"But you want to know why I haven't yet reported you to the Elder yet?" As Claude spoke, a giant translucent katana appeared in the sky, and lightning began to dance around it. Claude's gaze turned serious. "It's because I want to show you just how powerful I am and how futile your efforts to stop me are."

Claude swung his hand towards Ian, and the giant katana shot down with frightening speed, rapidly approaching Ian. "Damn it, damn it, damn it!" He screamed out of frustration and fear. He was supposed to win this match. That was why he took the drug. But still, how…

He raised his hand and swung his saber at the incoming attack and the blade light shot towards the giant katana right before it struck Ian, and the whole arena turned white with bright light as a loud explosion echoed in everyone's ears!

BOOM!

The arena became covered in dust and debris, which made the spectators unable to see what the result of the fight was.

But after the dust began to settle and the air began to clear, people could see the silhouette of a young man standing with his sword raised to the sky.

The young man was, of course, Claude Rayforth, who stood victorious with his right leg above an unconscious Ian. The sight was simply too majestic, and the crowd of spectators were so enamoured by the sight that it took a few seconds for them to erupt into cheers. 

Elder Kenneth climbed up to the arena and headed over to Ian in order to make sure that he was alright. But right then…

"Hold it!" A voice echoed throughout the arena, and everyone turned their heads to the direction from where it came. It was the Headmaster who had spoken.

BAM!

As everyone turned their attention to the Headmaster, he slowly rose from his seat and floated up into the sky, moving towards the arena where Claude and Elder Kenneth stood.

"Headmaster!" Elder Kenneth bowed his head as the Headmaster descended to the ground. "May I ask for what reason you have chosen to interfere with the contest?"

"You should keep a closer eye on our disciples, Elder Kenneth!" The Headmaster said with a smile as he walked towards the spot where Ian was lying unconscious, leaving a confused Elder Kenneth standing behind him.

Claude, who was standing next to the unconscious Ian, stepped to the side when he realised that the Headmaster was walking in his direction. As he walked past him, the Headmaster glanced at Claude for a split second, and both their eyes met. 

Within that one single second, Claude experienced a range of emotions. The confident and calm expression on the Headmaster's face gave Claude the feeling that he had already known about Ian's enhancements. Which in turn, only increased the number of questions he had regarding his involvement with Ian. 

Was today the first time he noticed the enhancements? Or was he the one who provided them? If he really was the one who was behind it, then what was he trying to achieve with it? And if it wasn't him, and this is the first time he noticed the changes, then why didn't the Headmaster inform the Elder before the fight started?

'Hold on, you're thinking too much Claude!' Claude reminded himself. He really was thinking too much. Right now, this was all merely speculation, and until he had all the facts, then he could sort out the important questions and find the answers to those ones.

For now, he simply watched the Headmaster walk towards the unconscious Ian.

Thud!

The Headmaster stood right in front of Ian, who was lying on the ground, and stared at him for a few seconds. The spectators, who had no clue as to what was going on or why the Headmaster interrupted the contest, looked at the arena with confusion in their eyes.

The Headmaster waved his hands, and all of a sudden, bright red threads emerged from his fingers and descended downwards, lightly touching the unconscious Ian in the face. 

BZZZZ!

Suddenly, Ian began to shake uncontrollably, as the meridians in his body began to light up, shining so brightly that it shone through his skin. Elder Kenneth and Claude, who were both extremely surprised at what was happening, leaned over to stare at Ian's body. They saw that a bright orange pill shaped structure was moving towards the spot where the red threads were attached from all directions. The orange pill shaped materials converged right as they were about to make contact with the red threads, forming a long orange line within the meridians before it disappeared, passing through the red threads.

Plop!

The red threads disconnected with the face of the unconscious Ian with a small pop, and began to retract into the Headmaster's palm. He flipped the palm upwards, and right before the red threads disappeared into his hands, from it emerged a small black ball, which levitated right above his palm.

He gently grabbed the small black ball and inspected it for a few seconds before he tossed it to Elder Kenneth. "Physical Enhancers. There were still some left inside of his meridians, boosting his physical abilities." He said.

"What the- He cheated?!" Elder Kenneth looked at the black ball in his hands with amazement, before he realised that he had failed to detect one of the participants had cheated under his supervision. "Forgive me, Headmaster!" With a loud scream, he bowed his head down to the Headmaster, who was walking away from him with his back turned. "I have made a mistake!"

The Headmaster stopped in his tracks, turned around, and said with a smile, "It's good that you've realised that you messed up." His smile then disappeared, replaced by a serious expression. "But do not make this mistake again, Elder Kenneth. Do understand that."

"Of course, Headmaster!" Elder Kenneth bowed his head again. His face was now covered in sweat. 

The Headmaster nodded his head, and then turned towards the crowd of spectators and said, "My students. I am heartbroken to hear that my disciple, Ian Jefferson, had been under the influence of a physical enhancer drug during the battle right now!"

The crowd, who heard what had happened, gasped and began murmuring amongst themselves. The Headmaster cleared his throat, sending a wave of spiritual energy, which forced the people who were whispering to close their lips and turn their attention towards him.

He continued, "As you all know, physical enhancer drugs are illegal substances that are not allowed to be used in official matches. Our academy does not tolerate such disrespect towards the art of cultivation. This is an insult to our beliefs and our culture and I take these cases extremely seriously!"

His eyes then wandered over to the unconscious Ian once again before saying, "This is an unforgivable offence, which is why, from this moment onwards, I declare Ian Jefferson to be expelled from the Royal Academy!"

BOOM!

The declaration by the Headmaster made everyone gasp. Everyone began to whisper amongst each other. Even Claude seemed surprised. He didn't expect the Headmaster to actually expel him. Perhaps this was his way of showing Claude that he wanted him on his side?

Claude thought to himself. After all, he was sure that the Headmaster must've been aware of their problems with each other. So it would make sense that this was all some scheme created by the Headmaster in order to make a favourable impression in Claude's eyes. 

Thinking too much again, Claude. He reminded himself. He really was thinking too much. After all, it didn't matter whether or not the Headmaster was actually pulling the strings. All that matters is the fact that everything that was happening was favourable for him. It didn't matter who pulled the strings and who didn't as long as it was benefitting him.

Claude looked at Elder Kenneth, whose servants were moving an unconscious Ian from the arena, and a sinister smile appeared on his face. 

'And now that Ian was expelled, he could finally go all out with his revenge,' Claude thought to himself. This definitely benefited him.

Far away from the arena, the group of lackeys watched bitterly as an unconscious Ian was dragged away from the battle ground. Brenden let out a sigh and said, "Well, I guess we have our answer."

Link nodded his head, but he didn't reply. Perhaps seeing Ian put up a fight against Claude might've ignited a small hope within him, and seeing his hopes get crushed almost immediately must've been heartbreaking. 

"This…. Is this really happening?" Jason lowered his head and clutched both his hands tightly. He definitely wasn't taking it so well.

Brenden sighed and shook his head. 'This is why you should've kept your expectations realistic,' he thought to himself. He knew that there was no chance of Ian winning against Claude. 

Elder Kenneth walked towards Claude, pulled his hand up in the air, and screamed loudly, "The opponent has been knocked out! Claude Rayforth advances to the next round!"