Chapter 248: Easy Win?

"And how many elements can you even use?" Aina asked, springing sideways as she flung the dagger away.

The moment it struck the ground—

Crack!

The blade snapped cleanly in half.

Why did my mind interference skill not go through?

Aina frowned inwardly, forcing the technique again.

Nothing.

She tried once more.

Once again, it failed.

Does she have high-grade equipment?

Aina swiftly notched an arrow, the bowstring humming as she released. The projectile tore through the air toward Miho, its shaft quickly engulfed in flames.

Miho’s katana was already sheathed in a flowing layer of water element. Instead of dodging, she slashed forward. But at the very last moment, wind energy surged through the arrow, subtly twisting its trajectory.

Swish!

Miho tried to shift sideways, but the arrow still grazed her shoulder, tearing fabric and skin alike. Instantly, she activated the wood beast core. A gentle green glow pulsed as the torn flesh knitted together, healing the wound before the flames could burn deeper.

"You can even heal?!" Aina exclaimed, disbelief creeping into her voice as she notched another arrow. She repositioned herself rapidly, keeping as much distance from Miho as possible.

Up above, Katherine’s interest was visibly piqued.

"This girl... she’s creative with her talent," Katherine murmured, eyes fixed on the ring. "How many are even out there who could manage so many elements at once?"

Her gaze shifted to the custom-made arm straps wrapped around Miho’s arms.

"That arm strap... is that homemade?" she asked, noticing the woven wool, the uneven threads, and the crude but functional craftsmanship.

"Your student might have made it for her," Brant replied calmly.

"Lily?" Katherine’s lips curved into a smile. "So even she wants this girl to be trained by me, huh..."

They continued watching as Miho pressed forward, trying her best to close the distance, while Aina maintained range with relentless precision. Whenever Miho came close, Aina would suddenly draw a dagger from somewhere on her body, exchange a few sharp blows, then retreat once again.

"She has determination," Katherine said thoughtfully, "but her technique is lacking."

"Before you finalize her report," Brant added, "just know this—before the trial, she was a mere servant. Not a shred of training. A mistreated servant under a noble with the looks of a rat. And from what I sensed earlier, she’s currently a High 2-star."

Katherine’s eyes widened.

"You mean to say she not only overcame her suppressed life to some degree, but also reached High 2-star in just 2 months?"

Brant nodded.

That alone made Katherine’s smile deepen.

"My nephew does have an eye for talent," she said approvingly. "Alright, she passes. I’d better have a good talk with Leon. Disappearing for a decade, and when he finally returns, getting bewitched by a girl? Who taught him these manners?" she scoffed haughtily.

Brant’s expression darkened at her words.

"You’d better not bring up his past—or even hint at it," he warned quietly. "He wouldn’t hesitate to leave the academy the moment he senses that ’he’ has been tracking his whereabouts for the whole decade."

"I wouldn’t do that..." Katherine replied softly, her expression turning somber.

"He’s gone through too much at such a young age," she continued after a pause. "If the presence of this girl eases his pain even slightly, then I’m more than willing to accept it."

She then turned to Brant.

"What about him? What does he want?"

"Nothing," Brant replied. "Just said to keep him alive."

"Tsk. He never learns."

"That’s just how he is," Brant said with a sigh. "And I don’t blame him, considering all that responsibility."

"Even so," Katherine said coldly, a chill flashing through her eyes, "if he can’t take care of his family, then that responsibility is meaningless."

Brant shook his head, clearly thinking she didn’t understand—but he kept those words to himself.

Back in the ring, as if finally fed up with Aina’s constant retreat, Miho began charging her katana with both water and earth elements simultaneously. The strain showed immediately—her breathing grew uneven, her face pale—but she persisted.

Gripping the katana with both hands, she plunged it straight into the rocky floor.

A heavy wave of earth and water energy erupted outward. The solid stone cracked, softened, and rapidly transformed as the terrain churned into thick, sucking mud.

"Whoaaaa! Is this terraforming we’re seeing in Ring 3?" the host exclaimed, snapping his attention away from the other matches. "People! This is exactly how some beings turn the environment to their advantage—and just as Miho intended, our dear archer Aina is struggling!"

Aina grimaced as her footing became unstable. Every step threatened to send her sliding.

Miho, despite her drained expression, advanced steadily. Frost spread beneath her feet as she used ice element to form solid footholds with each step, closing the gap rapidly.

Aina clenched her teeth, desperately trying to maintain distance. Then her foot slipped.

She tumbled, rolling across the mud, her clothes instantly caked and heavy.

"Damn it!" Aina cursed, panic rising as Miho loomed closer. "I haven’t mastered enchanting with ice element yet!"

For the first time since the battle began, Miho finally spoke.

"Your appearance..." she said calmly, a faint smile on her lips, "reminds me of how we found you during our first meeting."

Her katana crackled as electricity surged along the blade. She slashed toward Aina’s neck.

"N-no—!"

Aina’s voice was cut off as her body vanished in a flash of light, instantly transported out of the ring.

The rankings updated just as swiftly.

Aina

Rank: 690 → 890

Miho

Rank: 890 → 690

Miho would have no further matches today. Aina, however, would receive another chance—this time against a comparatively higher-ranked student.

Katherine nodded in satisfaction and sent a message to Miho.

>Good. You have been accepted. Join my class alongside Lily after the competition.

By the time Miho and the others exited the arena, the message had already reached her. Delight spread across the group.

Then—

Three familiar voices called out from the side.

"Good morning, Miss Lily!"

"Miho, you really surprised me!"

"Wow! We meet again! How are you, mister? I hope everything is fine," Sylva said with a cheerful smile on her face, clearing trying to please him.

Leo’s group turned sharply, but before anyone could respond, Lily stepped forward.

"How about we talk after we reach our newly created territory?" she said lightly. "If you like, you can even join it."