Even I, who knew Kim Yuri would fight that well, was overwhelmed, so those watching the duel without expectations must have felt a shock akin to awe.

Those here were masters of swordsmanship, but also players.

Handling supernatural powers at that level against active pro players would be talked about long after this duel festival ended.

‘Everyone’s praising Kim Yuri. Naturally.’

Not only the audience but even Lev Tretiak, Kim Yuri’s opponent, gave her compliments.

Though they already knew each other’s names thanks to the announcer, they formally introduced themselves and spoke.

Kim Yuri’s sociability extended even to her duel opponent.

“Yuri, it’s good your name is easy to pronounce.”

Despite just losing, Lev Tretiak showed no shadow on his face, and his voice calling Kim Yuri’s name was bright.

Knowing he couldn’t show his true strength on the duel stage, losing to a younger opponent wouldn’t frustrate him that much.

One condition for joining Air Society is having a flight skill or equivalent movement ability.

Considering that, fully showing his ability by using movement powers in the confined duel space was impossible.

Air Society’s main activities occur in Russia, where many UR-grade interdimensional events happen, and Lev Tretiak was a rookie who once was the top contributor in those rare interdimensional events—he’d fight better in real battles.

Jin Jeong-mook, watching their conversation, said,

“That young warrior from Arasa (Russia) is asking Kim So-jeo about the realm of lightness skills. Seems he’s thinking of recommending entrance to the sect.”

‘Arasa’ is a Sino-Korean transliteration for Russia.

Interpreting Jin Jeong-mook’s words: ‘That Russian player is asking Kim Yuri about possession of movement supernatural power. He might be recommending she join Air Society.’

Kim Yuri has a sprinter skill allowing brief acceleration, but that probably doesn’t meet Air Society’s standards.

However, when using Gwangrim, Kim Yuri can walk on water by stepping on magnolia petals, so she likely meets the minimum.

Fortunately, Kim Yuri didn’t reveal this and politely declined the recommendation.

Jookho watched intently but trusted his disciple and did not intervene, finally relaxing his gaze.

“Kim So-jeo, that was a splendid match. Your outstanding martial art and mystic skills held my eyes fixed. Congratulations on your victory.”

“Ahaha, thanks for the support.”

After talking with various participants and spectators, Kim Yuri finally returned to our side.

During the movement, questions poured in like, ‘Since you’re a newcomer to Gangho, you don’t have a nickname yet? What secret transmission is that mysterious power from?’

In other words, ‘Have you not gotten a title because you lack interdimensional conquest experience? How did you gain such great supernatural power?’

Having tried to communicate well with Jin Jeong-mook, Kim Yuri understood all and replied politely, “I’m still studying at the academy due to insufficient learning. I obtained a fortunate encounter. By my master’s will, I cannot reveal the source of my power.”

Most martial artists hearing that were satisfied and let it pass.

Our class’s next honorary leader and Eun Gwang High’s next student council president were abilities recognized even by martial artists.

‘This fight will make several pro player teams notice Kim Yuri.’

From what I sensed, three famous teams stood out.

First, Air Society, to which Lev Tretiak belonged.

Second, Jeolheuk Pungnim, who planned this event.

Though Kim Yuri’s supernatural power color was not black, she wielded a sword, and a sword style inspired by blossoming and withering flowers existed, so it was natural to covet a swordsman scattering magnolia petals.

Third was Hydrangea Fragrance.

Only Baekhwa Nanman, the team master of Hydrangea Fragrance, was present today.

“That girl is Myeong-su’s junior, right? Since she controls flowers, I hope she joins our team.”

“Yuri will be Eun Gwang High’s student council president next year. She’ll be busy and probably won’t consider career moves for a while.”

“Myeong-su was also Eun Gwang’s student council president but chose our team, right?”

Baekhwa Nanman liked Ji Myeong-su enough to escort him to the Eun Gwang festival.

Their relationship had improved since last year; Ji Myeong-su must have adapted well to the team.

Having supported Do Won-woo during his ugly, though not foul, period, Ji Myeong-su was naturally skilled at social life.

‘Ji Myeong-su secretly collaborated with Eunho during the school trip without reporting to Hydrangea Fragrance. He must still be keeping it hidden.’

This was when Eunho poisoned Jegal Jae-gul.

Eunho had asked Ji Myeong-su not to reveal the matter to anyone, including Hydrangea Fragrance members.

Eunho suspected there were forces targeting Eun Gwang High but couldn’t guess their identity or scale.

Hydrangea Fragrance seemed suspicious but Ji Myeong-su couldn’t blame Eunho.

Ji Myeong-su also experienced Christmas Eve at Eun Gwang and saw the juniors’ crisis during the trip.

Coincidentally, he was dispatched to Jeju during the trip, but when serious incidents happened, spatial distortion prevented him from helping juniors, so he could only watch safely.

He must have had many thoughts, and Eunho skillfully guided him to keep the secret.

“Next is Soo-hyuk’s match! Uisin, Da-in is sitting over there, so you’ll have a good view.”

The next duel was Joo Soo-hyuk’s turn.

Kim Yuri accurately read my worries and kindly explained.

Following her gesture, I saw An Da-in with the Ho clan couple.

An Da-in wore a neat robe layered with thin, blue fabric like a sheet of ice on white silk snowflakes clinging like blossoms on branches.

It was a sculpture-like beauty made to express ice, fitting the mood here—a hidden treasure in the deepest ice palace.

Of course, since An Da-in possessed strength matching her beauty, calling her an ice palace treasure wasn’t apt; “the greatest master of the ice palace” suited better.

When An Da-in locked eyes with Joo Soo-hyuk in the void, instead of sprinkling ice, she showed a warm, fairy-like smile shining through sunlight.

“Uisin, Han I-han just messaged. Baekho said if he laughs more, he’ll drag him outside.”

“Tell him it’s okay to drag him out now.”

While watching this important moment, lost in admiration, the white tiger interrupted. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Just as I was calming myself, Jin Jeong-mook murmured something like, “Good thing we can’t take photos. His gaze toward An So-jeo is like...” but the duel started, and I couldn’t focus long.

‘Joo Soo-hyuk has gotten stronger...!’

His opponent was a martial artist from Jeolheuk Pungnim.

Though there was no weapon restriction, Soo-hyuk used the high-rarity Du Bit-na-rae sword but did not use the powerful Gwangrim.

He subdued the opponent using only his beloved Du Bit-na-rae and dual-sword skill.

His blade movements were precise, footwork bold, and the blades powerful.

With such a magnificent innate Gwangrim and swordsmanship at that level, the protagonist was truly different.

Unlike Plumago, Soo-hyuk didn’t experience a tragic event that triggered growth but lost his mental pain and was motivated differently.

‘Growth doesn’t always require pain. Soo-hyuk will get even stronger.’

Among playable characters I met in this world, some, unlike Plumago, grew slowly without tragedy.

But Soo-hyuk was the opposite.

He was now growing faster than in Plumago.

He learned about the black curtain causing the world’s crisis and said he wanted to fight alongside me.

Proving his will, Soo-hyuk dominated the duel with overwhelming skill.

When the opponent tried to confuse him using illusions and supernatural energy, Soo-hyuk cut through all afterimages, including the original, and finally won.

“The winner is the Wings Against the Backlight, Joo Soo-hyuk!”

Waaaah!

Soo-hyuk sheathed his swords and greeted the audience on the duel stage.

He showed no sign of fatigue, impressing keen observers even more with his skill and stamina.

Several more duels followed.

Jin Jeong-mook’s turn came, and after watching Kim Yuri and Soo-hyuk, he seemed thoughtful but won easily.

All Eun Gwang High teenage participants won, raising expectations for my duel.

Everyone seemed to hope the undefeated legend of Eun Gwang High would continue.

‘Still, Oh Hye-yul is a prospective Eun Gwang student. Even if I lose, it’s as good as Eun Gwang winning.’

Of course, I had no intention to lose deliberately.

As I prepared to move near the duel stage for my turn, someone grabbed me.

“Jo Yi-shin, I came to see you! It suits you well. I wanted to dress you myself, but the Ho clan made such a fuss! What if the size didn’t fit? Of course, I made it perfectly. Oh, by the way, my idea of # Nоvеlight # perfection depends on the model.”

Seodol rambled words that were hard to make sense of.

He muttered something that my outfit made my head spin.

It seemed like a compliment that it suited me well and a request for me to become an ambassador and wear other clothes soon.

Did Hwang Ji-ho invite Seodol here knowing this would happen?

After I barely greeted him and mentioned that question, Seodol replied,

“Invitation? Oh, that thing Hwang-ho is showing off these days? Unfortunately, I didn’t get one.”

Then why and how did he come here?

Ah, as leader of the Se clan, he must have connections to get a direct invitation.

Seodol said he’d still give gifts, but what I was wearing was enough.

“Jo Yi-shin, do you know the outfit you’re wearing is worthy of being made into a card item? It has special effects, so expect—”

“Get lost.”

“Hwang-ho! Hmm, your outfit today is quite good. I’ve actually wanted to see it up close since I saw you from afar, but you chase me away when I get close, so I started by—”

“Shut up and get lost. Enough. I’ll teleport.”

The white tiger appeared or was summoned, dragging Seodol away with Hwang Ji-ho.

Though I felt uneasy about those “special effects” not necessarily being good, I had no time to change clothes.

Then it was my turn to step onto the duel stage.

‘I should take my weapon.’

While stepping up the stairs, I checked the first item in my inventory.

It was the item card I had received recently.

Eunho personally made the silver greatsword for today.