Chapter 223: Without Warning! (1)

After hearing Aisha’s words, Dean Marcus was momentarily stunned.

Even the people in the arena hadn’t expected her to say something like that. They had assumed she would either accept the academy’s decision or continue arguing for Kane’s victory. No one had imagined that she would offer to replace him herself.

Marcus quickly recovered from his surprise.

"Since your team has prepared a substitute, then call that person onto the stage. Let’s see if they can perform any better."

The moment he finished speaking, laughter erupted throughout the arena.

"Did Class 7-D actually bring another student?"

"Who could it be? Another low-ranked student like them?"

"What’s the point of replacing one useless Guide with another? Do they really think they can change the outcome of this duel?"

"Perhaps they think bringing someone else will somehow help them win. What a joke!"

The mockery spread from one section to another, and even some of the professors shook their heads in disappointment.

They had heard that Aisha Novalis was academically gifted and had consistently achieved excellent results in her examinations. However, seeing her act so recklessly now, they couldn’t help but question whether those scores had truly reflected her intelligence.

One of the professors sighed.

"There’s no point in dragging this out. They should just accept the result and admit defeat. Bringing in a new participant at this stage will only complicate matters."

"Exactly. The rules were established before the duel began. If they wanted to use a different participant, they should have arranged it earlier."

Dean Marcus smiled with satisfaction as he turned toward Aisha.

It wasn’t that he wouldn’t allow her to replace Kane. However, as everyone had already pointed out, introducing another participant at this stage would be troublesome and time-consuming.

Besides, he was curious to see what she would do next.

Would she actually bring out another student, or would she finally realize how ridiculous her proposal was?

Under the countless mocking voices, Aisha remained unperturbed.

She didn’t even spare the people laughing at her a glance as she walked toward the stage. Her steps were neither hurried nor hesitant, and she didn’t stop until she reached Kane.

Then, she raised her eyes toward Dean Marcus, a cold sneer appearing on her lips.

"I know the rules of the duel. I don’t need to bend them just to win." She paused briefly before continuing. "There is no other participant who will replace Kane."

The arena quieted down a little.

Aisha’s grey eyes remained fixed on the dean.

"I’ll replace him myself."

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then someone snorted.

That single sound seemed to break the brief silence, and the entire arena burst into laughter.

"HAHAHA! Did I hear that correctly? She wants to fight in his place?"

"A D-rank Guide with the lowest purification value in the academy? What does she think she can do against Jayden?"

"Why doesn’t she let Kane continue? At least his purification value is higher than hers!"

"She’s going to get herself hurt! Someone should remind her that she’s participating in a duel, not a beauty pageant. That pretty face of hers won’t save her!"

The insults became increasingly shameless.

Some students who had witnessed Aisha fainting during a previous assessment immediately brought up that incident, using it as another excuse to ridicule her.

"Wait, isn’t she the one who fainted the moment she saw a corrupted beast?"

"That’s right! HAHAHA! She couldn’t even stand in front of one before, and now she wants to fight Jayden?"

"Perhaps she’ll faint before the beast even comes out!"

More laughter followed.

Even some of the people who had initially remained silent couldn’t help but join in. To them, Aisha’s decision was simply too ridiculous to take seriously.

However, Aisha didn’t react.

Her expression remained as calm as still water, and her eyes were as cold as ice. She merely swept her gaze across the audience, looking at the people who were laughing and pointing at her as though she were observing a group of animals inside a zoo.

She didn’t argue with them or waste her breath trying to defend herself.

After all, what difference would it make?

If a person had already decided that someone was beneath them, no amount of explanation would change their mind. They would only find another reason to laugh.

So, Aisha let them laugh.

She stood there quietly, her expression devoid of emotion, while her gaze passed over each person who had been so eager to mock her.

Gradually, the laughter began to fade.

At first, the students closest to the stage were the ones who stopped. Then, the people sitting farther away noticed that something was wrong and followed suit.

A strange chill crept up the backs of their necks. And the hairs on their arms stood on end, and some of them instinctively shifted in their seats.

They couldn’t explain why it was, but they felt as though they were suddenly dragged into an ice cage.

Aisha hadn’t released any obvious psychic pressure, nor had she made any threatening movements. She was merely looking at them. Yet, under that emotionless gaze, they suddenly felt as though they had been stripped of their ability to laugh.

It was an uncomfortable sensation, as if the person standing before them wasn’t someone they could casually ridicule.

By the time Aisha finally looked away, the arena had fallen into an awkward silence.

She seemed satisfied with the result.

Now, it was finally quiet.

Turning back toward Dean Marcus, she asked calmly, "Can we begin the next round now?"

Marcus’s expression stiffened.

He hadn’t expected Aisha to remain so composed after being ridiculed by an entire arena. Worse, she had managed to silence them without saying anything particularly threatening.

He disliked that feeling.

As the dean of Imperial Star Academy, he was accustomed to being respected. Yet, from the moment Aisha had spoken to him, she had shown neither fear nor the slightest inclination to defer to his authority.

"Are you certain you want to do this?" he asked, his voice carrying a trace of displeasure. "It’s not too late to change your mind. If you admit defeat now, we can conclude this matter without any further complications."

Instead of answering immediately, Aisha smiled sweetly.

"Unless Kane is announced as the winner of this round, nothing will change my mind."

Marcus’s brows drew together.

What an arrogant girl!

He had already given her several opportunities to back down, yet she continued to act as though she had nothing to fear.

"Fine!" He harrumphed and turned toward the announcer. "Proceed with the next round. I hope you won’t regret your decision, Miss Novalis."