Chapter 270: Chapter : 270 : End Of First Duel!

Harlan’s smirk twisted into something uglier—surprise curdling into rage. He hadn’t expected the mud-blood to land a hit. His ribs throbbed where her stone fist had connected; the scorch mark on his blazer was an insult he couldn’t ignore.

“You little—” he snarled, wand slashing upward. “Ember Cloak—full flare!”

Flames roared to life around his body—thicker now, hotter, a blazing second skin that scorched the concrete black wherever his feet touched. The heat wave rolled outward, forcing Mee to stagger back, ponytail whipping across her sweat-slick face. Her uniform blouse was singed at the edges; small blisters rose on her forearms.

The crowd leaned forward—commoners gripping the railings, nobles smirking again.

“She’s done,” one noble girl whispered.

Mee’s breaths came in harsh pants—chest heaving, breasts straining the scorched buttons of her blouse. Blood trickled from the cut on her forehead, dripping into her eye. She wiped it away with a trembling hand. Mana reserves were dangerously low—arms shaking, stone gloves already cracking at the edges.

*Give up?* The thought flickered again—stronger this time.

Then Kee’s voice—soft, teasing, warm—echoed in her mind: *Give your best… I’ll tell you something.*

Her eyes snapped up—locking on Harlan’s smug face.

“Not yet,” she growled—low, to herself.

She charged again—full sprint across the open concrete.

Harlan laughed—cold, mocking. “Still running at me? Pathetic.”

He thrust his wand forward—Fireball Barrage. Five small, searing orbs launched in rapid succession—streaking toward her like angry hornets.

Mee twisted—dodging the first two with frantic rolls, concrete scraping her knees bloody. The third grazed her shoulder—burning through fabric, searing skin. She cried out—sharp, pained—but kept moving. The fourth and fifth exploded against the ground behind her—blasts of heat scorching her back.

She closed the distance—close enough to smell the smoke on his cloak.

Harlan’s eyes widened—surprise flashing again. “You—!”

Mee leaped—Stone Fist cocked back.

Harlan reacted fast—wand slashing in a wide arc. Ember Cloak flared brighter—flames surging outward in a burning wave.

Mee twisted mid-air—Wind Burst exploding from her free hand. The gust shoved her body sideways just enough; the flame wave scorched past her hip, setting the edge of her skirt on fire. She hit the ground rolling—smothering the flames against concrete—then sprang up again.

Harlan snarled. “Stand still, damn you!”

He thrust his wand—another Flame Lance, point-blank.

Mee ducked under it—hair singeing, ponytail smoking—and slammed her stone fist upward into his gut.

Crack!

The impact lifted Harlan off his feet—air exploding from his lungs in a choked gasp. He flew back three steps—boots skidding on concrete—wand clattering from his grip. He dropped to one knee—clutching his stomach, face twisted in pain and disbelief.

The commoner galleries detonated.

“She floored him!”

“She made a noble kneel!”

“Amelia! Amelia!”

Nobles recoiled—gasps, murmurs, one girl whispering, “He… he actually got hit again…”

Elowen’s nails dug into her palms—knuckles white. *Impossible… she’s lasting too long…*

Mira—standing at the edge of the stage—clenched her thighs tighter. A small, proud smile tugged at her lips. *That’s it, girl… keep fighting.*

In the highest gallery, Luna bounced on Aiden’s lap—eyes shining. “She’s amazing! Go Amelia!”

Thristle grinned wide. “That’s some strength. I like her.”

Nyxion purred—tail swishing. “She fights like she’s got something to prove.”

Selvara huffed—wings twitching. “Hmph. Stubborn little thing.”

Aiden watched—quiet, focused. “She’s not giving up.”

Harlan staggered to his feet—wand retrieved, flames roaring higher.

“You… filthy… peasant!” he roared—voice cracking with rage.

He raised the wand—both hands now—mana surging in a violent spiral.

“Flame Lance—maximum output!”

A single, massive spear of fire erupted—wider than Mee was tall, blazing white-hot, scorching the air itself as it hurtled toward her.

Mee’s eyes widened—terror flashing for the first time.

*No dodging that…*

But she didn’t run.

She planted her feet—both arms crossing in front of her chest—earth mana surging one last time.

A rough, desperate Earth Wall rose—higher than before, five feet tall, three feet thick.

The Flame Lance struck it dead center.

An explosion of fire and shattered stone lit the arena—heat wave rolling outward, forcing spectators to shield their eyes.

When the dust cleared—

—the wall was gone—reduced to rubble.

Mee stood in the center—uniform scorched black, ponytail half-undone, blood streaming from fresh burns on her arms and face. She swayed—knees buckling—but didn’t fall.

Not yet.

Harlan laughed—triumphant, cruel. “See? Nothing. You’re nothing.”

Mee lifted her head—eyes blazing through the blood and soot.

“Not… done… yet.”

Harlan’s laughter rang across the concrete—cold, victorious. The massive Flame Lance still crackled in his wand, white-hot and trembling with power, aimed dead center at Mee’s chest. “Time to end this farce, mud-blood.”

She swayed—vision blurring—but didn’t fall.

*Give up?* The thought came again—louder, heavier.

Then Kee’s voice—soft, teasing, warm—cut through the haze: *Give your best… I’ll tell you something.*

Her eyes snapped up—locking on Harlan’s smug face.

She took one step forward—then another—then broke into a staggering run.

Harlan’s smirk faltered—replaced by incredulous fury. “Still?!”

He thrust his wand—releasing the full Flame Lance.

The massive spear of fire roared forward—wider than Mee was tall, scorching the concrete black in its wake.

Mee had nothing left—no walls, no bursts, no mana.

She just ran—full tilt—straight into it.

The fireball swallowed her.

An explosion of white-hot flame lit the arena—heat wave rolling outward, forcing spectators to shield their eyes. Sand and dust blasted upward in a choking cloud.

When it cleared—

—Mee lay crumpled against the far wall—back slammed into concrete, uniform in tatters. Blouse shredded across the front, exposing her bra and scorched skin. Skirt torn high up one thigh, revealing the deep red handprint Kee had left in the tunnel—now surrounded by fresh burns. Blood trickled from her mouth and nose; ponytail had come completely undone, brown hair fanned across her face. She was breathing—barely.

Unconscious.

The crowd went dead silent.

Then the commoners erupted—screams, cheers, some crying.

“She fought! She actually fought him!”

“She made him use everything!”

“That’s our girl!”

Nobles shifted—uncomfortable, some looking away.

Elowen’s face twisted—fury and disbelief warring.

Mira—thighs still clenched—smiled softly, proud.

In the tunnel entrance, Kee burst out—running full sprint across the arena floor.

“Mee!”

He dropped to his knees beside her—hands shaking as he brushed hair from her face. Blood smeared his fingers. Her eyes fluttered—weakly opening.

“Did… I give my all?” she whispered—voice faint, smiling weakly through cracked lips.

Kee’s eyes filled—smile soft, trembling. “Yes, Mee. You gave everything.”

Her smile widened—small, peaceful—then her eyes rolled back. Consciousness slipped away.

Kee exhaled—shaky—then slid one arm under her shoulders, the other under her knees. He lifted her bridal style—her head lolling against his chest, limp arms dangling, skirt riding up to expose scorched thighs and the red handprint on her round ass. He cradled her close—protective, gentle.

He looked up—toward the stage.

“Professor!” he called—voice cracking but steady. “Can I take her to the infirmary?”

Mira—standing at the edge—nodded immediately. “Go. Quickly.”

Kee turned—carrying her toward the tunnel—steps careful, cradling her like glass.

As he disappeared into the shadows, Elowen’s voice rang out—cold, clipped.

“Winner: Lord Harlan Flueron.”

Silence.

Then scattered noble applause—half-hearted, awkward.

Commoners stayed quiet—some glaring at Harlan, others whispering “She fought like hell…”

Harlan stood in the center—wand still smoking, chest heaving—looking at the spot where Mee had fallen. For a moment, his smirk faltered—something like unease flickering in his eyes.

Then he straightened—raising his wand in mock salute.

The duel was over.

But the arena still echoed with her name.

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END OF Chapter : 270 : END OF FIRST DUEL!

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