After the afterimage of the Elven King dissipated, the courtyard fell into an eerie silence.
Ai Weier stood still, wiping the trace of blood from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, staring at Charlotte with a complex expression.
She was calculating.
The Elven King’s inheritance… a foundation at Level 6… and that faintly perceptible soulfire aura that didn’t belong to an ordinary mage…
This girl might not be her match now, but give her time—
‘Three years? No, maybe two, and she’ll catch up to me. By then…’
Ai Weier’s fingers unconsciously clenched.
Killing intent surged within her heart.
Now was the best time to act. Her opponent was only Level 6, while she was at Level 7 peak. A single killing blow, clean and decisive, and the problem would be eliminated forever.
Mana had already gathered in her palm.
But—
“President.” The secretary behind her reminded in a low voice, “The Weir Family members are all watching, and… we came here this time solely to deliver the engagement termination letter. If someone dies, it will be hard to explain to the Dean.”
Ai Weier’s hand froze.
She swept her gaze around. Although the elders and disciples of the Weir Family looked pale, their eyes no longer held the same despair as before. That moment when the Elven King’s afterimage appeared had given them confidence.
If she forced a fight now, it wouldn’t be a “broken engagement” but a “massacre of the family.”
The nature of the act would be completely different.
While Principal Sylvia was domineering, she wouldn’t allow a massacre of a Marquis family in broad daylight.
The Empire would likely be angered as well.
Moreover, the successor of the Elven King… if she killed her, might it trigger some uncontrollable backlash?
Ai Weier took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the murderous intent.
“Charlotte.” She spoke, her voice regaining its calm. “You have guts, I’ll admit that. But guts mean nothing in the face of absolute power.”
“You’re Level 6 now, and I’m Level 7 peak. I came here today on orders, not to kill, so you can still stand here and speak.”
Ai Weier stepped forward, looking down at Charlotte’s eyes. “But don’t think you can hide here forever relying on the Elven King’s inheritance. Sky College has never failed to get what it wants.”
Charlotte met her gaze without backing down.
Her heart was still pounding wildly. The power of the Elven King had completely receded, and a wave of weakness and exhaustion was washing over her. But she gritted her teeth and forced herself not to show any sign of fragility.
Then, an idea formed in her mind.
‘I can’t stay on the defensive forever. She held back today, but what about next time? The next? If Sky College is determined to target the Weir Family, we can’t withstand sustained pressure.’
‘I need to buy time.’
“Ai Weier.” Charlotte suddenly spoke.
“Hm?”
“I have a proposal.”
Charlotte stepped forward, looking directly into Ai Weier’s cold eyes. Her voice was so steady that even she herself was surprised.
“Three years. Give me three years.”
Ai Weier raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Three years from now, I will personally go to Sky College and challenge you to an official duel.”
As soon as these words were spoken, not only Ai Weier was stunned, but even the members of the Weir Family behind her changed expressions.
“Young Master!” The Great Elder exclaimed.
“Young Master Charlotte, you must not!”
Charlotte did not turn around and continued:
“The terms of the bet are simple—within three years, Sky College may not take any action against the Weir Family for any reason. No one sent to break the engagement, no pressure, no underhanded tactics. Let us live in peace for three years.”
“Three years later, I will come to Sky College and fight you. If I win, the engagement continues, and the College will no longer interfere in this matter.”
She paused, her voice dropping slightly, but every word was still clear:
“If I lose, I will submit to whatever punishment you decide. Be it breaking the engagement or crippling my mana, I will have no objections.”
The courtyard fell deathly silent.
The Weir family members exchanged glances, wanting to speak but not daring to. The Great Elder opened his mouth but ultimately did not interrupt.
Ai Weier stared at Charlotte for a long time.
Then, she laughed.
That smile carried no warmth, cold to the bone.
“Do you know what you’re saying?” Ai Weier’s tone even carried a trace of amusement. “Challenge me in three years? A Level 6 person wants to catch up to Level 7 peak in three years?”
“Do you think magical training is child’s play? And in these three years, I won’t be standing still either. Do you know what that means?”
How could Charlotte not understand?
It meant that if she wanted to catch up, she would need to elevate at least two major realms! But how easy were Level 7 and even Level 8?
How many young prodigies reached Level 6 early, only to be forever stuck before Level 7?
“Whether I can do it or not, you don’t get to judge.” Charlotte’s voice remained calm. “You just need to answer—do you accept or not?”
Ai Weier tilted her head, studying Charlotte’s expression.
There was no blustering arrogance, no desperate solemnity. This girl’s eyes held only one thing: absolute seriousness.
‘Interesting.’
Ai Weier calculated in her mind.
Three years’ time would cost her nothing. She couldn’t have stayed stuck in a small place like the Weir Family forever anyway. And after three years, the opponent would come to her doorstep…
That would be the best chance to crush her openly and legitimately in front of everyone.
No need to worry about the bad reputation of a “massacre,” no interference from the Church or the Royal Family.
A fair and just duel, and the loser—
would submit to any punishment.
Those four words carried far more weight than an engagement termination letter.
“Fine. I accept.”
Ai Weier nodded readily.
“Three years it is. I promise you, for these three years, Sky College will not do anything to the Weir Family.”
She turned around and waved her hand, signaling the students behind her to prepare to leave.
After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped and looked back over her shoulder at Charlotte.
“I will report today’s events to the Dean honestly. The matter of the Elven King’s inheritance probably won’t stay secret for long.”
“And also—”
A hint of an ambiguous smile curled at the corner of Ai Weier’s lips:
“I hope I can still see you in three years. After all, it’s not just Sky College that will be watching you during these three years. You should know how many people will covet something like the Elven King’s inheritance.”
“Take care of yourself.”
With that, Ai Weier turned and left without looking back.
Her fiery red hair fluttered in the night breeze, soon disappearing at the end of the road.
As the footsteps of Ai Weier and her group faded away, the suffocating mana pressure in the courtyard finally dissipated completely.
Charlotte could no longer hold on. Her tense body suddenly gave out. Her legs went weak, and she slid down to sit with her back against the cold stone wall, gasping for breath. The cold sweat on her forehead had already soaked the golden hair in front.
“Young Master!”
The Great Elder and several elders of the Weir Family immediately gathered around with worried expressions.
“I’m fine…”
Charlotte waved weakly, trying to force a reassuring smile, but the slight trembling of her fingertips betrayed the immense pressure she had just endured.
The Great Elder looked at her pale face and let out a long sigh.