Lucas walked down the contestant tunnel, hands in his pockets, looking as bored as if he had just bought groceries.
The other students in the hallway backed away hurriedly, pressing themselves against the walls to make space for him. Their eyes were full of awe and fear.
"That's him... The 'One-Slap Man'..."
"He almost took Marcus's head off."
"Shh! Don't look at him, or he might summon that demon hand!"
Lucas ignored them. He just wanted to find a quiet corner to rest and check his rewards.
But just as he turned a corner, a cold chill filled the air. Frost began to form on the walls.
A slender, beautiful girl blocked his path.
She had pale blue hair and eyes like sapphire. She wore the elite white combat uniform of the top-ranked academy. The air around her was literally freezing.
[Analysis Eye Activated]
[Name: Elena]
[Class: S-Rank Ice Mage (Ice Phoenix Bloodline)]
[Level: 8]
It was the "Ice Princess," the favorite to win this tournament.
"Lucas," Elena spoke, her voice crisp and arrogant. "You are hiding your true strength. That wasn't an F-Rank Necromancy skill."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Is there a rule that I have to report my skills to you?"
Elena frowned. No boy had ever spoken to her like this. They usually stammered or tried to curry favor.
"I am giving you a chance," Elena crossed her arms. "Join my team for the Finals. With my Ice Magic and your... peculiar summon, we can dominate the Team Battle segment."
"Join your team?" Lucas chuckled. "Sorry. I don't carry dead weight."
"You called me... dead weight?" Elena's eyes widened in disbelief. Anger rose in her chest. Mana surged, and ice crystals began to float around her.
"Do you think defeating a clumsy bear makes you invincible? Let me show you what a true S-Rank looks like—"
Before Elena could release her pressure—
Hmph.
A cold, mocking snort echoed directly inside Elena's soul. It didn't come from Lucas. It came from the shadow beneath his feet.
Suddenly, Elena felt like a prey being stared at by a prehistoric predator.
An overwhelming, ancient, and dark presence washed over her. It felt as if a massive dragon had opened its jaws right next to her neck. Her [Ice Phoenix] bloodline, which she was so proud of, started trembling in fear!
Crack.
The floating ice crystals around Elena shattered into dust.
Her legs went soft, and she had to lean against the wall to stop from collapsing. Sweat soaked her back instantly.
"Listen, little bird," Seraphina's voice sounded only in Elena's ears, full of possessiveness. "Stay away from my Master. Or I will pluck your feathers one by one."
Lucas patted his clothes, acting as if nothing happened. He stepped closer to the pale Elena and whispered:
"Thanks for the offer, Princess. But I prefer to hunt alone."
He walked past her without looking back.
Elena stood there for a full minute, gasping for air. Her heart was racing like crazy. It wasn't just fear. It was... excitement.
She turned to look at Lucas's receding back, her cheeks flushing red.
"He... he suppressed my Phoenix bloodline just by walking past?"
"Interesting... Lucas, I want to know all your secrets."
...
[In the shadows]
"Master, did I do well?" Seraphina asked, her tone shifting from scary queen to clingy girlfriend instantly. "That woman was looking at you with greedy eyes. I hate it."
Lucas smiled helplessly. "You scared her to death. But good job. We don't need teammates."
"Teammates are useless," Seraphina agreed. "You only need me."
[System Notification]
[Quarter-Finals beginning soon.]
[Next Opponent: "The Assassin" Kael (B-Rank, Shadow Step)]
Lucas checked the notification.
"An Assassin?" Lucas grinned. "Using shadow skills against a Necromancer? That's going to be fun."