I find it very sacred to pick someone up and make them a saint.

The blood blurred Funila's vision; she had never experienced such frustration and pain in her life.

Saliva mixed with blood dripped down, and then she heard light footsteps coming from ahead again, followed by Lucia's second question:

"Are you going to admit defeat?"

Funila's face immediately contorted in rage. She might have considered admitting defeat, but Lucia's question sounded like a provocation and an insult to her, and she was even less likely to compromise!

When he opened his mouth, his voice became faint and muffled.

"I... would never... do that to someone like you..."

Lucia had already received the answer. She didn't know or care about the internal struggle in Frenella's mind. She only knew that the battle was not over yet, and she was accumulating holy light energy for the third time.

A more potent magic gradually condensed at his fingertips, and everyone on the stage held their breath.

People noticed that this Holy Light spell was different, and its power was greatly enhanced compared to the previous two spells.

How is that possible?!

"It can't be a breakthrough in the heat of battle, can it?! It can't be that exaggerated."

Of course not. Rather, Lucia chose to apply the technique she used to cast the "High Energy Shield" spell to the "Holy Light" spell.

The "Holy Light" spell, which requires a full 60 energy to cast, consumes only about 16 energy when Lucia has 82% resonance.

This was also Lucia's last reserve of magic power.

If this still doesn't soften Furilla's hard lips or make her lose all her ability to resist, what should we do?

That makes her awesome!

Lucia's gaze hardened, her movements slowed, and she gambled everything on the final blow, her momentum gradually rising.

Time seemed to stand still; the vast arena was completely silent, with only the faint sound of swallowing saliva escaping from the ear.

Furila could no longer feel her own breathing, and her green pupils trembled uncontrollably.

Bishop Phil was ready to force his way through Rachel's defenses and enter the fray. Even if some friction and conflict arose, Furilla couldn't possibly withstand this attack, and she might not even survive her severe injuries...

Lucia's fingertips gradually stabilized, containing powerful energy. She raised her hands and pointed at Furilla, who was lying on the sidelines like a rag doll.

He glanced at her one last time, which also meant he was asking her one last question.

Funila's terrified expression made her stiffen and unable to control her body, but her instincts told her that what she was about to face was not failure, but the loss of her life.

Without further hesitation, Lucia unleashed a powerful "Super Enhanced Holy Light" spell, sending up a cloud of dust as it struck the defenseless Furilla.

"I surrender!!!!"

Funila screamed with all her might, a hoarse cry that could be heard by everyone around her, a desperate plea for survival.

The next instant, a pure white robe shimmering with gold appeared in front of Funila.

Bishop Phil made no move, and Luya's childish Holy Light spell shattered and vanished as if it had hit an invisible wall in front of him, as weak as a child's scramble.

The next moment, unable to suppress his anger, Phil looked up and glared at the small and frail Lucia not far away with supreme power and majesty.

But before their eyes could even reach Lucia, in the blink of an eye, Mien and Rachel were already standing in front of her.

Lucia felt a moment of fear before she saw two tall figures standing in front of her, shielding her from the threat she could not yet face.

Mien's gaze was no longer gentle and respectful, but cold enough to freeze, staring directly at him.

Chief Phil felt a chill run down his spine; it was the first time in many years he had seen Mien with such an expression.

Rachel, on the other hand, exudes her authority and ruthlessness in the military, her long robes, symbolizing the imperial family, fluttering in the wind.

He looked at Phil with disdain: "Your Excellency, what are you going to do?"

His tone subtly revealed the composure and smugness of a victor.

From the moment Funilan shouted "I surrender," Lucia had undeniably become the new Holy Maiden of Light of the Cassil Empire.

Since that's the case, she naturally has to stand firmly on Mien and Lucia's side, and the sooner the better.

What she found particularly amusing was that Bishop Phil had taken the initiative to act as the "big villain" standing on the opposite side of the three of them, which almost made her burst out laughing.

Mien slowly said, "Bishop Phil, do you really think there's anything unfair or disagreeable about this competition?"

Phil remained silent for only a moment, took a quick deep breath to calm himself, and said with a smile:

"Of course not. Since Funila has already conceded defeat, the match is over. I'm just here to block the attack after the match ends."

He looked at Mien and said, "Lua won."

As he spoke, Phil began to regret his actions, and the regret grew stronger.

One's impulsive actions may cause unforeseen consequences.

By placing himself in opposition to the new Saintess Lucia, he gave Rachel a great gift.

Especially considering his own rudeness and lack of composure, which put him in a completely wrong position, that's why he could only bow his head and not refute Mien when she questioned him.

He waved his hand gently, and several members of the Church of Light who were accompanying Funila immediately ran onto the stage, cast healing spells on Funila, checked her injuries, and carried her off.

Before leaving, Funila opened her swollen eyes, tears streaming down her face, and whispered:

"Bishop Phil, I..."

Phil heard this, but didn't turn around. He simply gestured to his men to carry her away quickly.

Thinking to himself, now that things have come to this, even if Mien and Lucia stand on Rachel's side, he can't stop it, and it's only right that he does.

Even if she wanted to target the Academy, Rachel wasn't someone to be trifled with; she couldn't touch a hair on their head.

A direct confrontation is not an option, and in a situation where there is no way to salvage the situation, we must not simply push the neutral Mien and the Academy behind him to Rachel's side.

How can we make amends?

In a rapid thought, he sighed inwardly: He had no choice but to use Furira…

Once his thoughts settled, Phil quickly put on the friendly and respectful smile he used to have, and bowed to Mien:

"As expected of the chief scholar of my empire's academy, to be able to train Luya to be so competent in just a few months, I think it's not just Luya's talent, but also Chief Mien's experience, knowledge and teaching ability! I really have to admire him."

Congratulations to Chief Mien! I believe that under her tutelage at the Temple Academy, she will undoubtedly make even greater contributions and provide greater protection for the Empire.

He not only praised Mien to ease the tension, but also guaranteed that he would not compete with Mien for Lucia's ownership in the future, which showed his sincerity.

Seeing Phil's initial arrogance followed by obsequiousness, Mien, having gained an advantage, didn't pretend to be virtuous.

Having already outmaneuvered him and taught him not to provoke her, and having gained enough from that, there was no need to escalate the conflict.

He then returned the greeting casually:

"Thank you for your praise, Bishop Phil. After all, Lucia is the Holy Maiden of Light and shares the same faith as the Church of Light. We should praise the Goddess of Light even more."

The two placed their hands on their left chests together, paying homage to the goddess of light, which also signified the reconciliation of their minor dispute.

Rachel still looked at Phil with haughty disdain.

Phil pretended not to see it and simply said to Mien:

"In that case, I'll take my leave."

After saying that, he prepared to leave, knowing that staying any longer might cause more trouble.

"Your Excellency, wait a moment," Mien called out.

"Since both of you are here today, I have something I would like to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Phil frowned as he was about to flee.

Mien simply gestured around and smiled helplessly:

"Why don't we go offstage and discuss this in detail?"

Phil and Rachel then realized that they were standing right in the center of the stage, with everyone in the stands staring intently at them as they talked on stage.

There wasn't even a cheer after the written exam ended.

"Okay," Phil said with a smile.

Having said that, he used a sound transmission spell to resonate throughout the entire arena before the Academy of Scholars could:

"The competition is over. The winner of this competition is Lucia from the Academy."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire stadium erupted in thunderous shouts, as if they had won the war of national defense, and many people hugged each other and jumped for joy.

Amidst the deafening cheers, Lucia saw Mien turn around and look at her, his gaze gentle and full of praise and satisfaction.

Lucia felt her heart clench instantly, a real sense of victory filling her heart. She snapped out of her battle state, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Go back with August first and get some rest. I'll come back to find you soon."

August gently took her hand and led her off the field.

She glanced back at Mien, who was talking with the bishop and the princess.

She turned her head away, lowered her head silently, her small lips pressed into a tight crease as she tried to hold back her tears, which welled up in her eyes.