The Episode with the Biggest Gap Between the Rich and the Poor

The location of Alice Academy was on the southern Felter Continent, which had a far longer history than other regions.

Besides the widely recognized world power, the Ulysses Empire, it was also dotted with several smaller nations—or perhaps more accurately described as localized powers. After all, when a throne could be bought with enough money, the word “sovereignty” hardly seemed appropriate.

Of course, before that, you’d have to first request an audience with either the emperor of Ulysses or the acting chancellor, submit a formal notice saying, “The throne has changed hands. Next time you ask for tributes—oh, no, when you collect tributes again, don’t forget who’s in charge,” and then you’d be free to abdicate.

This naturally led to many wealthy, idle people splurging just to experience what it felt like to be emperor for once. When they got tired of it, they’d simply list the throne for auction—something that would have shocked people on other continents, but was commonplace here.

“Wow, so you’re the king of Liel now? That’s so cool!”

After class, a crowd gathered around the transfer students. Hearing about their background, many gasped in amazement.

“My family’s decently wealthy too, but if my parents found out I spent that much money buying a useless royal title, they’d probably kill me…”

The others agreed wholeheartedly.

“By the way… you two look kind of familiar,” a girl suddenly remarked with a puzzled tone.

Of course they looked familiar.

During the campus battle tournament, although the twins had been caught on the live broadcast, their appearances had been carefully disguised. It was perfectly reasonable that no one recognized them right away.

Among the crowd, one twin wore a pleasant smile, while the other looked listless and indifferent—but their almost identical faces made it hard for anyone to tell them apart.

Their eyes, however, drifted—whether intentionally or not—past the crowd to one specific spot.

But no one was there.

Rinyue retracted her gaze and beamed, “I’d love to hear about Wang Ning. Can you tell me about her?”

As soon as that all-too-familiar name was mentioned, the crowd noticeably grew more excited. Even students who hadn’t been paying attention perked up and eagerly joined in.

Rindong stood silently to the side, listening to their conversation.

Meanwhile, having left the classroom, Wang Ning had no idea her classmates had just sold her out.

She was practically half-dragging, half-carrying the drowsy Glassanne down the stairs, and only stopped after reaching the ground floor.

“Why are they here?! Don’t tell me they failed to kidnap us the first time and came back again!” Wang Ning’s voice was filled with despair as she glanced at the blue-haired girl resting her head on her shoulder. “Wake up, stop sleeping! They’re the ones who beat you up!”

“Mm…” The girl being shaken frowned deeply, a trace of irritation flashing across her face.

But the familiar scent from Wang Ning’s shoulder gradually calmed her. She opened her eyes.

Yellow wildflowers bloomed by the green hedges, and a few dandelion-like seed tufts drifted in the breeze.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, landing on Wang Ning’s soft face. Her white hair fluttered slightly, revealing an expression tinged with worry.

Those blue eyes seemed clouded by shadow, and the unease within them infected the air, spreading like drifting catkins.

Glassanne lowered her head to look at her and hesitantly reached out her hand.

Wang Ning: ?

Glassanne said, “If this is keeping you from sleeping, I can help you fall asleep.”

As she spoke, her hand moved toward the back of Wang Ning’s neck.

Feeling something was off, Wang Ning immediately stepped back. “What are you trying to do?”

“Unconsciousness is the fastest way to fall asleep.” Her expression was completely serious and calm.

Wang Ning: …?

Wait, are we even talking about the same thing?

Seeing Wang Ning’s stunned expression, Glassanne retracted her hand—seemingly a little regretful (…?).

The dark shadows beneath her eyes hinted at poor sleep, and her voice was laced with weariness. “Their target probably isn’t taking you away this time.”

Wang Ning said hesitantly, “Then why are they here again? Who’s their target this time?”

“You.”

Glassanne was perfectly composed.

Wang Ning: “?”

“But clearly, they’ve chosen a more cautious, smarter method this time, instead of directly abducting you,” Glassanne said.

Wang Ning looked even more confused. “Who even are they? I’ve never seen them before, never made enemies, and I don’t have any background either. Why go to so much trouble for me?”

Glassanne gave her a strange look. “So… you really don’t know?”

Wang Ning: ?

What was she supposed to know?

Glassanne seemed to see through her confusion but didn’t elaborate.

Instead, she curved her eyes slightly. “If you agree to—”

“Okay, I get it,” Wang Ning interrupted immediately, her tone calm. “Can you change the condition?”

Please don’t say something that’ll socially destroy me again—I’m begging you.

Wang Ning prayed with all her heart.

Glassanne stared at her, and her drooping eyelids hinted at disinterest as if she’d lost all enthusiasm for the topic. She lazily rubbed her earlobe and replied in a flat tone, “Then what can you offer me?”

“Uh… money?” Wang Ning tried, offering a tentative suggestion in exchange for information.

Glassanne’s expression was unreadable. “Do you know how much one piece of intel costs from me?”

“…No.”

Wang Ning suddenly grew nervous. She vaguely remembered Glassanne referencing a price before, which made her guess the intel wouldn’t come cheap.

No way… after already being labeled a “human pillow,” would she now be branded a “broke loser who can’t afford intel” too?

Her wristwatch clicked.

Wang Ning looked down—it was almost time for class.

Which meant she’d have to face those two weirdo kidnappers again soon!

Her voice turned anxious, and she rattled off her words in a rush: “Just say it already!”

She lightly pushed Glassanne.

If she couldn’t afford it, she’d just go ask Karleen instead—even if it meant losing all her dignity!

Glassanne seemed about to speak but paused. Her gaze lingered on those sparkling eyes.

Her excellent memory seemed to suddenly malfunction.

Then, she tilted her head and said with a straight face, “One piece of intel, ten Kalu.”

Kalu was the local currency of this world—essentially ten bucks in Wang Ning’s past life.

Wang Ning breathed a huge sigh of relief and confidently said, “The money’s in the classroom. I’ll give it to you next period. You’d better give me the info then.”

“…Wait, that’s too cheap. You’re not going to sell me fake intel, are you?”

She suddenly remembered that old saying: “You get what you pay for.”

Glassanne: “…The price just went up. One piece of intel is now 100 Kalu.”

“Nooo!” Wang Ning’s eyes went wide. “That’s way too expensive—no, wait, I mean, how could my amazing desk mate and roommate possibly sell me… mmph—fake intel?!”

Wang Ning was nearly sweating in panic when Glassanne suddenly let out a snort, then burst into laughter, leaning against a nearby tree, tears of laughter glimmering in her eyes.

“—You’re messing with me?! Forget it.”

Wang Ning feared she’d raise the price again, so she gave up and quickly turned around.

“I’m going back. Class is starting!”

Glassanne didn’t follow.

She stood silently, watching Wang Ning’s retreating back. The smile on her lips slowly faded.

Then she said calmly, “Heard everything? Aren’t you going to come out?”

A figure dropped down from the tall tree above, landing steadily on the ground.

It was one of the new transfer students.