“No, no···”
Seeing Irina Zi closing in, Liyakade sobbed and begged for mercy.
“Well, fine.”
Whether it was Liyakade’s pleading that worked or Irina Zi had another purpose, Liyakade suddenly felt the pressure on her chin ease significantly as Irina Zi released her grip.
“Although I really want to give you a proper lesson right now.”
Irina Zi looked at Liyakade with a gaze full of bitter disappointment.
“But there’s still something tomorrow, so I’ll let you off this time.”
“Thank you, Mistress···”
Hearing Irina Zi’s words, Liyakade breathed a sigh of relief as if granted a great pardon.
“But.” Irina Zi’s next words made Liyakade’s heart leap into her throat.
“If you mess up tomorrow’s Practical Battle and Stealing the Test Paper Plan, prepare to be punished doubly. This time it won’t just be a stone on your knee.”
“Yes! I guarantee I’ll complete the mission this time!”
“Hmph.”
Irina Zi snorted coldly and left without giving Liyakade even the slightest friendly expression.
“···Sigh.” After seeing Irina Zi off, Liyakade lay back down on her bed and began to sigh deeply.
Although she wasn’t tormented by Irina Zi today, if she failed tomorrow, she would have to pay double, including today’s punishment.
There was no other way. To survive, she had to put all her effort into tormenting Alice during tomorrow’s Practical Battle!
But how should she do it?
Liyakade recalled the original storyline. In it, Alice, Princess Field, and an unknown stranger formed a group. At the edge of the forest, they encountered a powerful monster that shouldn’t have appeared there. They fought with all their might to defeat it, but the stranger was severely injured.
The two who couldn’t continue fighting had to carry the stranger back to the Academy. Because they didn’t defeat many monsters, their score was very low.
That kind of monster only appears deep in the forest, but this time it showed up at the edge, likely drawn there by the original protagonist to Alice’s group.
Liyakade definitely wouldn’t do that. Drawing a monster of that level was far too dangerous; one slip could kill Alice and the others. She had no intention of doing that. Instead, she thought of a brilliant plan.
Liyakade would push out the stranger and form a trio with Alice and Princess Field. During the battle against the monsters, she would greedily steal all the kills, so the score would go to her alone, leaving none for Alice.
Besides, she was the strongest in the team and contributed the most. Killing a few heads wouldn’t give Alice and Princess Field any room to complain.
That was decided then!
Feeling confident, Liyakade saw tomorrow’s operation as bright and promising.
With that hopeful thought, she drifted into a sweet sleep.
***
The next day, everyone gathered early on the training grounds.
“That’s all for the instructions. Now please form three-person teams by yourselves. Once you’re ready, we’ll set off soon!”
“Alice, Princess Field, let’s team up together!”
As soon as the Mage Teacher finished speaking, Liyakade approached them and invited them to form a team, immediately dispelling others’ hopes of teaming with Princess Field.
After all, Princess Field was a level 32 powerhouse. Having her on the team would definitely increase scoring efficiency.
Why not find an even stronger partner like Liyakade?
She was the White-Haired Curse Child and had a reputation for bullying. No one dared to team up with her.
“Sure, Miss Liyakade, we get to be together again.”
“Hmph, of course. Just don’t hold us back this time.”
Alice and Princess Field readily accepted Liyakade’s invitation.
“Hold us back? I’m obviously the powerhouse here.”
Liyakade retorted without backing down, playfully squabbling with Princess Field.
Before long, the other students had also formed their teams.
Then, the Mage Teacher led the students out of the City. Not far from the gates, they arrived at the edge of a forest.
“Everyone, wear this on your wrist.”
The Mage Teacher handed out strange amulets.
“This is a special Guardian Amulet from the Academy. It can block one fatal blow and also records the types and numbers of monsters you kill. Once you’re ready, you may enter the forest. Exiting it will mark the end of the exam. Be careful and don’t go deep into the forest—just stay on the outskirts.”
“Yes!”
With the amulets fastened, the students quickly entered the forest. The exam’s time limit was until noon, so they had to kill monsters swiftly while managing their stamina. If exhausted, they would have to retreat, ending the exam.
“All right, let’s go too.”
Liyakade fastened her amulet and looked at Alice and Princess Field beside her. Together, they stepped into the forest.
They hadn’t gone far before they encountered a group of goblins.
The goblins let out hoarse, piercing cries, speaking in unintelligible chattering, brandishing stones and sticks as they charged.
“Whoosh—whoosh—”
Liyakade smiled faintly and flicked her small hand. Several wind blades burst forth. The sound of flesh being sliced and goblins’ screams echoed as limbs were severed, scattering the goblin group to pieces instantly.
“Piece of cake.” Liyakade clapped her hands lightly, raising her head proudly.
“Miss Liyakade is amazing!”
“Hey, save some for us! This feels like no fun at all.”
Alice looked at Liyakade with stars in her eyes, full of admiration. Princess Field thought Liyakade’s strikes were too fast; she hadn’t even touched a goblin before they were all wiped out.
Liyakade thought to herself that this Practical Battle was way too easy. This forest was basically the newbie zone in the original story’s game. The outskirts had no monsters above level 10, so even students alone faced almost no danger.
As long as the monster deep in the forest that the original protagonist had summoned didn’t show up, they could fight easily until noon.
Her only job was to boost her kill count, stealing the points that should belong to Princess Field and Alice.
“Whoosh—”
Just as Liyakade thought this, a sudden shift occurred. A wave of intense unease rose from her chest. She quickly dodged.
Sure enough, a thick vine shot toward her thigh at incredible speed. Luckily, Liyakade evaded just in time, avoiding being pierced through.
“What? Twisted Treant!”
Liyakade stared in shock at the writhing vines and roots that seemed to have a will of their own. A huge human face slowly grew on the tree trunk.
This was the very monster Alice and the others had encountered in the original story!