"You, you guy..."
The veins on Lee's forehead were exposed.
It was obvious that he was very angry with Erend.
But when he met Erend's eyes—cold and without a smile—Lee's face showed a trace of fear.
He was just an ordinary person, not from the Baby Boomers Generation. Even if he wanted to do something to Erend, he would probably not be able to, and might even bring shame upon himself.
"Hehe... haha..."
Suddenly, Lee laughed, as if he had thought of something amusing.
"Do you really think you two can win if you go to the Phoenix Star Festivals as a team?"
Lee stood up, looking down at Erend with contempt.
"Don't think that just because you're ranked first, you can defeat other academies."
"Let me tell you, compared to the real strong ones in other academies, you're not even close."
"Competing against those people—you have no chance of winning!"
Faced with Lee's remarks, Natasha was speechless.
Even Erend did not refute him.
Because he knew very well that the other party was not wrong.
Although he and Natasha were the former and current No. 1 in Beauxbaton Academy respectively, and their strength was at the top of the entire academy, they were not very strong compared to the elite students of other academies.
Let alone the No. 1 in George Seventh Academy—Erend, who was familiar with the original work, knew that he was a real old monster. Not only in the six academies, but even on a global scale, the other party was a top-tier fighter. They were not at the same level as students.
The No. 1 in the Matrix Black Academy was also a monster. He had won the championship twice in a row in the Dragon Star Festivals. Many people even believed that a third championship was within his reach. If he succeeded, he would make history by winning three consecutive titles.
Additionally, the No. 1 in the Saint Galedovas Academy was a swordsman who had reached the pinnacle of his craft, considered to be the strongest swordsman in contemporary Asterisk. The No. 1 in the George Academy also won the runner-up position in the last Dragon Star Festivals. Many people thought he was the second-strongest student of this generation.
Compared to these people, Natasha was definitely not as strong as any of them, and even Erend was not very confident.
Even if he ignored the limitations and exerted the full power of the Black Furnace Demon Sword, Erend was only confident in facing the No. 1 from Saint Galedovas Academy and George Academy. However, if it was the two monsters from George Seventh Academy and Matrix Black Academy, Erend had no confidence at all.
It was clear that compared to the top-ranked students in other academies, Erend and Natasha still needed time to grow.
There was no way around it. From the results of recent Star Festivals, it was evident that in terms of overall strength, Beauxbaton Academy was weaker than the others. Otherwise, it would not have consistently ranked at the bottom in the comprehensive rankings.
For Erend and Natasha to compete with the elite students from these academies at their current level was too dangerous.
However...
"Do you think I haven't studied this year's Phoenix Star Festivals?"
Faced with Lee's ridicule, Erend spoke calmly.
"As far as I know, the champion of Matrix Black Academy will only participate in the King Dragon Star Festivals and will not appear in the Phoenix Star Festivals. Saint Galedovas Academy also focuses on the Griffin Star Festivals, and their top-ranked students hardly ever participate in the Phoenix Star Festivals."
"The No. 1 in George Seventh Academy is not old enough to participate yet. They won the runner-up position in the last Phoenix Star Festivals, but this time, they seem to be switching to the Griffin Star Festivals. The No. 1 in George Academy is also focused on the King Dragon Star Festivals and will not participate in this Phoenix Star Festivals."
"Even the championship-winning pair from Alekante Institute, who won the last Phoenix Star Festivals, have graduated this year."
"So, this year's Phoenix Star Festivals will not actually have too many extraordinary competitors. The only ones we need to pay attention to are the students ranked within the top twelve of each academy."
Although winning the Star Festivals granted the victor a wish from the Britain Company, the strongest students of the six academies did not blindly participate.
According to the rules for all Asterisk students, each student could only participate in the Star Festivals three times.
Regardless of the results, a student could only compete three times in total. Once they exceeded this number, they could no longer sign up for the Star Festivals.
Because of this, capable students carefully chose the festival that would benefit them the most.
If they were skilled in solo combat, they participated in the King Dragon Star Festivals.
If they excelled in teamwork, they participated in the Griffin Star Festivals.
Some students spent nine years competing in the King Dragon Star Festivals three times, while others participated in all the Star Festivals within just three years.
This was the case for the two-time consecutive champion of the Dragon Star Festivals from Matrix Black Academy. Having already participated twice, he had only one chance left. Naturally, he wouldn't waste it on anything but a historic third championship.
The same applied to Saint Galedovas Academy. Their school philosophy strongly emphasized teamwork, so their results in the team-based Griffin Star Festivals were always among the best. In fact, they were perennial champions of the Griffin Star Festivals. They even secured the top spot in the overall standings of last season's Star Festivals. With such a legacy, they naturally prioritized the Griffin Star Festivals.
George Academy had historically performed poorly in the Star Festivals. Only their current top-ranked student was exceptionally strong, managing to secure the runner-up position in the last Dragon Star Festivals. This time, he was aiming for the Dragon Star Festivals again, leaving only a few minor competitors behind.
George Seventh Academy and Alekante Institute were somewhat special. Their elite students did not have a clear preference for any single festival. However, since the strongest competitors from other academies had either graduated or chosen different festivals, they would not be participating in this Phoenix Star Festivals.
In summary...
"Among the strongest students participating in this year's Phoenix Star Festivals, we are very likely the only ones ranked No. 1."
Erend said lightly.
"The previous and current No. 1 students of Beauxbaton Academy are teaming up, but no No. 1 students from other academies are participating. If we don't compete now, we won't stand a chance in the Griffin Star Festivals or King Dragon Star Festivals later."
"This Phoenix Star Festivals is the best opportunity for us to win."
"You said we have no chance of winning, but that's simply not true!"
If it weren't for this, why would the audience in the stands have been so excited when Kane accepted Erend's invitation?
Wasn't it because they also believed that Erend and Kane had the greatest chance of winning?
If Beauxbaton Academy could produce a championship-winning pair in the first year of the Phoenix Star Festivals, their overall performance this season would not be too bad.
And this was exactly what Claudia, the student council president, had personally stated.
"This..."
Lee took a step back.
"Go away." Erend didn't even bother to put on a show and said coldly, "Now that Natasha lost to me and is no longer ranked No. 1, your plan has failed. Throwing a tantrum here will only make you look incompetent."
"Leaving the stage is the greatest dignity you have left."
Lee's face froze, his entire body trembling.
After a moment, he seemed to accept his fate, his posture becoming dejected.
Without another word, he staggered away.
"Uncle..."
Seeing this, Natasha's eyes became slightly moist. She felt a little uncomfortable.
After all, he was her uncle—her father's brother—her blood relative.
But she had already made her decision to move forward.
What Erend had just said resonated deeply within her heart.
"Phoenix Star Festivals..."
This was the closest stage to her wish.
She had to win.
She had to rescue her father.
She must.
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