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"Gahh…"

Fey staggered backward, ice shattering around her, and she finally collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. 

Her expression didn't change, but Ash could see it—the exhaustion in her eyes.

The announcer's voice boomed.

"Winner: Ashfelt Zephyr of the Akashic Magus Academy!"

The crowd was initially quiet, and for good reason.

Ashfelt wasn't the most popular in the Academy, but a sizable number of people already knew him to be an untalented loser. Some even knew that he was only able to contract with a Lesser Grade Wind Familiar.

 However, this sudden display was by no means ordinary.

All of a sudden, everyone's assessment of the shame of the Zephyr Household changed.

It was only then that the crowd exploded in cheers for him, but Ash barely heard them as he stood over Fey, breathing hard.

"That was close…" He wheezed, looking at the girl beneath him.