Chapter 18: Dangerous Wager in the Enclosed Arena

The atmosphere inside the large dome of the magic training ground suddenly felt so dense, as if the oxygen around us had been sucked out by the tension flowing between Prince Leonhardt and myself. 

I still maintained my stiff posture, standing with both arms crossed over my chest and chin held high, wearing the arrogant expression of a pure-blooded villainess. But inside my head, safety alarms blared loudly without stopping. 

*What else does this prince want?! Coming over just to spike my blood pressure! If he keeps pressing me about this ice magic change, my disguise as the real Alicia could completely blow up!* 

Leonhardt did not immediately answer my sharp sentence. His lips instead curved into a mysterious subtle smile, while his blue irises stared straight into mine with an unreadable gaze. 

"You always know how to make things interesting, Alicia," Leonhardt spoke calmly, his voice echoing in the silent room. "Very well, if you feel no need to report your capability progress to anyone... how about we prove it directly in the arena?" 

Hearing that challenge, my eyes widened momentarily behind the cold mask worn. 

*Huh? Prove it in the arena? Meaning he wants to challenge me to a duel?! This prince is crazy! Has a death wish challenging an overpowered bad-mood villainess?!* 

Before I could respond or issue a refusal, Raven stepped forward one pace, staring at the prince with an eagle-sharp gaze and blue lightning sparks crackling around his fingertips. 

"If Your Highness wishes to test Lady Alicia's capability, allow me to represent her in a duel against you," Raven spoke coldly without a shred of fear regarding the prince's status. 

Cedric standing behind widened his eyes in shock, hurriedly pulling Raven's cloak while whispering frantically, "Hey, Raven! Are you insane?! That's the Crown Prince! Want to be branded a traitor?!" 

Elena on the other side wrung both hands before her chest, watching us alternately with genuine anxious expression. 

Leonhardt glanced at Raven briefly, then let out a small laugh—a cold laugh that did not touch his eyes. "Interesting. A talented student from the independent faction protecting the Valerian villain. But my offer isn't for you, Raven. I want to see Alicia's capability with my own eyes." 

The prince stepped slowly toward the center arena boundary line, taking off his white cape and handing it to an academy guard standing near the door. He stretched out his arms, summoning a long golden-energy broadsword that materialized directly in his grip. 

"How about it, Alicia? Does a genius from the Valerian family have the guts to face her own fiancé in a brief friendly duel?" Leonhardt challenged openly. 

Cold sweat poured down my back, while my teeth clenched tightly from extreme annoyance. 

*Damn it! If I refuse, my pride as an arrogant noble will be crushed and I'll be mocked as a coward. But if I accept, I have to pretend to fight the main prince without revealing that I'm actually just a former convenience store worker with a web novel reading hobby!* 

With remaining courage and frustration reaching its absolute limit, I took a long breath, lowered my arms from my chest, and stepped firmly into the center arena circle boundary. 

"If that is what you desire to satisfy your petty curiosity, Your Highness..." my voice slipped out low, cold, and piercing sharply, "...do not regret it if you must endure shame from being defeated by your own fiancée." 

Inside my heart, I was already crying hysterically, praying that this body's ice magic would cooperate properly.