Chapter 79: Ate Yet? If Not, Take My Hammer

Perez, Head of the Mills Family, crossed his arms over his chest, a trace of barely concealed displeasure flashing between his brows.

Held back by Isavel’s presence, he could only suppress his emotions and give a low snort.

“So, the Rose Knights are really planning to make a big move, huh?”

Isavel’s fingertips brushed lightly over her lips, a meaningful smile surfacing in her eyes.

“With such strength, why wouldn’t they?”

“Well then, I’d better look forward to their performance.”

As he spoke, Perez glanced surreptitiously at “Nora,” who gave a subtle nod in return.

Only then did Perez lean back against his chair, finally at ease.

On the other side, the Academy Head was also engaged in a similar secret exchange with “Nora,” though this interaction was deliberately kept out of Perez’s line of sight.

Yet to all these undercurrents, Isavel seemed wholly unaware, her gaze fixed, ever focused on the Arena.

Inside the Secret Realm, the Fourth Squad’s captain furrowed his brow, beads of cold sweat dotting his forehead.

“The Fifth Squad has already been eliminated.”

When his team member came to report this, he felt a chill run down his back, the pressure mounting.

From the start of the match until now, it had only been a few minutes, and the Fifth Squad had been knocked out with barely a struggle.

This could only mean that the Rose Knights’ strength was far beyond their expectations.

“Captain, what should we do?”

“Meet up with the Third Squad at once.”

“What?!”

The team members cried out in shock.

Although there were no set rules against teaming up in the Secret Realm during the Academy Tournament, years of competition had established an unwritten rule among both participants and spectators that such collaboration was frowned upon.

Openly joining forces would only draw scorn from the audience.

So, even though these teams had reached an agreement before the start, it was only to find ways—by means of various “accidents”—to hinder the Rose Knights.

“Only by teaming up with them do we stand a chance of defeating the Rose Knights.”

“Are they really that strong?!”

“You really think that, with our abilities, we could take out the Fifth Squad in just a few seconds?”

The captain’s knuckles turned white as he gripped his Magic Staff tighter.

His words left the team in silent contemplation.

While they were shocked at how quickly the Fifth Squad had been eliminated, in their hearts, they still suspected the Rose Knights must have used some kind of underhanded trick.

Because for the Fifth Squad to be wiped out so quickly was simply too unbelievable…

“Besides, our goal isn’t even to defeat them, but to hold them back. Don’t forget—if the plan fails, none of us will get off easy!”

The captain’s words snuffed out any lingering hesitation among those reluctant to join forces with the Third Squad.

They understood well: if their plan to obstruct the Rose Knights failed simply because they wouldn’t swallow their pride, once the match was over, Grem would definitely make them pay dearly.

They might even be expelled from the Academy!

With that in mind, they hurried toward the Third Squad.

……

In the Arena stands, when the spectators saw the Fourth Squad heading toward the Third Squad’s location, excitement rippled through the crowd.

They thought a closely-matched battle was about to unfold.

But when they saw the two squads join forces, an uproar swept through the audience.

“Teaming up in broad daylight? Shameless!”

“Hmph, who said they can’t team up? There’s no such rule in the Academy Tournament!”

“This is targeted bullying, isn’t it? Does Mills Academy have no dignity at all?”

“That’s right! If people keep teaming up like this, will the strongest teams get eliminated right from the start?!”

The stands erupted in heated debate.

The Academy Head turned his face aside, uncomfortable.

Their actions certainly tarnished the Academy’s reputation, but so long as they could keep the Rose Knights from reaching the finals, it was all worth it.

Meeting Isavel’s meaningful gaze, the Academy Head coughed lightly, ignored the noisy crowd, and shamelessly returned his attention to the Arena’s events.

……

After the Fourth Squad and Third Squad had completed their alliance, the Rose Knights quickly tracked them down.

Facing the five girls of the Rose Knights, the Fourth Squad captain gripped his Magic Staff, voice low.

“Be careful. They’re strong.”

“No matter how strong, they’re not our match.”

The Third Squad captain chuckled quietly.

In his mind, with the Fourth Squad by their side, not even Grem’s team could defeat them so easily.

Besides, their real goal was only to delay the Rose Knights.

According to Grem’s team and the Second Squad’s pace, they just needed to stall for half an hour, and that would be enough.

Half an hour…

Too easy, no challenge at all.

Just as the Third Squad captain thought so, Leanna drew her sword with a faint smile.

“So we finally meet. It wasn’t for nothing that we slowed down and followed you this whole way.”

A twitch of the brow betrayed the Fourth Squad captain’s unease, dread creeping over him.

“What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? Isn’t it obvious? We’re here to wipe you all out.”

“I admit you’re strong, but isn’t this a bit much—looking down on us like that?!”

The Third Squad captain let out a laugh, equal parts anger and scorn.

He raised his Magic Staff, magic power coalescing into the shapes of countless blades in the air.

“Second-tier Magic, Wind Blade!”

As his words fell, sharp blades of wind tore through the air, flying at the Rose Knights with speeds nearly invisible to the naked eye.

If his opponent were Kairan, this move alone would decide the outcome.

But unfortunately for him, his opponent was the Rose Knights.

“Ice Shield.”

Teresa lifted her hand, and a thin Ice Shield appeared before the group.

The Wind Blades struck it, dissolving like water, unable to break through its defense at all.

Behind her, Serila nocked her longbow.

“A pointless struggle.”

As the bowstring thrummed, a rain of arrows streaked down, emerald green light streaming behind them.

Iserine chanted softly, enchanting each arrow with brilliant magic light.

“Second-tier Magic, Magic Barrier!”

Ding ding ding—!

The arrows struck the barrier, unleashing a harsh clatter.

But within seconds, the Fourth Squad captain heard the cracking of their barrier.

His pupils shrank, disbelief in his voice.

“Get out of the way!”

Crack—!

The Magic Barrier shattered completely.

Arrows fell like shooting stars; many team members, unable to dodge or defend in time, were pierced by the arrows and transformed into rays of white light, vanishing from the Secret Realm.

Gripped by fear, the Fourth Squad captain barely escaped the deadly arrowstorm, only to see a hammer as massive as a mountain crashing down in front of him.

“Where do you think you’re going?! Take my hammer!”

With the girl’s fierce shout, he felt as if a mountain had struck him.

Darkness swallowed his consciousness, and he knew no more.