It was finally time for the last round.

Jerry could feel sweat emanate from all his pores as he gulped silently. He didn’t need any list to tell him that it would be his turn next.

Having exhausted all other participants, who else remained.

He also had a fair idea of who his two opponents would be.

The Middle Class one was no issue, so the major challenge—the one that have the determined boy such a headache—was none other than the Upper-Class opponent he would be fighting.

‘I can’t back down now!’ He steeled his face and glanced at the list stationed above the audience.

[Final Round]

— Richard Novo (Upper Class)

—Renner Lebrious (Middle Class)

— Jerry Keller (Lower Class)

[Contestants Get On Stage!]

His tensed muscles moved as he got up, moving his legs as he descended the stage.

The others trailed behind him, and Jerry could feel their dominating presence —the one at the rear was the most intimidating!

After climbing the stage and standing diagonally from one another, the three students gazed at each other.

This was the final match of the Exchange, and while it would not be as grand as Ciara’s round, or as jawbreaking as Fabian’s… it was still worth watching.

The match-up wasn’t bad either.

Jerry Keller, top 3 among the Lower Class Elites

Renner Lebrious, despite looking like a fragile girl, was ranked 4th among the Middle Class.

Finally, Richard Novo was Rank 5 among the Upper-Class Elites, bearing the same position among Ainzlark’s Rankers.

The quality was a bit lacking if one examined the other blood-curdling matches experienced, but even in this match, top-notch Magic would be displayed.Jerry put his emotions in check, even though it would be hard for any normal guy to be calm in his situation.

Having to fade Richard Novo was going to be extremely difficult. If he was being fair with himself, he didn’t think he stood a chance.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the 4th Rank of the Middle Class was also present.

Even though Renner was one Rank below Jerry, that was only in name.

Once one took into account the quality of the Classes they belonged to, and vast differences in their students’ talent, it would be easy to determine which was actually superior.

But, even at that… even with the overwhelming disadvantage facing him… Jerry chose not to back down.

‘All the Lower Class members until now have given up and lost in the most disgraceful way. If there could be a last stand, it had to now!

‘I didn’t expect a bed of roses, to begin with! It would be pointless if the opponent wasn’t strong!’

With determination now burning like a blaze of fire in his eyes, Jerry spurred himself back to life and prepared himself acutely.

“Now, then…” Klaus Tallman muttered, readying his tone to begin the final match.

The audience held their breath.

Some wanted this match to last longer, so they could relish the length and get their fill of watching elites duke it out.

Others wanted the same one-sided victory—no, they even expected it!

For a few, if they could even be called that much, they had a faint glimmer of hope that the Lower Class would be able to pull off something dramatic within this last match.

It seemed too late to most, but perhaps Jerry could redeem the whole Lower Class… else they would live as the most scorned existences within Ainzlark—at least until the next Exchange in the next year.

It was quite puzzling, really.

The juniors—First Years in the Lower Class—had shown such exemplary performances that raised people’s opinion of the section already deemed to be trash.

However, their efforts had been completely overturned by the cowardice and powerlessness of the seniors who were supposedly the strongest among their ranks.

It was absolutely pitiful, a sight for sore eyes.

And this was why Jerry couldn’t back down at this point. The entire repute of his Class was atop his shoulder.

Loss was not an option.

“… Begin!”

With that, the match kickstarted.WHOOOOOSHHH!!!

The sound of rushing wind was heard, and before Jerry could even make an advance toward the enemy, a massive gust pervaded the platform.

“Kyahhhh!!!” The scream of a girl pierced the tense Hall as Renner—an Elite in her own right—was tossed by the pressure of the gale, and flew off stage in a blast.

The blast seemed to be directed in her direction since her body helplessly flailed in the air without any strength.

It appeared like she was struggling, but the flow of the wind far outweighed her ability to regain composure—especially after being abruptly attacked like that.

BOOOOOMMMM!!!

She landed away from the stage, crashing into the ground.

Had it not been for her enhancements, the girl would have sustained grave injuries. Fortunately, other than a few broken bones… she was fine.

“Haaa… Gah!” Her helpless voice yelped as the girl tried getting up, but it seemed like her movements had been completely tampered with.

It was clear to this who watched that the Middle Class had already lost.

Amid the unbearable silence and shock that permeated the hall, a snicker could be heard from the stage.

This caused the eyes of everyone to shift from the injured girl to the merciless one who inflicted it. Even if it was toward an enemy, one could consider the act to be a hit too extreme.

“It’s best to throw out the pesky fly and focus on the main pest.” The boy uttered with a sadistic grin.

Everyone knew who he was… Richard Novo, a student famous as a Ranker and also a merciless Magic-User.

“Tch…” Jerry braced himself as he glared at the Magic-User who seemed to sneer at him.

In an instant, he had gotten rid of the girl who was most likely stronger than the Lower Class Elite.

Wasn’t it possible to also make short work of him if he tried?

If that was the case, then why didn’t he? Jerry agonized on this while keeping his focus on the target.

“If you’re wondering why I took out that hitch first and left you for last, it’s simple…”

The boy gulped, feeling something a bit murderous emanating from his opponent who spoke.

“The more pathetic an opponent is, the more fun it is to see them squirm as they are powerlessly subdued.”

Yes, Richard was that kind of guy.

He bathed in his superiority and made those lower than him feel the crushing weight of their inferiority.

“You…” Jerry growled, ready to make his opponent eat his words.

Both of them stared hard at each other, resolved to end the Final Match in the most eventful way possible.

Unknown to both, this final match… would turn out way different from their expectations!