Divine Right Resistance: 6 stars. Some might think this low, but it’s the absolute ceiling for Divine Right Resistance.
Tilisha had read in the "Divine Analysis Guide" and "Research and Discoveries on the Four Resistances of Divine Maidens" that for Divine Maidens, one or one and a half stars were mediocre, two stars average, two and a half excellent, and three or above exceptionally gifted.
Moon Elf Divine Maidens typically exceeded four stars. Astrid, as the current Moon Elf 'Saintess', naturally surpassed her predecessors, her Divine Right Resistance soaring to a terrifying 6 stars.
This meant Divine Right attacks on her lost over two-thirds of their effectiveness—a staggering number.
Imagine Divine Right attacks flying everywhere: others took full damage, while Astrid endured less than a third. That advantage could turn hopeless battles.
Thus, the Moon Elf royal family were true 'Divine Maiden killers', nearly unbeatable in one-on-one duels.
Astrid chanted silently and drew her weapon—a slender crescent blade glowing with dim silver light. Its guard curved like a moon, the blade wreathed in hazy, mist-like radiance, resembling a silver moon half-hidden in clouds.
Tilisha had never seen this blade before. Astrid’s old sword was plain and ordinary. This crescent silver weapon was custom-made by the Elves after she left Tilisha.
As Saintess, it was forged by the most renowned Elven smiths. Its elegance and aura proved their mastery.
Elven weapons were famed for beauty and power combined—stunning designs with matching strength. That’s why Divine Maidens coveted them. Who wouldn’t want a gorgeous, practical weapon?
Weapons were part of strength, so Divine Maiden duels allowed personal arms, even in the Freshman Crown Cup.
Tilisha shifted her gaze to Astrid’s opponent—the day’s second unlucky contestant.
Her eyes met the female student, and Tilisha froze.
It was her.
Tilisha had only checked her own match schedule, missing that her two former teammates were paired against each other.
"The second afternoon match: Astrid Oreniman versus Lainey."
Lainey?
Watching the human girl with black shoulder-length hair, standing nervously at the arena’s far end, Tilisha’s eyelids lowered slightly.
After the referee announced their names, Tilisha knew exactly what would happen.
The crowd’s cheers turned to boos and murmurs.
"No surname? A wild Divine Maiden?"
"Probably. Look at her clothes—no family-born Divine Maiden would wear that."
"Pfft, the outcome’s obvious. Even more one-sided than Princess Felicia’s match this morning."
Tilisha shook her head. She’d hoped her old teammates would thrive after leaving her, especially Lainey. But now...
Lainey had always been insecure, likely due to her humble origins. Tilisha feared her situation worsened after their split.
Her suspicion was confirmed. Lainey’s gaze at Astrid brimmed with deep insecurity.
Tilisha had wished Lainey found a commoner Divine Child—not out of spite, but reality. If her Divine Child was noble-born, the status gap would strain their team, worsening Lainey’s insecurity. Once others sensed her weakness, they’d bully her relentlessly. Lainey’s even more pessimistic eyes proved it.
Was this the ‘good team’ that wild Elf found for her?
On stage, Astrid spoke softly, but the noise drowned her words. Tilisha only saw Lainey’s eyes widen, biting her pale lips in silence.
After a long moment, Lainey lifted her head in resignation, her eyes blazing with sorrow and anger as she retorted.
Tilisha was surprised. In their old team, Lainey only spoke normally to her; with Astrid, she’d always been too insecure to lift her head. Why today...?
Astrid didn’t argue. A flicker of helplessness crossed her eyes before she closed them, lowering her head slightly. It vanished instantly—she reopened her eyes, calm again.
"Match, begin!"
Astrid raised her silver blade. Seven faint stars shimmered behind her, forming a silver moon goddess praying in gauzy mist.
Her Divine Right: [Exalted Moon Sage].
Silver moonlight burned along her blade—the supernatural effect of the [Seven Star Mansions] state. To Tilisha, that alone was enough.
Gritting her teeth, Lainey unleashed her Divine Maiden Realm and Divine Right.
Her Realm materialized as leather battle armor—average four resistances, utterly mediocre for a Knight Rank Divine Princess. She drew a short sword; a dim gray light coalesced into a wolf-headed shield in her hand.
Her Divine Right: [Vicious Wolf Guardian]. It manifested as a leather shield, explaining her light, one-handed sword for pairing.
As a former teammate, Tilisha only vaguely recalled Astrid’s Divine Right effects. Not because Astrid hid them—[Exalted Moon Sage] had too many complex abilities. She remembered only the gist: its effects shifted with star count. Now, the silver flames on Astrid’s blade were just one of the Seven Star Mansions’ powers.
But that wasn’t all. Why did Elves call Astrid a once-in-a-millennium Saintess? Tilisha recalled Astrid mentioning her Divine Right wasn’t singular...
In contrast, Lainey’s effect was crystal clear—simple enough to sum up in one sentence:
When the shield was hit, it boosted resistance to that damage type.
That’s it.
Tilisha had calculated the increase: roughly 10%. It might grow with her Divine Right’s level, but for now, it was pitifully low. Negligible against Astrid.
Like the gap between a free-to-play player and a big spender.
Worse, Lainey lacked offensive Divine Right capabilities. Her power was purely defensive—attacks relied solely on sword strikes. Against even an average Divine Maiden, this Divine Right was utterly lacking.
