Second Lead Syndrome (1-187) | ✓

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Cecil stepped up onto the stage, and everyone immediately recognised her as the ice princess of this academy. The usual haughty and glacial mien of hers made it hard for others to approach her, either disliking her or cautious of her.

Her opponent, Yan, was twenty years old as well, the same age as her and Hana. Seeing his opponent is a beautiful woman, and the ice princess on top of that, Yan smirked.

"Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Cecil Lan."

"Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Yan."

It was a fire and earth elemental battle. Unlike the other elements, it wasn't required for those of the fire element to use a weapon, since their fire itself was already potent.

"Ladies first."

Cecil remained indifferent.

She curled her fingers upwards, and a small rock flew out from her robes. Cecil was also known around the academy for her odd choice of weapon, despite being a skilled fighter.

Kai watched her reveal her weapon with a happy, toothy grin.

Xue furrowed his eyebrows, this would be his first time seeing Cecil fight. Hana observed the match, seated beside Xue, unusually attentive.

"So that's the famous measly rock weapon you have."

Cecil didn't respond to his provocation, only sending the rock flying towards him. Yan shot flames out from his hand, trying to burn the rock.

Cecil called back the rock swiftly and tossing it at Yan again. She repeated this attacking and dodging motion multiple times, and Yan grew bored.

"This is your fighting style? You can't even hit me. As expected, women aren't meant to fight at all, they are meant to sit still and look pretty for--"

"You never once observed any fights here, didn't you?" Cecil interrupted him, her voice cold.

Yan, who was unimaginably egoistical, did not bother to watch the matches as a audience. He believed he would win every match through raw power, thus, he didn't know utilises a method similar to Hana.

It wasn't tricks.

It was misdirection.

Cecil used her other free hand, striking it upwards, left and right.

The ground below Yan trembled and he immediately saw three square-shaped pillar sprouting out, made of the same materials of stone and bricks of the stage, charging straight at him. He staggered back in horror, and he felt himself stepping on air.

The next second, he fell off the stage.

"Winner, Cecil! Yan has voluntarily stepped out of bounds."

Yan blinked in shock, he still hasn't recovered from the match that ended without him attacking once.

If he had noticed earlier, Cecil was leading him towards the corner of the stage with her measly rock. Everytime it flew close to him, he would step back instinctively to throw his flames out.

Cecil had been observing how he fought in the previous matches, realising this was his fighting habit. She took note of opponents who were close to her skill level, and one of them was Yan. She assumed that Yan would be smart enough to catch on to her method, but alas, she had placed her expectations too high.

A few teachers stood up, applauding Cecil for her brilliance and Kai stood up with them. Cecil bowed, her face impassive as she walked off the stage.

Xue didn't bother with the tournament, he was only interested in his match and Hana's matches. He didn't pay a single inch of attention to any other matches, including Cecil.