Chapter 53 – Never Give Up
With a crisp clang, the dagger clattered to the floor.
Aileen’s expression darkened. She had planned to humiliate Tillysha while also hiding her true strength, but not only did her plan to conceal her power fail, she almost got herself into a pickle.
Looking at Tillysha, whose arms were bound by black vines, Aileen’s anger surged.
Of course, Aileen was fully aware that with her full strength, the opponent wouldn’t have stood a chance to retaliate.
But this uncouth wench capitalized on her underestimation, causing her to lose face in front of all her classmates and mentors.
The legitimate Divine Authority bearer almost lost to a Wild Female without a Realm. If this rumor spread, how could she possibly continue showing off?
All of this was the fault of this Wild Female who always opposed her!
Where had the young lady from the legitimate Divine Authority family ever experienced such humiliation? In her mind, Tillysha should never have resisted her. If she bullied you, you simply had to take it–after all, what could you do without parents, standing, or recognition as a proper Divine Authority bearer?
Aileen wielded her long whip, letting it crack loudly, a smirk plastered on her face, though her eyes betrayed her irritation.
“Good, excellent, Tillysha classmate, you’ve managed to force me to use Divine Authority. I must say, you’re more obstinate than I imagined.”
“You’ve made me lose face in front of my peers…but never mind, I like the stiff-necked ones. It wouldn’t be interesting if you gave up easily, now would it?” She almost ground out these words through clenched teeth.
“Next, you’d better continue biting your teeth and endure it without shouting ‘surrender’, or the person who will lose all dignity will be you.”
“…” Tillysha, bound by the restraints, remained silent, her olive-gemstone eyes as calm as a tranquil lake.
But seeing Tillysha so serene only further enraged Aileen.
It was as if she wasn’t even paying attention to this Wild Female.
Even though she was much stronger, why did this insignificant little bug dare to look at her like that?
Not saying anything, are you? I’ll beat you into submission right here in front of everyone!
“Crack!” Aileen raised her whip and struck Tillysha’s shoulder.
The whip struck, leaving a fiery red mark on Tillysha’s fair shoulder.
Tillysha’s expression changed.
“Hmph, what’s the matter? Already given up? The real fun’s just beginning!” Saying that, Aileen once more raised her whip, swishing it back and forth, the sound of splitting flesh ringing out as the whip danced across Tillysha’s delicate frame.
Tillysha gritted her teeth, her eyes tightly shut, her face showing pain, but not a single sound escaped her.
“Good, excellent! You’d better keep your mouth shut just like that!” I’d like to see how long that proud face of yours lasts!
This stubborn show from Tillysha completely incensed Aileen. Her whip strikes came down like a torrential rain, the thorny whip battering the young girl mercilessly.
The whip struck something that acted as a buffer, the springy “padding” bouncing a few times, catching Aileen’s eye and making her anger spiral even higher.
The despicable wench, flaunting her charm even while being beaten!
The whip strikes grew faster and harder, the crack-crack sound resounding so sharply it made everyone listening feel a chill.
Tillysha’s wounds multiplied, the repeated pricks from the whip’s thorns creating layers of gashes, her bruises turning into raw, black-and-red wounds…
The constant, sharp pain made her thoughts scatter. Every part of her body was ablaze with stinging torment, as if someone had poured hot chili water into the cuts, with a thousand fiery ants endlessly gnawing at her flesh.
She couldn’t break free; before Divine Authority, she was as powerless as dust.
There was no end to the maddening pain, no conclusion.
The girl continued to pile on hideous scars and whip marks, second after second. The only thing that didn’t change was the tight seal of her lips, not uttering a sound, not even a whimper.
“Tsk, this Wild Female really is too cruel to herself, huh?”
“Surrendering would have spared her this agony, but she hasn’t made a sound…just looking at it hurts…”
“It’s just a training match. Does it need to go so far?”
“This Miss Cardiff sure is harsh, beating a girl this young. Listening to their conversation, they’re classmates.”
“This Tillysha has some real spirit…”
Aileen thought publicly whipping Tillysha would tarnish her reputation, but she hadn’t anticipated it turning out the opposite way.
After this terrifying flogging, most onlookers praised Tillysha’s spirit and perseverance, as well as her indomitable resolve. Even the mentors couldn’t help but commend Tillysha, thinking that while she lacked Divine Authority, she had more pride than most Divine Authorities.
By comparison, Aileen appeared to be a cruel, petty woman, seeking revenge over petty grievances.
d*mn it, was this part of your plan as well?!
Aileen glared ferociously at Tillysha, whose body was now covered in wounds.
Now she had achieved nothing, her own image was getting darker, and she had no way out.
Tillysha didn’t cry “surrender,” so if she stopped now, wouldn’t that be just like admitting defeat?
Why won’t you surrender?!
Seeing that Tillysha wouldn’t say a word, Aileen was close to losing her mind. At the beginning, she had hoped Tillysha wouldn’t surrender, but now she was practically begging for her to surrender.
Aileen’s mentality had shifted significantly.
If Tillysha didn’t surrender, wouldn’t she lose her way out?
Besides, even if the other girl was Coleman’s student, if she killed her, Aileen would likely be expelled, banned from entering any school ever again.
Aileen now realized, Tillysha was aiming for an ultimate one-for-one trade, wasn’t she?
At this moment, she couldn’t help but wonder, was it really worth ruining her future over a Wild Female?
Reason told her to stop now, but her youthful stubbornness, and her vengeful streak, had kicked in.
Fine then, if you won’t d*e, I’ll k*ll you! Who asked this blind Wild Female to oppose me all the time anyway? Now she wants to trade one-for-one to expel me from Coleman; is she threatening me? Just k*ll her and get it over with…
“Whoosh, whoosh!” Suddenly, the whipping noises ceased.
Aileen suddenly felt her whip much lighter in her hand, and despite her attempts to strike, she could no longer hit Tillysha.
She then realized that her whip had been broken into two pieces.
Broken?… No.
This whip was specially made; it couldn’t possibly have broken so easily.
Aileen glanced down and saw the upper half of her whip lying by her feet, as well as an arrow not too far away.
Everyone, catching on a little late, all simultaneously turned their eyes toward the audience stands.
On the high platform among the spectators stood the Silver-haired Elf, holding a longbow, maintaining the draw position.
There was no doubt that this arrow was shot by her. Hitting the rapidly swaying whip mid-air while it was in motion was something only an Elf’s archery skill could accomplish.
The entire venue became silent.
“The match is over, Referee, I believe you should announce the result.” The wind played gently with her silver hair, but Aistride’s expression was impassive, her voice not loud, yet everyone in the stadium heard her clear as day.
“… Aileen Cardiff wins the match, it’s over!” The referee, who had been itching to announce the verdict but lacked the opportunity, quickly proclaimed.
After all, if this continued, real harm would occur.
“Miss Cardiff, the match has ended. Could you release your Divine Authority please?” At this point, the Amber-haired Princess also stepped forward, her gaze toward the Gold-haired Girl ensnared in Divine Authority imbued with newfound respect.
Aileen blankly stared at Tillysha, battered and nearly lifeless, who hadn’t given in until the very last moment. She could do nothing but dismiss her “Interrogator.”
Silence engulfed the entire venue.
This match’s victor was Aileen, but no one cheered for her.
Instead, Tillysha’s spirit won the respect of most spectators.
Aileen’s intended grand showcase had its limelight stolen by Tillysha.
