Despite being a scoundrel who colluded with Frank, Kerry's strength was undeniable.
The next opponent stepped up with a bitter expression, only managing to land a single hit before her magic shield shattered, forcing her to retreat in defeat.
The morale of Fire Magic Class One soared. "Kerry, wipe them all out!" they cheered.
"Go Kerry! Give them a clean sweep!"
"Kerry is invincible!"
The cheers weren't just from Fire Class One—students from other departments joined in, eager to see the humiliation unfold. Eric was practically howling with schadenfreude.
"What's all the shouting about?" Fire Class Two grumbled, watching two of their own get knocked out in succession. Already embarrassed, their frustration grew at the jeers from their supposed allies. "We're supposed to be brothers—why so ruthless?"
Kerry smugly flashed a thumbs-up and thumped his chest.
But wishes rarely match reality. Though Kerry's reflexes and casting speed outpaced most, the magic shields had a set limit—three or four solid hits would break them.
It wasn't that high-level mages couldn't create stronger shields; the instructors deliberately weakened them for the competition. Otherwise, with shields too tough, matches would drag on without tension or excitement.
Kerry had already taken two hits from previous opponents, and his shield flickered weakly—one more strike would finish it.
Seemingly aware he couldn't solo the entire team, Kerry pushed his drained mana and reflexes to the limit. He deliberately took a hit to land one final fireball on his opponent.
"Aww!" The crowd sighed in disappointment—no clean sweep today.
The Fire Class Two contestant leaped up like a hero.
At least they hadn't been completely humiliated! Fire Class Two wiped away silent tears of relief.
The outcome was obvious now. Fire Class One had the advantage—not only was their next fighter stronger, but Frank hadn't even stepped up yet.
Fire Class Two's last contestant fought like a sleepwalker, swiftly defeated without a fight.
"Come on, let's check out the warrior division's matches!" Beatrice declared, rallying her followers. Eric and Thundrous trailed behind eagerly.
The warrior division's matches were on the other side of the plaza. Unlike the fragmented magic classes, all melee combatants trained in aura first. Only after mastering the basics would they specialize—into swordsmen, knights, or other paths. With over twice the numbers of the mages, the warrior division had more than twenty classes.
And their matches were far more thrilling.
The moment Thundrous arrived, he was mesmerized by the flashing blades on stage. The victory condition was the same—break the opponent's magic shield—but the warriors' agility allowed impossible dodges and counters, unlike the mages' predictable spell-slinging.
"That woman is terrifying!" Thundrous blurted after watching for just a minute. A cold-faced girl wielding a greatsword had already taken down two opponents without her shield flickering once.
"Got a crush?" Sis smirked, tilting her head.
"No way," Thundrous scoffed. "I just mean she's strong!"
"Of course she is—she's the warrior division's top fighter!" Eric explained. "Her name's Ajeer. She's training to become a knight. Rumor says she's already reached the third level of aura mastery, with strength rivaling an intermediate swordsman!"
A female knight? Rare sight.
"Are the warriors that pathetic? Letting a woman dominate them all? Pathetic," Thundrous muttered under his breath.
The moment the words left his mouth, several burly warriors nearby turned, glaring daggers at him.
Even Ajeer, waiting onstage for her next opponent, locked her cold gaze onto Thundrous. Spotting his apprentice robes, her lips curled in disdain.
"New here?" A nearby greatsword-wielder eyed Thundrous with contempt. "Trust me, none of us like being overshadowed by Ajeer. But talent and strength don't lie."
"Flip the script! How can a little girl lord over you all?" Thundrous egged them on.
His words resonated. The warriors chuckled, letting go of their earlier annoyance as they turned back to watch Ajeer's match.
A stern-faced young man stepped onto the stage—though Thundrous noticed sweat beading on his forehead. Clearly, Ajeer's reputation weighed heavily.
"'Little girl,' huh?" Sis pinched Thundrous' ear. "What's wrong with women? Don't I dominate you every day? If you're so tough, try flipping the tables!"
The warriors, previously focused on the match, immediately whipped their heads back, staring at Sis and Thundrous with raised eyebrows.
That... came out wrong. Sis flushed red.
"Since when do women beg to be dominated?" Thundrous grinned.
Before he could say more, a pained cry rang from the stage. Thundrous turned just in time to see the young warrior tumble off.
"One strike!" the greatsword warrior gasped, eyes wide. "Ajeer took him down in one hit? Has she broken through to the fourth level of aura already?"
The defeated warrior clambered up, dusting himself off. Physically unharmed—but his magic shield was gone.
Ajeer's display of dominance sent the crowd into a frenzy. Chants of her name filled the air as the cold beauty raised her greatsword, pointing the tip directly at Thundrous.
While others wondered what she was doing, Thundrous shrank back guiltily. She'd definitely heard him. That sword-point was a warning—and that one-strike victory? A deliberate show of force.
**Will Thundrous' reckless words come back to haunt him—or can he avoid the warrior division's wrath?**