Chapter 31: Knight Power Field!
“Blast!”
Accompanied by a light scold, a sudden sound of ice cracking reached Shaya’s ears.
In the next second, the thorns covered in ice beside him exploded at once!
The noise was no less than that caused by the Frigid Bow; these ice thorns shattered into floating fragments and mist in the air, sweeping across the surrounding area within dozens of meters with a low temperature, freezing everything in its path into a smooth mirror-like surface!
Shaya, who had just used the [Veil of Invisibility], was nearby and was completely engulfed by the freezing mist!
The entire arena, under Angelica’s control, was covered by this dense ice fog, the sound of freezing that made one’s teeth ache was incessant.
Angelica wore a cold smile, watching the scene before her, as she reached out and gently pressed her hand on the necklace at her chest.
The pale green round gem on the necklace radiated a glow.
With the flicker of light, Angelica’s pale face, previously drained from excessive magical energy, gradually returned to its usual rosy hue, and her rapid breathing became much steadier.
In just a few seconds, her fatigue quickly faded away, and her magical energy was once again full, restoring her to her normal state.
This ancient artifact was called [Blessing of Forest Spirits], capable of restoring the user’s vitality and magic power in a short time, a miraculous item for those on the verge of death, and yet in this situation, Angelica used it quite extravagantly.
How much time passed, they did not know.
Under the sunlight, the fog in the arena slowly dissipated.
Everyone focused their attention, waiting for the fog to completely clear.
They vaguely saw a figure.
Then, their pupils contracted!
In the center of the arena stood a frozen statue, most of its body was tightly sealed in the ice coffin with the everlasting frost attribute; aside from the upper half of its body and one arm that could barely move a bit, Shaya was completely trapped.
His surface was covered in frost, icy spikes were crystallized in his hair, and his deep-set eyes trembled slightly.
Clearly, Shaya was still conscious and was attempting to struggle, as he gradually exerted power, the not overly thick surface of the crystals emitted a sharp cracking sound.
Perhaps in just a few more seconds, he could break free from the ice.
But in this tense and fast-paced battle, how could Angelica give him those few seconds to regain his ability to act?
“Eternal Frost: Hell Ice Pack Wolf!”
Clearly, Angelica knew the importance of seizing the moment; she ignored Shaya’s futile struggles and began to chant again.
Five blue, rugged figures emerged from the mirror-like icy surface.
These were five wolf-shaped creatures made entirely of glittering blue ice, each about the size of a carriage, seeming like vivid wild beasts, their pale pupils betraying their ferocity, with icy mist faintly blowing from their elongated wolf muzzles.
These were unique ice property summons from the Northern Earth Duchy, each possessing strength comparable to a one-star Grand Knight, but with relatively low intelligence.
“Roar—!!!!”
The Hell Ice Wolves dug their giant claws into the ground, coiled and ready to spring; once Angelica gave the command, they would rush over and tear Shaya into pieces.
“This is it,” Angelica said, looking at Shaya trapped in the ice sculpture, revealing a cruel smile. “Beg for mercy, or you’ll be shredded to bits.”
From the very beginning, she had despised Shaya.
Disliked his nonchalant expression.
Disliked how he, despite being weak, never submitted to her.
And now, Angelica could hardly wait to see that calm face reveal a delightful sense of panic.
…
Is this really the outcome?
While somewhat disappointed, the audience found it quite reasonable.
To persist under Angelica’s hand for so long was already remarkable; even if he ultimately lost, no one would mock him.
Unfortunately, he still could not escape such a fate.
Angelica was right; this was a battle destined for failure.
“It’s over.”
In the stands, Sorcerer Mevis stood up calmly, preparing to turn away.
This result was not surprising at all to her.
This was Angelica’s full strength, enough to crown the younger generation of the Royal Capital.
And Naya, with her back to her teacher, gazed at the arena scene, her previously indifferent eyes finally showing signs of emotion.
A trace of barely perceptible confusion and worry appeared.
Her pale, slender fingers clasped together beneath her wide sleeves, trembling slightly.
At the same time, on the other side of the audience, Dean Lucius also stood up.
He never took his eyes off the scene, a faint but powerful magical energy was slowly gathering in his gnarled palm, seemingly ready to take action to save Shaya.
“No matter the outcome, at least this young man has shown us his unparalleled ability to withstand pressure. Compared to talent, a strong spirit earns my recognition even more,” Dean Lucius said softly. “But no matter what, a Grand Noble is still a Grand Noble; such an impregnable barrier is not something a mere student can breach.”
“The Blessing of Forest Spirits, the Frigid Bow fused into the soul, and that River of Ice sigh… just the value of these three exceeds the entire wealth of an ordinary noble.”
“Receiving only the highest-quality resources throughout his life, enjoying guidance from sorcerers, coupled with top-tier talent—how could such an opponent be defeated by that young man named Shaya?”
“Unless a miracle happens.”
As he spoke, Dean Lucius shook his head with a sigh, sounding more like heartfelt lament against a certain social reality.
Archbishop Edmund, however, furrowed his brows slightly and did not speak.
That youth always gave the impression of being calm, as though he had everything under control.
Could such a person be so rash as to exit the stage like this?
This was not only his inner question.
It was also the question in the hearts of Sital and Rod.
They quietly hoped for a miracle to occur.
The two judges sitting in the corner observed the scene in the arena with solemn expressions.
…
Cold.
Bone-chilling cold.
When Shaya regained consciousness from the ice explosion, he found his entire body frozen into an ice sculpture, trapped in a crystal like an ice coffin.
Besides numbness, he also felt the pain from frostbite.
He had been somewhat careless.
Shaya thought silently to himself.
In that instant, he had no chance to react, instantly freezing into place.
Fortunately, this body’s recovery ability was incredibly strong; in just a few seconds, he regained clarity.
He moved his body with force, causing the surface of the ice crystals to emit a series of sharp cracking sounds, but in doing so, his body gained more feedback from the power.
Perhaps in just a few seconds, he could break free from the ice coffin.
Shaya forcefully shook his one arm that could barely move, and the ice on it faintly shattered and fell away.
At the same time, his peripheral vision caught sight of several massive figures suddenly appearing around him, locking on him with fierce eyes, ready to pounce and shred him to pieces.
“Are you begging for mercy?”
Angelica’s voice reached his ears from a distance.
He focused to look and saw a smiling face, her arms crossed as she watched him leisurely.
Shaya said nothing nor wanted to, quietly closing his eyes.
However, this reaction infuriated Angelica.
Had he really fallen to such depths, yet still so arrogant?!
“Hell Ice Wolves, tear him apart!”
Angelica’s expression suddenly turned cold as she pointed towards Shaya trapped in the ice coffin.
“Roar—!!!”
The already poised giant wolves received their command, collectively unleashing a deafening roar.
Then, these five Hell Ice Wolves, each possessing the strength of a Grand Knight, raced towards Shaya’s location, shattering the ice surface and opening their formidable jaws!
“Young Master!”
“Shaya!”
From the other side of the audience, two cries of alarm faintly echoed.
Deyora and Xivista looked pale at this scene, helplessly glancing around, hoping someone could come to help Shaya.
For them, titles and duels were nothing compared to his life.
But regrettably, almost no students could intervene in a battle of this level; they would likely be torn to pieces by the giant wolves with the slightest interference.
Lord Cain…
Tears welled up in the corners of Xivista’s eyes, her expression sorrowful as she gently clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.
If Shaya had seen this scene, he would surely find it very strange.
In his view, the two were merely ordinary friends; why would they worry to this extent about him?
Especially considering the last time, when they so generously lent him twenty thousand gold coins.
But unfortunately, Shaya remained trapped in the ice coffin, oblivious to what was happening in the stands.
“That little guy is about to be finished.”
Dean Lucius stood up, a pure white light mixed with colors blossoming from his palm—a sign of casting dimensional magic.
He decided to intervene and save Shaya.
But just then—
“Wait!” Archbishop Edmund suddenly stood up beside him, his expression serious as he stopped Dean Lucius, then shook his head and smiled bitterly. “It looks like you won’t need to intervene.”
“We all seriously underestimated this young man.”
…
As he watched the five ice wolves charging at him, with five mouths capable of easily tearing a person to shreds, Shaya’s expression was calm, showing not an ounce of panic.
A glimmer flashed in his eyes as he encouraged all his muscles and slowly began to exert strength.
Shaya had a total of 109 stamina points, far stronger than an ordinary Grand Knight; in the previous battle, he had only used about thirty to forty percent of his power, but since there was no actual measurement, coupled with everyone’s subconscious unwillingness to believe he was of a higher tier, they simply assumed he was a one-star Grand Knight.
In reality, even if he manifested three-star to four-star Grand Knight levels of power, it would only amount to roughly 80 points!
“Crrrack, crrrack, crrrack…”
Accompanied by the ice breaking away in pieces, the ice crystals on Shaya’s right hand shattered, freeing him.
However, at that moment, the five Hell Ice Wolves were already a stone’s throw away; even the icy mist they exhaled could be easily felt, and in just a moment, Shaya’s body would be completely pierced by their sharp teeth!
“Roar—!!!”
The deafening roar resounded throughout the venue; many people shut their eyes, unwilling to witness the upcoming bloody scene.
Was it the end?
Death?
Or would Angelica show mercy, merely leaving him heavily injured?
“It’s too noisy.”
A calm voice suddenly rang out.
Despite the dire crisis before him, Shaya, still trapped in the ice coffin, merely frowned slightly, forcefully twisted his neck, and then raised the only arm he could freely move.
His fingers spread wide as he tightly formed a fist.
“Knight… Power Field!”
