Huang Qi's battle had ended. The crimson screen above flashed his final score — 0 points.
In the spectators' area, Katherine Vale and Lucas Halt sat frozen, neither speaking. They hadn't expected this outcome. Of the three, Huang was supposed to be the strongest. Yet here he was, walking back with heavy steps, his head lowered, disappointment clinging to him like a shadow.
Khalid Al Harbi had already left the arena in silence, offering no words, no glance back.
Katherine rose from her seat without a word. She made her way down the stairs from the spectator's gallery, her boots striking the stone with soft thuds as she approached the arena grounds. At the same time, Huang was heading back from the opposite side, each step slow and weighed down by defeat.
The two crossed paths—close enough to feel each other's presence—but neither said a word. Katherine's cold gaze flickered toward him briefly, but Huang kept his eyes on the ground. His fists were clenched at his sides, his breathing shallow. The silence between them was louder than any roar from the arena.
Huang finally reached Lucas and sank down beside him with a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumped.
Lucas turned to him, frowning slightly. His voice was quiet but firm.
"Why didn't you use your Wrath?" he asked.
Huang lifted his head, his dark eyes meeting Lucas's. There was no anger in them—only frustration at himself.
"Because I still haven't mastered it," Huang admitted. "Sometimes... I lose control in the middle of it."
Lucas nodded slowly, processing the answer, but said nothing more.
Before another word could pass between them, a loud mechanical clang echoed through the arena. The massive final gate at the far end creaked open, drawing every spectator's attention. A hush swept through the arena like a wave.
From the shadows of the open gate, a woman stepped out—and the entire arena seemed to hold its breath.
She was breathtaking.
Her long, flowing red hair cascaded like a river of flame down her back, and her crimson eyes shone like polished rubies. Every man in the stands sat up straighter, their gazes locked on her as though hypnotized. Her every step exuded confidence, a natural grace that demanded attention without a single word.
She wore a striking red qipao, the traditional Chinese dress, but reimagined with a sharp modern edge. The fabric clung to her form like liquid silk, smooth and glossy, tracing the elegant lines of her waist and hips. Delicate gold embroidery danced along the high collar and down the sides, depicting swirling dragons and fragile blossoms.
High slits on both sides of the dress revealed glimpses of her toned thighs every time she shifted her stance, a dangerous blend of elegance and raw allure. Her arms were bare, save for the black bracers wrapped tightly around her wrists. Her long legs were encased in sheer black tights, ending in sleek, laced-up boots that tapped against the floor with each confident step. A pair of golden hairpins held her hair perfectly in place, completing the look with a sharp, commanding beauty.
She looked to be in her early thirties, but her presence outshone even the youngest in the crowd. Every man in the arena seemed to fall under her spell in an instant.
Katherine, standing near the center now, kept her posture straight, her expression unreadable as the woman approached. They faced each other, separated by only a few meters of space.
The woman smiled slightly and spoke, her voice rich and smooth.
"Hello, kid. My name is Zhue Yue. You may call me Laoshi Zhue."
The title 'Laoshi'—meaning teacher—carried the weight of respect in Chinese tradition.
Katherine's lips twitched, but she gave her answer without hesitation.
"My name is Katherine Vale. You can call me whatever you want."
Zhue Yue extended a hand toward Katherine, offering a handshake. But Katherine didn't move. Her hands stayed buried in her coat pockets, her posture relaxed but distant. She made no effort to return the gesture.
The tension between them crackled faintly in the air.
At that exact moment, both of their crimson screens blinked with a new prompt—the official battle request. Both fighters accepted without a word, their gazes still locked.
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena once more.
"The battle will begin in the countdown of three to one. Now—3... 2... 1... Begin!"
The arena roared to life once more as the next storm prepared to break loose.
The instant the announcer's voice echoed through the arena, Katherine and Zhue Yue launched forward, no hesitation, no testing of waters. Their battle began with a clash of raw willpower and honed instincts.
Zhue Yue's approach was precise—her body snapped into a fluid, dance-like motion, her long legs sweeping low and fast. Katherine barely shifted to avoid the first strike, the wind from Zhue's kick sharp against her face. The crimson screens flickered.
[-1 Point: Katherine Vale]
Zhue didn't pause. She spun into a second kick, this one rising high toward Katherine's ribs. Katherine crossed her arms to block, the impact rattling through her bones. The force sent her sliding back a few paces across the arena floor.
The crowd roared.
Katherine's lips curled into a cold smile.
So, this is the strength of an instructor...
She reached inward—and let her Wrath stir.
Air thickened around her, swirling unnaturally as faint tendrils of sticky, translucent threads began forming around her feet. They shimmered like spun sugar but moved with malicious intent. With a flick of her hand, the sticky mass shot forward, latching onto the ground where Zhue Yue was about to step.
Zhue's heel sank slightly into the sticky trap mid-step. For a fraction of a second, her movement faltered.
Katherine struck. She closed the gap with frightening speed and delivered a sharp knee to Zhue's side, causing the instructor to grunt and stumble.
[+2 Point: Katherine Vale]
But Zhue wasn't finished. Even with her foot partially trapped, she twisted her hips and launched herself into a rising kick, her knee cutting through the air like a spear. It smashed into Katherine's shoulder, sending her skidding backward.
[-1 Point: Katherine Vale]
[+2 Point: Zhue Yue]
The battle continued in this relentless rhythm—kicks, counters, traps, and bursts of Will slamming into each other. Zhue Yue never once used her hands; her attacks came in precise, deadly kicks that blurred with speed. Her body moved like a whip, flexible yet devastating.
Meanwhile, Katherine's Wrath thickened the air more and more. Sticky candy-like strands coiled around the arena floor, making Zhue's agile footwork gradually harder to maintain.
At the three-minute mark, Katherine decided it was time.
Her hand gripped the air—and her weapon manifested.
A scythe formed in her grasp, forged entirely from compressed air and swirling winds. But it wasn't ordinary.
The Wind Scythe was elegant yet menacing. The long black shaft gleamed like polished obsidian, light yet unbreakable. From its curved neck extended a massive blade, formed of semi-transparent wind currents that rippled like liquid glass. Intricate silver veins ran through the blade, depicting storm clouds and lightning bolts. Small charms in the shape of feathers and sugar canes dangled from the handle, swaying with every motion, giving it an eerie beauty.
Its edge wasn't just sharp—it sliced through the very air itself, creating razor-thin vacuums that could tear flesh apart.
The moment the scythe appeared, the arena screens updated.
[Weapon Deployed: Katherine Vale]
Zhue Yue's eyes narrowed, her smile tightening. She bent low and then exploded forward, using only the sheer force of her legs. She dashed in a zigzag, avoiding the sticky traps, her body flickering like a flame.
Katherine spun the Wind Scythe in a wide arc, sending a burst of compressed wind blades toward Zhue.
The instructor leaped—flipping in midair—and her boot came crashing down toward Katherine's skull. Katherine barely twisted aside, the blow grazing her cheek and drawing blood.
[-1 Point: Katherine Vale]
[+2 Point: Zhue Yue]
But Katherine's scythe lashed upward, the wind blade clipping Zhue's thigh as she landed.
[+2 Point: Katherine Vale]
[-1 Point: Zhue Yue]
The two danced in that deadly exchange—wind scythe arcs and sweeping kicks colliding over and over.
Zhue's kicks targeted Katherine's joints and ribs, precise and bone-shattering, while Katherine's scythe carved through the arena air, sending cutting gales in sweeping crescents.
At the six-minute mark, the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch. Both fighters were breathing heavier now.
Zhue Yue, sweat gleaming on her skin, suddenly channeled her Will into her legs. She shot forward at blinding speed, her footwork a blur, closing the distance before Katherine could react. Her foot slammed into Katherine's gut, folding her in half.
[-1 Points: Katherine Vale]
[+2 Points: Zhue Yue]
Katherine staggered—but her scythe shot out on instinct, slicing a shallow cut across Zhue's stomach as she passed.
[+2 Point: Katherine Vale]
[-1 Point: Zhue Yue]
Seven minutes in now. Both were bruised, bleeding, but still pushing forward.
Katherine gritted her teeth and summoned more of her Wrath.
The arena floor erupted in sticky candy-like tendrils that wrapped around Zhue's ankles. This time, they hardened instantly, locking her feet to the ground like molten sugar turned to glass.
Zhue's eyes widened for the first time—surprise flashing across her face.
Katherine lunged, spinning her scythe overhead and bringing it down in a savage arc.
Zhue Yue tore one leg free and twisted sideways, but the wind blade from the scythe sliced across her shoulder, knocking her off balance.
[+2 Point: Katherine Vale]
[-1 Point: Zhue Yue]
Nine minutes in now.
Zhue fell to one knee, breathing hard. But with sheer leg strength, she launched a final desperate kick toward Katherine's ribs. Katherine blocked, the force still shoving her back a step.
Both women were at their limit.
Then, the final minute began.
Katherine's Will flared—her wind scythe glowing brighter, the air around it crackling. She dashed forward, her body light as air itself, closing the gap with dangerous speed. Zhue tried to pivot, but the sticky candy on her heel slowed her just enough.
Katherine's scythe swept low, catching Zhue's legs and sending her crashing onto her back.
[+2 Point: Katherine Vale]
[-1 Point: Zhue Yue]
Zhue Yue lay on the ground, gasping. She tried to rise, but Katherine stepped forward, lifting her right leg—and pressed her boot firmly against Zhue's stomach, pinning her down.
The crimson screens updated with the final count:
[Battle Time: 10 Minutes Completed]
[Final Points: Katherine Vale - 7 | Zhue Yue - 2]
Katherine stood tall, breathing hard, her right foot planted on her fallen opponent's midsection, her Wind Scythe resting on her shoulder. Zhue Yue lay beneath her, chest rising and falling heavily, defeated but conscious.
The battle was over.
The arena was silent for a moment, as if the entire crowd had collectively forgotten how to breathe.
Then, the realization hit.
The air erupted into deafening cheers and applause.
Students and instructors alike rose from their seats, clapping, shouting, some even whistling. Crimson screens above flashed Katherine's name in bold letters.
Because today—
For the first time in Lingquan Academy's history—
A girl had defeated an instructor in the admission tests.
Until now, it had only happened three times before, and every single time, the victors had been boys. Today, that unbroken pattern was shattered, and the name Katherine Vale was already searing itself into the academy's legends.
Yet, in the center of it all, Katherine stood still.
Her face was blank. Cold.
No smile, no pride, no triumphant glow.
Beneath her, Zhue Yue lay on the ground, eyes wide, still processing the outcome. She had fought using less than half her full power—yes. But even then, for a twelve-year-old child to bring her down in front of thousands… it was no small feat.
The announcer's voice boomed, full of disbelief and excitement.
"This is unprecedented! For the first time ever, a girl has defeated an instructor during the admission trials! Congratulations, Katherine Vale!"
The crowd's cheers grew louder.
People chanted her name now.
"Katherine! Katherine!"
The announcer continued, "Huang Qi, Lucas Halt, and Katherine Vale—your results will be displayed in thirty minutes. Please proceed to the lobby and await your scores. Thank you! And with that, today's admission tests are officially over!"
Katherine lowered her scythe. The weapon shimmered for a moment before dissolving into particles of wind and vanishing.
The crimson screen above flickered with a soft chime:
[Weapon stored successfully.]
Without looking back at the crowd, Katherine turned away. Her steps were steady, her face still frozen in that same emotionless mask. She walked past Zhue Yue, who had finally pushed herself upright.
Zhue's voice was soft, edged with reluctant respect.
"You did well."
But Katherine didn't respond. She didn't even glance at her fallen opponent.
Silent as a shadow, she kept walking.
Across the arena floor, she spotted Huang and Lucas waiting near the exit tunnel. They sat with their heads bowed low, shoulders slumped, their pride clearly crushed by their earlier losses.
As Katherine approached, she stopped just a few paces away, arms folded.
Her voice, when she finally spoke, was sharp and cool.
"You two… completely disappointed me."
Both boys flinched, still not daring to meet her eyes.
"That's what happens," she continued, "when you underestimate your opponents. Neither of you used your Wrath properly. Neither of you even drew your weapons. If this had been a real battle, you'd both be dead."
Her words cut deeper than any blade.
Lucas and Huang remained quiet, their heads lowered further in shame.
Katherine sighed, a small, exasperated breath.
Then, without a word, she reached into her pocket.
From inside, she pulled out two brightly colored lollipops, the wrappers crinkling softly. She unwrapped them one by one and extended them toward the boys.
"Here. Take these. Cheer up."
For a beat, neither of them moved. They simply stared at the candies, as if they couldn't comprehend what was happening.
Katherine's lips twitched—just a little. A faint, rare smile ghosted across her face.
"Being disappointed won't help now. Just make sure you do better next time."
Slowly, Huang and Lucas lifted their heads. They looked at Katherine—really looked at her—and saw that small smile.
Silently, both boys reached out, each taking a lollipop from her hands. They popped them into their mouths without a word, the sweet taste cutting through the bitterness of their earlier failures.
Katherine unwrapped a third one for herself, slipped it between her lips, and turned away.
"Let's go. Results will be out soon."
Together, the three of them—Katherine leading, Lucas and Huang following—walked out of the arena and toward the lobby, leaving behind the roaring crowd and the flashing crimson screens.