Victory circulated across city by afternoon. Inns buzzed: "Shrek's frost boy built barrier impossible to break." Noble academies scoffed loudly, declaring fluke, but envy laced tone. Coaches pointed to pale youth as potential weak link to target.
Next day, Shrek faced Blazing Sun Academy, known for overwhelming fire manipulation. Spectators already whispered—would frost wall melt before true flames?
Battle began instantly in wave of fireballs lighting arena crimson. Heat surged, choking spectators. Students stumbled under wave.
Leng Xue grit teeth, stepped forward before others burned. His barrier flared bright blue, shimmering like glacier cliff. Fire smashed against it, roaring steam hissing upward. For moments it held, entire arena split by ice against fire, crowd howling amazed.
But Blazing Sun anticipated—three focused fire users targeted him directly, bombarding continuously. Cracks pulsed spiderlike across barrier. He coughed blood but forced reinforcement, muttering creed: Frost above flame.
Behind, Tang San moved quick, vines sprinting through steam, tying casters down. Mubai roared flank charge, Hongjun burst flames ironically shielded by frost. Rongrong boosted desperately. Seconds stretched eternal. In final roar, Tang San whipped three flame casters down, wave collapsing.
Barrier shattered shards outward, shimmering snow across stage, but Shrek now surged forward finishing win.
Leng Xue collapsed to knees trembling, supported by Yan rushing frightful, but still smiled faintly. Arena shook with cheers—spectators chanting "Frost Brother!" for first time continent wide.
Nobles fumed, forced admit: that pale boy was core shield, not weakness. Rival coaches whispered new strategies: "Crush frost first, without him they fall."
Inside, Tome flickered: Continental Reputation Solidifying. Frost targeted as keystone of group. Survival probability strained.