The grand hall of the Academy thrummed with the aftershocks of Principal Gao's announcement, the air thick with the collective awe of students and faculty alike. "In first place, with an unprecedented twelve thousand points… Lu Chen and his team!" His voice, a resonant force, carried the weight of history being forged. The crowd erupted, a tidal wave of cheers and gasps crashing against the ornate walls, but for Lu Chen, Chu Su, Yun Li, and Yun Mu, the moment was theirs alone. Their eyes met, sparkling with shared triumph, their smiles brighter than the chandeliers overhead. The memory of Lu Chen's blade flashing through the sixth-level beasts—ferocious creatures that had felled lesser teams—still burned vividly, each strike a testament to his unparalleled prowess. This was no mere victory; it was a legend etched into the academy's annals.
As the applause faded, Principal Gao raised a hand, silencing the hall. "Tomorrow, the individual matches begin in the central arena. Rest well, and prepare for the trials ahead." His words were a command, and the crowd began to disperse, a sea of robes and whispers flowing toward the exits.
Lu Chen's team moved as one, their steps light despite the day's exertions. Chu Su's laughter bubbled softly, Yun Li's quiet pride evident in his straightened shoulders, and Yun Mu's sharp gaze scanned the crowd, ever watchful. They were halfway to the hall's towering doors when a voice sliced through the hum of departure like a blade.
"Lu Chen!"
Chen Fan stood at the edge of the throng, Chu Ming looming at his side like a shadow. Chen Fan's face was a storm of barely restrained fury, his eyes narrowed to venomous slits. "Tomorrow," he hissed, voice dripping with malice, "I'll crush you. You parade around, basking in your family's name, but it's all a façade! Your 'talent' is nothing but whispers and lies. Pray you've got some secret Lu family tricks, because you'll need them to survive me!"
The crowd stilled, breaths held, eyes darting between the two rivals. Lu Chen paused, his team halting behind him. Slowly, he turned, his expression serene, a faint smile curling his lips—not of mockery, but of unshakable confidence. The contrast was stark: Chen Fan's rage a roaring flame, Lu Chen's calm a still lake reflecting the stars.
"Chen Fan," Lu Chen said, his voice soft yet piercing, "you are but an ant in my eyes. And to crush an ant requires no effort, no secret techniques." The words landed like a verdict, final and unyielding. Without another glance, Lu Chen turned, his team falling into step as they left Chen Fan seething in their wake.
Outside, the evening air was cool, the sky a tapestry of twilight. The Lu family villa's gates rose ahead, their iron filigree promising sanctuary. The team walked in silence, their victory a warm mantle around them, the promise of tomorrow's battles a quiet spark in their hearts.