Even if the outco could not be changed, fighting a strong opponent was itself a priceless opportunity. Every move, every exchange, every pressure placed upon one's body and spirit could beco a stepping stone for growth. On the road of cultivation, victories were not always the greatest reward. Sotis, losing while learning sothing was far more valuable than winning against weaker opponents.
Marcus also stepped forward and grinned, forcing a confident tone into his voice even though he knew the reality.
"That's right! Just go up there and fight with montum. Even if you lose, you must lose with dignity. Show them the backbone of our Imperial Academy!"
The others nodded, their expressions complicated. They wanted to comfort Alaric Von Seraph, but no comforting words could truly erase the pressure of facing Zion Blackstar. All they could do was offer him their support, hoping that at least he would not lose his confidence.
Alaric Von Seraph's cold face softened slightly. The sharpness in his eyes did not fade, but his expression was steadier, calr.
"Don't worry," he said in his usual restrained voice. "I'll do my best."
Ever since arriving in the Leon Empire, he had seen the gap between himself and the top geniuses of Thunderclap Academy.
People like Ragnor Blackstar, even though they were arrogant and detestable, were undeniably strong. It made him realize sothing cruel: the reason Imperial Academy had been last place for two consecutive exchange etings was not because of bad luck. It was because the talents of the Imperial Academy truly could not compare to those of the other two academies.
If not for Zora's sudden rise, if not for her brilliance in both the Spirit Warrior and alchemy trials, Imperial Academy would have been crushed again this year, leaving no dignity behind.
That sense of helplessness had weighed on him heavily.
But Alaric Von Seraph was not the type to collapse under pressure. In his world, falling behind was not shaful. The only sha was giving up.
With that thought, he took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"I'm going."
The mont those words left his lips, he walked straight toward the high platform without hesitation. His back was upright, his footsteps firm, and his aura carried the cold sharpness of a blade unsheathed.
Sylvandria watched him go, her gaze lingering on him. She seed to want to say sothing, but in the end, she remained silent. In her heart, Alaric Von Seraph had always been soone she admired, soone who carried a strength far deeper than re cultivation.
On the martial stage, Zion Blackstar had already stepped into place once again. His posture was straight and dignified, his expression calm and serious, like an emperor inspecting a battlefield. But what drew the crowd's attention even more was the huge beast standing beside him.
A lion.
Its fur was crimson-red, like flas that had been solidified into strands of hair. Heat radiated faintly from its body, and its eyes glowed with a feral arrogance.
Even without moving, it gave off an oppressive aura that made weaker Spirit Warriors instinctively tighten their throats.
The crowd erupted into murmurs once more.
"My heavens, that's His Highness's contracted beast, the Fla Lion!"
"I heard it has the strength of the fifth level of the Crimson Realm. Ordinary beasts wouldn't even dare to fight it!"
"With this Fla Lion alone, why would His Highness even need to move? Alaric Von Seraph is already dood."
The Fla Lion raised its head slightly, letting out a low growl. The sound was deep, like thunder rolling across the earth. Its claws dug into the stone platform, leaving faint cracks as if the arena itself could not withstand its pressure.
Everyone could see it clearly: this was not just a beast.
This was a king among beasts.
Rumors had long circulated that the royal family had spent trendous effort and resources to secure this Fla Lion for Zion Blackstar. They had scoured dangerous regions, sent out experts, and even paid with blood, all to ensure that the Crown Prince would possess an overwhelming advantage.
Now that the beast stood proudly beside Zion Blackstar, the aning was obvious.
Against such a combination, Alaric Von Seraph's battle would not rely be difficult.
It would be brutal.
Zora's gaze also landed on the Fla Lion, her expression calm but her eyes slightly narrowed.
Among demonic beasts, Fla Lions were considered an excellent bloodline. They were not only powerful in direct combat, but their fire attribute was naturally tyrannical, making them extrely oppressive against opponents with weaker physiques or inferior cultivation.
More importantly, contracting a Fla Lion was not sothing an ordinary Spirit Warrior could accomplish through luck alone.
Fla Lion cubs were already rare, but the truly terrifying part was the process of sealing them into beast eggs.
If one wanted to raise a contracted beast from the beginning, the royal family's thods and resources were almost the only reliable path. The Fla Lion beside Zion Blackstar was not simply a beast. It was proof of royal inheritance, proof of a background that others could not even dream of reaching.
Still, Black curled its lips in disdain, snorting like a proud little tyrant. "It's just a fla lion. What's so great about it?"
White nodded with a cold chuckle, its eyes full of contempt. "A tiger isn't ho, so monkeys dare call themselves kings. In a backwater place like this, even a small beast like that can be treated like so divine creature."
Zora could not help but smile faintly. These two had always been arrogant, but their arrogance ca from true strength. If they ever revealed their real identities, the so-called geniuses of the Lion Dynasty would probably faint from shock.
Black's eyes glead with excitent as it stared at the Fla Lion like a hunter eyeing prey.
"Master, later, when you fight Zion Blackstar, let out. I'll crush that lion in minutes."
White also seed amused, clearly enjoying the thought. But before Zora could respond, Shihtzu in her arms suddenly lifted its head and protested angrily, its small paws waving.
"I want to go too!"
Its tone was filled with grievance and stubbornness, as if it had been waiting its whole life for a chance to step onto the stage and prove itself.
Black and White exchanged glances, then laughed softly. For once, they did not argue. They could tell that this was indeed a good opportunity for Shihtzu to gain a reputation, to show everyone that it was not so decorative pet. If Shihtzu could defeat the Fla Lion openly, then no one would ever dare look down on it again.
anwhile, on the martial platform, Alaric Von Seraph's eyes shifted slightly as he looked at the Fla Lion. Even his cold expression could not completely hide the seriousness in his gaze.
He could feel it clearly.
This beast was strong, frighteningly strong.
Its aura was not sothing that ca from natural growth alone. It was the result of countless precious resources being poured into it, the kind of cultivation treatnt only a royal family could afford. Alaric Von Seraph's heart tightened slightly, and for the first ti, he truly felt the gap between common Spirit Warriors and those born into power.
The referee's voice rang out again, loud and solemn.
"The battle begins in ten seconds!"
However, even after the ten seconds were over and the battle began, neither Zion Blackstar nor Alaric Von Seraph moved imdiately. Zion Blackstar stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed, as if this match was not even worth his full attention. His gaze rested on Alaric Von Seraph for a mont, thoughtful rather than mocking.
From what he knew, Alaric Von Seraph had only recently stepped into the Innate realm.
Even if he had broken through, he was still far from being a real threat. If Zion Blackstar attacked seriously from the start, it would end in a single strike. That would not even be a fight, only a crushing display.
After a short silence, Zion Blackstar spoke.
"Since you have no contracted beast, my contracted beast will not participate either."
His voice was calm, not arrogant, but it carried a natural authority, as though he was granting Alaric Von Seraph a form of respect. To Zion Blackstar, it was unnecessary to use the Fla Lion. He did not want this match to look like bullying.
Alaric Von Seraph's response was as cold as ever.
"Doesn't matter."
That simple answer made Zion Blackstar's eyes flicker with faint surprise.
From what he knew, Alaric Von Seraph had only recently stepped into the Innate realm.
Even if he had broken through, he was still far from being a real threat. If Zion Blackstar attacked seriously from the start, it would end in a single strike. That would not even be a fight, only a crushing display.
Marcus also stepped forward and grinned, forcing a confident tone into his voice even though he knew the reality.
"That's right! Just go up there and fight with montum. Even if you lose, you must lose with dignity. Show them the backbone of our Imperial Academy!"
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