"That's the way it is. Gwen explained the situation to her compatriots gathered in the cafeteria, and Alessia stood beside her shyly, holding a cup of hot milo.

"So," Xiao Yue tapped her fingers on the table. "You're saying we can skip all the boring? Sounds good. ”

"Along the way, I'm afraid it's going to be a lot of things," Gwen reminded everyone, just in case they still don't understand the scope of the new deal.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with that," Yue said confidently with a smile. "Boom, go straight to the top eight! You're here to make a big fuss, right? What could be more than that?"

"Reckless, but I agree. Deborah nodded beside Yue. "I want to show what I'm capable of, a real showcase, and that's only possible by challenging the best. ”

"It's my choice, brother. "He made his views public. "Nufen will soon pass through my Punamou. ”

"I'll do my best!" Elvia said cutely, joining the circle of affirmation.

"Alright!" Gwen held out her hand and placed it on the table. "Then we'll be fine?"

"Cool"

"Good. ”

"Yes. ”

"Let's get started!"

Gwen took a deep breath, she had been waiting for this moment.

"For one man!"

"Together!"

"Two in one!"

"For us!"

"Black Thorns!"

Everyone cheered.

Gwen was deeply saddened that there was no Alexandre Dumas in this world. Someday she's going to tell the girls the story, turn the musketeer into three magicians or something.

"So, when do we bring pain?" Yue asked.

"Thursday noon, Rosebay Private Women's College," Gwen affirmed. "Open showcase for the top 8 seeded players. I'm sure there will be quite a large audience. ”

"At least, Kirroy and Sir Ferris will come," Alessia interjected. "Two supreme powers of the state. There is no better audience than this! There will be some high-level mages in attendance, but most of them will be mages' retinue. ”

"Oh," Elvia's little face turned paler than a sheet. "So many powerful celebrities. Master Kirroy is the leader of the Tower!Master Ferris is known for her divination and hallucinations!"

Deborah's eyes were full of anticipation.

"So, how is our game?" Yue asked. "I know we're doing 5 5 5, but who's doing 1 5 1 and 3 5 3?"

"Gwen is going to be a striker for 151," Alexia said. "That's part of the agreement. ”

"Aren't they just using lightning resistance to augment their mages?" said Deborah. "I'll do it. ”

"Not with Master Kilroy. There are no pre-match buffs. It is impossible to gain an unfair advantage. ”

"What if she had to duel someone who specializes in Earth? It's a terrible duel for Gwen. What if they're a magician and Gwen makes a mistake or casts a spell by mistake?"

Alicia gave Deborah a relentless look.

"That's what Gwen has to overcome. In the real world, you don't get a favorable match. Your enemies will try to confront you at all times. How we handle our hands is the main factor that distinguishes a skilled mage from a bad one. Not to mention, of all the people here, Gwen has the least problem with flexibility. Alexia chanted because of her lack of personal experience, and her voice was unusually serious. "If Gwen can't even get over that, she's not qualified to compete for the top spot at the top of the international pyramid. ”

"Ma'am," Deborah acquiesced.

She changed the subject to a marriage proposal.

Alicia grinned ominously.

"We only need to win three in a row, so I want you to replace these three with yourself, Yue and Weitu. After all, I dare to say that if Rossby takes this seriously, there is a very high probability that Gwen will lose his "ability". ”

Deborah and Xiaoyue looked at each other in surprise.

"I'm a gamer. Deborah immediately announced. "As long as she can control the fire of her allies. ”

"I'm also a game," Yue said. "As long as she can keep out of my fireball. ”

"Ah~ young. Alicia shook her head wisely, giving the impression of an omniscient Zen master. "You're going to be on the training ground with me tomorrow. You'd better not embarrass Gwen, she's counting on you!"

"Yes, master!" Yue saluted.

"Ma'am!" Deborah looked down in affirmation.

"If there's nothing else to do, go get some rest. "Alexia combed her hair up and disbanded! We meet here first thing on Thursday morning. I'll arrange the transportation when the time comes. ”

The rest of the crew confirmed the order and went their separate ways. Gwen and the girls returned to the dormitory.

"What do you think of all this, Gwen?" asked Xiao Yue, a look of joy on her face.

"It has to come, it will come, everything is ready," Gwen replied confidently, a phrase she had really taken to heart these days. Her confidence was not unfounded either, as she worked out a number of scenarios and results with Alesia, the vast majority of which proved that Gwen's victory was assured.

"So, what now?" asked Elvia carefully. "Does that mean we won and then we got into the race?"

"Yes, almost. The first stop, Rossbay, and the next stop, the Australian Stadium. ”

"Oops! I thought so too!" Elvia rolled around on the bed with her pillow in her arms, messing up the sheets. "All eyes are looking! I've never shown my spell in front of so many people, you guys! What if I miss a healing spell? What if I embarrass everyone?"

"Oh, Eve," Yue hurriedly walked to the bed next door and pushed Avia to her chest. "If there's anything bad about it, it's that that showy Debbie is going to embarrass us. ”

"Does Debbie already have clothes full of elements?" Gwen asked. Deborah blinked a dozen times in training, but always stripped naked at the end. Alessia had said that it took extraordinary expertise to not damage her clothes in the blink of an eye, and Deborah was still working for her third tier of foundations.

"Master said she would find it by Thursday," Xiao Yue replied confidently. "We also have our own uniforms. They should be resistant to mana, dirt, heat, and cold. ”

"Not bad," Gwen wondered what they would look like, imagining the green and gold uniforms used by Australia's classic Olympians in international competitions. That style of stuff would be great.

"Okay, good night," Yue said. She writhed under the summer blanket, closed her eyes, and fell asleep immediately.

"It surprises me every time," Gwen said in a muffled voice.

Gwen tried to sleep for more than an hour, but the game played out over and over again in her head.

"Gwen," Elvia whispered in the darkness.

"Really?"

"I can't sleep at all," Elvia said nervously. "Do you think..."

Gwen opens the blanket.

"Come here, leave a lot of room for the lovely little Eve. ”

She felt Avia's soft, boneless body slip under the thin sheets. The petite blonde girl was wearing pajamas, but Gwen was wearing only a tank top and her cotton shorts. As Avia entered, her sheets were immediately filled with the breath of life that had permeated the healer's body all the time.

"You smell so good. Gwen took a deep breath.

Elvia giggled, but the immaturity of her laughter quickly turned into a voice that trembled with uncertainty.

"I don't want to say it in front of anyone else, Gwen, but I'm too nervous. Avia crawled a little closer and whispered into Gwen's itchy ear. "I'm so scared right now. What if I can't cure you? What if someone stops me? What if I move too slowly and one of you gets seriously injured?"

"You're going to do well, Eve, you're always like that. When have you ever let us down?, Gwen hugged the little girl tighter, feeling her gentle breath press against her neck. She felt so good, like holding a kitten. Her oxytocin must be insane right now.

"Please don't let this be when I mess up. Avia prayed to the empty room.

"No, Eve. "I promise you. Gwen affirmed. She lowered her lips and kissed Elvia's forehead.

"Can I stay?" pleaded Avia, it was still summer, and there was no refrigeration in the room, but Avia's hands and feet were cold.

"Of course, Eve, I'll warm you up. Gwen hugged her.

Evia hid in the warmth that Gwen radiated, and Gwen herself was half-drunk with Evia's intoxicating breath of life. The two of them lay side by side, and soon counted the kookaburra on the old oak tree.

Gwen didn't know what to do on Wednesday.

At Alesia's request, the group did not attend classes, but both Yue and Deborah were absent as they trained at 353 in Ritu.

Avia also goes to see her uncle to wonder if Hans, the man who was once a combat doctor, still has the wisdom to leave at the last moment.

Gwen didn't want to be alone for a day. For three months, she had been surrounded by people, which gave her a sense of collectivism, which made her momentary isolation more palpable than it really was.

After some consideration, Gwen called Richard.

"Oh, hey!" his voice replied from the other side of her message device. "Am I free? Not yet, but I can. A second. ”

"Richard! No! It's completely unplanned, and I don't want to bother you if you're busy!"

From a distance, Gwen could hear Richard announcing with certainty that he was leaving.

"Well, I'm free. Where would you like to meet?"

"Richard, really! I don't want to inconvenience you. ”

"I'm not inconvenienced at all. The rest of my day is well organized. ”

“...”

"Is the city quieter? I know a new place has just been built, lovely wasteland. Want to try it?"

"Of course, I'd like to ask you something about Rossby, if you know. ”

"Of course, I'll tell you as much as I can. ”

"Goodbye. ”

The address given by Richard was too far from the station, and Gwen had to take a taxi. She maintains a casual attire of jeans and a white t-shirt, keeping a low profile as she ventures into Alexandria.

When she arrived, she was surprised to find that an industrial area had been converted into some kind of farmhouse café. It's as if someone took an old warehouse and decorated it with aged oak and industrial chic. Business was booming when Gwen intervened, but she soon discovered that Richard was in the crowd.

"Gwen. ”

"Richard. ”

They exchanged cheeks, attracting the eyes of passers-by.

"Let's go inside. ”

Gwen was surprised that Richard had already booked a seat.

"So busy, Richard, how did you get the table so quickly?"

"My brother in the prince's house is the master of this place. Richard smiled and tapped his storage ring. "I have a VIP badge. They book a few tables for friends and family at any time. ”

The waitress was lovely and the skirt was short. Before ordering, she glanced at Richard.

Coffee arrives first. Richard's cold was dripping and it was a great choice. Gwen insisted on her pedestrian iced coffee drenched with condensed milk.

Gwen tells Richard everything she saw in Rosebay, as well as Alexia's dossier and who she thinks might bet on Gwen's challenger.

Richard shook his head.

"It's not that Alesia is wrong, but Rossby will hardly face a student you already know. Most schools have some students who they will keep for activities like yours. These children often become core members of the school's alumni, who are all talented scholarship students who don't have a big family background of their own, so their loyalty to the school is paramount. ”

"How do you know?" asked Richard Gwen with interest. This is very unusual, and Alessia doesn't mention any of this, and she is meticulous about the details of Rosebay honors.

"Because I'm one of them. Richard smiled and carefully took a sip of his coffee, letting the strong flavor roll on his tongue. "Even though I was ranked number one in the Academy of Magic, I had never participated in a public competition at Prince College. My position as a county magistrate also comes with the role of a governor who will set the record straight if there is an overwhelming force to challenge the school. I'm not surprised that Alicia doesn't know this, as she has never competed in spell competitions or private school competitions. ”

"Isn't that a big secret?" Gwen asked, a little surprised. Like you said?"

"That's it," Richard banged his nails on the table. "What secrets do friends like us have. ”

"I'm so grateful," Gwen said solemnly.

"Then do me a favor. ”

"What do you recommend me do? I don't know what's going to happen?"

"Well, if you're willing to believe me, you can give it a try. ”

"Shot," Gwen affirmed. "I'll tell you as best I can. ”

"I need your list of spells. ”

Gwen wasn't sure. Giving her spell table to someone else meant that Richard knew what she could do. What if he leaks to the prince?

"Trust me. Richard reached out and took Gwen's hand. "I will never betray you. Not in this life. ”

It was at this moment that the waitresses came with their food: pheasants in sour plum juice, South Atlantic bluefin tartar with lime pine nuts. The hostess stared intently at their holding hands, carefully put down the plates, and then retreated with a frustrated expression.

Gwen was frustrated. Maybe it's the look in his eyes. Maybe it's been their shared experience so far, but Gwen wants to believe Richard.

"Well, I believe in you. ”

"Wait, let me set up a private message. ”

Gwen meticulously tells Richard her list of spells, but only her spells, summoning, and transformation.

Richard's hands were shaking a little as he drank his coffee.

"Gwen, how did you learn a level 4 spell so quickly?"

Don't divulge my secrets. I'm sorry, Richard. ”

"Of course. I forgot I asked. ”

Richard analyzes Gwen's list of spells.

"Wow, think you've got a chance. ”