Chapter 54 — Old Woman, Young Woman
The other arenas hadn't even begun—
some referees hadn't even arrived yet.
But Elias had already sent the blond boy flying with a single punch,
triggering a wave of murmurs rippling through the crowd.
As his name began to spread, people started trading guesses about his origins.
Yet among the thousands gathered here, not one person could see through his human disguise.
No one realized the man standing casually on the stage was, in truth,
a millennia-old demon.
---
And then… his second opponent hobbled onto the stage.
"Oi-yoooo… cough cough cough…"
"Young people these days, tsk tsk…"
"Staring at poor Grandma as she climbs up…
and not one of you thinks to come help!"
Elias stared at the figure before him.
A frail old woman, little more than skin and bones, hair completely white,
hardly a tooth left in her mouth.
Just walking a few steps to the arena had left her trembling,
wheezing, coughing nonstop.
The crowd stirred again.
"That's… Granny Matsuyuki, isn't it?!"
"A respected elder of the Holy City—still so vigorous!"
"She's a hundred years old and still willing to compete! Truly inspiring!"
"Go Granny Matsuyuki! The whole Holy City is cheering for you!"
Elias didn't care in the slightest.
He simply waited quietly for the old woman to make her move.
But the next moment, a familiar voice echoed inside his head—
Flamme's voice.
---
"Wait, Elias!"
Elias did not turn around.
He instantly recognized it as mental long-distance transmission magic,
so he responded in kind:
"Flamme, this isn't the time. Let me finish handling this—"
"No! Listen to me!"
Flamme's voice grew urgent.
"Granny Matsuyuki has a fierce competitive streak.
Her entire life has revolved around proving herself in magic duels."
"Younger magicians—even the ones stronger than her—always let her win on purpose."
"But the older she gets, the more outrageous she becomes.
As long as there is a match, she shows up."
"She's just a stubborn old woman.
Please… go easy on her."
Elias blinked once—
Then laughed.
---
"Flamme… what does that old woman have to do with me?"
"If we're speaking age… she's a few thousand years younger than I am."
"She's the junior here."
"You might see her as an elderly grandmother—
but in my eyes, she's no different from an eighteen-year-old girl."
"So tell me—"
"Why should I hold back against a young girl?"
"WHAT?! ELI—"
[Mind Lock Seal]
Silence.
Elias cut the mental connection without hesitation.
Flamme's telepathic message was severed in an instant.
Down below, she stomped her foot in panic.
There was nothing left she could do.
She could only pray that the old granny would restrain herself.
---
On the stage… Granny Matsuyuki began her performance.
"Cough cough~ Look at that shabby robe of yours. Must be a country bumpkin~"
"Honestly, the beggars wandering around the Holy City these days… more and more outsiders stinking up the place~"
"My ancestors were nobles of the Unified Empire, you know?
See that yellow-walled building next to the plaza? That's my house~"
"How much do you even earn a month? Hm?
Grandma here gets three Strahl gold coins in pension without lifting a finger~"
Flamme: ╭(°A°`)╮
Elias: (≖_≖'')
Granny Matsuyuki sucked in a dramatic gasp.
"What's with that face?! Acting all arrogant! Where are your manners?!"
"Hmph! No point talking to filthy outsiders like you—"
"If you want to get close to General Theodore's daughter,
you'll have to get past me, Matsuyuki!"
She flourished her cane—
which, of course, doubled as a magic staff—
and bellowed:
"—Intermediate Water Sphere Magic!!"
A swirling orb of water materialized around her, flowing like a protective shield.
Elias: (≖_≖'')
[Advanced Freezing Magic]
The very next moment—
A crystal-clear glacier orb appeared,
sealing the rambunctious granny inside like a preserved fossil.
The spectators' jaws dropped.
"She—She's frozen!"
"She got frozen in a split second!"
Elias calmly approached the ice ball.
Through the thick frozen layer,
he and the furious Granny Matsuyuki locked eyes.
Even sealed inside, she was still gesturing wildly,
mouth moving in a string of silent curses.
Based on her lips, Elias deduced she was saying something like:
"Scram?"
"Get as far away as you can?"
He nodded thoughtfully.
Duly noted.
With one motion, he cast a manipulation spell—
and gently yeeted the ice sphere toward the main street.
The crowd scattered in a panic,
instinctively making way for their beloved granny.
The ice ball rolled straight through the street,
down an alley,
out the city gate,
and onward—to the wide open freedom beyond.
The referee quickly raised his hand:
"Winner of Round Two: Elias!"
"Only one more victory is needed to reach the central arena!"
A heavy silence fell over the crowd.
Even whispers died out.
They understood now:
A terrifying figure had appeared in the Holy City—
a man of few words and overwhelming force.
---
Then—silver-bell laughter rang out, snapping everyone back.
"Hehehehehe~"
"So the first two were dealt with that quickly?
Looks like it's my turn~"
A woman in tight red leather sauntered onto the stage, hips swaying.
Wavy hair.
Sky-high heels.
Long lashes fluttering seductively.
Red lips blowing a perfumed kiss.
A teasing bend forward revealing just a hint of softness—
The audience nearly fainted.
"Oh no… that kid's dead."
"That's the Forbidden Queen—Carlile the Enchantress!"
"No man can escape her Crimson Ravage!"
—CRACK!
"ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!!"
Carlile's whip snapped through the air.
Several spectators blushed violently,
as if they actually felt the hit.
Eyes hazy, they watched as her sultry gaze slid toward Elias…
"Instructor Carlile.
Pleased to make your acquaintance."
She spoke—
And Elias's ears instantly filled with celestial chimes,
the sound of stars raining from heaven.
Ah.
So that's her game.
A high-level charm spell.
This woman specialized in mental magic.
Judging from the pressure, it was powerful.
Carlile lifted her chin, ready to watch him collapse—
But her smile froze.
This man—
was still standing.
Impossible.
Any ordinary male mage would already be on his knees,
drooling at her feet!
But this one…
Elias: (≖_≖'')
Not a flicker of reaction.
Not even a flinch.
Did her training… slip?
"I actually missed…?"
Carlile's smile tightened.
Her eyes darted rapidly over Elias's figure,
as if searching for weaknesses.
But Elias knew she wouldn't find any.
He had already used Mind Lock Seal, severing all external mental interference.
A little charm magic wouldn't touch him.
Yet the next second—
Carlile suddenly smiled like a fox.
"So that's it… some spell is blocking my charm, hm?"
"I suppose that means… my whip won't be needed."
"I underestimated you, mage Elias."
Her eyes sharpened—
a predator sighting prey.
"If illusions won't work…"
"Then I'll just do it for real."
[Ultimate Art — Peach Blossom Spring Seduction]