Chapter 225: Shocking Scene (1)

Before the horn blared for the next round to begin, the professors’ and royal family’s viewing area was already filled with quiet conversations.

"Look at her. After today, I doubt she’ll be able to escape expulsion anymore."

One of the princesses sneered as she watched Aisha standing in the arena. Her eyes were filled with undisguised disdain, as though she were already celebrating the girl’s downfall.

"It’s about time we got rid of that parasite in the academy. She’s been an eyesore for far too long."

Another princess covered her mouth with a hand, giggling at the remark.

"If she’s expelled, I wonder where she’ll go. No other academy would willingly accept a D-rank Guide with the lowest purification value. Even if she manages to find one that will take her, she’d need her family’s connections and money to get by."

"Unfortunately, she doesn’t have either anymore."

The women exchanged glances before breaking into another round of snickers.

They had all heard about Aisha’s situation with the Novalis family. Although she was still technically a member of the family, their relationship had deteriorated to the point where even an outsider could tell that she was no longer being treated as she had been before.

And now, with her engagement to Prince Soren annulled, she had lost another connection that could have been useful to her.

"Actually, that’s not a bad thing." One of the princesses suddenly straightened as though she had come up with a brilliant idea. "Our residence has been lacking a maid recently. If Aisha has nowhere else to go after being expelled, we could employ her."

She looked at her companions with a smile.

"After all, someone like her should be grateful for the opportunity to serve a member of the royal family."

The women laughed again, finding the idea amusing.

However, the man seated beside them didn’t share their amusement.

Prince Soren’s expression remained calm, and he continued to look toward the arena without uttering a word. Only the deepening frown between his brows betrayed his displeasure.

The more he listened to them ridicule Aisha, the more irritated he became.

He didn’t understand why.

Wasn’t this what he had wanted?

He had been the one to insist on annulling their engagement. He had even paid her a considerable sum to ensure the matter would be settled without unnecessary complications. He should have been relieved that he no longer had to be associated with a woman whose reputation had become a burden to him.

Yet, hearing others speak of her as though she were nothing more than a worthless parasite made him uncomfortable.

Perhaps it was because he had known her for so many years.

Or perhaps it was because, despite everything, he had never imagined Aisha would fall to the point where she would have to serve someone as a maid.

His gaze shifted toward the arena again.

Aisha was about to face a C-rank Sentinel who possessed an Enchanted Weapon.

Even without considering the difference in their ranks, the weapon alone was enough to make this match dangerous for her. He had seen what Jayden could do, and he knew that a Guide with Aisha’s supposed abilities shouldn’t have volunteered to face him.

When Dean Marcus had questioned her decision earlier, Soren had almost stood up from his chair.

He had wanted to stop the match.

However, he couldn’t do that in front of everyone.

Their engagement had already been annulled. If he suddenly interfered to protect her, people would question his intentions, and the matter would only become more complicated.

More importantly, he had no reason to save her anymore.

At least, that was what he kept telling himself.

Soren’s fingers tightened around the armrest.

He looked at Aisha, waiting for her to turn her head toward his side.

If she would only look at him and ask for his help, he could still find a reason to intervene. He could claim that he was concerned about the safety of a fellow student or that the academy had gone too far by allowing a Guide to face a Sentinel with an Enchanted Weapon.

There were plenty of excuses he could use.

But Aisha never looked his way.

She didn’t even seem to remember that he was sitting among the royal family.

This only made Soren’s expression darker.

How could she be so indifferent?

Previously, Aisha would have done anything to get his attention. Even a single glance from him had been enough to make her happy, and she would always find some excuse to approach him whenever they met.

Now, she couldn’t even spare him a look.

Soren’s jaw tightened.

If she were truly in danger, he could still use his ability to save her. No one would be able to stop him if he acted quickly enough.

And if she knew that he was the one who had saved her, perhaps she would finally understand that he hadn’t completely abandoned her.

She might even feel indebted to him.

Thinking of this, Soren’s expression eased slightly.

Of course, he didn’t wish for Aisha to suffer any serious injuries. He only needed her to realize that she couldn’t handle this match alone before he stepped in.

That shouldn’t be too much to ask.

He kept his eyes fixed on the girl in the arena, his fingers gripping the armrest more tightly as he waited for the right moment.

Soon, the horn blared.

BWOOOOOM!

The sound reverberated throughout the arena, announcing the start of the round.

And at that very moment, Soren’s thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

***

Jayden had barely recovered from the first few punches when Aisha’s fist came crashing down again.

BAM!

His head snapped to the side, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"What the—!"

He tried to push her away, but Aisha had already raised her fist.

BAM!

Another punch landed squarely on his face.

Jayden’s eyes were already bruised and swollen, and he could barely see anything clearly. The world before him had become a blur, making it difficult to distinguish Aisha’s movements from the shifting shadows around him.