match end in a draw? We see the referees and mentalists entering the arena… Oh no! Zack from Almythius Academy seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly prevents the mentalists who want to take him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the field, Amelie had already been taken to the medical room by the mentalists. However, when Link was being carried to the resting area, he had the two mentalists put him down, and he lay on the stretcher, watching Zack struggle to get up.
“Come on! Stand up!” In the silent audience, someone suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people… Everyone’s voices merged into a roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing the clouds.
Zack desperately knelt up, then gasped for breath, supporting himself with one hand, and shakily lifted his leg to stand. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing blood to flow from them.
“Stand up! Almythians! Damn it!” Sir Wilson, next to Bolt, unexpectedly grabbed the microphone and let out a roar that seemed to carry a sob.
Although his stance was not very stable, amidst the desperate shouts of everyone, Zack still managed to stand up with all his might. The two mentalists beside him quickly stepped forward to support him.
At this moment, Governor Kalayan’s face was ashen. Beside him, Chief Instructor Gelt’s eyes seemed to be burning with anger. The other Themis physical arts instructors sitting in the stands mostly slumped in their seats, disheartened. The Themis physical arts team members who had been kicked off the field by Xiao Xi watched the bloodied Zack in the center of the arena with disbelief, a hint of fear in their eyes.
However, no one was concerned about Governor Kalayan’s anger or the Themisians’ dismay anymore.
Clap~!
As Zack stood up, the No. 7 training hall erupted into unprecedented applause. Not just the No. 7 training hall, but on the planet Fila, on the planet Kassares, in every corner of the empire… almost everyone who witnessed this scene couldn’t help but offer their applause.
In the visiting team’s resting room, the mental arts teachers of Almythius Academy also set aside their prejudice against the physical arts department at this moment, loudly applauding the victory of the physical arts department. And the little angel Carlette, with tears in her eyes, excitedly clapped her hands until they turned red.
“Phew…” Katerina, who had been staring at the broadcast screen since returning to the resting room, finally let out a long breath. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head in a direction where no one could see her.
“Tsk! Almythians…” Link, who had been carried to the resting area by the mentalists, shook his head unwillingly, then closed his eyes and lay back on the stretcher peacefully.
“He’s up! Zack from the physical arts department of Almythius Academy! With his own willpower, he has truly accomplished this incredible task! Almythius Academy has won! They have defeated Themis Academy! This is truly an unforgettable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Bolt did not stop his excited, incoherent shouting.
“Wow!” On the streets of Kassares City, countless people hugged each other, jumping and shouting as if in a carnival.
“Woo!” At Almythius Academy, Instructor Xin and Fox also hugged each other excitedly, crying.
“Well done, well done.” Governor Temiso forcefully pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, excitedly muttering as he unbuttoned the top three buttons of his collar.
“I think I will never forget this match in my lifetime! It not only witnessed the rebirth of the physical arts department of Almythius Academy but also showed us the resilience and effort of three young people. Let us repeat their names once more: Zack, Cloud, Amelie, you have done well! May good fortune always be with you!” The famous Almythius Academy critic, Sir Wilson, also sincerely offered his blessings.
However, the question that followed from Mr. Bolt made Sir Wilson’s old face turn red with embarrassment. Because Bolt asked when Sir Wilson planned to fulfill his promise of running naked around the city of Babylon for a week…
The friendly match between Almythius Academy and Themis Academy thus ended in an atmosphere of excitement. Governor Kalayan left Themis Academy with a cold face immediately, accompanied by the furious Chief Instructor Gelt.
As Governor Kalayan left, the audience in the No. 7 training hall gradually dispersed. General William and Countess Melissa left the training hall shortly after most of the audience, following Governor Kalayan.
“Melissa, you don’t seem very satisfied with today’s match. Wasn’t it a very exciting match?” Walking on the skyway of Themis Academy, General William still spoke with great interest about the match.
“Hmph! General William, you are certainly happy.” Countess Melissa gave General William a displeased look.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot, Countess Melissa is the envoy of the Alliance. Among the severely injured Almythius students, there is also Cloud, the third son of the Alliance’s governor.” General William smiled, quickly understanding the reason for Countess Melissa’s displeasure.
“Ah! You know it then!” Countess Melissa sighed heavily, “Anyway, General William, I must take my leave now. Prince Cloud is severely injured; I must go and visit him.” Saying this, Countess Melissa gave General William a helpless smile, then flagged down a passing mentalist car and got in.
※※※
“Woo…” Although the match between Almythius Academy and Themis Academy had ended long ago, in the taxi Zhang Wen was riding in, the middle-aged combat enthusiast driver was still wiping his tears while continuously tapping on the “frequency-hopping” player.
“These kids… they actually won.” Zhang Wen also looked up, unable to believe it as he recalled every detail of the fight between Zack and the others against Link. Finally, Zhang Wen had to shake his head with a bitter smile, gently applauding his students.
“Woo… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination.” After a while, the combat enthusiast driver finally sobbed and stopped the car.
On the roadside where the mentalist car stopped was the hotel where Shura and his group were staying. Zhang Wen got out of the car and handed a hundred Imperial Shield bill to the tearful driver.
“Hmm!” Standing outside the hotel, Zhang Wen stretched comfortably, but his gaze inadvertently glanced towards a certain direction behind him.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the mentalist car at Themis Academy, he had felt someone following him. Although the follower had switched three or four mentalist cars to tail him, they still couldn’t escape Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hey! The kids have performed so well; how can we adults lose to them?” Zhang Wen’s lips curled slightly as he whispered to himself, then pushed open the door and entered the hotel.
Entering the hotel lobby, Zhang Wen immediately sensed something unusual. Normally, today was the day Zhang Wen had agreed with Shura and the others to challenge the Kemel Arena. Shura and the other fighters should have been waiting in the lobby early for Zhang Wen to arrive from Themis Academy and join them.
However, as Zhang Wen scanned the lobby, he didn’t see a single Kassares fighter.
“Hmph! General William, you’re happy, aren’t you?” Melissa shot General William a glare.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot, Lady Melissa, you’re the Alliance’s special envoy. Among the seriously injured Almysthes students, there’s also Cloud, the third prince of the Alliance’s Regent.” General William smiled, quickly understanding the reason for Lady Melissa’s displeasure.
“Ah! You know that already!” Melissa sighed heavily, “In any case, General William, I must take my leave first. I must visit Prince Cloud, who has been seriously injured.” Saying this, Melissa gave General William a helpless smile, then hailed a passing psionic-powered taxi and got in.
※※※
The collision of combat energy between the two sides never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the clash of crystal energy swords were like fireworks during a festival, continuously erupting across the arena. New wounds were rapidly accumulating on both combatants!
Whether it was the spectators in the training ground or the residents of Fira Planet watching the match from their screens, everyone was struck silent by the sheer brutality of the competition.
In the resting room of the Almytheus Academy’s Mind Arts Department, the atmosphere was equally silent. The instructors of the Mind Arts Department all perked up their ears, listening intently to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were so complex that words could hardly describe them.
The only Mind Arts instructor not present in the resting room was Irina, who had been left alone in the hall by Katerina. At this moment, Irina sat alone in the Almytheus Academy’s resting area, in the seat reserved for the lead instructor.
The stunningly beautiful Mind Arts instructor lowered her head, clenched her fists, and tightly crossed her long legs. Beneath her form-fitting combat suit, her nearly perfect figure trembled slightly. Anyone who saw Irina in this state would likely assume she was overwhelmed with excitement by the Almytheus Academy’s Physical Arts Department’s spectacular performance.
However, if someone were to approach closely, see the expression Irina was hiding, and hear her muttered words, they would immediately realize that Irina was not excited at all. She was on the verge of being driven mad by jealousy and resentment towards Zhang Wen.
The cruel “exchange of wounds” game on the battlefield lasted for more than ten minutes before it suddenly ended.
After teaming up with Amelie to deflect Link’s strike towards Zack, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, not the kind of sound one would make from a normal fall.
Taking advantage of the gap created by Cloud’s fall, Link decisively leaped back, creating some distance between himself and Zack and Amelie.
“Cloud?” Amelie quickly glanced at Cloud and noticed that his eyes were closed; he had already passed out.
“Quick, quick! That Almytheus student has fainted!” Several Mind Arts practitioners shouted, rushing into the arena to carry Cloud to the resting area.
While the Mind Arts practitioners were taking Cloud away, Zack also walked over to Amelie and gently tapped her.
“Zack,” Amelie turned to him and noticed that Zack’s face was pale, devoid of any color.
“Hey, Amelie…” The intense pain made Zack’s voice falter, but he clenched his teeth, gasping for breath as he whispered, “Cloud’s out, and I won’t last much longer either. Hey! I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are shaking just standing here! Hey! We can’t afford to wait; we have to finish this quickly. Fortunately, during that last exchange, the other guy also took some serious damage. Even with just the two of us, we still have a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll draw his attention and create an opening for you. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Mm…” Amelie clenched her teeth and nodded.
During the chaotic battle of the past ten minutes, Amelie had also sustained numerous wounds. However, compared to Zack, her condition was much better. It was only natural that she would take on the responsibility of delivering the final blow.
As Zack and Amelie stood together, secretly planning their final strike, Link, standing not far from them, had the same idea.
In truth, if Link didn’t want to engage in a decisive battle with Zack and Amelie, his ninth-tier speed would have made it impossible for them to force him into a confrontation within the vast arena.
However, Link didn’t know that Zack was on the verge of collapse. All Link knew was that the numerous wounds on his body were making it increasingly difficult for him to move. Every time he attempted an attack or defense, his movements were disrupted by intense pain. The continuous blood loss also made him feel weaker with each passing moment!
Link was not the type to leave the outcome of a match to chance. Therefore, before he became too weak to control his own fate, Link decided to settle the result of this match!
Thus, the moment the Mind Arts practitioners carried Cloud out of the arena, both groups, equally determined to end the battle, unleashed all their remaining strength and collided head-on without any fancy maneuvers!
“Ah! It seems both sides believe that waiting for time to pass is detrimental to them. The winner of this battle will be revealed in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience in commentating on combat matches, Bolt immediately recognized that this clash would be the final collision of the match!
Three… two… one! Freeing his mind of all distractions, Zack calculated the distance between himself and Link. When they were just one step apart, he and Link swung their crystal energy swords at each other almost simultaneously. Amelie, following closely behind Zack, also took advantage of the moment to face Link’s attack.
But at that very instant, Link’s crystal energy sword suddenly traced an eerie arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s sword, he bypassed it and thrust straight towards Amelie behind Zack! Without Cloud’s support, Zack alone was utterly incapable of stopping Link’s speed!
When Zack realized he hadn’t managed to draw Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank to the depths. The speed of a ninth-tier speed-type Physical Arts practitioner had been perfectly demonstrated to them by Xiao Xi earlier. Without Zack’s interference, Amelie had no chance of striking Link before he struck her. In other words, Amelie would have to endure Link’s full-powered strike head-on!
Amelie also saw the crystal energy sword, crackling with blue electric energy, thrusting rapidly towards her chest, but she was already too late to block the attack.
Failure? This thought flashed through Amelie’s mind, but she immediately clenched her teeth. Amelie didn’t give up. Since Zack hadn’t managed to block Link’s sword, Amelie decided to use all her strength and charged at Link with a determination to take him down with her.
Victory! After his sword bypassed Zack’s futile block, Link roared triumphantly in his heart.
Link paid no heed to the desperate, life-risking strikes from Zack and Amelie. Even though his stamina was nearly depleted, even though he could only muster twenty to thirty percent of his peak combat energy, Link remained absolutely confident. His speed was more than enough to ensure that after striking Amelie, he could calmly evade Zack’s attack.
If everything had proceeded as Link had anticipated, his victory would indeed have been unshakable. However, unexpected events often occur when least expected.
Just as Link’s final thrust was about to hit Amelie, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation, as if guided by some unseen force, caused Link’s crystal energy sword to collide with Amelie’s sword before it could strike her!
Having undergone Zhang Wen’s hellish training, Amelie instinctively reacted the moment her crystal energy sword touched her opponent’s weapon. Her wrist and body moved before her brain could even process the action.
Twisting her wrist to the left… using the hilt of her crystal energy sword to block the point slightly closer to the tip of Link’s sword.
Sssssss… Amidst the grating sound of metal scraping, Amelie, using all her strength, managed to deflect Link’s crystal energy sword slightly.
Of course, Amelie’s efforts weren’t enough to completely avoid Link’s attack. However, she effectively slowed down his strike!
Originally, Link had been confident that after taking down Amelie, he could still evade Zack’s attack. But now, he wasn’t so sure! If Zack’s full-powered strike landed, even after defeating Amelie, Link wasn’t confident he could overcome the seemingly indomitable Zack.
It must be admitted that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of Physical Arts practitioners. Even in the face of a sudden crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link still made the choice most advantageous to him.
He simply let go of Amelie, who had switched to defense, and swung his already veering crystal energy sword, redirecting his attack towards Zack!
Since Amelie had shifted from offense to defense, as long as this attack could force Zack to also switch from offense to defense, the worst outcome would be returning to the situation before the decisive battle. Link would still hold the initiative in this fight.
However, what Link failed to anticipate once again was the sheer determination Amelie had put into this attack!
When Amelie saw Link abandon his attack on her and instead swing his crystal energy sword towards Zack, only one thought remained in her mind!
Go all out!
Boom! The explosion from the collision of combat energy rang out once more. The scattered debris from the earlier fight was sent flying in all directions by the full-powered strikes from both sides. The three combatants, who had collided head-on, were all sent flying backward!
“Ah!” Almost all the spectators exclaimed as they stood up.
General William also gripped the armrest of his seat tightly, taking a few deep breaths. Among the audience present, General William was probably one of the few who clearly saw what happened in that final moment.
As Link attempted to use his strength to deflect Amelie’s crystal energy sword and attack Zack, Amelie suddenly sidestepped half a step, using her body to block the path of Link’s attack!
The result of Amelie’s action was that both she and her sword were sent flying by the immense combat energy carried by Link’s crystal energy sword! However, at the same time Link struck Amelie, Zack’s crystal energy sword also hit Link.
Having used all his strength in the attack, Link was equally powerless to block Zack’s assault. Hit by Zack’s full-powered strike, Link also spewed a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward.
If the battle had ended here, Almytheus Academy would undoubtedly have claimed victory. But the arrival of misfortune is always so sudden. This time, it was the Almytheus team that was unlucky.
When Amelie was struck by Link, her crystal energy sword, propelled by the immense force of the combat energy explosion, flew out of her hand and happened to strike Zack, who was already covered in wounds, across the chest. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately exploded, sending Zack flying as well.
The three of them fell to the ground one after another.
In the seventh training hall of Themis Academy, which had been filled with deafening noise just five minutes ago as the audience mocked the Physical Arts students of Almytheus Academy, there was now complete silence.
As Mr. Bolt had said earlier, no one could have imagined that a team known for being bullied, which had suffered a crushing 0-5 defeat to Themis Academy’s reserve team last year, could now face ten opponents with only four members and leave the mighty Themis Academy in tatters! Three mere sixth-tier Physical Arts practitioners had fought the genius Link to a draw…
“…We see that all three combatants from both sides have fallen simultaneously! Could this match end in a draw? We see the referees and Mind Arts practitioners entering the arena… Oh no! Almytheus Academy’s Zack seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly refuses the Mind Arts practitioners who want to take him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the battlefield, Amelie had already been taken to the medical room by the Mind Arts practitioners. However, when Link was carried to the resting area, he had the two Mind Arts practitioners set him down, and he lay on the stretcher, watching Zack struggle to get up.
“Come on! Stand up!” In the silent audience, someone suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people… Their voices merged into a roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing the clouds.
Zack desperately knelt up, then gasped for breath, supporting himself with one hand as he shakily lifted his leg to stand. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing blood to flow from them.
“Stand up! Almytheus! Damn it!” Sir Wilson, sitting next to Bolt, suddenly grabbed the microphone and let out a roar that seemed to carry a hint of tears.
Though his stance was unsteady, amidst the desperate shouts of everyone, Zack managed to stand up. The two Mind Arts practitioners beside him quickly stepped forward to support him.
At this moment, Governor Kalayan’s face turned ashen. Beside him, Chief Instructor Gelt’s eyes seemed to burn with anger. The other Physical Arts instructors from Themis Academy sitting in the stands mostly slumped in their seats, utterly defeated. The Themis Physical Arts team members who had been kicked off the field by Xiao Xi stared in disbelief at Zack, who was now a bloodied figure in the center of the arena, a hint of fear in their eyes.
However, no one cared about Governor Kalayan’s anger or the Themis team’s despair anymore.
Clap~!
As Zack stood up, the seventh training hall erupted into unprecedented applause. Not just the seventh training hall, but across Fira Planet, on Cassares Planet, in every corner of the empire… almost everyone who witnessed this moment couldn’t help but offer their applause.
In the visiting team’s resting room, the Mind Arts instructors of Almytheus Academy also set aside their biases against the Physical Arts Department and clapped loudly for their victory. Little angel Carlette, with tears in her eyes, excitedly clapped until her hands turned red.
“Phew…” Katerina, who had been staring at the broadcast screen since returning to the resting room, finally let out a long breath. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head in a direction where no one could see her.
“Tch! Almytheus…” Link, who had been carried to the resting area by the Mind Arts practitioners, shook his head in frustration before closing his eyes and lying back on the stretcher.
“He’s up! Almytheus Academy’s Physical Arts student, Zack! With his sheer willpower, he has truly accomplished this incredible feat! Almytheus Academy has won! They have defeated Themis Academy! This is truly a memorable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Bolt never stopped his excited, almost incoherent shouting.
“Woo!” On the streets of Cassares City, countless people hugged each other, jumping and shouting in celebration.
“Woo!” At Almytheus Academy, Instructor Xin and Fox hugged each other, crying tears of joy.
“Well done, well done.” Governor Temiso forcefully pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, excitedly muttering as he undid the top three buttons of his collar.
“I think I’ll never forget this match in my lifetime! It not only witnessed the rebirth of Almytheus Academy’s Physical Arts Department but also showcased the resilience and effort of three young individuals. Let’s repeat their names once more: Zack, Cloud, Amelie, you’ve done well! May good fortune always be with you!” The famous Almytheus Academy critic, Sir Wilson, also offered his heartfelt blessings.
However, Mr. Bolt’s subsequent question left Sir Wilson’s old face flushed with embarrassment. Bolt asked when Sir Wilson planned to fulfill his promise of running naked around the Babylon city center for a week…
The friendly match between Almytheus Academy and Themis Academy thus concluded in an atmosphere of excitement. Governor Kalayan left Themis Academy with a cold expression immediately after, accompanied by the furious Chief Instructor Gelt.
As Governor Kalayan departed, the audience in the seventh training hall gradually dispersed. General William and Countess Melissa left the training hall shortly after most of the audience, following closely behind Governor Kalayan.
“Melissa, you don’t seem very pleased with today’s match. Wasn’t it a spectacular competition?” Walking along the Sky Avenue of Themis Academy, General William still spoke with great interest about the match.
“Hmph! General William, you seem quite happy.” Countess Melissa shot General William a displeased glance.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot, Countess Melissa is the envoy of the Alliance. Among the severely injured Almytheus students, there’s also Cloud, the third son of the Alliance’s Chief Executive.” General William smiled, quickly understanding the reason for Countess Melissa’s displeasure.
“Ah! You understand now!” Countess Melissa sighed heavily. “Anyway, General William, I must take my leave. Cloud has been seriously injured; I must go and check on him.” With that, Countess Melissa gave General William a helpless smile and hailed a passing Mind Arts vehicle, boarding it.
※※※
“Woo…” Although the match between Almytheus Academy and Themis Academy had ended long ago, the middle-aged combat enthusiast driving Zhang Wen’s taxi was still wiping tears while continuously tapping on the “frequency-hopping” playback device.
“Those kids… they actually won.” Zhang Wen also looked up, recalling every detail of the battle between Zack, Cloud, Amelie, and Link. Finally, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but shake his head with a bitter smile, gently applauding his students.
“Woo… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination.” After a while, the combat enthusiast driver finally stopped the car, still sobbing.
The roadside where the Mind Arts vehicle stopped was the hotel where Shura and his team were staying. Zhang Wen got out of the car and handed the teary-eyed driver a hundred Imperial Shield bill.
“Hmm!” Standing outside the hotel, Zhang Wen stretched contentedly, but his gaze inadvertently glanced towards a certain direction behind him.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the Mind Arts vehicle at Themis Academy, he had felt someone following him. Although the pursuer had switched vehicles three or four times, they still hadn’t escaped Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hey! The kids performed so well; how can we adults let them down?” Zhang Wen’s lips curled into a slight smile as he muttered to himself, pushing open the hotel door and stepping inside.
Entering the hotel lobby, Zhang Wen immediately sensed something unusual. Normally, today was the day Zhang Wen and Shura had agreed to challenge the Kaimel Arena. Shura and the other fighters should have been waiting in the lobby for Zhang Wen to arrive from Themis Academy.
However, as Zhang Wen scanned the lobby, he didn’t see a single Cassares fighter.
“These kids… they actually won.” Zhang Wen also looked up, unable to believe, recalling every detail of the fight between Zack and the others against Link. Finally, Zhang Wen couldn’t help but shake his head with a bitter smile, gently clapping his hands for his students.
“Waaah… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination.” A little later, the tearful driver finally pulled the car to a stop, his voice choked with emotion.
At the roadside where the psionic-powered taxi had stopped was the hotel where the Xie Luo group was staying. Zhang Wen got out and handed the teary-eyed driver a one-hundred Imperial Mark note.
The clash of combat energy between the two sides never ceased. The flashes and shockwaves generated by the collision of crystal energy swords were like fireworks during a festival, continuously erupting across the arena. New wounds were also rapidly accumulating on both combatants!
Whether it was the audience in the training ground or the residents of Planet Fira watching the match from their screens, everyone was struck silent by the sheer brutality of the competition.
The same silence pervaded the lounge of the Almythius Academy’s Mind Arts Department. The instructors of the Mind Arts Department all pricked up their ears, listening intently to Mr. Bolt’s commentary. Their expressions were too complex to put into words.
The only Mind Arts instructor not present in the lounge was Irina, who had been left alone in the hall by Katerina. At this moment, Irina sat alone in the Almythius Academy’s rest area, in the seat reserved for the lead instructor.
The beautiful Mind Arts instructor lowered her head, clenched her fists, and tightly crossed her long legs. Beneath her form-fitting combat suit, her nearly perfect figure trembled slightly. Anyone seeing Irina in this state would likely assume she was overwhelmed with excitement for the Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department’s stunning performance.
However, if someone were to approach closely, see the expression Irina was hiding, and hear her muttered words, they would immediately realize that Irina was not excited at all. She was on the verge of being driven mad by jealousy and resentment towards Zhang Wen.
The brutal “exchange of wounds” game on the arena continued for over ten minutes before it suddenly came to an end.
After joining forces with Amelie to deflect Link’s thrust towards Zack, Cloud suddenly slipped and fell to the ground.
Thud! The sound of Cloud hitting the ground was dull, not the sound one would expect from a normal fall.
Taking advantage of the gap created by Cloud’s fall, Link decisively leaped backward, creating some distance between himself and Zack and Amelie.
“Cloud?” Amelie quickly glanced at Cloud and realized he had passed out, his eyes closed.
“Quick, quick! That Almythius student has fainted!” Several Mind Arts practitioners shouted, rushing into the arena to carry Cloud to the rest area.
While the Mind Arts practitioners were taking Cloud away, Zack also walked over to Amelie and gently tapped her.
“Zack,” Amelie turned to see that Zack’s face was also pale, devoid of any color.
“Hey, Amelie…” The intense pain made Zack’s voice falter, but he clenched his teeth, gasping for breath as he whispered, “Cloud’s out, and I can’t hold on much longer either. Hey! I’ve lost too much blood; my legs are shaking just standing here! Hey! We can’t afford to wait; we need to finish this quickly. Luckily, during that last exchange, the other guy took some heavy hits too. Even with just the two of us, we still have a chance! When the match resumes, I’ll draw his attention and create an opening for you. Then, it’s all up to you.”
“Mm…” Amelie clenched her teeth and nodded.
During the chaotic battle of the past ten minutes, Amelie had also sustained numerous wounds. But compared to Zack, her condition was still much better. It was only natural that she would take on the responsibility of delivering the final blow.
As Zack and Amelie stood together, quietly planning their final move, Link, standing not far from them, had the same idea.
In truth, if Link didn’t want to engage in a decisive battle with Zack and Amelie, with his ninth-tier speed, Zack and Amelie would have no way of forcing him into a confrontation within the vast arena.
However, Link didn’t know that Zack was on the verge of collapse. Link only knew that the numerous wounds on his body were making it increasingly difficult for him to move. Every time he made an attack or defense, his movements were disrupted by intense pain. The continuous blood loss also made Link feel himself growing weaker with each passing moment!
Link was not the type to leave the outcome of a match to chance. So, before he became too weak to control his own fate, Link was determined to decide the result of this match!
Thus, the moment the Mind Arts practitioners carried Cloud out of the arena, both sides, equally resolved to end the battle, unleashed all their remaining strength and collided head-on without any fancy maneuvers!
“Ah! It seems both sides believe that waiting for time to pass is not in their favor. The winner of this battle will be revealed in the next moment!” With twenty years of experience in commentating on combat matches, Bolt immediately recognized that this clash would be the final collision of the match!
Three… two… one! Freeing his mind of all distractions, Zack calculated the distance between himself and Link. When they were just one step apart, he and Link swung their crystal energy swords at each other almost simultaneously. Amelie, following closely behind Zack, also seized the opportunity to counter Link’s attack.
But at that moment, Link’s crystal energy sword suddenly traced an eerie arc. Instead of directly clashing with Zack’s sword, he bypassed it and thrust straight at Amelie behind Zack! Without Cloud’s support, Zack alone was unable to match Link’s speed!
When Zack realized he hadn’t managed to draw Link’s sword as planned, his heart sank to the abyss. The speed of a ninth-tier speed-type Physical Arts practitioner had been perfectly demonstrated by Xiao Xi earlier. Without Zack’s interference, Amelie had no chance of striking Link before he could hit her. In other words, Amelie would have to endure Link’s full-force strike!
Amelie also saw the crystal energy sword, crackling with blue electricity, thrusting rapidly towards her chest, but she was too late to block the attack.
Failure? This thought flashed through Amelie’s mind, but she immediately clenched her teeth. Amelie didn’t give up. Since Zack hadn’t managed to block Link’s sword, Amelie decided to use all her strength and charged at Link with a determination to take him down with her.
Victory! After his sword bypassed Zack’s futile block, Link roared triumphantly in his heart.
Link paid no heed to Zack and Amelie’s desperate, last-ditch effort. Even though his stamina was nearly depleted, even though he could only muster twenty to thirty percent of his peak combat energy, Link remained absolutely confident. His speed was more than enough to ensure that after hitting Amelie, he could calmly evade Zack’s attack.
If everything had proceeded as Link had anticipated, his victory would indeed have been unshakable. But unexpected events often occur when least expected.
Just as Link’s final thrust was about to hit Amelie, a sudden, intense pain caused his right arm to uncontrollably veer slightly to the left.
This slight deviation, as if guided by some unseen force, caused Link’s crystal energy sword to strike Amelie’s sword before it could reach her!
After undergoing Zhang Wen’s hellish training, Amelie instinctively reacted the moment her crystal energy sword made contact with her opponent’s weapon. Her wrist and body moved before her brain could even process the information.
Twist the wrist to the left… use the hilt of her crystal energy sword to block the point slightly closer to the tip of Link’s sword.
Screeeech… Amidst the ear-piercing sound of metal grinding, Amelie, using all her strength, managed to deflect Link’s crystal energy sword slightly.
Of course, Amelie’s efforts weren’t enough to completely avoid Link’s attack. But she had effectively slowed down Link’s strike!
Originally, Link was confident he could take down Amelie and then evade Zack’s attack. But now, he wasn’t so sure! If Zack’s full-force strike hit him, even after taking down Amelie, Link wasn’t confident he could defeat the seemingly indomitable Zack.
It must be admitted that Link’s combat talent was indeed among the best of Physical Arts practitioners. Even in the face of a sudden crisis, in the blink of an eye, Link still made the choice most advantageous to him.
He simply let go of Amelie, who had switched to defense, and swung his already veering crystal energy sword, redirecting his attack towards Zack!
Since Amelie had switched from offense to defense, as long as this attack could force Zack to also switch from offense to defense, the worst outcome would be a return to the situation before the decisive battle. Link would still hold the initiative in this fight.
However, what Link failed to anticipate once again was the sheer determination Amelie had put into this exchange!
Seeing Link abandon his attack on her and redirect his sword towards Zack, only one thought remained in Amelie’s mind:
Go all out!
Boom! The explosion from the collision of combat energy resounded once more. The scattered debris from the earlier fight was sent flying into the air by the full-force strikes of both sides. The three combatants, who had collided head-on, were all sent flying backward!
“Ah!” Almost all the spectators exclaimed as they stood up.
General William also gripped the armrest of his seat tightly, taking a few deep breaths. Among the audience present, General William was probably one of the few who clearly saw what happened in that final moment.
As Link attempted to use his strength to deflect Amelie’s crystal energy sword and attack Zack, Amelie suddenly sidestepped half a step, using her body to block Link’s attack path!
The result of Amelie’s action was that she, along with her sword, was sent flying by the immense combat energy carried by Link’s crystal energy sword! However, at the same time Link struck Amelie, Zack’s crystal energy sword also hit Link.
Link, who had used all his strength in the attack, was equally unable to block Zack’s strike. Hit by Zack’s full-force attack, Link also spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward.
If the fight had ended here, Almythius Academy would undoubtedly have won the final victory. But the arrival of misfortune is always so sudden. This time, it was the Almythius team’s turn to suffer.
When Amelie was struck by Link, her crystal energy sword, propelled by the immense force of the combat energy explosion, flew out of her hand and struck the heavily wounded Zack square in the chest. The residual combat energy on the sword immediately exploded, sending Zack flying as well.
The three combatants fell back to the ground one after another.
In the No. 7 Training Hall of the Temis Academy, which had been filled with deafening noise just five minutes ago as the audience mocked the Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department students, there was now complete silence.
As Mr. Bolt had said earlier, no one could have imagined that a team known for being easily bullied, which had suffered a humiliating 0-5 defeat against the Temis Physical Arts Department’s reserve team last year, could now face ten opponents with just four members and thoroughly defeat the mighty Temis Academy! Three mere sixth-tier Physical Arts practitioners had fought the genius Link to a draw…
“…We see that all three combatants from both sides have fallen! Could this match end in a draw? We see the referees and Mind Arts practitioners entering the arena… Oh no! Almythius Academy’s Zack seems to still be conscious! He stubbornly refuses the Mind Arts practitioners who want to take him for treatment… He’s still trying!” Bolt shouted excitedly.
On the arena, Amelie had already been taken to the medical room by the Mind Arts practitioners. Link, however, as he was being carried to the rest area, had the two Mind Arts practitioners set him down on a stretcher, where he lay watching Zack desperately trying to get up.
“Come on! Stand up!” From the silent spectator stands, someone suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
“Stand up!”
…
Ten people, a hundred, a thousand… The voices of everyone merged into a roar filled with encouragement and admiration, bursting out of the small training hall and piercing the clouds.
Zack struggled to kneel, then gasped for breath, using one hand to support himself as he shakily lifted his leg to stand. Every movement he made tugged at his countless wounds, causing blood to flow from them.
“Stand up! Almythius man! Damn it!” Sir Wilson, sitting next to Bolt, suddenly grabbed the microphone and let out a roar that seemed to carry a hint of tears.
Though his stance was unsteady, amidst the desperate shouts of everyone, Zack managed to stand up. The two Mind Arts practitioners nearby quickly stepped forward to support him.
At this moment, Governor Karayan’s face turned ashen. Beside him, Chief Instructor Gelt’s eyes seemed to burn with anger. The other Temis Physical Arts Department instructors sitting in the stands mostly slumped in their seats, utterly defeated. The Temis Physical Arts Department members who had been kicked off the field by Xiao Xi stared in disbelief at the bloodied Zack in the center of the arena, a hint of fear in their eyes.
But now, no one cared about Governor Karayan’s anger or the Temis team’s despair.
Whoosh~!
As Zack stood up, the No. 7 Training Hall erupted into unprecedented applause. Not just the No. 7 Training Hall, but across Planet Fira, Planet Cassares, and every corner of the empire… almost everyone who witnessed this scene couldn’t help but offer their applause.
In the guest team’s lounge, the Mind Arts instructors of Almythius Academy also set aside their biases against the Physical Arts Department and applauded loudly for their victory. Even the little angel Carlette, with tears in her eyes, excitedly clapped her hands until they turned red.
“Phew…” Katerina, who had been staring at the broadcast screen since returning to the lounge, finally let out a long breath. Then, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head in a direction where no one could see her.
“Tch! Almythius people…” Link, who had been carried to the rest area by the Mind Arts practitioners, shook his head in frustration before closing his eyes and lying back on the stretcher.
“He’s up! Almythius Academy Physical Arts Department’s Zack! He’s actually done it! Almythius Academy has won! They’ve defeated Temis Academy! What an unforgettable match!” From the moment Zack stood up, Bolt didn’t stop his excited, almost incoherent shouting.
“Woo!” On the streets of Cassares City, countless people hugged each other, jumping and shouting as if in a carnival.
“Woo!” At Almythius Academy, Instructor Xin and Fox hugged each other, crying with emotion.
“Well done, well done.” Governor Temiso forcefully pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, muttering excitedly as he undid the top three buttons of his shirt.
“I think I’ll never forget this match in my lifetime! It not only witnessed the rebirth of Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department but also showcased the resilience and hard work of three young individuals. Let’s repeat their names once more: Zack, Cloud, Amelie, you’ve done well! May good fortune always be with you!” The famous Almythius Academy critic, Sir Wilson, also wholeheartedly offered his blessings.
However, the question that followed from Mr. Bolt left Sir Wilson’s old face red with embarrassment. Because Bolt asked when Sir Wilson planned to fulfill his promise of running naked around the city of Babylon…
The friendly match between Almythius Academy and Temis Academy thus ended in an atmosphere of excitement. Governor Karayan left Temis Academy with a cold expression immediately after, accompanied by the furious Chief Instructor Gelt.
As Governor Karayan departed, the audience in the No. 7 Training Hall gradually dispersed. General William and Countess Melissa left the training hall shortly after most of the audience, following closely behind Governor Karayan.
“Melissa, you don’t seem too pleased with today’s match. Wasn’t it a spectacular match?” As they walked along the Sky Avenue of Temis Academy, General William still enthusiastically discussed the match.
“Hmph! General William, you seem quite pleased,” Countess Melissa shot General William a displeased glance.
“Oh! Right! I almost forgot, Countess Melissa is the envoy of the Alliance. Among the severely injured Almythius students, there’s also Cloud, the third son of the Alliance’s Chief Executive,” General William chuckled, quickly understanding the reason for Countess Melissa’s displeasure.
“Sigh! You understand, then!” Countess Melissa sighed heavily, “Anyway, General William, I must take my leave now. Prince Cloud is severely injured, and I must pay him a visit.” With that, Countess Melissa gave General William a helpless smile and hailed a passing Mind Arts vehicle, boarding it.
※※※
“Woo…” Although the match between Almythius Academy and Temis Academy had ended long ago, the middle-aged combat enthusiast driving Zhang Wen’s taxi was still wiping away tears while continuously tapping on the “frequency-hopping” player.
“Those kids… they actually won,” Zhang Wen also looked up, unable to believe it as he recalled every detail of Zack and the others’ battle with Link. Finally, Zhang Wen had to shake his head with a bitter smile, lightly applauding his students.
“Woo… Sir, we’ve arrived at your destination,” after a while, the combat enthusiast driver finally stopped the car, still sobbing.
The roadside where the Mind Arts vehicle stopped was the hotel where Shura and his group were staying. Zhang Wen got out of the car and handed the tearful driver a hundred Imperial Shield bill.
“Hmm!” Standing outside the hotel, Zhang Wen stretched luxuriously, but his gaze inadvertently glanced towards a certain direction behind him.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the Mind Arts vehicle at Temis Academy, he had felt someone following him. Although the follower had switched vehicles three or four times, they still hadn’t escaped Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hey! The kids have performed so well; how can we adults fall short?” Zhang Wen’s lips curled slightly as he muttered to himself, pushing open the door and entering the hotel.
As he stepped into the hotel lobby, Zhang Wen immediately sensed something amiss. Normally, today was the day Zhang Wen had agreed with Shura and the others to challenge the Kaimel Arena. Shura and the other fighters should have been waiting in the lobby early for Zhang Wen to arrive from Temis Academy and join them.
However, as Zhang Wen scanned the lobby, he didn’t see a single Cassares fighter.
From the moment Zhang Wen boarded the psionic-powered taxi at Temisthys Academy, he had always felt someone following him from behind. Although the follower had switched vehicles three or four times to track him, they still couldn’t escape Zhang Wen’s notice.
“Hehe! If the kids have done so well, how can we, the adults, lose to them?” A slight smile curved Zhang Wen’s lips. He whispered to himself, then pushed open the door and walked into the hotel.
As he entered the hotel lobby, Zhang Wen immediately sensed something unusual. According to plan, today was the day he had agreed with Xie Luo and the others to challenge the Kemmel Arena. Naturally, Xie Luo and the other fighters should have arrived at the lobby early, waiting for Zhang Wen to come from Temisthys Academy to meet up with them.
However, as Zhang Wen scanned the lobby, he couldn’t spot a single Kaseres fighter.
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