Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Can We Beat the Frostblade Empress?

Chapter 49: Can We Beat the Frostblade Empress?

Serena stood confidently in the middle of the arena, her eyes scanning the students of Class C.

She issued a challenge, her voice sharp and unwavering.

“Come at me, if you dare,” she said with a smirk.

No one stepped forward.

Fear gripped the students as they looked at one another, unable to muster the courage to face her.

How could they?

She was Serena, one of the Heroes of the Braveheart Kingdom.

I wanted to step up first, but when I glanced at my teammates, I saw the doubt in their faces.

They were frozen, trembling in fear.

Serena’s sheer presence had sapped their confidence.

“Tch, you’re all hopeless…” Serena sighed, shaking her head.

Then, with a devilish grin, she added, “Alright, I’ll make this easy for you.

Give me your best shot.

If you can make me acknowledge your strength, I’ll let you pass.” Her words sent a ripple through the crowd.

Hope flickered in the students’ eyes.

Perhaps this wasn’t impossible after all.

There were five groups from Class C, including mine and Kael’s.

One group stepped forward, whispering amongst themselves about how going first might earn them favor.

They walked up to the arena nervously but determined.

Their lineup was solid: three heavy attackers with bulky weapons, one tank wielding a massive shield, and an elemental mage in the back.

The professor overseeing the exam raised his hand.

“Begin!” The group charged at Serena with everything they had.

But Serena didn’t even flinch.

Instead, she smiled.

“I may have promised leniency, but mercy?

That’s another story.” She raised her hand and chanted, “[Winterfell Magic Swordsmanship: Winter’s Embrace].” In an instant, an icy sword materialized in her grasp.

She drove it into the ground, and frost erupted across the arena.

The battlefield froze over, locking the students’ feet in place.

“Argh!” “Kyaa!” “What the-?!

My legs!” The ice crept up their bodies, paralyzing them completely.

Their leader managed to activate a body-enhancement spell and charged at Serena, desperate to land even one hit.

But before his strike could connect, he, too, was frozen solid.

The professors declared the group’s failure.

Serena dismissed her magic, and the ice melted, freeing the students, who were quickly whisked away to the infirmary, shivering and defeated.

Serena crossed her arms, visibly unimpressed.

The remaining groups exchanged nervous glances, their morale crushed after witnessing Serena’s overwhelming power.

Then, unexpectedly, Kael raised his voice.

“Don’t underestimate us!

My group will go next.

Get ready, Hero!” He strode confidently toward the arena, his team following close behind.

In his hand, he carried a blazing sword that radiated heat.

“Hoh, so you’re from the Flamemore family,” Serena said, her interest piqued.

“How nostalgic.

Our families have been rivals for generations.

Let’s see if you live up to your name.” Kael smirked, igniting his blade with a flourish.

“[Flamemore Magic Sword Release: Burning Oath]!” Flames erupted around Kael and his team, forming a barrier that melted Serena’s creeping frost.

“Not so fast!” Kael shouted, charging at her with his fiery sword.

But Serena remained calm, her expression unreadable.

Then, she let out a small laugh.

“You think melting my ice is enough to defeat me?

Just because fire counters ice, don’t assume the fight is over.” With a wave of her hand, the frost surged again.

The flames surrounding Kael’s team froze over in an instant.

“What?!

She froze the fire?!” Kael’s voice cracked in disbelief as his teammates were encased in ice, one by one.

Only Kael remained, his flaming sword barely keeping the frost at bay.

“Grr, take this!” Kael roared, unleashing a powerful attack.

“[Flamemore Magic Sword Release: Hellfire-Crescent Slash]!” A massive wave of fire erupted from his blade, engulfing the arena in a fiery explosion.

Kael grinned, confident he had turned the tide.

But as the smoke cleared, Serena emerged unscathed.

A shimmering layer of crystalline ice surrounded her, deflecting the flames with ease.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Serena asked, her voice laced with disappointment.

“Why aren’t you using Flamemore Magic Swordsmanship?

Are you really so dependent on that weak enchanted sword?” Kael gritted his teeth.

“I…

I don’t have the talent my brother has!

He’s the real Hero of the Flamemore family.

I can’t master Flamemore Magic Swordsmanship, so this sword-Ignis-is all I have!” Serena tilted her head, her expression softening for a moment.

Then she shook it off and said, “This duel isn’t over yet.” Before Kael could react, Serena unleashed her magic again.

Frost surged across the arena, freezing his teammates completely.

Kael’s flames barely kept him standing, but he was now alone against the full might of Serena, the Hero of Winterfell.

“This is embarrassing… but I can’t hold back any longer.

I’ll use my ultimate skill!” Kael declared, his voice filled with resolve.

He channeled his mana into his flaming sword, which began to roar with power.

“[Flamemore Magic Sword Release: Molten Ember, Maximum Output]!” he roared, unleashing an overwhelming surge of fire.

Flames erupted around him, forming a massive aura of heat and light that filled the entire arena.

It was as if Kael was trying to drown Serena in a tidal wave of fire.

Serena responded swiftly, attempting to counter with her signature move, [Winter’s Embrace].

But for the first time, her frost struggled to keep up with the inferno.

A small smile crossed Serena’s lips.

“Impressive,” she muttered, her voice calm as she raised her sword again.

“[Winterfell Magic Swordsmanship: Frostfang Slash].” She swung her blade with precision, sending a flurry of ice fangs slicing through the air toward Kael.

The sheer force of the attack disrupted his magic, and before [Molten Ember] could reach its critical explosion, Kael collapsed, unconscious.

The fiery storm faded, leaving only Kael lying motionless in the arena.

His teammates were still encased in Serena’s ice.

Serena sheathed her sword and glanced at the professors.

“He fought well,” she said, her voice carrying a rare hint of approval.

“The bald one from the Flamemore family-he’s the only one in his group who passes.

Celebrate, Kael.” The professors nodded, granting Kael a passing grade despite his unconscious state.

The students from Class C cheered loudly for Kael’s valiant effort.

But Kael heard none of it-he was out cold.

I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of respect for Kael.

Even though he hadn’t won, his courage against Serena was admirable.

As other teams scrambled to face Serena, it quickly became clear that no one else could match her.

One by one, the remaining teams failed, leaving only my group as the last challengers from Class C.

I glanced at my teammates-Lyra, Freya, Luna, and Marius.

There was no trace of fear in their eyes anymore.

“It’s our turn,” I said confidently.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan to take her on.” “Are you serious, Naoki?

Do we really stand a chance against The Frostblade Empress?!” Marius asked, his voice filled with both doubt and excitement.

“I… No.

We will follow your lead, Naoki-sama,” Lyra said, her voice steady.

Freya and Luna nodded, their determination clear.

I quickly explained my strategy to the group.

Their eyes widened as I laid out the details.

“This is a gamble, Naoki-dono,” Freya said, her tone brimming with excitement.

“But I love it!” “I’ll do my part,” Luna added in her usual calm tone.

“Even if we can’t win, we’ll push her to the edge.” With our resolve set, we stepped into the arena to face Serena.

“Well, well.

You finally decided to show up, Naoki,” Serena said, twirling her sword.

“I was getting bored waiting for you.” “Hahaha, sorry about that.

I needed time to prepare a strategy,” I replied with a playful grin.

“After all, the last time we fought, you knocked me unconscious.” At my words, Serena’s face turned red.

She averted her gaze, flustered.

“T-that… I didn’t mean to!

My body just moved on its own.

But if you hadn’t done that to me first, I wouldn’t have had to retaliate!” she stammered, her fingers brushing against her lips.

Her flustered expression-elegant, sweet, and undeniably cute-caught me off guard.

I felt my nose heat up, and I quickly pinched it shut to stop a nosebleed.

But then, I felt a chilling aura behind me.

I turned to see Lyra and Freya glaring daggers at me.

“What exactly did you and Serena-sama do?” Lyra asked, her tone icy.

“Naoki-dono, you didn’t… do anything weird, did you?” Freya added, her fists clenched, a faint glow of fire surrounding them.

“I-it’s not what you think!

I swear!” I stammered, panic washing over me.

The last thing I wanted was for them to find out about that incident.

“Hey, Serena!” I called out, desperate to change the topic.

“Enough small talk!

We’re here to fight you.

Get ready!” Serena’s expression shifted, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

“Naoki… if you pass this test, I’ll grant you one wish.

Anything you want,” she said, her voice tinged with both playfulness and determination.

“But if you lose, you’ll have to take me on a date in the city.

An entire day.

Deal?” “W-what?!

Anything I want?!” I blurted out, clutching my nose again to keep impure thoughts at bay.

My mind was spinning.

I’m confused to myself, this felt like something Envi would say!

As if summoned, Envi’s voice echoed in my head, brimming with excitement.

“NAO!

This is it!

The perfect chance to spend a whole day with Serena!

Let’s win this!” “D-d-dating?!

Naoki-sama and Serena-sama?!” Lyra stuttered, her face pale with shock.

“G-granting Naoki-dono’s every wish?!

This is…” Freya’s face turned scarlet, her eyes spinning.

“Well?” Serena asked, flashing her sly smile.

“Fine!

But let me tell you, Serena-I won’t lose.

Not with my team behind me,” I said, steeling my resolve.

“Good.

Then let’s begin,” Serena said, clearly enjoying herself.

The professor raised his hand.

“Start!” But Serena didn’t wait for us to move.

She charged first, her impatience evident.

Raising both her swords high, she chanted, “[Winterfell Magic Swordsmanship: Frozen Starfall].” Above her, a massive chunk of ice formed, its size dwarfing the entire arena.

It hovered ominously, casting a shadow over us.

The ice glowed with an eerie blue light, ready to crash down at any moment.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath.

“She’s not holding back at all.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS NAVIRUNAVIII Cmon give me more idea and motivation..it’s so hard to keep writing in this conditions hahahah but i won’t give up!

Your gift is the motivation for my creation.

Give me more motivation!