Linda rose calmly from the ground, stepping aside as Tessa’s blade cleaved only empty air. In the next instant, Linda vanished and reappeared behind her opponent.
"What—?!" Tessa’s eyes widened, her instincts screaming danger. She leapt back, shaken.
That speed... no, it wasn’t just speed. It was like she could read my every move.
Her grip on the sword tightened. What’s going on here? This isn’t just a re elf.
"Oh my, what’s going on? How can an elf move like that?!" soone in the stands shouted.
"What just happened? Did anyone see it?!"
"She’s fighting a rank C... but she’s only rank E!"
"Are we even sure she’s an elf? She might not be an elf at all!"
The arena erupted with confusion. The emissary raised his wind device and his voice thundered. "Quiet! Watch the match. I don’t know why she rank E, but clearly, she is no ordinary elf. Perhaps she’s a descendant of those elves who once fought alongside the Hero. A forgotten bloodline, shrouded in mystery. Elves are usually weak, but this one is different."
The crowd fell silent again, eyes fixed on the arena.
Tessa clenched her jaw. "You’re not going to tell how you did that? That move... what was it?"
Linda lowered her bow. "If you really want to know, it’s a secret technique passed down through generations. Few can master it, but I am one of them."
"Liar!" Tessa snapped. "That ans you were holding back this entire ti. And if you’re this strong, how are you still ranked E?"
Linda shook her head. "I’m done answering you. Let’s finish this."
She drew another arrow. Tessa’s eyes blazed as she pulled a cluster of throwing spikes into her hands.
I can’t lose. I didn’t co here just to fall this early. Her chest heaved as she thought of her village. I promised them I would return with enough money to change our lives. This tournant prize—it’s enough to save not just , but my entire people. I won’t... I can’t accept defeat.
Her steps quickened, ignoring the stabbing pain in her stomach as she charged.
Linda’s eyes softened. A single tear slipped down her cheek. She’s hurting, but still fighting. She has her reasons, just like . Everyone carries their own burden. She raised her bow. And my reason is to prove I am strong enough to stand by Master’s side.
Tessa hurled the spikes. Linda dodged effortlessly, her senses sharpened by mana. She loosed an arrow—Tessa bent aside, only for a second arrow to pierce her stomach exactly where she moved.
"Gah!" Tessa dropped to the ground, gasping. But she forced herself up, blade trembling in her grip.
"As a ninja," she whispered, "we’re taught to retreat when the battle is lost.
The crowd fell into silence. For a long mont, no one moved, no one breathed, every eye fixed on Linda as she stood tall, bow still in hand, staring at Tessa’s body sprawled across the arena floor. Tessa was still conscious, faintly stirring, but the result was clear.
Then, all at once, the arena erupted.
"Wow! That was outstanding!" soone shouted.
"Her outfit, her stance, everything about her is incredible!" another cheered.
"And she’s beautiful too! How can she be rank E?"
"This fight was epic, the best battle between two won I’ve ever seen!"
Voices overlapped in disbelief and admiration, the sound of thousands carrying through the stands.
"The rank E won! The elf is the victor! Give her a round of applause!" the emissary’s voice bood through the wind device.
The cheer that followed shook the very walls of the coliseum.
Two male healers rushed in, wheeling a cart. Carefully, they lifted Tessa onto it, securing her before rolling her away to be treated. Despite her injuries, she had fought with everything she had, sothing the crowd would rember.
Linda, still catching her breath, lifted her gaze. She turned slowly, taking in the roar of the audience, their applause echoing for her alone. A smile spread across her face, pride and relief mingling in her chest.
Her eyes found Nolan in the crowd. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and waved. Nolan t her gaze, a small smile touching his lips as he waved back.
Strengthened by that simple gesture, Linda turned and walked off the arena floor, her steps steady and confident. She had done it.
Now, let proceed to the next battle. The next contestant was going to be Tharion and Dan. You guys go get ready," the emissary said.
Tharion and Dan stepped out and made their way to the back of the arena.
"Wow, Tharion is about to fight, Master," Celia said.
"Yeah. I don’t know if he’s a good fighter or not, but in a way, he’s strong," Nolan replied.
Linda ca and sat beside Nolan. "Master, how did I perform?" she asked.
"You perford great. Even better than I expected. You’ve truly grown," Nolan said.
Linda smiled. "Do you think Tharion is going to be okay? He’s your friend, right?"
"Well, I don’t know if he’s going to be okay. And I’m not sure I would even call us friends. He’s soone ambitious. Behind that smile he wears, if Tharion were in a match with , he wouldn’t hold back. Sa as I," Nolan said.
"Well, anyway, I still don’t understand the way human think. But I guess you’re right—maybe you’re not really friends. Ambition is better than friendship. If following your friend ans losing your ambition, then you were never truly friends. Ambition cos first. I don’t even know who this guy is, but... well, let’s watch and see," Lyra said.
"Well, yeah, you’re right. Let’s just watch and see how it goes. Linda put on a great show, and I hope the next person will be . When it’s our team’s turn, it’s going to be ," Nolan said.
"Now, the ti you’ve all been waiting for has co. Are you ready?" the emissary called, raising the wind compressor device.
The audience erupted, shouting and cheering, "Yes!"
"Are you ready?" the emissary repeated.
"Yes!" the crowd roared back.
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