In the next instant, countless afterimages suddenly converged one after another.
It's like hundreds of tributaries flowing into a dry riverbed.
Like all the abandoned Ayas, they simultaneously caught up with this Setsuna!
In the end, all the afterimages stopped in front of Wuma Ling.
They came together to form the one and only her!
There was no Setsuna, no hesitation.
Step, twist your waist, and extend your shoulders—
Use all your Heart Essence and speed to throw this punch.
[Instant Bloom]!
She finally mastered the Instant Bloom that her classmate, Qiji, had taught her.
She unleashed light!
That punch landed on Wuma Ling's chest.
The instant the fists made contact, a burst of white light erupted from the point of impact.
Wuma Ling's body was lifted up by the force of that punch, his feet leaving the ground, and he flew backward.
It slammed into the light barrier surrounding the arena, producing a dull thud, and then slowly slid down.
The girl tried to stand up, but she couldn't.
So, he readily gave up.
Because Wuma Ling is that kind of person, like a pre-programmed machine.
She will do what she can do without hesitation, and she won't even consider trying what she can't do.
Clearly, at this moment, with her spirit on the verge of collapse, standing up and continuing to fight was something she couldn't do.
Wuma Ling just blinked blankly, quietly watching her sister who had defeated her.
He remained in the fist-pumping posture for Setsuna.
However, the Armament could not withstand the burst of her new Echo and automatically disintegrated, turning into tiny specks of light that slowly drifted away in the air.
Above the arena, golden fireworks exploded on the large screen, and a Setsuna image appeared on the side.
The outcome is decided.
It was Setsuna that won.
No one in the audience expected this outcome.
From Wuma Ling's complete crushing defeat to Setsuna sudden outburst, everything happened too fast and too suddenly.
After a long pause, a delayed cheer erupted.
"Holy crap?! Setsuna won???"
"Setsuna won!!!"
"No! It seems like Kalentia won't work either?"
That's it?
"Our trump card Suyo, hasn't even been used yet, and they're already struggling, hahaha!"
Echo Association.
Research lab.
Professor Qin was already standing by the window, watching the reflection of the scene on the sky.
Her expression was no different from usual; it remained calm and indifferent.
On the ring.
Setsuna if sensing something, it suddenly looked up.
Her gaze pierced through the sky above the Sea of Spirit Matter, as if she were meeting the eyes of someone unseen across the void.
She knew that person was watching.
I'm definitely watching.
You are wrong, Mother.
Her voice was soft, as if she were offering a long-overdue answer on behalf of her abandoned self.
"It's not that the weak don't deserve to have a mother."
"You don't deserve to have a daughter."
"Now--"
"It was I who abandoned you, Mom."
Below the arena.
The crowd cheered for the Setsuna turn of events and victory.
However, after the initial joy, Huomu was puzzled:
"Why isn't that guy named Wuma Ling using Armament?"
Upon hearing this, Qiji explained, "Because she doesn't know how to Armament."
"Huh? Isn't she a genius?"
"This has nothing to do with whether you're a genius or not. To unleash your Armament, you must first find your True Self."
But she couldn't find it.
Chapter 116: Qiji Appears! The Strongest One to Stand Up from a Wheelchair! (4-in-1)
Against the strongest team in Kalentia, City of Kindling won two consecutive games.
Immediately, the excited spectators outside the stadium erupted in celebration!
Some cheered, some hugged, and some kissed passionately.
They excitedly vented their emotions, fearing that if they missed this moment, they would never have another chance.
Such a highlight is something that City of Kindling might not see even once in many years in the Grand Competition!
On the arena, Setsuna showed no intention of leaving.
His gaze swept across to the opposite lounge, intending to challenge the next opponent.
"Setsuna's enough for now." That's until Qiji's voice came from below the arena.
But at that Setsuna, she still insisted, "I can Rematch."
"Your Echo are already overwhelming, aren't they? You've done enough; leave the rest to us."
"Huh?"
I was Setsuna stunned.
Immersed in the joy of finally defeating the "original," she was completely unaware of what was happening.
Only after Qiji pointed it out did she suddenly look inward at her core—
As expected, her Echo Core had dimmed and was in a self-protective, circuit-breaking state.
So, he could only sigh with some regret and turn to walk off the stage.
After stepping off the stage, I was Setsuna struck by the sight of Wuma Ling still lying there.
She frowned, wondering why Wuma Ling's teammates hadn't helped her back to the rest room yet.
But in the next instant, a fireball shot through the air from the opposite lounge and slammed into Wuma Ling's severely injured spirit body.
The flames burned silently, Wuma Ling blinked blankly as her spirit gradually became transparent and disintegrated in the firelight.
"???"
This scene left the people around Qi Qiji stunned.
Huomu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Aren't they teammates? How come even their own teammates...?"
Qiji shook his head. "From the moment she Kalentia's team, it was destined that both sides would feel she didn't belong to either side."
Witnessing Wuma Ling's spirit being burned away bit by bit, his gaze Setsuna turned to the opposite side.
A boy with a cloth wrapped around his head was bending down to blow out the flame on his fingertips.
His fist clenched involuntarily in Setsuna.
Seemingly noticing everyone's gaze, Pierce raised his eyes and spoke casually:
"Alright, the arena is clean now, let's start the next round."
He spoke as if casually emptying a bag of trash.
No, not like that. In Pierce's eyes, Wuma Ling, who lost to the City of Kindling, was undoubtedly trash.
They actually lost two members of these country bumpkins from City of Kindling – it's an utter disgrace!
In his original plan, Kaluo alone should have been enough to deal with those five scoundrels.
And the result?
It's one thing for someone like Wuma Ling to lose, after all, Wuma Ling comes from the City of Kindling, Pierce never thought he could be relied on.
But Kaluo, as the princess's personal maid, representing the princess's face, should rightfully sweep away everything!
However, he was defeated by a mere second-tier girl.
They've completely disgraced the people of Kalentia!
"Your Highness, please leave the rest to me. I will take care of them all."
Pierce turned to Sibel, his tone respectful yet confident.
His Highness Sibel's situation in the country is already difficult enough. This expedition to the City of Kindling is a rare opportunity for His Highness to salvage some of his reputation.
If Your Highness cannot achieve a complete victory in this competition, then upon returning home...
Faced with Pierce's offer, Sibel nodded slightly, hummed in agreement, and then added:
Please.
The words "Please" made Pierce straighten his back unconsciously.
The royal family of Kalentia has no shortage of power, resources, or prestige.
But Sibel had nothing—
Aside from an "ominous" reputation.
Therefore, Pierce followed her.
Not because she is a princess, but because she is Sibel.
Pierce wanted to respond with something rousing, but in the end, he simply knelt on one knee and bowed his head in a standard knightly salute.
He then stood up and walked towards the ring.
Regardless of which of the remaining three will be the next to appear on the opposite side.
Because to him, it makes no difference who it is.