The cumtive scores from the first and second rounds secured the toppetitors'' spots in the final round. Imperial Tech had shone brightly in both rounds, even outpacing the second-ce team. Consequently, the final practical round promised a fierce showdown between Maple Grove University and Imperial Tech.


    With Flora on their side, Maple Grove University felt more confident. Brianna perked up, "This championship is practically ours. Imperial Tech doesn''t stand a chance."


    Just then, members of the Imperial Tech team approached, catching Brianna and Ivan mid-conversation. Already simmering with resentment, their irritation spiked upon overhearing Brianna. "How exactly did Maple Grove win this year? You know it''s a joke, right? This is a Computer Sciencepetition, and you brought a freshman from the Medical department. What''s moreughable is how proud you all are about it. Isn''t that embarrassing?" they sneered.


    Brianna''s face darkened, "What''s wrong with having a freshman from Medical? Didn''t she beat you guys too?"


    "Sure, we lost, but your win wasn''t exactly honorable," a girl from the Imperial Tech team retorted with a smirk. "Brianna, you always thought you were a genius, didn''t you? Compared to Flora, you''re nothing. She could crush you without even trying."


    Both sides were fuming, and the exchange got nastier and nastier. Thest thing Brianna could tolerate was being told she was inferior to Flora, making her eyes ze with anger.


    Ivan held her back, trying to defuse the situation. But the girl from Imperial Tech only grew more arrogant, sensing their advantage in numbers. Brianna and Ivan faced increasingly vile taunts.


    Unable to hold back, Brianna shoved the girl. The girl responded by pping Brianna across the face. Enraged, Brianna lunged at her, and they started to fight.


    The girl, clearly trained, was much stronger, leaving Brianna at a disadvantage. "This is between the girls; stay out of it," a few boys told Ivan, blocking his path.


    "Move!" Ivan tried to push through, but they outnumbered him. Watching Brianna take several hits, Ivan''s eyes reddened with fury as he struggled to break through the blockade.


    The scene descended into chaos. The girlnded several more blows on Brianna. Just as another p was about to hit Brianna, a slender arm intercepted it, firmly catching the girl''s hand. Flora stepped in front of Brianna. Through Flora''s somewhat slight silhouette, Brianna felt an unexpected surge of strength, her heart quivering slightly. Suddenly, she didn''t dislike Flora as much. "Let go of me... let me go!" The girl struggled, feeling like her wrist was being crushed. But she couldn''t break free.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    With a slight increase of pressure from Flora, the girl burst into tears from the pain. Flora''s gaze grew colder, tinged with ferocity. "Thought you were in high school, acting like gangsters? Fighting?" "It was your people who started it!"


    "She insulted me first!" Brianna retorted fiercely.


    "Let go of me!" The girl, almost crying from the pain, pleaded.


    Flora gave her a chilly look but did let her go, stating coldly, "You''ve hit someone. What do you think should be done about it?"