Fly couldn't help but think inwardly.

  The Student Council members had talked endlessly about the benefits, completely omitting the clause about his post-graduation assignment. Furthermore, that specific clause in the contract was deliberately written in fine print, meticulously designed to be overlooked... It was clear they knew perfectly well how problematic that term was.

  However, Fly wasn't in a hurry to expose their ploy just yet.

  "The contract is indeed quite good," Fly said with a smile. "For an ordinary student, there's certainly no reason to refuse."

  "Oh?" Forrest Banks thought Fly was about to agree. His brow relaxed, and a rare, genuine smile touched his usually poker-faced features.

  But Fly's next words made his brow furrow once more.

  "Unfortunately, for me, the price is too low," Fly said, shaking his head with a feigned air of disappointment. "As the number one student in the year, the terms offered to me are the same as any ordinary student. Do you really think that's appropriate?"

  These Student Council people were clearly up to no good. If he exposed them directly, they would likely fly into a rage out of shame and resort to desperate measures. Although Fly wasn't weak, the Student Council members had been training for a year or two longer than him, and they had the numbers advantage. If a conflict truly broke out, he probably wouldn't come out on top right now.

  It was better to employ a delaying tactic. Express interest in their offer, but dissatisfaction with the benefits, hoping to continue negotiations later. The priority was to get out of this situation first.

  Afterwards, he could consult with teachers like Mr. Carter or Dean Sterling before making a final decision. By then, even if he refused, with Dean Sterling backing him up, they wouldn't dare to act recklessly.

  Having made up his mind, Fly handed the contract back to Forrest Banks. "Minister Banks, I'm not satisfied with this contract. Please come find me again when the Student Council has prepared a new one tailored specifically for me."

  With that, Fly turned to leave.

  But he had barely taken a few steps before Vincent and the other Student Council members blocked his path.

  Fly turned back to face Forrest Banks, his voice calm. "Minister Banks, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to force me to submit?"

  Only then did Fly understand why they had brought him to the sports field.

  An ordinary office or meeting room was relatively small. If he positioned himself against a wall, it would be difficult for them to surround and attack him effectively, even with superior numbers.

  But the sports field was different. It was wide open, with nowhere to hide. They could encircle him and launch their attacks at will.

  Forrest Banks took a step forward, smiling faintly. "Don't misunderstand, Mr. Fly. Our Student Council is not some violent organization; we wouldn't resort to such barbaric methods. If you don't like the contract, we can simply revise it later. However..."

  He gave a subtle glance, and a tall student immediately walked to his side.

  "Allow me to introduce you. This is Marshall, from Class Three of the second year," Forrest Banks said. "He saw your performance in the Power Assessment Test and is incredibly impressed. He's been eager to spar with you for a while now. Since we have this opportunity, would you perhaps indulge him, Mr. Fly?"

  The other Student Council members who had been surrounding Fly stepped back, clearing an open space.

  A cold smirk touched Fly's lips.

  But to Fly, who had lived two lives, these were just the petty tricks of high school kids.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  As the old saying goes:

  If he could win this fight cleanly, it would save him a lot of trouble in his future campus life, just like when he had spectacularly defeated Jett. If he had backed down then, who knows how many more challengers would have emerged from the woodwork.

  Fly took a step forward, tilted his head up slightly, and looked Marshall straight in the eye. "You're Marshall, right?"

  Marshall snorted. "You should call me 'Senior Marshall'! Didn't your family teach you basic manners?"

  Fly sneered. "You're just one year ahead of me. Why put on such airs? Besides your 'senior' status, do you have anything else worth mentioning?"

  "You...!" Marshall seemed to have been hit where it hurt. He instantly became furious, raising his fist as if to strike Fly.

  Forrest Banks quickly stopped him.

  "Ah, the duel hasn't started yet," his tone was incredibly gentle, but his eyes were chillingly cold.

  Seeing Banks's expression, Marshall flinched and froze.

  Then, Forrest Banks turned back to Fly. "Fly, I know you're the genius of this year's freshman class. One could even say you're the 'number one genius' Star City High has seen in over a decade. And your Beast Totem is an incredibly precious Mythical Species. But..."

  He paused, glanced at Marshall, and continued, "...but Marshall here is a 'genius of hard work.' During his own freshman Power Assessment Test, he was ranked somewhere in the two hundreds, nothing particularly outstanding. But then, he joined our Student Council..."

  "From that point on, Marshall's path in Martial Studies changed completely. The Student Council arranged for senior students to tutor him one-on-one, provided him with a stronger Beast Totem, and supplied him with numerous supplements to condition his body... Now, he is one of the top fifty experts in the second year. And it's only been half a year since he joined the Student Council..."

  Hearing this, Fly instantly understood. This wasn't just about intimidating him; it was also an advertisement.

  When he first heard that Marshall had only ranked in the two hundreds, he had been puzzled. Why would the selective Student Council recruit someone like that?

  Now he got it. This Marshall was the Student Council's living, breathing advertisement.

  An originally unremarkable high school warrior who, in less than a year after joining the Student Council, became one of the top fifty elites in his grade. With such a living example, it was more persuasive than any promotional campaign.

  Furthermore, using him as an enforcer against 'troublesome' freshmen who refused their invitations served to demonstrate the Student Council's power and resources.

  Meanwhile, Forrest Banks couldn't help but feel a surge of smug satisfaction.

  He knew Fly was a genius, but no matter how talented, he was still just a freshman. Marshall was a second-year student who had received a full year of Star City High's martial education plus half a year of dedicated cultivation from the Student Council.

  Perhaps, if they were the same age and under the same conditions, Marshall would be no match for Fly.

  But in the current situation, Fly's defeat was certain.

  Not only that...

  Once Fly experienced the vast gap between himself, the so-called "genius," and Marshall, he would realize that outstanding talent alone was far from enough on the path of Martial Studies...

  By then, Fly would come crying to him, begging to join the Student Council...

  The thought made Forrest Banks even more pleased.

  Star City High never lacked geniuses, and the Student Council had always specialized in netting them.

  If any genius dared to refuse, they would face the Student Council's relentless suppression, making them understand that joining was the only viable path...

  No one could refuse the Student Council.

  And if they did, well... then they would "make him an offer he couldn't refuse"...

  ...

  At that moment, Fly was oblivious to Forrest Banks's thoughts. He took out his Beast Totem card, preparing to accept Marshall's duel request.

  "No need for that trouble."

  Marshall's words made Fly pause.

  "Let's just fight right here. This is the sports field; there's plenty of space for us."

  Fly: "???"

  Whether it was his duel with Jett or the Martial Trials yesterday, they had all taken place in a virtual battle arena. Why was this Marshall...?

  Fly glanced around, thought for a moment, and then understood.

  A crowd of freshmen had already gathered around the edge of the field, craning their necks, trying to see what was happening. If Marshall defeated him—the newly crowned number one freshman—in front of everyone, it would greatly enhance the Student Council's prestige and crush the confidence of any other freshmen thinking of resisting.

  Moreover, fighting here prevented any official record. Duels in the virtual arena were clearly recorded. If anything happened later and the school investigated, it could be disadvantageous for the Student Council. But a fight on the open field left no video evidence. Killing two birds with one stone.

  Seeing Fly hesitate, Marshall smirked. "What's wrong? Scared? If you're scared, just admit defeat and obediently join the Student Council. I can let bygones be bygones."

  Fly gave him a mocking look. "You should worry about yourself first. Try not to make your defeat too ugly later."

  With that, Fly's body flickered, and his Beast Totem manifested—the mirage of a cockroach crackling with lightning appeared behind him.

  The sheer size of the cockroach made even Forrest Banks raise an eyebrow.

  The few Student Council members standing near Vincent involuntarily took a few steps back.

  Although they had seen Fly's Beast Totem during the test, seeing a man-sized cockroach up close like this was still unnerving.

  "So this is the genius of the freshman year? Good. Very imposing," Marshall said, squinting as he sized up the cockroach mirage.

  Although he felt a flicker of apprehension, Forrest Banks had brought him here to be the enforcer, so he certainly wouldn't back down.

  Besides...

  His own Beast Totem was also extremely powerful!

  "Watch closely, Fly! This is my, Marshall's, Beast Totem!"

  As his voice fell, a dazzling light began to flash.

  The sound of vibrating metal echoed across the entire sports field...