“Why would this be just my problem? Once the Martial Arts Club and the upperclassmen from the Tea Party are done dealing with me, your Kendo Club will be next.”
Ten-Step Hall put on a show of helplessness. “If the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold. Working together is the safest option.”
Qingshamu crossed her arms, falling into deep thought as she weighed the pros and cons in her mind.
Feini and White Feather Dove had long given up on thinking, continuing to eat and eat.
Their bellies puffed up, and after finishing half the dishes on the table, they were finally full.
As for the other half, the Golden Fang Beast Sisters finished it off; in no time, the table was clean.
Ten-Step Hall and Qingshamu had only chatted for a while when they suddenly realized there was no food left for them.
“Grr~” Qingshamu picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
“In a few days, there’s going to be another special lesson called [Simulated Adventure Party]. It’s an activity that simulates a Human Race adventurer party.”
“Only we Privileged Students and Special Excellent Students are qualified to participate. We can form our own adventure parties and leave God and Demon Academy to go out and act freely.”
Ten-Step Hall explained again.
“What are you trying to say?” Qingshamu asked.
“We can form an adventurer party to join the event. While we’re out and about, the Witch will shelter our factions, and the Academy won’t allow other apprentices to seize our territory during this period,” Ten-Step Hall introduced.
“So you want to exploit a loophole in the school rules.” Qingshamu snorted coldly.
“This isn’t a loophole. It’s part of the system,” Ten-Step Hall replied.
“When we come back, the upperclassmen will still be after us. What’s the point?” Qingshamu asked.
“When we return, we’ll be an adventurer party—gilded, a whole unit.” Ten-Step Hall replied with feigned profundity.
“So if the upperclassmen want to deal with us, they’ll have to form a team and have a fair contest with us, settling things with a group battle and avoiding a Club War. Is that what you mean?” Qingshamu analyzed.
“It’s simple talking to smart people.” Ten-Step Hall nodded, smiling. “What do you think of my proposal?”
“Even if it’s us against the upperclassmen and magic beasts, I don’t see much chance of winning,” Qingshamu said.
“If we fight head-on, as first-years, we’re doomed. But in a group battle, we have a chance. I’ve already received word—the Tea Party president and the Martial Arts Club president have secretly joined forces,” Ten-Step Hall said.
“That’s only because your Tea Ceremony Society gave them an excuse to team up,” Qingshamu blamed.
“I also know that the Tea Party president and Martial Arts Club president secretly signed the [Treaty of Mutual Non-Aggression Between Clubs], and the [Divide the Kendo Club Contract].”
“Their aim is that from now on, God and Demon Academy apprentices will only be divided into magic and martial arts—no more need for Kendo. Do you think your Kendo Club can stand up to those two giants?”
Ten-Step Hall persuaded.
Bang! Hearing this, Qingshamu suddenly clenched her fingers and crushed the teacup in her hand.
“Looks like you agree with my plan.” Ten-Step Hall laughed.
“What’s the point of me agreeing? Feini still has to agree. Only if she agrees and joins your plan will I join. Don’t even think about excluding her. And as for you and me, at most we just have some differences of opinion and arguments, but don’t forget what you all did to Feini before,” Qingshamu said earnestly.
At these words, Xueyuedai’s pupils trembled.
She feared Feini would bring up the past; then her reputation would really be ruined.
“Everything before was just a misunderstanding. We can make it up to Feini,” Ten-Step Hall said with a series of smiles.
“Me? Of course I agree, no problem. I’ll do whatever you say,” Feini nodded in a second.
“……” Qingshamu was speechless.
“But I have a request.” Feini lifted her little finger.
“……” Xueyuedai’s heart skipped a beat again, thinking Feini was about to kick her out of the group.
“What is it? Just say it. If I can help, I will,” Ten-Step Hall asked.
“I want to pack three roasted lamb chops and a red-skinned roast duck. Is that okay?” Feini said.
“……” Xueyuedai was left in silent relief; clearly, she’d been overthinking.
“No problem. Waiter, pack up three roasted lamb chops, a red-skinned roast duck, and half a suckling pig.” Ten-Step Hall immediately called for the Qipao Girl to pack the food.
Anything that could be settled with money was no problem.
Once the talk was over, the meal ended quickly.
Feini, White Feather Dove, and Qingshamu carried bags and boxes of food out of Jingui Lou.
“Take care on your way,” Ten-Step Hall waved at them from behind.
“Thanks for the hospitality. Farewell.” Feini turned around and waved goodbye to those magical beast girls who had bullied her before.
Only when they were far away did the smile gradually fade from Ten-Step Hall’s face.
“You’re not really planning to reconcile with them, are you?” Lianjian asked quietly.
“Once I’ve dealt with the upperclassmen, next will be the Kendo Club and Qingshamu. In the end, she’s still an obstacle to my grand ambition of unifying the high school division,” Ten-Step Hall said flatly.
With that, she turned and went back for a second meal. After all, she hadn’t gotten to eat while chatting earlier.
—————-
“Once Ten-Step Hall is done with the upperclassmen, she’ll definitely come after us.”
On the way home with Rose and her mother, Qingshamu had already seen through Ten-Step Hall’s intentions.
“Then why did you agree to her cooperation?” Feini asked.
“Didn’t you agree first?” Qingshamu shot back.
“So it’s my fault now?” Feini retorted.
“Although I know her wolfish ambitions, her plan is actually pretty good,” Qingshamu explained.
“Plus, after we form an adventurer party, she’ll have to consider morals before targeting us. Just like she’s forming a party to force the upperclassmen to challenge us as a group, she can’t use outside forces to target me either.”
“In the end, you’re planning to settle things one-on-one with her?” Feini said.
“That’s right.” Qingshamu nodded.
Feini didn’t say anything more.
So, in the end, is it still the same old story of a hero versus a demon lord?
No matter how bumpy or strange the journey is, no matter how many extraordinary people appear along the way, the final battle between fated rivals never changes. It’s as if it’s written by destiny.
After all, this world is a Other World built on the foundation of a Magic Game, even if it’s just a galgame.
“This is far enough.” Feini stopped in front of the small grove, taking the lunch boxes from Qingshamu’s hands.
“Mm. Good night.” Qingshamu, like before, stuck around like glue, said her goodbye in one line, and left.
Feini felt that lately, she’d become more like a normal person—not as annoying as before.
The mother and daughter returned to the small cabin.
“Mom! Big Sis! Come have a snack!” Hei Qi Long saw them return and called out happily.
“Little Black, we packed some food for you too. It’s the roast from Jingui Lou,” Feini said with a smile.