The medical team rushed into the arena once again, moving quickly as they lifted the unconscious Rax from the ground. Blood was still leaking from his lower body, staining the sand beneath him as they carefully placed him onto a stretcher.
Several of the medics exchanged uneasy glances.
From a single look, they already understood the severity of the damage. The chances of saving his lineage were extremely low. Unless his shattered organs could somehow be repaired with advanced healing techniques, there was little hope left.
Without wasting another second, they carried him away from the arena.
At the same time, a few members of the medical staff approached Zevi to treat the wounds he had suffered during the fight. One of them began applying emergency medicine to the deep cut on his shoulder while another wrapped a temporary bandage around his arm.
However, the expressions on their faces were noticeably cold.
Zevi immediately noticed it.
"Hey," he said with a surprised expression, raising an eyebrow as he looked at them. "Why are you all staring at me like that?"
He then shrugged and grinned shamelessly.
"That scumbag deserved it. I just carried out God's will."
The medical staff didn't respond.
Not even a word.
They simply finished their work as quickly as possible before walking away.
By that time, Ashan and the others had already rushed toward him.
"Zevi, are you alright?" Nevil asked first, his expression filled with concern.
Zevi immediately sneered before breaking into a warm, confident smile.
"What did you take me for?" he said casually. "I'm someone who can slap death itself across the face. Something like this can't even make me worry."
Then he suddenly pointed two fingers at Elara.
"Hey," he said, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Don't make that sad face."
His grin widened.
"I kicked his balls to avenge you two. I'd be pretty happy to hear some gratitude. Come on, just say it."
Elara looked slightly embarrassed, but a gentle smile appeared on her face as she lowered her head politely.
"Thank you very much," she said sincerely. "I will somehow repay you someday."
Zevi burst out laughing.
"Ha! There's no need for that."
He waved his hand dismissively before flashing a wide grin that revealed his bright teeth.
"Just treat me to a good meal sometime. You know… pork and beef. That would be perfect."
Nevil and Elara both laughed at the same time.
After that, Zevi turned toward Ashan.
"Now it's your turn," he said with excitement. "Go entertain us with a good beating. Step on that bitch and spit on her face."
Ashan scratched the back of his head awkwardly while smiling.
"I'll just defeat her with a quick fight," he replied calmly. "I don't think it would be a good idea to harm her too badly while the entire academy is watching."
Zevi's face immediately twisted with irritation.
"Hey, you soft-hearted moron," he snapped. "Don't you remember how she tried to step on you? Or how she humiliated your friends without any mercy?"
His voice turned colder.
"If I see you going easy on her just because she's a woman, I swear I'll kill you myself."
Ashan raised both hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright," he said with a light laugh. "I won't go easy on her."
Then he turned his gaze toward the arena.
"Look forward to the duel," he added calmly. "I'm going to use the skills I showed you before."
Zevi's grin returned instantly.
"Of course," he said with excitement. "Your fight is the one Nevil and I are really waiting to see."
He folded his arms proudly.
"We want to see our mysterious friend with all his hidden cards in action. So go on already and flip the whole academy upside down."
Elara and her friends looked at the three of them with confused expressions.
Ashan casually brushed his hair back and stretched his arms.
Through his black short-sleeved shirt, the outline of his well-built muscles became clearly visible. His clean appearance and bright expression gave him a calm charm that naturally attracted attention.
Elara and a few of the girls quietly turned their heads away, their faces slightly red.
Narasha noticed this immediately but simply glanced at them without saying anything.
After giving his friends one final look, Ashan began walking toward the arena with a confident smile.
…
Meanwhile, Rianne had already stepped into the arena.
Her anger had only grown stronger after witnessing Rax's humiliating defeat. Her fists clenched tightly as she waited.
Revenge was the only thing on her mind.
She intended to give everything she had in order to defeat Ashan and humiliate him in front of the entire academy.
Soon, Ashan entered the arena as well.
His calm expression hadn't changed at all.
With steady steps and a relaxed posture, he walked toward Rianne.
Naturally, the S-rankers in the audience focused their attention on him. After all, Ashan had indirectly challenged all of them earlier.
"Look at him," Luphar said while nudging Rowan slightly. "Don't you think something about him is strange?"
Rowan raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"That calmness," Luphar replied thoughtfully. "Is that normal to you? He isn't excited… he isn't nervous either. It's almost like he doesn't care about the duel at all."
Rowan stared at Ashan for a few seconds.
"Yeah… it is a bit strange," he admitted. "For a B-ranker to act like that in front of an opponent who's at the same level.. or even stronger."
Then his eyes moved over Ashan's clothes.
"And what's with that outfit?"
He frowned slightly.
"He doesn't look reinforced at all. Where are his weapons? Where's his wand?"
By that time, Ashan had stopped directly in front of Rianne.
The moment she saw him standing there so casually, she burst into mocking laughter.
"Did you come here to die?" she sneered. "What's with that clown outfit? Where are your weapons?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"I don't even see a wand."
At that moment, a system window suddenly appeared in front of Ashan's eyes.
—----------------------------------
New Mission..
Defeat the opponent who challenged and humiliated you.
Show the price someone must pay if they attempt to harm you or those close to you.
Reward: ???
—----------------------------------
Ashan slowly grinned.
"I don't think I need them," he replied casually. "You look weak as hell, so I figured I could just use my skills."
He shrugged.
"And I don't need a wand either. It would only slow me down."
Then he looked at her equipment.
"As for why I'm not wearing reinforcement gear… well, when I defeat you, you won't be able to claim I won because of better equipment."
Rianne laughed loudly.
"You're going to regret that."
Ashan tilted his head slightly.
"What about you? Where's your wand?"
Rianne raised both hands and showed him the gloves she was wearing.
"Why would I need a wand when I have these?"
Her smile turned arrogant.
"Do you even know what these are, poor bastard?"
She lifted her hands proudly.
"These gloves are A-rank artifacts. They increase the user's mana output, allowing them to strengthen their skills and cast high-level spells much more easily."
Ashan clapped slowly three times.
"Wow… that's wonderful," he said with a bright smile. "With equipment like that, you definitely won't be able to blame me when I defeat you."
Rianne's mana erupted from her body.
"Let's see who's going to get their ass beaten," she growled. "I'll make sure to crush that pretty face of yours."
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The duel started.
Rianne immediately jumped backward, creating a large distance between them as she raised both hands toward the sky.
Mana gathered rapidly.
A massive sphere of water formed above her head, slowly rotating like a floating lake.
[Air Steps]
She leaped upward and landed on an invisible platform formed from condensed mana.
Standing high in the air, she clapped her hands together and aimed directly at Ashan below.
[Water Creation]
…
—----------------------------------
Name - Rianne Wells
Age - 22
Gender - Female
[Power rank - B]
[Specialty - Mage]
[Strength - 70]
[Stamina - 60]
[Endurance - 65]
[Agility - 60]
[Other powers and skills]
<> Reflection Barrier (A)
A powerful barrier capable of reflecting elemental attacks such as fire, water, earth, and air. Extremely strong physical attacks above A-rank may break it.
<> Air Steps (B)
Allows the user to create temporary mana platforms in the air.
<> Water Creation (B)
Creates various water-based weapons for long-range combat.
<> Fire Defending (B)
Allows the user to nullify incoming fire attacks.
—----------------------------------