Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

"Boom!"

The Chopping Knife fell, raising a huge splash, and the audience watched the scene with unparalleled tension.

Seconds later, the splashes settled, and the scenario within finally revealed itself - Mo Hu's sword pierced into Cook's heart, while his own legs were severed by the falling Chopping Knife, blood flowing ceaselessly.

"Tsk, tsk, you're really fighting hard." Cook pushed away the young man with short hair in front of him and pulled out the sword that was thrust into his chest.

Although the sword had penetrated, only a small part of the broken sword remained, as the Sword Edge had already been sliced off by another Gate Cook had opened, falling into the water.

Despite the Gate Academy's Federal ranking not being high, hovering around 400-500, and the Secret Technique inheritance within the academy being rather limited to just opening and closing various "Gates," the unique and terrifying killing power ensures that graduates of Gate Academy are always welcomed as employees in various firms.

Gate Academy, huh? Tilan stroked the White Kite in her arms; if others found this type of opponent troublesome, it was actually less dangerous for her than facing Wen Yuting.

This kind of Secret Technique combining space and cutting is as clear and understandable as a toy in her eyes. With her control over spatial Authority, she could even reverse the situation and open a Gate right above the opponent's head.

However, this kind of Secret Technique did inspire her; perhaps she could use it in combat in the future, closing the ripped space in an instant to form a kind of powerful cutting effect.

In fact, Gate Academy's Secret Technique is a shortcut because maintaining a stable spatial rift for a long time consumes a huge amount, which is why very few Transcendents use Spatial Teleportation Ability.

Ripping open a spatial rift might not be that difficult, but to safely traverse through it, or to stabilize it, becomes extremely challenging. Hence, although there are numerous space-related Secret Techniques available, the majority are used for attacking via spatial rifts, rather than entering them personally.

The Secret Technique of Gate Academy only requires a brief, violent rip, completely disregarding the stability and safety of the spatial rift, since it's meant for attacking. This saves a great deal of energy and Magic Power, allowing a Sequence 6 Transcendent to open dozens of Gates in a matter of seconds.

In the following time, elites from various academies took turns to show their unique Secret Techniques and distinctive combat styles, giving many newcomers an eye-opening experience and exposure to various cutting-edge and novel combat skills, including but not limited to various technological products, Illusion Technique interference, high-speed assaults, Charming Mind, Magic Power projection, Swarm Tactics, Erosion Strangulation, and so on. Unlike the fairness and rules emphasized at the high school Winter Festival competitions, today's competition had very few taboos, where being adored hinged on your ability to win.

"It's no longer child's play; such competitions are closer to how Transcendents counter foe in reality," Tilan couldn't help but reflect after watching.

If that clown from the other day faced these genius students, he wouldn't stand a chance against 70% of the competitors and would only become a stepping stone for others to advance.

"No wonder, those who emerge top from such competitions are naturally the fervently welcomed 'good hands' of various firms and large corporations."

As time leisurely passed, around 10 p.m., the competition drew to a close. The champion was a Beastmen student from Rending Claw Beast Academy, who won by a narrow margin. The audience was most intrigued by the runner-up, Mokalanza from Phantom Eye Academy. This girl, with her undistinguishably real and fake Illusion Techniques, defeated one opponent after another. Many, clearly stronger than her, were unaware they had succumbed to Illusion Techniques at the beginning of the match, attacking nothing but air and ultimately failing.

However, casting Illusion Techniques is exceptionally draining, and by the last match, Mokalanza was visibly exhausted. The Beastmen, who relied on keen smell and intuition, broke through the Illusions and defeated her on the spot, securing the championship.

The third place went to Royleg from White Knight Academy. This young man, dressed in a white Exoskeleton Armor, appeared straightforward and honest after removing his Helmet. His combat ability might not be stunning, but his strength lay in his high Defense and well-rounded Abilities, without any evident weaknesses. Even when facing Illusion Techniques, he remained calm, continuously grinding down on time and Magic Power, dragging the opponent into a war of attrition before defeating them.

At the beginning of the competition, Wen Yuting, who used Dual Swords coupled with Fate Red Threads, was eliminated by him, her Erosion Red Threads unable to penetrate his impregnable White Stone Armor. Unfortunately, some commented that this tactic could only be used in competitions. In real combat, when facing such a slow and not so strong lug, one could simply bypass him, as his speed wasn't fast and his attack wasn't strong.

After the award ceremony, the four made their way back home, still discussing the characteristics of each academy and the unique combat styles of the competitors.

"It would have been better if 'Mokalanza' had conserved a bit more energy," Shui Yanqing said regretfully, feeling that the candidate's synergy was very good with her own.

"I still prefer Royleg of White Knight armor. If only he were a bit more handsome," Blanchi murmured.

"What about Ores?" Shui Yanqing suddenly asked.

"Me? I'm not impressed with anyone. Why do you suddenly ask?" Ores was slightly displeased.

"It's nothing." Shui Yanqing turned her face away, looking out the car window at the nightscape.

Sensing that the two were on the verge of another unpleasant outburst, Tilan shook her head helplessly. These two really were incompatible, even after several months of being acquaintances.

Seeing Ores still a bit annoyed, and irritated by Shui Yanqing's hit-and-run tactic, Tilan reached out, grasped her wrist, and gently pressed it onto her lap. After a while, Ores's mood stabilized, and she was no longer angry.

Outside the window, sporadic snowflakes drifted down, blanketing the earth. Unwittingly, it was already the end of December. Time was fleeting, and she had slowly become accustomed to life in the Central Star Domain, making many friends among fellow Songstress.

Even for Songstress, who are envied by the world, each has their own different little troubles. Life may be special, but it doesn't seem to exceed people's imagination. Now, it even feels somewhat mundane.

Perhaps, this is what life is all about.