Grand Warlock: My System Gave Me Infinite Classes

She swept her gaze across the crowd and locked eyes with Norris, who was speaking with Robb at the edge of the circle.

"Let Norris of the Enforcement Squad serve as the impartial witness for this duel."

Norris stiffened as the attention of the entire crowd turned toward him.

But feeling the oppressive weight of Cynthia's gaze, he had no choice but to step forward.

"I am honored to witness this duel. According to the rules, each side may grant their slave a single pre-battle enhancement. Once combat begins, only verbal instructions are permitted, direct intervention is prohibited. The duel ends when one party yields or is no longer able to continue fighting."

He glanced at both slaves, especially the half-orc, whose body glowed faintly with a crimson aura of bloodlust. Norris pressed his lips together but made no objections.

Taking the deposit pouches from both sides, Norris raised a copper token into the air.

"Both parties, prepare. Begin!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the leopard-woman huntress shot forward like an arrow from a bow, so fast she left behind a blur.

She didn't charge directly, instead darting around the half-orc in rapid motion. Her claws sliced through the air with sharp hissing sounds.

The half-orc roared and swung his massive fists, trying to land a blow on the nimble figure, but each strike missed its mark.

The leopard-woman moved like a golden bolt of lightning, always staying a step ahead, frustrating every attempt at contact.

"Don't panic, Grush. She's just wearing you down," Cynthia said coolly. "Switch to wide-area attacks."

Grush grunted and changed tactics.

He inhaled sharply and suddenly stomped the ground, sending a tremor through the arena.

Dust exploded upward into a small cloud, blocking the leopard-woman's vision.

"Above!" Talisa's voice rang out calmly, filled with practiced composure.

Luna reacted instantly, leaping into the air and narrowly dodging a massive fist emerging from the dust cloud.

In midair, she flipped and slashed her claws across the half-orc's shoulder, drawing blood.

The half-orc howled in pain and swept his arm in retaliation.

This time, the leopard-woman didn't dodge in time, she was struck in the ribs and sent flying several meters before crashing to the ground.

"Get up, Luna!" Talisa urged, her tone urgent. "You're faster, don't trade blows!"

Luna quickly rolled to her feet, her expression flashing with pain, but it was soon replaced by renewed focus.

After a few deep breaths, her awakened bloodline surged once more. Her movements became smoother, her speed even more astonishing.

"Hmph, foolish girl," Cynthia scoffed. "That little leopard barely weighs half of Grush. Speed means nothing against overwhelming mass."

"Strength isn't the only deciding factor in battle," Talisa replied evenly. "Tactical awareness is just as important."

The leopard-woman began changing strategy, no longer engaging directly.

Instead, she harassed the half-orc's vision and limited his mobility, striking with quick jabs, shallow wounds, and instant retreats that avoided all retaliation.

Gasps of awe echoed through the crowd. Her movements were dazzling.

Robb, observing closely, realized that the leopard-woman's attacks weren't random, they followed a carefully trained rhythm and pattern.

"Where did a hunter's daughter get the resources to train a battle slave like this?" Cynthia muttered through gritted teeth, eyes narrowing in frustration.

Grush's movements slowed noticeably. His body was covered in bleeding cuts. None of them deep, but the accumulated blood loss was significant.

His breath came in harsh gasps. His fury now mixed with exhaustion.

"Grush, now!" Cynthia barked. "Unleash your rage!"

The half-orc threw back his head and let out a guttural, terrifying howl.

His body began to convulse violently, and the blood-colored glow across his skin intensified. His eyes turned pitch black.

Muscles surged under his skin like living things, inflating his frame by nearly a third.

He slammed his foot into the ground, leaving a crater of cracks in the stone. Pebbles exploded outward like shrapnel toward the leopard-woman.

Caught off guard, Luna cried out as she was pelted by debris. Blood misted from shallow cuts all over her body, and she quickly backed away.

"Berserk mode!" someone in the crowd shouted.

Robb narrowed his eyes, carefully tracking the shift in momentum.

The enraged half-orc now had vastly enhanced strength and speed, but his control was slipping. His movements were self-destructive.

Luna sensed the danger as well. She no longer went on the offensive, instead maintaining a safe distance and biding her time.

"Luna, remember your training. Find his weakness!" Talisa instructed calmly.

The leopard-woman nodded and resumed her high-speed maneuvers.

This time, her attacks seemed to follow a pattern, always feinting from the left.

Grush began to catch on, preparing to block the next left-side strike.

But then, she abruptly veered right, slashing in a golden blur toward his throat!

"Dodge, you idiot!" Cynthia shrieked, but it was too late.

Grush twisted his torso just enough to avoid instant death, but his neck and chest were raked with deep wounds.

Blood spurted out in jets. He staggered back, the fire in his eyes flickering.

"Grush, get up!" Cynthia roared. "I don't care if your bones are broken, keep fighting!"

The half-orc groaned and lurched forward, but his movements were sluggish, his balance off. The blood loss had taken its toll.

Luna gave him no opening.

She darted behind him, leapt high, and plunged both claws deep into his back, then ripped downward.

"Graaaugh!" Grush howled in agony and collapsed, unmoving.

"That's enough. Stop," Talisa ordered calmly. "It's over."

Luna leapt off the corpse and retreated cautiously, still alert for danger.

The square fell into stunned silence.

The newly entered Talisa had just defeated Cynthia's infamous half-orc warrior in a slave duel.

"Hmph... Well played. I lost," Cynthia said coldly, unable to mask the fury and humiliation in her voice.

"Per the duel rules, the victor is Apprentice Talisa," Norris announced nervously. After a glance at Cynthia to ensure she wasn't going to protest, he continued:

"The stellar alchemy manuscript is hereby awarded to Lady Corinna's faction. Additionally, this duel result will be logged in the Wizard Reserve Track's rankings."

Talisa nodded and allowed herself a faint smile.

Then, spotting Robb in the crowd, her eyes lit up.

She strode toward him, the crowd instinctively parting in her path.