Dinner was very good, but at the table the young girl from the Imperial Academy who had helped guide them still seemed restrained, as if she had something on her mind.
Lin Mo understood this; she was most likely sent by Finnieâs sister Nuolun to assist. Her tsundere tendencies were almost like base codeâclearly worried about Finnie, yet always expressing it in awkward ways.
Overall, though, her heart was in the right place, and she really had helped them a lot.
So Lin Mo didnât pay much mind to that surface-level âbrattyâ behavior; on the contrary, he found it a bit endearing.
After dinner, the somewhat timid girl hurriedly excused herself and left. Lin Mo guessed she was probably going back to report.
It was getting late, and everyone returned to the dormitory that the Imperial Academy had arranged for them to rest.
Normally, since they had a match tomorrow, they should go to bed early and conserve their energy.
But...
Night deepened, and the dorm area of the Royal National Academy in the Violet Empire was quiet.
In Lin Moâs room, the magical lamp still flickered. He had formed the habit of meditating a little before every rest.
Those first moments of meditation were always most effective, the fastest way to raise proficiency. After a while, Lin Mo opened his eyes, exhaled a breath, and prepared to rest.
When he reached his bed, he discovered someone was already lying on it, though he had no idea when they had gotten there.
âSherfilia?â
Lin Mo blinked in surprise. âWhy are you here? We have a match tomorrow...â
Sherfilia didnât answer immediately. She looked at Lin Mo with those calm eyes for a moment, then said, âThatâs precisely why we should use tonight to raise our strength as much as possible... my Master.â
Lin Mo scratched his head. Did that mean she didnât intend to let him rest?
He looked into the maidâs eyes. Sherfilia instinctively tried to look away, but he cupped her face with his hand, and she couldnât turn away.
âYou still have more to say, donât you?â
By now, he knew Sherfilia quite well.
â...â
Sherfilia finally obediently spoke her heart: âEllieâs strength has improved very quickly.â
Lin Mo immediately put it together. Because Ellie had skyrocketed in strength, Sherfilia felt a large gap?
That was why she wanted to seize every moment to catch up.
âAnd then?â
Lin Mo smiled as he gently stroked her soft lips, his fingers brushing the warm, retreating softness.
Sherfilia lowered her eyes and said in a very small voice, âItâs not like Iâm jealous because you favor that idiot...â
Her tone didnât fluctuate much, but the faint tremor beneath that calm was more touching than any dramatic outburst.
âDid Finnie know you snuck over like this?â
Sherfilia didnât answer; her eyes clearly betrayed a guilty conscience.
âSheâll be like that later on...â
Lin Mo teased, âIsnât Finnie supposed to be your important young mistress and sister?â
Sherfilia remained silent, and Lin Mo didnât press further.
A little teasing was enough; if he continued, the little maid might fly into a fit of indignationâthough even then, she probably couldnât do much.
Ever since officially changing how she addressed him and calling him Master, Sherfilia, aside from occasionally taking petty revenge during long-ago sparring sessions, mostly limited herself to sharp words. She always talked big but didnât act on it.
Even if Lin Mo tried to do something excessive, she would merely give him a look of disdain and then obediently comply.
That sort of two-faced behavior was part of Sherfiliaâs charm.
Since the maid so badly wanted to improve, Lin Mo naturally had no reason to refuse.
Besides, raising Sherfiliaâs strength was truly important.
Ellie no longer needed his worryâher strength was sufficient. Finnie wasnât a combat class anyway, and worrying about the other students like Eve wouldnât help.
Only Sherfilia stood in that awkward middle ground: neither low nor high enough.
She had reached Elite Level. Against weaker contestants she could win, but the Academy Grand Competition was full of talent, many of whom were higher-tier geniuses.
Although Sherfiliaâs attributes were balanced with Lin Moâs help, those geniuses were formidable and each had tricks and trump cards. At best she could beat Level 12 opponents a level above her and tie with Level 13.
Improving her strength to add another high-tier fighter truly was the most effective measure right now.
So this private training had to happen.
The roomâs light was soft as Sherfilia gently helped him undress...
The flow and convergence of energy began silently.
The next morning the weather was clear. Bright light pierced the clouds and flooded the Grand Competition grounds of the Royal National Academy in the Violet Empire.
Winterâs chill remained, and the golden light on the field brought little warmth.
The weather was cold, but the arena was already buzzing with people.
This wasnât the large hall from last night, but one of the smaller competition venues mentioned earlier.
Though called small, the scale was still large: the surrounding seats could hold tens of thousands, and indeed were packed.
Most of the crowd came for the spectacle. Students from the Imperial Capitalâs academies were present, along with people from other kingdomsâ academies here to âgauge the enemy.â
Of course, many competitors sat in the front rows, ready to participate.
Last night, Archmage Elvish had already attended the draw ceremony and the first opponent for the Doria Kingdom was decided.
Coincidentally, their first opponent was the Donis Kingdomâs National Academy, the same academy that had participated in the Hunting Competition.
Donis sent more than one academy to compete, but the other had little strength and resembled previous underperforming Doria entries, so this team could be considered their kingdomâs hope.
Learning their opponent was Doria Kingdom, the Donis representatives felt complicated.
In the past, drawing Doria Kingdom would have been great newsâpractically a free point.
But this time...
Recalling the Hunting Competition incident, the Donis team leaderâs face darkened.
âIs everyone ready?â
In the first row of the stands, Flora asked with concern.
As the teamâs mentoring instructor, she was responsible for this match.
Other instructors and Archmage Elvish had gone to scout other venues.
âWeâre ready!â
The students were full of fighting spirit and looked energetic.
There was no denying Donis Kingdom was a good opponent, and Flora was pleased with the draw.
If they had drawn a far stronger academy, it might intimidate the students; if it were too weak, a win would be a dry one-point gain.
Donis National Academy was just rightâin most peopleâs eyes they were stronger than them, including some of the academyâs own students who thought the same.
Defeating them and creating momentum would not only shock other kingdoms and bring fame to the kingdom and academy, it would also bolster the studentsâ confidence.
Below the stands, noisy chatter rose and fell as everyone speculated about the upcoming matches, especially the opening bout.
âThe Doria Kingdom versus the Donis Kingdom. Funny, those two kingdoms seem pretty close geographically...â
âThis result shouldnât be shocking, right? The Doria Kingdom is just a small main kingdom and has done poorly before.â
âDonât be so sure. Didnât Doria produce a few geniuses these years?â
âYou mean that flame witch... Her talent is indeed good, but isnât she already an instructor?â
âSheâs not the only one. Their Warrior Academyâs chief is supposed to be strong, and I heard during the Hunting Competition...â
Some well-informed people seemed to know bits of intelligence, but overall, not many were favoring Doria Kingdom.
Soon it was time for the contestants to take the stage.
All contestants assembled on stage wearing the uniform issued by their academies, the kingdomâs crest embroidered on them.
The referees hosting the match came out and reiterated the rules.
âWithout further ado, please have the contestants step down from the stage. Then, according to the rules, the academy with the higher ranking from last yearâDonis National Academyâwill send a challenger first to hold the platform!â
The Donis team leader thought for a moment and decided to probe first, sending a student of only Level 8 onto the stage.
âNow, Doria Kingdom National Academy, please send a challenger to take the platform.â
âThey sent a Level 8. What do you think?â
Flora didnât rush to decide, instead looking at Lin Mo.
Lin Mo was taken aback. âIsnât that your decision? Still, the first match is importantâlosing doesnât look good.â
âIndeed.â
Flora nodded. Also Level 8, she wasnât certain whether her Level 8 students could win, but she also didnât want to send Eve or Lin Mo right away.
First, she wanted to conserve their strength and resources.
The fewer times they appeared, the less theyâd be studied. Revealing too much early would be detrimental to later matches.
Second, beyond pride, this competition was a valuable experience for the participating students. It would be best to let them get more stage time; that would help their future development.
After weighing options, she looked to her students.
âMilun, you go first for this match.â
âAh?â
Milun froze and pointed at herself. âMe?â
âYes, I believe in you.â
Flora patted her shoulder. âYouâre my student. I trust you wonât lose.â
Flora didnât know the situation of the other Level 8 students, but Milun had been personally taught by her. She trusted she wouldnât disappoint.
âAll right... Iâll do it!â
Milun, though a little unsure, clenched her fists under her teacherâs encouragement and walked up to the stage with determination.
The referee announced the contestantâs name: âDoria Kingdom chooses Milun to make the first challenge!â
He faced both contestants and emphasized again, âRemember, no skill limits, no restrictions on fighting methods, but prohibited items outside the competition rules are banned. Violators will be disqualified!â
Then he shouted, âThe match officially begins!â
Milun looked at her opponent roughly thirty meters away. He was a well-built youth, about her age, wielding a greatsword and wearing a fierce expression.
Seeing the opponent was a small girl, he did not underestimate her.
Milun held a staffâclearly a mage.
No one looked down on the mage profession.
He didnât recklessly attack, instead adjusting his stance to observe and find an opening.
Milun took a deep breath, quelled her tension, and chose to strike first.
As a mage, long-range combat favored her; she shouldnât hesitate and should use that advantage.
Milunâs fire elemental magic was quite practiced. A Fireball quickly formed and flew toward her opponent.
The Donis contestantâs eyes narrowed. Because he had anticipated this and the distance was far, he dodged Milunâs Fireball.
âJust as expected!â
Milun beamedâher opponent was a power-type warrior, which suited her well.
Mages fear heavy power warriors and knights the least.
She cast again; another Fireball shot out. This one was noticeably faster, catching the opponent off guard, and he could only swing his sword to block.
âHa!â
He shouted, slashing out a wave of Sword Energy that split the Fireball.
He then stopped being passive and charged toward Milun.
Milun retreated to keep distance while continuing to cast.
âFlame Impact!â
A torrent of extinguishing flame sprayed toward the opponent. A power warriorâs speed made it hard to evade such an attack; he could only stimulate his Qi and Blood and use skills to counter.
Milun grew calmer as the fight progressed. High magic proficiency and clear thinking gave her attack great rhythm; she controlled the battle and toyed with her opponent.
The opponent realized this and tried to break the pattern, recklessly draining his Qi and Blood to use skills and attempt to reach Milun.
But doing so rapidly depleted his stamina.
Milun maintained her tempo, neither rushed nor slow.
Though the power warrior was not as agile as an agility class, he was still faster than a mage. After a minute, he reached Milun and swung his greatsword in a heavy, angry strike.
Milun remained composed. A wall of fire formed in front of her; the greatsword struck the barrier and left only fine cracks but did not break it.
The youth launched another attack, slashing out Sword Energy that finally shattered the barrier.
His face lit with excitement as he swung his sword at Milun.
The thrill of near victory clouded his head, making him abandon everything else. He didnât notice the already-charged fire behind him.
âSword of Blazing Extinction!â
In the next moment, a sword-shaped flame suddenly pierced his chest and abdomen. His greatsword flew from his hands as he fell to the ground in stunned shock.
âMatch over! Doria Kingdom successfully defended the platform!â
At the refereeâs decree, a beam of golden light descended upon the youth.
His wounds healed instantly.
The Grand Competition fights were real, but they wouldnât allow students to be seriously harmed. After victory, no lethal follow-up was permitted, and a priest arranged by the Empire immediately provided treatment.
These priests were very high levelâsome even Transcendent Level. Because studentsâ levels were generally low, as long as they didnât die on the spot they could usually be saved.
This allowance let both sides fight without excessive restraint.
âBeautiful!â
Flora clenched her fists and cheered excitedly from the stands. âThatâs my student!â
Other students cheered as well, and Lin Mo applauded.
It had truly been a brilliant bout. With equal levels and some countering factors, a win so smooth showed a clear gap.
Milun had indeed fought brilliantly.