The golden afternoon sunlight, once streaming through the wooden window frames, now pierced the dust swirling in the arena. A faint smell of gunpowder lingered in the air, and the floorboards creaked intermittently, like cries in the silence.

However, with Lan Qi replacing Frey, and choosing to sincerely apologize to everyone, reasoning with them, and analyzing the cause, process, and outcome of the misunderstanding with both emotion and logic,

and with constant efforts to communicate, the atmosphere in the arena gradually eased somewhat.

A cool breeze swept through the dilapidated doorway, the bamboo curtains rustling softly, like a gentle lullaby, gradually calming the irritable moods of the fighters in the arena during this naptime moment.

Lan Qi's slow, deliberate words, and his drastically different, friendly attitude compared to Frey, seemed to make the fighters feel that perhaps they could indeed each take a step back.

"..."

Hyperion didn't know how to evaluate the combination of Frey and Lan Qi for a moment.

Frey nearly blew the roof off someone's house right from the start, but after switching to Lan Qi, others naturally felt that opening a window wasn't a big deal.

After a period of negotiation,

Zirvini frowned and pointed to Frey, who was standing in the distance, and said:

"You went too far just now. That guy must be banned from competing. He's not allowed to come on again. If you agree, I'll accept another match with you!"

Zirvini, no matter what, gets angrier the more she sees Frey!

She would never allow such a despicable fellow without the soul of a fighter to step onto their fighting stage again, even if the other party guaranteed the fairness of the duel this time.

"No problem, Frey is banned."

Lan Qi promised Zirvini.

Hyperion stood in the back, watching this rapidly changing situation with confusion.

She felt that this situation seemed to be taken over by Lan Qi and gradually stabilized.

But there was always a more ominous premonition.

Next,

Lan Qi took out paper and a pen from his coat pocket, went to the fighters' side, and wrote down detailed and meticulous duel terms with their approval.

It even gradually made the fighters a little embarrassed.

Because compared to a cunning and unethical guy like Frey, Lan Qi was indeed sincere and reasonable.

"...So the most core item in the rules is that no hidden weapons, explosives, or magical props other than magic cards are allowed in the match. This is regarded as a fair duel in the Shadow World."

"The damage to the house caused by the duel will be borne by the fighter association, and the student management committee will not be responsible."

"Regardless of the outcome, neither party shall violate the spirit of martial arts and the honor of the family name to retaliate against the other party afterwards, shall not smear the other party's reputation, and shall not threaten or infringe upon the other party with force and power, and must maintain friendly exchanges."

Lan Qi held the contract and repeated it from beginning to end to the members of the Fighter's Soul, confirming with them.

"No problem."

Everyone nodded.

Zirvini felt that this well-read, black-haired noble was much more pleasing to the eye than that pure rogue, Frey.

Gradually, she also discovered that communicating with a reasonable scholar from the Sage Academy was actually quite easy and pleasant.

Mainly, he has a friendly and approachable personality charm.

Lan Qi's attitude was so sincere that Zirvini was even a little embarrassed to attack Lan Qi's side too harshly.

"Then, this time it's her turn?"

Zirvini pointed to Hyperion and asked Lan Qi.

This time, since the fifth-order vice minister could no longer fight, and in order to maintain the stability of the club room, she finally decided to play in person.

"No, this time I'll fight you."

Lan Qi folded the contract, put it in his coat pocket, and said to Zirvini with a smile.

"Are you sure? Although I won't harm your life, don't think I'll go easy on you."

Zirvini asked with a contemptuous expression.

Although she had heard rumors in the school, and friends who watched the Shadow World broadcast that night said that this kid was very evil in the Shadow World,

but this is the real world, and there is a written agreement, she doesn't think Lan Qi will have any chance to cheat and win her.

"Of course, give me a minute to warm up, and then we'll start the duel, okay?"

Lan Qi nodded solemnly, confirming that he would play, and asked.

Zirvini was stunned for a moment.

It seems that this third-order support mage may have some trump cards that can create miraculous effects in single combat.

"Well, no problem, no matter whether I win or lose today, I will regard you as a worthy opponent."

Zirvini showed a hearty smile, and her eyes looking at Lan Qi showed a bit more appreciation.

In her current opinion, the contrast between Lan Qi and Frey is too strong, so that even Lan Qi's courage to fairly challenge her seems very dazzling.

This is the embodiment of the soul of the martial artist.

Afterwards, Lan Qi walked back to the back, near Frey and Hyperion.

"Lan Qi, is there anything I need to do?"

Hyperion asked worriedly.

She was the only spectator in the audience who knew the composition of Lan Qi's magic cards.

Without teammates delaying to set up enough pre-rage, even using [Basic Etiquette] (kneeling) plus [Great Love Poet], it is almost impossible to make Zirvini faint, it will only make her enter a state of rage.

If you want to use [Wonderful Notes] (Purgatory Sounds), how long can the soft control of "stiffness" block the sixth-order Zirvini is also a question, she only needs a short time to kill Lan Qi.

In short, even if Lan Qi's single combat ability is not weak among the third-order, he can't defeat his opponent head-on with too many ranks without the cooperation of teammates!

"Don't worry, Hyperion."

Lan Qi just said with a smile.

As if convinced that their understanding needed no further explanation.

…

One minute later.

As a new match was about to begin, the tension in the arena was gradually replaced by a derby atmosphere full of anticipation and mutual respect.

In the four corners of the arena, the traces of grinding on the old wooden walls looked more distinct, as if recalling the past glory.

The two sides of the competition have stood on the other side of the arena in an open space that was not affected by the previous explosion.

This is more suitable for a fair, free-spirited, and wholehearted duel.

Zirvini and Lan Qi stood facing each other from a distance, their focused expressions making the whole scene more solemn.

"Lan Qi, I reiterate, I will do my best and regard you as a strong enemy."

"Thank you for your consideration, Senior Zirvini."

Every salute and every expression of theirs was full of seriousness about this competition and respect for their opponents.

"Duel - start!"

The loud voice was like a sharp blade, cutting through the silence of the arena.

The voice of the fighter serving as the referee echoed in the arena, announcing that the fierce battle between the two sides had officially begun!

(End of this chapter)