Chapter 19: Clash of Ice and Golden Light

The air inside the large training ground dome suddenly felt so heavy and oppressive, as if all oxygen was sucked out due to the massive power aura radiating from the two figures standing opposite each other in the center of the arena. 

I stood upright with a stiff posture, maintaining full control over my facial expression to keep it looking arrogant, cold, and untouchable. Yet, within my chest cavity, my heart was hosting a national rock concert at maximum tempo. 

*Oh Lord, save me! Why did the plot turn into a husband-wife power showcase?! In the original novel, Alicia at most just gets jealous while pouring tea on the heroine's dress, why now must I brawl using god-tier magic with the prince?!* 

That panicked scream raged fiercely, while around the arena, Cedric and Elena watched with bated breath, and Raven narrowed his eyes, observing our every move with high-level curiosity. 

Before me, Prince Leonhardt stood in a relaxed yet vigilant posture. The golden energy sword in his right hand hummed softly, emitting a blinding glow illuminating the white marble floor. 

"Please show me your prowess, Alicia," Leonhardt called out with an annoying subtle smile. "Do not hold back your power." 

*Hmph, arrogant prince! I should freeze his head with refrigerator ice cubes so he gains some self-awareness!* 

Without wasting any more time before my panic erupted into hysterical crying, I decided to make the first move. I stomped my right foot lightly against the marble floor. 

*Bzzzt— Cratshhh!* 

In an instant, dozens of sharp ice spikes shot rapidly from beneath the ground, targeting straight toward Leonhardt's feet at lightning speed. 

Leonhardt did not panic. With graceful movements as if waltzing, he swung his golden light sword downward. 

*Boom!* 

The golden light energy explosion collided directly with my ice spikes, creating a shockwave of thick ice mist and scattering light fragments filling the arena air. 

Before the ice mist could fade, I had already bolted forward utilizing Alicia's remaining muscle memory. My hand reached out forward, summoning a giant crystal ice shaped like a pure ice sword blade materializing directly in my right hand. 

*Clang!* 

My ice sword clashed with Leonhardt's light sword, producing a loud piercing metal ringing sound. Sparks of cold and hot energy grated fiercely right before both our faces. 

Our close proximity allowed me to see Leonhardt's clear blue irises from less than an inch away. The prince stared intently at me, smirking lightly. 

"Your movements are far more agile and dangerous than before, Alicia," Leonhardt whispered softly, loud enough for me to hear amidst the energy blasts. "Who on earth taught you such clean combat techniques?" 

I snorted coldly on the outside, while inside my head, I wanted to scream, *'YouTube and web novel tutorials, you know!'* 

"You assume far too much, Your Highness," I hissed sharply. 

I channeled all mana within my core, letting extreme cold aura spread from my palm to rapidly climb up Leonhardt's light sword blade, intending to freeze it instantly. 

Feeling that absolute freezing threat, Leonhardt leaped backward agilely, releasing himself from my ice grip before his sleeve froze over as well. He landed smoothly a few meters away, flicking his left hand to clear the remaining frost clinging to his robe edge. 

The arena fell silent instantly. Cedric, Elena, and Raven stared wide-eyed witnessing the short yet high-intensity clash. 

Leonhardt slowly lowered his sword, then smiled—not a cold or cynical smile, but a genuine admiring smile. 

"Incredible," Leonhardt praised aloud. "Your defense and offense are flawless, Alicia. You have truly surpassed all limits ever recorded by the academy." 

I breathed slowly, calming my still-racing heartbeat, then lifted my chin high with arrogance. 

"If you are finished playing around, Your Highness... our group training session is still long," I spoke coldly, turning on my heel and walking past him without caring about his crown prince status. 

Inside, I wiped the cold sweat on my forehead with immense relief. 

*Today's drama is finally over! Please no more crazy people challenging me to a duel this week!*