Princess’s Struggle for Survival

That night, after finishing their private training session inside the practice tower, Astrid and Lyra returned to their dormitory, washed up, and went to bed.

The semifinals of the highly anticipated Magic Exchange Tournament were due in two days. At this point, pushing herself further might backfire, so Lyra decided to follow Astrid's advice and stopped delving into complicated and obscure spells. Instead, she acted like an ordinary student, eating when it was time to eat, resting when it was time to rest.

After all, being well-rested was essential for proper preparation. If her mind remained tense all the time, she wouldn't be able to perform at her full potential during the match.

After a full day of rest and a rare, satisfying night's sleep, Lyra woke up, tidied her clothes, combed her hair, and, accompanied by Astrid, had breakfast before leaving the dining hall toward the competition venue.

Unlike the relatively empty arena during the group stage, the audience seats were now packed. Not only were students and professors from Elizabeth Academy of Magic present, but many prominent figures from the Imperial capital had also come to watch.

Minister of Finance Florence, Minister of Internal Affairs Gregor, Byron from the Velmont family...

At a glance, every single person seated in the VIP section was wealthy or powerful.

Besides the significantly increased audience, the arena's security had also reached an unprecedented level. Lyra could feel hundreds of waves of powerful auras emanating from all directions. Free-floating arcane particles formed a wide, transparent barrier enclosing everyone present. The powerful source drawing in massive amounts of arcane energy clearly came from behind the arena.

Without a doubt, only the Academy Head, Anthony Austrin, a peak tier Arcanist Mage, could achieve something of this magnitude.

"The Academy Head himself is here…"

Lyra gripped her sword tightly, stood straight with her legs together, and her heartbeat quickened slightly as sunlight streamed from the ceiling, illuminating the vast, open battlefield in the distance.

With so many people gathered to watch, even if she tried her best to calm herself, it was only natural for a competitor about to step onto the stage to feel some nervousness.

Lyra… you must do your best…

So many people will be watching you soon…

Noticing the slight trembling in the girl's shoulders beside her, Astrid reached out and placed a hand on Lyra's shoulder, gently patting it. Her voice remains calm.

"Let's go to the Purple Dragon Restaurant after the match. I've already asked Elise to reserve a private room."

"It's just a single match, Lyra. It's merely a brief episode in your academic life, a fleeting moment in your long journey ahead."

"Regardless of victory or defeat, just give it your all and fully demonstrate your true strength."

Listening to Astrid's gentle, cool voice and feeling the light touch on her shoulder, Lyra nodded and replied softly.

"Mm, I'll do my best."

This was only the semifinals. Her extended goals beyond this.

Stay calm… Lyra…

You can defeat him… you definitely can…

Seeing Lyra's fingers clench and then release from the sword hilt, Astrid fluttered her eyelashes. After a brief pause, she spoke softly.

"Actually, after this period of intensive training, Lyra's strength has long surpassed that of a Peak tier Sorcerer…"

"My point is, don't place yourself at a disadvantage. This match is evenly matched between you and Sentos. Who wins will depend solely on in-game performance."

"Do your best, Lyra."

Besides relieving tension, giving appropriate encouragement was also an effective way to boost morale. Once Lyra's confidence rose, she could naturally enter her optimal state faster.

Lyra turned her head slightly to look at Astrid. The latter was also gazing at her, her vivid red pupils shimmering, clearly reflecting a certain emotion, trust.

"Astrid… truly believes that…?"

"Of course. Trust me."

Astrid lifted her hand, gently covering the back of Lyra's hand. Her five slender, white fingers interlaced with the girl's, and with nimble fingertips, she gently pried apart Lyra's tense fingers, slightly relaxing the taut muscles.

"You're very strong, Lyra."

"As long as you perform normally, let them see your true power."

"You're the strongest Holy Light Knight in the entire Valeria Empire, in my eyes."

Every word Astrid said flowed into Lyra's ears like melted honey, soaking through her entire heart.

Lyra took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. The noisy sounds inside the arena seemed to become less irritating. She stared into Astrid's eyes and, after half a minute, replied softly.

"Astrid…"

"…I will definitely win."

She had already come this far, and was about to step onto her own stage.

After preparing for so long, there was no reason for her to lose.

Seeing her determination, Astrid curved her lips slightly, then quickly withdrew her hand. Her pale pink lips parted.

"Then I'll be waiting for good news from the audience seats."

If she remembered correctly, in another timeline, this quarter-mermaid competitor had fallen during the semifinals.

She wondered if the outcome this time would repeat itself.

Fifteen minutes later, the staff signaled Lyra to head to the waiting room to prepare for the upcoming match.

"Go on, Lyra," Astrid said slowly.

"I'll be watching you every moment."

After a few final words, the bright knight's boots clicked crisply against the floor as Lyra followed the staff, step by step, toward her own battlefield.

....

After some waiting, Lyra walked through a long, narrow, dim underground corridor, pushed open the door, and dazzling sunlight filled every corner of her vision. She stepped forward, enveloped in warmth.

Voices from all directions vibrated through the air and reached Lyra's ears. Before the match officially started, the soundproof barrier wouldn't be activated. Glancing around, thousands of eyes were fixed on her. Lyra straightened her back, her right hand tightly gripped the translucent knight's sword.

In the audience seats, Monica, noting Lyra's entrance, lowered her previously crossed pair of white-stockinged legs and sat upright. Her pure white tassel-like hair ribbon rested on her shoulder, perfectly accentuating her fair, rounded collarbone.

Noticing Monica's movements, Iris beside her crossed her arms, her white heels pressing against the seat's leg rest, her gaze focused seriously on the two figures in the arena.

At the same time, on the stage, Lyra was observing her opponent face-to-face for the first time.

Unlike most people from the Valeria Empire, Sentos from the Pan-Human Alliance had distinct foreign features, prominent cheekbones, a relatively short and narrow jawline, and deep blue, fluffy long hair. Any one of these traits clearly differed from the general population of the Empire.

"Lyra Beckett. I look forward to your guidance."

"Sentos Apulios. It is truly an honor to exchange magical techniques with such a beautiful lady."

Under the arrangement of the host, Evelyn, the two briefly introduced themselves.

Looking at the young man's gentle demeanor and recalling the incident Astrid had casually mentioned earlier, Lyra calmed her mind, her gaze growing ever more resolute.

Feeling Lyra's rising battle intent, Sentos didn't overthink it, assuming she was simply eager to win, and began concentrating to quietly prepare his magic.

"Looks like everyone already knows quite a bit about both competitors, so we won't drag this out any longer…"

Evelyn, wearing a tight-fitting cyan dress, revealed at the two sides of the arena, where the atmosphere was already tense. She curved her lips, stepped back with her long, silk-stockinged legs, and spoke gently.

"The protective barrier is activated. The match begins now."

As soon as the woman finished speaking, the knight's sword in Lyra's hand burst with dazzling light. The sudden explosion of brightness nearly blinded everyone focusing on her.

Unfortunately for Lyra, Sentos wasn't affected. He seemed to have anticipated this, already gathering a nimble mass of water in front of him. The light refracted through the water, failing to harm him in the slightest.

In fact, while Lyra had been studying her future opponent, Sentos had also been studying her. Although this pink-haired girl's official strength appears relatively weak, her undefeated record against peers was proof enough of her exceptional combat ability, worthy of some investment to understand.

Seeing Sentos' timely defense, Lyra realized this opponent hadn't underestimated her despite being one tier above. He must have studied her fighting style in depth.

With her initial attack neutralized, and before Sentos could fully spread his water magic or begin chanting the Siren's Song, Lyra, now holding the initiative, continued her assault. She raised her knight's sword high. Scorching light radiated from the slender blade, spreading downward in wave-like ripples resembling blooming petals.

No incantation. Only solidified mental energy driving light-elemental particles into highly destructive forms. Strictly speaking, this technique wasn't a type of elemental magic, but more accurately classified as a knight's combat skill.

Sentos' eyes sharpened at the sight. He raised both hands to guard his neck. The next moment, overlapping waves enveloped his entire body. The searing light struck the liquid, sizzling audibly. White mist rose, blocking sunlight and temporarily suppressing Lyra's assault.

Immediately afterward, from within the mist, a voice, neither clearly male nor female, began chanting a complex, rhythmically rich song.

This was the Siren's Song, a hymn praising warriors. It could hypnotize the caster to some extent, greatly enhancing muscle strength and explosively boosting speed.

Understanding that Sentos wanted to avoid her strongest early pressure by buying time to chant and strengthen himself, adopting a war of attrition, Lyra didn't hesitate. With Light-step Technique enhancing her agility, the blade of the Sword of Light sliced through the curtain of water. The wind flowing along the sword's spine kept any splashing from reaching her.

This prevents Sentos from using stray water to create more trouble, a highly cautious move.

Behind the thick water veil, Sentos heard the sound of something cutting through the air nearby. But no matter how fast Lyra moved, it couldn't compare to a few short chanting phrases.

Physical enhancement complete. For the short term, Sentos now possesses strength rivaling a peak tier Grand Knight.

Heavy footsteps echoed in Lyra's ears, Sentos' steps. His explosive speed allowed him to escape the Sword of Light's edge, while simultaneously enclosing Lyra in a water cage.

Driven by mental energy, the originally soft liquid became intensely pressurized, converging from all directions like a prison.

Seeing the wave overhead about to crash down, Lyra whispered an incantation. A sturdy mud wall rose from the ground. Water and earth clashed, turning the area into mud.

Elemental particles in the air became extremely chaotic within a few breaths. Sentos, hidden behind the water curtain, couldn't immediately sense Lyra's exact location. He could only continue chanting spells, guiding waves to strike at targets.

Harmless water, driven by magic, formed high-pressure water blades. Where they passed, the ground cracked and bricks shattered.

Although Sentos couldn't find Lyra in the short term, she also couldn't lock onto him, only roughly estimating his position based on the origin of the magical attacks.

"Holy Light that illuminates the world, you are the arbiter suspended in the sky, the truth all beings seek…"

While rapidly chanting the next spell in a very low voice, Lyra planted her sword upright in front as a defense, aiming at the water blade's attack point, preparing to release a Holy Sword Technique powerful enough to pierce through the water curtain.

Meanwhile, amid the mixed sounds of water blades cutting tiles and hot air evaporating mist, Sentos caught the clear female voice. Recognizing it as the chant for Holy Sword Technique, he instantly withdrew from his original position, lowering his center of gravity.

His exceptional hearing was another advantage granted by his quarter-mermaid bloodline. Thanks to this, the Magnus Sentos could save the mental energy normally required to enhance senses in every match.

Holy Sword Technique released, a brilliant beam of light pierced through the mud wall and water curtain, evaporating vast amounts of liquid with scorching heat.

In the instant the mist scattered, Lyra didn't give Sentos any breathing room. She pushed hard with her calf, her boot tip lightly kicked the ground, launching toward the man like a cannonball.

How could she locate me so quickly?

From the moment the mist drastically to being targeted by Lyra, less than half a second. A normal Grand Knight's reaction speed shouldn't be this fast.

Sentos thought while swinging his staff. Three water spears shot out. His Magnus-level mental energy converted into magical power, resulting in spells far more destructive than those of ordinary Sorcerers.

If these water spears landed, Lyra's body would undoubtedly be pierced through.

Facing the incoming spear lines, Lyra slightly adjusted her footing, first sidestepping the fatal strike, then leaping high into the air to avoid the other two. She then used gravitational potential energy to accelerate, slashing down at Sentos.

During her nightly training with Astrid, Lyra had practiced dodging frontal attacks and counterattacking more than anything else.

The intensity and speed of these water spears were far weaker than the ice arrows Astrid summoned using ancient incantations.