"…If I don't defeat you within five moves, I'll concede!"
The moment Yun Chen finished speaking, Tian Yuanzhou burst into loud laughter.
"Wait—what did you just say?"
"You're challenging me? This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard…"
Perhaps struck by the absurdity, Tian Yuanzhou couldn't help but roar with laughter.
"I accept—of course I accept this challenge."
"To win in five moves or less, or admit defeat? How arrogant, utterly brazen."
Fearing Yun Chen might change his mind, he turned to his own professors.
"Did you all hear that? He's the one who challenged me!"
"A low-grade student challenging a Qingyun University sophomore—and promising to beat me in five moves!"
"If I refuse, where's my face? Word gets out, and Qingyun University becomes a laughingstock!"
His logic was hard to dispute.
After all, Tian Yuanzhou was a genuine Qingyun University student—entering his second year next semester—and already at Level 19 First Advancement. Gaining levels now took tremendous effort.
By any measure, Yun Chen was at least five or six levels below, the gap in Free Attribute Points alone immeasurable.
Granted, if Tian Yuanzhou were an ordinary student at a third-tier school, Yun Chen might outshine him. But here, he was truly a Qingyun University contender.
"It's the right choice—you took it, Yun Chen, so you're not allowed to go back on it!" declared Professor Ou Hua, unmoved in his seat.
"This is too overconfident," muttered another admissions officer.
"Well, he did issue the challenge…" they all thought, hesitant to intervene.
They were here to recruit talent—and they were curious to see this Unclassed Drifter in action.
"Yun Chen, let's…" began Teacher Jin Sheng, tears in his eyes, torn between pride and worry.
But before he could finish, Tian Yuanzhou spoke up.
"Forget the arena. Let's do it right here in this conference room. It's a bit cramped, but isn't controlling the environment part of the test?"
Nearly every high school and university had a 1v1 duel area—testing individual skill—and 5v5 arenas for team tactics. But Tian Yuanzhou was too lazy to move everyone; he wanted this showdown now.
"Please clear an area," he sneered.
Yun Chen remained calm and dismissive, as if none of this mattered.
This brat was about to learn his lesson.
"Get it done," Principal Fang ordered.
With that, half the conference room's tables and chairs were pushed aside, leaving an open space.
Across from each other stood two figures: one tall and strong, the other lean as a reed—Yun Chen and Tian Yuanzhou.
Both gripped their magical staves: one a controversial Unclassed Drifter, the other a bona fide Mage.
Onlookers—university admissions officers, Principal Fang, and Dongyun High School's teachers—held their breath, fearing a one-sided beatdown.
"He'll do it…" Teacher Jin Sheng murmured, strangely calm. He sensed Yun Chen's unshakable confidence—the quiet kind born of true strength.
"This is a test of five moves," the referee announced. "Three… two… one… begin!"
At the signal, both raised their staves. Mana surges rippled at their staff heads.
In standard duels, mages would immediately summon protective shields. Yet neither man did—instead, both cast offensive spells at once.
Tian Yuanzhou smirked, aiming to finish it in one blow. He began channeling a powerful homing spell, his signature attack—at peak performance, its chant time could drop to just 0.6 seconds.
He felt supremely confident.
But—no!
Before he could complete the spell, a sudden force erupted from the floor beneath him.
Bang!
In less than half a second, his casting was violently interrupted as he lost his balance.
The very ground had sprouted thick, plant-like tendrils that wrapped around his feet and lifted him off the floor.
Whirr!
A magical barrier flared up around Tian Yuanzhou—likely from his enchanted gear—granting a momentary shield.
"Damn it!!" His face turned pale.
Impossible! Yun Chen's spell had been faster than his!
Worse yet, an intense heat wave rushed toward him.
One after another, purple fireballs shot from Yun Chen's staff at instant-cast speed, raining down on him.
"No!!"
Through his helpless scream, Tian Yuanzhou could only stare in horror as the violet-red flames detonated around his restrained body.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]