Chapter 131: Everyone Knows Close-Range Mages Have Short Reach

Inside the arena.

Ye Kong's series of self-justifications instantly ignited the crowd of desperate gamblers on the stands, their eyes bloodshot from losses.

"Yes! Another match! We must have another match!"

A male student waved his arms, face flushed, screaming:

"We were careless just now! We lacked intel! Who the hell knew a mage fights up close?!"

"Exactly! This is information fraud! This is entrapment!"

Others nearby chimed in agreement.

Students' eyes turned bloodshot:

"Where's the bookie? Han Meng? Dare you open another bet?"

"Just one more fight—this time, with preparation, Ye Kong will win! I'm reclaiming every copper I lost!"

"Right! I don't believe it—Ye Kong's an SSS-rank spatial mage! Now that we know he's up close, won't he just kite the bastard? This one's a sure win!"

"Open the bet again! We want our money back!"

The roar rose wave after wave.

Though Ye Kong had already promised compensation.

But losing money felt unbearable.

Especially since it was due to faulty intel—a sure win turned to defeat.

Driven by resentment, these usually rational elite students had now fully transformed into irrational gamblers.

They firmly believed Lin Mo had won solely through an unexpected close-range burst.

Once Ye Kong was prepared, using spatial leaps to create distance, it would be a one-sided massacre!

After all, Ye Kong himself had said he excelled at ranged combat.

After all, close-range mages have short reach—that's common knowledge!

On the opposite side of the arena.

Lin Mo heard the surrounding chants of "get our money back," his eyelid twitching slightly.

He turned to look toward Han Meng's direction.

Their gazes met in midair.

Just a fraction of a second of eye contact.

They had confirmed each other's intent: partners in deception.

At that moment,

Ye Kong stepped forward, radiating intimidation:

"Lin Mo! Did you hear that?"

"Everyone wants another match! If you're a man, stop dithering!"

"Dare you? Or don't you? Speak!"

Ye Kong's gaze was sharp.

He wanted to reclaim every shred of face he'd lost.

Hearing this, Lin Mo scratched his head, avoiding eye contact.

He stammered:

"Huh? This… this isn't necessary, is it?"

"Ye classmate, you just said yourself—you're best at ranged attacks…"

"I'm a mage, but I usually settle things with my fists. How am I supposed to chase you around the whole arena?"

"Isn't this bullying a good guy? I won't fight—I'm short-handed."

As he spoke, Lin Mo took half a step back.

This scene, seen by the crowd, was undeniable proof.

"I told you! He's scared of ranged!"

"Hah! He's panicking! He's panicking!"

Meanwhile,

Han Meng also stepped forward.

She pointed at Lin Mo, feigning exasperation, shouting loudly:

"Lin Mo! Look at yourself!"

"I told you again and again—don't neglect your weak subjects, train more ranged skills, but you wouldn't listen!"

"All you do is play with your magma armor and brawl!"

"Now look—you've been exploited! How are you supposed to fight?"

Nearby, Han Mengyao and Chu Lingxuan watched the two actors, their expressions odd.

Seriously…

Never trained ranged?

Short-handed?

How do you two say these things without blushing?

Chu Lingxuan murmured:

"Mengqing… she really should've gone into acting."

"And Lin Mo… I never thought someone with such a straightforward face could lie so smoothly…"

And not far away,

Xu Wenchang's eyelids were twitching violently.

Watching Lin Mo's performance—like a man whose weakness had been exposed—he internally ranted.

You're a mage who fights with your fists?

You're being bullied because you're short-handed and honest?

If I hadn't personally seen you bury over four hundred people in Tianbei City, I'd believe your lies!

…

In the center of the arena.

Seeing Lin Mo's evasive behavior, Ye Kong felt certain.

His lingering doubts vanished completely.

Of course!

This guy is a pure close-range mage!

Ye Kong's face broke into a smug grin:

"What? Scared?"

"Lin Mo, if you're too afraid, just admit defeat. The class monitor position is mine now."

"All future group activities for Dragon Sequence Class will be under my command."

Lin Mo frowned.

He took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and his tone suddenly hardened:

"Hmph. Admit defeat?"

"I'll never admit defeat. Though I'm short-handed and unbalanced, I wasn't raised to be a coward!"

"If you insist on another round, and everyone wants their money back…"

Lin Mo gritted his teeth, adopting a defiant stance:

"Fine! Let's go! Who's afraid of whom? I'll just chase you down and slash you!"

"Good! Now you're talking!"

Ye Kong roared, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.

He set down his Tang dao, looked at Lin Mo, and spoke with youthful bravado:

"Lin Mo, I Ye Kong respect you as a man!"

"Though I exploited class advantage and it's not entirely fair, the monitor position goes to the capable!"

"But don't worry—today, win or lose, I recognize you as an opponent. Once I'm monitor, I'll save the deputy position for you! Our bond is forged in battle!"

In Ye Kong's eyes, Lin Mo's willingness to face certain defeat was the mark of a true strong person.

Ye Kong's words sent the crowd into a frenzy.

"Well said! Kong-ge is generous!"

"That's the spirit! That's what a monitor should be!"

"Han Meng! Stop dawdling—open the bet now!"

"Exactly! We're placing bets! We want our money back!"

"Dirty bookie! Stop playing dead—get to work!"

"We're betting everything on Ye Kong this time! Let's see how you pay up!"

"You took our money last round—now you think you can run? Not a chance!"

Countless eyes locked onto Han Meng like starving wolves.

Their posture suggested that if she didn't open the bet, they'd storm the arena and rob her.

Han Meng, surrounded and besieged, clutched her small notebook tightly, her face screaming "I refuse."

She waved her hands frantically and shouted loudly:

"Not opening! Not this time!"

"You all know Lin Mo's hand is short—Ye Kong will definitely kite him; this round Lin Mo is doomed!"

"You want me to take bets? That's just handing you my money!"

"I'm not stupid! I won't do such a losing deal—I haven't even warmed up my recent earnings!"

Han Meng looked utterly determined not to be a fool.

Yet,

the more she refused, the more the students became certain Lin Mo would lose for sure.

"Stop talking! Why didn't you say that when you won money just now?"

"Exactly! Think you can run after winning? No such rule exists!"

"You must open! Otherwise, Longxu Class doesn't have you!"

"Han Meng, if you don't take bets today, you're looking down on all of us!"