85~ Walking together doesn’t count as cheating
“Hmm, that’s odd. Why are these two facing each other like that? Aren’t they going to fight or what?” The individuals within the Secret Realm were on high alert, while the spectators watching the projection at the plaza were utterly perplexed, especially those who had placed bets on these two.
“What’s going on? Even if they’re just provoking each other to declare war, it shouldn’t take this long, should it?” The audience started getting restless, jeering loudly. “Fight already! Why aren’t you fighting?”
Even though the sounds of the crowd couldn’t be heard in the Secret Realm, the onlookers were enjoying the chaos, reveling in the commotion.
“Fight, hurry up and fight! We love watching women fight! Preferably until there’s bl**d flowing everywhere! Ideally, if they could tear each other’s clothes, that would just make it better!”
The atmosphere was tense. The students supporting Wenfu were sweating nervously. Tillysha, with her bow drawn, aimed a sharp light arrow at Wenfu’s pale and delicate neck. But Wenfu stood motionless, her lips pursed, her sharp eyes fixed on Tillysha as if waiting for her to respond.
Unbeknownst to many, those familiar with Wenfu could quickly figure out what she was doing.
Within the Coleman Academy, Aistride was the most popular among the boys, and Princess Filisia was a hit among both genders. Yet, it was Wenfu who garnered the most support among the chosen ones known as the Divine Maiden.
While Divine Lords or other professions might not be interested in Wenfu’s Divine Authority, any Divine Maiden, regardless of gender, finds her Divine Authority irresistible.
Just as Divine Maidens are classified into various professions based on their Divine Authority and Realms, the internal structure among the clerical Divine Maidens also includes subdivisions, mainly focused on healing and enhancing categories.
Wenfu falls under the enhancement category, and she ranks as a ‘T0′ entity. While enhancing attacks is common among enhancing clerics, there are very few who can directly enhance the proportion of Divine Authority. Wenfu’s Divine Authority, however, is like a universal solution. Whether it’s a Knight Divine Maiden, a Fortress Divine Maiden, or even other clerics’ Divine Authority, she can amplify it, and quite significantly. This makes her a highly sought-after partner among the Divine Maidens.
The uniqueness of her Divine Authority guarantees she’ll never lack for teammates. Just by raising her arm in the academy, there would be no shortage of Divine Maidens wanting to team up with her.
However, Wenfu clearly wasn’t the type to team up randomly. Her ‘T0′ Divine Authority had elevated her standards, and average teammates simply didn’t meet the cat-eared loli’s criteria.
This time, the only reason there was no Knight Divine Maiden in her team was because none of the Knights who approached her were worthy.
Other professions could be flexible, but for Knights, only the best would do—that was Wenfu’s standard.
After much deliberation, Wenfu managed to put together a team that she thought was well-equipped. Initially, it went smoothly, but as the enemies grew stronger, various problems within the team started to surface.
During the semi-finals, due to the lack of a Fortress and Knight Divine Maiden, their defense was breached, and immediately after, the Heavy Artillery and Ranger Divine Maidens were annihilated. Taking advantage of her opponents’ fatigue, Wenfu managed to escape the battlefield using her domain’s effect. Luckily, the enemies that had eliminated her teammates were quickly engaged by other teams, preventing them from pursuing her further.
Now, joining forces with Tillysha was purely out of desperation. She simply had no better option.
Seeing Tillysha remain unfazed, Wenfu secretly gritted her small, sharp teeth and clenched her pink fists.
She had humbled herself enough already. Ordinarily, it was always others who begged her. When had she ever begged anyone like this?
But she understood that her life and ‘d*ath’ were entirely in Tillysha’s hands by the string of her bow.
Her target was at least the top five, and she definitely didn’t want to get eliminated just after entering the top ten.
Though all participants were ranked in the top ten, there were clear distinctions. Being in the top ten was one tier, the top five another, and the top three yet another entirely.
Her fate now depended on another person, and though Wenfu was a somewhat proud young lady, she was pragmatic.
“If you are still unsure about me, I can also hand over my token to you!” After saying this, Wenfu presented a pristine token with both hands, determination gleaming in her eyes.
Where previously, their alliance was only verbal, handing over her token to Tillysha now meant her life was in Tillysha’s control.
This move utterly stunned the spectators before the screen.
“There is no need for that, Miss Shires.” The taut bowstring relaxed as Tillysha gently set down her large bow, now strapped it to her back.
“……… Are you willing to team up with me?” Wenfu, expecting nothing, was instantly dazzled by the sparkle in her beautiful eyes.
“There is no rule in the competition that allows different teams to form alliances.” Tillysha looked at Wenfu. “Since it’s the academy competition, we must follow the academy’s rules, right?”
“Muuu………..” Wenfu slightly lowered her head, the cat ears on her side following suit, looking like a disappointed little kitten.
“But, the rules do not explicitly state that two teams must attack each other upon meeting.” Speaking here, Tillysha’s lips curled with a subtle and elegant smile, her warm and pleasant voice contrasting sharply with her previous icy demeanor, making people deeply moved.
“Taking Miss Shires along for a walk isn’t out of the question.”
“Thank you so much!” Hearing this, Wenfu paused for a moment, then with great joy, bowed seriously to express her gratitude.
Tillysha was subtle, but Wenfu grasped her implication.
Under the scrutiny of everyone in the top ten competition, their apparent alliance was frowned upon. She was merely indicating that they wouldn’t attack each other.
But if two people walk together, not attacking one another while all around are enemies, aren’t they essentially teammates?
The nature is the same, it’s just phrased differently.
Wenfu was sharp, she immediately comprehended what Tillysha meant.
“Miss, I haven’t asked your name yet.”
“You and I are peers; you don’t need to use honorifics when speaking to me.” Tillysha smiled faintly, placing one foot slightly behind her, and she gracefully bowed elegantly like a gentlewoman. “We just met, my name is Tillysha. It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Shires.”
“Tillysha, I see……” Wenfu quietly repeated Tillysha’s name and followed the steps of the Golden-haired Girl.
At this moment, there was a buzz among the audience.
“What’s going on? There’s no intention of fighting at all?”
“What fight? Haven’t figured it out yet? They’re planning to team up.”
“Can this happen? Is it permitted? Isn’t this technically an illegal alliance?”
“What illegal alliance? Don’t say nonsense. Anyone who has read the Crown Cup’s rules wouldn’t say that. Miss Tillysha and Wenfu are merely walking together and not attacking each other. Who told you they’re allied?”
The audience buzzed endlessly, and the judges were also discussing upon seeing this scene.
“Should we issue a warning?”
“I don’t think it’s necessary. These two girls just happen to walk together without attacking each other. It’s undeniable that they haven’t violated any rules, right?” The old teacher with a white beard chuckled, waved his hand dismissively, seemingly interested in these little girls’ behavior.
