Chapter 5: Chapter 5: E-Level Crushing B-Level?! The Entire Audience is Shocked
Having just acquired such a powerful talent, Liam wasn't entirely sure of his own level. After spending more than a week in this world, he had already adjusted his mindset, knowing that as a superpower user, fighting others was inevitable.
Although he wasn't yet clear who the enemies of superpower users in this world were, Liam was mentally prepared.
Now, with someone willing to step up and spar with him, it was a great opportunity to quickly get familiar with his new ability. Besides, letting a woman challenge him while so many people were watching—there was no way he could back down now.
As soon as he spoke, the noisy crowd quieted down a bit. No one had expected him to say such a thing.
A second later, the crowd erupted into even louder laughter. However, this time, there was less malice than before.
After all, they had initially jeered just to embarrass this "connected" guy who had seemingly gotten in through favoritism.
No one had expected Liam to actually accept the challenge.
Everyone standing there was a superpower user, and they knew all too well the chasm-like difference between an E-level and a B-level talent.
Daring to step up and get beaten took a certain kind of courage.
"Got some guts, huh? He actually dared to go up!"
"Hey! Do you even know the difference between E-level and B-level? And she's a top-tier B-level!"
"Sure, it's embarrassing to avoid a fight, but getting beaten up by a girl is also pretty humiliating!"
"How many rounds do you think he can last?"
"Hard to say, maybe he's got some tricks up his sleeve?"
"Don't worry, brother, we won't laugh at you if you get beaten down, hahaha."
Some people in the crowd had even started placing bets on the match.
Hearing the noise below, Sophia finally raised her head to seriously look at Liam's face, her expression complicated as she spoke:
"Are you sure? Don't push yourself too hard."
Liam nodded, indicating that he was serious.
Sophia sighed softly and didn't try to stop him anymore. She wasn't oblivious to the situation; she knew that no matter what she said at this point, it wouldn't make much of a difference.
In her eyes, letting Liam back down now would be damaging to his pride as a man. The best she could do was to intervene if things went wrong and help him when he was about to lose.
Meanwhile, Lila had already positioned herself at the other end of the testing platform, her expression relaxed and a look of clear joy in her eyes.
To her, it seemed like her plan had succeeded—she had managed to secure a guaranteed admission slot through her own efforts.
In an instant, the testing platform transformed into a dueling arena, with both sides standing in their positions, looking toward Sophia, who had now taken on the role of referee.
At that moment, Liam raised an eyebrow as if something had just occurred to him, and he addressed Sophia in the middle:
"Um... if I can't control my power, I hope you can step in to prevent anything bad from happening."
Sophia nodded without hesitation and said, "Of course, the fight will stop when necessary, and I'll be ready to protect you at any time."
Lila, already prepared for battle on the other side of the platform, also spoke up:
"Don't worry, Liam, we have no grievances with each other, so I'll definitely hold back."
Hearing their words, Liam was momentarily taken aback but didn't bother to explain further.
His original intent was to warn them that he might not be able to fully control the SSS-level power he had just acquired and was concerned about causing any unintended harm.
However, no one present, not even Sophia, understood his meaning correctly.
They all assumed Liam was just being cautious, asking for a safety net in case he got hurt.
But at this moment, no one laughed at him. They all understood, given the vast gap in power quality between the two.
Even in Sophia's heart, she admired Liam's choice, thinking he wasn't letting youthful bravado cloud his judgment.
Liam didn't bother to explain further. As soon as Sophia gave the start signal, he exhaled deeply and began to feel the violent power surging within him.
Ice Age... just the name alone sounded incredibly powerful, befitting an SSS-level ability.
Although Liam wasn't yet proficient in using it, he could clearly feel the terrifying power capable of turning the world into a frozen wasteland.
"Be careful!"
Lila shouted as a faint purple phoenix phantom appeared behind her, purple flames rising around her, the intense heat causing the air to distort.
With a slight movement of her arms, the phantom wings of the purple fire phoenix lifted her into the air.
This was Lila's ability, a pinnacle B-level talent.
The variant ability had turned the phoenix's flames purple, filled with a sense of destructive heat.
This was why Lila had stood out among the many B-level talents. With such destructive power, her talent level was almost on par with A-level!
Although there wasn't a pure Phoenix talent, having this ability meant it wasn't far behind.
Her eyes flashing with cold purple light, Lila knew that hesitation could lead to unexpected results. She needed to defeat Liam as quickly as possible.
A guaranteed admission to the Core Eight Academies would significantly impact her future, and she was determined to win.
With a loud phoenix cry, a line of fire shot down from the sky, narrowly missing Liam as he barely dodged, making it look quite difficult.
Sophia, standing at the edge of the arena, clenched her fists, closely watching the situation unfold.
Her nerves were taut, ready to step in and save him at any moment.
In the next moment, Liam activated his ability, sending an energy chain whipping into the air, easily wrapping around Lila's waist.
This was exactly what Lila wanted. Though it looked like she was trapped, it also meant that Liam was now connected to her.
...
"Boss, how long do you think he can last?"
Below the stage, the red-haired man who had earlier been snubbed by Liam was asked by a chubby companion.
The red-haired man, focused on the fight, shrugged indifferently and said:
"How long? With such a difference in levels, it'll be over as soon as he fails to dodge."
"The woman on the other side knows what she's doing. She understands the principle of going all out, even against weaker opponents. By staying in the air, she's in a position where she can't lose."
"And now he's even connected them with a chain... Just watch, it's about to end."
As soon as the red-haired man finished speaking, Lila activated her power, and the terrifying purple flames surged down Liam's energy chain, ready to engulf him in an instant.
Sophia sighed, preparing to step in.
But just then, there was a loud crack, as if something had shattered.
A terrifying wave of energy radiated from Liam, instantly enveloping the entire arena. The once scorching air turned frigid, as if plunged into the depths of winter.
Ice-blue light raced up the energy chain, and the purple flames were extinguished the moment they touched it, offering no resistance.
Lila's eyes widened in disbelief, her horrified expression just beginning to form on her face before she was turned into an ice sculpture.
The entire arena was now covered in a thick layer of ice, and the cold spread rapidly. Some students who were too close to the platform couldn't avoid it in time and found their legs instantly encased in ice, their cries of shock echoing through the air.
Everything happened in a flash, and many students hadn't even realized what had transpired.
The red-haired man's pupils shrank to the size of pinpricks, his mouth half-open, unable to speak.
On the platform, Liam's raised right hand was also encased in ice, the cold creeping up his arm and neck, covering half of his face with an icy mask, like a pale blue glass.
Liam exhaled a breath of white mist and spoke slowly:
"My apologies... I mentioned I might not be able to control it well."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone