Lilina gripped her Staff of Sorcery tightly, gazing gravely at her opponent.
Though hope was slim, she refused to quit until the very end.
Reaching the top eight was already beyond her wildest dreams—a pride for her Commoner Class. Yet, for some reason, Lilina just couldn’t fall here.
“Junior Mage? Tch. No idea how you made it this far, but it stops now. You’ve got zero chance. Forfeit and spare yourself the shame!”
The High Mage sensed Lilina’s junior aura and sneered dismissively.
“I—I won’t give up! Never!”
Lilina hardened her resolve, her voice firming with determination.
“Oh? So ungrateful. Then I’ll send you packing right now!”
Annoyed, the girl turned her head, spotting Wu Yan nearby. She couldn’t help but mock him.
“So you’re that student who summoned a Dark Beast a month ago? Planning to use that worthless Monster Beast against me?”
“Gurgle!”
Wu Yan was used to it. Everyone said that line. He loved this show-off-and-get-slapped-back drama.
“Alright, match starts now!”
At the command, the High Mage’s magic surged. Small fireballs formed instantly at her Staff of Sorcery’s tip, shooting straight at Lilina.
The Contract Beast sat idly by, glaring at Wu Yan and Lilina with disdain.
That look was seriously annoying!
But Wu Yan had no time to dwell. He locked onto the fireballs’ path, blue light glowing from his body.
Level one spell: Cooling Spell.
Wu Yan had forcibly upgraded it—but only to level three. The Magic Array wasn’t sturdy enough for more mana.
Still, a patch of frost formed beneath him.
Hope it won’t hurt too much…
“Gurgle!”
Wu Yan cast Levitation Spell on himself and charged heroically toward the fireballs.
“Little Dark!”
Seeing Wu Yan shield her, Lilina felt a trace of worry.
But she steeled her heart instantly. She wouldn’t waste his effort. She began chanting a spell, though worry slowed her pace.
The fireballs sped toward Wu Yan. Under his wide-eyed gaze, they touched his body. Due to the level gap, they shrank visibly—but since it wasn’t defensive magic, some still hit him.
The expected pain didn’t come. Instead, a warm surge flooded Wu Yan, filling him with comfort.
“Gurgle…”
Then Wu Yan saw fire elements expelled where the fireballs touched him. Only pure mana remained, flowing into his body and merging with twelve whirlpools.
Could this be…
Mana Absorption?!
Distracted by shock, two fireballs slipped past Wu Yan, flying toward Lilina.
“Gurgle!”
Wu Yan realized too late. He turned, anxiety flashing in his eyes as he watched Lilina.
Worried about Wu Yan, Lilina hadn’t focused fully. Spotting the danger, she ducked just in time.
“Lilina!” Alimi cried out at the peril, then patted her chest in relief after Lilina dodged.
Stephanie’s expression grew grave. A Junior Mage defeating a High Mage was unheard of.
Come on, Lilina! I believe you’ll outdo even the teacher!
“Lilina, go for it!”
The whole class burned with excitement. Their Commoner Class actually had someone in the top eight. They began seeing Lilina differently, feeling a newfound kinship.
Lilina sighed inwardly after dodging, but her chanting never paused.
“Huh? Impossible?”
The girl gaped as Wu Yan blocked her attack. She conjured more fireballs before her.
But with too many, she lost precise control. Attacks came in waves, not all at once. This time, Wu Yan blocked easily—calculating which couldn’t reach Lilina.
“Gurgle!”
Nyah nyah! Who’s weak now? My magic-blocking skills aren’t half bad!
Wait… why am I happy about this…
“This can’t be! Just a useless Dark Beast—how could it block my magic unscathed…”
Just then, Lilina’s spell finished.
“Little Dark!”
Lilina swung her Staff of Sorcery, summoning a rain of fire toward the High Mage.
Hearing Lilina’s shout, Wu Yan sidestepped her attack instantly.
“Gurgle!”
Close call!
The girl felt the heat in the air and snapped back to reality.
“No!”
Panicking, she cast two defensive spells. But the gap between level one and two was fundamental. They shattered quickly. A water barrier appeared before her, blocking the rest.
“Winner: Lilina!”
