«Darling, what makes you so happy? He must have been lucky again... Apparently, his opponents were weak. It’s a common occurrence, you know. The world is full of clinical idiots who cannot kill a fly like him.»

Juno said her catchphrase with her hands on her hips:

«Well, well.» - She laughed triumphantly making everyone smile silly but happily.

It struck a nerve. The princess’s icy gaze turned to the winner. She noticed the way the cheeky girl looked at him and she did not like that unhealthy attention. Now that he had made it to the finals everyone was interested in him.

Meanwhile, Kyon walked up to the judge and said grimly:

«Excuse me, I am giving up the last battle. I admit my defeat.» - The boy hated to give up, damn it. More than that, he refused to prove his weakness in front of the beautiful girl. Fortunately, the voice of reason prevailed, otherwise, he’d get himself into trouble. Given the princess’s temper, she wouldn’t accept her defeat to the piece of scum, it was too risky... He could lose or even get killed in the fair battle. The risks were not worth it. He had already fulfilled his initial plan. Everything else could be settled later. And yet, the mere thought of his lost gain broke his heart. Who asked the bitch to come to the party? She had ruined all his plans! She would have better stayed put in her palace...

The audience looked at each other. His decision was completely reasonable. The boy was out of energy, exhausted, and she was a powerful princess! Only a madman would dare to fight her. Many people respected the boy who knew his place.

However, he must have an overdeveloped sense of self-importance. He did not personally approach the princess to give up in a bow like the others.

Xiao Bai greedily rubbed his palms and grunted maliciously.

The judge nodded at the boy’s words, raised his hand and announced:

«Kyon Stone admits his defeat! Princess Kara Grand is the undisputed winner of today's tournament! From now on, she is the true queen of the eve...» - The judge stopped short when he sensed the princess’s will.

Kara said in a calm indisputable voice. «I am Princess Kara Grand who had the misfortune to miss an interesting fight. My Highness wishes to personally test the strength of the newly emerged talent who has defeated the strongest guest and descendant of pure blood in the Brown family. As a sign of goodwill, I will fight at his stage of development.»

Young people fixed upon the boy their astonished glances.

«Dear Princess, I am no match for Your Majesty. The last fight was a miracle. The opponent had eaten something weird and had to give up because of his upset stomach... Anyone will confirm his involuntary purgation.» - Kyon said carefully already understanding he had gone too far.

A couple of guests burst out laughing. Nobody expected such an unscrupulous speech. The boy was the real devil of impudence. He was lying to save his ass! Would he lose if the princess lowered her development to his stage? What’s on his mind?

«Your Highness.» - A Brown said bowing. – «The boy is lying to your face! He defeated our fellow in the fair fight! Kill the lousy liar for…»

Kyon grinned interrupting the whiner:

«Stupid creature... It’s called modesty. I admit defeat and give up the fight because I respect the undoubted power of the princess.»

«You…»

«Enough.» - Kara said coldly. – «Kyon Stone, I wanted to reveal the exceptional abilities of the young genius who defeated Tsayan. I even showed goodwill by promising to lower my stage of development to yours. But you are neglecting my good intentions. Insolence against the princess is severely punished. I do not want to ruin the party, therefore, instead of punishment, my request is now an order.» - The lady finished her speech. Imperious notes intrinsic to people of high origin were heard in her tender voice. She headed off to the arena swinging her hips.

Kara could hardly restrain herself from her scornful tone. Too many words to “nobody.”

Kyon watched the seductive female with a wary look. {There is no trace of curiosity in her... What's the matter? What is she after?} - The girl’s competence was a little surprising. She had easily exposed herself in a good light and accused him of insolence. Moreover, she got her way leaving him no choice. A cunning shrewd bitch... She must be used to getting what she wanted due to her high-born background and she always remained clean and innocent in the eyes of society.

With no other choice, Kyon followed Kara to the arena, lost in his thoughts.

Juno rose from the bench and followed to the edge of the arena. She had a bad feeling... Kara was about to prove her case. What a stubborn fool! She was in for a shameful defeat fighting at the same stage of development as the servant. She would never accept it and would keep fighting to the end like a proud lioness. She secretly despised men for weakness and even more so scum like Kyon.

If the boy was no fool, which Juno had witnessed today, he would find a way out without provoking the noble person who had the power to defeat all the guests at the party.

The girl stood on one side of the arena. She was of divine beauty, dressed in an elegant, sexy evening dress. It was short enough to reveal the charms of her young body, her slender bare legs, magnificent bust, and thin swan neck. The princess's confident, keen glance had left most of the boys in the audience breathless.

Many clever guests suspected that the royal person would not stoop so low as to test the talent of a boy at the 7th stage. Everyone who had seen her in Cernos knew that the princess had a complicated character, a quick temper and endless arrogance. No young man ever had deserved even a moment of her attention.

The shaggy boy was standing on the other side of the arena. His hair was raven black, as well as his clothes. Darkness reigned in his eyes. Many girls looked at him with curiosity. Stephanie was worried about the safety of the boy's life guided only by selfish impulses.

The audience wondered what the genius would do. Everyone knew he could defeat Kara in a few seconds using his speed and green rock. But did he really have the guts to do that?.. How would the princess react? No one dared to warn her of the impending danger. What if she got angry at them for insulting her highness. The guests were anxious, everyone held their breath. Especially the Browns.

Dinah looked at the boy with her deadly icy eyes but there was a sparkle of interest in them. A mysterious jerk... She remembered torturing him, his blatant impudence, the moment when he pressed her... Everything was gradually making sense. She experienced strange sensations, something she’d never felt before.

The judge announced the start of the battle.

*beeeeep*

When Kara realized the boy had no intention to attack first, she walked towards him with an easy gait. She expressed no wariness nor concern. She looked like she was out for a walk to get some fresh air.

The girl did not care how the weakling had made it to the finals. She planned to resolve her private matters with Juno.

Thousands of sparks flew from the surrounding space to the princess’s fist glowing scarlet red. The effect of her charged powerful attack fired the imagination.

Her previous blow had instantly broken Eric's powerful attack (number 2) and taken him off the battle. The audience and Kyon became aware of her intentions.

{She wants to kill me, doesn’t she?} - Kyon thought but quickly calmed down. Most likely she had noticed some of his skills and decided not to give in. Since the princess had no intention of killing him, he wasn’t going to deviate from the original plan.

Kyon clenched his fist and covered it with a thin layer of adamantium so that the explosion following her attack would not damage his hand.

{Please, learn your lesson, Juno.} - Kara thought. She aimed at her opponent’s head and delivered a meteor-like relentless blow.

The boy had immediately struck back surprising the princess with his act of sheer folly.

She had come across idiots before but it was too much... Well, it was all for the better. The world would be a cleaner place.

The green spot collided with the meteor.

~bang~

The little explosion that followed knocked the boy three meters back. He fell flat on the floor like a rag doll with torn strings. At least that’s what everyone thought...

{What a powerful technique...} - Kyon was amazed. He had flown back on purpose, further than supposed. The attack was one or two stages more powerful than his full-power strike, which was 5 stages stronger than anyone else’s. Moreover, the explosive effect could have crushed his hand. If he hadn’t had any adamantium on his fist, he’d have had to recuperate after the injury.

The stunned princess made two steps back. Her fist hurt a bit... How could the miserable boy make her retreat even a step?! Phoenix Blast is an incredibly powerful ancient technique! The boy seems to have certain skills. That’s why Juno had been paying him undeserved attention.

The flabbergasted audience couldn’t believe their eyes. «It took her only one blow?!»… «The princess is a real genius! She is the strongest of anyone I know!»… «Did Her Highness win so quickly?»… «Goddess Danna, save our beautiful mighty princess!»

Kara looked at the unconscious body... She was struck with wonder: {Alive?} - A doubt gave way to the cold confidence. The princess wanted to finish the job. Her fist glowed red again but no longer sparkled... In fact, the phoenix explosion has to recharge.

«Your Highness, do you want to kill him?! He has lost!» - Stephanie cried out, alarmed.

Kara answered the first thing that came to her mind lazily, almost reluctantly:

«Can a finalist be defeated with one blow by a practitioner in the 7th stage of the base phase? I do not believe it! Given his recent refusal to fight, I have only one explanation. He's faking it.»

Stephanie wanted to object but Lee laid his hand on her shoulder calling for silence. The girl obediently calmed down.

The guests intuitively and wholeheartedly supported the princess. «He dared to pretend?! A bastard!»… «The princess is telling the truth! Everything seems to be right!»… «Indeed! He couldn’t have lost instantly! The scoundrel misleads us!»… «Your Highness, finish off the insolent jerk! He does not deserve his life after deceiving you!»

The corners of the girl's lips slowly rose up. A satisfied smile appeared on her face. Stupid people always follow authority. A flock of sheep... It's time to teach her beloved silly girl a valuable lesson. She’d better stop staring at cute and a little “talented” boys who are not worth anything. They are spineless, hopeless bugs in the world of power. They have no power, no money, no brains, nothing!

The princess approached and waved her hand. A usual slow stream of yellow flame flew off to the boy's head. Almost everyone in the audience knew the rule of the flame. The flame of the basic grade is red. The advanced grade is orange. The superior grade is yellow. The very fact that Kara used the yellow flame spoke of her amazing unsurpassed talent.

At the last moment, Kyon pushed himself off the ground avoiding the flame. He got to his feet and gave Kara a grave look.

{Bitch!} - The boy had immediately figured out her intentions. There was a genuine surprise in the girl’s shameless eyes. Therefore, she was lying about him simulating. All she wanted was to finish him off. And after she carried out her plan, she would put on a disappointed look and apologize for her mistake and overestimating his abilities. However... It is unlikely that she is capable of repentance.

{She really wanted to kill me!} - The rage and anger at the rotten princess raged in his soul burning like fire. A powerful enemy had fallen from heaven and he could do nothing to her in the near future! When did he become an object of her aversion? Maybe Juno was nurturing a plan to kill him? No... Definitely not. He made sure in the tomb the girl did not want him dead. However, he intuitively sensed there was a catch... It had something to do with Juno.

{Of course...} - He’d come up with an excellent idea. Juno reacted to his success despite herself. Kara noticed that and got jealous. Now she was trying to get rid of the noisy fly. That's how he looked in the eyes of the high-born bitch.

Kyon was fuming. The arrogant trash showed up, ruined his plan to win the bet with half a million at stake. Now she was going to scoop the pool and take his life to boot!

He wanted to defeat her, suppress her like a trembling creature, humiliate her and tear her dress off so that the naked skank would be red in the face. And after that he would disfigure her beautiful face... "If there’s bad blood between us, so be it. She started it."