"And another victory for Skyler Thorne!"

    The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers. Every eye was fixed on Skyler as he proudly declared his own victory—for the fifth time in a row. He smirked, waving at the floating drones swarming around him like bees.

    The entire Star Net was practically buzzing with his name. Every news channel across the continent flashed nothing but his face, making him the sole center of attention.

    Everywhere online, countless comments flooded in, pouring at lightning speed.

    @Austin''sfuturewife99: "No way! Skyler is actually alive? I thought he was kidnapped and died somewhere! This is insane!"

    @LuckyStrike: "Did you guys see his last move just now? That was next-level! This guy''s untouchable! I''m officially scared!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    @BattleQueen: "Put your bets on him, folks. Skyler''s going to sweep the Gala this year!"

    @LonelySoul: "Too late, upstairs! Too late! I''ve already placed my money on Max. He''s going to win. Skyler''s just a wildcard!"

    @MaxStan: "Max''s gonna win, +1. Skyler''s just a kid. So what if he entered an ancient tomb? Experience beats drama."

    @SlimeLover: "Right, +1 Max''s gonna win. Skyler''s flashy, but Max has the strategy!"

    Max''s followers flooded the comments, expressing confidence in his victory. The message count instantly went past 2,000 with +1s before a brave voice stepped in.

    @GamerXtreme: "You guys sure? Skyler''s already causing chaos. One-hit wins! Your money''s going straight to the bin! Haha!"

    @SilentWatcher: "Remember the name: Skyler. The comeback story of the year."

    @BetMaster3000: "I''m crying—I didn''t bet on Skyler. Anyone who bets against him is crazy at this point, and I''m that fool. I want a refund! Can''t believe we can''t change our bets or place more once the Gala starts!"

    @PrinceSkylerThorneIsOP: "Wait, I heard someone bet a fortune on Skyler. Did that person knew this? We''ve been tricked!"

    @ILikeNoOne: "We''ve been tricked +1!"

    Countless people followed with a flood of +1s, all demanding refunds. But it was too late. All they could do now was hope Max would win. After all, to most of them, Max still had the better odds—he was stronger, more experienced, and even older.

    Skyler had only joined the academy a little over a month ago. Sure, he was flashy and had one-hit skills—but was he as strong as Max? That was still up for debate.

    Still, no one mentioned how many people online were already flooding the officials in charge of the bets with private messages and thinly veiled threats, accusing them of foul play. Why? Because Skyler Thorne was winning every match with a single hit—and that made them fear for their star coins.

    Inside the Starlight Academy, Professor Moore''s grip on the mic tightened, a clearly frustrated vein throbbing on his forehead.

    He dismissed Skyler, trying to redirect the crowd''s focus back to Elena, Austin, Jenny, and Max. Yet no matter what he did, it was as if Skyler were a walking menace—always finding a way to steal back the spotlight.

    Take now, for example—he was giving an interview, looking at a drone, talking about himself when no one had even asked! His handsome presence only made it worse.

    Many powerful eyes were fixed on Skyler—the Principal and Prince Alistair included.

    They all wondered where he had vanished to and what he had been doing these past few weeks. Was he really kidnapped? Yet they couldn''t get answers, as he wouldn''t leave the arena even for a moment.

    The moment he was done with his battle, he would rush off—not to rest, but to cheer for Charles and nearby students he barely even knew, loitering around their stages with exaggerated, feigned enthusiasm.

    Ultimately, Prince Alistair decided to drag him off the arena complex, but at that very moment, Skyler was called for yet another battle—prompting the man to curse under his breath and almost vow to strangle the referee who had called Skyler''s name.

    Alistair took a deep breath, turned around, and decided to take out his frustration on someone else. His eyes locked on Moore, who had been getting on his nerves for a while now. He snatched the mic from him and kicked him off the host position.

    "A host should highlight the most thrilling part of the event. Yet here you are, ignoring my nephew while everyone wants to focus on him! Whoever the hell gave you the host position in this event should be fired."

    Vice Principal Doris, who was approaching them to see what was happening, flinched at his words. She had been the one to grant Moore the host position after his persistent begging. Now, with her job on the line, she vowed never to make that mistake again.

    Professor Moore, on the other hand, was dumbfounded by Prince Alistair''s words.

    He wasn''t weak and was prepared to fight to take back the mic—he didn''t care that a prince was floating before him. But before he could act, Vice Principal Doris grabbed him by the collar and politely dragged him away, guiding him to sit with the principal.

    "What the…"

    Moore stared at her blankly, then turned—only to see Principal Wen smiling at him.

    It was a smile that warned: cause trouble, and the consequences would be severe.

    He wiped the sweat that suddenly formed on his forehead and was forced to sit with Wen, who kept his smiling eyes on him.

    Yet he shouted in protest when Professor Ohm Glacier suddenly flew out from behind him, heading straight toward Prince Alistair, who was searching for a suitable new host.

    "Anyone but the professor in charge of the Talisman Department!"

    Principal Wen raised an eyebrow.

    "Why?"

    Moore''s face fell as he watched Alistair happily hand the mic to Ohm Glacier.

    "Skyler''s his favorite! He''s obsessed with the kid because he''s good with talismans! He''s only going to focus on him!"

    Principal Wen scoffed at his words.

    "Like I haven''t seen what you have been doing so far. Stay put, or I will throw you into a Legend-tier crystal."

    Moore''s face fell even further.

    "Anything but that! Why is the academy bending to Prince Alistair''s will?! I thought no one could influence Starlight Academy!"

    "One more word, and I am really throwing you into a Legend-tier crystal for a month."

    Moore sealed his mouth shut, groaning.

    Perhaps he was thinking ill of Skyler or glaring at the kid, but he was the first to notice the burn marks on his body.

    He narrowed his eyes.

    "Hah, was he really kidnapped?"