Feyn Senior’s movements grew ever sharper. Her pitch-black sword beams relentlessly tore through Sulia’s armor and clothes.

Sulia refused to back down. She seized the perfect moment and flawlessly dodged one of Fayin’s attacks!

“Vampire Moment!” Sulia activated Vampire Moment!

Feyn Senior’s motions slowed. Sulia seized the chance, gathering power. Swirling crimson lightning and blood-hued radiance trailed her sword as she thrust at Fayin.

But just as the blade lunged out, Feyn Senior’s eyes flashed—her movements snapped back to normal!

Though the Dark Empress Knight had low defense, her resistance to abnormal statuses was extreme. Vampire Moment’s effect on Fayin lasted less than a tenth of its usual duration!

Dodging Fayin’s strikes was already perilous and difficult. Sulia couldn’t adjust her stance in time to land a lethal blow!

Yet for this fatal thrust, Fayin couldn’t dodge either. She swung her sword, unleashing a black beam streaked with silver threads and starlight—choosing to counterattack head-on!

“Boom!!!”

Crimson and black clashed! Blood and shadow collided!

Both were hurled backward by the impact. Shockwaves rippled like a storm, shaking the entire arena!

Even I, standing at the highest point, had my skirt whipped upward by the gale!

After the collision, Feyn and Sulia both paled. Sweat-drenched chests heaved violently as the girls panted heavily.

“No! Stop fighting! Sisters! Halt! I command you as princess!”

But Feyn Senior was half-rampaging. Sulia, fiercely bloodthirsty and competitive, wouldn’t listen at this stage!

“Boom!”

Their powers surged wildly around them—a prelude to the final showdown!

Suddenly, Feyn Senior and Sulia blurred into afterimages, charging at each other!

“No! Stop!” My mind went blank. My only thought: stop my sisters’ meaningless slaughter!

I leaped off the platform without hesitation, vanishing mid-air.

Instantly, I appeared on the arena’s sandy ground. Terrifying power surged toward me from both sides—too fast to react! The energy ripples alone felt like they’d tear me apart!

“Sisters! Both of you, stop!!!” Yet I stood defenseless between them, eyes squeezed shut. Whatever hit me—I wouldn’t let my sisters get hurt!

“No—!” Closer to Feyn Senior, she dropped her weapon without hesitation. She dove like a fish, strong warm arms wrapping around me before I could react. Tackling me down, she twisted mid-air, shielding me with her body. We crashed to the ground together.

The violent jolt nearly knocked me out. The world spun—darkness swallowed everything…

Seconds later, consciousness returned. I lay pinned under Senior Sister, back on the sand. Her sweat-drenched scent filled the air, thick and dizzying.

I realized: Senior Sister had abandoned her attack to protect me with her body. But how was she? She’d shielded me from Sulia’s strike!

Her defense was so weak now!

“Senior Sister! Senior Sister!?” I cried anxiously.

“Mm…” Her breathing was deep but steady, voice calm as if unharmed. She pushed herself up slowly. “Are you okay?”

I shook my head. “What about you?”

“I… I’m fine?”

I sat up with her, glancing at Sulia.

Sulia stood silently in shattered red armor, head bowed. Hair shadows hid her eyes. Blood trickled from her lips.

I understood: I’d been at the clash point. Senior Sister protected me. Sulia, seeing that, retracted her sword last-second to avoid hitting her—severely injuring herself!

Sulia’s body went limp. She collapsed sideways.

Senior Sister helped me rise. Her diving twist absorbed the impact, and acting first spared her backlash.

But Sulia lay unconscious, injuries too grave.

“Sister Sulia…” My eyes welled with tears.

“The winner is…” Loyning’s voice echoed from the booth.

“Wait!” I shouted.

“Huh?” Loyning froze, speechless.

The arena fell silent, all eyes on me.

I wiped tears with my small hand’s back. “Sister Sulia! She retracted her strike to spare me and protect my Feyn Senior—hurting herself! This match has no loser! Both sisters won! Both are champions!”

I looked at Feyn Senior. Her black hair flowed softly. Her exquisite face smiled in approval—no resentment, just a gentle nod.

As the stunned silence lifted—

“Roar—!!!” Cheers erupted across the arena!

“How magnificent!” Loyning’s voice, usually submissive, now rang passionate: “To protect the princess, the Undercity’s two strongest women abandoned victory! They risked themselves, shielding the little princess! And she—jumping into danger for her subordinates—shows true courage! I, Loyning, and the judges unanimously support her decision! Sulia and Tianlin Feiyan are both champions of the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony! Starting tonight at midnight, they’ll ‘train’—ahem, ‘educate’—our little princess in a two-on-one session… for three days and nights!”

“Huh?” Basking in my spotlight moment, I froze at those words.

No way!