31 Radiant Shield (I)

Li Xin's voice trembled with anger. "Last month? You dare speak about last month? If my father and Uncle Lin had not arrived so quickly, I would have killed you with a single slash."

Lin Jialu sneered, "If my father had not protected you, I would've turned you into an ice statue."

Li Xin disdained, "If you have the skills to beat me, then don't use any magic equipment."

Lin Jialu contemptuously rebutted, "If you have the skills, don't summon your unicorn mount."

Seemingly not able to stifle her anger anymore, Li Xin moved her palm towards her back. As she drew out one of her two swords, she challenged the other girl. "Let's go outside. This time, I will not summon Rose. Let's see if you can do anything against me."

Lin Jialu then handed her wand to the warrior apprentice next to her, "Well then, I will not use my wand, either. I'll let you see this lady's casting speed."

"Young ladies, the Head Officer and the Minister have already warned that if the two of you were to raise a ruckus again, then both of you would be getting detention." Cold sweat broke out from the warriors' faces as they stood between the girls, who showed forced smiles mixed with frustration. In the end, the two of them had no choice but to agree.

Upon hearing the word 'detention,' Li Xin and Lin Jialu immediately showed signs of restraint. Once again, a "Hmph!" escaped their lips.

Li Jialu sneered, "Consider yourself lucky this time."

"Lucky? This lady is a 7th rank Knight, unlike someone here who's only a 6th rank Mage. I'm not sure who's the lucky one here. Are you looking for a fight? Alright! Lin Jialu, would you dare make a bet with me?"

Lin Jialu grunted and said, "What bet?"

Li Xin pointed at Long Haochen, who was standing behind her. "This is my little brother, he'll go for me. You also send someone from your side. Since we are not duelling directly, the problem of getting detention will not arise."

Long Haochen had been hidden by Li Xin's body before, but now that Li Xin had moved aside, Lin Jialu could finally see him. Upon seeing the boy, Lin Jialu's eyes sparkled. Long Haochen had a beautiful, nearly-perfect face and a unique pair of rare clear golden eyes. It felt like he had some more imperceptible qualities that were enough to make her dumbstruck.

Looking at Long Haochen, then at Li Xin, Lin Jialu toned down a bit, and asked Li Xin, "Is she a girl cross-dressed as a guy like you?"

Long Haochen's face twitched; he dropped his head and wrinkled his eyebrows. "I'm a boy!"

He thought to himself, Why can't you people stop being like that‽ Why does everyone see me as a girl? Can't you people see my Adam's apple? Can't you have a little common sense‽

Li Xin triumphantly said, "So? My little brother is handsome, right? Have you ever seen anyone as handsome as him?"

Lin Jialu, curling her lips, said, "So you have this kind of hobby. You like them younger, eh? However, you are much older than he is. Don't you have any shame?"

"You…" Li Xin angrily said, "Tell me, do you want to bet or not? Let me tell you the truth, my little brother is also from Haoyue Hall. He just joined today."

Lin Jialu was somewhat surprised, "Aren't you making a mistake? You want to send him out? How old is he? Is he even fifteen years old?"

Li Xin said, "Don't worry about that, just tell me if you want to bet or not. If you don't dare, quickly go away; don't ruin your Aunt's eating mood."

"Whose Aunt? Let's bet if that's what you want. Isn't he just a little kid? Xu Tiankong, you go." Lin Jialu didn't know herself why she and Li Xin were always at odds; it was obvious that they could not stand each other's provocation.

Li Xin said, "Let's duel outside so that we don't affect other people's business. Also, since it's a bet, let's put something at stake."

Lin Jialu said, "What do you want to bet?"

Li Xin, who had clearly decided long ago what she wanted to bet, pulled out a white crystal and said, "I'll bet this magic crystal from the Light-element 5th rank beast Elegant Gold Tiger against the Radiant Shield from your house's business."

Lin Jialu fretted, "Are you crazy?"

She also vaguely felt that something was off. An Elegant Gold Tiger's magic crystal was fairly rare. Among the 5th rank magic crystals, it was one of the best ones. Even though the Radiant Shield was good, its value was nowhere near as high as the magic crystal. So, why was she so confident?

The magic crystal kept bouncing in Li Xin's hand, she looked at Lin Jialu and sneered, "If you are afraid to bet, then get out of my sight and, from now on, remember to take another path when you meet me."

"What is there for me to be afraid of? Fine, Let's bet." Lin Jialu impulsively agreed.

Long Haochen had been standing next to them without saying anything. He did not know what caused the tension between Li Xin and Lin Jialu. But he realized that even though these two were really noisy, they had still managed to keep their cool, and they were not really enemies, either. Li Xin had been very nice to him. For the sake of his Big Sister, he could not refuse.

The group then got out of the restaurant together. Li Xin, pulling Long Haochen's arm, whispered, "Lil' Bro, I'm so sorry for making you do this even though you haven't eaten yet. However, you have to try your best! Sis did it with good intentions, you must win."

Long Haochen clearly saw there was some slyness in Li Xin's eyes, so he quickly nodded. "Big Sister, I'll try my best!"

On the other side, Lin Jialu was also cheering her own attendant, "Xu Tiankong… this little kid seems to have some skills, but you have to win. If you win, I'll give you a good sword. However, remember not to hurt him."

Xu Tiankong helplessly said, "Miss, can you promise me that after the duel ends, regardless of the outcome, you won't cause problems with Miss Xin'er anymore? Otherwise, I will have to report it to the Head Officer."

Lin Jialu impatiently replied, "I know."

In front of the restaurant, there was an empty lot reserved for parking carriages. At that time, there weren't many carriages, so there was just enough space for them to hold the duel.

Long Haochen stepped forward with a heavy sword already in his hand. On the other side, Xu Tiankong also moved forward. Long Haochen looked at Lin Jialu and said, "Sister Lin, I've never faced a mage. I'm looking forward to your guidance."

"Huh?" Both Li Xin and Lin Jialu were stunned.

Li Xin quickly said, "Lil' Bro, calm down!"

She had seen Long Haochen fight. She knew that his fighting experience was not bad and his spiritual energy ranking wasn't low, either. Lin Jialu's two guards had, at best, just reached the 3rd step as warriors. If the two had not mastered any sacred skills, it would be difficult for them to win against Long Haochen. However, Lin Jialu was completely different. She and Li Xin were considered prodigies of Haoyue City.

Looking at Li Xin, Long Haochen said in a serious tone, "Big Sister, my father told me that first hand experiences, in many cases, are more important than training. I want to try dueling a mage. So, please guide me well!"

Lin Jialu went around the puzzled Xu Tiankong and suspiciously asked, "Kiddo, you want to duel me? If so, your sister Xin'er will surely lose."

Long Haochen slowly lifted his heavy sword, shook his head, and replied, "One cannot know if one does not try. Big Sister Xin'er, may I?"

Li Xin looked at the calm and decisive posture that seemed to belong to someone much older than Long Haochen. She then smiled. "Good, that's my Lil' Bro! Show her how strong you are. Lin Jialu, don't cry when you lose."

"I'm gonna lose?" Lin Jialu stared at Li Xin, without taking out her wand, she pointed at Long Haochen and said, "Then, come!"

"Sister Lin, please." When Long Haochen spoke, he lightly tapped his heavy sword on his right shoulder, exercising a knight's salute, and pointed his toes downwards; he then started charging towards Lin Jialu.

Without retreating, Lin Jialu quickly and quietly recited her spell. There was a layer of pale-blue light spreading out from her body. Pointing her right index finger at Long Haochen, an Ice Ball was shot straight at him. All of that happened in less than a second.