Deep within the forest of Field 3.
Lilith’s figure darted rapidly through the trees, her silver-white hair trailing behind her like streaks of light.
Wherever she passed, one contestant after another was eliminated from the Mirage Corridor.
“The thirteenth one...”
Even though she had suppressed her mana to the peak of Rank 2 and was carefully controlling her strength, these quasi-Rank 1 and Rank 1 students were still far too fragile before her.
“If I keep this up, will I stand out too much?”
Lilith rubbed her chin, considering whether she should hold back even more.
But on second thought, she had already wiped out the eight-man team from the Royal Capital Academy. There wasn't much point in trying to act weak now.
“Forget it, let’s just finish this quickly.”
She leaped down from a branch and continued moving toward the next source of magic fluctuations.
...
Half an hour later.
In a central clearing in Field 3.
Lilith stood at the edge of the clearing, looking at the last two people remaining in front of her.
A boy and a girl.
They looked like siblings.
The brother was about sixteen or seventeen, with a slender build, wearing silver-white light armor and holding a spear about two meters long. His short golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his red eyes were filled with determination and alertness.
The sister looked a year or two younger, wearing a pale blue mage robe and holding a staff embedded with a red gemstone. She also had long golden hair, and her face carried a hint of nervousness.
The badges on their chests were both engraved with the words: “Holy City Magic Academy, First Year.”
“Brother...” the girl whispered. “That’s her... Lilith. The map just showed that she’s already eliminated over thirty people...”
The boy nodded, his gaze locked tightly onto Lilith.
“I know.”
He took a deep breath and stepped forward, leveling his spear in front of him.
“Holy City Magic Academy, First Year, Reno.”
The girl behind him also raised her staff.
“Holy City Magic Academy, First Year, Reya.”
Lilith looked at the siblings.
“Fellow students from the same academy? What a coincidence. Also, are we the only ones left on the field?”
Reno nodded.
“We know we can’t beat you. But since we’re standing here, there’s no reason to retreat without a fight.”
He paused before continuing.
“However, I have a request.”
“Speak.”
“If I lose, please spare my sister. Let her surrender and withdraw on her own.”
Lilith was momentarily stunned, then smiled.
“I can do that.”
“Thank you.”
After saying that, Reno turned to Reya.
“Step back.”
“Brother...”
“Step back!”
Reya bit her lip and retreated over a dozen meters, standing at the edge of the clearing.
Reno turned his focus back to Lilith, his hands tightening around his spear.
In the next second...
“Hah!”
With a low growl, he lunged forward like an arrow released from a bow!
His Rank 2 mid-stage battle qi erupted without reservation, silver-white light enveloping his body as the spear transformed into a silver line, thrusting straight toward Lilith’s chest!
He was fast.
Much faster than the warrior from the Royal Capital Academy earlier.
A hint of approval flashed in Lilith’s eyes.
Then, she began her performance.
She didn't dodge. Instead, she raised her right hand and condensed a pale red mana shield in her palm.
“Clang!”
The spear struck the shield, producing a crisp metallic sound.
Ripples spread across the shield's surface, but it didn't break.
Reno’s eyes narrowed. With a flick of his wrist, he retracted the spear instantly and thrust again!
This time, it was three consecutive strikes!
“Clang! Clang! Clang!”
Lilith managed to block the first two strikes with her shield, but the third came too quickly for her to defend, forcing her to dodge to the side.
The tip of the spear grazed her shoulder, leaving a shallow scratch on her uniform.
“Nice!”
In the spectator area, someone couldn't help but shout.
“This Reno is good! His spear technique is very solid!”
“To have this level of skill at Rank 2 mid-stage is already very impressive.”
“It seems Lilith isn't invincible after all. Eliminating so many people earlier must have consumed a lot of her mana.”
“Exactly! Look at her defense now; it’s clearly weaker than before!”
Amidst the discussion, Vice Principal Glen looked at Principal Aurora and raised an eyebrow.
“Old man Aurora, it looks like your academy’s Lilith has reached her limit?”
Principal Aurora stroked his beard and smiled.
“That remains to be seen.”
...
Back on the field.
Reno’s offensive grew increasingly fierce.
The spear in his hands turned into a flurry of silver shadows, thrusting at Lilith from every angle.
Lilith could only dodge clumsily, occasionally making a forced counterattack that Reno easily neutralized.
To all appearances, she was completely on the defensive.
“Go, Brother!” Reya cheered from the sidelines.
Reno didn't respond, focusing entirely on his attack.
He knew Lilith had to have strength in reserve.
The power she used to wipe out an eight-man team couldn't have been exhausted so quickly.
“Is she hiding her strength?” Reno wondered to himself.
In the next moment, Reno’s gaze turned sharp. He suddenly retracted his spear, gripped it with both hands, and thrust forward violently. The spear instantly transformed into a silver storm, sweeping toward Lilith with a howl that tore through the air!
This strike approached the power of a Rank 2 peak!
Lilith’s expression changed as she quickly condensed a shield with both hands in front of her.
“Boom!!!”
The Whirlwind Thrust struck the shield, erupting in a blinding light.
Cracks appeared on the shield's surface before it shattered completely.
The residual force of the spear hit Lilith’s chest, sending her flying backward!
“Bang!”
Lilith crashed onto the ground over ten meters away, tumbling twice before coming to a stop.
She lay on the ground, her chest heaving violently, looking as if she had sustained significant injuries.
An uproar broke out in the spectator area.
“A direct hit!”
“Lilith is hurt!”
“Reno is going to win!”
At the edge of the field, Reya couldn't help but tighten her grip on her staff, an excited expression appearing on her face.
However, Reno did not press his advantage.
He stood his ground, spear held across his front, watching the fallen Lilith warily.
“Brother, be careful!” Reya shouted.
Reno didn't look back. “I know.”
He flicked his spear and waited.
A few seconds later, Lilith struggled to climb back up.
She clutched her chest and coughed twice, then looked at Reno, a complex emotion flashing in her red eyes.
“He didn't even try to finish me off while I was down...”
She thought to herself.
“What a decent guy.”
Lilith stood straight and wiped the corner of her mouth.
“You’re very strong,” she said, her voice sounding weak.
“But there are only three of us left on the field.”
Reno frowned. “And...?”
Lilith took a deep breath and slowly raised both hands, forming a complex seal in front of her chest.
“I’m going to get serious now.”
As her voice fell, she began to chant.
This wasn't a spell cast casually like before.
This was a true magic spell that required incantations and specific hand gestures.
As Lilith chanted, the surrounding air began to vibrate.
Visible mana converged on her hands from all directions.
The mana in the air grew denser and denser, and the energy fluctuations being emitted became increasingly terrifying.
Rank 2 peak...
Rank 3 early-stage...
Rank 3 mid-stage...
Rank 3 peak...
Finally, it stopped just at the threshold of Rank 4!
In the spectator area, everyone stood up.
“Is... is that Slashing Magic?!”
“The energy fluctuations are nearly at Rank 4!”
“Is she crazy?! Using a spell of that power in a competition like this?!”
“Someone will die! Those siblings will die!”
The academy leaders’ faces changed drastically.
A white-haired old professor slammed the table. “Quick! Terminate the match immediately! Once that spell is released, those two children won't be able to block it!”
Another professor looked at Aurora anxiously. “Principal! We can't wait any longer!”
Principal Aurora’s brow was furrowed and his expression was solemn, but he didn't speak. He didn't believe Lilith would actually do such a thing.
“Don't rush.”
“Let’s see.”
Rate on N.U.
