The Superior Rebirth: A Hero's Awakening

A Fierce Student Battle II

As the dust settled, an injured Princess Misaki carried a critically wounded, unconscious Jason on her back. Elowen released the reinforced tree veins she had conjured to protect them, but the sheer force of the explosion had still left them with injuries.

She spotted Princess Misaki approaching from a distance—her body battered, her breaths labored. Without hesitation, Elowen rushed forward, concern etched across her face. "You're hurt. Let me heal you."

Misaki offered a weary smile and shook her head. "Save your strength. We don't know what else is coming."

Elowen, refusing to accept her answer, gently placed her hands on Misaki's shoulders, summoning delicate healing flowers that bloomed around her, their petals radiating warmth as they mended her wounds.

Nearby, Jason's teammates processed their leader's defeat with shock. "I never thought I'd see Jason get knocked out in a fight of raw power," Albert admitted, still stunned.

Emily, frustrated, scoffed. "I told him we should've fought her together. But no, he had to act like he could handle it alone."

Darius folded his arms. "Even if we did, we still might've lost. Misaki's skill and experience far outclassed us."

Misaki overheard their discussion and chuckled. "Relax. I never beat Jason in raw strength. He would've overpowered me if it came down to that. I only won because of my experience—and my family's Heavenly Retribution ability."

Sophie, who was lying on her back from exhaustion, smirked. "Well, at least he had fun fighting someone like you, Your Highness."

Misaki let out a soft laugh. "I'm honored."

Just as a temporary truce settled among them, Aria frowned, sensing something was off. Spiders—more than usual—skittered around them, crawling onto their limbs and torsos. Everyone was too exhausted to notice.

Aria's heart sank. "Wait—"

Before she could warn them, the spiders bit down, injecting venom into their veins. The paralysis was instant. Their bodies seized up, and they collapsed onto the ground, unable to move.

A slow, amused chuckle echoed through the clearing. "You all look pathetic," came the taunting voice of Prince Magnus, standing above them with two other teams at his side.

Elowen, gritting her teeth, managed to speak. "What are you doing, Magnus?"

Magnus smirked. "I don't owe an explanation to a peasant like you."

Jack's eyes blazed with fury. "You were plotting behind our backs this whole time? How could you betray your own team?"

In a blink, Magnus appeared in front of him, pressing a finger against Jack's forehead. "Watch how you speak to a royal prince," he whispered, his tone sharp as a blade. "Or should I accelerate your brain until it turns to mush?"

Misaki narrowed her eyes. "So those venomous spiders—that was your doing?"

Magnus nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. But I didn't command them to bite you. That was my associate's handiwork."

With a satisfied grin, he continued, "I knew if I let you and Jason fight, you'd both wear each other out. All I had to do was wait. Now, taking your crowns will be effortless."

Jack clenched his fists. "You coward!"

Misaki scoffed. "If you're as strong as you claim, why go through all this trouble? Are you afraid of fighting us head-on?"

Magnus chuckled, his amusement growing. "Afraid? No. It's simply more entertaining to watch ants tear each other apart than to crush them outright. Where's the fun in that?"