Bei Wenyang continued to plead his case for two more days. The elimination rounds were proceeding at a furious pace. Alas, Faba Ya and Robin had both advanced without the slightest suspense.

Elena and Cheri had arrived long ago, securing prime viewing spots. Elena was particularly eager today, as it was time for her younger brother, Laurent's, match.

Solomon, conversely, was deeply worried. Laurent’s opponent today was Caribbean, a fighter who had previously defeated Laurent once.

The matches followed one after another; the victors cheered triumphantly, while the losers stewed in frustrated dissatisfaction. As time wore on, it was finally Laurent’s turn to compete.

“Teacher Elena, look quickly! Laurent is entering the arena!” Cheri exclaimed joyously.

Actually, Elena didn't need the reminder; she had already spotted him. She had been anticipating this very match for ages!

Meanwhile, on the other side, Austin was admonishing Caribbean sternly. “Don’t forget your promise. Do not use that unique family martial skill again. I barely managed to put in a good word for you; if it happens again, I won't be able to help you!”

“Got it. I just forgot in the heat of the moment last time,” Caribbean replied apologetically.

Yet, he couldn't quite grasp the fuss. Hadn't he only slightly deployed it during the first match? Why such a massive undertaking? Besides, he had been in close quarters with his opponent, Rhys, at the time; outsiders couldn't have possibly seen it. What was there to worry about?

What he didn’t know was that Zhong Shenxiu had already deduced a great deal of secrets through the injuries Rhys sustained.

“Do not be careless. Members of the family might be observing from somewhere nearby!” Austin added as a final warning.

Caribbean nodded and walked toward the center of the ring.

When Laurent saw Caribbean approach, he frowned slightly, but his composure quickly returned.

“Well, well, we meet again,” Caribbean chuckled, then added, “I suggest you forfeit now to avoid embarrassing yourself later!”

Laurent snorted coldly. “Who wins and who loses is not yet decided!”

“Huh?” Caribbean stared at Laurent, then spoke with an even more arrogant tone. “A trash like you thinks he can win? Haven't you overestimated yourself a bit too much?”

Perhaps Laurent was fully psychologically prepared this time, so he didn't lose his temper. Instead, he retorted, “Hmph. In the eyes of some people, you are nothing but trash yourself, too?”

Caribbean’s expression hardened. “Who are these ‘some people’ you’re referring to? Don’t tell me you mean yourself?”

Laurent smiled faintly. “Not me. But you’ll find out soon enough!”

As he spoke, the image of Robin’s valiant and spirited figure flashed through his mind again. He had watched Robin’s matches a couple of days prior; every opponent was thoroughly thrashed before being thrown out of the ring by Robin.

Laurent had long concluded that the protagonist of this year’s ‘Academy Ranking Tournament’ could only be Robin; everyone else was merely a supporting actor, no exceptions!

Caribbean assumed this was just Laurent trying to save face with words and paid it no mind. He merely stated, “Kid, prepare yourself to be schooled.”

The battle commenced forthwith.

Laurent first created distance, settling into his stance. Caribbean, however, appeared leisurely, his sword hand hanging naturally, as if this was not a fight but merely a recreational game!

To seize the initiative, Laurent charged first, swinging his sword with formidable power.

“Zheng!”

Caribbean flicked his arm, raising his longsword just in time to parry Laurent’s strike. As the two swords met, sparks flew.

Laurent used the rebound force to pull his sword back and immediately executed a sweeping back-cut. Caribbean, refusing to be outdone, dodged with a sidestep and began his transition from defense to offense!

The two clashed, locked in a fierce exchange!

The spectators below were momentarily stunned. Such an intense fight was both gripping and impossible to look away from!

“Now that’s a real match!” the audience cried out excitedly.

“What incredibly powerful fighters!” the spectators muttered in a daze.

“Is this even a match between students?” The shock on the audience's faces was undisguised!

At once, murmurs erupted, with opinions flying in every direction, all giving the battle the highest praise!

“Dang!” A sharp sound rang out, and the two combatants separated to opposite sides of the ring!

Who could have imagined that the preceding storm of blows was merely a mutual probe? The real fight was just beginning to brew!

“Oh? Your speed has improved,” Caribbean maintained his condescending expression.

“I said, who wins and who loses is not yet decided!” Laurent replied.

To his surprise, Caribbean burst into laughter upon hearing this. “You don’t seriously think that’s enough to defeat me, do you? Let me tell you, trash remains trash; no amount of effort can change that destiny!”

As he finished speaking, the Dou Qi enveloping Caribbean suddenly brightened noticeably. Taking advantage of Laurent's momentary lapse in concentration, he accelerated forward, his speed like an arrow loosed from a bow!

Laurent reacted just as Caribbean’s sword was at its apex. Though he managed to block the blow with his own sword, he was startled to find that Caribbean’s power had increased substantially; his arm felt numb after just three jarring impacts!

“Let me play with you properly, then!” Caribbean declared. And the strikes from his longsword began coming faster and fiercer, each blow surpassing the last in intensity.

Laurent was clearly overwhelmed and forced to retreat continuously, yet he dared not move too close to the edge of the platform, so he began circling backward within the ring.

“What happened to your earlier spirit? Didn’t you say, ‘Who wins and who loses is not yet decided’?” Caribbean’s smile widened.

Watching from below, Elena grew extremely worried as she saw her brother losing ground, staring fixedly, not daring to blink even once.

The battle had shifted dramatically into a one-sided affair. If not for the fierce opening exchange, the spectators might have suspected Laurent was a plant hired by Caribbean!

“How could this be? Isn’t Laurent supposed to be very strong?” Cheri looked utterly disbelieving.

Thomas, standing nearby, couldn’t help but ask Solomon, “Hey, didn’t you two train together often? How come—” He stopped before finishing, catching sight of the anxious expression on Elena’s face.

Solomon offered no reply, as he truly didn't know how to explain, nor did he wish to. He was currently quite frustrated himself, especially when he glanced at Austin on the opposite side, grinding his teeth in annoyance!

While they were speaking, a change occurred in the ring. With a muffled bang, Laurent was sent flying into the air.

Caribbean did not let up, chasing after him. What followed was a scene where Laurent’s received attacks grew heavier and heavier, while Caribbean seemed to grow more and more energized by the process.

When the referee finally intervened to stop him, Laurent lay motionless on the ground, bearing a resemblance to Rhys from earlier.

“That was hardly satisfying,” Caribbean pouted, glancing at the referee.

The referee ignored him. After checking Laurent, he ultimately ruled: “Competitor Laurent has lost the capacity to continue. Competitor Caribbean is declared the winner!”

Caribbean showed no particular elation at winning; what truly held his interest was the process of ‘bullying a person’!

“I told you, trash is just trash!” Caribbean couldn’t resist insulting Laurent even at this moment.

Strangely enough, Laurent didn't get angry. Instead, he gave a faint smile and managed to speak in a weak, halting voice, “You... don’t celebrate too soon, cough, cough... someone... will come to abuse you...”

As he spoke, Laurent was carried away.

Caribbean pondered his words, thinking it over, and secretly scoffed: What a joke. People like them, trash, thinking they can abuse me? That’s just daydreaming!

After stepping off the stage, since he had no match scheduled for the rest of the day, Caribbean said to Austin, “Big Brother Austin, I’m heading back to change clothes.”

Due to the recent fight, his clothes were speckled with some of Laurent’s blood.

No one could have predicted such a bizarre coincidence: on his way back, he ran right into Zhong Shenxiu, Robin, and Rhys.

Why didn't the kid just go back and change his clothes quietly? But Caribbean insisted on finding some amusement before calling it a day. He brazenly blocked the path of the three.

Rhys viewed Caribbean with the burning enmity of old rivals meeting again. He stared at Caribbean with eyes that seemed ready to devour him, but constrained by the presence of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, he refrained from acting out.

“Oh, who do we have here? Isn't this the first piece of trash I schooled? Why aren’t you recovering at home? What are you doing here?” Following this, he let out a burst of unrestrained laughter.

Rhys clenched his fists tightly, his eyes seemingly ready to spit fire!

Caribbean wasn't satisfied yet and shifted his gaze to Zhong Shenxiu and Robin.

“Tsk, aren’t you the two arrogant little brats from last time?”

Caribbean paused, then remembered. He had crossed paths with Zhong Shenxiu and Robin once before; had Austin not held him back then, he would have taught those presumptuous whelps a lesson!

Hearing Caribbean’s words, Rhys actually stopped being angry, instead looking tensely at Zhong Shenxiu and Robin.

At that moment, the delicate features of Robin’s pretty face instantly turned cold, but she didn't lash out immediately. Instead, she looked toward Zhong Shenxiu. It could be stated with certainty that with a single word from Zhong Shenxiu, Robin would ensure Caribbean understood what it truly meant to be ‘abused’!

Caribbean clearly hadn't realized how close he was to danger. He spoke again, “Little brat, weren't you two very fierce last time? Why are you silent now? Do you think because you’re quiet, I’ll let you two off? Hahahaha!”

“Idiot, get lost,” Zhong Shenxiu’s four words instantly silenced Caribbean’s laughter.

“What did you just say?” Caribbean’s expression changed instantly, and he rashly reached out to grab Zhong Shenxiu’s clothing.

However, he was unaware that this action had irrevocably sealed his fate.

Robin would never allow anyone to lay a hand on her Master in front of her. Absolutely no one!!!