“Sad, are you?” Headmaster Morrison exhaled a quiet sigh. “Then why not give up the duel?”

  Luo Wei started, turning toward him. “Headmaster, what did you say?”

  He kept his gaze on the distance. “Siria Magic Academy is my life’s work. I hoped it could offer hope and shelter to talented commoners. I never wanted its continuation to rest on the sacrifice of its students.

  “Luo Wei, no matter what Professor Tobias told you, I want you to know—honor and responsibility are not why you need to compete. You don’t have to carry that weight.”

  But she wasn’t competing for the academy’s honor. She was competing for the whole bundle of carrots Professor Tobias had dangled in front of her.

  Did Professor Tobias never clear this with the headmaster?

  How was she supposed to tactfully tell him she was not the sort to charge ahead on a thin notion of duty?

  After mulling it over, Luo Wei chose candor. “Headmaster, I’m not in this for honor or responsibility. I’m in it for myself. I stand to gain from this duel.”

  Morrison shook his head, stubborn in his assessment. “You’re a good child. The academy has burdened you.”

  “Uh, no,” Luo Wei said. “The academy’s helped me a lot.”

  He gave a long sigh, turned to face her. “There’s a teleportation array beneath the arena. It leads to the Wastes.”

  “Headmaster, I don’t understand what you mean,” Luo Wei said.

  Morrison went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “It’s a single?use array. You’ve used teleportation arrays often—you should know how to activate it.”

  Luo Wei’s scalp prickled. “I haven’t used them that often—just during the matches.”

  Morrison chuckled, let the fib pass. “You’re close with Gladys and Hol, aren’t you?”

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  She was finding him more and more unsettling. “I get along well with all my classmates.”

  “Then take Axina too,” he said. “That child is also trapped by circumstance. A Nightmare clings to her.”

  “A Nightmare… what is that?”

  “You’ll understand in time.” Hands clasped behind his back, he added, “I’ll go ahead. You follow at your own pace.”

  Luo Wei: …

  She really hated that line. If she’d know later, why bother teasing it now?

  The moment Morrison left, her teammates arrived, each slinging their own bag.

  “Hey, was that the headmaster?” Jack peered after him.

  “The headmaster was here?” Axina and Gladys both looked around.

  Hol glanced toward the riding grounds. “He probably passed through on his way to the arena.”

  “Headmaster Morrison is so unassuming!” Jack breathed.

  Every other professor either cast a spell or rode a flying mount there; only Headmaster Morrison walked.

  Luo Wei tightened her grip on her satchel strap. “Let’s go. We should head over too.”

  The five moved toward the arena at a measured pace. Aside from Jack’s bubbling excitement, every gaze was heavy.

  The stands were packed. Students who’d snuck off during earlier rounds turned up without exception today.

  The ultimate showdown between Siria Magic Academy and St. Teno Divine College—missing it would be a lifetime regret.

  The middle and senior divisions were holding their finals today as well, yet many of their spectators had flooded into the junior arena. Behind Luo Wei’s team stretched a dense, dark mass—heads to the horizon.

  Nine o’clock. The bell tolled.

  From the stands, Headmaster Morrison himself rose to announce a one?on?one championship duel between Siria Magic Academy and St. Teno Divine College.

  Thunderous applause crashed across the arena. Thousands of eyes fixed on the two squads below, murmuring speculation over who would prevail.

  The Siria team walked in silence to the southern gate and presented each weapon for inspection.

  “Why’d you bring this thing again?”

  One of the mage gatekeepers hefted a Lead Garment, testing its weight. He offered a kindly warning: “This vest is heavy. Wear it and you won’t run fast—it could hamper you.”

  “Thank you for the concern.” Luo Wei slipped the Lead Garment on, then pulled her magic robe over it and smiled. “We have a special use for it.”

  “Oh?” Curiosity flickered, but with the duel imminent he didn’t pry. “Then I’ll watch for that.”

  Luo Wei’s smile deepened; she produced her magic mirror. “Need to inspect this too?”

  “No,” the mage said, waving it off. “I know what it does—you explained before. Go on in.”

  Clearing inspection, the five from Siria—wearing their Distress Pendants and each carrying a magic bee—stepped into the arena.

  On the opposite side, St. Teno’s five students emerged through their gate. Under their magic robes, full suits of armor blazed with dazzling gold in the sunlight.

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