Villainess X Villain: They are obsessed with each other!

Chapter 255: Chapter: 254 Dueling Magnus.[4]

Magnus stared at the couple for several long moments. The amusement on his face slowly faded as his gaze drifted beyond them and swept across the audience surrounding the arena.

Thousands of eyes stared back. Most were simply excited spectators eager to witness a good fight, but not all of them.

Magnus’ eyes narrowed slightly.

There were a few individuals hidden among the crowd whose gazes carried a different weight.

They were not watching for entertainment. They were observing, analyzing, and memorizing every detail that unfolded before them.

Those eyes would be troublesome.

"Tsk." Magnus clicked his tongue in regret.

It had been a very long time since he had enjoyed a fight this much. Most opponents either lacked the strength to challenge him or relied on brute force without creativity.

Kavin and Jasmine were different. Every exchange had forced him to think. Every attack contained layers of planning hidden beneath it.

The battle had reminded him why he loved combat in the first place. Unfortunately, continuing was no longer a good idea.

His eyes lingered on the couple.

The two of them had not undergone the Heavenly Trials. Their cultivation remained trapped beneath a wall that should have long since been broken.

Under normal circumstances, such spell casters would never stand a chance against those who had already completed their first trial.

Yet these two somehow continued to defy common sense. The reason they could do so was very simple actually.

Their spells were mysterious.

Even their combat style felt impossible to predict. The moment all of that became public knowledge, the advantage would disappear.

If they continued fighting him and were forced to reveal every card they possessed, future opponents would begin preparing counters before ever stepping into the arena.

Magnus released a long sigh.

’What a waste.’ Just when things were getting interesting. Finally, he straightened and spoke.

"You pass."

The words spread throughout the arena, for a heartbeat, silence reigned, then the entire audience exploded.

The underground arena shook as countless voices erupted into chaos.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"What kind of ending is this?!"

"Fight, you doofus!"

"Finish the fight!"

"You can’t stop now!"

"We paid to watch blood!"

The spectators roared their dissatisfaction from every direction.

Some stomped their feet while others waved their fists in the air. The excitement that had built throughout the battle had nowhere to go, leaving only frustration behind.

Magnus listened to the uproar for several seconds before turning toward the crowd.

His expression immediately darkened.

"Alright, everyone." The giant’s voice rolled across the arena.

"There won’t be a fight right now, so if you want entertainment, feel free to come down and fight each other."

The crowd slowly quieted.

Magnus’ smile widened. "Now fuck off."

The words exploded through the underground arena like thunder. The pressure behind his voice alone was enough to make many spectators flinch.

The complaints vanished almost instantly.

No one was brave enough to argue with Magnus when he spoke like that.

Satisfied, the giant turned around and gestured toward Kavin and Jasmine.

"Come with me."

The couple exchanged glances before following behind him.

****

Several minutes later, the four of them emerged from the underground arena.

Magnus walked at the front while Salena accompanied him. Kavin and Jasmine followed slightly behind. The wounds from the battle had already been treated.

Not a single scratch remained on their bodies.

The bruises and cuts had vanished. Only the lingering exhaustion remained to remind them that they had spent the last several minutes fighting for their lives.

The group walked through the bustling streets while discussing a few matters regarding the rankings and future matches.

Then an unusual sound echoed through the street.

"Grrrrrrk."

The conversation abruptly stopped. An awkward silence descended upon the group.

A few pedestrians nearby turned their heads in curiosity.

Then the sound came again.

"Grrrrrrrrk."

This time it was even louder....everyone slowly looked toward Jasmine.

Jasmine stared back at them.

For several seconds nobody spoke, then she pointed at herself, the meaning was obvious.

She was hungry.

Unfortunately, because of her oath, she could not simply announce it. As a result, her stomach had apparently decided to do the talking on her behalf.

Salena’s lips twitched.

Magnus looked away while trying very hard not to laugh.

Jasmine’s expression remained perfectly serious, though a faint blush had already begun creeping onto her face.

The silence somehow became even more awkward.

Kavin let out a small cough.

"Ahem." He stepped forward before anyone could comment further. "In that case, we’ll take our leave."

He respectfully bowed toward Magnus.

"Thank you for all the help you’ve given us. We also apologize for our earlier behavior."

Jasmine immediately followed his example and bowed as well. Although she could not speak, the sincerity in her actions was obvious.

Magnus burst into laughter. "Hahaha! There’s no need for that." He waved his hand dismissively. "I wasn’t exactly polite either."

Salena chuckled softly before speaking.

"There is no need to be so formal. Besides, starting next week, both of you will be eligible to challenge opponents in the main arena."

Kavin listened attentively.

Salena continued. "However, there are rules. You cannot directly challenge anyone ranked eighth or higher. You’ll begin by challenging either the ninth or tenth rank. If you win, you’ll be allowed to continue climbing."

She paused briefly. "Do you understand?"

"Yes."

Kavin nodded.

After expressing his thanks once more, the couple finally said their farewells and departed.

***

The moment Magnus and Salena disappeared from sight, both Kavin and Jasmine released long breaths.

Their dignified expressions immediately vanished. The only thing left was hunger.

Crippling hunger....to be more precise.

Unfortunately, there was one small problem. Neither of them had any money.

Kavin glanced toward Jasmine. Jasmine glanced back.

Neither needed to say a word. They reached the same conclusion almost instantly.

A crowded marketplace was the perfect place to solve that problem.

The streets bustled with activity. Merchants shouted advertisements, travelers wandered between stalls, and wealthy spell casters moved through the crowds with little regard for their surroundings.

For someone with Kavin’s skills, it was practically an invitation.

By the time they left the busiest section of the market, several purses had mysteriously become lighter.

Kavin quickly counted the contents....around fifty taels.

A grin appeared on his face. "Looks like we’re eating well today."

Jasmine nodded enthusiastically.

Several minutes later, the pair entered one of the most luxurious restaurants they could find.

The building itself looked magnificent.

Elegant lanterns hung from polished wooden beams while expensive decorations adorned every wall. Soft music drifted through the establishment, creating an atmosphere of refinement and luxury.

Kavin didn’t hesitate. Since the money wasn’t theirs to begin with, there was absolutely no reason to be stingy.

They rented one of the finest private rooms available. Soon afterward, dish after dish began arriving.

The table rapidly filled with food. Steaming bowls of noodles. Roasted meats glazed with fragrant sauces. Fresh vegetables cooked to perfection.

Golden fried delicacies. Rich soups that filled the room with mouthwatering aromas.

The sight alone was enough to make Jasmine’s eyes shine. The moment the final plate touched the table, she attacked.

"Let’s dig in!"

The words escaped her mouth before she could stop herself. Only after speaking did she remember that she wasn’t supposed to be speaking.

Kavin blinked.

Jasmine blinked.

Then both quietly decided to pretend nothing had happened. The food was simply too important.

Kavin picked up his utensils and joined the assault. For several minutes neither of them paid attention to anything except eating.

The speed at which the dishes disappeared was honestly frightening.

Eventually, Jasmine grabbed a chicken leg while simultaneously devouring a bowl of noodles.

A streak of sauce stained the corner of her lips. The elegant table manners she had once been taught were nowhere to be seen.

At some point, survival instincts had completely conquered etiquette.

Kavin watched her for a moment before smiling. Rather than finding it embarrassing, he found it strangely cute.

The sight of her enjoying herself so openly was somehow more satisfying than the meal itself.

By the time they had reduced half the feast to empty plates, Jasmine finally remembered something.

"By the way, who are our opponents? Did you get any information?"

Kavin nodded.

"Yeah."

He pointed his fork toward the empty air as he organized his thoughts.

"I’ll be challenging the ninth-ranked fighter while you’ll be facing the tenth."

Jasmine continued chewing while listening.

"The tenth-ranked fighter is a man named Sifert. He’s at the Void Core Stage but hasn’t undergone a single Heavenly Trial, just like us."

A thoughtful expression appeared on his face. "That means our spell arsenal should still give us a considerable advantage."

Then his expression became slightly more serious.

"The problem is his bonded beast."

Jasmine paused her eating.

"It’s a Poison Path Myriad Beast. In terms of raw strength, it’s only comparable to someone at the Spirit Core Stage, but its abilities are troublesome."

Kavin leaned back slightly.

"The beast releases a highly corrosive toxic gas. Direct attacks aren’t the issue. The poison spreads through the battlefield and gradually limits movement."

Jasmine nodded. "So I just need to avoid breathing and getting poisoned."

"More or less."

Jasmine immediately waved her chicken leg dismissively.

"Don’t worry. They’re trash."

Kavin nearly choked on his drink.

Jasmine continued eating as though she had just stated a simple fact.

"Their spell arsenal isn’t impressive. Most of it can be countered easily. Instead of worrying about them, you should spend your time preparing strategies for the top five."

Kavin sighed. "Haa..." His gaze drifted toward the window.

The bustling city continued moving outside while his thoughts traveled elsewhere.

"Top five, huh..."

The words left him quietly.

Unlike the lower-ranked fighters, every single member of the top five had successfully passed at least the first Heavenly Trial.

That single fact changed everything.

The difference between someone who had passed a trial and someone who had not was not merely a matter of rank.

It was a difference in understanding, a difference in power, a difference in the very foundation of their Paths.

For the first time since entering the city, Kavin felt a faint sense of pressure settling onto his shoulders.

The challenges ahead would be far more dangerous than anything they had faced so far.

Yet as he looked at Jasmine happily destroying another plate of food, a small smile appeared on his face.

Whatever awaited them, they would face it together.....