100 – Saw Through It

“Who do you think is stronger—Felicia or Astrid?”

“I think it’s Astrid. Felicia’s team lost a Divine Child along the way, while Astrid’s group hasn’t lost a single member. Their condition is much better overall. Astrid probably has the advantage.”

“Not necessarily. The battlefield changes in an instant. You never know.”

The square buzzed with discussion.

Even before the Crown Tournament began, it was obvious to anyone paying attention that it would ultimately come down to Felicia versus Astrid. This wasn’t just student gossip—even the faculty believed it.

Not because the other students weren’t excellent, but because Felicia and Astrid were simply too exceptional. Their brilliance dimmed even the most dazzling new stars—like this unexpected dark horse, for example...

In the judges’ box, the observing mentors all shifted their eyes to the screen, where the golden-haired girl now stood alone against three—clearly without any hope of victory.

Even by Coleman Academy’s elite standards, this unknown Divine Princess was already outstanding. But in the end, she was still just a step behind those two.

And that single step... at times, could be a bottomless chasm.

As a Divine Princess, Teresa had done more than enough. Her opponent was Felicia, and she was outnumbered. Losing honorably was, in itself, a kind of victory.

“This is nuts... Teresa can’t even fight back against Felicia?” Blaise stared at the screen—at the towering Felicia and the isolated, fading Teresa.

“Her ultimate got blocked twice without leaving a scratch. Her mental state must be in shambles by now.”

“If even she can’t lay a finger on Felicia, then what hope would we have...?” The three of them exchanged uneasy glances.

This wasn’t a unique reaction. Those who’d never fought Teresa might not understand—but those who had, and were personally defeated by her, now stood silent. For them, this was their first real understanding of Felicia’s overwhelming strength.

“Ah, so this is the end, huh?” John chewed a piece of bread, his face full of regret.

He’d been eliminated the night before—taken out with his team by a stealthy Ranger Divine Princess after letting his guard down.

But he hadn’t taken it too hard. His mood swung fast—after cursing his defeat, he was now sharing drinks and laughs with the very person who’d taken him out.

He’d been watching Teresa closely ever since the top 10 began—not just because she was Dylin’s Divine Princess, but because, frankly, she was eye candy.

“She’s definitely good. Felicia’s just not someone an ordinary Divine Princess can challenge… Speaking of which, where the hell is Dylin? Been eliminated for ages now and hasn’t shown up. His Divine Princess is fighting for top 3 and he’s MIA?” John scanned the crowd and mumbled.

“Teresa is a solid candidate,” one of the judges remarked. “Regardless of other things, protecting a nominal ally—someone technically on the opposing side—shows she honors her commitments.”

“Making it into the top 3 is proof enough of her strength. Sure, she’s a step behind Felicia and Astrid, but she’s still excellent.”

At that moment, it wasn’t just students and faculty watching.

Inside a shrine built from shimmering silverwood, a fair and elegant silver-haired youth stood with a white robe draped over his shoulders. A silver crescent emblem gleamed at his chest, and he leaned on an old vine staff.

Normally, he would never bother watching the Crown Tournament. This time, however… was an exception.

His deep gaze—one far too old for his appearance—fell upon the golden-haired girl on the screen. His eyes, clear as the moon and seemingly able to pierce through all illusions, narrowed as he examined her.

Flawless archery, light arrows, thorn-covered terrain, heightened forest instincts...

A guess—unrealistic and unsupported—surfaced in his heart. He had no proof.

But it was too implausible.

Gold Elves.

Hadn’t they perished with the Sacred Tree of the Elves?

He extended his snow-pale hand. He’d felt this sense before.

His very existence was a testament to the Sacred Tree’s lingering presence.

Once, he had been a staunch dissenter—believing that the Gold Elves had clung to power for selfish reasons.

But only after leaving the Sacred Wood’s shelter had he come to understand how foolish that thinking had been.

All that elves were came from the Sacred Tree. Without its blessing, elves were incomplete. Abandon the Tree, and the Tree would abandon you.

And now… they truly still existed.

However slim the possibility, if she truly was one of them...

Whether or not she was, the elf youth knew he had to meet her after the tournament. As a relic of a bygone age—and a living Sage—he had many questions to ask this golden-haired girl.

***

Clang! Clang!

Back on the battlefield, Teresa was forced on the defensive again. Her twin Earth Blades blocked the Crown Greatsword’s slash, but Felicia followed up with a kick to her abdomen.

The massive weapon moved like an extension of Felicia’s body—smooth and precise, despite its weight.

Why?

Felicia hadn’t lightened the sword—she had mastered it.

Rather than simply overpowering it with strength, she flowed with the blade. She lent it her weight, her timing—rather than wrestling for control, she cooperated with the sword’s “will.”

Every attack, every defense was fluid. Her seemingly slow motions were airtight—impossible to exploit.

After enduring countless exchanges, Teresa had gained a bit of experience. As she was kicked, she twisted and slashed back at Felicia’s shoulder.

But her Earth Blade, lacking any Divine Authority power, did nothing. Felicia didn’t even flinch.

Teresa rolled and landed. She wasn’t injured—but her stamina was being rapidly drained.

Felicia clearly had more endurance and was in better condition. Even as she overpowered Teresa, she noticed something odd.

Why was it that no matter how hard she hit, Teresa showed no signs of pain or injury?

“I’ve got it!” Yaline suddenly stepped forward from behind Felicia. Her eyes locked on Teresa, confident.

“I know why she’s not taking damage, no matter what we do!”

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