**Chapter 146: Twenty Million Bet**
At the viewing platform, high above the dueling grounds, Weiner Heijin leaned over to Su Yu, whispering as he observed the two powerhouses facing off below.
"Boss Nemesis, the betting pool is closed now. Miss Tina's side brought in just under half a million psionic coins, but there's a staggering twenty-one million on Instructor Megan!"
"Twenty-one million? That much?" Su Yu's eyebrows lifted in mild surprise.
He had estimated the bets to cap at around ten million, anticipating that he would only need to pay out two or three million for Tina's supporters, several hundred thousand to the event organizers, and a similar amount in taxes—still leaving him a net gain of seven or eight million.
But with a pool twice as large as expected, his potential earnings now approached fifteen million psionic coins.
"Yeah," Weiner said with a grin. "Just before the betting closed, someone from the Windsor family threw five million down on Megan. They must feel pretty confident."
Weiner pointed toward a VIP viewing platform below, where Su Yu spotted Kimberly and several other nobles, presumably Windsor family members. Beside Kimberly, Legion Commander Gracie sat with a calm, detached expression.
"Boss Nemesis, if Tina wins, we'll definitely offend the Windsor family," Weiner murmured, a flicker of worry in his voice.
"And so what?" Su Yu shrugged, unfazed. "When it comes to a bet, you win or you lose. Should we throw the match just to keep them happy? Besides, would you be willing to cough up over twenty million?"
Weiner smiled wryly. "Definitely not."
"Good. Then focus on the duel, and let's not get distracted."
Below, the duel countdown had already started.
"10… 9… 8… 3… 2… 1… 0."
With the referee's signal, the duel between Tina and Megan began.
In a burst of energy, Tina blazed with a brilliant golden aura, radiating a light too intense to look at directly, while Megan was engulfed in a deep azure glow, as vast and mysterious as the sea.
At the start of the match, the two opponents were nearly 100 meters apart. They charged toward each other, each astride a powerful unicorn, streaking like meteors of golden and blue light that closed the distance in seconds.
Boom!
A thunderous impact shook the ground as they clashed with titanic force. The space around them twisted, and the reinforced floor of the arena cracked in spiderweb patterns beneath their feet. Every spectator could feel the ground tremble, the sheer force of the clash reverberating through their bodies.
Fortunately, the arena was shielded by a protective barrier that dulled the intensity of light and noise. Without it, many among the crowd would have been overwhelmed and likely fainted.
"Whoa! So this is the power of a Tier 4 warrior? That's insane!" one spectator exclaimed, rubbing his ears, still ringing from the impact.
"Yeah, that light—it's blinding, even through the barrier!"
"Look! Tina doesn't seem to be at a disadvantage!"
"Wait, really? Not only is Tina holding her own, but it looks like she's actually overpowering Megan?"
The crowd was buzzing with disbelief.
Meanwhile, on the field, Tina had sent Megan reeling with a single blow, knocking her and her unicorn to the side. It was clear to everyone who had won that clash.
Megan herself was shocked, staring at Tina in disbelief.
She had reached the peak of the fourth rank. Tina had only just entered the fourth rank. How could she have lost in a pure contest of strength?
"Tina, are you really this strong?" Megan called out, raising her lance to steady herself. Her azure aura wavered slightly.
Tina's gaze was steely. "Belief makes me strong."
"Belief?"
"Yes, the belief in growth, in surpassing oneself! It's something your greed can't match." Tina's tone was unwavering, each word brimming with conviction. "You compromised yourself for a hundred thousand psionic coins from the Windsor family."
Inwardly, Tina held one more reason for her resolve: she couldn't let herself lose in front of her Nemesis. If Megan had only schemed against her behind her back, she might have tolerated it out of respect. But humiliating her in front of him—there was no way she'd forgive that.
Feeling Su Yu's gaze from above, Tina's heart surged with a fierce fighting spirit. Her eyes flashed as she leveled her lance once more, determination burning in every inch of her stance.
Megan's confidence cracked as Tina's words pierced her like a lance. *So… she knows?* The shame of stooping for such a paltry amount struck Megan to her core, sapping her fighting spirit. Against Tina's determined charge, she could only attempt a feeble defense.
The outcome was no longer in question. Tina pressed the attack with unrelenting force. Megan, whose spirit had already been crushed, had no hope of countering.
Within a minute, Tina had her cornered, and it was evident to all that Megan was on the brink of defeat.
In the stands, the crowd sat in stunned silence, their preconceived notions shattered. This was entirely different from what they had expected.
"How could a newcomer to Tier 4 completely overpower someone at the peak of the same rank?"
"A rigged match? Or was Tina hiding her true strength?"
"Ah! My two thousand psionic coins!" someone groaned.
"Hold on, maybe Megan still has a chance! The duel isn't over yet!"
But in the VIP area, not everyone was so calm.
Kelton Windsor, a nobleman with a heavyset frame and a rather underwhelming fourth-rank power level, was particularly irate. He had been coaxed by his daughter Kimberly into placing five million psionic coins on Megan, dreaming of easy profit. Now he faced only ruin.
Beside him, Legion Commander Gracie sat silently, her expression as unreadable as ever.
"Gracie, this duel has to be rigged!" Kelton fumed. "How does a mere beginner in the fourth rank challenge someone at its peak?"
Gracie's gaze remained fixed on the arena, her demeanor steady. "Oh, my foolish brother! I'm a sixth-rank Sanctuary-level warrior. Do you really think I couldn't tell if something were amiss?"
Kelton spluttered in irritation, but before he could answer, Kimberly leaned close and whispered, "Father, don't worry. I secretly provided Instructor Megan with a sixth-rank [Eternal Rage] potion, and I… spoke with the referee."
Kelton's face brightened at her words, and he leaned back with a smug smile.
But Gracie had overheard Kimberly's muttered confession, and her expression darkened. *So that's their game…*
Understanding the risk, Gracie rose to her feet, her eyes locked on the duel below, her body wrapped in the fiery red glow of her Sanctuary power. Should things escalate, she was ready to intervene in an instant to protect Tina.
*(End of Chapter)*