NEXT DAY
The arena was more crowded than before. Those who hadn't attended previously had heard rumors that so participants had used intent in their fights. Shocked and skeptical, they ca to witness it for themselves to verify the truth.
Draco's figure could be seen entering the arena with a gloomy face. He was holding Lyraea's hand, and behind him were Alya, Ivy, and Rose. This was the reason for his gloominess. These three had rushed to his dorm, disturbing his peaceful sleep.
"It looks like the rumors are true."
"I never thought our top three beautiful goddesses would be taken by a single person. My heart feels disheartened."
"If I et him, I'll teach him a lesson and show the beauties that he's just a pampered young master."
Draco heard different murmurs, making him feel helpless.
He never imagined that the three of them were the top three beauties in the entire Luminari Academy. According to the information he gathered, Alya was ranked first, Ivy second, and Rose third.
To others, it seed like he was living the dream. Being able to win the attention of the academy's top three beauties was a remarkable feat that fueled the jealousy of many onlookers. However, for Draco, it was a constant source of trouble. The three girls were always glaring at each other and competing for his attention, leaving him tired and exasperated.
"He didn't even spare the little girl," soone muttered, and Draco felt the urge to spit blood.
"Stop spouting nonsense. Can't you see the resemblance between them? They're siblings," soone else corrected.
"My bad, I didn't notice," the first speaker admitted.
Draco felt relieved hearing this. At least his reputation was still intact. He continued toward the arena, leaving Lyraea with Alya, while Rose followed him into the arena.
The elders and the vice-chancellor arrived, and the selection began. However, the referee this ti wasn't Blue but a red-haired young man who bore a striking resemblance to Blue.
This confused the first-year students, while the second- and third-year students had knowing smiles on their faces.
So of the first-year students noticed sothing odd as they glanced at the red-haired referee. Draco was among them.
"Don't tell what I'm thinking is true," he thought, his eyes glued to the red-haired young man.
"I am the referee for this selection. My na is—"
"—Red," a first-year student blurted out, interrupting him.
The red-haired young man looked shocked and confused. "How did you know?" he asked.
His question gave the first-year students collective headaches. So even sat down in defeat. How could soone have such a na?
"Sir, how are you related to the forr referee?" one brave first-year asked, with others nodding in support.
"He's my twin brother," Red replied heartily.
"It is finished," thought the first-year students in unison. So of them put their hands on their heads in disbelief, while others shook their heads in pity. Whoever nad these twins clearly had no regard for how people would perceive them.
"This is a selection to determine the top 13," Red's voice echoed, pulling everyone back to attention. The remaining twenty-five participants prepared for battle.
Red pressed a familiar red button at the center of the arena. An average-sized box slowly rose from a stand, appearing in plain view for all to see.
There was a fist-sized hole in the center of the top of the box. "There are 25 tokens in this box, ranging from No. 0 to No. 24," Red announced.
"Each of you will dip your hand in and pick only one token," he said, waving his hand as a floating chart appeared, displaying the matchups for the selection battles.
No. 1 vs No. 24
No. 2 vs No. 23
No. 3 vs No. 22
No. 4 vs No. 21
No. 5 vs No. 20
No. 6 vs No. 19
...
No. 12 vs No. 13
This arrangent surprised everyone, heightening their anticipation to see how the battles would unfold.
"Token No. 0 is a free pass," Red announced. "If anyone picks it, he or she will automatically qualify for the next round."
This news shocked the twenty-five participants, even Draco. With Token No. 0, one wouldn't have to exert any energy or reveal any hidden cards. It was undoubtedly a valuable advantage.
The selection comnced.
Each of the twenty participants went up to the arena stage to pick their token. Draco also took his turn, glancing at his token and seeing that it was No. 9.
It seed he truly had a connection with this number (9). He looked around and noticed that the other participants were keeping their tokens hidden, so no one knew who their opponent would be.
"If you have token No. 0, you can co forward," Red announced. The entire crowd focused on the twenty-five participants, wondering who the lucky person was.
Even the participants were looking at each other, trying to figure out who had it. Then, a black-haired young man, clutching a sword, stepped forward from the group of twenty-five participants.
"I'm the one," he declared in a neutral, cold voice.
Red nodded. "Then you can step aside and watch the battles."
Draco observed the young man. His na was Slyph, as seen during the second selection. There was an ominous aura around him, and Draco could sense a hint of danger emanating from him, making his blood boil with excitent.
"No. 1 vs No. 24"
"I guess that's ," Blum chuckled, walking toward the arena. He glanced at his opponent, Contestant No. 1, curious to see what kind of strength his opponent possessed.
"3..."
"2..."
"1..."
"Begin!"
The match began. Everyone watched intently, as it was the first fight of the day, and it didn't seem like it would end quickly.
Blum's body began to flicker with golden lightning, causing his opponent to turn serious. Sensing the threat, the opponent braced himself. Blum moved in an instant, his speed astonishing. He appeared right in front of his opponent and launched a punch.
The sound of tal clashing echoed through the arena, surprising Blum. He noticed that his opponent's body had hardened like tal — it seed to be his special ability.
Blum's expression grew serious. He quickly dodged the opponent's counterattack and retreated to his original position.
"Even if you're fast, there's nothing you can do if you can't break my defense," the opponent snickered, looking confident.
The crowd, seeing the first exchange, felt a surge of excitent. At least this battle wouldn't end after just a few moves.
Blum chuckled at his opponent's words. "Then I'll break your defense."
His words made the opponent laugh. "Do you really think you can break my defense completely?"
As the man was talking, he suddenly felt a hint of danger. Blum had appeared right in front of him once more. He tried to move, but a bolt of lightning struck him, paralyzing him.
Blum took advantage of the mont and delivered a powerful punch. Everyone watched as his fist broke through the opponent's defense, sending him flying.
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"Now I wonder if you can still claim your defense is unbreakable," Blum said with a grin, lightning flickering around his body.
The dust settled where the opponent had fallen, and as it cleared, the crowd was shocked by what they saw. The opponent stood there, unhard, with no visible damage to his body. It was as if his defense had never been breached.
Blum raised an eyebrow, his gaze becoming more serious.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to ntion," the opponent said with a sly grin. "My ability doesn't just make my defense unbreakable — it also heals ."
His words made Blum frown, but the crowd erupted with excitent. It was clear that this battle wouldn't be an easy one.
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