Chapter 111: The Duel with Lady Doti

“Why is no one coming yet…”

Alice leaned back on the sofa in boredom, looking a bit drowsy.

She didn’t know how many times her teacup had been refilled, and now the black tea inside was nearly gone.

“Actually, it’s usually like this—not many people come.”

Liyakade wasn’t surprised.

There weren’t that many difficult-to-handle cases in the Academy, and before the Cultural Festival, sometimes a whole day would go by without a single Commission.

“So it’s pretty quiet.”

“I see.”

Alice nodded, then looked at Liyakade and pressed her hands together in a pleading gesture.

“In that case, Miss Liakade, could you keep tutoring me here?”

The Midterm Exam is coming soon, and this time, I want to get a good score no matter what.

“Of course.”

Seeing such a motivated Alice, Liyakade gladly agreed to her request.

According to the original plot, Alice was supposed to do well in this Midterm Exam anyway, and now with Liyakade’s guidance, her grades and ranking would only be higher than at this point in the original story.

Watching the enthusiastic Alice, Field, who was also sitting on the sofa, smiled warmly.

While they studied together nearby, Field leisurely read a magazine on the sofa.

After about an hour of tutoring, both Liyakade and Alice felt a bit tired, so they decided to take a break.

“Sigh, I’m a little tired.

Alice-chan, let’s rest for a bit?”

“Okay.”

Alice closed her book and agreed.

“I’m a bit tired too.”

“By the way, still no one’s come.

Didn’t you put up a notice at your Dormitory door?

How has no one shown up all day?”

Field was puzzled as well.

“Did you write the wrong place?”

“How could that be… am I that stupid?”

Liyakade rolled her eyes at Field, waving her hand helplessly.

“It’s probably just coincidence that no one came today.”

“So boring.

If we’re just sitting around, why don’t we play a game?”

Field propped her chin on her hand and suggested to the other two.

“I’m in.

We’re already tired from studying, so let’s take a break.”

Liyakade agreed as well.

“But is there anything to play here?”

“Of course there is.”

As she spoke, Field pulled a deck of Poker out of the cabinet.

“How about Poker?”

“Wow, you’re really prepared, huh?”

Liyakade marveled at Field’s thoroughness.

Not only had she arranged a new place for their activities, but she’d also stocked up on so many snacks and games.

“Sure, I feel like I haven’t played Poker in ages.

What should we play?”

Ever since coming to this world, Liyakade hadn’t enjoyed entertainment like this for a long time.

In the beginning, she was just trying to survive, constantly oppressed by Irina Zi.

She hadn’t had the mood for games.

But now, with the threat of Irina Zi gone, Liyakade’s heart was much lighter.

“Of course.

Otherwise, if there are no classes and no Commissions, what would we do here—just stare at the walls?”

Field had thought of all these things.

To be honest, she’d set aside a whole classroom and redecorated it not just for Liyakade’s activities.

Field intended this place to be their little hideaway.

So of course, she’d made thorough preparations.

Forget Poker—there were all sorts of little toys in the cabinet.

Once the time was right, Field absolutely planned to try out every single one.

“How about Dou Dizhu?”

Liyakade suggested casually.

“Doudizhu?

I’m fine with that.”

Field’s lips curled in a sly smile, her eyes narrowing like a crescent moon as she stared at Liyakade.

“…Why does your version of Dou Dizhu sound different from mine… Let’s pick something else.”

Feeling Field’s suggestive gaze, Liyakade shivered and rubbed her arms, a chill running down her spine.

“Ahh.”

Field sighed when Liyakade didn’t fall for it.

“Doudizhu is such a fun game.

Last time we played—”

“Stop, stop, stop! I knew your Dou Dizhu was weird!”

Liyakade hurriedly interrupted, preventing Field from saying anything more embarrassing.

Now Liyakade finally understood which ‘Dou’ Field meant in Doudizhu.

“Miss Liakade… I want to Dou too.

Last time I didn’t get to, I didn’t even get a good look.

It was so pretty…”

Alice copied Field’s expression, teasing Liyakade relentlessly.

But Alice did feel a bit left out.

Although none of them entered the Garden last time, Field had gotten to taste that sweet juice directly.

Even if she got a share from Field’s face, it wasn’t enough.

“Alice… you, you…”

Liyakade was speechless at Alice’s words, her face turning bright red.

“Too scary… you two…”

Why use the word ‘appreciate’?!

It sounds like that thing is some night-luminescent pearl or a rare jewel!

“Hahaha, you get so embarrassed just from a few words.

So cute, Liyakade.

Even if we don’t play Poker, with you here it’s never boring.”

Seeing Liyakade’s bashful appearance, Field couldn’t help but laugh, marveling at how easily Liyakade could be teased.

Then Field sobered up.

“Alright, alright, I’m done.

How about Blackjack?

Liyakade, do you know how to play?”

“…You just like teasing me.”

Liyakade grumbled, then patted her cheeks to calm herself.

Still sulking, she turned away and replied sullenly.

“Hmph, I know!

Just wait, I’ll crush you!”

“Oh, talking big, huh?

Then I’ll wait right here.”

Field raised an eyebrow, accepting the challenge, then turned to Alice.

“Alice, do you know how to play?”

“No…”

Alice shook her head.

In this world, card games like this were usually only played at noble banquets or in casinos.

A decent girl of commoner birth like Alice would never be seen at either, so she’d barely even seen a deck of Poker.

“It’s actually pretty simple.

I’ll explain the rules.”

Field had expected this, so she began to explain.

“Hey, Field, you’re so sinful.

Even a proper lady who couldn’t drink or play cards is now corrupted by you.”

Having just been teased herself, Liyakade wasn’t about to pass up any chance to tease Field back.

She crossed her arms and glanced disdainfully at Field.

“Hmph, you’ve made poor Alice impure.”

“Oh?”

Field gave a faint smile, licked her index finger with a sidelong glance, as if hinting at something.

“Then you’re even more sinful, Liyakade.

You took her first kiss.”

“I—I… I surrender.

I’m defeated…”