“I surrender!”
Cecilia stared at the opponent who had abandoned the match without hesitation, a deep confusion rising in her heart.
This was already the tenth contestant she had met who directly forfeited before the match even began.
Cecilia hadn’t even lifted a hand; just a few more rounds and she would have won this exhibition match.
‘Could it be… did she do something?’
As for what Luwei had actually said to these contestants, it no longer mattered.
Because Cecilia’s goal was almost achieved.
Seeing the audience in the stands growing sparser, and even the contestants waiting by the arena dwindling to a handful, Cecilia knew she had thoroughly stirred this arena match into a mess.
Because of her, the Kares Territory had now soured relations with quite a few factions.
These geniuses from all over the continent had rushed over excitedly, only to be defeated by her in such a ruthless manner—they must be feeling pretty humiliated, right?
That was right.
What Cecilia wanted was to ruin everyone’s fun.
No one could directly hate this little-known “Liya,” because she had registered through normal channels and defeated everyone fair and square.
All that hostility would ultimately be transferred to House Carys…
Thinking this, Cecilia stepped off the arena platform.
As usual, she was indifferent and composed, making no special reaction to the opponent’s direct forfeit.
But then she noticed the sparse audience below the stage—they were acting rather strangely.
“Why are you still watching the match here? The outcome of the main arena has been a foregone conclusion for a while.”
“I heard that this Liya was specially sent by the organizers to reclaim the first-place prize—the endorsement rights for the Giant Strength Potion.”
“So there’s no need to watch the rest of the matches.”
“What do you mean… by that, there’s a secondary arena?”
The crowd gradually gathered.
“Of course! Didn’t you read the announcement?”
“The revival match is being held on a newly built arena in the suburbs.”
“And the reward for the revival match is separate—even more valuable than the 2,000 gold coins here!”
The person spoke mysteriously, and many audience members were lured away from the Carris Manor.
Thus, the area around the three arenas became even more deserted.
A revival match?
A new arena?
A flash of shock passed through Cecilia’s eyes…
“Knight Liko! I’m here to sign up for the revival match!”
The contestant who had directly forfeited against Cecilia earlier had already arrived at the revival match site.
“Mm-hm, no problem.”
Before him stood a short figure clad in silver-white armor.
“You’re clear on the revival match rules, right?”
She crossed her arms with an air of seasoned maturity, looking like a reclusive master.
“Yes!”
The contestant nodded repeatedly.
“First I spar with you, and after passing your assessment, I can continue in the revival match.”
“That’s right.”
Lilique said loudly.
Her peripheral vision caught many new audience members joining, so she decided to explain again.
“Since the top three prizes for this revival match are special, I must personally verify the qualifications of the contestants!”
Lilique paced back and forth, her mature tone forming a sharp contrast with her childish appearance.
But no one in the crowd dared to laugh.
“Let me reiterate: the top three in this revival match will each receive a direct enrollment quota for Evia Magic Academy.”
Because anyone bold enough to announce such a bombshell in public…
Liko’s real identity must be terrifyingly huge.
“The legendary magic sanctuary! Evia Magic Academy!?”
The new audience members were in an uproar.
They asked around to confirm the news, and as expected, received affirmative answers.
“I-I’m not hearing things, am I!?”
“Then—can I still sign up now!?”
Lilique quietly enjoyed the shock, excitement, and utterly worshipful gazes from the audience below.
That was only natural—Evia Magic Academy’s fame was well deserved.
For thousands of years, countless Great Archmages had emerged from here, and even several Arcanists above the sixth tier.
It was undisputedly the number one magic academy on the continent—absolutely neutral, rejecting no race, only recognizing magical talent.
“Could it be that House Carys has a professor from Evia Academy backing them?”
“They actually have the authority to directly enroll new students!”
“No wonder they could develop something as terrifying as the Giant Strength Potion; it turns out they have Evia Academy behind them…”
The audience’s discussion grew more heated, which was exactly the effect House Carys wanted—hinting at the connection between House Carys and Evia Academy, and legitimizing the source of the Giant Strength Potion formula.
After finishing her explanation, Lilique turned her gaze to the contestant before her…
Horrifying blade lights continuously flashed across the arena, and the clang of metal was deafening.
Lilique did not test the contestant with overwhelming force.
She merely kept a slight edge over him, even guiding him to unleash his full strength.
Only when the contestant was exhausted did Lilique finally stop.
She casually tossed out a “Passed” and left the arena, letting the audience’s emotions stew.
“Those moves were amazing!”
“It’s making my hands itch! Quick, someone duel me!”
Even the contestant on the platform was immersed in the fight, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
After a moment, he reluctantly bowed toward Knight Liko’s retreating figure.
“I am grateful for your instruction, Lady Liko!”
As the audience’s excitement soared, a certain silver figure on the stands nodded in satisfaction—this move was a fourfold victory!
Lukui calculated in her heart.
First, ride on Evia Academy’s reputation and hint at the connection.
Second, legitimize the potion formula’s source and deter the families coveting the Giant Strength Potion.
Third, allow everyone to participate in this new revival match with incredibly rich rewards, enough to restore House Carys’s reputation.
Fourth, let Knight Liko “appear” and personally oversee the revival match…
This could both cut off Cecilia, that ringer, and give Lilique a reason to keep her out of the revival match!
It was a solution that could satisfy everyone.
Except for one person…
“So this is your countermeasure…?”
From a distance, Cecilia took in everything.
Her heart grew complicated.
Originally, she had only planned to disrupt the arena match and embarrass Lady Luwei…
Only then might Geluoxi be willing to see her.
Even if it further lowered her standing in his eyes, as long as she could meet him, Cecilia could use the opportunity to make some reasonable requests.
No matter what, as long as she could establish a connection with him…
But Lukui had merely done these few things and completely neutralized Cecilia’s offensive without even showing any hostility—just… ignoring her?
[Like smurfing in arena matches? Take the championship.]
Thinking this sent a chill down Cecilia’s spine.
And when she considered the casual brilliance of Lukui’s schemes, she felt a twinge of fear.
Just who was this Lady Luwei?
In that instant, she felt the weight of her so-called angelic halo lighten a few degrees.
She had to take this seriously—this tiny lord, hidden and sheltered beneath the halo of an angel.