All’s fair in war…?

The sky had turned a misty white.

A breeze swept through, lifting her hair.

Wang Ning once again caught the scent of windmill silver jasmine—the same fragrance she smelled upon first entering Alice Academy.

The sweet, delicate scent made her inexplicably think of summer soda.

The gun in her hand remained steady.

But to her, the few seconds that passed felt like an entire century.

The scene fell into silence.

Until Rin Yue let out a soft “Eh?”

She lowered her head to look at Wang Ning.

An unfamiliar emotion briefly surfaced in her eyes—one Wang Ning had never seen before.

But it vanished in an instant.

Rin Yue showed no surprise.

No panic.

She even leaned in closer.

The muzzle of the gun pressed tighter against her own abdomen.

Her eyes curved as she smiled.

“Do you know where the fatal spot is?”

“…”

“This is your lower abdomen,”

Rin Yue’s hand suddenly covered Wang Ning’s.

Like a teacher guiding a child’s hand while writing.

Wang Ning’s grip tightened so hard her knuckles turned white.

Her finger was almost about to pull the trigger.

Dark teal curls tumbled down and mixed with her pale hair.

That hand, like a gentle guide, slowly moved hers.

“…If you shoot here, it’ll only seriously injure me.”

“I’ll bleed.”

“If it’s bad, my organs might even spill out.”

“But I won’t die.”

“…”

Rin Yue lowered her head and stared at the expressionless girl in front of her.

Just meeting those pure blue eyes made her heart pound.

An unfamiliar sensation surged through her fingertips, numbing them.

Excitement peaked like a match thrown onto gasoline.

It stabbed into her mind like a needle.

Urging her to destroy everything around her.

She licked her lips.

Barely holding herself back.

Then roughly dragged Wang Ning’s hand to her chest.

She smiled and said, “You could try shooting here.”

“Or…”

She guided the muzzle to her throat.

That slender neck, delicate like a fragile flower stem.

A vital artery just beneath.

“This spot works too.”

“—Go on.”

Rin Dong stood nearby, silent.

She didn’t react to the exchange.

Or rather—her eyes were focused solely on Wang Ning.

The sound of rustling leaves suddenly became unbearably loud.

The floral scent in the air turned cloyingly sweet.

The tension thickened unbearably.

Wang Ning stared at her own finger on the trigger.

And at the smiling lamb—or perhaps devil—beneath it.

A devil, tempting the true lamb to shoot.

Pressure built up, layer by layer, on her index finger.

The burning in her chest stole the oxygen from her lungs.

She felt completely bewitched.

The trigger was nearly fully pulled—

“Ning Ning!”

A panicked voice boomed in her ears.

Wang Ning jolted back to her senses.

Cold sweat poured down her back.

She stared in shock at the girl in front of her.

Then forcefully yanked back her gun.

Rin Yue’s residual warmth lingered on her hand.

【What is even going on here…?】

【Why are these people outside the school? Wait—is the front gate also a point zone???】

【Ah! I see Angel-chan!】

【Why is our little angel in a wheelchair? Is she hurt?!】

【AAAAA President-sama I’m cheering for youuuu!】

Wang Ning turned her head.

She saw Karine approaching quickly, worry written all over her face.

A few livestream cameras followed closely behind.

Rin Yue and Rin Dong exchanged glances.

They both stepped back in sync.

Their attention shifted to the approaching blonde student council president.

Karine ignored them entirely.

She strode up to Wang Ning with long, urgent strides.

“Are you alright?”

“Any injuries?”

“Anywhere uncomfortable?”

“Come on, I’ll take you to the infirmary.”

Her words tumbled out in a rush.

Wang Ning blinked, overwhelmed.

She met those golden eyes brimming with concern and compassion.

“…I’m fine. I just need to use the bathroom.”

Karine exhaled a huge sigh of relief.

The pressure on her face lifted.

She turned her gaze to the two kidnappers who had taken her precious junior.

“What class are you two from?” Karine asked sternly.

“The school gate is a hidden point zone.”

“But injuring school security without cause is a violation.”

“According to Rule 7 of the tournament, harming non-participants comes with penalties.”

“Your points will be reset.”

“You’ll get an official demerit.”

“And—you’ll be cleaning school toilets for three months.”

“Also, we’ll be deducting 10 academic points.”

Finally, she flashed a bright smile.

“Oh—and I mean every toilet in the entire school.”

【LOL that punishment is brutal】

【Am I the only one curious where Angel-chan got that gun from?】

【Must be a high-tier loot drop. I bet she pulled an SSR. (so jealous)】

【No wait—that’s a military-grade K-0342. That’s not standard gear.】

【Even within the army, it’s rare. Only high-ranking officers have access to those.】

【I checked with my friend—he’s a weapons expert, trust me.】

Rin Dong glanced at the floating livestream drone above them.

Then she stopped her sister from acting on impulse.

She looked again at Karine.

The imperial princess was clearly forcing a polite smile.

Her clenched fists and throbbing temple veins gave her away.

Seeing this, Rin Dong cooperatively replied, “We’re sorry. We understand our mistake.”

Karine let out a cold scoff.

If it weren’t for the livestream—

And if the other party wasn’t so keen on staying undercover—

This situation would’ve been anything but peaceful.

Karine stepped forward and began untying the bindings on Wang Ning.

Her face darkened when she saw the purplish bruises left behind by the restraints.

Once again, she regretted not smashing the livestream drone when she had the chance.

Who in the world thought broadcasting the entire thing live was a good idea?

She mentally jotted down the name of whoever approved it.

Then she looked toward the oddly-dressed criminals.

“And also—wearing weird costumes on campus?”

“That’s an extra two months of punishment.”

The roleplaying twins: …

Rin Dong tightened her grip on Rin Yue’s shoulder.

She nodded in acknowledgment of the punishment.

Wang Ning had already stood up.

She quickly tucked the gun back into her pocket.

Her heart was pounding wildly.

Thank goodness Karine arrived just in time!

If she had pulled the trigger all the way…

And the gun had clicked empty…

She would’ve been completely exposed!

There had never been any bullets in it.

She didn’t even want to carry live ammo.

She just thought the gun looked cool.

Sometimes she fiddled with it when she was bored.

Luckily, those two had been so convinced she was a harmless weakling…

They hadn’t even bothered to search her.

Now…

She had absolutely no intention of playing the victim anymore.