Chapter 18 Understanding the Importance of Victory

The sky was a hazy gray, the velvety clouds blocking out the sunlight, and a damp, heavy air permeated the Knight's Academy arena.

In the distance, the low rumble of thunder echoed intermittently across the wide fighting platform.

Kuse approached Lan Qi with heavy, oppressive steps.

Hüperion immediately stepped in front of Lan Qi, watching Kuse warily. If Kuse showed any intention of attacking, she wouldn't hesitate to disregard her duties as a student council member and treat Kuse as an enemy.

Noticing Hüperion, Kuse paused.

"What's this? You've got a nice figure and body."

Kuse sized up Hüperion, who was standing in front of Lan Qi, his eyes not concealing the lewd thoughts in his mind, and said with aggressive intent.

"..."

Hüperion's gaze gradually turned cold.

"Oh, right, you seem to be the daughter of Duke Mygalle, aren't you?"

Kuse seemed to have noticed something. With a surprised expression, his tone became even more flippant.

"I don't mind. No one wants a dirty thing like you anyway, so why don't you come back to the Yarolan Kingdom with me? I'll let you experience the power of humans properly."

He burst into laughter after saying that.

His contemptuous words seemed to be baiting Hüperion to make the first move.

That way, no matter how he retaliated or what he did, it wouldn't be his responsibility.

"Yarolan Royal Academy really has an all-star lineup..."

Even Hüperion, who was usually good-tempered, had veins throbbing on her forehead.

Phoenix, Karen, Kuse—each one was more heavyweight than the last.

Seen in this light, Adams was a rare normal person, even appearing refined and handsome.

Hüperion struggled to suppress her anger.

She was already used to other people's malice.

Right now, she needed to concentrate on protecting Lan Qi.

After Kuse's words fell, both Lan Qi and Frey were silent for a moment.

They actually had a high tolerance for provocative words.

But that was only if the other person was mocking them.

They didn't care what others said about them.

But Hüperion hadn't done anything wrong. She was the only one in the team who didn't deserve to be hurt.

Finally.

"Hüperion, I think I understand a little bit now what you mean by the importance of victory."

Lan Qi's expression was as calm as ever.

But unusually, there seemed to be a strange glint in his eyes.

He smiled slightly as he looked at Kuse.

This momentary gaze made Kuse hesitate slightly.

He didn't know what kind of change had occurred in this guy, who still didn't seem to feel any threat, a change he couldn't quite judge.

"What are you talking about? A guy who needs a woman to protect him is just like those martial artists."

Kuse quickly started walking again. Regardless of what the other party was bluffing about, he was determined to test this kid's true strength today!

"Don't move."

Frey, who had been silent until now, raised his crossbow in his left hand, aiming it at Kuse's brow, while his right hand held three portable magic-powered bombs, warning him coldly.

"!"

Instantly, not only Kuse but even the martial artists behind him instinctively took a few steps back.

"You bastard!"

These martial artists could still tell how strong Frey was.

If it was a fight, they wouldn't be afraid of this Fifth Order guy, but the things in his hands were too dangerous. Without the constraints of rules, he was a complete terrorist who wouldn't talk about any codes or martial spirit!

The situation remained tense for several seconds.

"Tch, I'll spare you for today."

Kuse pointed with his finger at the Ichthyes Academy martial artists who were lying on the ground, covered in injuries, and grinned savagely.

"But wait until the official public match the day after tomorrow. Let's see how you can protect those soft eggs then."

Then he turned around and strode out of the arena with the other martial artists until their figures disappeared from sight.

Heavy clouds drifted across the sky, and the cold wind made the fighting platform in the Knight's Academy arena particularly bleak, as if it would rain at any moment.

"What kind of person is that!"

Hüperion stomped her foot twice in anger, feeling her mood sour.

Although most of the students at Yarolan Royal Academy were polite, there were also annoying guys like Kuse, who were unpleasant no matter where they went.

She looked at Lan Qi, truly envious of Lan Qi's outwardly warm but inwardly cold personality and attitude. No matter how others mocked him, he could remain calm and composed. Like now, he would definitely just smile and comfort her with a few words, then act like nothing had happened.

"Relax."

Lan Qi reached out and patted Hüperion's head, then walked towards the injured people in front.

"?"

Hüperion stood there in a daze, raising her hand to touch her hair.

This was the first time Lan Qi had touched her in her memory.

As far as she remembered, Lan Qi never easily let anyone touch him.

In the empty arena, Lan Qi stopped in front of the martial artists.

"Do you want to win?"

Lan Qi, with his collar straight and his suit jacket impeccable, looked at the several martial artists on the ground, covered in dirt, and asked.

"...We can't win. There's no hope."

"They're right..."

"Without Big Sister Cerveni, we're just useless trash!"

The burly men were all dispirited at the moment, their eyes devoid of light. After two consecutive brutal blows, they had finally come to terms with reality.

"Even if Cerveni is surrounded, humiliated, and ultimately seriously injured to the point of being hospitalized, unable to even take the bar exam, that's okay with you?"

Lan Qi's words were soft.

But like a curse, they echoed in the martial artists' ears, unable to dissipate.

"...!!"

They clenched their teeth tightly at the words.

Tears streamed down uncontrollably.

They knelt on the ground, pounding it with their fists.

"Kuse uses dirty tricks... Cerveni is a girl after all. What if she's knocked down by Kuse but refuses to admit defeat? Can you imagine what will happen?"

Lan Qi's words were still gentle, like he was narrating a predetermined story.

"Imagine it. Do you want to see that scene in your mind become reality?"

"...No!!!"

"Don't!!!"

The words alone made them uncontrollably conjure scene after scene in their minds, as if they were about to tear their hearts apart, causing them to roar with bloodshot eyes.

Their eyes were filled with cracks of blood, as if they wanted to devour Kuse alive.

Lan Qi stopped speaking.

He waited until the roars and wails gradually subsided and all the eyes stained with tears and blood were focused on him.

"If I have a way for you to defeat Kuse with your own strength, but it requires paying a price, are you willing?"

Lan Qi asked again.

"We are!"

"Even if it means venturing into the land of death to survive, and being reborn from the brink, are you still willing?"

"No matter what the price, we are willing!! Help us, Lan Qi!!!"

Their hoarse shouts were accompanied by angry tears.

At this point, Lan Qi finally showed a hint of a smile.

He bent down and placed his hand kindly on the vice-captain's shoulder.

"Then, let me fulfill your wishes."

Lan Qi whispered.

Hüperion's eyes widened as she watched Lan Qi, who had understood the importance of victory. A growing sense of unease welled up in her heart!

To her, Lan Qi was always so reliable. She had no doubt that Lan Qi would help her stand up for herself, but the problem was that this guy was sometimes too reliable!

(End of Chapter)