Sharkai Bai darted forward, deflecting each of Xia Feina’s sword strikes.

“Seriously? We only went a day without seeing each other—why’d you end up like *this*?”

He skidded to a halt, shouting up at Xia Feina hovering in the sky.

*Target locked.*

Xia Feina spread her six wings, gripped her massive sword, and plummeted toward Sharkai Bai like a falling star.

As she charged, Sharkai Bai suddenly unclenched his fist. The choice cost him dearly—her blade gashed his chest. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crashed backward.

“You’re *really* not holding back, huh? *Cough!*”

Lying on the ground, Sharkai Bai moved his lips faintly, voice barely a whisper.

“Ugh—!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!”

Xia Feina stood over his fallen body, sword raised. But her arm trembled. A trace of tears streaked down her golden cheeks. For some reason, the blade wouldn’t fall.

“What kind of idol attacks their *only* fan…?”

Sharkai Bai lifted his head with effort.

“Fan…?” Xia Feina froze, murmuring the word like a stranger.

“You wouldn’t kill your *only* fan in this academy, would you? *Cough!*”

“My only… fan?”

“I need you too, Xia Feina!!!”

*Clang!*

The sword slipped from her grasp. Xia Feina stared blankly at the white-haired boy collapsed at her feet.

“Just… sign for me? Please, Idol.”

Clutching his bleeding chest, Sharkai Bai gritted his teeth and forced himself upright. He stumbled toward her, collapsing into her arms—and lost consciousness.

Memories of Sharkai Bai flashed through Xia Feina’s mind like scattered slides.

Her armor dissolved into shimmering light. Her six wings vanished. Her golden eyes faded to their normal hue. She caught the boy as he fell, holding him close.

“We’ve finally… met again, Sharkai.”

Far away, Xia Yuan witnessed the scene. His mind shattered into madness. Clutching his head, he roared:

“AAAAAHHHHH!!! DAMN IT!!! TRAITOR!!! HOW DARE YOU BETRAY ME?! AAAAAHHHHH!!!”

Dishi rushed over, now fully alert.

The tide had turned. Their strongest ally had defected. Xia Yuan bellowed at his remaining Ten Attendants:

“RETREAT!!!”

A colossal magic circle flared beneath their feet. Azure light engulfed Xia Yuan and his eight attendants, shooting skyward. Dishi fired Als’s cannon after them—but missed. Until the very last second, she saw the hatred burning in Xia Yuan’s eyes.

“Finally… over!”

Wilkor and Aisha slumped to the ground, utterly spent. This had been their toughest crisis since joining the student council.

“Let’s go.”

Situ Sheng glanced at the unconscious Sharkai Bai, then led Nokiyak and Emperor Feng away from the academy.

Dishi shot Elucia a meaningful look—*handle the aftermath*.

Elucia nodded sharply, striding to Xia Feina. Her voice turned icy:

“Xia Feina! Your actions will face severe punishment from the academy!”

“Mhm. Understood.”

Xia Feina’s reply was calm acceptance.

This was her choice. Between Xia Yuan and Sharkai Bai. Between being a tool… and a friend. As long as someone in this academy still needed her, she had no reason left to raise her sword.