Anna

  It was the third day of the Clash of Dawn.

  Anna took in a deep breath. The gloomy skies overseeing the mornings of the semifinals casted an ominous glow of what was about to unfold. Soon, she would step onto the stage of this excessively large stadium and confront one of her toughest opponents yet.

  The prodigious Ice Maiden, Liesel von Belle.

  Anna spent most of yesterday afternoon recuperating and strategizing an approach against the indomitable noble. She gathered everything that she knew, including their brief exchange during the preliminaries with Emil, Liesel’s scintillating match against Kai, and any pieces of rumors and knowledge gleamed from her classmates. At the end of her preparation, she arrived at an irrefutable conclusion.

  She was terribly outmatched.

  Liesel couldn’t have been a more troublesome opponent for her to overcome in order to reach the finals. Everything that Anna considered, even when viewed optimistically, painted a bleak picture for her odds of winning.

  But so what?

  She forced herself to smile as she tried to deny the logical and calculating side of her mind. Perhaps she would never have a chance in a regular fight, but this was the Clash of Dawn. There were rules and victory conditions that she could exploit to bridge the abyssal gap between their abilities.

  Plus, Liesel doesn’t know everything that I can do yet.

  Her new ranged weapon, which she aptly named Ionize, gave her the potential to magnetize small metal objects and turn them into deadly projectiles. She didn’t need to show off this ability in her quarterfinals match against Niall. And while she did use Ionize twice during the preliminaries, in both situations, Liesel wasn’t nearby and nor did Melody mention it with her commentary.

  Anna planned to use Ionize as a hidden trump card.

  As she entered the Nautilus, Academy staff immediately escorted her to the contestant section of the stadium. She was early. There were still twenty minutes left before the match was scheduled to start.

  Rather than anxiously listen to the energy within the stadium, Anna leaned against the wall, folding her arms in contemplation as she went over her strategy once more.

  The air suddenly grew cold.

  Startled, she felt the hairs on her skin rise. Her ears noted the slow, booming thump of boots against steel echoing from above the hallway. A shadow stalked in her periphery. She turned—and immediately narrowed her eyes in a grimace.

  It was Liesel.

  The noble lady approached her with a warrior’s composure. Confidence radiated from each of her strides. Her posture was immaculate, her back and shoulders perfectly straight, her arms swaying loosely by her side—all of it accompanied by a self-assured smile on her face as she strutted close. Jitters shot down Anna’s back, suddenly engulfed by the weight of Liesel’s presence.

  “Good morning, Anna,” the Ice Maiden greeted her with a casual inflection as if the two were meeting at a banquet.

  Anna scoffed. Her friendly demeanor was an obvious fa?ade.

  “Hello Liesel,” she replied, pretending to lower her head in a mocking cutesy, “Or would you much rather prefer Lady Belle?”

  Liesel waved her off, giggling at her belligerence. “Oh, there’s no need for that. The circumstances of one’s birth are irrelevant in this Academy, and even more so once we step onto that marvelous stage. Unless perhaps, you feel trepidation towards striking a noble?”

  “Nonsense. As if I can hold back against the likes of you. In fact, I actually can’t wait. I spent all of last night imagining the ecstasy of ruining that perfect face of yours.”

  Liesel sneered as Anna continued her tirade.

  “But I don’t think we’re close enough to be exchanging pleasantries before a match,” Anna continued, raising her eyes with suspicion, “So then why did you come here for? A declaration of war? Trying to psyche me out before the match?”

  “Psyche you out?” Liesel tilted her head with amusement. “No, no, you misunderstand, Anna. Those are petty tricks for those care nothing about the glory of victory. Frankly, I’m a bit offended you think so lowly of me.”

  Liesel’s eyes gleamed with the viciousness of a snake. She crept close, glancing at Anna with the same detached look of a child to a beat-up toy.

  “I came here to make sure you can give me what I want. All I yearn for is a challenging fight. Something that will get my blood boiling. Something that will push me to exceed my limits and my imagination. Right now, I’m not sure if you are capable of that.”

  “…Are you questioning my resolve to win?”

  “You’re undoubtedly very motivated. But you lack desperation. I’m well aware of your desire, Anna. You wish to make your name known and to build your reputation as a formidable Exalted in this kingdom.”

  “Yeah? Who doesn’t? Every student at the Academy wants the same.”

  “No, you’re different. That incident with the Seibert Merchant Company two years back.”

  Anna flinched. Her heart nearly skipped a beat at the mere mention of that event.

  Liesel continued, her voice drenched in venom. “You were at the root of it, weren’t you? After that, your position in the Seibert family became untethered. Your competence and ruthlessness as a merchant were in question. Your value pummeled. And your family suddenly decided to shop you around for marriage to make use of what remaining asset you possessed—your pretty face and your womb.”

  “S-Shut the fuck up! How dare you mention that in front of me!” Anna growled, clenching her teeth.

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  Her chest burned with indignation. She squeezed her hands, fighting the urge to lunge at Liesel. The mere recall of her downfall was agonizing enough, but for it to come out of some snobby noble’s mouth? The sight of Liesel smugly staring her down as she laid bare all of her insecurities drove her mad.

  “What do you know? Your situation isn’t any different! You’re engaged to the second prince—someone who you don’t even feel love for!”

  “Not anymore.”

  Liesel’s sudden declaration thundered through the hall. Anna’s eyes went wide. At first, she couldn’t tell if Liesel was playing a prank on her. But the sullen expression on Liesel face as she spoke those words made things abundantly clear—she was dead serious.

  You’ve got to be kidding me.

  Anna glanced around, realizing that there was no one in the vicinity. The two of them were alone in this long-winded hall. The scandalous words that Liesel just uttered was for her ears only.

  Marriages between nobles were glorified alliance pacts, intent to bound and strengthen two families together. They were a promise to unite two houses to a unified goal. Liesel breaking off her marriage can be interpreted as House Belle going against the royal family. In the worst-case scenario, it can be seen as an act of rebellion.

  Liesel smirked at her reaction. “It’s not officially announced yet, but my father has given me permission to choose my destiny. And so, I decided to strip away the decision that was made for me. If Rory still ivies for me regardless, then perhaps I’ll choose him this time out of my own volition.

  “But of course, I’m not ignorant of the implications. Nor am I oblivious as to why father suddenly granted me my freedom. I, as the most talented Exalted of this generation, am an asset that can’t be replaced. Father wants me to keep in the family if possible. But obviously, he can’t openly defy the royal family. So, as a clever political maneuver, he hoped to frame it as the whims of his eccentric daughter.

  “But none of that matters for you,” Liesel pointed at her with an outstretched hand, “Anna, as you can see, my overwhelming value as an Exalted is what allowed me to break free of the shackles that binds all women in this kingdom. So, just imagine—how much will your value soar if you bested me?”

  ***

  Anna walked through the tunnels that led to the Nautilus main stage. Melody’s voice blared over the cacophonous stadium, welcoming the crowd to another day of exciting matches. The audience’s incessant cheers and screams pierced the air like the nauseating chirp of summer cicadas.

  Amidst all of the noises, she stomped towards her position on the field. None of the thunderous racket registered in her ears. Unbeknownst to her, she was grinding her teeth. Her hands were balled into fists. Strands of her scarlet hair draped messily along the side of her face.

  Liesel’s words echoed in her ears. Over and over, she replayed the conversation she just had with the insufferable noble.

  “You lack desperation.”

  The words rang like a curse. Anna felt her chest screech with pain as Liesel recited the incident that led her to this Academy. The trip down the memory lane was thoroughly unpleasant.

  What a fucking prick. She looked into my background.

  She felt her nails dug into the skin of her palms. If Liesel’s goal was to rile her up, then she did a fantastic job. The Ice Maiden knew exactly what she wanted—freedom from the shackles of a loveless marriage. By exposing the unveiled circumstances of her own engagement, Liesel dangled a massive carrot in front of Anna. If she defeated Liesel, then her value would skyrocket to new heights.

  Enough that she would not have to abide by the demands of her wretched parents.

  Anna’s original plan was to amass a set of accomplishments at the Academy to grant her the leverage to negotiate. Ardair’s heinous culture obsessed over the value of a person, and she sought to elevate hers with prestige and work offers from the elites in attendance. Despite her tumultuous relationship with her parents, they were merchants. They would not dismiss the benefits of having a highly demanded Exalted in the business.

  Everything would change if she wins today. The freedom that she yearned, the negotiating power that she demanded—everything she wanted, she could obtain it in an instant.

  Anna wasn’t oblivious. She knew she was getting manipulated by Liesel. But she couldn’t help but be greedy when teased with the opportunity of a lifetime.

  Yeah. You got me good—you arrogant battle freak.

  She glared at Liesel as she stepped onto the platform to the muted noise of thunderous cheers. Anna brushed the hair out of her face. Liesel smiled as their eyes met—her face bright with a triumphant flare.

  But it doesn’t matter. Nothing’s changed. Regardless of the stakes, I just have to win.

  If Liesel truly wanted a challenging fight, then she would get what she wanted. Anna wanted nothing more than to crush that arrogant smirk and defile her beautiful face. She let the violent thoughts settle as she took a deep breath.

  The frenetic buzz from the crowd became subdued. Tension hung in the air. Melody’s voice screamed.

  “Start!”

  Anna wasted no time and snapped her fingers. Electricity spontaneously engulfed her body, stimulating her muscles and nerves, imbuing them with excessive strength and power. With a stomp of her foot, she launched herself forward.

  Her strategy was simple—force a fight in close quarters to minimize the disadvantage of her short interference range and exploit the overpowering strength of Volt.

  On a regular battlefield, this strategy would never work. Liesel’s proficiency with her Gift gave her too many options to retreat and keep Anna out of reach. Here, however, the rules of the Clash of Dawn declared that each contestant must not step beyond the perimeter of the dueling field.

  The goal then was to force Liesel towards the edge of the field by continuously threatening Volt’s destructive paralysis. Anna also had the option to use Ionize. After a certain point, Liesel won’t be able to retreat. If she wanted to keep Anna at a distance, she had to do so by force.

  Anna was halfway across the dueling field when Liesel’s response arrived. The Ice Maiden stood still, undaunted, smirking as she waved her hands. A lattice of icicles morphed out of thin air, shaped like the bolts of a crossbow. With the clap of her hands, the icicles hurled towards Anna.

  In an instant, Anna found herself in the shadows of several dozen projectiles.

  I knew this was coming, but seeing it firsthand is terrifying.

  There were many special things about Liesel as an Exalted. For example, her immaculate mana control and sharp mana perception. Her genius and creativity at producing complex phenomena that an average Exalted couldn’t hope to emulate. But what truly set her apart and made her an imposing foe was her processing speed.

  The air danced with a melodic ring as the icicles shattered against the ground. Anna twisted her body, weaving in and out of the path of the dense barrage. Shards of ice exploded as they fell—the ensuing shrapnel dug into her skin like tiny steel needles, leaving behind a scalding sting.

  None of the injuries were debilitating, but they piled on rapidly. Blood began to spill.

  As the seconds passed, the barrage continued to intensify. The closer she got, the faster Liesel conjured icicles. Soon, the air was crowded to the point where Anna could no longer find any space to evade.

  I expected this!

  She smashed her knuckles together. Electricity exploded at the point of contact, screeching with a ghastly scream as it jolted across the air. With Anna’s body at its epicenter, a wave of high-frequency current blasted outwards in a dome-shaped radius. The icicles in its path were instantly shredded—vaporized into miniscule shards that uselessly fell to the ground.

  Anna seized the opening and increased her speed. Liesel was nearly within melee range.

  The Ice Maiden, however, remained unfazed.

  “Excellent, Anna! But let’s see how you deal with this!” Liesel cackled as she stomped the ground.

  A large wall of ice suddenly rose before her, directly blocking Anna’s path to Liesel.

  You think this can stop me?!

  Not wanting to relent, Anna charged straight ahead, refusing to slow her pursuit. She raised her hands as static screamed down the length of her arm. The shrill, piercing cry resounded in the air as electricity transformed into high-frequency blades. Anna swung as she reached the wall.

  “Shatter!”

  Liesel’s voice echoed in the air.

  Suddenly, the wall of ice collapsed—exploding into fragments of ice shards. Anna grimaced. With her arms outstretched, she was defenseless as she took the exploding fragments head on.