After the short break, the Colzen party''s mood tremendously improved.


    Who wouldn''t when all of them got at least one partnership deal? Heck, Siegfried even secured two.


    The guy was just too well-rounded, not only was he a talented adventurer but also a seemingly talented business person.


    Emerging from their academy station in high spirits, the Colzen Avengers majestically sauntered towards the main stage, ready for the third round, a one-on-one match.


    "Hey, look at the Colzen representatives!" one person from the crowd eximed, prompting the people around him to subconsciously look at Shye and the others.


    "Oh? Look at their equipment!"


    "You''re right! Why didn''t they wear such relics in the first ce?"


    "You idiots! Don''t you see how huge the cksmith insignia on their relics are? They must''ve recently secured partnerships during the break!"


    Hearing the hubbub from the nearby crowd, the An representative couldn''t help but turn their heads.


    ''Hmmph, as if being d in a full set of low-grade equipment would allow you hillbillies to win. In the end, you need actual skills!'' inwardly snorted Damien as they settled down on the An ringside seats.


    Shortly after, the Colzen representatives also arrived, appearing primed and prepared.


    Noticing that both sides were ready, the referee raised his hands, motioning for Colzen to send out their one-on-one representative.


    Having meticulously strategized for the uing three matches, Siegfried promptly ascended the stage.


    Radiating confidence, he gracefully touched down, the Scott brand emblem on his armor shining brightly under the dazzling night lights.


    Siegfried then drew out his low-grade relic, the void-enchanted tachi, leaving menacing purple sh marks in the air.


    "Colzen leaves the third match up to their tachi warrior, Siegfried Lionheart! Who will An send out?"


    Thementator said, prompting everyone to subconsciously turn their heads towards the An ringside seats as if under gentle hypnotism.


    As though on queue, a young female An representative with hazel brown eyes, brown hair tied up in a ponytail, and an athletically slim body with huge knockers and a perky bottom, sauntered up the stage, appearing calm and unshakeable.


    A stark contrast to Siegfried, who was aze with fierce fighting spirit.


    Recognizing who the An representative was, a mild frown emerged on Siegfried''s young and attractive face.


    ''Lesurii Kusanagi…I thought she would be part of the three-on-three…Well, her fighting style is a really good counter against mine so I get why they chose her to fight against me.''


    Siegfried pondered quietly as a faint smile graced the corners of his mouth. ''She''ll probably give me a hard fight…right?...hehehehe…''


    Noticing the Colzen representative''s creepy smile, Lesurii inwardly shivered.


    ''W-Why is this guy staring at me like that? Is he perhaps interested in m-my hot body?'' She pondered, subconsciously covering her bountiful chest as she walked towards the middle of the stage.


    Being the highly intelligent person that he was, Siegfried promptly realized what Lesurii was thinking, hence, he awkwardly cleared his throat and temporarily averted his gaze.


    ''Hmmph! That''s more like it!'' Lesurii inwardly nodded in satisfaction after witnessing the handsome Colzen representative''s actions. discover m,v,l,e,m,p,y,r novels


    She then proceeded to grab the handle of her gold-tier mid-grade relic, a lightning-infused kunai, pulling it out of a specialized bag strapped on her right hip before crossing one arm in front of the other–a typical scout battle stance.


    Noticing that both representatives were primed forbat, the referee jerked his arm upwards,mencing the one-on-one match.


    Right after the match began, Lesurii disappeared, leaving a realistic afterimage behind before reappearing behind Siegfried–silent as a shadow.


    Siegfried though, with his insane battle instincts and highbat IQ, immediately realized that the Lesurii in front of him was nothing but a sham.


    Decisively turning around, Siegfried used one of the most basic warrior skills, [Power sh Lv.4] to try and end the fight with a single strike.


    Realizing a bit toote that her opponent''s tachi was swiftly approaching, Lesurii could do nothing but grit her teeth in preparation for the iing sh.


    She was already performing the necessary motion for her attack so it would be impossible for her to pull back.


    The best thing she could hope for was mutual destruction.


    "No!" Lesurii eximed, her mouth still wide open as Siegfried''s tachi viciously shed her neck.


    Shockingly, there was no blood, and instead, Siegfried''s tachi simply passed through Lesurii whose mouth was still agape.


    Siegfried was confused for a few milliseconds before realizing that what he struck was nothing but another afterimage, a chillingly realistic one with a facial expression and a voice.


    If not for his inhuman battle instincts, Lesurii would have slit his throat right then and there.


    Fortunately, he managed to avoid a direct hit on his neck by desperately shifting his body, barely dodging a lethal blow.


    However, escaping the situation unharmed was impossible.


    Blood spurted out of Siegfried''s left shoulder as Lesurii''s kunai stabbed deep into his flesh, momentarily paralyzing him due to the lightning shock from the An representative''s weapon and allowing her to sneak one kick to his abdomen before he could recover.


    With a limping left arm, Siegfried slid backward, only managing to stabilize his footing after struggling for a few seconds.


    "Senior Siegfried!!" the Colzenpanion students worriedly eximed, such a harrowing wound at the beginning of the match didn''t look promising.


    ''Tch, she got me…'' Siegfried thought, the gears of his brain working endlessly as he tried to think of ways to turn things around.


    He already knew that Lesurii''s deceptive fighting style wouldn''t be a good fit for hisbat theory-reliant style.


    However, he didn''t expect to get duped in the first few seconds of the match, not giving him enough time to adapt–an innate skill he relied on the most.


    He wasn''t the type to surrender when faced with challenges though.


    On the contrary, he actively sought out difficult battles like this one because, even in defeat, there were ample opportunities for learning and self-reflection.


    Hence, with a positive outlook, Siegfried bravely charged forth.