To prevent student cheating during matches, Lilith Academy established a dedicated monitoring department—commonly called the OB station.

After the tournament began, several OB staff gathered, chatting and shooting the breeze.

"Hahahaha! This dumb move is killing me!"

"I could cast that missile spell blindfolded—how’d he fire it backward?!"

"Shield! Where’s your shield? Saving it for Chinese New Year? Why cast it *after* you’re dead? Ugh… so clueless."

These cringe-worthy plays genuinely amused them. They mocked without restraint—after all, they’d long graduated from Lilith Academy.

"Reporting to Team Leader! Something’s off with Match 666 vs. 279."

A staffer pointed at the magical screen, puzzled. "They just stopped fighting… now huddled together, hugging?"

"Really? Let me see."

A uniformed woman approached, her chest tag boldly stamped "TEAM LEADER."

On-screen: a hat-wearing girl knelt in the sand, cheeks flushed. Her opponent crouched beside her, gently lifting a strand of orange hair. To any observer, their pose screamed intimacy.

"What… are they even *doing*?"

"What?" The Team Leader snorted. "Whether they’re about to kiss or get intimate—I don’t know. But two girls this close? Yeah."

No wonder she was the most seasoned staffer.

"Records are in! The kneeling one’s Qiu Li’er. The other… wow—dragon descendant, member of the Order of Holy Light, seeded contestant: Fischer!"

"She was a top championship contender!"

Though a freshman, Fischer was already campus-famous. Her strength, integrity, and stunning beauty won praise—and countless hearts.

"Heard she’s a rich second-gen too. That silver-white armor blocks all low-tier martial skills."

"Then where’s her armor *now*?"

"Without it, her power’s gutted."

Ignoring the chatter, the Team Leader frowned. "Zoom in."

The screen magnified until Qiu Li’er’s wide eyes were clear—long lashes trembling slightly in the breeze, radiating fragile charm.

"Hmm. Sand in her eye. Opponent’s just blowing it out."

"Is that a violation?"

"Blowing sand out? Pfft. Hardly." She sipped tea calmly. "Report it only if they *actually* fool around in the desert."

"Uh… alright," the staffer sighed. "Check other matches then—"

"Wait. Don’t switch." The Team Leader smirked. "This is getting interesting. Let me watch."

...

Unaware of being watched, Qiu Li’er blinked rapidly. "Phew—can see again! Thank you~" Her face flushed as she bowed.

Her heart went *pitter-patter*. First time ever feeling this…

*She helped her opponent mid-fight? So gentle… like a thoughtful boyfriend. That armor, that greatsword—so reliable. This older sister… is seriously the kindest person ever.*

"No need to thank me," Fischer smiled. "A victory won by a grain of sand means nothing to me."

*She truly wants a fair fight.*

"I’m Qiu Li’er. May I know your name?"

"Fischer." She puffed her chest proudly. "A Paladin."

*Ah, a knight. No wonder she feels so rigid.*

[But this rigidity helps you win. So—]

[Ding~ Select one task below.]

[Task 1: Duel Fischer honorably, like a true knight! Reward: Strength +200, Magic +200]

[Task 2: "Miss Fischer, I like you! Can you just let me win?" Reward: Become "Lovers" with Fischer]

[Task 3: Surrender. Anticipating Teacher Xi’s punishment matters more than winning. Reward: Xi Kefeng Favorability +100]

[Task 4: Ambush her when she least expects it! Reward: Intermediate martial skill "Iai Strike"]

*There it is again—that weird four-option task.*

Qiu Li’er sighed inwardly, weighed her choice… and decided.

"Miss Fischer," she whispered, "I’m sorry. Thank you… truly."

*She must’ve looked forward to this fight. In this materialistic world, such upright kindness is rare. Could we become friends who bond through battle? Someone I’d trust with my back?*

"It’s alright." Fischer glanced at the sheathed blade at Qiu Li’er’s feet, smiling. "Draw your sword. Fighting me is the best thanks."

*Shing!*

Before the words faded, steel flashed. Sand swirled past Fischer, drifting into the distance.

Iai Strike—a technique of ambush. One strike. Fatal.

"Why…?" Fischer clutched the virtual wound on her abdomen, murmuring.

She never expected betrayal from someone she trusted completely.

...

The blade slid smoothly home. Qiu Li’er turned away; wind lifted her skirt.

"Women… only slow down my draw."

Behind her, a banner fluttered: *Fight Fair, Honor in Defeat*.

Then—both vanished.

...

"Damn, so cool!"

"Damn, so underhanded!"

"Fischer! *My* Fischer!"

"She was the headmaster’s personally selected seed!"

Anguished cries filled the OB room. No one foresaw this one-sided match ending like *this*.

Staff buzzed: "A popular student eliminated first round? Massive controversy!"

"Seeded matches should be easy! How’d this happen?"

"Her opponent was too cunning! I think—"

"Enough!"

The Team Leader stood. Silence fell.

"Qiu Li’er broke no rules. Blame Fischer’s carelessness." She snorted. "Log the result. End of discussion."

"Understood," they replied obediently.

She gloomily lit a cigarette. *Xi Kefeng asked me to rig Qiu Li’er’s match… Now I failed her AND lost a seed. Salary’s toast if Admin suspects me. But exposing Xi Kefeng? Unthinkable retaliation.*

Ugh. Why did *Qiu Li’er* have to win?

"Team Leader—" A staffer’s voice turned grave. "Another top seed just got eliminated."

She jolted upright. "By who?!"

"Contestant 222… named Xiao Shi?"