Three days later.
Jianghai No.1 High School, Central Arena.
A massive circular field was surrounded by an energy barrier.
The stands were filled.
Voices roared.
This—
Was the freshman combat tournament.
The first public stage for all newly awakened students.
Lin Feng stood in the player tunnel.
Around him—
Other freshmen.
Some nervous.
Some excited.
Some warming up.
"I heard the rules changed this year."
"Random matchups early rounds."
"One loss and you're out."
Whispers spread.
Lin Feng didn't join.
He leaned against the wall, eyes closed.
As if resting.
But—
His awareness was elsewhere.
In his mind—
A flame hovered.
More stable than before.
More condensed.
"Lots of people today."
Lin Feng said softly.
"Mm."
The Fire Spirit replied.
Calm.
No excitement.
No tension.
Only—
Control.
Lin Feng paused slightly.
He could feel it.
The Fire Spirit—
Had changed.
Not more aggressive.
But—
More stable.
"You're not nervous?"
Lin Feng asked.
The Fire Spirit paused.
Then replied:
"Why would I be?"
"They're weak."
Lin Feng smiled.
"If they hear that, you're getting attacked."
"They won't hit me."
The Fire Spirit replied calmly.
Like stating a fact.
At that moment—
The announcement sounded.
"The freshman tournament—begins now!"
The crowd exploded!
Cheers filled the arena!
The first matches began.
Lin Feng opened his eyes.
Looking at the field.
Flames, wind blades, earth walls—
Colliding everywhere.
But—
Chaotic.
Uncontrolled.
Many attacks missed entirely.
"Low accuracy."
The Fire Spirit commented.
"Wrong paths."
Lin Feng said nothing.
He saw it too.
They were still—
Casting skills.
Not controlling them.
The gap—
Was obvious.
After several rounds—
The announcement sounded again.
"Next match—Lin Feng vs Wang Ze."
Lin Feng stood up.
No extra movement.
He walked forward.
Across from him—
A sturdy boy stood ready.
Holding a short blade.
A melee type.
"Lin Feng?"
"That zero-affinity mage?"
"I heard his control is insane."
Whispers rose.
Lin Feng stood at center.
Silent.
Calm.
The referee glanced at both.
"Ready."
"Begin!"
The moment it started—
Wang Ze moved!
Fast!
Charging directly!
No hesitation!
Trying to end it instantly!
"Too slow."
The Fire Spirit said.
The next second—
The fireball appeared.
No delay.
No charge.
It vanished.
Whoosh!
Instantly appeared in front of Wang Ze!
His pupils shrank!
"So fast?!"
Before he reacted—
BOOM!!!
Explosion!
A concentrated burst!
Wang Ze was blasted away!
Crashing to the ground!
The arena fell silent.
Too fast.
No one saw clearly.
The referee paused.
"Winner—Lin Feng!"
The crowd exploded!
"Instant?!"
"What was that speed?!"
"That fireball teleported?!"
"Mental control?! That insane?!"
Lin Feng stood still.
As if nothing happened.
The fireball returned.
Quiet.
Stable.
"Too weak."
The Fire Spirit said calmly.
Lin Feng didn't respond.
He turned and walked off.
First match.
Over.
But—
The attention had just begun.
Second round.
Third round.
Lin Feng stepped on stage again.
This time—
His opponent was cautious.
Keeping distance.
Launching attacks.
Wind blades swept in.
Sharp angles.
But—
Before they arrived—
The fireball moved.
Not head-on.
Side shift.
Avoid.
Close in.
BOOM!!!
Explosion!
The opponent collapsed!
Less than two seconds.
The crowd erupted again!
"Another instant?!"
"He didn't even move!"
"This control is insane!"
On the high platform—
The instructors were locked onto him.
"This isn't just mental power."
One said quietly.
"This feels… autonomous."
Zhou Yuan remained silent.
Watching.
Eyes deepening.
Fourth round.
Fifth round.
Faster and faster.
Lin Feng stopped even looking.
No need.
Every attack—
Precise.
Explosive.
Finished.
"He's in the top ten."
Someone whispered.
The crowd grew louder.
All eyes—
On one person.
Lin Feng.
And he—
Remained calm.
Until—
Before the sixth round.
He stood at the side.
Didn't move.
Because—
He felt it.
The Fire Spirit's state.
"Consumption?"
Lin Feng asked softly.
A pause.
Then—
"…A little."
The Fire Spirit replied.
Still calm.
But—
Slightly weaker.
Lin Feng nodded.
He didn't ask more.
He clenched his hand slightly.
He knew—
The real fight—
Was still ahead.
And this tournament—
Had only just begun.