Vol 4. Chapter 171: The Ranking Tournament

Upon hearing the door close, Mengxi, who had been deeply engrossed in her work, slowly brought her consciousness back to reality.

Looking at the beautiful black-haired girl standing by the doorway, a sweet, captivating smile appeared on Mengxi's lovely face.

Removing her glasses, Mengxi gently greeted the black-haired girl not far away. Her manner was almost like that of a wife welcoming her partner home late at night after many years of marriage.

"Welcome home, Sister Yumo."

"Mm, I'm back."

Yumo responded with a smile before slowly walking over to the desk. Her gaze fell upon the large quantities of spellcasting materials, magical blueprints inscribed with magic formations, and various spatial rings scattered across its surface.

"What are you doing?"

Yumo asked curiously.

"These? I'm just updating my equipment. I used up quite a lot of things during this morning's practical combat class, so I need to prepare some replacements. Besides, I learned a new high-tier spell today, and I think it'll come in handy in everyday situations, so I'm preparing the materials needed to cast it. That way, I can use it whenever I want."

Magic on the Anqieka Continent was essentially a method of manipulating atmospheric mana or the mana within one's body, making it circulate in specific ways.

It could serve numerous purposes, including attack, defense, and enhancement.

However, to achieve better resonance with mana particles, the vast majority of high-tier and Saint-tier spells required specific casting materials and incantations.

And what Mengxi was currently doing was organizing the corresponding spellcasting materials and incantations for rapid casting.

Looking at the wide variety of materials spread across the desk, Yumo raised her eyebrows slightly.

She had grown so accustomed to watching Mengxi charge at her enemies with a sword every day that she had almost forgotten this girl was actually proficient in both physical combat and magic.

"I see. Are you missing any materials? If you need something, I can ask Saiboke to get it for you."

"Don't worry about that, Sister Yumo. Materials for high-tier magic aren't particularly rare. I already have plenty of things like Haro Tree leaves, Earth Dragon scales, and sulfur stones in stock."

"I see. All right, then."

"Hey, Sister Yumo."

Softly calling out to the person she loved, Mengxi slowly rose from her chair and tiptoed over to Yumo's side.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"Sister Yumo, what were you doing today? Why did you come back so late?"

"I went to Anvika's outer city to buy a few things."

"Buy things?"

"Mainly things for your classmates. Some materials to help them with their breakthroughs. Aren't Ye Ze, Lillian, and the others preparing to advance to the Sixth Tier recently?"

"Oh, so that's what it was..."

Mengxi revealed an expression of sudden understanding and slowly nodded.

"So you were preparing materials to help Ye Ze and the others break through. I see, I see. No wonder you came home so late today~"

The silver-haired girl murmured to herself.

However, even as she muttered those words, Miss Mengxi couldn't help pursing her little lips. A faint trace of displeasure unconsciously appeared in her pale-purple eyes.

Gradually, her words also took on a somewhat resentful tone.

Clearly, the girl was rather dissatisfied with Yumo's reason for coming home late.

Although she knew she might be acting a little unreasonable, whenever Mengxi thought about how Sister Yumo had stood her up for the dinner they had agreed upon that morning, all for the sake of helping other classmates, she couldn't help turning into a sulking little white cat.

"I'm so jealous of Ye Ze and the others~ They can even get Sister Yumo to spend her day off running around for them~"

"Uh..."

Seeing this, Yumo couldn't help sighing helplessly and raising a hand to her forehead with rather complicated feelings.

How could Miss Yumo possibly fail to notice Mengxi's little tantrum and the overwhelming sour scent of jealousy practically assaulting her nose from such close proximity?

Although she suspected that the other party was deliberately putting on an act to take advantage of her, Yumo still couldn't bear to see that gloomy expression.

"Honestly, what am I supposed to do with you, you little brat?"

After letting out a helpless sigh, Yumo slowly approached Mengxi and gently stroked the girl's little head, as though soothing a slightly ruffled white rabbit.

"There, there. Be good. Seriously, what's there to envy about Ye Ze and the others? I only spent one day running errands for them. Compared to them, I spend every single day with you, you little brat. Not only do I accompany you to class during the day, but I also tutor you at night, help you train, and even act as your hugging pillow. So what exactly is there for you to be jealous of?"

"Don't care. I'm jealous anyway."

"Sigh, honestly..."

Shaking her head, Yumo unexpectedly leaned closer to Mengxi under the silver-haired girl's slightly astonished gaze.

She cupped Mengxi's cheeks in her hands and affectionately planted a tender kiss on her forehead.

Feeling the warmth against her forehead and the gentle sweetness of that kiss, the displeasure in the silver-haired girl's eyes immediately vanished without a trace.

In its place came an overwhelming sense of happiness.

"There. No need to be jealous anymore, right?"

"Mm..."

Mengxi's pretty face flushed slightly as she nodded repeatedly.

Then, seemingly a little "shy," the girl affectionately rested her head against Yumo's snow-white, fragrant shoulder.

At that moment, a charming smile of complete satisfaction appeared on the silver-haired girl's breathtakingly beautiful face.

"I'm not jealous anymore~"

"Mm."

Continuing to gently pat Mengxi's shoulder, Miss Yumo let out a sigh of relief, as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted from her shoulders.

One kiss, and the problem was solved...

Well,

"What an easy girl to please..."

Miss Yumo thought rather smugly.

...

"What an easy sister to fool~"

Meanwhile, as she quietly leaned against Yumo's shoulder and enjoyed her beloved sister's comforting embrace, the corners of Miss Mengxi's lips also curved upward almost imperceptibly.

She whispered those words to herself in her heart.

--

After spending a little while being affectionate with Mengxi, Yumo glanced sideways at the silver-haired girl leaning quietly against her like a delicate little bird.

"Hey, you little brat."

"Hm? What is it, Sister?"

"I've got a surprise for you~"

"Hm?"

Mengxi raised her head curiously, meeting Yumo's smiling crimson eyes, and tilted her head in an exceptionally adorable manner.

"A surprise?"

"That's right~"

With a charming smile, the black-haired girl gracefully raised her right hand.

A wave of crimson light gradually rippled out from her palm.

The next moment, under Mengxi's somewhat bewildered gaze, the spatial ring on the black-haired girl's finger opened.

Accompanied by dozens of blood-red butterflies, numerous rare items stored inside the ring suddenly poured out, scattering across the floor and revealing themselves before Mengxi.

"Th-this..."

Looking at the valuable spellcasting materials, magical blueprints, and various weapons covering the floor, Mengxi parted her little lips and revealed an astonished expression.

"Sister Yumo, what are all these?"

"These? I prepared them all for you."

"For me?"

"That's right. When I went out today, buying breakthrough materials for Ye Ze and the others was only a secondary objective, okay? My main purpose was to prepare all sorts of magical materials and equipment for you, you little brat. So there's really no need for you to envy anyone else."

"..."

Meanwhile, looking at the dazzling assortment of precious items, Mengxi's pale-purple eyes trembled slightly.

In particular, when she noticed the rare accessories Yumo had prepared for her, which could be used to store spells, a delighted smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

She had only mentioned wanting something like this in passing a few days ago, hadn't she?

And Sister Yumo had already bought it for her today?!

It was even my favorite kind of black ring!

Sister always says she won't bother with me anymore~

But...

She still cares about me so much~

When she was alone with Sister Yumo, without any outsiders watching, Mengxi had never bothered concealing her emotions.

Overwhelmed with excitement, the silver-haired girl happily pulled Miss Yumo into her arms and affectionately rubbed her cheek against Yumo's soft, delicate face.

"Mm-hmm! I knew Sister Yumo treated me the best~"

"All right, all right! Calm down, you little brat."

"Hehehe~"

The silver-haired girl let out a melodious laugh as pleasant as the tinkling of silver bells.

...

"But..."

"But what?"

"Sister Yumo... why did you suddenly prepare so many precious items? And so many different kinds, too."

"Hm?"

Faced with Mengxi's puzzled gaze, Yumo tilted her head with an exaggeratedly profound expression.

She even gave the silver-haired girl a helpless look that practically screamed, "You don't even understand something this simple~?"

"Of course it's for the Ranking Tournament starting tomorrow~"

"The Ranking Tournament?"

"That's right~"

Yumo nodded smugly, and a charming, sweet smile filled with anticipation unconsciously appeared on her face.

Clearly, our Miss Yumo was extremely excited about this so-called "Ranking Tournament."

The Ranking Tournament was the most important annual competition held by Yexinlian Royal Academy.

Through a series of one-on-one arena battles, the academy would determine the ten students possessing the greatest overall practical combat ability.

If those ten students also ranked among the best in their written examinations, they would have the opportunity to receive the blessing of the Saint Dragon Heart.

School...

Arena battles? Rankings?

These terms appeared so frequently in the otherworldly academy novels Yumo had read in her previous life that she had practically grown sick of them.

Initially, when she learned that Yexinlian Royal Academy also held this sort of competition, the black-haired girl had even rolled her eyes involuntarily and begun complaining inwardly.

But afterward, upon giving the matter some careful thought, Yumo felt that...

"Well, holding a Ranking Tournament isn't really a problem. It's pretty normal, actually."

Through the Ranking Tournament, the academy's higher-ups could evaluate each student's actual combat capabilities and determine the most appropriate direction for their future development.

At the same time, by offering prestige through the rankings and awarding different prizes for different ranks, Yexinlian could stimulate competition among its students to the greatest possible extent.

And that competition would become motivation, pushing the students to work even harder at cultivating their abilities.

Anyway,

It was basically a way to encourage students to keep participating in the endless rat race...

After round after round of increasingly insane competition, powerful individuals would eventually emerge.

"You're in the Star Source Rank, right, Mengxi? Once the academy's Ranking Tournament begins tomorrow, won't the top thirty-two students in your rank start competing for the ten available places? I took a quick look through the profiles of the top thirty-two, and every single one of them is an extraordinary genius! Several of them are already approaching the peak of the Sixth Tier, and one is even on the verge of breaking through to the Seventh Tier! Even you, little brat, probably won't be able to defeat those students easily. That's why I specifically got you all these items, so you can tailor your strategy to each opponent~ When you encounter opponents with different attributes, just use equipment and magic that counter their abilities. That way, getting into the top ten shouldn't be too difficult for you~ Of course, if you could make it into the top three, or maybe even take first place~ That would be pretty nice too, hehehe~"

As Yumo excitedly explained, she enthusiastically showed Mengxi the rare items she had purchased.

At this moment, Miss Yumo looked as though she were playing some sort of character-development game~

As a teacher, she could help the protagonist study her opponents, teach her how to defeat one powerful enemy after another, and watch as the protagonist's strength gradually improved and her character matured little by little.

Finally, the protagonist would win the championship.

That would definitely bring a tremendous sense of accomplishment~

Besides,

In Yumo's opinion, Mengxi was wonderful in practically every respect.

Her only problems were that her personality was a little mischievous, she was somewhat lecherous, and she occasionally behaved rather childishly.

This fiercely competitive Ranking Tournament could not only improve the Child of Destiny's combat skills, but also serve as an excellent opportunity to temper that girl's character.

It was truly killing two birds with one stone.

Therefore, Yumo was extremely excited about the approaching Ranking Tournament and had even gone out of her way to visit Anvika's outer city to prepare for the competition.

"Anyway, just do your best! No matter who you get matched against, there's no need to worry. I'll be supporting you all the way."

Yumo patted Mengxi's shoulder encouragingly.

However,

After hearing these words and seeing the eager excitement shining in Yumo's eyes, Mengxi couldn't help revealing a somewhat troubled expression.

After hesitating for a moment, the silver-haired girl ultimately decided to be honest.

"Um, Sister Yumo..."

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"Actually... I'm not participating in any Ranking Tournament tomorrow..."

"Eh?"

Upon hearing this answer, Yumo froze.

Then, an expression of utter disbelief appeared on her face.

"N-not participating?! Wh-why?! How can you not participate in such an important competition?! Without a ranking result, how are you supposed to compete for the Saint Dragon Heart's blessing?!"

"Because... I've already beaten up the other thirty-one students in the top thirty-two. So... tomorrow's Ranking Tournament is actually a competition for second place."

...

...

?!

WHAT?!