Lilina was somewhat surprised. In her mind, such upper-class folks valued face above all else. She never expected this girl to actually come congratulate her.
"There’s nothing to be shocked about," the girl said with a bitter smile. "You must think we’re all just a bunch of arrogant snobs, right?"
"Our arrogance is only for those with worse talent or family background than us. But I lost to you—both my Contract Beast and myself. You’re just a Junior Mage, yet I admit defeat wholeheartedly."
Lilina fell into deep thought.
"Apart from family status, you outshine me in every single way. What right do I have to stay proud?"
The girl turned and walked away.
"President truly doesn’t pick secretaries randomly. I wish you’ll stand at the very end..."
"Thank you..."
Lilina wanted to voice her thanks, but the girl had already vanished into the distance.
This moment hammered home the importance of power for Lilina.
"Here, you can lack status or position—but never strength. Without it, you don’t even deserve to argue your case. So..."
"If you want us to take you seriously, get stronger fast. In this world, only the strong earn the right to speak."
Lilina recalled Scottia’s words again, her resolve to grow stronger hardening.
...
"Lilina—bye!"
"Huh?"
A bye? Impossible. Only academy-certified future champions got byes in the second round.
Did they really think she’d win first place?
Lilina didn’t believe the academy saw her as champion material. But why give her a bye?
A bye?
Gulp.
Wu Yan smacked his lips.
What a waste of a flexing opportunity. Scaring off others’ Contract Beasts was actually pretty satisfying.
...
"President, we’ve granted her the bye as instructed. Next—are three High Mages all fighting her? She’s just a Junior Mage..."
"Mm. Understood. Proceed as planned. Dismissed."
Scottia lowered her head, lost in thought.
"...Yes!"
...
"Dean, the Student Council kids swapped the match order!"
"Mm. Ignore them. It won’t sway the outcome."
"Yes, Dean!"
Scottia... Next head of the Lesser Family? She seemed tied to that person...
So you noticed long ago...
...
Lilina didn’t idle during her bye. She watched the High Mage battles closely.
Her expression turned grim. High Mage fights were nothing like before. They could instantly cast first-level spells. Even weak spells hurt badly—mages had frail bodies. You’d have to dodge, breaking your chant.
In short, a High Mage could crush anyone not at their level.
Lilina glanced down at Wu Yan, relief flickering in her chest.
Without Little Dark, I’d have zero chance of winning.
Unbeknownst to her, Scottia arranged this bye precisely to show her that gap.
Wu Yan’s easygoing mood vanished too. He’d always thought mages needed chants. Since he cast instantly, he’d skipped learning defense magic.
Unexpectedly...
He remembered the dean—no chanting, yet teleporting nonstop.
Trouble. If Lilina got knocked off-stage, he’d never get to shine.
What? You’re bringing up how she fell last time? Forget that nonsense right now!
Gulp!
So now it’s a race to see who acts fastest...
Wu Yan silently watched High Mages unleash fireball barrages the moment they appeared. Opponents instantly GG’d.
Thinking of himself...
Damn it!
What’s even the point of fighting like this? (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!
Calm down. For some reason, Contract Beast threats are mostly gone now. Only the High Mages themselves remain.
Lilina can’t dodge all those attacks. So I’ll have to block them...
With my upgraded Levitation Spell, blocking bullets—oops, magic—should be doable...
Will it hurt like hell...
But picturing Alimi’s hopeful eyes and Lilina’s desperate longing...
A little pain means nothing in a storm. It’s just blocking some spells, right?
This job? I’m taking it!
Gulp!
"Next—announcing the quarterfinal matchups!"
