Chapter 27: Alex Whitefield VS Elara Vance!
"Who do you think will win?" Matron Valerius of the Northern Bastion Academy broke the silence in the VIP box.
"The girl, obviously. She has the backing of a powerful clan. Historically, it's very rare for a commoner disciple to defeat a clan scion in the early stages," Gideon Lance said indifferently, his tone laced with certainty.
"I agree. It will most likely be a crushing victory for the girl against the boy," Matron Valerius added.
She had reviewed both their files carefully. Alex, an orphan with no support, compared to a clan disciple in terms of resources and heavenly treasures... the difference was like heaven and earth.
"Why do I feel like the boy will win?" Seraphina Frost offered a differing opinion, her eyes narrowed.
The four other representatives turned to look at her in unison. Gideon couldn't help but chuckle. "A clan disciple, and an Ice Elementalist at that... how could she possibly lose to a commoner Darkness user?"
"Then how about a bet?" Seraphina challenged.
She was also a Darkness affinity user.
The dark energy radiating from that young man just now gave her an indescribable feeling.
It was as if, in front of him, she was just an insignificant soldier, while he was a high and mighty monarch!
Although she didn't know why this kid gave her such intense pressure, she chose to trust her intuition.
"Sure. What are the stakes?" Gideon crossed his arms.
"If you win, I'll give you whatever you want. If I win, you give me a Tier 5 or higher Darkness Combat Skill book. Deal?"
"Deal. Seraphina, today I'll help you face reality. For a commoner to defeat a clan disciple... it's harder than ascending to heaven!"
"We'll see."
Seraphina clenched her hand slightly. Kid, don't let me down...
The Arena.
On the central stage, Alex, dressed in his long black trench coat, stood in stark contrast to Elara, who wore a pristine white-and-blue combat suit. One looked like a king of the eternal night, the other like a fairy of the frozen tundra.
The referee scanned both of them. "Are you ready?"
"Mhm."
"Ready."
Their voices rang out almost simultaneously, carrying very different emotions.
The referee stepped back to the edge of the ring and raised his hand.
"The match officially begins!"
Whoosh!
The moment the command was given, cold light flickered around Elara. Blue brilliance surged in her eyes like two dazzling sapphires.
"Absolute Zero!"
She blew gently on a snowflake in her palm. Instantly, countless goose-feather snowflakes drifted down, dancing in the air like white spirits.
Crack... Snap...
In the blink of an eye, the entire ground was covered in a thick layer of solid ice. The bone-chilling cold permeated the air.
Even Alex's body began to slowly freeze over. A thin layer of ice crept up his legs, his torso, his neck... within moments, he was encased in a block of ice, turning into a frozen statue, motionless.
Elara watched this scene, a trace of confusion in her heart. Why isn't Alex doing anything?
Did he just give up?
And so, under the powerful suppression of Absolute Zero, Alex stood quietly on the stage like a sealed sculpture.
For a moment, the entire arena fell into a deathly silence. Everyone's eyes widened, unable to believe the scene before them.
"What is Alex doing? Why isn't he moving? Did he lose already?"
"Tch, I told you Alex was no good. I didn't expect him to be this weak. One-shotted instantly!"
"Hahaha, exactly! What a joke!"
In the VIP box, Victor Vance saw this and breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried Alex might have some powerful trump card, but it turned out he was trash!
As expected. Even with an S-Rank Ability, without resources, he's just waste!
But just when everyone thought the match was over... the ice sculpture moved!
Crack... CRACK!
With several crisp sounds, the solid ice encasing Alex shattered instantly into countless fragments, exploding outward like shrapnel.
Alex stood there, unharmed, brushing ice crystals off his shoulder. The corner of his mouth hooked into a cold sneer.
"The match has only just begun!"
Elara frowned deeply. She didn't hesitate. With a flash of light, she pulled the A-Rank Combat Weapon, the Frost Sword, from her Storage Ring.
"Glacial Slash!"
Swoosh!
A sharp sword qi, mixed with bone-chilling frost power, shot toward Alex at breakneck speed.
However, Alex remained calm and composed, not panicking in the slightest.
He slowly extended his right hand. Black dark elements gathered and flickered in his palm.
Hummmm...
A moment later, a massive Death Scythe materialized out of thin air, emitting a palpitating aura of darkness.
Facing the menacing Glacial Slash, Alex swung the scythe casually.
Clang!
Like cutting grass, he easily blocked the sword qi. The frost power dissipated into nothingness around the scythe, unable to harm him in the slightest.
"Just watching from a distance, that scythe feels terrifying..." Elara's expression changed drastically, a strong sense of fear rising in her heart.
But before she could think too much, a giant, pitch-black Shadow Claw suddenly appeared in the sky directly above her.
She wanted to use a movement skill to dodge, but she discovered with horror that her body couldn't move.
Looking down, she saw that at some point, the ground beneath her had turned into a dark abyss. Black mist, like tentacles, was wrapping around her legs, locking her in place.
"Abyssal Swamp!"
BOOM!
A loud crash, like muffled thunder, rang out on the stage.
Elara coughed up a mouthful of blood as the Shadow Claw slammed into her. Her body flew backward like a kite with a cut string.
Her outer clothes were torn by the impact, revealing an A-Rank silver combat armor underneath, glowing with protective light.
It was only because of this armor that she avoided being crippled or killed.
Elara struggled to sit up, looking at the young man before her. Her beautiful eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
Why is he so strong?
Sensing the powerful aura radiating from Alex, she let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Tier 1, Rank 6...
She lost...
She lost thoroughly. With a realm of Tier 1, Rank 6, no wonder he could forcibly break her ice seal...
So, the clown was me all along.
I even boasted shamelessly that I would go easy on him?
Truly ridiculous...
A deep sense of powerlessness washed over her. She wanted to just lie there and not get up.
With this scene, and Alex's aura fully revealed, the entire arena plunged into shock!
"Did I see that right? Alex defeated Goddess Elara in two moves? And she was wearing A-Rank armor??"
"No way? Are you kidding me? Alex is already Tier 1, Rank 6?! Then what is my Tier 1, Rank 1 that I worked so hard for?!"
"Holy crap! Alex is so cool! And that thing in his hand... is that a Companion Spirit Weapon?"
"Didn't they say background is a type of strength? Why is Elara getting destroyed??"
In an instant, the students in the arena boiled over.
The support that had been one-sidedly for Elara instantly flipped. Alex, at this moment, was the only true god in their hearts!!
"Ridiculous! Ridiculous! This is absolutely ridiculous!! I want this kid!!"
Gideon Lance slapped his thigh excitedly, his eyes shining with fervor.
To cultivate to Tier 1, Rank 6 on the fourth day of awakening... this was an unprecedented feat!
The known record in the Federation was reaching Tier 1, Rank 6 on the tenth day!
And Alex had created a new record, rewriting history!
Not only that, but the combat skills he used—Shadow Claw and Abyssal Swamp—were both at the Proficient level!
This kind of talented existence couldn't simply be called a prodigy anymore. He was a peerless monster!
"Heh. I wonder who was so certain the girl would win just now?"
Seraphina Frost's eyes were still full of shock, but her voice carried a trace of teasing.
This kid... is more than just strong.
Even if they dragged out the carefully groomed children of those old monsters in the Capital and Arcane City, they probably wouldn't be enough for him to fight!
Furthermore, she secretly suspected that the scythe in the boy's hand was extremely likely to be a Companion Spirit Weapon!
"Ahem. I was blind just now. Anyway, don't fight me for this kid. Whoever tries to take him from me, I'll fight them!" Gideon barked.
"Oh? Then let's see if you have the ability," Seraphina chuckled lightly.
Unlike the bickering duo, the representatives from the other three Academies were already frantically calling their principals, requesting the highest level of recruitment authority!
It was truly outrageous. Achieving such accomplishments in just three days... it was unprecedented and likely unrepeatable!
If they could recruit Alex into their school, they would definitely win the upcoming Awakener Academy Grand Tournament!
He who gets Alex, gets the championship!
In the Arena.
Alex walked slowly toward Elara, dragging the Death Scythe behind him. The metal tip scraped against the stone floor, creating a harsh, grinding noise that grated on the nerves of everyone watching.
Scrape... Scrape...
He stopped two meters away from her.
Elara looked up at him, her face pale, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her A-Rank armor was dented, the light dimming.
"Do you yield?" Alex asked, his voice flat.
Elara gritted her teeth, trying to stand using her sword for support. "I..."
"Don't force it," Alex said coldly. "Your ribs are cracked. Your internal energy is chaotic. If you stand up, you'll collapse."
Elara froze. He saw through her condition instantly.
She looked at the VIP box, at her father Victor Vance. His face was purple with rage, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles were white. He wasn't looking at her with concern; he was looking at her with disappointment and anger.
Her heart went cold.
"I..." Elara lowered her head, her voice trembling. "I yield."
"Winner: Alex Whitefield!" Principal Higgins announced, his voice booming.
ROAR!
The crowd erupted.
Alex didn't celebrate. He simply dispelled his scythe and turned to look at the VIP box.
He looked directly at Victor Vance.
He didn't speak, but his eyes said everything.
Are you watching?
This is the result of your arrogance.
Alex then turned to the corner of the stands where James Whitefield was sitting.
James was crying. Tears streamed down his weathered face as he cheered, waving his arms wildly.
Alex smiled. A genuine, warm smile.
Then, he looked back at Elara, who was still on the ground.
"Remember what I said," Alex whispered. "After today, we are strangers."
He turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the center of the cheering arena.