My System Doesn't Give Power

Chapter 143: Your Lovable Mimi

Basking in the cheers from the crowd, Mimi walked over to the remaining contestants and studied them one by one.

"Why are they all so good-looking?" Her gaze moved across the group. "Let’s see... an icy beauty, a handsome redhead, a gothic enchantress..."

Then she spotted Marty and Lydia. "Okay. Those two look normal."

Her eyes moved again and landed on Zac. "What the... Why is he so handsome?"

"Hello?" Marty waved a hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her trance.

Mimi blinked rapidly, then recovered her bright smile. "Hello, remaining contestants! By the way, I’m Mimi, your commentator and announcer for today’s matches."

"Would any of you like me to add a special title when I announce you onto the stage?"

As she spoke, she slowly drifted closer to Zac, almost close enough to touch him.

Zac looked up, and for a brief instant, a faint red glint flashed through his eyes before disappearing.

Mimi’s everlasting smile froze. For one terrible second, she felt as though her soul had left her body.

She immediately turned away, her cheerful expression becoming almost mechanically bright. "On second thought, I’ll come up with the titles myself!"

Marty nudged Zac. "You just scared the living soul out of her."

"I didn’t do anything, just looked at her."

"That wasn’t a look. That was a glare."

"Whatever."

As Mimi headed toward the stage, Marty watched her go. "Anyway, who in the pink hell is she?"

"Her real name is Mimosa Pudding," Shobin explained. "She’s a second-year student from the Normies Academy of New Dawn. She calls herself Mimi, probably because she thinks it sounds cuter."

Daniel nodded thoughtfully. "Mimosa Pudding already sounds like something you’d order from a dessert shop."

Marty blinked. "Wait. Normies Academy? You mean the one for people who want regular jobs?"

"Yes."

"Then why is she here?"

Shobin stared at him. "Didn’t you hear anything she just said? She’s the announcer."

He pointed toward Mimi. "She started doing announcements when she was a first-year student and became popular pretty quickly because of the whole cute-persona thing. People love her."

"Of course they do." Marty glanced at the roaring crowd. "Honestly, I don’t think she even needs those fake applause sounds anymore."

Meanwhile, Mimi’s thoughts were spiraling. "What was that? Why did he look at me like that? Did I do something wrong?"

She shuddered. "Scary. Seriously scary."

Then Zac’s face flashed through her mind again. "And why is he that handsome? That’s not fair. That face does not match that terrifying glare. Pick a side, dude. What an unfair creature."

As she reached the stage, voices from the crowd caught her attention.

"Is that Zac Dellencore? The troublemaker?"

"God, he looks even better up close."

"Right? I barely noticed before because his matches ended so fast."

Mimi’s smile remained flawless.

Inside, however... "Of course they’re looking at him. Why wouldn’t they? Pretty face, mysterious attitude, getting famous by causing trouble everywhere he goes..."

Then she noticed Sabrina, Kelly, and even Ravena nearby. "And why are all the pretty girls around him? Is there some hidden membership card? Do I need to apply?"

Mimi shook the thought away and raised her floating microphone with renewed enthusiasm.

"Now then! Today, we’re going to witness some incredible battles under this glorious spotlight, with your lovable Mimi guiding you through every unforgettable moment!"

She beamed at the audience. "It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience!"

Her tone shifted slightly. "But before we begin, let me quickly go over the rules."

"As always, contestants may only use mana coating. Awakened abilities and skills are strictly prohibited."

She raised one finger. "No life-threatening attacks, no killing moves, and absolutely no attempts to turn your classmates into vegetables."

A few laughs came from the stands. "If a contestant steps outside the boundary, loses consciousness, becomes unable to continue, or surrenders, the match ends immediately."

Mimi pointed toward the medical staff. "And please try not to give our healers unnecessary work. They already look tired enough."

Several healers nodded solemnly from the sidelines.

From the upper stands, Matilda watched Mimi with mild amusement. "She certainly is lively."

"Noisy, I’d say," Simon replied.

"Not a fan of commentators?"

"I don’t like unnecessary distractions."

Matilda noticed Simon looking at her. "And don’t look at me like that. Bringing her here was Murphy’s idea."

Murphy immediately frowned. "Don’t throw me under the bus, Metilda. The tournament needed a little entertainment, and the audience deserves some too. That’s why I invited her."

Back on the central stage, Mimi lifted her microphone. "Now, let us reveal the first match of the day!"

"Entering first from Class A, the troublemaker who finishes matches faster than most people finish breakfast, our charming devil... Zac Dellencore!"

"And facing him from Class B, the steady swordswoman who carved her way into the final six through discipline and grit... Lydia Maron!"

"Begin!"

Lydia moved first.

Mana flowed over her sword in a smooth, even layer as she closed the distance and struck without hesitation. Zac drew his own sword and met the attack head-on.

Their blades collided with a sharp clang.

Lydia immediately changed angles and attacked again. Her swordsmanship was steady and disciplined, without any wasted movement, and Zac quickly understood how she had made it this far.

He blocked two strikes before returning one of his own. Lydia caught it with her blade, but the force behind the attack pushed her back half a step.

Mimi’s excited voice rang through the arena.

"And Lydia holds her ground! Our charming troublemaker seems to have finally found someone who won’t fly off the stage after one little push!"

Zac’s eyebrow twitched. "Does she have to call me that every time?"

[You should be grateful. Free advertising is expensive.]

"I’m gonna stuff the microphone into her throat."

[Really? Is it only gonna be the microphone?]

Lydia’s technique was solid enough to keep up with Zac through several exchanges, but the difference slowly became obvious.

Her swordsmanship was Zac’s, but his mana coating was denser, and the strength of his physical body gave every clash considerably more weight.

Lydia blocked another strike, only for the impact to send a tremor through her arms. She immediately stepped back and changed her approach, trying to draw Zac into overextending.

But Zac didn’t take the bait.

"Oh my!" Mimi exclaimed. "Our troublemaker isn’t rushing in recklessly. Character development is happening right before our eyes!"

Laughter rolled through the stands.

Zac’s grip tightened around his sword. "She’s doing this on purpose."

[Obviously. And judging by the crowd, she’s having a wonderful time.]

Lydia took advantage of the distraction and rushed forward. Her sword swept toward Zac’s side.

He caught the strike, redirected it, and stepped inside her reach before she could recover. Lydia twisted away just in time, but Zac’s next blow came immediately.

Their swords clashed once more. This time, Lydia’s mana coating flickered. One strike became two, then three, each carrying enough force to steadily break through her defense.

Lydia gritted her teeth and held on, but the difference in strength was too great. On the next exchange, Zac knocked her sword aside and stopped his own blade beside her neck.

The referee raised his hand. "Stop! Winner, Zac Dellencore!"

Lydia lowered her sword and released a long breath. "I lost."

Zac sheathed his weapon. "You did good."

Lydia gave him a flat look. "That’s not as comforting as you think."

"I’ve heard that before. Apparently, I’m not good at giving compliments."

[But very good at flirting.]

Zac’s expression stiffened.

"How was that flirting?"

Before Zac could argue further, Mimi’s voice exploded through the arena.

"And Zac Dellencore advances to the top three! The charmingly handsome devil with the social warmth of a locked-up basement is your winner of today’s first battle!"

Zac slowly turned and glared at Mimi again.

Mimi seemingly ignored him and kept smiling at the crowd. "Too far? Maybe a little."

"No. Who cares? Hold the smile, Mimi. Lovable Mimi does not fear death. Lovable Mimi fears irrelevance."

Zac stared at her for another second before turning away and walking back toward the others.

Marty welcomed him with a grin. "Good match, Mr. Locked-Up Basement."

Zac didn’t even bother responding. He simply stood there and closed his eyes. "You’re no fun at all."

The second match soon appeared on the screen.

"Are you all excited for our second battle?" Mimi called brightly. "Without further ado, let’s welcome the beautiful Ice Princess from Class A, whose mana control is as sharp as her gaze... Sabrina Snow!"

She swept one hand toward the other side.

"And her opponent, the quiet nerd who shocked everyone by suddenly revealing himself as a martial artist... Shobin Shoji!"

Applause erupted once again, especially from the boys when Sabrina stepped forward.

"Wow, she’s so pretty."

"Right? She looks like morning frost. A little cold, though."

"I’d protect her with my life."

"You think you have a chance with her? Dude, live in reality."

Mimi’s smile twitched.

"Morning frost? Morning frost? I’m standing right here sparkling like a limited-edition doll, and you people are worshipping frozen ice?"

Her cheerful expression never slipped.

More voices followed.

"Look at her. She’s gorgeous."

"That cold face is melting my heart."

"She looks like she walked straight out of winter."

"Winter? Gorgeous? Please. She has one facial expression, for God’s sake."

Mimi kept smiling.

"And why are you people adoring her this much? Nobody should be getting this much attention while I’m in the room."

Marty leaned toward Zac. "You think Shobin has a chance?"

"It’s hard to say. For now, let’s just wait and watch."

On the stage, the referee raised his hand.

"Begin!"