Chapter 128: The Final Spot

“The apothecary with ice and snow magic might just be our trump card for the Mage Duel Tournament. Work hard,” she said.

“Yes...” came the reply.

“And Hei Yu, I have only one piece of advice for you.”

“Huh?!”

“No sleeping during morning classes from now on!”

“Yes...” Hei Yu answered listlessly.

“It's getting late... Today's practical training ends here. Starting tomorrow, I will put you through hellish specialized training!”

Yun Lan put on a stern expression, then narrowed her eyes and smiled.

“Alright, now, let's go have some grilled skewers.”

“I was just thinking about eating...” Yixin said helplessly to the teacher.

Time passed slowly, with only a month left before the Mage Duel Tournament officially began. The venue was a large open-air arena behind the Magic Academy. When not in use for the tournament, it mostly hosted mage competitions within the Holy City, drawing the largest crowds at night. Mornings and early hours were usually quiet, with few visitors.

The second academic year was nearing its end, and the final roster for the tournament had been decided.

That day, after completing the last preliminary test, the students of Class S anxiously waited in their classroom. Dean Yun Lan stepped onto the podium.

“Students, the Mage Duel Tournament is about to begin. Among you, only six will earn the final qualification to compete.”

“Only six?” The students felt a bit disappointed, but the intense training in Class S had helped them grow significantly—it was not without reward.

Yun Lan announced the results of the last test directly.

“Yixin remains at an S rating, along with Hei Yu, Bai Shengye, Ling Meng, and Shen Zai Guo. These five have secured their spots. The final slot will be decided by a competition between the remaining students of Class S and those from other classes who have recently broken through to the late-stage realm.”

“One last spot...” Hei Yu couldn’t help but think of Ling Xiao Lei. She had been rarely seen lately, and he wondered if she had been diligently training and how much her strength had improved. He truly hoped that the final qualifier would be her.

“Now, the ten of you, follow me. I will take you inside the arena for the upcoming matches.”

“Can we go together?” The five chosen students eagerly asked upon hearing about the arena.

As Yun Lan was about to leave, she turned back and said, “You may observe from the arena’s perimeter, but do not disturb the ongoing matches.”

The group excitedly made their way to the arena behind the academy.

This was the largest arena among all intermediate magic academies on the continent, which was why it had been selected as the competition venue.

The Class S students, accompanied by those selected from other classes under Teacher Shi Fangcheng’s leadership, followed Yun Lan through the grand gates of the arena.

Ling Xiao Lei was among them, having recently advanced to the late-stage mage realm, though dark circles graced her eyes.

Inside the arena stood a round platform about a meter high, with a diameter stretching a hundred zhang. At its center was the awarding podium and the announcer’s seat, surrounded by expansive open-air spectator stands—vast and impressive.

As Hei Yu stepped inside, he looked around, imagining the honor it would be to represent the Holy City Magic Academy before a packed crowd.

The thought of fighting for glory witnessed by all stirred his blood.

Teacher Shali was already waiting, serving as the official recorder, while Teacher Shi Fangcheng would act as the referee.

Yun Lan led the students to the center of the platform, briefing them on the rules and procedures, and instructing them to follow the directions of the two teachers. Then, taking the selected ones including Hei Yu, she continued the tour of the arena, explaining the tournament’s flow and regulations.

On the spacious platform, Ling Xiao Lei faced off against the original ten members of Class S and three newly selected students who had also broken through to the late-stage realm.

She carried a newly reforged vine staff, with the “Mirror Stone” embedded at its apex.

Though the staff still felt a bit heavy for her slight frame, it gave her a strong sense of security, compensating for her lack of defensive strength.

Before Teacher Shi Fangcheng could announce the start of the match, Ling Xiao Lei placed her staff horizontally before her and harshly declared, “All of you come at me together. None of you stand a chance.”

Shi Fangcheng was taken aback. He had never expected such fierce words from this once quiet girl.

The students themselves exchanged glances, surprised. One timidly asked, “Teacher, if several of us attack her at once, is that against the rules?”

“Uh... well...” Shi hesitated.

Teacher Shali interjected, “We must still follow the selection rules. If you fight her alone and win, you qualify. But if you lose...”

Shi Fangcheng laughed heartily and said, “No problem! If my student has the courage, I support her choice. Even if she loses, the others will continue the selection process—no harm done.”

Shali, seeing Shi’s eager and expectant expression, said no more.

After all, Ling Xiao Lei was his student. If she could take on ten opponents at once, it would bring honor to him as well. He was willing to give her this chance to prove herself.

An impatient student grew restless.

“What are we waiting for? She’s so arrogant; let’s just take her down first. All of us, together!”

Several others agreed. Seeing that the teachers did not forbid it, they immediately became aggressive, readying their attacks.

The training Ling Xiao Lei had undergone in the Twilight Forest had greatly sharpened her combat skills—far beyond that of these students who had merely followed routine shooting and practice drills in the academy.

A cold gleam flashed in her eyes as she taunted, “Are you sure you want to rush in like this? No tactics or coordination? Aren’t you afraid I’ll wipe you all out in one go?”

Infuriated, the group paid no heed to pride, charging at Ling Xiao Lei with powerful magic light gathering on their staffs.

“Foolish...” she thought with quiet satisfaction. If they had been cautious and attacked from multiple angles, she might have been at a disadvantage.

But now, all charging from a single direction was a trap.

“Magic tome enhancement, casting speed boost, enemy speed reduction, binding chains—entangle!”

In a flash, she completed this sequence with lightning speed. Purple light flickered as Ling Xiao Lei crossed her arms, and binding chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around her opponents.