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.