The news of Daliena and Merlin’s one-on-one match instantly spread throughout the entire academy, drawing numerous instructors to the arena. Many came simply to witness the spectacle, while others were eager to gauge the true power of Merlin, whom Lucy had gone to great lengths to recruit. Daliena’s formidable strength was more than enough to determine if Merlin possessed the qualifications to belong in their academy.
Moreover, the match attracted not only Dean Hootga of Fiore Academy but also two distinguished guests. Hootga walked respectfully behind them, daring not to overstep his bounds in the slightest.
“Grandpa Hootga, why are you here?”
From a distance, Lucy spotted Hootga’s figure, accompanied by a familiar young woman.
“It’s Sister Scheffiel and Sister Goliath Mycenae! Big Brother, look, my sisters are here!”
Hilya Mycenae had also noticed Scheffiel and the others.
“Your Highnesses, please follow me.”
“No, wait. We have someone to see.”
Scheffiel interrupted Hootga, then proceeded to walk towards Merlin and Hilya Mycenae.
“Hilya Mycenae, come here.”
Scheffiel furrowed her brow as she looked at Hilya Mycenae, who instantly became docile, obediently walking towards her sister.
“Come, let your sister see you.”
Goliath Mycenae enveloped Hilya Mycenae in a tight embrace, almost suffocating her.
“Thank you for looking after my sister.”
Scheffiel spoke to Merlin with utmost politeness. The reason was twofold: he had cared for Hilya Mycenae for a period, and he was also a friend of Merlin.
“No need to thank me.”
Merlin waved a dismissive hand.
“Sister, can we wait until Big Brother’s match is over before we go back?”
Hilya Mycenae quickly wriggled free from Goliath Mycenae’s comforting embrace, then rushed to Scheffiel’s side, pleading adorably.
“Hmm, alright.”
Scheffiel glanced at Hilya Mycenae, then at Merlin, before finally nodding in agreement to Hilya Mycenae’s request.
“That’s wonderful!”
Hilya Mycenae cheered with delight.
“Then, Your Highnesses, please follow me to the VIP seating to watch the match.”
Hootga promptly led Scheffiel and the others, even calling Lucy to join them.
“Then, we can begin, Teacher Daliena.”
“Indeed, the audience has gathered.”
Daliena and Merlin entered the inner space, which instantly transformed into a canyon with five towers, two crystals, and a single path.
****
Goliath Mycenae: “Dean Hootga, which side do you think will win?”
Hootga: “I believe Daliena has a greater chance of winning.”
Hilya Mycenae: “Big Brother will win!”
Scheffiel: “Sit still. Vice Dean Lucy, what are your thoughts?”
Lucy: “I don’t know either, but if I had to guess, Instructor Merlin will win.”
Goliath Mycenae: “Then Scheffiel, what do you think?”
Scheffiel: “I believe Merlin’s friend will win.”
Goliath Mycenae: “Oho! Speaking of Merlin at every turn! It seems our dear Scheffiel has truly fallen in love.”
Scheffiel: “Sister, what nonsense are you spouting!”
Scheffiel was teased by Goliath Mycenae once again.
Scheffiel: “Helen, what’s wrong?”
Helen: “Nothing, I was just pondering the profession of that instructor named Merlin.”
Goliath Mycenae: “And what did you conclude?”
Helen: “I looked into it. His profession is Pastor.”
Scheffiel: “Pastor?”
Lucy: “Merlin’s profession is indeed Pastor.”
Goliath Mycenae: “What kind of profession is a Pastor?”
Lucy: “It’s a profession that combines the abilities of a Knight, a Sage, a Priest, and a Mage. Furthermore, Merlin himself is proficient in super magic and the creation of magic scrolls.”
Scheffiel, Goliath Mycenae, and Helen: “Does such a thing truly exist?”
Lucy: “It does, indeed. Our academy has even opened a Pastor class, and Merlin is its instructor.”
Goliath Mycenae: “How fascinating! I even want to fight him myself.”
Scheffiel: “Sister, please don’t cause trouble.”
Hilya Mycenae: “Big Brother is incredibly strong!”
Hootga: “Your Highnesses, the match has begun.”
****
As the minions advanced, Merlin and Daliena did not immediately launch their attacks. Instead, they patiently awaited their opportune moment.
“Are you ready, Teacher Daliena?”
Merlin activated all his passive Pastor skills, along with the passive skills from other professions. He intended to use this match to showcase his full capabilities to everyone in the academy—in essence, to put on a display for the other instructors, simply because he had nothing else to do.
“Instructor Merlin, why did you agree to my challenge? Are you unaware of how many people are waiting to see you make a fool of yourself?”
“I am aware, but they won’t witness it.”
“You’re that confident you can win?”
“I am absolutely confident. Not only will I prevent them from mocking me, but I’ll also silence them. While I personally don’t care, I must perform for the sake of my students’ reputation within the academy.”
“Your students are truly fortunate.”
“Shall we begin then?”
Their exchange concluded with Merlin’s final word. Daliena launched the first attack, moving with exceptional speed, catching Merlin off guard. He took a blow, staggering back several steps instantly.
“As expected of a martial artist skilled in ‘qi’.”
After steadying himself, Merlin closed his eyes and took a deep breath, alleviating the ‘qi’ that Daliena had forcefully driven into his body.
“Thank you for the compliment, but your luck won’t hold out much longer.”
Daliena initiated her second assault, this one slightly more potent than the first.
“What is this?”
Just as Daliena was about to close in on Merlin, a dazzling orb of light materialized directly before her.
Boom!
The Holy Light Orb exploded on the spot. Though it appeared to engulf Daliena, she had, in fact, evaded it completely unscathed. However, escaping that single blow did not guarantee she would dodge Merlin’s next attack.
Bang!
Daliena burst from the smoke, still mid-air, when Merlin, wielding a luminous hammer, suddenly appeared beside her. Her reflexes were incredibly swift; she launched an attack even before landing. Yet, it struck a mere illusion. The true Merlin was on her other side, his luminous hammer striking Daliena’s abdomen and sending her crashing directly into the wall of a defense tower.
“Here’s a hint: aside from melee combat, Pastors also possess ranged abilities.”
As he spoke, the luminous hammer vanished, replaced by a radiant bow. Merlin raised his hand and drew the bowstring. Daliena narrowly dodged the light arrow. While she evaded the strike, a small hole was punched through the surface of the defense tower’s wall.
“Explode, biu!”
Merlin raised his right hand, mimicking the stance of firing a pistol.
Boom!
Daliena was struck head-on this time. The ensuing smoke was so dense that onlookers couldn’t discern the exact situation. Once the smoke cleared, Daliena appeared somewhat disheveled. A second later, the defense tower beside her collapsed.
“What?!”
Everyone watching in the arena was dumbfounded. They couldn’t comprehend what had just transpired, only knowing that Merlin had raised his hand, and Daliena had been hit.
“Truly worthy of being Merlin’s friend.”
Although Scheffiel knew Merlin’s strength was considerable, she had still underestimated him.
“However, Daliena’s strength is also impressive.”
Goliath Mycenae had clearly witnessed everything Daliena had done.