I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

At Seven Hills, strength is the only rule. As Lupa won more and more championships, the controversies surrounding her were gradually drowned out by cheers.

Reporter: "Lupa, what are your strategies for the upcoming match against the Shadow Wolves team?"

Lupa: "Strategy? Just win by the old rules."

Reporter: "Lupa, it's widely believed that the Shadow Wolves team is very strong and has the potential to win the championship. What's your opinion on this view?"

Lupa: "Shadow Wolf Team? Oh, I remember now. I think Beastheart Team is lucky to have kept their points. Actually, I've started watching other teams' matches recently, studying the other opponents in the Grand Gladiator Tournament. So I don't need to answer this question."

Reporter: "The Sharpbeak Bird team recently issued a provocation against you and the Flourishing Branch team. What is your response?"

Lupa: "I'll bring them back to reality."

Reporter: "Finally, what would you like to say to the other fighters about the upcoming Grand Gladiator Tournament?"

Lupa: "This farce should end."

Reporter: "Lupa, after making so many tough statements, aren't you afraid of being hit by a boomerang?"

Lupa: "Do you think I'll lose?"

Reporter: "What would you like to say to those who have always hated and envied you?"

Lupa: "Hate me if you want, I don't care what you think!"

It wasn't until Lupa finally managed to break free from the crowd and return to Koleta and Duanmu Yan's side.

The latter handed her the bottled water. The girl took it, deftly unscrewed the cap, and took a big gulp.

Duanmu Yan teased, "You're quite popular, aren't you?"

Lupa didn't let out a long sigh until she had drunk the last drop of water from the bottle, a bright smile spreading across her face. "After all, this is part of a gladiator's job. It's all about the arena and the audience; you have to make sure everyone wants to come and watch the matches!"

She casually tossed the empty bottle into a nearby trash can, turned to the two of them, and said with anticipation in her eyes, "Come on, your competition is about to start. I'm really looking forward to your performance!"

……

……

After parting ways with Lupa, Duanmu Yan and Koleta went to the rest area prepared by the event organizers for the players.

—It was called a lounge, but it was really just an open-air area that had been marked out. All the contestants gathered here, in small groups, some sitting and some standing.

To Duanmu Yan's surprise, the atmosphere here was far more relaxed than he had imagined. There was no tense atmosphere, nor the solemnity before a battle. Most people chatted casually, occasionally bursting into laughter, as if they were attending an ordinary gathering.

“It seems everyone is quite relaxed,” he said to Koleta in a low voice.

Come to think of it, this is, after all, an entertainment competition. Even professional gladiators can't participate, so it naturally lacks the seriousness of a life-or-death struggle.

“There’s nothing wrong with relaxing.” Koleta tossed her hair, a slight smile playing on her lips.

—In this way, victory will be within easy reach!

This wasn't blind confidence on her part. Her daily life, accustomed to walking on the edge of a knife and dancing with death, meant that the dangers she faced were far greater than those faced by gladiators in the arena.

Even against a real professional gladiator, she was absolutely confident of victory, let alone these amateur fighters in front of her.

The girl had already begun to fantasize about her upcoming life living with Duanmu Yan.

"You're here to compete too, right? You don't look like locals."

A voice with a local Qiqiu accent interrupted her thoughts.

Duanmu Yan looked up and saw a tall local man standing in front of them.

“Laguna? It’s true that we rarely see people from Laguna in Seven Hills.” The other person nodded thoughtfully. “But don’t worry, this competition is mainly for entertainment and participation. Even if you lose, it’s okay. Just consider it as experiencing the local customs and culture of Seven Hills.”

"Thank you, we will do our best," Duanmu Yan replied with a smile.

"Good luck to you. Although professional gladiators are not allowed to participate in this competition, quite a few people are still here to 'build their resumes'."

"To build up a resume?" Duanmu Yan was somewhat surprised. "Gladiators need this too?"

“Of course you need it. Gladiator fighting is never a one-man game; you need sponsorship and publicity. Without a decent resume, those nobles and investors won't even give you a second glance.” The man sighed helplessly and asked rhetorically, “If it were you, would you be willing to hire a gladiator with no fighting record?”

Why does this feel so familiar?

So, after all this, becoming a gladiator requires two to three years of work experience even for recent graduates, right?

"So, you're here to boost your resume too?"

"Uh, it might be embarrassing to say," the man said awkwardly, turning his head away. "But I really am here to build my resume. I've been preparing for this competition for a long time."

"..."

Duanmu was speechless for a moment.

Is even the gladiator profession getting this competitive?

“But don’t worry!” The other person quickly turned his head again, patting his chest to assure him, “If we meet on the field, I will absolutely not let you get hurt.” His gaze shifted amicably to Koleta beside him, “Of course, that includes this… petite lady as well.”

Koleta, who was originally immersed in her own fantasy world, turned pale instantly after hearing that strange title.

—Dragons have scales that cannot be touched, and they will become enraged.

Her aristocratic upbringing prevented her from losing her composure on the spot, but her eyes were already covered with frost, her gaze like a cold blade, fixed on the burly man who spoke without restraint.

He just...

What should I call you?

Short?

Who are you calling short?!

"Oh, the matchup list is out!" The man, completely oblivious to the icy gaze that seemed to solidify beside him, continued checking the information on his terminal. "Let me see who our first opponent is... Team Brilliant? Which team is that?"

Duanmu Yan: "..."

I see that you are already on the path to your death.

PS: Two more chapters to come.

Volume 1: Chapter 83 Opals are the pride of the Laguna people

The game is about to begin.

Duanmu Yan calmly put the gun that Koleta had conjured with her resonance ability back into her hand and whispered something to her.

"Second Miss, this is a competition."

Koleta's smile remained, but a cold glint flashed in her eyes: "Oh, right. I almost forgot—this is just a game."

Before she finished speaking, the gun in her hand, driven by the resonance ability, quietly disintegrated and reassembled, transforming into crystal gauntlets that fit perfectly over the girl's fists.

“Well then,” she said, gently flexing her wrist, the crystal refracting a cold light, “I’ll just play along with their rules for now.”

"The Second Miss also knows martial arts?" Duanmu Yan was somewhat surprised.

Koleta glanced at him sideways, as if she had heard some unnecessary question:

“What, you really think I’m some naive young lady? I chose to use a gun simply because it’s efficient and clean. But that doesn’t mean I only know how to use a gun.”

From the day she stepped into the family, Koleta, as the executor, received the most rigorous elite education.

Etiquette, knowledge, and combat skills—whether it's Huanglong's traditional martial arts or modern free fighting, she excels in them all, and fighting has long been an instinct for her.

"Are both players ready?" the referee's voice rang out in the arena.

“Ready,” Koleta replied casually.

"Enjoy your hunt!" The referee raised his right hand and announced loudly, "The match begins—Brilliant Team versus Gulong Team!"

In an instant, cheers erupted in the arena.

Koleta leisurely took out her terminal, summoned the iconic glass blade of the Motari family, and then strolled alone toward the Gulong team.

And what about Duanmu Yan on the other side?

He was gently shaking Abu awake, who was still dozing off.

"Is it my turn?" Abu suddenly perked up, hands on his hips, head held high, "Heh heh, just you wait and see! Now it's my time to shine!"

Before she could finish speaking, several muffled cries of pain and thuds of people falling to the ground came from ahead.

Before Abu could even figure out what was going on, the referee's whistle blew – the game was over.

After a moment of silence, the entire stadium erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers.

Abu turned around blankly, staring at his opponents who were now peacefully asleep, along with their remains, his eyes widening in disbelief: "Huh? This... they won already? But I hadn't even made a move!"

Having anticipated this, Duanmu Yan simply shrugged and gave a helpless yet knowing smile.

"Well, Abu? This competition... I think we just need to stand here quietly. Miss Er will handle everything."

After that, things unfolded exactly as Duanmu Yan had predicted.

Koleta almost single-handedly swept aside all her opponents, and she and Abramovich only needed to act as the most loyal spectators on the sidelines—and incidentally cheer her on.

"Second Miss, forever a goddess!"

"The second young lady is not bad!"

"Wow, Miss Second is awesome!"

Although it was just an entertainment match, the atmosphere at the scene was completely ignited as Coreta won one decisive victory after another.

The audience was abuzz with discussion, and everyone's conversation revolved around the second young lady whose performance had completely overwhelmed everyone else.

"I think the other teams are like two separate zones compared to the Brilliant Team."

"Wow, the opal's suppressive power."

"Wait, why are Cat's Eye Stone and his Voice Remains AFK? Everyone else is playing really well, how come you guys are such a drag?"

"Cat's eye stone is a must-have!"

"Trust in opals, opals are the pride of us Laguna people. You have made history at this moment!"

Duanmu Yan paid no attention to the comments from the surrounding audience.

What can be done?

None of these opponents could withstand even a single round from the Second Miss.

With the last team decisively defeated by Koleta, the gladiatorial match came to an end.

Amidst thunderous cheers and applause, Koleta and Duanmu Yan stepped onto the stage together and received the glory of the champion from the organizers—the award was personally presented to them by star gladiator Lupa.

"You two played really well."

"Here, this is proof that you are champions!"

"This trophy—though cast in bronze—has been imbued with meaning by you that transcends its intrinsic value."

"In addition, there's this prize—a 10-day stay in a top-tier suite at the Leonidas Hotel!"

Koleta's breathing quickened almost imperceptibly for a moment. She had participated in this competition solely for this trial ticket.

Okay, next up is a ten-day journey with cat's eye stones!

—For my merits in numerous battles, I deserve this reward!

Despite the turmoil in her heart, the girl maintained her composure and gracefully accepted the long-awaited reward from Lupa's hands, clearing her throat lightly and saying, "Ahem—in that case, I won't stand on ceremony."

Duanmu Yan, standing to the side, remained silent, but his gaze fell thoughtfully on Koleta.

I wonder if it's just my imagination...

He always felt that the second young lady was only participating in the competition for the prize.

But that doesn't make sense. With her wealth, she could easily book that suite year-round, let alone stay for ten days. Why would she bother coming all the way to play an amateur match just for a trial voucher?

“Now that the match is over, how about we go into town to celebrate?” Lupa took a few steps closer and suggested in a low voice, “But I advise you to leave quickly—those reporters will definitely not let this opportunity pass: ‘Two Laguna guests win the Seven Hills Gladiator Championship.’ Even an amateur event is enough for them to stir up controversy. If you don’t leave now, it will be difficult to get away later.”

"Miss Koleta, you don't want your identity to be exposed, do you?"

After Lupa reminded them, the two finally realized what had happened.

Koleta nodded: "Yes, that's fine. I need to meet with the person in charge of the family's mission in Seven Hills today. Let's not delay, let's set off now."

“Shh—come with me,” Lupabi gestured, then turned and led the way. “We’ll go through the back door.”

When they passed through the rest area again, the member of Team Guron who had initially faced them and called Koleta "little guy" had woken up from his coma.

He sat slumped alone on the bench, dazed and with unfocused eyes, as if he had not yet recovered from the shock he had just experienced.

He held his head in his hands and murmured in a voice that sounded almost like he was talking in his sleep.