Cecil stepped up onto the stage, and everyone immediately recognised her as the ice princess of this academy. The usual haughty and glacial mien of hers made it hard for others to approach her, either disliking her or cautious of her.

Her opponent, Yan, was twenty years old as well, the same age as her and Hana. Seeing his opponent is a beautiful woman, and the ice princess on top of that, Yan smirked.

"Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Cecil Lan."

"Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Yan."

It was a fire and earth elemental battle. Unlike the other elements, it wasn't required for those of the fire element to use a weapon, since their fire itself was already potent.

"Ladies first."

Cecil remained indifferent.

She curled her fingers upwards, and a small rock flew out from her robes. Cecil was also known around the academy for her odd choice of weapon, despite being a skilled fighter.

Kai watched her reveal her weapon with a happy, toothy grin.

Xue furrowed his eyebrows, this would be his first time seeing Cecil fight. Hana observed the match, seated beside Xue, unusually attentive.

"So that's the famous measly rock weapon you have."

Cecil didn't respond to his provocation, only sending the rock flying towards him. Yan shot flames out from his hand, trying to burn the rock.

Cecil called back the rock swiftly and tossing it at Yan again. She repeated this attacking and dodging motion multiple times, and Yan grew bored.

"This is your fighting style? You can't even hit me. As expected, women aren't meant to fight at all, they are meant to sit still and look pretty for--"

"You never once observed any fights here, didn't you?" Cecil interrupted him, her voice cold.

Yan, who was unimaginably egoistical, did not bother to watch the matches as a audience. He believed he would win every match through raw power, thus, he didn't know utilises a method similar to Hana.

It wasn't tricks.

It was misdirection.

Cecil used her other free hand, striking it upwards, left and right.

The ground below Yan trembled and he immediately saw three square-shaped pillar sprouting out, made of the same materials of stone and bricks of the stage, charging straight at him. He staggered back in horror, and he felt himself stepping on air.

The next second, he fell off the stage.

"Winner, Cecil! Yan has voluntarily stepped out of bounds."

Yan blinked in shock, he still hasn't recovered from the match that ended without him attacking once.

If he had noticed earlier, Cecil was leading him towards the corner of the stage with her measly rock. Everytime it flew close to him, he would step back instinctively to throw his flames out.

Cecil had been observing how he fought in the previous matches, realising this was his fighting habit. She took note of opponents who were close to her skill level, and one of them was Yan. She assumed that Yan would be smart enough to catch on to her method, but alas, she had placed her expectations too high.

A few teachers stood up, applauding Cecil for her brilliance and Kai stood up with them. Cecil bowed, her face impassive as she walked off the stage.

Xue didn't bother with the tournament, he was only interested in his match and Hana's matches. He didn't pay a single inch of attention to any other matches, including Cecil.

Thus, when he decided to pay attention this time, he didn't find himself losing interest.

Yan recovered from the shock, knowing how he had been deeply humiliated. He became beet red and he trembled in anger, he rose up to his feet.

"You bitch!"

He cursed at her, opening up his palms and conjuring one large fireball, hurling them at her.

Cecil smirked chillingly, knowing he would retaliate in this manner. She spun around, preparing to shield herself with a wall.

At that moment, two different objects landed in front of her. One was a familiar, black spear and the other was a well-kept sword, its handle a mixture of red and gold, and the blade of the sword was a gorgeous silverish-white colour. The sword was polished carefully as well.

The spear was glowing a brilliant blue, while the sword was glowing a brilliant red.

The impact upon landing was enough to cause the fire to scatter, and someone controlled the water from the pool, dousing the fireball.

Cecil was stunned, her arms were already lifted up to defend herself.

I...I was ready to defend myself and these two...protagonists...and the heroine too...

Cecil blinked rapidly, putting her arms down. She recognised both weapons, the spear belonged to Xue and the sword belonged to Kai.

It was her first time seeing Kai use this sword, and Xue surprisingly stepped in to defend her this time.

Even Hana stepped in too!

This cannon fodder villain me is so touched, I feel like crying!

Cecil resisted herself from smiling as she cleared her throat, patting at her robes. Just like Kai's school outfit, instead of red and white, the colour tone of her outfit was green and white.

"Wha..." Yan trailed off, flabbergasted before his face contorted with anger. "So you think no one can touch you because of your damn bodyguards?! You arrogant woman!"

He shot out another fireball again, unsatisfied.

Cecil was speechless.

Hey, mister...once was enough, and now you are doing it twice?

Cecil prepared to defend herself again, when Kai jumped and flew down from the second level, recalling his sword at the same time. Xue had also dashed his way down, recalling his spear.

The two of them stood in front of Cecil, giving their weapon a spin and slashed the air at the same time. Once again, the force from both weapons made the fireball scatter, only to be doused with the water in the same manner.

"..."

"..."

Cecil didn't know what to say as she watched the two of them, their backs facing her.

Yan was stunned.

"It wasn't needed but, thank you." Cecil finally spoke out.

Kai flashed a grin at her, sheathing his sword. Whereas, Xue threw a glance at her, straight-faced, sheathing his spear and walking away. Cecil then looked at Hana, smiling as Hana waved at her.

Two teachers flew down from their seats from above, easily restraining the struggling Yan.

"Just because you have the top two fighters acting as your bodyguards, you are all high and mighty!"

"I bet you cheated your way out of this!"

"This match is rigged! Flawed! I demand a rematch! She's a shameless cheater!"

Xue hearing these words only rolled his eyes, and Hana sitting beside him tilted her head, looking displeased with a pout.

Kai dropped his grin, his expression turning furious by the second. He wanted to march up to Yan and give him a good punch in the stomach, but Cecil stopped him, putting her hand on his shoulder.

She approached Yan who was being dragged away, calling out the teachers to stop for a moment.

"Thank you, please let me have a moment to talk to him."

"Very well." The teacher nodded, releasing Yan and holding him down by the shoulders.

Yan glared at Cecil, baring his teeth at her.

"I expected a good match with you." Cecil stated.

Yan scoffed.

"I have been observing your matches, and I did have many methods in mind if I were to match up against you. I expected it to be a close match, and that you would be able to see through my moves," Cecil explained softly, her voice calm. "In the end, not only did I learn that you didn't watch any fights, the expectation that I had for you in the match was crushed as well. I can't believe I worked so hard, only to receive such a fight from you."

Anyone looking at her limpid eyes could tell she was stating the truth.

"I have never felt so..." Cecil trailed off, sighing, shaking her head. "Nevermind."

I have never felt so disrespected in my life.

Cecil held herself back from saying that. She could already see her words affecting Yan as his expression was on longer hostile.

Kai's eyes drifted to the stupefied Yan, his eyes chilly before he joined Cecil at her side.

Hence, that brought an end to the match, with Cecil fighting Ulu in the next round, which Cecil won quickly.

Yan was expelled from the tournament.

Hana won the 40th place by default.

***

Cecil and Xue advanced to the top 20 quickly. For Xue, it was a breeze, despite lacking in elemental energy. His opponents had difficulty keeping up with his quick-witted thinking and defending themselves against his merciless brute force.

Moreover, Xue was extremely agile and composed, that throws his opponents off balance as well.

Cecil encountered a few challenges in her matches, but she was shrewd and keen-eyed, winning them after a few hiccups.

After another few more matches, it was time for the two of them to fight for the top 15 in the tournament.

Finally.

I only need to win this one match, and I'll forfeit the next round.

Cecil was only focused on opening her third gate as fast as possible. It was only then she could truly practice what she wanted to do.

"AI500, time limit reminder."

[ Time limit : 24 days
36 days has passed since you were last given this secret mission. ]

Closing the message, Cecil wondered who would be her next opponent. If it was someone she couldn't be certain she'll win, she'll forfeit.

She never expected to complete every single mission given by the system.

"Cecil Lan, prepare yourself for your next match. Your opponent will be Linqin."

Cecil furrowed her eyebrows.

Why her?

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

Crazy bastard.

He lost so badly, and this is how he wants to redeem himself?

Pathetic.

How does Cecil even stop herself from punching him?

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

I had already thrown the spear.

I had already moved from my seat.

I had already defended her.

Despite knowing she could handle it herself.

If it was two months ago, I wouldn't have cared about this woman, but now...now she annoys me and seeing someone attempting to hurt her agitates me.

This is what I would have felt for a friend long ago...but she doesn't feel like a friend to me.

《 stop 》