Chapter 33: Angelica's Gradual Collapse

After learning what had just transpired, the students in the spectator stands redirected their gazes back to the arena.

At this moment, there was no trace of disdain in their eyes anymore.

If Char was a rootless rural noble who had risen to the rank of a five-star Grand Knight solely through his own efforts, then they were more like a bunch of wastrels who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun.

This stark irony silenced everyone.

Although they felt quite unsettled and even suspected that Char had used some cheating method, Headmaster Lucius was present on the stands, and he didn't say a word. Naturally, it was not their place as students to question it.

Pairs of eyes with complex expressions turned towards the arena, which had become pockmarked in the course of the battle.

Char raised his hand and clenched his fist once again.

Then, an even stronger pressure descended from the sky, shattering the five demons covered by the forcefield. Countless ice fragments scattered on the ground.

Essentially, these creatures were of a spiritual nature, lacking real life and therefore lacking structures like organs and blood.

At this moment, Char was unaware of the tremendous shock he had brought to those important figures. He also didn't know that the Knight's forcefield he had comprehended through countless deaths was actually a rudimentary form of some higher-level power.

"Although I don't understand what exactly you're surprised about, do you plan to continue standing there foolishly without moving?"

"You must feel terrible after suffering such a big loss at the hands of us commoners, don't you?

Boo hoo, are you on the verge of tears?"

"Go ahead and beg for mercy from me. Perhaps I'll grant you a dignified defeat."

Seeing Angelica's somewhat lost and disoriented demeanor, Char, imitating her tone from earlier, mercilessly taunted her.

Clearly, her fighting spirit had diminished.

It seemed that the impact Char had just inflicted on her was too great, or perhaps it was due to a strong sense of unwillingness. In any case, in such a battle, once a sense of retreat or fear emerged, it was a sign of defeat.

The contrast was just too stark.

Just a while ago, no one thought Char could win this battle, but now, the scale in their hearts seemed to be tipping.

After all, in terms of realm, Char was not far behind Angelica, and there was even a faint trend of them being evenly matched.

Moreover, he possessed a peculiar forcefield.

The outcome is a 50-50 chance.

That's what many perceptive individuals have in mind.

Even if Angelica can bring out some unique ancient charms or magical artifacts, this is the arena we're talking about, with limited space. If a mage of the same realm is approached by a knight without any support, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Upon hearing Char's tone, Angelica took a deep breath, suppressing all the chaotic thoughts in her mind and said coldly, "Do you really think you've already won against me?"

"Eternal Frost: Frost Knight!"

"Eternal Frost: Frosty Pack of Ice Wolves!"

Angelica quickly chanted an incantation, waving her hands frequently, and the glow of the "Sigh of the Glacier" on her wrist intensified!

A chilling coldness descended around her, and the ground began freezing once again.

Several ethereal blue figures slowly emerged from the mirror-like ice surface. This time, in addition to the Frost Wolf from earlier, there were also several heavily armored knights riding on swift horses.

The composition of these figures was very similar to that of the Frost Wolf, as they were summoned spiritual creatures with bodies made of ice crystals and lacking the characteristics of being alive.

Even so, these Frost Knights possess the strength of three-star Grand Knights!

Summoning a total of twenty ice-based spiritual creatures in one go, even Angelica found it somewhat difficult. Her face turned pale, and her slender hands beneath her mage robes trembled slightly.

This was a sign of excessive exertion.

After all, she was currently just a mage, not a Archmage, let alone a Great Archmage. Expending magical energy like this, even for her, was a bit tight.

The radiance of the "Blessing of the Wood Sprite" bloomed once again, but compared to the previous time, the emerald green light was much dimmer.

Clearly, this was some kind of ancient charm that required charging and couldn't be used endlessly.

"Tear him apart!"

A trace of anger flickered in Angelica's beautiful eyes as she commanded the summoned creatures to charge at Char.

Instantly, the azure knights, clad in heavy ice armor, galloped forward, wielding sharp lances. With a few Frosty Ice Wolves following behind, they let out furious roars!

"Knight's forcefield--"

Char clenched his fist once again.

An unstoppable force descended from the sky, accompanied by the spiritual intimidation emitted by a higher-ranked individual. The front legs of the ice horses ridden by the two leading Frost Knights snapped, and with their momentum, they sent their riders tumbling.

Then, Char lifted his sword and stepped forward, like a true knight, fearlessly plunging into the midst of the battle!

Coming towards him was a sharp lance formed from condensed ice crystals. Char tilted his head to dodge, his black hair gently fluttering in the gust of wind. Then, with lightning speed, he reached out his hand and grabbed the oncoming lance, gripping it tightly under his arm.

"Get up!"

With a thunderous shout, Char exerted force from his waist, lifting the heavily armored Frost Knight into the air. Like a meteor hammer, he swung it twice before the unfortunate Frost Knight was sent flying, knocking over a group of companions.

In the moment it had not yet gotten up, Char threw the lance.

The long spear, like a shooting star streaking across the sky, instantly impaled the Frost Knight, pinning it to the ground.

"Boom!"

Accompanied by the sound of crystal shattering, the summoned creature with the strength of a three-star Grand Knight shattered into pieces!

"Roarrrr!"

Behind him, three Frost Wolves came running, and Char once again unleashed his Knight's forcefield. He then wielded his longsword, spinning and dancing.

The scene descended into chaos.

"Clang clang clang clang—"

"Roarrrr!"

Char once again displayed the dazzling swordplay, simultaneously engaging in close combat with over a dozen ice-based summoned creatures possessing the strength of Grand Knights!

His body was protected by sword light resembling moonlight, and every swing of his sword caused significant damage to the surrounding summoned creatures.

"Eternal Frost: Icevine Spear!"

Angelica wasn't just watching from the sidelines. After regaining some stamina, she once again raised the "Sigh of the Glacier" and countless ice spears rained down, deeply piercing the ground.

"Splurt—"

A spray of blood bloomed as a deep gash appeared on Char's shoulder.

This was the first time he had been injured since the start of the battle.

A gasp of astonishment immediately erupted from the onlookers outside the arena.

To the pampered noble students, this was already a severe injury, with blood flowing as if it had no regard for life.

Especially Dahlia, who was silently watching, seemed to empathize. Her eyes turned slightly red.

But Char remained calm.

Compared to the curse of the witch, this pain was not even worth scratching an itch for him.

While swinging his sword to shatter the two Frosty Ice Wolves closest to him, Char dodged a sharp lance thrust from behind. Then he lifted his head, gazing at the remaining dozen or so Icevine Spears in mid-air.

He could see the trajectory of each spear clearly, whether he lowered his head, twisted his body, or supported himself with one hand, he instantly evaded them.

It was a magnificent display of footwork.

If he made even a slight mistake, Char would be pierced by the descending spears.

"Boom—!"

Accompanied by the whistling sound of compressed air, a massive shadow appeared, and a giant hammer smashed towards Char from behind.

It was a Frost Knight wielding the hammer, launching an attack during the brief gap in Angelica's command.

Just as Char was about to swing his sword, the straight longsword in his hand was fiercely caught by another Frost Wolf that came rushing in from the side. With a powerful jaw grip, accompanied by a crisp sound, the already dilapidated longsword, which was on the verge of collapse, finally shattered under the strain.

"!!!"

Watching the disproportionately massive Frost Hammer hurtling towards Char, many people covered their mouths in shock.

A fleeting sense of satisfaction crossed Angelica's pale face.

Well, it serves you right for bringing a bunch of junk to this duel!

You brought this upon yourself!

But then, her expression froze once again.