Rosily heard someone say the word “Magic Puppet,” and a look of confusion flashed across her eyes.
She turned to look at the speaker, a male student in the class who appeared somewhat chubby—one of those types who couldn’t run very fast.
The loose pant legs couldn’t hide the trembling of his legs.
The instructor in charge of this combat simulation class was a short-haired man clad in armor.
His face was aged and bore some healed scars, giving him a fierce and menacing appearance.
Yet, this veteran knight exuded an imposing solemn aura.
His sharp gaze swept over everyone before finally resting on the chubby student who had spoken up.
The chubby boy turned pale at the glare and hurriedly shut up.
The others also stopped their murmurs, lowering their heads one by one.
None dared to bring bad luck upon this instructor.
After pulling her gaze away, Rosily looked toward the massive armored figure on the carriage.
This Magic Puppet was made entirely of steel, with limbs as thick and sturdy as tree trunks.
Broad-shouldered and barrel-chested like a giant bear, its enormous frame radiated an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Standing before it, one would feel as if they were struggling to breathe.
As if a predatory monster had locked its sights on you.
Except for Rosily, the transfer student, most of the others had already experienced the sheer power of this giant and couldn’t help but feel intimidated.
They thought to themselves: they were only here to spend a year at the Magic Academy, not to risk life and death.
Previous combat simulations only involved a few weak magical beasts for practice.
So, was it really necessary to take things this seriously?
However, the veteran knight, having retired from the City Guard Knight Squad, showed no mercy.
He immediately ordered the Magic Puppet to be unloaded.
He strode quickly behind the Magic Puppet, and the soldier driving the carriage jogged over, handing him a black square crystal about the size of a fist.
Holding the black crystal, the knight glanced back at the group and sneered coldly.
Without hesitation, he opened the cover at the back of the Puppet’s neck, inserted the crystal inside, and then closed the thick steel plate.
With these actions completed, the previously silent steel Magic Puppet’s head emitted a faint blue glow.
The colossal figure rose to its feet—crouching it already felt intimidating, but now fully activated, it was suffocating.
The knight left behind a row of standard issue weapons and headed out of the Arena.
At this moment, a student followed him, trying to run out of the Arena.
But just as he reached the gate, the knight spun around and kicked him back inside.
The kid fell to the ground in pain, his face contorted.
“What gives you the right to kick me! My dad is—”
“Whoever your dad is, I can rip your spine out right now. You spineless whelp, get back inside!”
His face flushed red as he tried to name-drop his father but was silenced by the knight’s ferocious words.
His blush faded instantly.
The killing intent in the knight’s tone was palpable.
Thankfully, this delinquent didn’t soil himself from fear.
This old knight had lived through many battles; his aura was not something spoiled kids like them could easily withstand.
The student’s face flickered red and white but ultimately dared not argue further and slunk away to the side of the Arena, wearing a sullen expression.
After this little incident, the steel Magic Puppet in the center of the Arena lifted its previously drooping head.
Its arms, thicker than a human waist, reached for the massive sword hanging at its waist.
The Puppet swung the giant blade, stirring a strong gust that made everyone on the field sweat profusely.
All four gates of the Arena were closed.
The only escape was to climb up to the seven-meter-high spectator stands.
But the walls of the stands were already surrounded by several knights on guard.
It seemed they had no option but to face the challenge.
Rosily reacted quickly, rushing to the weapon rack and grabbing a longsword.
Unlike her, most of her classmates chose to scatter and run.
Because they had learned from experience—last time, escaping fast enough was the only reason they weren’t injured by the Magic Puppet.
So their first choice this time was to run.
“Rosily, let’s fight together!”
Elqi glanced around, a little angry.
This time, only she and Rosily remained; the others had hidden away, planning to play hide-and-seek with the Puppet, with whoever fell behind becoming the front line.
She recalled that last combat simulation class, a few had been willing to resist, but now only she and Rosily were left standing.
A copper ring on Elqi’s middle finger gleamed, and a magic wand appeared in her hand.
She looked at Rosily, who returned the gaze.
Without words, they had already formed a tacit understanding in their actions.
The scattered students saw this and first showed surprise, then disdain in their eyes.
They didn’t believe that Rosily and Elqi alone could defeat that Magic Puppet.
That thing was clearly meant for the military!
Still, they were somewhat thankful to Rosily and Elqi, genuinely hoping they could buy more time.
The Magic Puppet’s stored mana was limited, and so was its operating time.
As long as it exhausted its mana, they’d pass the challenge.
What? Defeat it?
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
Having witnessed the Puppet’s power, they didn’t think human flesh and blood could match such a steel behemoth.
That was a feat only achievable by high-level mages.
As today’s freshmen, most were only first or second tier in mana levels—where was the chance to win?
They watched Rosily and silently mocked her.
No way, right?
You don’t actually think you can win?
This world was all about bloodline and family background.
Winning against Yelena was already impressive; why bother showing off here?
Just buy time obediently.
Heh, looks like she’s been hyped up too much and forgotten her limits!
They had praised Rosily after she defeated Yelena because Yelena was an outcast, and some enjoyed seeing her stepped on.
Naturally, they were willing to hype up this mysterious transfer student.
But now, with Rosily openly challenging the terrifying Magic Puppet, they appeared cowardly in comparison.
Their displeasure turned Rosily into the outcast.
At this moment, the steel Puppet’s eyes shifted from blue to red, and in an instant, everyone present felt a shock, as if struck by electricity.
The hairs on their skin stood on end.
Rosily ignored those bug-like gazes and focused on the massive surge of mana—it was at least fourth-tier.
A normal person would feel fear, but a smile curled on her lips.
Faced with a formidable enemy, she only felt excitement.
Before coming here, Rosily thought there would be some strong people at the school.
Instead, it was a bunch of weaklings.
This disappointed her and quickly sapped her interest in the school.
Better to be at home with her mother than waste time with these people!
Rosily gripped the standard-issue longsword, gave it a light shake, and quickly adjusted to its weight.
Then, she dashed forward like an arrow at the Magic Puppet.
The Puppet shifted its body, emitting a creaking sound.
The massive door-sized sword swung down from above, aimed at the charging golden-haired girl.