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Comprehensive Arena, the biggest stage.
At this point, the audience had basically taken their seats.
"Is this the third official ranking battle this year?"
"It's been three months since the start of school. Next month, the most exciting event isn't our school's official ranking battle, but the Star Martial Festival, right?"
"Speaking of which, this season's Star Martial Festival is finally about to begin."
"The first one to be held is the Phoenix Star Martial Festival, but I don't know who in our school has signed up to participate."
"I heard that the fifth-ranked Heavy Colour Witch signed up for the Phoenix Star Martial Festival."
"What? That princess actually signed up?"
"Who is her partner?"
"Not sure. It seems to be an unknown person outside the ranking..."
"Let's watch the ranking battle first. This ranking battle has an exciting highlight."
"Yeah, I didn't expect Wave Star Magic Sword to challenge Wind Blade Thunder. He is really brave."
"Last time, the tenth-ranked David easily lost to Wind Blade Thunder. One of them is not even ranked thirteenth among the twelve people on the first page. Is it really possible to win against the first place?"
"It is said that Wave Star Magic Sword will not lose to the twelve people on the first page, right? We just have to wait and see!"
"Hehe, I hope Wave Star Magic Sword doesn't lose too badly..."
The audience chatted amongst themselves, and the center of attention was undoubtedly the highlight of this official ranking battle—the duel between Erend and Natasha.
This official ranking battle was similar to the last one. There were only two duels involving the twelve people on the first page. However, this time was different because both duels featured challenges from lower-ranked individuals against those in the top twelve.
Among them, the match where Erend challenged Natasha was undoubtedly the main event.
The other match was a challenge between the 15th-ranked player and the 12th-ranked player.
The former was considered a match between equals, as the 13th-ranked player was believed to be just as strong as those in the top twelve. The latter, however, was simply a challenge between the 15th and 12th-ranked players. From any perspective, the battle between Erend and Natasha was the highlight.
Therefore, their duel was scheduled as the last match of the official ranking battle and would not take place until all the previous duels were completed.
"Really, those two were too sudden, weren't they?"
In the VIP first-class seats, Jenni Ortega sat with her arms crossed, looking displeased.
"Yeah," Butler also came to watch the match, sitting beside her with a wry smile. "I still can't believe that person would challenge Natasha."
Not long ago, the four of them had gone out together and enjoyed a happy meal. The atmosphere between them had always seemed friendly.
So, Butler was genuinely surprised when he heard that Erend had suddenly challenged Natasha.
"There seems to be some hidden reason behind this," Claudia sat on the other side of Jenni Ortega, smiling. "But regardless of the reason, the duel is happening. All we can do is wait and see."
As she spoke, Claudia suddenly changed her tone.
"By the way, I heard that you two decided to form a partnership and participate in the Phoenix Star Martial Festival together. That's quite unexpected, right?"
Hearing this, Butler smiled knowingly, while Jenni Ortega looked a little unnatural.
"...After all, a lot has happened on our side, and it just ended up this way."
Her face slightly flushed as she made an ambiguous statement.
In the past two weeks, many things had indeed happened between Butler and Jenni Ortega.
In fact, Jenni Ortega had been targeted by an unknown assailant for some time, causing her a lot of trouble.
However, Butler had accidentally become involved in these events and, after a series of developments, had helped Jenni Ortega repel her attacker.
This led them to resolve their previous conflicts and open up to each other.
So, the two decided to team up for the upcoming Phoenix Star Martial Festival.
"That's good news." As the student council president, Claudia naturally knew what the two had been through. She smiled and said, "I was a little worried that Jenni Ortega wouldn't be able to find a partner. She's never been very popular at the academy."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Jenni Ortega snorted. "The duel between those two is more important right now."
"Indeed." Butler scratched his head. "I don't even know who to cheer for. It feels so complicated."
"Hehe," Claudia chuckled. "Again, all we can do is watch the battle."
"Let's just sit back and see how things unfold."
Hearing this, Jenni Ortega and Butler exchanged glances and suppressed their complicated emotions.
"Who do you think will win?"
Jenni Ortega shifted her attention back to the match.
"Not sure." Claudia shook her head. "Logically speaking, Natasha should have a greater chance of winning."
"Yes," Butler nodded in agreement. "I've watched the video of Ferguson's duels, and honestly, his swordsmanship is terrifyingly strong."
As a swordsman himself, Butler was naturally aware of his own strength.
After watching Ferguson's duels, he had felt humbled.
At the very least, he admitted that he was inferior to Ferguson in terms of sword skills.
And to think that such a formidable swordsman was only thirteen years old—it was enough to send chills down his spine.
However...
"I feel like Erend isn't the kind of person who would challenge someone without being certain of his chances. If he's challenging Natasha, it means he at least believes he has a shot at winning, right?"
This was Butler's opinion.
"That guy does have an unpredictable air about him," Jenni Ortega frowned. "But I still can't imagine Natasha losing."
Claudia didn't say anything but reached for the emblem at her waist.
"...You'll surprise me, won't you?"
Unexpectedly, Claudia smiled happily.
As the official ranking battle was announced, the crowd's anticipation reached its peak.
In the player area, as the battles progressed, more and more players took to the stage, making the waiting area gradually empty.
Erend leaned against a wall in the corner, his eyes closed, just like last time.
Everyone in the player area who had yet to fight stole glances at him, their gazes filled with scrutiny and curiosity.
The last time he had been here, Erend had been a nobody. Nobody had paid attention to him.
This time, things were different. He was one of the most talked-about competitors in the ranking battle.
Unfortunately, Erend ignored them all, closing his eyes and focusing on his thoughts.
He recalled the moment he last absorbed Ten Thousand Responding Mine.
At that time, with the assistance of the Black Furnace Demonic Sword, he had absorbed all the Ten Thousand Responding Mine stored underground.
Mountains of it—absorbed entirely.
However, the results had been underwhelming.
"Even after absorbing so much, my improvement isn't as obvious as before..."
Erend pondered.
"Is it because I've reached a level where progress is harder? Or... is it that ordinary Ten Thousand Responding Mine is no longer effective for me?"
Regardless of the reason, it was clear that his period of rapid growth was coming to an end.
"But this is enough."
Erend opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within them.
"Number one, here I come."
A surge of star power erupted from Erend, causing the air around him to tremble.
The final battle was about to begin.
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