Chapter39-Who Else?!

As Alfonso's arrogant taunts echoed, he threw a punch forward.

Instantly, a wave of heat surged, and red mana gathered on his arm, forming a human-sized fireball that rolled forward, crushing everything in its path!

The fireball's path left the arena scorched and blackened, with deep, charred marks.

The rising spikes disintegrated into dry dust upon contact with the fireball's intense heat, scattering helplessly to the ground.

Arthur's face changed slightly, not expecting Alfonso's sudden burst of power to be so terrifying.

He continued to channel mana, forming walls of earth in front of him.

But these walls were shattered instantly by the fireball, which then slammed into his chest!

Sizzle~

The sound of burning and sizzling filled the air as Arthur was blasted back, landing flat on his back on the ground below the arena.

Arthur's chest was burned to ashes, his skin covered in blisters that burst open, leaving gruesome burn scars.

Even the surface of his skin and flesh had been seared, causing excruciating pain that made his whole body convulse.

Despite falling unconscious from the pain, he still let out agonized groans.

This scene caused the spectators to wince in pain, their faces showing a hint of fear.

"Alfonso went too far! This was supposed to be an exchange, not a duel!"

"Yes, it was supposed to be friendly, but he still went all out!"

"Even if Arthur's injuries heal, he'll likely be left with deep psychological scars..."

Many mages were dissatisfied with Alfonso's behavior.

The geniuses from Azure Kingdom were especially furious, their anger blazing.

Immediately, another prodigy from Azure Kingdom rushed onto the stage to challenge Alfonso.

Alfonso accepted all challengers, maintaining his cold smile. He showed no mercy.

In just half an hour, several geniuses from Azure Kingdom were severely injured.

Alfonso grew more and more arrogant!

The elders from the Council of Elders watching from the sidelines looked grim, their faces as dark as coal.

Prince Austin, standing next to the elders, hesitated for a moment but finally stepped onto the stage under their urging gazes.

He was tall and handsome, with a refined elegance. His golden hair shimmered in the light, almost glowing.

"The prince is stepping in. It seems Azure Kingdom has had enough!"

"The prince is the first in line for the throne and personally trained by the elders. With him in action, let's see Alfonso's arrogance now! Does he really think Azure Kingdom has no one to stand up to him?"

"Go, Prince! Crush him!"

The prodigies of Azure Kingdom cheered enthusiastically. Amid the cheers, Prince Austin frowned slightly.

Although he was a gold-tier level 5 mage, similar in level to Alfonso, he had grown up under the protection of the Council of Elders and lacked much combat experience.

Alfonso's fierce aura and impressive battle record left him with no confidence.

Seeing the severely injured and wailing Azure Kingdom prodigies filled him with fear.

However, with the elders of the Council of Elders watching him, he had to pretend to be calm and said, "Alfonso, you're too much. Do you think having strength means you can do whatever you want?"

"Why can't I do whatever I want with strength? If you have the ability, defeat me or send troops to attack Kyrik!"

Alfonso laughed heartily, completely dismissing the prince.

From what he knew, Prince Austin's position as the first in line to the throne was due to his marriage to one of the top disciples of the Council of Elders.

It was a political arrangement to control the royal family. While this secured his position, it also made him a puppet.

Such a person could never be a true leader!

Being belittled by Alfonso, Austin frowned and then channeled his mana, creating dazzling petals that rained down on Alfonso like a storm.

Seeing the incoming magical petals, Alfonso sneered.

Although they appeared impressive, to his battle-hardened eyes, they were merely for show, lacking substance.

Instantly, crimson flames erupted around his body.

Like a fiery comet, he charged at Austin, evaporating the petals upon contact and dispersing them into vapor.

Seeing Alfonso charging, Austin's face showed a hint of panic.

He quickly retreated, casting elaborate water magic spells that transformed into various beasts, attacking Alfonso.

However, Austin's attacks were disorganized.

While they might be effective against lower-tier mages, they were of little consequence to Alfonso.

However, Alfonso's flame defense was extremely solid, rendering Austin's attacks merely a waste of mana.

Thus, a strange scene unfolded on the stage. Alfonso, like a moving flame, continuously pressed towards Austin.

Meanwhile, Austin used various magical skills to retreat and maintain distance from Alfonso, trying to defeat him with his relatively weak attacks.

The people of Azure Kingdom below the stage gradually had black lines forming on their faces.

What was the prince doing?

Why wouldn't he face Alfonso head-on?!

"I think the prince is trying to lull Alfonso into a false sense of security, waiting for the right moment to unleash a big move and defeat him!"

"I think so too. The prince is the empire's first in line to the throne. He must have a plan. Let's wait and see."

Many from Azure Kingdom took a deep breath and said this.

However, before they could finish their words, Alfonso caught up with the prince, his swift flames like meteors blocking the prince's escape route.

Seeing this, the prince panicked, quickly retreating and falling off the stage.

"You truly are a prodigy of the Gowato Sanctuary. Alfonso, isn't it? I've taken note of you. Your strength must be among the top in Kyrik."

"Today, I am outmatched. We will battle again in the future."

After falling off the stage, the prince heaved a sigh of relief, then cupped his hands towards Alfonso and hurried back to the audience.

Alfonso's sudden powerful move had made him sense a threat of death, and he was relieved to have retreated in time.

The many geniuses of Azure Kingdom were left slack-jawed.

Avoiding Alfonso's attacks all this time, and now, seeing that he couldn't dodge anymore, he just left the stage and surrendered?

And even praised Alfonso's strength?!

Even though some among them had long heard that the prince was spineless, they hadn't expected him to be so lacking in responsibility at a critical moment!

If he had given it his all, even if he failed, they would have considered him brave. But now, they couldn't accept what they saw!

The geniuses from other kingdoms watching this scene were equally speechless.

Perhaps Alfonso was right; from top to bottom, Azure Kingdom was full of cowards!

Princess Marry, watching this, clenched the hilt of her sword, her body trembling slightly.

She hadn't expected her elder brother, the first in line to the throne of Azure Kingdom, to be so disgraceful!

"It seems Alfonso is right; there's not a single brave person in Azure Kingdom? This empire should just dissolve!" 

Alfonso spoke with increasing contempt, looking at the Azure Kingdom's geniuses as if they were mere pigs and dogs.

"Alfonso, don't be so arrogant! Fight me!"

Princess Marry, unable to bear it any longer, frowned deeply and rushed onto the stage, a resolute look on her face. She drew her sword and pointed it at Alfonso.

Though sparring wasn't a duel to the death, and she knew her strength wasn't a match for Alfonso's, she still charged onto the stage, determined to fight to the end.

Alfonso glanced up and down at Princess Marry and shook his head slightly.

With her level of strength, she was no match for him. Even if she fought with all her might, it wouldn't change the outcome.

Bang, bang!

After a few exchanges and a clash of mana, Princess Marry was overpowered and sent flying off the stage by one of Alfonso's powerful strikes.

She was in immense pain as she was thrown back, feeling herself land in a strong, masculine embrace.

Slowly looking up...

It was Owen!