“What in the world is this power?” Laurent stared at Anjilia, his eyes registering a level of shock that bordered on the absolute!

But before he could fully process it, Anjilia bent her leg into a whip and swept it towards his abdomen.

The blow arrived in an instant, like a sudden gale.

At that moment, Laurent was struggling just to parry Anjilia’s sword, leaving his lower guard wide open. Having never anticipated such a sudden kick from Anjilia, he took the full impact!

“Thud!” A dull, heavy sound echoed!

“Stumble, stagger, stumble!” Laurent was forced back several steps, only managing to steady himself with the aid of his longsword. Though he didn't fall, the searing pain in his gut made him involuntarily grimace!

How could this be? Was this the legendary saying of seeing someone in a new light after only three days?

In that instant, Laurent was truly stunned, finding it difficult to believe that the person before him was indeed Anjilia.

The progress was simply too vast! How had she become so formidable in just a few days?

Never mind Laurent’s shock; even Anjilia herself found the turn of events somewhat unbelievable. That decisive kick she had just delivered had bypassed her conscious thought entirely; it was pure instinct!

Had she truly become stronger?

Anjilia glanced at the frozen Laurent, then turned back towards the serene Zhong Shenxiu. She remained lost in thought for a long moment!

“Did you see that?” Hank asked, sounding somewhat dazed.

“Uh!” Caine could only nod, struck speechless. His astonishment wasn't due to Anjilia’s raw power, but the sheer ingenuity of her maneuvers.

Her moves seemed random, yet each one interlocked perfectly with the next, pressing forward relentlessly. What amazed him most was that final kick—to deliver it at that precise moment and angle was utterly incredible!

The most shocked of all, however, had to be Charlotte. Because Anjilia had been in motion earlier, Charlotte hadn't paid close attention. Now that Anjilia was still, as Charlotte gazed into her eyes, a sense of familiarity struck her. A quick realization dawned: this girl was the one she had encountered that day in the Demon Beast Forest!

How could she be here? And she was a swordswoman too?

It had been mentioned before that female swordmasters were rare. Charlotte had always believed it would be difficult to find anyone remotely similar to herself in this world. Yet, here she was, facing Anjilia.

Was this the deliberate arrangement of fate? If so, what was its purpose?

Of course, Anjilia had noticed Charlotte as well, but being in a state of extreme excitement, she didn't show much reaction to Charlotte's presence.

“Girl, time to go!” Zhong Shenxiu’s voice cut through the air, and he was already walking toward the courtyard exit.

Seeing Zhong Shenxiu and Robin reach the gate, Anjilia hurried to catch up!

Laurent remained rooted to the spot, frozen like a statue, as if he had just woken from a dream! He didn't even realize when Charlotte and the others had departed.

Unsure how much time had passed, Solomon approached and gently placed a hand on Laurent’s shoulder. No words were needed; the sentiment was conveyed entirely through that touch.

“Did I just perform poorly?” Laurent suddenly asked, the question hanging in the air.

“You did very well today!” Solomon sighed, seemingly understanding the turmoil within Laurent.

Laurent fell silent again, lowering his head to stare coldly at the sword in his hand.

Years of being equally matched, only to see the gap widen so dramatically in a single moment—how could Laurent not feel the sting of disappointment!

How could this happen?

The question repeated endlessly in his mind, though the phrase itself had long lost any real meaning!

Charlotte, having left, remained deeply contemplative. Her mind constantly replayed Anjilia’s decisive combination attack. What truly bothered her was how Battle Qi had manifested on the longsword—that was a fundamental violation of established norms!

As a swordswoman, Charlotte understood how profoundly incredible that was, and she had noticed that the power of Anjilia's sword had increased significantly once the Battle Qi appeared.

How had she managed that? Was there some hidden mystery within the blade she wielded?

The second thing that astonished her was Anjilia’s final kick—that the leg could be utilized in such a manner?

Charlotte felt as if she had received some form of inspiration, though it was still hazy. If only she could have witnessed a few more exchanges!

“Caine, what did you think of that girl’s strength?” Hank seemed unable to shake off the memory.

“My feeling is strange. She gave me the impression of having undergone some kind of rigorous training, especially since her moves, while seeming casual, also felt deeply considered!” Caine looked pensive.

“Oh?” Hank looked at Caine with surprise, then quickly asked, “Who do you think is stronger between her and Fern?”

“Although her strength is considerable, she still cannot surpass Fern!” Caine replied quietly. Then, as if realizing something, he asked, “Why do you always compare her to Fern?”

Hank chuckled awkwardly, then explained, “Because I know Fern better!”

After a brief silence, Caine asked, “Hey, Hank, I’m really curious about that young boy who was observing the fight—who exactly is he?”

“Yeah, I remember seeing him before, perhaps in the Demon Beast Forest.”

“I think that little boy is more complicated than he looks.”

Ignoring the speculations of the others, we return to Zhong Shenxiu and his group who had departed.

All the way back, Anjilia couldn’t stop grinning and chatted more than she usually did. This irritated Zhong Shenxiu to no end; he almost ordered Robin to kick her to the side.

The path Zhong Shenxiu’s group was taking was not the one they had used to arrive; it seemed they were taking a detour. It was unclear what plan Zhong Shenxiu was hatching.

While walking, they suddenly encountered two people. One of them made Anjilia pause sharply.

“Classmate Anjilia, I never expected to see you here. Aren’t you supposed to be in class?” The speaker was a tall youth with striking blue eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

This person was no minor figure; he was Austin, the one who helped the "Xiuhu Magic and Martial Arts Academy" secure the championship title for two consecutive years!

Austin was a mysterious figure. He had only moved to 'Gulu City' two years prior, which was when he enrolled in the "Xiuhu Magic and Martial Arts Academy." No one knew where he came from. The only known facts were that he was of noble birth and exceedingly wealthy.

Standing next to Austin was a slightly shorter youth, also sporting an emblem from the "Xiuhu Magic and Martial Arts Academy" pinned to his chest. However, Anjilia did not recognize this individual!

The smile on Anjilia’s face vanished instantly, replaced by an expression of wary alertness.

Though Anjilia had never fought Austin, she knew from watching his match against Laurent that he was strong—exceptionally strong!

The old Anjilia used to wonder why someone as powerful as Austin existed in this world. But ever since meeting Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, that perspective had shifted: now she wondered why beings as incredible as Zhong Shenxiu and Robin existed!

“Classmate Anjilia, where are you heading?” Austin asked again when Anjilia remained silent.

“None of your business!” Anjilia reverted to her usual cold demeanor.

Austin merely smiled, showing no sign of anger. Instead, he remarked, “I’m really looking forward to a match with you this year. I hope you won’t be eliminated again!”

Anjilia’s expression hardened, and she ignored him.

This Austin fellow appeared amicable on the surface, but deep down, he harbored a core of wickedness, which became apparent whenever he engaged in combat. You will all come to understand this man in time.

“Who are these two children beside you?” Austin shifted his gaze towards Zhong Shenxiu and Robin.

Anjilia still didn't speak, preoccupied with her thoughts, specifically imagining how utterly crushed Robin would leave Austin should they clash.

“Hey, my elder brother is asking you a question, didn't you hear?” The youth next to Austin finally lost patience. “She’s just a woman, why the haughtiness!”

To insult Anjilia’s companions was to insult women—a terrible misstep!

“Caribbean, you shouldn't speak like that!” Austin said outwardly, though his expression seemed encouraging.

Caribbean pouted. Though he offered no verbal rebuttal, his face radiated arrogance and contempt.

Anyone possessing such overbearing pride must have something to rely upon, and Caribbean was no exception.

He hadn't been in Gulu City for even a month, only enrolling in the "Xiuhu Magic and Martial Arts Academy" last week, so he was unfamiliar with Anjilia. Furthermore, he seemed to have known Austin previously, and they often associated after entering the Academy.

Another noteworthy point: his fighting style closely resembled Austin’s. His skill was said to be only slightly inferior to Austin’s, rumored to be deployed as a secret weapon in this year's "Academy Ranking Tournament!"

This explained his attitude towards Anjilia. In his eyes, everyone else was trash compared to Austin (note: this judgment was strictly confined to the student circle!). Caribbean's catchphrase was: "Give me one minute!" The implication being: I can finish any opponent in one minute!

Anjilia was furious now; her previous good mood completely ruined. However, she showed no intention of attacking. A significant reason for her restraint was the presence of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin.

Just as the atmosphere began to tense, a cold snort escaped Zhong Shenxiu’s lips.

Austin and Caribbean instinctively turned their gaze towards the sound, but Zhong Shenxiu didn't spare them a single glance, speaking flatly to Anjilia instead: “Hey, girl, hurry up and follow. Don’t waste my time on idiots like these!”