Reborn As Noble

Chapter 188 Fire and Finesse ( 188 )

The announcerʼs voice echoed across the stadium, raising the excitement of the crowd.

”The moment youʼve all been waiting for! The 45 remaining students will compete in the next round!”

The audience erupted into cheers, the energy in the air electric.

”However!” the announcer continued, building the suspense. ”One student will be excluded from this round, advancing directly to the next stage—the kingdomʼs very own Princess Kliatana!”

The crowd clapped politely, and murmurs spread through the arena as the princess waved gracefully from her seat in the royal box, surrounded by her personal maids and guards.

”And now, letʼs give a round of applause for our next contestants!”

The audience leaned forward in anticipation as the announcer gestured grandly. ”From Class B! The daughter of Duke Harborʼs household! The radiant, the talented—AMETHIA GAZ HARBOR!”

Amethia stepped into the arena with poise and grace, her long, flowing robes embroidered with her family crest. She smiled sweetly at the crowd, waving with confidence that matched her noble status.

”Versus... the youngest son of Count Armandʼs household! The one and only—JAVIER DE ARMAND!”

The crowd buzzed with curiosity, remembering Javierʼs unusual victories in the previous rounds. As his name echoed through the arena, Javier casually strolled in, still munching on a piece of roasted meat.

Amethia smiled brightly at him, her tone polite and sincere. ”Letʼs hope the best wins,” she said, radiating charm and grace.

Javier barely glanced at her. ”Oh... okay,” he replied through a mouthful of meat, his voice muffled as he continued chewing. ”Munch... munch...”

The audience fell silent for a moment, stunned by the clear difference between the two competitors. Laughter erupted from some sections while others whispered in disbelief.

The announcer quickly recovered, raising his voice again. ”Are you all ready!?”

The crowd cheered once more, their excitement filling the arena as the tension between the two contestants grew.

As the referee shouted, ”Begin!” Amethia wasted no time.

”Fast Cast: Fireball!” she chanted swiftly, a glowing sphere of flame forming in her hand before she hurled it directly at Javier.

Javier lazily side-stepped the attack, the fireball whizzing past him harmlessly. Without missing a beat, he reached into his pocket, pulled out several sticks, and tossed them into the flames left by the spell.

The crowd gasped in confusion as Javier squatted down, rubbing his hands together as he pulled out a piece of meat from his storage and placed it over the makeshift fire. Continue your journey with

”Geez, thank you, beautiful,” he said with a smirk, waving the smoky aroma toward himself.

”Whaaa!?” Amethiaʼs eyes widened, her face a mix of shock and disbelief. ”What are you even doing!?”

”Cooking, obviously,” Javier replied casually, poking the meat to check if it was sizzling properly. ”This is great timing. I was just hungry again.”

”Ugh!” Amethiaʼs polite demeanor faltered as she launched another spell. ”Fast Cast: Wind Blades!”

Jagged arcs of wind surged toward Javier, but he casually rolled backward, landing back into a squat near his sizzling meal.

”Whoa, easy there, beautiful,” he said, grinning as he reached for a seasoning pouch from his storage and sprinkled spices onto the grilling meat. ”Chill out. Youʼll ruin the fire.”

The crowd burst into laughter and incredulous whispers as Amethia stared at him, her hands glowing with magic, clearly flustered. The announcer, struggling to keep his composure, exclaimed, ”What a bizarre turn of events! Javier De Armand is... cooking!?”

Amethia stomped her foot, her face flushed. ”Stop playing around and fight me properly!”

”But I am fighting,” Javier said with a smirk, holding up a perfectly grilled skewer of meat. ”This is strategy. Youʼre the one wasting energy.”

The crowd roared with laughter, and even some nobles in the royal section couldnʼt help but chuckle at Javierʼs antics. Meanwhile, Amethia fumed, determined to wipe that smirk off his face.

Amethia gritted her teeth, her hands glowing with magic as she launched several spells at once. ”Fast Cast: Fireball! Wind Blades! Ice Shards!”

The crowd erupted into cheers as the arena lit up with colorful magic. Each spell flew toward Javier, who casually dodged them with minimal effort, his movements smooth and easy.

”Wow...” Javier said, his eyes glinting with interest as he sidestepped another fireball. ”Youʼre good. But I have to ask... why are you in Class B? Most of the students in Class A canʼt even cast that fast.”

Amethiaʼs calm demeanor faltered as she stomped her foot, her face flushed with frustration and embarrassment. ”Ugh! Donʼt just dodge! Fight me head-on!”

Javier grinned, scratching the back of his head. ”Err... no.”

”No!?” Amethia exclaimed, shocked. ”Why not!?”

”Because this is more fun,” Javier replied with a shrug, sidestepping yet another spell. ”Besides, look at you! All serious and huffy. Itʼs entertaining.”

The crowd burst into laughter, some cheering for Javier while others supported Amethia, wanting her to teach him a lesson.

”Stop playing around!” Amethia shouted, casting another flurry of spells as her frustration grew with each missed attack.

”Ehehe,” Javier chuckled, hands in his pockets as he effortlessly dodged again. ”Youʼre really going all out, huh?”

Amethiaʼs determination only grew as she glared at Javier. ”Fine! If you wonʼt take this seriously, Iʼll make you!”

Her frustration boiled over, and her magic surged around her. ”Physical Boost! Fast Casting! Magic Boost!” she chanted, activating her skills in quick succession.

The crowd roared as her aura intensified, flames swirling around her hands. With a determined shout, she dashed toward Javier, her speed almost blinding.

”Whoa!! Girl... donʼt be that mad!” Javier said with a wide grin, easily dodging her fiery strike at the last second.

Amethiaʼs flames scorched the ground where Javier had stood moments before, but she didnʼt back down. Twisting her body, she launched another fiery punch through the air.

Javier spun to the side, laughing as he avoided her relentless attacks. ”Come on, beautiful! Youʼre gonna tire yourself out at this rate!”

”Stop evading and fight me properly!” Amethia shouted, her voice a mix of anger and determination.

”No way!” Javier teased, his grin still in place. He leaned slightly to dodge another flame-enhanced punch, casually reaching into his pocket to grab a piece of meat and take a bite. ”Mmm... this is good stuff. Want some?”

”Ugh!!!” Amethiaʼs frustration peaked as she poured more energy into her strikes, intent on landing at least one hit.

The crowd was on the edge of their seats, equally amused and amazed by Javierʼs effortless evasion and Amethiaʼs relentless drive. The announcer, clearly excited, shouted, ”An intense clash of speed and strategy! Will Amethiaʼs fiery determination break through Javierʼs calm demeanor?”

Amethia narrowed her eyes. ”Calm or not, Iʼll make you take me seriously!” she declared, her flames roaring brighter as she prepared her next move. Meanwhile, Javierʼs grin only grew wider, clearly enjoying the chaos she brought to the arena.

”Are you scared of a girl!?” Amethia shouted, her flames flaring brighter as she dashed toward Javier with another strike.

Javier lazily ducked under her attack, munching on a piece of bread he had casually pulled from his pocket. ”No...” he replied, his voice calm and teasing as he took another bite mid-dodge. ”Why should I be scared? Youʼre cute.”

”Wha!?” Amethia stumbled slightly, her fiery aura flickering for a moment as her cheeks turned pink.

”Ehehe, you heard me,” Javier grinned, stepping to the side to avoid another strike. ”Youʼre cute, but youʼre way too mad. Chill out a bit. Youʼll tire yourself out before this fight gets interesting.”

The crowd erupted into laughter and cheers, the unexpected moment fueling their excitement. Amethiaʼs face reddened even more, but her determination didnʼt waver.

”Cute or not, Iʼm still going to win!” she shouted, channeling her magic into another series of attacks.

Javier chuckled, effortlessly dodging again while waving his half-eaten bread at her. ”Sure, sure. Just donʼt overdo it, beautiful. Iʼd hate for you to lose because you got too worked up.”

”Argh!!” Amethiaʼs frustration grew, her strikes becoming faster and more precise. The audience watched in awe and amusement as the clash between her fiery determination and Javierʼs carefree evasion continued, with neither side backing down.

( End of Chapter )