Arianne frowned when she saw the feverish look in Jude's eyes.

All of a sudden, she noticed Jude seemed lost, so she took advantage of that opening.

She knew she wasn't Jude's match so she had to make use of every opportunity.

She stomped on the ring and launched toward him at her fastest speed.

Arriving before him, she threw a strong punch.

But Jude could react to her speed even though she caught him off guard.

He caught her hand in a grip, causing Arianne to tremble.

It must be noted that aside from her family, Arianne didn't allow any other person to touch her.

The same was how she treated everybody around her. She treated them coldly except for her family.

However, that changed after she met Arlo and Joe.

But just because she treated Arlo and Joe differently does not mean she had changed.

Jude marveled at Arianne's soft skin but that didn't last as a chill ran down his spine.

The entire air around Arianne changed and her expression became icy-cold.

Before Jude could react, Arianne's left foot moved in a blur and connected with his face.

Jude stumbled backward, and in the process, he released Arianne's hand.

He wiped the blood that trickled from the side of his mouth and gazed at his hand with a stunned look.

That kick from Arianne was so strong that he felt his brain shook from the impact.

Arianne didn't press Jude and instead drew blood from her arms.

The silent students and teachers who were stunned when Arianne was able to hit Jude, something even one of the strongest second years wasn't able to do, marveled as they saw Arianne's blood move toward her feet before coating her boots.

Blood-red boots with intricate designs appeared before the eyes of the spectators.

During this short time, Jude regained his bearing and looked at Arianne.

He didn't bother interrupting her and instead looked at her with a light smile on his face.

"Jude isn't angry?"

The second-year students whispered among themselves.

There was a reason Jude was called a mad dog. He was fast to erupt in anger and he always loved to beat his opponent to near death.

Yet he didn't seem to be angry with Arianne even after being humiliated.

Yes!

This was a humiliation.

A peak beginner mage was able to wound a mid-level master mage.

The gap between their cultivation was an entire two big realms.

Only those nobles who knew that Jude was trying to get into Arianne's good book weren't surprised.

Arianne took a fighting posture while Jude simply stood.

She closed the distance between them and attacked with her legs.

Round kick.

High kick.

She attacked several times at her fastest speed but none of her attacks reached Jude.

He simply dodged her attacks skillfully and even praised her from time to time.

While Jude appeared relaxed, the truth was that he was actually conscious of Arianne's kicks.

Her leg power was simply monstrous.

And now that she was using her blood laws to enhance her strength, Jude didn't dare to receive her attacks.

The fight continued for several minutes however Jude was able to dodge all of Arianne's attack.

"She is no match for Jude."

The second-year students asserted among themselves.

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No matter how powerful Arianne was, it didn't matter if she couldn't land a hit on Jude.

However, those who were truly strong could see that the fight wasn't as one-sided as it looked.

The teachers, the top nine students, and a few others could see that Arianne was pressuring Jude.

Arlo was among these few.

"She is improving!" The second-ranked second-year student which was a girl whispered, causing the white-haired boy with dark streaks to nod calmly.

The aura around the wolf beside him fluctuated greatly as it looked at Arianne's fight.

"Easy!" he rubbed the wolf's dark fur causing it to relax.

He sent a telepathic message to his life beast, 'It's not yet time.'

An evil light flickered within the eyes of the boy, but nobody noticed it.

The pitch-black snake coiled around Joe's neck opened its eyes shortly and gazed at him, causing him to shiver in fear.

He quickly looked around the room but didn't see anyone's gaze on him.

'Was that my imagination?'

Back on the ring.

Jude continued to dodge Arianne's attack but the smile on his face was no more light.

Instead, it looked ugly.

"The princess is really a genius." He praised sincerely.

However, Arianne's cold look didn't change.

Even though she knew she wasn't a match for him, she was still determined to teach this brat who dared to touch her a lesson.

Arianne sent a round kick, but Jude bent backward to evade.

However, the right foot which was above him suddenly stopped before smashing downward.

Jude wanted to move away, but the blood around Arianne's left boot suddenly turned into chains that held his legs in place.

That wasn't all.

"Hand of darkness!"

Several huge hands appeared around Jude and moved to constrain his movement.

Everyone in the hall gasped in admiration.

The same was true for the principal, teachers, and the other top nine ranked second-year students.

Arlo whispered in admiration:

"A three-way attack!"

No matter how Jude moved, he wouldn't be able to dodge these attacks.

At least he would have to block them.

While Arlo admired Arianne because of her combat prowess, the second-year teachers and the two principals were surprised at how Arianne was able to use the hand of darkness technique.

This was a technique that was only taught to second-year students.

Yet it seemed Arianne was able to learn it after seeing it once. That showed how talented and intelligent she was.

Unlike each clan which acquired a unique ability of Scarlett, Arianne was able to gain all her abilities as her direct descendant.

So she had a higher intelligence and accelerated thought process that even outclassed Rosaline.

Seeing that he could not dodge Arianne's attack, Jude became fed up and decided to attack finally.

'I need to show her I am superior.'

His right hand transformed into a beast arm with three claws.

He clenched his fist as his back was still bent, and in response to Arianne's falling kick, he simply punched.

*Booom!*

The ring shook greatly.

Even though his fist didn't come in contact with Arianne's leg, the shock wave generated from his punch broke the chains, destroyed the huge dark hands, and sent Arianne flying out of the ring, as she coughed blood.

"Arianne!" Joe cried out.

He saw something flash beside them, and then Arlo arrived behind Arianne and caught her in her embrace.

"Are you okay?" He asked with a shaky voice.

Arianne didn't respond and instead glared at Jude.

The fact that Jude touched her made her want to tear him into pieces.

Arlo raised his head and looked at Jude, causing them to lock eyes.

Jude glared at Arlo as he saw him embracing Arianne, who got angry just because he touched her.

He felt as if his treasure was stolen from him.

In contrast to Jude's angry look, Arlo's expression was calm.

However, the angry light flashing within his eyes was scary to look at.

"He is the one."

"Yes! He is the human who dominated all the first years in their first ranking war."

The whispers of the students drifted into Jude's ears.

He suppressed the anger raging within him and looked at Arlo:

"Oh! So you are the human I have heard so much about. Why don't you come and show me what is so special about you?"

He thought Arlo would react to his taunts but surprisingly Arlo ignored him causing his expression to distort.

Arlo gently helped Arianne to her feet.

Arianne knew even if she transformed into her real form, she wouldn't be able to defeat Jude.

At most, she would be able to exchange a few blows, so she drew a deep breath and stopped glaring at him.

However, Jude's next words toward Arlo almost caused the anger she barely suppressed to erupt.

"Tsk tsk. Don't tell me you are scared of me. The princess must have poor eyes."

Arlo pressed his hand on Arianne's shoulder and finally spoke to Jude:

"The next ranking war."

"Huh!?"

Jude and everybody within the auditorium didn't understand Arlo.

He opened his mouth and clarified his previous statement:

"I will fight you in the next ranking war."

Jude and everybody were at first stunned, but soon after Jude's mocking laughter resounded in the silent auditorium.

"Hahahahaha!"

The others also shook their heads, while those second years who praised Arlo now looked at him in disappointment.

Even Arianne's expression changed, but feeling Arlo's firm grip on her shoulder, she swallowed the words she wanted to say.

"You think you can win against me in a week's time?" Jude mocked Arlo openly. He didn't bother to respect the fool who didn't know his place.

However, Arlo's next words shut his mouth and sent a chill down the back of everyone's back.

With a slow but calm voice, Arlo spoke:

"No. I will kill you in the next ranking war."

The auditorium became silent, and even Arianne's eyes widened.

Nobody knew that Arlo swore he would never allow anyone close to him to be hurt again.

After Old Bro revealed what happened in the past, Arlo's mindset started to change.

Even Old Bro who could sense the change in his character was scared of such a development.

He started questioning if what he did was right, as he felt how Arlo's mind was getting twisted.

His desire for strength was so strong, which was what Old bro wanted in the first place. However, he didn't expect that his passion for protecting those around him would even supersede his desire for power. His passion was almost to the point of obsession.

Jude became angry when he realized he was daunted by Arlo's declaration.

He snorted to cover his shame and spoke:

"You are a fool! Since you are so eager to die, I don't mind lending a hand."

Arlo ignored him and went back to his seat, with Arianne following behind him.

While the others were scared by Arlo's declaration and change, Arianne's heartbeat sped up when she noticed Arlo's protection of her.

"So cute!" Joe whispered into her ear causing her flushing face to distort immediately.

Joe flinched back.

'So scary!'

None of the other challengers stepped forward to fight causing the second year's first ranking war to come to an end.

Rumors about how a freshman challenged one of the top ten second-year students spread around the academy.

Some of the students didn't believe it, while others dismissed it.

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