The weapons I forge are absolutely flawless.

Anna clenched her right hand and excitedly jumped off the ring.

From stepping onto the stage to advancing, it took no more than two seconds.

If there were a leaderboard for the fastest breakthrough, she would be a strong contender for first place.

Those two flashes of cold light were naturally the throwing knives she had fired; her training during breaks from tending the shop had paid off.

But most importantly, Sylvie did a good deed, using his accumulated points as a live target in the sky, which enabled Anna to achieve the fastest breakout record.

-----------------

"I'm not entirely clear on the rules. Are hidden weapons allowed in a ring fight?"

Samif asked the questions that many viewers had in mind.

“You can’t just say that,” Jessica immediately corrected. “Only weapons used for surprise attacks can be called concealed weapons.”

"Before going on stage, contestants must declare the weapons and puppets they will use in advance, and they cannot use any equipment other than those declared."

"Actress Anna only registered throwing knives as her weapon, and she only used throwing knives after taking the stage, which can be described as a completely aboveboard action."

"If this counts as a concealed weapon, then wouldn't throwing any weapon in your hand count as a concealed weapon?"

After several demonstrations, Samif had become familiar with controlling the communication switch, so she turned off the magic device before Jessica could act.

"I know you and Anna are close. Just how much did you get from her to show such favoritism?"

"The Valentin Chamber of Commerce is the biggest sponsor of this Griffin War."

"...Fine."

This reason was one that even Samif could not refute.

-----------------

Martial arts training is not like arm wrestling.

Even with the help of the emblem, Anna, who has neglected to practice martial arts, would find it difficult to be a match for the other students in a head-on fight.

However, the suddenness provided by the throwing knife helped her quickly accumulate enough points.

After leaving the ring, Anna's first thought was to share the news of her advancement with Viner.

"dimension--"

Anna had only called out half of the name when she noticed that people were already seated on either side of Venus, and the three of them seemed to be having a heated discussion.

The atmosphere was clearly not one that outsiders could easily intrude upon.

Anna's heart sank; she realized she might have arrived at the wrong time.

“Anna? Perfect timing, you’ve come at just the right time.”

As if she heard someone calling her name, she turned her head and saw Anna, and hurriedly waved to her.

"I?"

Anna was slightly taken aback, not understanding why Venere would say such a thing, but she still unconsciously stepped over.

"Do you have any clues about the equipment Sigurd is wearing?" Viner asked, getting straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Anna realized she had been overthinking things, but she still squinted and began to recall.

"This gun was indeed bought from me."

"That's not what I wanted to ask. I mainly wanted to know if you remember that armor. It wasn't sold from your shop, was it?"

"Where in the first year can you find armor of this caliber? Only you could afford it."

Anna changed her mind at the thought of Wiener receiving tens of thousands of credits.

Among weapons of the same class, guns and swords are of similar value, while axes are slightly more expensive because fewer people use them. The more niche the equipment, the more unstable its price.

The armor, especially the full suit of armor that Sigurd is wearing now, is probably worth four or five times more than the weapons.

The 5,000 credits that Wiener initially quoted was an exorbitant price, but it wasn't exactly a premium.

"This stuff is so expensive, even if I were to use it, I'd make it myself, right? Anyway, he didn't get it from you, did he?"

“No,” Anna shook her head in denial.

"That's good."

Vina's only concern was that this cursed equipment might be connected to Anna.

Chapter 288 Baal Fights Four Against One

After some explanation, Anna finally understood the situation.

"Are you worried that this is cursed equipment?"

"What's there to worry about when it's so obvious? I have no connection with this Sigurd. Even if he ruins his life, it's his own fault," Viner said nonchalantly.

"My only concern is that this equipment came from you, and then things will get complicated."

“Thank you so much for your kindness, Venere,” Anna said, emphasizing each word.

He seemed quite dissatisfied with Wiener's suspicions.

"My shop does not sell anything of dubious origin. All products undergo strict inspection before being put on the shelves, and there is absolutely no way that cursed items would be used to ruin our reputation."

Upon hearing this, Viner's lips curled slightly, and he asked in return, "So you mean you've also inspected all the cartloads of weapons that were dragged from my workshop?"

A hint of anger flickered across Anna's forehead, as if she was about to explode. Lisette quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "I already said it's something of unknown origin. How can something you made be considered of unknown origin?"

"I just feel that among that huge stack of weapons, there are many that I don't even remember when I fought, and she actually had time to look through them all. Can someone who runs a shop have that much free time?"

"You'd better shut up," Lisette advised helplessly.

-----------------

As the competition intensified, the atmosphere in the stands reached new heights.

Such a scene of brutal fighting is rarely seen among the usually unapproachable Emblem Masters.

Since it's not their blood that's being shed, they're naturally eager to watch the drama unfold.

Among the increasingly frenzied crowd, one man wore a hood to conceal his face.

He glanced towards the inner arena repeatedly, his mind completely elsewhere than on the ring.

As the arena gradually filled with the advancing contestants, he finally couldn't stay seated and abruptly stood up.

"Sit down." Then a voice stopped him. "I brought you here to watch the game, not to cause trouble."

"Don't you even see what that kid is doing!"

Although he was furious, Fadvi still tried to keep his voice down in front of his wife.

Last night, our beloved daughter, whom we hadn't seen in a long time, shared her experiences at school with her parents.

The name mentioned most often is Wiener.

Although I know that my daughter will grow up sooner or later after leaving home.

But after they met again after a long separation, he kept mentioning the name of a young man, which made Fadvi extremely jealous.

He made a point of apologizing to Tilissa, and the next day he brought his wife to the stands to watch the game, just to see who this Vena was.

Unlike the onlookers, Fadvi, the head of the Cordelia family, was also a high-ranking emblem wielder.

Although the passage of time and the hidden injuries from his early years have diminished his strength, his insight has not diminished in the slightest.

Even from dozens of meters away, every move in the arena could not escape his sharp gaze.

That guy named Viner, who has mastered such skills in just his first year, is someone whose future is promising, even by the most demanding standards.

But this is not the point.

When Fadvi witnessed Viner unceremoniously plopping down next to his beloved daughter, even though he was somewhat prepared, his blood pressure still spiked.

Then Felix sat down next to her, and the two of them started joking around in front of Lisette.

To make it easier to move around, Felix tied her hair in a ponytail today, and from behind, she actually looked more charming than Lisette.

If it weren't for Xiumeiya's timely reminder, Fadvi would have almost lost his temper on the spot.

However, this anger could not be suppressed for long.

Anna quickly joined in, and it was even Venus who took the initiative to invite her.

"This guy is clearly pursuing our daughter, yet he's surrounded by so many beautiful women. Can you really stand by and watch?"

"Mind your own business when it comes to young people." Xiu Meiya rolled her eyes at her husband. "I seem to remember that when you were young, you had just as many girls around you as he did."

Fadevi was speechless for a moment after being rebuked by his wife's words, and it took him a while to recover. "How can you compare them? Lisette is our daughter."

“I’m not worried because she’s my daughter.” Hummia pulled Fadvira back to her original position. “Don’t underestimate this child.”

"However... after the competition, I'll have to ask Lady Tissa for an introduction."

Upon hearing this, the temperature around Xiumeiya seemed to drop several degrees.

-----------------

Arena Number Three.

"Contestant number two hundred is ready to enter—"

As Bal stepped onto the stage, the four fighters who had been locked in a fierce battle instantly separated.

"Are all your feelings directed at me?"

Seeing this scene before him, Baal couldn't help but laugh.

“That’s right, Baal,” Joffrey began. “We don’t want it to be this way either, but in a one-on-one fight, none of us are a match for you. This is the only way we have a chance.”

Since Ana and Mordy advanced, the wrestlers on ring number three have completely changed, and no one has any extra points left.

This also means that no matter who advances next, at least four more people will need to leave the stage.

If they continue to fight individually, they might be eliminated by Baal before the next player can fill in.

We were classmates after all, so we know each other pretty well.

As the star student among the first-year commoners, Baal's strength is no less than that of other championship favorites. He is ranked after Sigurd, River, and others only because he has no background.

For this reason, the four of them did not have to worry about being retaliated against outside the arena after they ganged up on him.

“I understand,” Barr said, taking the initiative to consider the other four people’s feelings. “If it were me, I would have made the same choice.”

"So come on, whoever gets this spot, don't complain."

Baal held the axe up in his right hand and made a "please" gesture with his left hand, as if inviting the other party to attack.

This move stemmed from his absolute confidence in his own abilities.

But compared to his openness, the four people opposite him had different expressions.

Even though they knew that bullying the weak with numbers was dishonorable, their desire for a spot in the next round ultimately dispelled their last hesitation.

The three of them came from the Arena Academy, and one came from the Demon Academy.

Although the three from the Fighting Academy had only teamed up temporarily and weren't exactly in perfect sync, they at least understood the importance of covering for each other so as not to become a burden.

One person, along with the puppet, covered the spellcasting of the Demon Academy student.

Geoffrey and another man charged toward Baal with resolute expressions.

Just as they were about to clash, Baal moved.

His speed was not fast, and each step he took was as steady as a mountain. His battle axe drew a gust of wind in the air and slashed fiercely at the two of them.

Although the two men had tried their best to defend themselves, they were forced back by that thunderous blow.

Then came a crisp snapping sound.

This was Bal's first battle after switching to the battle axe personally crafted by Viner, and it also served as a lesson for the other four.

Just how important is a suitable weapon to a martial artist?