Chapter 48: Combat of Fire and Blood (2) An intense silence blanketed the Arena.

Ophelia felt the urge to bury her face in her hands, frustrated by Nikolai's reckless actions. The tournament had been proceeding smoothly, as expected, until he decided to disrupt it. His interference not only derailed the event but also complicated her efforts to secure favor with the Novikov family. Seating beside them had been an honor, but now, thanks to Nikolai, that opportunity seemed ruined. The family sat in a shared silence, mirroring the quiet that had settled over the crowd. Ophelia let out a weary sigh, noting that the air of tension only grew heavier with each passing second. She couldn't shake the feeling that Nikolai's behavior had set the stage for something far more sinister. His reputation as a troublemaker was clearly well-deserved, and she could now understand why the Novikovs harbored such disdain for him. He was a walking red flag—perhaps the reddest she had ever seen—and this, she feared, was just the beginning. Her frustration mounted as she hid her face in h