Meanwhile, in the special viewing room of Seidoukan Academy's Seventh Branch, Fan Xinglou sat casually alone on the sofa, followed by four disciples: Wu Xiaofei, Zhao Hufeng, Li Shenhua, and Li Shenyun.
"Who do you think will win?" Fan Xinglou asked her disciples with great interest.
Wu Xiaofei remained silent, quietly pouring tea for Fan Xinglou, naturally distancing himself from the conversation.
"Reporting to Master, I personally hope the special admission students from Queenvail will win!" Li Shenyun clasped his hands in salute, his face filled with deep resentment. The injuries from his match two days ago had been severe, and he had only just been discharged from the hospital today. He didn't care who won—he just wanted the opponent of that guy named Roy to come out on top.
"Um, I think it might be Mr. Roy's team...?" Li Shenhua inexplicably lowered her head shyly, her tone carrying a hint of admiration.
"Shenyun, have you been paying too much attention to that Roy guy lately?" Li Shenyun shot her a displeased look and glared.
"It's not like I'm paying that much attention..." Li Shenhua flinched under her brother's glare and turned her head away in apparent fluster.
"Really? Then why have you secretly been collecting his photos and autographs these past two days?"
"How did you know about that, Brother?!"
Zhao Hufeng rolled his eyes, unable to muster even a single approving glance for the siblings.
"Master, who do you think will win?"
"For this old lady, the answer was decided long ago!" Fan Xinglou laughed heartily, piquing everyone's curiosity, only to then fall silent, clearly intent on keeping them in suspense. Yet, none of them could protest, leaving them with nothing but bitter smiles.
In Rewolf Black Institute's special viewing room, only a red-haired, overweight young man sat alone, his gloomy eyes fixed on the stage below.
At Arlequint Academy, the special viewing rights for the day had been claimed by Ernesta and Camilla, who were eagerly awaiting the start of the match.
At Queenvail Girls' Academy, Sylvia, disguised, sat alone, her heart filled with hopeful blessings.
"Souji, Stella, you must win... And if Souji really has started to develop feelings, please don't let her become lovesick!"
The student council presidents of each academy, the prominent figures of Asterisk, and the regulars in the top ten of Óðrerir—whether accompanied by their academy's strongest fighters or alone—were all watching this final match in their own unique ways.
Meanwhile, in the preparation room.
"It's time, Roy."
Claudia checked the time and stood up, calling out to Roy, who was meditating with his eyes closed beside her.
"Mm, let's go."
Roy opened his eyes and stood, stretching lazily before flashing a smile as warm as spring sunshine.
The two left the preparation room, walked through the narrow passageway, and arrived at the door leading to the stage.
"Claudia, just do what you can."
Roy glanced at Claudia beside him, noticing her hands trembling slightly, and gently took hold of them as he spoke.
"Leave the rest to me."
"Sigh, then I'll gladly take you up on that!"
Comforted by Roy, Claudia took a deep breath and smiled brightly. Even she couldn't help feeling nervous stepping onto the finals stage for the first time, but Roy's words had an immediate effect—like swallowing a calming pill, her mind quickly settled.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment has finally arrived! The most thrilling finale of this year's Phoenix Festa is here! Now, the two teams who fought their way through over five hundred competitors to reach the finals are entering through the eastern and western gates!"
Woooooh!!
As the commentator's excited voice rang out, an earth-shaking cheer erupted from the audience stands. The intense vibrations made the air hum, shaking the entire Sirius Dome.
No one could suppress their excitement at this moment. Countless people had been waiting for this very instant.
No one could deny that this year's Phoenix Festa was the most lively and fiercely competitive in history. Several teams that could have contended for the championship in previous years were successively eliminated, leaving only the two strongest teams standing!
At this moment, countless spotlights focused on the stage.
Walking forward under the colorful lights, Roy and Claudia arrived at the center of the stage.
On the other side.
"Souji, are you really okay?"
Stella looked anxiously at her teammate, sincerely hoping she would give her all in the finals. They had fought hard to get this far—just one step away from the championship. She didn't want their efforts to go to waste because her teammate was lovestruck!
"I've said it many times already—I'm fine."
Okita Souji's expression remained as cold as ever, with only a hint of impatience in her tone.
From last night until now, Sylvia and Stella had repeatedly asked her if she was okay and whether she could give her all.
Seriously, what's wrong with you guys?
Why wouldn't I give my all?
As Roy and Claudia reached the center of the stage, Okita and Stella arrived simultaneously. The four stood ten meters apart, locking eyes.
The two-layered defensive barriers around the stage slowly rose.
Standing face-to-face with Okita like this, seeing both perspectives at once, Roy found the experience quite novel. Fortunately, as a magician, he knew how to split his focus and multitask. Anyone else might not have been able to control a familiar so skillfully.
At the center of the stage, Stella's gaze inexplicably landed on Roy, as if she wanted to say something.
But she quickly remembered they were on stage—the defensive barriers weren't fully deployed yet, and their conversation might be overheard. She immediately suppressed the thought.
Noticing this, Claudia couldn't help but smile faintly.
How impressive.
If she recalled correctly, this was their first meeting. Why did this woman already seem so eager to flirt with her man?
What kind of warning should she give her later?
The defensive barriers fully deployed.
"Alright, everyone! Whether you laugh or cry, this is the final match of this year's Phoenix Festa! Which pair will stand at the pinnacle?!"
"The countdown begins!"
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
The entire arena fell silent, with every spectator unconsciously holding their breath as if afraid the slightest sound might disturb the match. For a moment, only the excited commentary from the broadcast echoed through the space.
The clock struck exactly noon.
"Phoenix Festa finals—begin!"
The mechanical female voice of the school emblem announced the commencement of the final match.
The instant the battle started—
"Burn everything to ashes—Blazing Breath!"
Stella raised her golden greatsword, moving faster than activation time to seize the initiative with the first strike.
A torrent of flames roared from her blade, transforming into a tidal wave of fire that mercilessly engulfed the opposing duo. For a moment, it seemed as though a towering inferno was crashing down upon them.
Roy and Claudia simultaneously dodged to opposite sides.
At the same moment—
Stella leapt into the air as a flaming dragon's head burst forth from her sword, charging straight toward Roy, while Okita dashed toward Claudia at top speed.