Chapter 217: Magic Token

Some undecided nobles perked up their ears and carefully listened to Phoenix Lady's choice. They were indecisive individuals who knew only that Phoenix Lady had already won three consecutive times. By this logic, as long as they followed Phoenix Lady's bet, they couldn't lose.

"What is your choice?" Eileen pressed.

Phoenix Lady elegantly shook her fan, "Ah, it's hard to choose between the two. If I have to make a choice, I'm afraid I must disappoint my dear Spring Rain."

Lady Spring Rain's heart tightened, but she quickly smiled lightly, "It's fine, Phoenix Lady. It's just a bet, after all. Besides, Rayan represents Pisces, while Lord Imperius is the legitimate Firebird Oath Knight. How could Spring Rain dare to ask Phoenix Lady to bet on Rayan?"

Phoenix Lady reached out to stroke Spring Rain's silky hair and said softly, "Spring Rain, you are always so considerate."

Eileen sneered, "So, Phoenix Lady is betting on Imperius?"

"That's right." Phoenix Lady nodded.

"How much?" Eileen continued to press.

Phoenix Lady was somewhat uncomfortable with Eileen's aggressive attitude but only furrowed her brows slightly, quickly shook her fan a few times, then smiled softly and said, "Not much, just a hundred thousand."

The noble stands were filled with gasps. They thought, Phoenix Lady really is wealthy. She had just given away so many gold coins to the audience, lent Ms. Eileen a hundred thousand gold coins, and still had another hundred thousand to bet.

"Hahaha!"

Eileen laughed heartily, "Wonderful, wonderful."

Phoenix Lady looked at Eileen with a cold smile, "Ms. Eileen, would you like to bet with me? If you bet with me, you might win back the money you lost earlier."

"No."

Eileen stopped smiling, raised her thin eyebrows slightly, "This time, I bet on Rayan to win."

Phoenix Lady was slightly taken aback, then showed a puzzled expression, "Ms. Eileen, are you deliberately opposing me? Whoever I bet to win, you bet to lose?"

Eileen snorted disdainfully, "Lord Rayan indeed has the capability, and I don't think much of that old dog from the Firebird family. Moreover—"

She changed the subject, speaking to Lady Spring Rain beside Phoenix Lady, "Spring Rain and I have some teacher-student bond. At this moment, of course, I must support her."

Lady Spring Rain gratefully bowed to Eileen. "Thank you, Sister Eileen."

Phoenix Lady sneered, "In the previous rounds, I didn't see Ms. Eileen supporting Spring Rain."

Eileen said calmly, "That's because she didn't need it then. Even if I supported her, it would have been superfluous, neither important nor necessary. But now, since no one is supporting her, I naturally must support her. Spring Rain, come over and sit next to me. We can watch and discuss the match together."

Lady Spring Rain stood up, hesitated, glanced at Phoenix Lady, and seeing that Phoenix Lady didn't say anything, she slightly curtsied and hurriedly walked to Eileen's side, gracefully sitting down.

Eileen held Lady Spring Rain's hand and said emotionally, "Spring Rain, do you remember what I told you? You have a talent for magic and are still very young. If you are willing, I can send you to the magic academy with just one word. After you graduate, whether you want to join the Holy Light Sisterhood or return to Pisces territory will be up to you."

These words seemed to be addressed to Lady Spring Rain, but they were actually meant for Phoenix Lady. If Lady Spring Rain really left the Firebird family for some magic academy, it would mean the Firebird family lost indirect control over Pisces territory—a truly vicious move.

Phoenix Lady wanted to interject, but now was not the best time to speak. Speaking too hastily could lead to an uncontrollable situation. Everything depended on Lady Spring Rain.

Lady Spring Rain, though kind-hearted, was not an ignorant child. She could naturally understand the implications of Eileen's words and realized that expressing her stance now would put her in a very dangerous position. So, after a brief thought, she smiled and replied:

"Thank you for your kindness, Sister Eileen. Spring Rain will never forget it. However, the matter of going to the magic academy has many constraints, so please allow me to consider it slowly."

Phoenix Lady sighed in relief, and the black silk fan in her hand relaxed.

Eileen had anticipated that Lady Spring Rain would not agree immediately, but since she didn't refuse outright, it meant there was still hope. She took out a pre-prepared magic token from her bag and forcefully placed it in Lady Spring Rain's hand.

"Take this, it's anonymous. Don't let anyone else get it."

"What is this?" Lady Spring Rain looked in surprise at the delicate, round magic token in her hand, which emitted a faint blue glow and had the words "School Access" engraved in silver dust.

"This is a special school access token from the Holy Light Sisterhood."

Eileen introduced solemnly, "Anyone who holds this token can study at any magic academy on the Auroria Continent, regardless of age, status, or even the need to check for virginity."

"This..." The topic made Lady Spring Rain blush. If a check was required, she had no fear since, although called "Lady," she had remained pure. However, a lady being checked for virginity would be embarrassing, no matter the result.

Eileen added, "Of course, if you want to join the Holy Light Sisterhood after graduation, a virginity check is absolutely unavoidable, besides a series of strength tests."

Phoenix Lady interjected with a cold laugh, "I wonder if the Holy Light Sisterhood checks the virginity of its existing members. If they do, that must be quite interesting."

Eileen glared at Phoenix Lady but ignored her sarcasm and continued advising Lady Spring Rain, "This kind of school access token is issued only once every three years, so it's very rare. Spring Rain, you must keep it safe and not let it fall into the hands of unrelated people."

Lady Spring Rain bit her lip and nodded heavily, "Rest assured, Sister Eileen, I will carry it with me."

As she spoke, she looped the token's cord around her delicate neck and tucked the blue-glowing token into her bodice.

Eileen nodded in satisfaction, "Alright, let's quickly watch the match. The betting pool is about to close, and the match will start soon—hopefully, Rayan won't disappoint us."

Lady Spring Rain smiled sweetly, full of confidence, "He will surely win."

At this moment, magical fireworks again filled the sky above the arena. The audience had lost count of how many bets exceeding ten thousand gold coins had been placed. They only wanted to bet quickly to avoid missing the last frantic opportunity.

In the arena, Rayan stood quietly opposite Imperius. The two simply stared at each other without a word.

At this point, no words were needed. They were just waiting for Judge Trevor to announce the start of the official duel.

Rayan felt his muscles tensing, not out of nervousness but excitement.

Fighting a tough opponent like Imperius was more thrilling than earning the title of War God and obtaining the Holy Light artifact.

Thus, before the fight even began, Rayan's pupils unconsciously showed intense battle intent.

Imperius gripped his flaming long spear tightly, the heavy chain cloak on his back clinking despite the lack of wind. He couldn't remember the last time he had gone all out. The scorching Phoenix Ring on his right hand felt slightly uncomfortable, but he just clenched his fist, filling his body with power.

He initially intended to fight on horseback, as long-handled weapons like the long spear are best used mounted. But facing Rayan's Emerald Fire Thunder, his warhorse wouldn't move a step. Knowing this, Rayan had put away Emerald Fire Thunder in advance. To be fair, Imperius voluntarily abandoned fighting on horseback.

Trevor spurred his horse forward, looking down at Rayan and Imperius, "Do either of you have any special requirements for the outcome of this duel?"

Rayan shook his head. A single decisive blow was impossible; he had to honestly use basic attacks to identify Imperius's weaknesses and then strike a fatal blow—in front of such a master, any flashy move could spell his doom.

Trevor turned to Imperius, "What about you, Lord Imperius?"

Imperius's facial wrinkles twitched as he squeezed out a sentence through his teeth, "To the death!"

The stands erupted in a muffled gasp. "To the death" was the most merciless duel condition, allowing both sides to ignore surrender and kill the opponent without any responsibility. Generally, Oath Knights would not propose such terms as it would make their patriarch an enemy, putting them in a difficult position.

Lady Spring Rain on the noble stands gasped. Though she wasn't worried about Rayan losing, she still feared he might get injured.

Phoenix Lady frowned slightly; she hadn't expected Imperius to make such a ruthless decision. But she quickly understood his intention. The old man didn't want to kill Rayan but to defeat and humiliate him, making Rayan owe him his life. Thus, Rayan's life would be hers too.

Thinking of this, Phoenix Lady's pretty face showed an uncontrollable smile. In her mind, she was already eagerly fantasizing about the scene of Rayan stripped naked and thrown on her bed.