Facing the defeated Xiakui, Stacia took a step back, then lightly lifted her skirt and gave a curtsey.
“Thank you for the match.”
She then waved to her teammates on the bridge, signaling her thanks for their support in her victory.
“Completely unexpected!” the host’s voice rang out once more in the arena, breaking the silence that had followed the battle.
“Absolutely unexpected! Although Stacia had been at a disadvantage and on the verge of defeat, that perfectly timed accompaniment turned the entire situation around! It healed her wounds and rekindled her fighting spirit. In the following clash, she seized the slightest opening and achieved an unbelievable comeback!”
“The score is now 2 to 1—Edess Academy takes the lead!”
Cheers and applause erupted again across the venue as the audience celebrated the breathtaking and dramatic match.
“Xiakui lost, huh.”
In a distant corner of the city, Dolores continued watching the projection on her open-air balcony. She had changed into her usual black lace dress and was now reclining in a finely crafted chair.
She was familiar with Xiakui; the two were on reasonably good terms. She hadn’t expected her to lose so miserably today.
“I’ll go visit her tomorrow—no, better wait until the day after. If I go tomorrow, I’ll probably run into some Hive Dominion students. Quite a few of my old middle school classmates go there. It’ll be awkward... especially since Xiakui was defeated by someone from Edess Academy.”
“Now, the fourth match begins—I'm sure everyone has been eagerly waiting for it.”
The host’s voice returned on the projected screen, and the next round began.
“She’s still holding back, huh…”
Noticing how Thilan had only played the violin without actually singing in the last round, Princoco looked a bit displeased.
“Hmph, so she’s underestimating me?”
She tossed her hair and flipped open the music board in front of her. A themed song appeared on it.
“Darkness” × “Hill” — this was the one.
Under the night sky, both teams’ next participants took the stage. From Hive Dominion Academy came a girl holding a silver staff. She had long jet-black hair, her eyes gently closed, and a tall, poised figure. From Edess Academy came a short-haired, physically well-built young man.
“Hive Dominion Academy, Serena, Light Feather Sequence 5 – Priestess of Darkness.”
“Edess Academy, Yanhou, Primordial Sequence 5 – Brute Qi Warrior.”
The moment both fighters stepped onto the stage, a fast, rainfall-like rhythm began on the strings.
Like a torrential downpour, a heavy black sky seemed to press downward. Then, a deep voice rang out through the curtain of rain. Princoco plucked her guitar strings and suddenly opened her eyes, staring straight at the figure across the broken bridge. Her singing came out like a cry:
“Hill of Sorrow”
The bloodstained war was known to none
Everyone was left without a home
Torrential tears mingled with endless smoke
I prayed for a way to survive
To flee the sinful world below
...
On stage, Serena stepped forward slowly, gripping her silver staff. With each step, the hem of her priestess robe swayed, the metal tassels at its edge clinking clearly. Confronted with the rising pressure of this presence, Yanhou from Edess Academy had no choice but to take the initiative and break the rhythm.
His rear foot pressed down against the icy floor, heat surging from his body and steaming the surface. Then—he launched forward, leaving a crater behind.
Compressed air formed a barrier around his body. He swung a heavy punch, creating a sonic boom as it carved through the vacuum and slammed into Serena’s staff, halting her advance and forcing her back several steps.
Back atop the bridge, Princoco took a deep breath and belted out the next lyrics.
Dazzling light from the sky
Pierced across my face
It stole my breath away
Until my fear disappeared
...
“Things aren’t looking good…”
Thilan’s bow was still moving across her violin, but the sound had already been completely drowned out. In terms of emotional impact, she certainly had the talent, but right now she could only express it through instrumental performance. Compared to Princoco, who was singing with everything she had, it simply wasn’t enough.
Back on stage, the battle continued. Yanhou leapt into the air, steam rising from his body. He spun midair and delivered a powerful kick to Serena’s raised staff. The force made her stagger slightly, and the staff bent under pressure.
He was indeed worthy of his strength-based class. If that kick had hit a truck, it would've sent it flying and shattered. But Serena, despite her gentle and mature appearance, was far from fragile.
Fending off Yanhou’s barrage, a trace of fury finally surfaced in her eyes—until music rang out again from the bridge.
Hidden in this dusty cavern
Until I destroy the fear within me
We will not follow the rigid laws you laid before us
Now we begin our climb
Up this sorrowful mountain
Finally, the song’s power began to manifest on Serena. Though she stood unmoving, she now resembled an immovable mountain—no matter how Yanhou attacked, she remained rock solid.
“Had enough yet?”
Suddenly, the sleepy-eyed older sister figure let out a sharp rebuke and slammed her staff into the ground.
Black flames surged behind her, taking tangible form. They lunged at Yanhou like tendrils, wrapping him tightly. Even as he struggled, he was lifted into the air, unable to find leverage.
Holding her staff with both hands, Serena aimed the tip at Yanhou and began chanting. Runes on the staff lit up one by one as deep purple and black magical currents converged at its tip, forming a dense black sphere.
“Black Scripture: Cleansing Surge!”
The black orb fired at once, transforming into a massive torrent that blasted toward the airborne Yanhou.
The high-speed stream shredded the black tendrils, but it also wore down his compressed air barrier. Eventually, it broke through completely, and Yanhou plummeted to the stage.
He hit the ground—dazed, blank-eyed, and looking like he’d been utterly broken. Serena, still in her thick-soled shoes, calmly walked over and gave him a light kick. Seeing he didn’t respond, she smiled.
“Don’t worry~ I’m a priestess of the Light Feather Sequence. Big sister can heal you up real nicely tonight. You won’t die, promise~”
Faced with her teasing, Yanhou slowly turned his head, spat out a mouthful of blood—then finally passed out.
“Fourth match: Hive Dominion Academy wins!”