Ragnar looked up at the scoreboard, a slight frown settling between his brows.He had done everything he could to remain unnoticed, making sure every burst of power appeared to originate from Nika's position.He had been certain he'd covered every trace. So how had the machine still detected him?Could it really be that powerful... that all-seeing?On the colossal scoreboard, a single name blazed brilliantly in gold.Number One[Ragnar F. StormGrade Point: 288Grade Class: A System Remark: Supreme Genius Extra Remark: Your poison needle technique is truly too ruthless. Aren't you afraid of killing someone?]A stunned silence swept through the arena.Among the spectators, Ji Cangmin's expression darkened to an almost terrifying degree.The veins along his neck bulged violently, while his teeth ground together with enough force to produce faint cracking sounds.Losing the group score was one thing.But someone else had also stolen the position of highest contributor.And that someon

The girl was Darlene, and she looked a little unkempt. Strands of hair had escaped their neat arrangement, clinging to her temples, while the wrinkles on her uniform spoke of someone who had been through far more than a single tournament match. Every step she took carried the weight of reluctant resolve.She walked to the foot of the platform where the jury panel was assembled and slowly lifted her head to face them.Professor Mariette's lips pressed into a thin line, suspicion gathering quietly in her eyes as she studied the young woman.“Student Darlene Fairfax,” she began, her voice measured enough to silence the murmurs spreading through the arena, “you claim you have a method to prove who the real number one of the match is…”One brow rose ever so slightly. Her expression turned faintly askance. “Pray tell... what method is that?”The entire arena fell silent.Hundreds of eyes settled on Darlene, filled with varying degrees of curiosity, doubt, and outright suspicion.Everyone kn

“Nika, let's go eat.” Ragnar threw an arm around her shoulder, a carefree smile tugging at his lips.Nika tilted her face slightly toward his. “Did you bring food?”“I don't need to.” Ragnar winked. “My boys are loaded.”Despite the cloud hanging over her mood, Nika found herself chuckling.“You're quite happy being the freeloader.”Some distance behind them, Darlene sat cross-legged, visibly unhappy. She stared blankly into the empty space before her, her eyes unfocused, like someone wandering through a haze she couldn't escape.Farther away, the repair crew had already sprung into action.Massive cranes swung overhead, lifting twisted metal beams and fractured slabs of stone, clearing away the remains of the shattered battle stage while workers hurried to assemble a new arena. The constant grind of machinery echoed through Legend Court, accompanied by the sharp clang of steel striking steel.The students wisely gave the entire area a wide berth.No one wanted to become the unfortuna

Vonn laughed uneasily, trying to ease the tension.“In families where the father remarries, it's common to encounter situations like this. Don't stress about it, bro.”Ragnar nodded, letting the matter drop.Just then, three people dressed in chefs' sky-blue uniforms walked into the hall.The woman leading them swept her gaze across the room before it settled on Nika. A soft smile bloomed across her face as she made her way toward their table.“Young mistress, forgive our tardiness.”Almost on instinct, Darlene rose to her feet and accepted the first tray, carefully setting it on the table.Zhuge Qingyun's gaze swept over the dishes, his brows knitting together.“Are we really going to finish these?”“The spiritual energy inside them is too dense. It might cause bloating or even affect the meridians,” Laycon added.Ragnar chuckled. “If we don't finish everything now, we can always save the rest for dinner. Easy.”Around the hall, several other students also had chefs from their familie

Ragnar scoffed. “Lost art? Really?”He shook his head, sucking his tongue in disbelief.“Then your clan's alchemist must be really...”He left the sentence unfinished, as though catching himself just in time before the disrespectful words slipped out.Nika reached out and grabbed one of the jade bottles, her beautiful eyes swimming with disbelief.“Is it really the Restoration Elixir said to bring even those on the brink of death back to life? The one that not only heals every wound but even repairs fractures in spirit cores?”Ragnar nodded, unable to hide the faint trace of pride on his face.“Yes. And this is a Heaven Grade Restoration Elixir.”Someone behind them suddenly burst into laughter.“This clown is really hilarious. It wasn't enough to lie about having Restoration Elixirs? He even claims they've reached Heaven Grade.”“It's already shocking enough for anyone to refine a Restoration Elixir. Producing one that reached Heaven Grade hasn't been done for over a hundred years, e