Chapter 213

Chapter 213

Chapter 213

I was dumbfounded: “?”

Incredulous, I asked, “What? Why me?”

“Your physical combat is strong. Houde Ability Academy focuses on physical combat, so you’re perfect to spar with them,” Lei Ze’en said sanctimoniously, with a hint of amusement.

I wasn’t fooled by his rhetoric, retorting, “The problem is their abilities are all body-related. No matter how good my physical skills are, I can’t compete with guys turning into werewolves, lions, or steel-boned freaks, can I?”

Skill was one thing, but raw power always trumped technique. If their strength, speed, or durability far exceeded mine, even my best fighting skills would be useless.

“But you have an ability too, don’t you?” Lei Ze’en winked at me.

I kept a blank face, unmoved: “What, not planning to let me join the Team Battles?”

My ability, like Wu Jin’s, needed secrecy. Though mine was strong enough not to require as much concealment as his, if the enemy learned its effects early, I’d be easily targeted.

If I competed now, I might be too targeted in the Team Battles to be effective, so I asked if he was benching me for them.

After the initial shock, I’d already sensed Lei Ze’en might just be joking.

“Alright, such a strong-willed kid,” Lei Ze’en sighed regretfully. He’d hoped to see more of my shocked expression, but I’d calmed down too quickly.

Just then, Meng Huai walked in, scoffing at his words: “You mean ‘not cute,’ right? Stop teasing them. The next one up is Qi Huang. They’re good at physical combat, so just don’t let them touch you.”

It was her turn? Qi Huang’s eyes widened in delight: “Awesome! Don’t worry, Teacher, I won’t let our Academy down!”

Next was the match between Skydome Ability Academy and Houde Ability Academy, a true clash of physical combat versus abilities.

Don’t underestimate physical combat—when paired with abilities, it was far from ordinary brawling. Meng Huai and Huangfu Mingzhe were prime examples. When the body was exceptionally strong, many abilities couldn’t affect them.

Houde Ability Academy sent out an Ability user with a Primordial Bloodline first. The name alone suggested incredible physical prowess. He punched the arena, leaving a deep crack, and the referee in his bubble turned green.

These arenas needed quick repairs after damage, costing a hefty sum. As a venue staff member, the referee naturally felt the pinch.

Skydome Ability Academy won the first match. Their contestant, like Qi Huang, could fly, never letting the enemy get close, exhausting their opponent with powerful magical attacks.

Everyone expected the same flying Ability user for the second match, but Skydome Ability Academy switched tactics, sending a girl who could turn into a shadow.

Houde Ability Academy, misled into thinking the first contestant would stay, sent up a flying contestant.

Unsurprisingly, they were crushed again. Though the shadow girl couldn’t fly, once she entered the enemy’s shadow, she could harm them through shadow manipulation, inescapable even in flight.

“That ability’s strong…” Li Shu said, his usual calm tinged with gravity. “Skydome Ability Academy’s backup team has such an Ability user.”

Qi Huang’s brows furrowed too. If she faced this Ability user, unless she could envelop herself in flames from the start, she’d likely be as helpless as Houde Ability Academy’s contestant.

If even a magical Ability user like her couldn’t handle it, Houde Ability Academy, focused on physical combat, had no chance. Unable to touch the opponent, how could they leverage their strengths?

The third round would decide the winner. Skydome Ability Academy kept the shadow girl, while Houde Ability Academy sent their third contestant, a green-haired boy.

As before, the shadow girl slipped into his shadow. Unless the arena was completely free of darkness, her ability was usable.

But the next second, both she and the green-haired boy vanished from the arena.

The spectators stood in shock, confused. The referee gestured that all was fine, and the match continued. Zhao Xiaoyu, as host, began explaining.

The green-haired boy’s ability was [Arena], which pulled people into a private duel space. The content of the duel was decided by the two inside.

Houde Ability Academy hadn’t reported the exact decision method, but their confident expressions suggested it heavily favored their contestant.

Sure enough, when the two reappeared, their expressions told the story—the shadow girl had likely lost. She walked off the arena with a cold face, saying nothing.

The referee announced Houde Ability Academy’s victory.

Back with her team, whatever the shadow girl said made the next contestant, a girl, look grave. This opponent clearly countered them.

This was the blue-haired girl from Lan Subing’s first match. The green-haired boy repeated his tactic, pulling her into the [Arena].

I could hear boos from the audience. This guy’s matches were boring. Pulling people into the [Arena] was fine, but couldn’t they see what was happening inside? Watching an empty arena was the opposite of why they came.

Glancing at my teammates, most were fine, but Qi Huang looked the most serious. Understandable—their next match was against Houde Ability Academy. The water-based girl was an elemental ability user like her. If she lost, it meant Qi Huang might lose to this opponent too.

Lei Ze’en and Meng Huai clearly thought the same. After the blue-haired girl’s defeat, Meng Huai said bluntly, “We’re considering swapping contestants. Qi Huang, any objections?”

Qi Huang pursed her lips. She didn’t want to give up her hard-earned chance but also didn’t want her stubbornness to cost the Academy a point. “Can I ask Skydome Ability Academy how she lost?”

“Go ahead,” Meng Huai nodded. “Xiao En’s going to gather intel too. You can go together.”

After they left, Meng Huai turned to the rest: “Houde Ability Academy might use this contestant against us. Start thinking about who could compete. Once they’re back with intel, we’ll finalize the decision.”

Soon, Qi Huang and Xiao En returned, looking grim. Lei Ze’en started, “You all need to train your physical combat more. Who knows when you’ll face this type?”

Qi Huang shared what they’d learned: “In the [Arena], you choose a match type and one restriction, decided by a draw. If he chooses first, he picks pure physical combat. Then, whether he bans their eyes, hands, or legs, in a restricted state, the [Arena] Ability user always wins.”

Clearly, the opponent had trained extensively, maintaining strong combat ability regardless of restrictions. Skydome Ability Academy’s students, who didn’t prioritize physical training, were guaranteed to lose in physical combat.

“If the opponent chooses a standard match, the Ability user bans their ability and beats them with rich fighting experience. If it’s a specific game, they ban key elements based on the game type.” Even Qi Huang sighed, “Unless your physical combat is better, it’s nearly unsolvable.”

But it wasn’t as hopeless as she thought. Countering the [Arena] didn’t only mean outfighting the opponent. Some Ability users could likely handle it easily, like Jiang Tianming.

The [Arena] could only ban one ability at most. Jiang Tianming had multiple, so he could bypass it. It was also useless against Wu Jin—his many passive abilities meant that even if his active ones were banned, his stunning face could still daze enemies. But for the Team Battles’ success, neither could compete now. So, they fell back on the basic plan: beat the opponent with physical combat.

Who in the class had the best physical skills?

I: “…”

Seeing everyone’s gazes, I fell silent again. This situation didn’t even need abilities—just good fighting skills. With the opponent’s arms or legs potentially restricted, I was confident I could win.

The problem was, I didn’t want to win! Fighting physically, unless the opponent was terrible, I’d take some solid hits. I’d rather compete with abilities than get battered.

But Meng Huai gave me no chance to refuse: “Su Bei, it’s you!”

With the decision made, I didn’t bother resisting. Leaning back on the sofa, I fought for my last bit of leverage: “I’m only competing once.”

“No problem,” Meng Huai nodded. He didn’t want me exposing too much anyway, or how would I manage in tomorrow’s Team Battles?

Skydome Ability Academy’s final contestant was Huangfu Mingzhe. Yes, in just a few matches, he’d recovered fully thanks to his formidable physique.

Though I suspected their Academy had a doctor tailored for him. If they’d prepared an entire team for him, a dedicated doctor wasn’t a stretch.

“Hasn’t Si Zhaohua recovered yet?” Seeing Huangfu Mingzhe return, Jiang Tianming couldn’t help asking.

Lei Ze’en shook his head: “His physique isn’t as strong as Huangfu Mingzhe’s with his [Five-Clawed Golden Dragon] ability. Plus, their doctor likely has specific methods to mitigate his skill’s effects, so he woke up quickly.”

He added, “But don’t worry—at least he can’t use that skill again anytime soon.”

That was good news. If Si Zhaohua’s ultimate was unusable, and Huangfu Mingzhe’s was too, it balanced out.

With this powerhouse competing, Houde Ability Academy lost the final match. No matter what the [Arena] Ability user banned, Huangfu Mingzhe could win effortlessly. This was raw power overwhelming skill—banning one advantage couldn’t decide the outcome against absolute strength.

After the morning’s two rounds, it was time for the lunch break.

The venue sold boxed lunches, and there was a cafeteria nearby. But the cafeteria was small, unable to hold 1,000 people, and exorbitantly priced. Except for contestants and wealthy folks looking for convenience, most wouldn’t eat there.

Outside was a commercial street with various restaurants and souvenir shops, meeting any needs.

Since all contestants had to eat in the cafeteria to avoid tainted food, encounters were likely. While eating, we ran into our next opponents—Houde Ability Academy’s students.

“Mind if we sit here?” their leader asked, bringing his teammates to our table. Though phrased politely, it was clear he wasn’t really asking permission.

They had a motive for approaching. We exchanged glances, didn’t respond, and kept eating quietly.

Sure enough, after a few bites, they couldn’t hold back: “Have you decided your lineup for this afternoon? We’re not prying, just curious.”

Their lineup was likely set—obviously the [Arena] Ability user, who countered most Ability users. Plus, none of Endless Ability Academy’s contestants seemed particularly strong in physical combat.

Jiang Tianming glanced at him coolly: “Not decided yet. You’ll see.”

“Not decided, huh…” The boy’s eyes flickered, accepting the answer and dropping the topic, turning to chat with his teammates.

Giving up that easily? Jiang Tianming sensed something off. Sure enough, their conversation soon shifted to the [Arena] Ability user’s ability.

“Your ability only fears Defense Track, but good thing Skydome didn’t send any,” a girl said deliberately softly, but with Ability users’ hearing, it was audible at close range.

They weren’t exactly subtle. We were speechless, but they kept going: “They’d never send a Defense Track for individual matches. Just go all out!”

We: “…”

Unable to take it anymore, we quickly finished our food and left the cafeteria together. Staying longer, we might’ve burst out laughing, and if they got mad and swapped contestants, what then?

After we left, the green-haired boy, the [Arena] Ability user, gloated: “See how fast they left? They’re definitely strategizing. They’ll send that Defense Track girl against me.”

The organizers gave a three-hour break. At 3 p.m., the final match began: Houde Ability Academy versus Endless Ability Academy.

Savoring the last moments of rest, I followed Meng Huai downstairs. Lei Ze’en had already submitted my name, and as expected, the opponent was the [Arena] Ability user.

Notably, Houde Ability Academy’s teacher had come earlier to scout, checking if Si Zhaohua was back, wary of another surprise like before.

Learning Si Zhaohua hadn’t woken, the scout looked thrilled, as if victory was assured.

“How do you feel?” Meng Huai asked me, relishing the drama.

I smirked, saying casually, “I wish him luck.”

On the arena, before the match began, the green-haired boy grumbled, “Why’s it you? Aren’t you afraid of my ability?”

What he really wanted to ask was why they didn’t send the Defense Track Ability user—hadn’t they fallen for his trap? But asking that would expose his failed plan, which would be too humiliating.

“You’ll find out after the match,” I said nonchalantly.

The green-haired boy huffed, “We’ll see.”

The match started, and he gave me no chance to use my ability, instantly pulling me into the [Arena].

He was wary of my Destiny Track ability, which was unpredictable. What if he lost inexplicably due to fate?

It was a cage-like arena, half blue, half red, not large but sufficient for fighting. We started outside the arena—I was on the red side, with him on the blue. The match wouldn’t begin until selections were made.

I was assigned to choose the restriction, while the green-haired boy chose the match type. He predictably picked physical combat, then smiled at me across the arena: “Heard you’re a Destiny Track Ability user. Can you see my fate now?”

“A fate of getting thrashed by me,” I said calmly, banning both sides from escaping.

Though I was fast, if he realized he couldn’t win and started fleeing, it’d be annoying. I preferred a straight-up brawl—it’d end quicker.

I could’ve banned pain perception, but pain would likely return outside the [Arena]. The Skydome student who’d competed in it looked fine but was clearly in pain afterward.

Plus, banning pain perception would delay his surrender, possibly requiring me to knock him out to win, which was too much of a hassle.

“So confident?” Seeing my choice, the green-haired boy couldn’t hide his surprise. He’d seen people impose restrictions on him, but never someone restricting themselves, cutting off their own retreat.

Was Su Bei’s physical combat really that strong? Looking at my fair, handsome face, he dismissed the idea. How strong could this pretty boy be? Probably just delusional about his skills.

With that mindset, the match began.

Then he realized he was wrong. I wasn’t some pretty boy—I was a “diamond Barbie”!

Fast and strong, my fighting skills far surpassed his. Despite being a top physical combatant trained by Houde Ability Academy, he was no match for me.

How could anyone fight this well?

What he didn’t know was that I wasn’t like them. I didn’t start training in high school. Since elementary school, I’d trained daily and sparred with my parents. My training time far exceeded my peers’, and I was naturally gifted.

Taking another punch to the face, the green-haired boy was ready to give up. He wailed, “Bro, do you have to be so brutal? Don’t hit the face!”

“It won’t show outside anyway. What’re you scared of?” I countered.

Those who’d fought him in the [Arena] surely had facial injuries, but outside, they looked untouched. Clearly, the [Arena] masked damage.

He knew I was right but had only said that to take fewer hits. He genuinely wanted to flee to buy time. From the match’s start to now, only five minutes had passed. Surrendering now would be too humiliating.

But I’d preemptively banned escaping. Any attempt to flee would trigger an automatic loss by [Arena] rules.

“How about this—I surrender, we stop, but we wait a bit before leaving. Sound good?” he dodged my relentless attacks, pleading. “Ouch! My stomach!”

Unmoved, I swept his legs, knocking him down. I didn’t restrain him further—any resistance, and I was confident I could subdue him instantly. This was absolute dominance.

So I just looked down at him, a faint smile on my lips, my purple eyes devoid of emotion: “Surrender now, or I’ll get serious.”