Anyone else want to try?

Caitlin had just dismantled Hastings, and even Adler had lost to her. Who would

dare challenge her now? This time, Hastings was thoroughly convinced. The entire area fell silent.

Those who had previously suspected Adler of throwing the fight were now speechless, especially Seth and Levi.

"Four minutes. Only four minutes," Seth stammered. "Is my watch broken? How could Hastings lose to her in just four minutes?" Adler had at least lasted around fifteen.

Levi's shock transformed into admiration. "Your watch is fine," he said. "This young woman is truly in a league of her own."

Adler looked at his fellow instructors, his expression unreadable. "Now do you believe me when I say I didn't go easy on her?" It was the first time Adler had ever faced such a formidable opponent, and he felt a complex mix of emotions.

"She won! Our goddess won again!" the crowd erupted in cheers at that moment. "Caitlin is seriously amazing!"

"She's awesome at both school and fighting, just like Captain Marvel!"

Listening to the cheers, Charis was so angry she could barely breathe. Her original intention was to humiliate Caitlin. But now, not only had Caitlin not been embarrassed, she had become a shining star, gaining a legion of fans.

If she had known Caitlin could actually fight, she would have died before saying a word. Damn it! Caitlin was so damned infuriating! Charis wanted to slap herself.

Caitlin walked over to Adler. "Mr. Adler, does this mean I'm excused from the boot camp starting today?"

"Yes," Adler nodded. "I'll sign off on it myself."

"Thank you."

"But you have to finish today's session," Adler added.

"OK."

Hastings approached, rubbing his sore arm. "Caitlin, where did you learn those moves?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. Caitlin was unbelievably skilled. Besides Adler, Hastings had never encountered such a worthy opponent. He was dying to know who could have taught her. If Caitlin was this good, her teacher must be a legend.

"I learned it from a book," Caitlin replied.

From a book? Hastings blinked.

It wasn't just Hastings; everyone else was taken aback by her answer.

"Are you sure it was from a book?" Levi asked in disbelief. "Books can only give you

a basic outline. Without a real person to guide you, how could you possibly master those techniques?"

Forget learning from a book. Some people couldn't reach Caitlin's level even with a master's guidance.

"You just have to practice a lot, and you'll get it," Caitlin said, then asked, "Is it that hard?"

The crowd fell silent. "Is it not hard?" they thought.

Her response was a gut punch. It was official: the world of geniuses was beyond their comprehension.

In just one afternoon, the name Caitlin became known throughout Kingsward University.

"Did you hear? There's a powerhouse among the freshmen. She beat two instructors back-to-back."

"Of course I heard! I heard one of the instructors even ended up with a broken bone!"

"No way, a broken bone? She's that strong?"

"What? A freshman broke an instructor's leg?"

"Are you serious?"

"Totally serious. I heard one has a broken leg, and the other has a broken arm." "And they need prosthetics?"

"Did you hear? A freshman killed two instructors. They've already been taken for cremation!"

"Cremated already? Didn't they just die this afternoon?"

"It's so hot out. If they didn't cremate them right away, the bodies would start to smell."

In the dorm room, Gertrude and Elsa were vividly recounting the campus rumors to Caitlin.

Caitlin, who was applying a face mask, laughed so hard it crinkled. "Oh my god, if this keeps up, I'me going to become a serial killer So this is how rumors get started. No wonder there was a saying about gossip being a deadly weapon.

Elsa looked at Caitlin. "Catie, I'm so jealous of you. You don't have to attend the

boot camp for the next fourteen days."

"By the way, where are you going to go?"

Caitlin patted her face mask. "My grandmother is staying at my house right now, so I'm going to go home and spend some quality time with her." Caitlin had been worried she wouldn't have time to spend with Dowager Hannah Richards As it turned out, an opportunity had presented itself.

Elsa nodded. "So when are you leaving?"

"I'll leave tomorrow morning after I get the leave slip from Instructor Adler," Caitlin replied. She needed signatures from both her instructor and her academic advisor to leave.

Gertrude added, "Does that mean we won't see you for fourteen days?"

Caitlin smiled at her. "Don't worry, I'll be thinking of you guys every day. I'll bring you some delicious treats when I get back!"

"Yay! Yes, please!"

Just then, Charis, Nicolette, and Yvette entered the dorm. Hearing Caitlin's cheerful plans, Charis's face turned ugly Even she couldn't get out of the boot camp on what grounds did this little bitch get to be excused? It was disgusting. *Just you wait,* she thought. When this is all over, I'll make you pay.*

Seven o'clock the next morning.