Chapter 456: Does She Have Enough Mana to Last?

At 10 p.m. in the Starry Kingdom, inside the Cailleach National Arena.

Within the simulated, town-alley battleground, a two-story house suddenly collapsed with a thunderous crash. As Sonya retreated, she abruptly felt time slow to a crawl. The debris drifting through the air seemed to glide lazily past her ears. The host's passionate commentary stretched into a distorted, echoing hum. It was as if the entire world had ground to a standstill.

She instantly realized she had triggered her passive blessing—Fatal Sense of Danger.

The hybrid blessing, combining properties of both the Prophecy and Time Classes, warned her of imminent death by slowing reality itself. It only activated in the absolute final instant before a lethal strike. In other words, before she could even cast a defense-type Miracle, the village girl would normally already be dead, triggering the arena's Death Prohibition mechanism and losing the match.

Yet even now, she had no idea where the threat was coming from.

If her guess was correct, the unseen attack capable of killing her instantly likely came from another contestant's Firearm Class Miracle. At this very moment, that fatal bullet had already left the chamber, carving a supersonic path through the viscous, heavy air. Was it aimed at her head, her heart, or her throat?

The only thing Sonya could do was alter her trajectory mid-air and try her absolute best to avoid a vital organ. However...

"Swordswoman, I actually chose Fatal Sense of Danger specifically for you."

"Huh? What kind of riddle is that? Is it a reference to something? Give me a hint."

"What are you talking about? I mean, this blessing is incredibly helpful for your combat."

"It would help the Witch in battle too..."

"No, no. Just like the Witch excels at creating personality sisters, you have a unique skill of your own called Pitch Black Heart."

"That doesn't sound like anything good... How come I've never heard of it?"

"Because its effect lets you eliminate danger before it even takes shape. But your life's been so smooth lately. No one's bullying you. If anything, you're the one bullying everyone else. So you've never needed it."

"When have I ever bullied anyone?! I'm not that kind of girl!"

"Not having to use that skill is a good thing, but no one wins forever. You'll get beaten someday. That's why I chose this blessing for you. When you're trapped in a state like Fatal Sense of Danger and run completely out of options... you can choose to trust your heart."

"Will that really work?"

"I hope so."

Sonya closed her eyes and tightened her grip on the wooden sword. A strange sensation washed over her. Every cell in her body screamed in panic. Despite the terror, her thoughts wandered, circling back to someone who wasn't even in the arena. And somehow, through that calm, she truly sensed the malicious bullet racing toward her.

Miracle, Darklight Slash!

Clang!

She swung her wooden sword upward, unleashing a devastating arc of sinister light into the air. A sharp, metallic ring echoed as the impact shattered the supersonic projectile. The resulting shockwave blasted apart the brick wall behind her, a testament to the bullet's devastating power.

Sonya's thoughts had stretched long in the slowed time, but in reality, it all happened in a fraction of a second. The commentator had just been shouting that Miss Selby was in dire straits a moment ago. Now, he leaped to his feet in utter shock. "Did contestant Selby just cut down Hubert's Miracle-infused bullet?! Is that the effect of a Miracle?!"

Many in the audience hadn't even registered what happened. It wasn't until the host explained that Sonya had literally severed a bullet that Adele took the lead, cheering wildly alongside the Sword and Roses students.

"Swordswoman! Swordswoman!"

"All hail the Claw-Stretching Club!"

"That wasn't a bullet she cut! That was my heart!"

"Swordswoman, I want to be your dog!"

Amid the chaotic uproar in the stands, the Sacred Realm sorcerers in the VIP boxes narrowed their eyes.

"A reflection-type Miracle similar to the Staff Class's One-Arm Domain?"

"No. Reflection Miracles require active casting. Hubert's timing was perfect. Selby was busy dodging a collapsing building, with both her body and mind entirely focused on evasion. She had no window to cast a Miracle. She should have been eliminated right there."

"Is that what you call pure, unadulterated talent? Looks like Truth University has finally met its match this year."

It was no wonder even the Sacred Realm sorcerers were taken aback. The one who had just sniped the village girl was a fourth-year student and a Two-Winged Firearm Class sorcerer from Truth University.

The Firearm Class had risen in just a single century to become the most populous top-tier combat discipline precisely because of its overwhelming destructive power at lower levels. A well-timed ambush could instantly kill almost any low-level sorcerer. Only Sacred Realm sorcerers, utilizing their Sacred Realms, could fully counter such high-velocity assassinations.

With very few exceptions, most Two-Winged defensive Miracles simply couldn't withstand the penetrating force of a Two-Winged Firearm Miracle. In other words, a single hit from a firearm user was usually enough to decide a match. Consequently, low-level sorcerers had only two ways to handle gunfighters, which was to either dodge or deflect.

Most could only choose to dodge. Deflection required specialized reflection techniques, which demanded mastery over a handful of very specific sorcery classes. For instance, the Staff Class's One-Arm Domain allowed a sorcerer to instantly swat away any bullets entering their immediate perimeter. At its peak, deflection could even send the projectile straight back at the shooter.

Throughout the match so far, Sonya had relied on the arena's complex terrain to evade the gunfire, which had made it incredibly difficult for her to close the distance. Yet in the face of certain death, she had suddenly unveiled a flawless deflection technique, putting on an absolute spectacle for those in the know.

Even more terrifying was that she hadn't relied on a pre-cast Miracle to deflect the shot. It was as if she had done it through sheer, raw instinct.

Nidala, the Rhythm Sword Saint, couldn't help but turn to the person beside her. "Did you teach her that?"

"It's nothing special," Trosan replied calmly, keeping her composure. "After sparring with me so often, it's not surprising she's reached this level."

Deep down, however, Trosan was utterly baffled. Forget her time as a Two-Winged Gold sorcerer. Even at her current level, there was absolutely no way she could cut down a bullet under normal conditions!

Dodging wasn't a problem; after all, Sacred Realm sorcerers could easily anticipate the trajectory of a bullet. But deflection was an entirely different matter.

Against a Miracle-infused projectile, simply placing a sword along its path would only result in the blade being shattered instantly. Even if the weapon were heavily reinforced, the fragmented shrapnel would still easily lacerate the sorcerer. True deflection required striking the bullet with full force and flawless timing, meaning the sorcerer's reaction speed had to break supersonic levels. In short, it was nothing less than a literal miracle. Thus, to ordinary people and low-level sorcerers, it looked as though Sonya had performed the impossible.

The Sacred Realm sorcerers were all plagued by the same burning question. Why hasn't she used a Miracle? Could this genuinely be a feat of pure, unadulterated instinct?

The shock and praise from the outside world did nothing to shake the remaining competitors' focus. After successfully deflecting the shot, Sonya kept moving between buildings, never exposing herself in the open.

Unlike a relative newcomer like her, the other contestants had at least three years of experience exploring the Virtual World. Some had even ventured repeatedly into the Abyss to hone their skills. In terms of spirit builds and Miracle versatility, they completely outclassed her. For instance, Sonya currently only possessed offense-type Miracles, while the others typically boasted a full, balanced set comprising attack, defense, movement, healing, and reconnaissance. Furthermore, unlike Sonya, who treated exploring the Virtual World like a vacation, these seasoned sorcerers had wandered the dangerous place entirely alone.

This meant that if the battle dragged on, the advantage would inevitably tilt toward her opponents. Now that only three contestants remained, Sonya found it nearly impossible to close the distance on the Firearm Class sorcerer, Hubert. Meanwhile, he could still lock onto her with ease. He clearly possessed a reconnaissance-type Miracle. Even while constantly on the move, she had nearly been taken out by his sniping ambush.

Her deflection had been stunning, but it did nothing to improve her tactical situation.

In fact, once the participant list was first announced, most people hadn't expected much from Sonya. Adele had even prepared a cynical publicity plan for the Rose's inevitable first defeat. The moment Sonya lost, Adele was ready to mobilize the Claw-Stretching Club to flood the school forum, emphasizing Sonya's status as a first-year, her courageous spirit of participation, her proud record of three consecutive wins, and the fact that she still had the losers' revival match ahead of her.

Even in defeat, Sonya would gain encouragement and sympathy. Her fanbase might even grow.

And to be fair, as a first-year, Sonya had already broken Sword and Roses University's intercollegiate league records. Wherever she went in the future, she could proudly declare that her alma mater should be proud of her. Not to mention, she still had three more years to compete. She was destined for a bright future.

Yet, despite all that, she still refused to lose.

Why? Because the classmates who liked her were watching. Because the gossipers who detested her were watching. Because Cailleach, and the entire Starry Kingdom, were watching. Because her mother, and those who had once looked down on them, were watching. Because she wanted the Watcher to see her. And most of all, because she simply hated losing.

Suffering had no inherent meaning. Otherwise, beggars would be great historical figures. Failure didn't breed success either; it was far more likely to lead to despair. Sonya didn't want the soft comfort of a participation prize. She wanted admiration, envy, and absolute victory.

No one can win forever? I already lost the moment I was born. I have suffered enough hardship and disdain! I have exhausted a lifetime of luck, and now that I have finally gotten to meet him, I will win for the rest of my life! Whether in competition, battle, life, study, career, or love!

Suddenly, gunfire thundered in the distance, and the host's voice cut sharply across the arena.

"Contestant Nobo has leveled every building in a straight line and is charging directly at Hubert using a movement-type Miracle! Hubert reacts quickly, trying to create distance with a movement-type Miracle of his own, but it's futile!! Nobo catches up! A defense-type Miracle? No effect! He cuts Hubert in half in one strike! The Death Prohibition mechanism has been triggered! Hubert is eliminated!"

The audience erupted in shock. Over at Truth University's bench, faces turned grim. Hubert had been one of their top three contenders this year, a prime candidate for a podium finish, yet he had fallen in the quarterfinals.

Granted, he still had the revival match to keep his qualification alive, but the tournament bracket meant Hubert would now have to fight a fellow Truth University contestant. The university's dream of securing a top-three sweep was officially shattered.

With the Firearm Class sorcerer eliminated, Sonya no longer had any reason to hide. She stepped out into the open center of the arena, a space that hadn't even existed minutes ago, back before the fierce clashes had completely leveled the surrounding buildings.

A sorcerer nearly two meters tall emerged from the dust and ruins. He carried a massive sword almost as tall as himself and wore plain yet imposing black combat attire. This was Nobo, a fourth-year from Berserker University and one of the heavy favorites to win the entire championship.

Nobo and Sonya were both sword users, but they followed entirely different paths. He specialized in overwhelming, raw force. Greatsword[1] sorcerers were the signature discipline of Berserker University. Unlike typical sorcerers who relied on spells, they excelled in hunting through the Abyss and the Virtual World. Their weapons were designed to slay massive, colossal creatures, not humanoid opponents.

That didn't make them weak in duels. On the contrary, greatsword sorcerers ranked among the absolute highest in win rates.

They were a rare breed, however, because wielding such weapons required undergoing the grueling Brute Body Class conditioning. If learning magic already went against human nature, then training in the Brute Body Class practically defied it entirely. In a modern world where people lived in absolute comfort, few could endure such systemic hardship.

Consequently, every greatsword sorcerer possessed physical strength far beyond their peers, a strength that translated directly into devastating destructive power.

Boom!

Without warning, Nobo swung his sword horizontally, unleashing a massive, gray-white arc of energy straight toward Sonya. The attack was heavy, sharp, and covered a massive range; ordinary Miracles would have been torn right through. Left with no other choice, Sonya unleashed her strongest pinpoint Miracle.

Blood Moon Shattered Lake!

The crimson and gray sword lights collided, grinding against each other with a violent screech before erupting into a massive shockwave. The blast swept away every last piece of rubble in the clearing, perfectly setting the stage for their final duel.

"Sorry," Nobo said steadily, a hint of genuine apology in his deep voice. "Greatswords aren't built for close-quarters scuffles, so I'll simply have to crush you with Ashen Erosion Wind. Please don't blame me for doing whatever it takes to win."

He wasn't wrong. Greatsword sorcerers struggled if an opponent got right inside their guard, making mid-range their optimal distance. Once a close-combat fighter managed to slip past the blade, the giant was little more than a punching bag.

Thus, their strategy in duels was always the most straightforward. They simply overwhelmed everything with sheer sword energy, driving thicker, longer, harder waves of force to obliterate whatever stood in their path.

It seemed crude, but it was incredibly effective. Because these sword-energy spirits drew power directly from the sorcerer's physical strength, the stronger the user, the more oppressive the attack. It perfectly synthesized a greatsword user's inherent advantages. Earlier in the quarterfinals, Nobo had shattered another contestant's defensive Miracle using nothing but his raw sword energy, serving as a brutal testament to his power.

Logically, Sonya's best play was to close the distance and force Nobo into a defensive, close-quarters panic. Yet, she simply nodded. "No problem. I want to finish this quickly too... I've got plans tonight."

"Good!" Nobo roared, swinging his greatsword once more.

Crimson and gray clashed violently across the arena, sending ripples of shockwaves tearing through the dirt.

"Choosing to match Nobo in a direct clash of Miracles... Contestant Selby is being far too reckless," the host, Arsen, remarked with a trace of regret. "According to the contestant's profile, Nobo entered the Continent of Time in his third year, meaning he has spent a full year exploring its depths. Despite suffering multiple deaths along the way, his Gold Wing should already be halfway formed.

"His signature Miracle, Ashen Erosion Wind, is a Mid-Glorious Gold technique. It boasts high damage, a wide range, and a relatively low energy cost. Because its power scales with his physical strength, it costs him very little to use it repeatedly.

"In a match like this, a spectacular exchange of Miracles quickly devolves into a war of attrition. Whoever has the deeper mana reserve wins. But Contestant Selby has been in the Continent of Time for less than a month. Her Miracle, Blood Moon Shattered Lake, has yet to be indexed in the Starry Catalog. But judging by the sheer scale of the output, it clearly demands an immense amount of mana per strike... Does she really have the mana to outlast him?"

1. An exceptionally large sword, typically requiring two hands to wield due to its massive weight and size. ☜