Just like that, he advanced to the third round? Made it into the Top 26? Beatrice couldn't believe her eyes.
At lunch in the cafeteria, Sis chewed her food mechanically, tasting nothing. Meanwhile, Eric couldn't stop marveling at Thundrous' insane luck, grumbling about how such fortune never fell his way.
Thanks to this "battle" (if it could even be called that), Thundrous' reputation in Faelor Magic and Martial Academy skyrocketed. Students might not know who the principal was, or who the academy's top beauty might be—but everyone knew Thundrous' name.
The infamous Lightning Class slacker, who couldn't cast a single spell yet somehow had mid-tier mage-level mana reserves, had miraculously bulldozed through two rounds and reached the third! This news was far more intriguing than the warrior division's top fighter sweeping three opponents.
Not just magic students—even warriors couldn't resist stopping by Thundrous' table to greet him.
**"Bro, you eating?"**
**"Thundrous, you're my idol!"**
**"Hey man, spill it—what's your connection to the principal?"**
Thundrous couldn't even eat in peace. He seriously considered wrapping a cloth around his head.
Frustrated and with no outlet, he turned his irritation toward Beatrice, who was nibbling her food with exaggerated delicacy.
**"You're not backing out of our bet, right?"**
**"Who's backing out?!"** Sis' spoon trembled, splashing soup across the table. Her breathing hitched, her alluring eyes flashing with indignation.
**"Just checking!"** Thundrous grinned, relishing her discomfort.
**"I'll post it right now!"** Sis snapped, unable to endure his smugness. Better to rip off the bandage fast than suffer slowly. If she had to write it anyway, she might as well get it over with.
**"Wait, you're actually doing it?"** Thundrous was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected her to follow through instead of exploiting her gender to weasel out.
**"Every word from my mouth is binding. Just you wait, Thundrous—if you ever fall into my hands, you'll regret it!"** With that threat, she stormed off.
**"Don't worry, I won't."** Thundrous laughed.
Sis moved faster than either Thundrous or Eric anticipated. By the time they finished their leisurely meal and strolled out, a massive crowd had gathered at the cafeteria entrance.
**"Damn, Bro's the real deal!"** A passing mage student shot Thundrous an admiring look and a thumbs-up.
**"What now?"** Thundrous was about to lose his mind.
**"He's here! He's here!"** someone shouted. **"Make way for Bro!"**
The crowd instantly parted, all eyes locking onto Thundrous as he stepped out.
**"Uh… hey, everyone?"** Thundrous waved awkwardly, unnerved by the attention.
**"Forget greetings! Get over here—someone's confessing to you!"** A male student yanked him toward the large wooden announcement board.
Thundrous looked up—and nearly choked.
A gigantic sheet of white paper was pinned to the board, its message written in bold black ink:
> **"Thundrous, are you tired?**
> **You've been running through my mind and heart for a month.**
> **If you're weary… won't you just stay?**
> **Stay in my heart, and let me feel whole."**
>
> **—Beatrice**
**Holy hell. She actually wrote it.** Thundrous' ears burned. He shifted uncomfortably, lightheaded from sheer disbelief.
**"Sis has a talent for love letters!"** Eric chuckled, admiring the oversized confession.
**"So moving! If she wrote that for me, I wouldn't care if she's the Lightning Class's little devil!"** A male student sighed wistfully. Most of the men seemed to agree.
Women had their tender side—and this letter showcased Beatrice's hidden softness.
**"Bro, go after her! She ran off crying after posting this! How can you be so heartless?"**
**"Relax."** Thundrous finally regained his composure. Admittedly, the letter—though short—packed an emotional punch. But knowing it was just a bet kept him grounded. He flicked his hair dramatically. **"Give a woman an inch, and she'll take a mile. Can't spoil them too much. Eric, let's go."**
With that, he strode off, head held high, the picture of effortless cool.
**"Bro's on another level. You just gotta respect it."** Dozens of men watched his retreating figure with reverence.
From that day on, whenever a male student pursued a crush, he'd inevitably ask:
**"______, are you tired?"**
The love letter born from a bet became a cultural phenomenon across Faelor City.
Meanwhile, Sis was drowning in humiliation. She clung to Instructor Maria, tears streaming.
**"Ugh… I can't face anyone ever again! Instructor, just smite me with lightning. I don't want to live."** She buried her face in Maria's ample chest, rubbing her tears into the instructor's robes.
**"You really posted it on the board?"** Maria struggled not to laugh.
**"What else could I do?"** Sis pouted. **"The way he looked at me—like I owed him!"**
**"How did you even come up with those words? Did someone send you a letter like that before?"** Maria asked curiously.
**"Who'd dare send me a love letter? I'd electrocute them!"** Sis grabbed an apple from the table and bit into it viciously. **"The words just… came to me."**
**"If I were Thundrous, I'd be smitten by now."** Maria giggled behind her hand.
**"Don't mention him! Just thinking about him makes me furious!"** Sis tugged at her underclothes, then glanced at Maria's voluptuous chest, her face flushing. **"Instructor… why does my chest feel sore lately?"**
**"Is it that time?"**
**"Mmm!"**
**"Don't worry, it'll pass. You're still young—some swelling is normal."**
**"Instructor~"** Sis cooed, suddenly throwing herself at Maria and placing a hand on her chest. **"Let me touch yours! Yours are so big!"**
**Will Thundrous' shameless luck finally run out—or will his next match reveal an unexpected twist?**