The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Meanwhile, as soon as Desmond finished dealing with the black-haired girl group, he turned around and was met with a barrage of relentless attacks that assaulted his senses.

Diana's slashing light attack from earlier surged towards him, causing the ground to shatter beneath his feet. The roots conjured by Edison, as sharp as knives, erupted from the earth and soared towards the sky before hurtling down at him with frightening speed.

Behind him, two colossal earth palms pressed in on his sides, threatening to crush his body. These formidable forces could only have come from Gibson, the master of manipulating the very ground beneath their feet.

A low rumble reverberated through the air, adding to the chaotic scene. Desmond's keen senses picked up on a spark of lightning crackling in the periphery of his vision, concealed within the cracks of the ground. It raced towards him with unmatched velocity, a deadly bolt ready to strike.

With a swift swoosh, Desmond suddenly noticed Matson flinging his daggers in his direction, his expression unnaturally intense. His face seemed to convey a readiness to execute him on the spot. Could it be because of Clark?

The daggers sailed towards him, slower than the lightning attacks, while beside Matson, the tall figure of the purple-haired boy hovered mid-air, aided by a square block of metal that materialized beneath him.

"It's you again?" The purple-haired boy's smile held a hint of wickedness as he spoke, promptly receiving a weapon from Matson which he too hurled at Desmond, his aim true.

Desmond surveyed the onslaught of attacks hurtling towards him, all the while keenly observing the expressions of his adversaries. Elizabeth had wiped away her smile, her gaze icy and her brows furrowed. Diana and Gabriela's faces darkened, their eyes aflame with crimson intensity as they darted between Desmond and the group behind him.

Edison, Gibson, and the purple-haired boy wore smug grins, relishing in Desmond's precarious state. The students seated above them directed piercing glares at him, their voices a cacophony of screams, now firmly aligned in support of the remaining groups rather than him.

"What unfair treatment," Desmond muttered under his breath, his voice filled with frustration. "I have nine opponents here, yet you all despise me."

With a momentary closing of his eyes, Desmond tapped into the energy swirling around him. It surged towards him, coalescing and converging upon his form. As the energy enveloped his body, a magnificent magic circle materialized, casting a brilliant white light that emanated from the yellow hexagonal barrier, which had once vanished, only to re-emerge from the very fabric of thin air.

Seeking control over his energy, Desmond activated his system, his gaze scanning the surrounding area with determined focus. The target was identified, marked within his mind.

In an instant, as he commanded the system, his energy surged outward from his body, imperceptible to the other students. It rippled through the air like a sonar, briefly touching everything in its path.

"Area scanned! Target marked!" echoed the system's voice within his consciousness.

Simultaneously, Desmond felt his body grow weak, a dryness overtaking his mouth and throat. The immense energy capacity within him was unleashed all at once, leaving the onlookers startled. He sensed the numbers on his energy stats diminishing rapidly.

"There's something wrong with him!"

"Impossible! How could he possess such an overwhelming amount of energy?!"

The contestants, previously full of confidence, now wore gloomy expressions as they witnessed the extraordinary display of power emanating from Desmond's body.

"Eliz..." Gabriela's voice trailed off as she noticed Elizabeth muttering something, her complexion paling as an intense light gathered around the other contestant's body.

"Everyone, keep attacking! You have my support!" Elizabeth shouted, but before she could finish, a mouthful of blood spewed from her lips. The contestants' bodies began to glow, experiencing a surge of healing energy.

"Your Highness!" The students cried out in unison, their voices filled with concern for Elizabeth's weakened state. Desmond received countless deathly glares from those who had once admired him, their admiration now transformed into pure hatred.

Boom after boom reverberated through the air as the long-awaited attacks finally landed on Desmond. The ground quaked and fissured beneath the onslaught. Roots thrashed about, relentless in their assault, while thunderous bolts of electricity repeatedly struck Desmond's position.

Giant earth palms hammered down upon him incessantly, courtesy of Matson and the purple-haired boy, Gregory, who hurled every metal weapon within reach.

With her Great Sword in hand, Diana unleashed a powerful slash towards Desmond, splitting the ground and obliterating all previous attacks from the other contestants in its wake.

Silence hung heavy in the air as Matson, Edison, and the remaining contestants stared in astonishment, their gaze shifting to Diana. The onlooking students, too, fixated their gaze upon her as she proudly raised her head before turning her attention back to Elizabeth's side.

Fortunately, Diana's attack left behind wisps of white fire, exuding an aura of sanctity that continued to burn at Desmond's location, long after the initial impact.

"He should have fainted, right?" One student broke the tension, attempting to ease the discomfort felt by the others. Matson and Greyson descended to the ground, maintaining a vigilant watch over the unfolding situation.

Their guard remained high, but as the smoke cleared and the dust settled, a shadowy figure stood before them, lips curled up in a derisive smile.

"Impossible!" Matson was the first to voice his disbelief, his pride crushed upon witnessing Desmond's seemingly unscathed state. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

Desmond stood there, his clothing and body undamaged. The shattered barriers that had scattered the ground one by one disappeared, leaving behind no trace. It appeared that those barriers had been strong enough to withstand the onslaught of attacks.

The students positioned above froze, their expressions frozen in disbelief. Some shed tears, particularly when they saw Elizabeth's pallid face.

As Elizabeth's body collapsed to the ground, Desmond raised one hand, dispersing the energy that had gathered around him in an instant, sending it in all directions.

Swoosh! The alert contestants immediately began chanting spells, especially Matson, who had regained control of his emotions.

Yet, before they could even utter a single incantation, their lungs betrayed them, refusing to draw in air. Their vision blurred, and one by one, they too collapsed to the ground.

With a resounding thud, all of the contestants fell simultaneously, their bodies sprawled across the arena floor. The hovering square above them now proudly displayed the word "winner." In an instant, Desmond and the other contestants vanished, enveloped by a brilliant light.

The watching students were consumed by a whirlwind of emotions, particularly those who had been staunch supporters of Elizabeth. They harbored resentment towards Desmond and had hoped to teach him a lesson. However, upon reflecting on his ruthless power and unwavering strength, they reluctantly abandoned those thoughts, left only with clenched teeth and venomous glares.

Unbeknownst to Desmond and his fellow contestants, chaos had erupted beyond the academy's walls. Civilians had gathered in front of the portal in the Military District, demanding information about Desmond and his family, as well as updates on the princess's condition. Soldiers who had previously held a favorable impression of Desmond now frowned, troubled by his recent actions.