Chapter 192

In another location, a gothic castle stood shrouded in ivy. Inside, the master of the King’s Association observed Emma’s progress on a massive screen—9.84 feet tall and 16.4 feet wide. Emma, sprinting with unwavering determination, was met with roaring cheers at every pass. Blaze, her speed exceeding even Dana, the master's strongest subordinate, was a testament to his personal training. But if they proved useless, he would show them no mercy.

A strange smile played beneath the masked man's mask. His subordinates dared not breathe loudly.

"Are the Yenovia contacts ready?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," a subordinate replied.

The masked man sipped red wine. "How long until the exciting part?"

"Lane three, Blaze's lane, is under our control, sir," the subordinate said. "The low pile net and other traps are prepared. This is a significant upgrade from the Bunny incident; you won't be disappointed."

The masked man laughed cruelly. This good mood was rare for him. He reclined on a large sofa before the screen, listening to elegant music, as if admiring a work of art. Soon, I will witness this woman's demise! he thought, sneering inwardly. This is your reward, Blaze, for betraying me.

Emma effortlessly cleared several obstacles. Half a year of training had unleashed her full strength. Previously perceived as weak in upper body strength, she now navigated high walls and trenches with expert ease, revealing no weaknesses.

Meanwhile, in Rhinea, Charon Military School displayed the competition on a large screen. Students watched Emma and Erza compete in real-time. Emma's every move in the women's 400-meter steeplechase, her godlike speed, shocked the onlookers.

One girl in a military cap clenched her fists. Riley, a rival who always targeted Emma, wore a bitter expression. She had believed Emma's monthly exam performance represented her peak ability. Seeing Emma's Krot Competition performance shattered that belief, leaving Riley hopeless about surpassing her. Riley left shortly after, her face dark.

"Look, Emma's approaching the low pile net!" someone shouted.

"The low pile net?" another asked.

"Miss Wilson excels at those!" a student replied. "Remember the monthly exam? She widened the gap at the low pile net. She's terrifyingly fast crossing it—like a flying superhero!" another exclaimed.

"I want to see that!" another student added.

This discussion further frustrated Riley. Emma's name felt like a nightmare. Riley's brief enjoyment of first place in the boxing league's midterm exam was short-lived, overshadowed by Emma's subsequent gold medal win. The students quickly forgot Riley's achievement, focusing on Emma again.

"Emma's such a bitch!" someone yelled.

Celia, harboring resentment from a cafeteria incident, desired revenge but knew she couldn't act alone.

"Can't we do something? Maybe she'll die in Yenovia and never return," she suggested.

Riley, remembering a friend's expulsion for sabotaging Emma, cautioned, "Don't be stupid! Don't offend Emma!" She hurried away from the celebratory atmosphere.

In the underground studio, the atmosphere grew tense. A glass shattered. The masked man, enraged, grabbed a subordinate's neck, strangling him.

"Why is she still alive? Why?!" he roared.

The terrified subordinate sputtered, "I-I don't know—"

A gunshot echoed. The subordinate fell, lifeless. The remaining subordinates, terrified, pledged their loyalty. "Sir, we'll contact the venue, increase the voltage! We'll kill her!"

The masked man remained silent. Emma's safe passage through the low pile net suggested she anticipated the trap (like Bunny's death) and wore protective gear.

His voice shifted, becoming high-pitched and chilling. "Maximum voltage! Execute Plan B! I don't want her alive at the finish line!"

As Emma passed the low pile net, a small ball rolled near her feet—a device planted by Jenson and Liam, a countermeasure devised after anticipating the cause of Justine's death. The ball, triggered by the electrified net, emitted sparks.

"The track's catching fire!" someone yelled.

"Danger!" another warned.

The organizers panicked. The King's Association, caught off guard, halted their plan, fearing detection. Only a few flames flickered before being extinguished, but the incident was broadcast globally. This attracted the attention of national authorities and the media, with many advocating for justice for Emma.

The King's Association finally realized Emma had caused the sparks. "She saw through our plan! The flames were a trap!" the masked man realized, a surge of killing intent radiating from him. Failing this, he would resort to a more direct approach—a backup plan activated the moment Emma crossed the finish line: an infrared targeting system.