"Lin Zhong, what’s going on?"

As Lin Zhong pushed open the door, Charlotte had already rushed over, pointing at the screen displaying the club system.

[Alliance]

[Fool’s Court]

[Mist Coffin]

The alliance name was set, with Lin Zhong listed as the applicant and Lilianne as the responder for Mist Coffin.

"That’s it. We struck a deal—they’ll help us grow."

Lin Zhong’s face stayed calm, but Aester looked uneasy.

"What’s wrong with Aester?"

Alice, sitting on the sofa, noticed Aester’s discomfort. As an old friend, she cared deeply and hurried over.

"Huff—"

Aester took a deep breath. Then—

"You idiot!!!!"

Her shout filled the clubroom, making Lin Zhong’s ears ring. She glared at him, but he just looked innocent.

Huh? What?

"Do you even realize what you’ve done? Are you declaring war on the First Apostle?"

Aester, usually so composed, lost her cool. Her hands clamped hard on Lin Zhong’s delicate face, kneading it until his stunning features twisted into silly shapes.

No one stopped her. Everyone wondered why the ever-calm Aester had snapped. Gone was the perfect lady—she seemed like a pouting little girl.

"Aester, calm down. What happened?"

Su Han finally stepped in, concerned.

"Huff—"

Aester released Lin Zhong’s cheeks and breathed deeply to steady herself.

"Water!"

Charlotte scrambled to pour her a glass.

Aester gulped it down without a trace of her usual ladylike grace. This shattered everyone’s image of her.

"What’s going on, Aester?"

Alice spoke up. She knew Aester better than anyone here. Accepting a dungeon instance shouldn’t cause this.

"He agreed to ally with that woman Lilianne to challenge the First Apostle!"

"Oh!"

"Ahhh!!!!"

Reactions split: Su Han and Alice stayed calm; Charlotte and Sebastian were stunned.

"Lin Zhong, why’d you do something so reckless?"

Charlotte grabbed Lin Zhong’s collar, shaking him desperately. He knew little about the First Apostle, but Aester had called them the strongest student besides Joker—the top-ranked club on campus.

"You…"

Unlike Charlotte, Sebastian just looked shocked, then eager. His faint smile showed no despair—only anticipation.

Su Han? She trusted Lin Zhong completely. Even if he killed someone, she’d believe they deserved it. She knew his strength.

Alice? A total newbie. She had no concept of Apostles, only that Lin Zhong was strong—and so was she. Nothing to worry about.

"Well, we’d run into them eventually."

Lin Zhong pried Charlotte’s hands off and straightened up.

Eventually?

"I won’t just wait for them to come to us. With Alice here, they’ll target us sooner or later. Why not team up with an ally to handle it?"

Alice was a prize everyone wanted. Even if Lin Zhong didn’t seek trouble, others would come for her.

Lilianne’s offer was perfect. Fool’s Court alone couldn’t beat the First Apostle’s club.

But what if they added another Apostle’s club?

Lin Zhong hadn’t joined Fool’s Court to slack off. If he just wanted a casual club, he wouldn’t have schemed to recruit Alice, the future strongest mage.

Becoming the academy’s top club was his first goal. He’d clash with the First Apostle anyway—why not speed things up with outside help?

"This…" Charlotte struggled for words.

He knew Lin Zhong hadn’t joined his club as a joke. But what was his real aim? Charlotte wasn’t sure.

"Isn’t this too rushed?"

Su Han spoke up. It was true—Lin Zhong had only founded the club days ago. Six people couldn’t overthrow the First Apostle overnight.

"Not now. Lilianne’s giving us resources to grow. This S-Class Raid is our chance, isn’t it?"

Lin Zhong smiled. He’d promised to take down the First Apostle with Lilianne—but not immediately.

Their deal: she’d supply resources for Fool’s Court’s development. All Lin Zhong owed was joining her against the First Apostle. A no-brainer for Fool’s Court.

Plus, losing an enemy and gaining an ally? Sweet deal~

"Phew…"

Su Han relaxed. She trusted Lin Zhong not to do anything stupid, but hearing the full plan eased her mind.

"I’m so done with you."

Aester grumbled, still kneading Lin Zhong’s face.

So soft!

She’d meant to stop, but his skin felt amazing—smooth and supple—so she kept rubbing.

"Not mad anymore?"

Lin Zhong’s words were muffled, but understandable. He didn’t mind his face being mauled, seeing Aester’s anger fade.

"Mad? I’m furious! So you’ll behave from now on—no more stupid stunts!!!"