Chapter 20: The Duel of Power

Since the start of this semester, not a single duel between a student and a teacher had occurred. As a result, the top twenty rankings remained unchanged for a long time. But today, with Liya’s declaration of war, the new promotion match undoubtedly ignited everyone’s passion. The moment the battle began, all attention was fixed on the two figures within the arena.

Unexpectedly, neither of the two inside made the first move.

Annie, gripping the hilt of her blade, slowly shuffled forward. Liya remained in place, maintaining her starting attack stance. The battle between them fell into a deadlock from the very beginning.

“…Neither is willing to attack? I didn’t expect Annie to take this so seriously.”

In the front row of the audience stands, Christine remarked with some emotion. On either side of her, Alice and Cecilia watched the arena with worried expressions.

“Is this really okay, Teacher Christine? Can’t Teacher Annie go easy?” Cecilia couldn’t help asking.

“It’s not that simple. Don’t underestimate Liya. She’s stronger than both of you. As for Annie, I don’t know what got into her either. Since this morning, she’s been brimming with fighting spirit. She even brought out that [Magic Slash]. I thought she might look down on Liya and fight half-heartedly.”

“Magic Slash… is that Teacher Annie’s blade?”

“Yes, as the commentator said, Annie is actually a swordsman. During her student days, she achieved remarkable results in the Empire’s Magic Martial Festival. To be precise, she was in the top ten. That blade was her constant companion back then. Whenever she draws it, it means she’s going all out.”

“I see…”

After listening to Christine’s explanation, Cecilia and Alice couldn’t help but show nervous expressions. They dared not take their eyes off the two on the arena.

“But I think it’s about time. Annie will make her move soon.”

Suddenly, Christine spoke — at that moment, Annie launched her assault!

Having been slowly moving forward, she had finally brought Liya into optimal striking range. Annie naturally wouldn’t wait any longer. Bending at the waist and pushing off with her feet, she shattered the ground in an instant and charged at Liya at maximum speed, like an arrow released from a bowstring, charging forward without hesitation.

But Liya was also waiting for that moment!

As an offensive starting stance, Steel Fist Style is, as its name implies, a technique that favors attack. This stance is always attacking or preparing to attack. Even though Liya hadn’t moved until just now, beneath her skin, every muscle was storing energy. Bones twisted, muscles bent, concentrating all her strength, ready to erupt in an instant!

“HAAH!!!”

Her five fingers clenched together, runes appearing on them, their meaning:

[Step back! Before my indestructible iron fist!!!]

With acceleration no less than Annie’s, she threw a simple right straight punch. The moment it erupted, it generated a wall-like gale, carrying a terrifying killing intent. Undoubtedly, Liya threw that punch with the intention of killing! She held nothing back!

Against such a punch, the best course was to temporarily retreat, avoiding the direct blow. After such a ferocious punch, the body would inevitably stiffen, and that would be the best time to attack.

But Annie had no intention of retreating. She didn’t even slow down. Instead, she lightly tapped the ground with her toes, pivoting left and right, and while maintaining high speed, she miraculously dodged the frontal attack and moved to Liya’s side!

Draw the blade! A flash of lightning!

Clang! Sparks flew at the moment of steel collision — Annie’s assault ultimately failed.

Almost simultaneously, Liya twisted her body, shifting her center of gravity. She forcibly bent the angle of her punch, turning the straight punch into a hook punch, which neatly deflected Annie’s slash. The force was so great that it sent Annie flying.

But the moment she landed, Annie charged again.

Without hesitation, without pause, Annie’s attacks were wildly direct. She displayed no astonishing techniques, no cunning strategies. She simply swung her blade at Liya with pure, unadorned power.

“…Haha.”

Liya, while parrying Annie’s onslaught with both fists, smiled.

She realized this was Annie’s first lesson.

Technique and strategy can certainly turn the tide in battle, but ultimately, whether it’s martial arts or magic, what matters most is one thing — power, absolute power.

Everything else only works to its fullest when power is equal.

If she didn’t show enough power to match Annie, she’d probably be cut down by her wild blade… Alright! Let’s compete then!

Liya had never been afraid of anyone in terms of power. Now was the time to unleash the seal of her past life and present a perfect answer!

“Look, Teacher, at my martial arts.”

In her previous life, as the founder of the Martial Gate, Liya created countless martial arts. Some were purely physical techniques, others used magical power. But ultimately, the two she was most proud of, the most complete, were the culmination of her life’s work.

She mobilized all her magical power, pulsing with her breath. It emerged on her skin as fifteen runes, which, translated, meant:

[The one who splits the earth and supports the sky, my hand grasps the great force that tears apart the vajra!]

Golden flames enveloped her whole body. Liya swung a fist at Annie’s slash. It wasn’t a long-charged punch, just an ordinary swing, but it instantly generated a gale no weaker than before. A heavy impact rushed toward Annie. She hadn’t expected it at all and was sent flying into the air. Liya pressed the advantage, leaping up with golden flames like a phoenix breaking from its cocoon, soaring into the sky.

“…Hah!”

But the follow-up combo couldn’t be executed. Annie had already adjusted her stance in midair. Facing the charging Liya, she drew her blade again! This time, the speed was even faster than before. Using gravity and her own strength, Annie skillfully intercepted Liya’s punch, knocking her back to the ground. She herself used the momentum to land gracefully. The two returned to their initial positions.

After this series of exchanges, the audience was already…

“Amazing! Absolutely amazing! Truly worthy of the academy’s teacher and the student who dared to challenge her!!!”

A high-level martial artist duel. The commentator, despite watching closely, couldn’t detail every move. Only when the two paused did he shout loudly, and the entire audience erupted.

“So strong! No wonder that transfer student once held the arena’s champion position. That last punch — even upperclassmen might not be able to take it!”

“Teacher Annie is amazing too. She teaches theory. I should have studied more with her before! No way, I need to retake her theory class!”

“A draw! That was a draw, right! Maybe she really can break into the top twenty! Who is this transfer student?!”

If before the battle most thought the teacher would win overwhelmingly, now at least half believed Liya might win. Among the rest, many held expectations for her. This exchange had fully demonstrated Liya’s strength.

In the front row of the audience.

“Incredible! Liya is this strong?”

“What is that golden magical light? It looks so impressive.”

Seeing the astonished Alice and Cecilia, Christine smiled slightly.

“Yes, she is indeed strong. I think even Annie got a surprise. That golden magical light… as for its specific effects, only Annie, who took Liya’s attacks, knows. We can’t discern much just by watching.”

But soon, Christine’s smile faded.

Although she admired Liya’s strength, which exceeded her expectations, Christine still didn’t think Liya would win. Why? The reason was simple.

“…Annie hasn’t even warmed up yet.”

Though many didn’t know, Christine and Annie were classmates during their student days and close friends. So Christine knew Annie better than others, including her current realm and strength. If she remembered correctly, Annie had entered [that realm] a year ago.

It was a realm that could reverse most battle outcomes, allowing the weak to overcome the strong and the strong to overcome the stronger. Even Christine couldn’t afford to be careless against Annie — she might snatch victory away.

So from Christine’s perspective, Liya stood no chance. The only difference was…

(Just how serious will Annie get?)

Inside the arena, Liya’s expression was serious, showing no relaxation.

(That punch didn’t have the effect it should have.)

Her surprise attack, a strike with immense force, should have at least dealt significant internal damage. But Teacher Annie seemed fine, at most startled.

Truly worthy of being the strongest opponent she had faced in this life. Liya smiled.

“Teacher, how is it?”

“Mm, Liya’s strength is impressive. But it’s not over yet.”

Time for the next lesson — Liya understood the teacher’s meaning and smiled even brighter.

“Bring it on!”

The golden runes around her grew more dazzling, the golden magical light enveloping her young body, making her shine like colored glaze.

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