To all brothers still holding onto their monthly tickets, don't save them—throw them all over here! Today is an explosive release day; the more votes we get, the more chapters I’ll churn out—five, six, even seven chapters are no problem!

As long as you guys bring the energy, I’ll match it, even if it means not sleeping to get the words down! Since the book went live in June, I've never earnestly begged for monthly tickets like this.

This time, I’m screaming for them! I need support!

I need motivation! I need all of your help!

Though there are only two days left, I won't give up; I’ll fight with everything I have! If we break four hundred monthly tickets today, that’s five chapters guaranteed!

I dare ask my readers to loan me another two hundred tickets! ...

The first match of the Martial Arts Tournament, even as a preliminary elimination round, was something the audience and the other competitors looked forward to. Everyone expected to witness an absolute clash of titans, but who could have imagined that someone would pull off such a shocking move right at the start?

With just one kick, eighteen contestants were instantly blasted out of the arena. Whether they hailed from the World of Light or the Underworld, no one witnessing this remained unsurprised.

Those from the Underworld might have been slightly less shocked, as some among them possessed the capability to move with such speed, but for the people of the World of Light, this was sheer fantasy—even Superman wasn't this cool! The arena, inside and out, fell instantly silent.

"Ah!" Suddenly, a sharp cry erupted from the crowd. Among the eighteen fighters Lin Luo had just sent flying, one, still suspended in mid-air before hitting the ground, violently punched down toward the floor.

Then, his body rapidly rebounded upward, as if an invisible force propelled him back into the ring, sending him hurtling toward Evangeline. There are weaklings in the Underworld, just as there are powerhouses in the World of Light—someone like Kofie, for instance, was a top-tier expert from the World of Light whose strength surpassed even many from the Underworld.

This man, though from the World of Light, was clearly not weak; that single mid-air punch revealed his considerable power. While perhaps not quite matching Kofie, he wasn't far behind.

Only two people from each group could advance to the finals. Having narrowly escaped elimination, he naturally wasn't prepared to be knocked out again.

However, judging by the power Lin Luo displayed with that kick, he had no chance of winning against him. Thus, he immediately shifted his target toward Evangeline.

A mere girl, barely eleven or twelve years old—he was confident he could drag her off the stage. "Little sister, this isn't a place for you to be.

Go home and play." The man’s angle and speed were formidable. He had positioned himself perfectly to Evangeline’s right flank, and the moment his reflected punch stabilized him, he scrambled onto her shoulder, attempting to heave her out.

"Get off me, ghost!" Evangeline slightly turned her head. Her eyes, clear as emeralds, bore a sharp and icy glare, cold and merciless as deep winter.

Without any apparent movement from her, a mere flick of her hair sent the man soaring into the air, flying out of the ring even faster than before, landing with a heavy thud on the mat of another ring several meters away. At that moment, the already silent arena grew even quieter.

If Lin Luo’s previous strike was violent and overbearing, what Evangeline just executed could only be described as mysterious and utterly baffling. The entire venue remained locked in silence, seemingly stunned into immobility by the scene before them.

Yet, less than three seconds later, the surrounding audience erupted into thunderous applause and wildly enthusiastic shouts. "Excellent!

That was incredible! Now this is the legendary Martial Arts Tournament!" "This is what makes it exciting!

It’s truly moving!" For them, the fights they had witnessed earlier, resembling games played by small children, had long grown stale and failed to stir any excitement. But what had just happened instantly rekindled their long-held dreams.

Whether the Underworld or the World of Light mattered little; what they craved was this—this display of power and wonder! Seeing the crowd’s emotions fully ignited, Asakura Kazumi, responsible for hosting the tournament, finally snapped back to attention.

While internally shocked, she couldn't help but think: A freakish magician and a true vampire progenitor have instantly elevated the atmosphere to its zenith. I thought it would take several more preliminary rounds to reach this peak.

As expected of Teacher Lin Luo and Student Evangeline—Chou Suzune must be overjoyed right now. Just as she thought, Chou Suzune was indeed delighted.

While she couldn't claim to know every single powerful figure at Mahora Academy, she had a very clear picture of most of them, and she knew exactly who the absolute powerhouses were. To prevent such powerhouses from clashing in the early rounds—a truly disappointing prospect—she had subtly manipulated the bracket assignments.

Lin Luo and Evangeline being in the first match was her calculated move, but the result was far more spectacular than anticipated. "Teacher Lin Luo, you truly live up to my expectations.

Negi is good too, but he’s still a bit too green right now, hehe. My judgment was spot on," Chou Suzune remarked, standing on the edge of the arena with a smile blooming on her face.

"The Group A matches conclude here!" Asakura Kazumi announced loudly. "The first two contestants to advance to the finals are Teacher Lin Luo, an instructor from Class 3 of the Mahora Girls' Middle School, and his student, Miss Evangeline A.

McDowell! Their expressions are wonderfully composed.

Let us congratulate them and look forward to their even better performances in tomorrow’s finals!" "Oh oh oh!!!" A wave of passionate applause rose from below. "That Asakura truly has a silver tongue," Lin Luo muttered, unable to resist commenting.

With that particular delivery, it was a waste for Asakura Kazumi not to become a high-ranking executive. After the matches on Lin Luo’s side concluded, the battles for Group B commenced on another ring.

Asuna and Setsuna, clad in their sailor uniforms, fought their way through, facing only ordinary individuals from the World of Light. Against these opponents, the outcome was entirely without suspense; they cleared their path with ease.

"The mysterious sailor-fuku beauties duo—easy on the eyes and overwhelmingly strong. Advancement confirmed," Asakura Kazumi announced.

Next up was Group C. "Ryuudou, I didn't expect to be fighting alongside you," Negi said to the person beside him.

Sharing his field was Takahata Ryuudou. Although their group included some strong contenders, having the 'Death Goggles' Takahata on one side and a genius rapidly maturing under Lin Luo's tutelage on the other meant there was virtually no pressure.

"Heh, perhaps we’ll meet right in the first match of the finals," Takahata replied, walking with his hands tucked into his sleeves. As he passed, opponents one by one collapsed; no one could clearly discern what had happened.

"Stop joking about that!" Negi responded with an embarrassed expression, throwing a punch that sent a nearly 200-kilogram brute flying on the spot. Soon, these two also secured their promotion smoothly.

The Teacher Group, featuring the teacher and the middle-aged uncle, also advanced to the finals. Meanwhile, matches in other rings were starting successively.

Kofie was paired, as usual, with Ryuguu Mana. As a top expert from the World of Light, there was no need for Mana to even act; Kofie alone was sufficient to clear the field.

Her aggressive attacks meant almost no opponent could withstand even a single blow. "Though physically small, her strength is like that of a gorilla.

Despite her less-than-ideal figure, she is deeply admired by the male students skilled in combat at Mahora Academy! Contestant Kofie has overpowered the masses!

Congratulations to President Gu and Priestess Ryuguu on advancing to the finals! As an aside, President Kofie’s private photos are currently selling fast!" Asakura Kazumi delivered the unscrupulous remark from the announcing platform.

"Asakura, that is truly rude," even Kofie’s expression darkened upon hearing those words. "Oh oh!

There’s a strange development in Group E!" Asakura Kazumi exclaimed again, regaining her shock. "Contestant Nagase Kaede from the Mahora Strolling Club has turned into four figures!

Is this a dream, an illusion, or perhaps the legendary Clone Jutsu? Is this the secret technique of the Strolling Club?

Wow! Contestant Inugami Kyoutarou doesn't seem willing to be outdone, he’s also turned into several copies!" On the Group E arena, Nagase Kaede and Kyoutarou were shamelessly deploying their cloning techniques.

Simply overwhelming the opposition with sheer numbers was enough to push the other contestants out, resulting in another unquestionable victory. "Wow!

What’s this now? So blindingly bright!" Asakura Kazumi’s voice once again drew the audience’s attention elsewhere.

Suddenly, a dazzling arc of electricity struck. On the Group F ring, Misaka unleashed a Railgun shot directly into the ground, and only two people remained standing afterward.

The cool Railgun sister coolly brushed back a strand of her hair—one shot was all it took. "Contestant Misaka Mikoto and Contestant Saku Ai advance successfully," Asakura Kazumi announced, immediately shouting in surprise again, "Heavens!

A dark angel has descended upon Mahora Academy!" On the Group G ring, Suigintou floated into the air, the black wings on her back expanding monstrously. A single sweep cleared the entire ring, much like sweeping away trash.

"What an interesting ability," a man dressed in white robes chuckled softly. He was the only one not swept away.

Suigintou glanced at him coldly, descended from the sky, and remained silent and still. She did not attack because two winners had to advance, making a fight with him pointless.

"Contestant Suigintou and Contestant Kunel advance to the finals." Finally, only the matches for Group H remained. Because this group had the most late registrants, their bouts only began after the other seven groups had concluded.

The most eye-catching figure in the ring was a young woman in a maid outfit, moving with a (free and unrestrained) and leisurely posture, her perfect and elegant curves making her stand out like a crane among chickens. "Teacher Izayoi?!" Several students from Class 3 cried out in surprise upon seeing her.

Wearing a faint smile, the Maid Leader walked forward with her hands clasped behind her back. As she moved, people around her fell one by one; no one knew what had transpired.

After completing one circuit, only she and one other young woman remained in the ring. "You’re quite lucky; you were the last one standing," she said calmly to the bewildered girl, smiling faintly.

"Congratulations to Contestant Izayoi Sakuya and Contestant Koutou D Goodman on advancing to the finals." With Asakura Kazumi’s words, the preliminary rounds officially concluded. "Teacher Izayoi is so formidable, using the same kind of move as Teacher Takahata," the Class 3 students remained utterly dumbfounded.

"That’s not quite right; she is different from me," Takahata Ryuudou shook his head, his expression turning slightly serious. "Everyone, you’ve worked hard," Asakura Kazumi soon announced with a smile to the assembly.

"After numerous preliminary matches, the contestants for the finals have been decided! Furthermore, the matchups for tomorrow have been revealed.

Please take a look..." A white screen slid down, revealing the bracket pairings: Group A: Lin Luo v Koutou D Goodman Kagurazaka Asuna v Sakurazaki Setsuna Negi Springfield v Takahata Ryuudou Kunel Santas v Nagase Kaede Group B: Saku Ai v Suigintou Ryuguu Mana v Izayoi Sakuya Kofie v Evangeline Misaka Mikoto v Inugami Kyoutarou ... Seeing this matchup chart, some people were on the verge of tears.

A