"Rumble—!"
When the dazzling little sun finally faded away,
Akura, standing nearby, had completely frozen on the spot.
She finally understood why the principal had suddenly stuffed someone into their team.
This wasn't adding a person at all—this was adding a walking carry!
Did she really have a chance to win the group match championship?
A trace of incredulous hope appeared on Akura's face. And for some reason, a small voice deep inside her kept telling her that as long as Caelan was around, all of this would come true.
On the other side, Caelan casually raised a single finger and hooked it lightly in the referee's direction.
"Next."
At that moment, it wasn't just the spectators on site who went crazy—
even the viewers watching the live broadcast shifted all their attention to Caelan.
"Look at that uniform— isn't that our Mylanne High School uniform?!"
"Oh my god, who would've thought the big shot's son is actually studying at Mylanne High School!"
"Butler! Arrange some connections immediately—transfer my precious children to Mylanne High School!"
"..."
The entire audience erupted.
In less than ten minutes, the number of viewers watching the Ranked Match had already exceeded ten times that of last year's finals!
Mylanne High School.
The principal leisurely savored the wine in his hand. He had already forgotten the last time he felt this relaxed.
Maybe it was in childhood.
Or maybe never.
The principal shook his head—none of that mattered anymore.
What truly mattered was that he had regained the board of directors' trust and had even secured a seat on the board!
He gently swirled the wine glass, his gaze locked firmly onto the live broadcast of the Ranked Match.
Watching Caelan's relaxed demeanor and his effortless team wipes, the principal felt as refreshed as if he'd downed an entire barrel of ice-cold cola.
This time, he had really struck gold.
But after this Ranked Match, Caelan would undoubtedly attract massive attention.
No—that wouldn't do.
I need to find a way to bind this kid tightly to the school.
As long as Caelan stays at Mylanne High School, my position as principal will be rock solid.
I might even have a shot at becoming chairman of the board.
At that thought, the principal smiled so hard his nose practically bubbled.
So the most important thing next—
was to give Caelan enough benefits!
A decisive glint flashed in the principal's eyes. He opened the hidden compartment in his desk drawer and took out a black crystal card.
Even though he had already made up his mind, a look of pain still crossed his face.
Caelan, don't disappoint me.
It took me years to save up this Black Crystal Card.
As long as you take first place—it's yours!
Ranked Match Instance.
After one-shotting yet another team, Caelan yawned and waved toward Akura.
"Hey, you—come here for a sec."
Akura was a little surprised, but still walked over, somewhat stiffly.
"Caelan, do you need something?"
Caelan calmly shook his head, then raised an arm.
"Lend me your shoulder. I need a human support—I'm tired."
Several black lines instantly appeared above Akura's head.
This damned bastard—
what exactly does he think I am?!
But when she recalled Caelan's earlier performance, she suddenly didn't feel that angry anymore.
She'd already been reduced to a "hanger accessory."
Being a human support… didn't seem that unacceptable.
"F-Fine."
Akura nodded. Caelan rested against her shoulder and closed his eyes to nap.
At the same time,
down below the stage, Lory completely lost it.
He had long set his sights on Akura and had even planned how to "develop" her.
But Caelan's sudden appearance had destroyed everything he'd carefully planned!
"That damned bastard—don't think you're so amazing!"
"I've already found your biggest weakness!"
A twisted smile appeared on Lory's face as his hands tightly gripped a rusted bronze necklace.
You can only launch one attack.
As long as I activate [Bronze Aegis] and tank that strike—
victory will definitely belong to Karlo City!
At that moment, the teleportation gate in front of him began to glow.
"Let's go—crush them!"
"Caelan, wake up! The next match is about to start!"
"Caelan??"
On the arena, Akura was completely dumbfounded.
The opponents were already in position, and the match was about to begin.
But Caelan… had fallen asleep?!
Such an important match—was he really not worried at all?
As the countdown ended, Lory, seeing this scene, sneered openly.
"Akura, you can't escape."
"That guy leaning on you—he's clearly scared, so he's pretending to sleep."
"Believe it or not—"
Before Lory could finish his sentence, the corner of his eye caught sight of Caelan lifting his sword with one hand and casually swinging it!
In the next instant, countless sharp sword rays covered the entire arena!
Lory didn't even have time to react before the [Bronze Aegis] in his hand shattered into dust!
And the teammates behind him were instantly minced into fragments by the sword light!
"So close!"
Lory wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead.
He knew it clearly—
that attack from Caelan was outrageously powerful!
But at the same time, it meant his chance had arrived!
No matter how strong Caelan was, there had to be limits!
The Ranked Match level cap was 100.
A skill that powerful was practically comparable to an Awakening Skill.
After using it once, he must be completely burned out!
Now—it's my turn to counterattack!
Filled with confidence, Lory summoned his staff.
What he didn't notice, however, was that a hidden sword-light mark on the hem of his clothes was quietly flickering.
"I don't care who you are—this time, you'll lose miserably. Do you even know—"
Before he could finish speaking, the mark exploded!
In the next instant, tens of thousands of sword rays pierced straight through his heart!
Lory wouldn't die—but the agony of ten thousand swords piercing his body was enough to drive anyone insane!
"Rumble—!"
After the sword light faded, the arena had been completely destroyed—
yet under the Instance's rules, it instantly restored itself to its original state.
Caelan rubbed his eyes and asked curiously,
"What was that guy saying just now?"