The scene was brutal.

Elijah stood over his sister, expression unreadable, as flames crackled around her motionless form. The crowd, once loud, had fallen into an uneasy silence. There was no mercy in his eyes—only justice, twisted and scorching hot.

Some whispered that they understood him. That they felt his pain. The humiliation, the loneliness, the violence he’d endured—it made sense.

But others?

They watched with disgust.

“What a hero. What a chosen one,” Malrik muttered, his voice a quiet, venom-laced sneer. “How disgusting.”

Next to him, Rouge—usually grinning like a maniac at any sign of blood—stood stiff, jaw tight. She liked fights. She liked challenges. This? This was torture.

Elizabeth didn’t flinch. Her gaze remained on Elijah, unreadable. She didn’t really care about Patricia. She only cares about the goddess’s chosen one.

Leona, on the other hand, was smiling like she’d just fallen in love.

And finally—

“That’s enough.”

Damon’s voice wasn’t loud, but it slammed down like thunder. The flames extinguished instantly.

Elijah didn’t move at first. His golden eyes met Damon’s, still burning.

Then he clicked his tongue and turned away.

Patricia didn’t scream. She couldn’t. Her body twitched in unnatural spasms, covered in charred burns. Her mind? Who knew if it was still there.

The medics rushed in.

“WINNER: ELIJAH!”

The crowd roared—but there was something off. The cheers didn’t carry joy. It was fear. Awe. Unease.

Damon stepped forward. “We now have our top eight. From here on, the real games begin. The Dean, your future teachers—they’re watching.”

“You can gain the favors of your future teachers if you do well.”

Noah raised his hand like he was in class. “What about the Dean’s favor? That up for grabs?”

Damon raised a brow. “Technically, yes. But I’ve never seen it happen. And let me be clear—this academy has seen geniuses more terrifying than you.”

Noah grinned. “Challenge accepted.”

Damon sighed. “Next match—Sophie vs Aiden.”

“OUAAHHH!! PRINCESS PRINCESS!!”

The crowd came alive again.

Noah turned to Sophie. “Confidence check?”

“Hundred percent.” She didn’t even blink.

He stepped closer and wrapped an arm around her waist—pulling her in. In front of everyone.

In front of Elijah, who seems ready to cut him into pieces.

In front of the Emperor, who at that moment was shaking the palace walls with sheer fury.

But Noah didn’t care. This wasn’t just a hug.

It was a claim.

Sophie stiffened at first—then leaned in. She knew what this was.

“You’re getting me into trouble, dear husband,” she murmured.

Noah smirked. “Then I’ll be the one to get you out, dear wife.”

She smiled and walked to the arena.

Across from her, Aiden stood still, fire radiating from his skin, the air rippling around him.

“Let’s not waste time,” he growled. “Move. I have someone else to deal with.”

Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

The signal dropped.

“BEGIN!”

Aiden erupted. Crimson flames shot out, the heat rising instantly. His aura distorted the air, promising death.

Sophie didn’t move.

Red lightning coiled around her like a serpent. Her aura flared—and suddenly the battlefield wasn’t just hot. It was heavy. Royal. Unbreakable.

She walked the path of the Empress. So her aura had to show that.

Aiden’s confidence cracked. Just a little.

Sophie stepped forward—and in a blink, she vanished. She reappeared right in front of him, lightning spear in hand, aiming straight for his heart.

Aiden reacted fast. Fire exploded beneath him, shooting him backward. Flames burst from his palms as he hurled fireballs the size of boulders.

Sophie dodged effortlessly—until the ground under her cracked. Fire erupted.

BOOM. She vanished in a wave of flame.

Aiden didn’t stop. He kept launching flames, barrage after barrage, until the arena looked like a volcano had erupted.

He stood there, chest heaving.

Then—

A crack.

A red flash.

A spear burst through his chest from behind.

Sophie stood, her body scorched, her armor cracked, one eye shut, her left arm limp. But her gaze—her gaze was steel.

Her voice, low and cold, cut through the flames:

“Forfeit. Or I’ll burn you from the inside out.”

Aiden stared down, coughing blood. He gritted his teeth—not at her, but at himself.

Weak. Still too weak.

He lowered his head.

Sophie didn’t let up. “Even if you beat me,” she said, voice louder now, “you wouldn’t have been able to touch him.”

The crowd froze.

They knew exactly who she meant.

Elijah’s eyes flicked toward her. He smirked faintly. Happy to know that Sophie is aware of his strength. He almost forgot the incident with Noah and Sophie hugging each other.

But Sophie is not done yet.

Sophie turned her head slightly. “But you don’t have to worry,” she added, grinning—Noah’s grin, wild and smug.

“Someone else will put him in his place.”

Aiden coughed. “Who?”

Sophie’s voice dropped to a purr, her smile sharp as lightning:

“My husband, of course. Noah Weaverheart.”

Silence.

The entire arena froze.

And then—

“DAMN RIGHT SHE SAID IT!”

Noah’s voice echoed like thunder, cocky as hell.

He stood in the stands, both arms raised like a king already crowned.

Grinning like the devil.

Sophie rolled her eyes.

But she couldn’t hide her smile.

—End of Chapter 36—

A/N:

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel