In the Rising Stars Tournament, the top 16 will be eliminated and the top 8 will advance to the knockout round.

The scorching fire wave spread outward like a circle, illuminating the originally dim basement as bright as day. The dazzling flames licked the air, and the scorching smell made it difficult to approach.

Standing in the center of the fire circle was the young man who had previously competed with Eloi. His short light golden hair undulated slightly in the waves of fire, appearing even brighter.

Ever since being defeated by Eloi last time, he had become much more cautious. Coupled with his outstanding talent and qualifications, he quickly made it into the top 16 again. The consecutive victories brought back his confidence and momentum.

Looking at the black-haired girl in the distance, he smiled slightly, and strands of golden light particles continued to gather from the air. A golden, blazing fireball began to take shape in his hand. The terrifying heat made the surrounding air a little distorted.

Facing the oncoming wave of fire, Loran Hill opened a hexagonal red shield like a honeycomb to isolate it.

The power of the Demon Sequence is not suitable for defense, and this shield composed of many hexagons cannot last for too long, and the opponent happens to be a genius who is good at manipulating magic and fire.

We can only attack, Loran Hill thought.

A blood-red spear emerged from the air. Its delicate shaft featured spiral anti-slip patterns, and its tip was a sharp triangular blade, gleaming with an icy, brilliant light. Its own crimson magic flowed through the spear, and the emanating magic burned around it like crimson flames.

A red light flashed, and she rushed directly in front of the short-sleeved boy, leaving a wave of separated fire behind her. The sharp tip of the gun cut the boy's hair, startling him, and the fireball in his hand exploded.

Along with the expansion and vibration of the atmosphere, golden burning streams scattered in all directions. Some hit the ground and melted into small pits. Translucent substances like glass could be seen in the pits.

A match is a competition, after all; killing isn't allowed. Loran Hill deflected the blade at the last moment, otherwise his head would have flown off. But the short-sleeved teenager was completely oblivious, believing his quick reaction and quick-thinking fireball deflected the opponent's attack.

After rolling to the ground, he quickly stood up again, and then moved his body quickly. Several fireballs began to surround him. This time he did not fly into the air. Although that would be cool, he lacked the means of air combat movement and was like a target in the air. He had nowhere to use his strength to dodge.

After the golden fireballs had accumulated enough energy, they flew out slowly. Seven or eight fireballs baked the air and quickly approached Loran Hill. Their flight paths also blocked a large area to prevent it from dodging.

Then, a series of golden fireballs exploded, flames flashed, and deafening sounds continued to echo in the basement, directly blasting deep pits in the basement.

After the explosion, smoke and dust filled the air. When the young man in short sleeves was about to throw another fireball to clear away the dust, he felt a pain from the back of his head, and then his body fell limp and he fell unconscious on the ground.

Loran Hill, who was slightly shorter than the boy, stood quietly in the open space, and then the referee's voice came from the ceiling.

"No. 309 wins, the battle is over."

Just like that, Loran Hill entered the quarterfinals. Although it only took a few glory credits to establish a club, it would be nice to look forward.

During the break on the second day, some students started talking in the classroom.

"This Rising Stars Competition is almost over."

"Well, I wonder who will be the champion. A lot of people are keeping their entries pretty secret."

"I told you not to laugh at me. I actually participated, but unfortunately I was eliminated on the first day."

"Haha, tell me, which big guy you met."

"It wasn't any big shot. My opponent was a very cute girl. Unfortunately, I was knocked unconscious right after we met and I don't even remember what she looked like. The only thing I remember is the pair of cat-ear over-the-knee socks I saw when she collapsed. They were so pretty."

"I understand, I understand, haha."

......

"Okay, enough joking around. Who's going to win this time? Have you heard anything?"

"It's still unclear. I only know that Isaiah from our class should be among the top few, because I saw him entering the tunnel yesterday. Also, Rock from the class next door should be there too. I heard from a classmate in class today that he has a few more bandages and scars on his body."

"You're really that dedicated... Yeah, yeah. If I were him, I'd give it a try too. After all, chances for commoners like us to turn things around aren't many. If we really get into the top few, we can join some elite clubs in the future, which have many benefits."

"Yes, it's not just the Honor Credits, but also the resources within the club, and even the connections and relationships after graduation—all of which are enviable. It's a pity that those elite clubs usually only recruit peripheral members, so it's still difficult to become a core member."

"I heard that some girls are obsessed with joining elite societies, hoping to get in and meet some aristocratic men. If they can get together with them in the future, they won't have to worry about their lives."

"That's true. Outside of school, it's difficult for commoners to come into contact with young nobles, but it's different inside school. Besides, noble parents generally don't object to campus romances, because anyone who can enter Emenas is not bad, and at the very least, they will become a high-level transcendent in the future, so it won't be too embarrassing."

"So, getting into the top four is really impressive. If it were me, I would definitely reveal the award myself and let others envy me."

"That's what I thought, haha. But there are also people who don't care about this kind of competition, like the eldest daughter of the Landsworthy family, who didn't participate."

"The Landsworths are very particular about their image and etiquette, so it's quite normal for them not to attend."

Ding-ling-ling——

"Okay, stop talking. The teacher is here. I hope she won't call on me to answer questions."

------------------

Although the competition is gradually coming to an end, this year's freshmen seem to be relatively low-key. Only 2-3 of the top eight have been revealed, and the identities of the others are still hidden from the outside world.

Teaching hall, underground battle room.

There was still a lot of dust on the ground, which had been simply renovated a few times, and some traces of the bombing could still be seen. Two girls stood facing each other on the gravel ground.

"Bumantha?"

Looking at the girl opposite him who was wearing casual clothes, with chestnut-gold curly hair draped over a white dress, and a harmless look, Loran Hill was really surprised.

The girl next door whom I usually think of is actually a peerless master. What should I do as her opponent?

Thoughts in my brain began to quickly create a novel of 100,000 words.

Bumansha, who was standing opposite her, was also very surprised. The 16-year-old girl in front of her, who was slightly younger than her, did not look like someone who could defeat those orc classmates. Her slender legs and weak face only made people feel pity. How did she make it to the quarterfinals?

Just when the two were full of questions, the referee's voice came from the ceiling.

"The battle begins!"