There were many participants in the semifinals, but after round after round of elimination, only a few familiar student faces remained. Most of them had already been top students in their grades, and they had chosen the Demon Gods whose power they would borrow early on. The longer they had acclimated to that power, the stronger their control over it became. None of them were easy opponents.
But there were not many of them left, so it was hard to avoid matching acquaintances together when drawing lots. Barry became the unlucky one in everyone's eyes, because he had drawn Helen Stark.
Most students understood the campus attack as an internal power struggle within the Asgardian royal family. Those born and raised in Asia better understood the danger of royal infighting. They avoided it like the plague, and few were willing to get involved.
It was indeed an extremely awkward situation. Everyone knew Helen came from an extraordinary background, and her father taught at the school. Winning would be embarrassing, while losing would offend people. There was no pleasing either side. So when Barry's opponent was decided, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
But Doctor Strange in Barry's mind was somewhat dissatisfied. He snorted and said mockingly, "Why is it this little girl? She looks weak. Don't you want to face a stronger opponent and show off what you've learned?"
"I just want to get this over with and go home to sleep." Weariness filled Barry's voice. Making him fight was like forcing a duck onto a perch; both his words and actions made his attitude clear.
Yet Doctor Strange still refused to give up. He did not believe anyone could remain so weak-willed after gaining such tremendous power. Soon, in another vast world, amid countless universes, he would obtain even