Challenging Zhi

Sophia was deeply unsettled by the fact that Rocky was supposed to face a challenge from an external champion in three weeks' time, while she had been overlooked.

The condescending tone with which Liam looked at her as if she was not a big deal, made Sophia feel jealous to her core as that gaze kept her up at night, preventing her from a good night's sleep.

In her perspective, she was every bit Rocky's equal; however, the way her peers and instructors at the university regarded her made her feel distinctly inferior.

Under these circumstances, she believed that defeating this third champion before Rocky had the chance, could significantly boost her stature within the university and help her earn the respect that she so desperately craved from everyone around her.

Over the following week, as Rocky had dedicated himself to mastering his newly acquired strength and honing his skills for the anticipated duel, Sophia kept herself equally busy.