"What do you want to say?"

Lin Zhong appeared calm, but Lilianne’s smile gave him the unsettling feeling of being seen through.

"The freshman with max-level talent must be your mage," Lilianne said with a smile.

*She already knows?*

Both Lin Zhong and Aester were startled inwardly. A mage with max-level talent was unheard of—not just for Fool’s Court, but even across all twenty-two Academies, only Alice held that distinction.

So far, only three people had ever reached max-level talent. Excluding Alice, the other two already occupied the Dual Emperors’ seats.

Alice’s importance was obvious. She was a card no Club could afford to discard. Revealing this too early would only invite trouble.

Lin Zhong, a Battle Mage, might not be worth Apostles wasting resources to recruit. But Alice? Absolutely.

Imagine having a future powerhouse rivaling the Dual Emperors under your command. That alone was worth any price.

And if they knew Alice was a Forbidden Spell Mage? All Apostles might unite against her—if they ever found out.

Lin Zhong had planned to keep Alice out of this raid. Aester knew the risks too, which was why she’d intervened when Alice and Su Han fought over Lin Zhong.

"Looks like I guessed right," Lilianne chuckled, seeing their unnatural expressions. Her smile, however, sent a trace of unease through Lin Zhong and Aester.

"And if I say yes?" Lin Zhong smiled, pulling a chair nearby to sit down.

"Don’t worry. I won’t leak this. I wouldn’t dare offend three Apostles plus a future emperor." Lilianne turned her head casually. Lin Zhong’s strength was fully recognized by the upper Apostles. Though not officially ranked, this Battle Mage undoubtedly matched a high-tier Apostle.

A Club formed by Apostles Lin Zhong, Aester, and Su Han, plus Alice with her perfect talent? Lilianne couldn’t afford to provoke them.

"So what’s your point?" Lin Zhong didn’t believe she’d just wanted to confirm Alice joining Fool’s Court.

"How about an alliance?"

"Alliance?"

The word left Lin Zhong and Aester baffled. An alliance with us? Forming alliances wasn’t rare among Clubs.

Lower-tier Clubs sometimes challenged top ones by banding together—but only with many allies.

Yet an Apostle-level Club allying with Fool’s Court? Unthinkable.

Apostle-tier Clubs fiercely guarded their status. Of the thirteen Apostles, only Aester and Su Han weren’t outright rivals.

An alliance? They’d never even consider it. Teaming up with a low-tier Club? That wasn’t just embarrassing—it was beneath them.

But Lilianne was proposing it? What did she gain?

Their combat strength—three Apostles plus a max-talent mage?

"Your goal?"

"To drag someone off their pedestal."

Lilianne smiled again, but this time, her gentle mask slipped. Lin Zhong saw only fury and resentment.

"Who?"

"Do you want to be the First Apostle?"

Lilianne ignored his question, posing one of her own. The answer stunned everyone present.

"No."

Lin Zhong’s reply was simple and blunt.

"But I’ll accept the alliance—if you help us grow."

As a newly formed Club, Fool’s Court was undeniably weak. Elite tactics couldn’t change that.

Numbers still decided strength, past, present, and future.

Three Apostles couldn’t defeat a horde of Apostle Clubs. Fool’s Court’s priority was growth.

An alliance would be the perfect solution.

"Your goal?" Lilianne echoed his earlier words.

"Growth."

Lin Zhong answered plainly, without her earlier anger or bitterness. Just a calm smile.

*Growth? Really?*

Lilianne rested her chin on her hand. She hadn’t expected such a simple answer. Instead of chasing the First Apostle’s throne, he wanted mere growth.

Growth was vital for low-tier Clubs—but Lilianne had long outgrown that stage. How long ago had she cared about it?

"I accept. I’ll help you grow. But you must help me achieve my goal," Lilianne nodded.

"I agree to this deal."

Lin Zhong pulled out his phone, opening the Club system. Alliances weren’t just words here.

The system acted as a fair judge, ending only if one side betrayed the pact.

Allied Clubs couldn’t attack each other. Violators lost half their credits and the alliance.

*Beep! Beep!*

A sound came from the phone on Lilianne’s table.

[Fool’s Court requests alliance. Accept?]

"Yes."

Lilianne took the phone and pressed YES without hesitation.

Another notification appeared:

[White Reaper Lin Zhong requests to add as friend]

YES!

"Send the Dungeon Instance details through the alliance channel. That’s all."

Lin Zhong pocketed his phone and stood. Aester rose too, following him toward the door.

"Then, pleasant cooperation~"

*Click! Thud!*

The door opened and shut, leaving the room silent again.

"Lady Lilianne, is allying with them really safe?"

The maid set the teapot down, watching Lilianne’s serene smile. Rare worry flickered on her usually calm face.

"Of course. He’s not just a Battle Mage. This time, we’ve already won."