Lopera couldn’t process it. Why was this happening?

She glanced at Wude’s smug grin, then at Alreis—utterly devoid of sorrow or shame. How could she accept this?

“Why?” Lopera’s voice trembled slightly.

“What ‘why’?” Wude and Alreis still had no clue what she was after.

Clutching her head, a sharp ache throbbing within, Lopera cried out: “Why?! WHY?!” Magical energy surged around her, glowing faint blue—the hallmark of water magic refined to its peak.

A torrent of water shot straight at Alreis.

“How can you smile so happily when you’re *his* slave?!” Gone was her gentle kindness; her face twisted into a vicious snarl.

Naturally, the weak attack meant nothing to Alreis. She wouldn’t even bother resisting—but Wude was watching. With a casual flick, the water vanished into an unknown dimension.

“What’s it to you?” Alreis snapped, irritation sharp. *I’m Wude’s slave—what’s this girl’s business? Why’s she butting in?*

“Anyone who enslaves others deserves to die!” Realizing she couldn’t touch Alreis, Lopera hurled another ice pillar at Wude—no chant needed.

Again, Alreis flicked her wrist. Gone.

“Why do you keep stopping me?” Lopera’s voice cracked with disbelief.

“Because he’s my master,” Alreis replied matter-of-factly. *I’d toss this unhinged girl into deep space to cool off… if Wude hadn’t shot me that look.*

“I get it!” Lopera’s distorted expression softened instantly. “He forced you via the Slave Contract to protect him, right?”

“Huh?” Alreis blinked. *What is she babbling about?*

“It has to be! The Slave Contract *can* compel a slave to guard their master!” Lopera nodded firmly, utterly convinced.

Her gaze turned pitying. “Wait for me. I’ll eliminate him and free you—even if I must fight you.” She spoke with heartbreaking sympathy.

“??” Alreis stayed silent. Erratic or not, her duty remained: protect Wude.

Wude watched, piecing it together. *Anime trope. Trauma survivor projecting her pain, assuming others feel the same. Classic yandere.*

He’d never expected to meet one. Honestly? He disliked the type… yet felt a pang of sympathy. *…Did that innocent-faced girl with the surprisingly mature figure sway me?*

This arena was built for clashes—sturdy, impact-resistant.

Alreis deflected Lopera’s attacks effortlessly. No staff needed; that was for Ascendant Sovereigns only.

*Ugh, I wanna strike back…* But Wude’s glances screamed *don’t hurt her*. *Does she really have that much appeal?*

*Wait—does Wude only like… well-endowed girls? No. Tini would’ve been… Or… petite but generously proportioned?*

Alreis glanced down at her flat chest. *Maybe… sneak in a little enhancement? Even if he punishes me with embarrassing tasks later… Worth it. Besides… those tasks don’t sound *that* bad…*

A faint blush warmed her cheeks. She shifted stance, avoiding Wude’s eyes.

“?” Wude’s gut tightened. *She’s about to act.* He understood—being taunted by someone so weak would bruise any Ascendant Sovereign’s pride. (He guessed the reason wrong, but not the intent.)

He almost stopped her. *No. Let her snap out of this delusion first.* He stayed silent.

Alreis had no idea Wude was overthinking. She was already set on mischief.

“Hold on! I’ll save you!” Lopera attacked frantically, certain Alreis’s non-retaliation confirmed her theory. *The Slave Contract is forcing her!*

Reality struck cruelly.

Just as Lopera basked in self-satisfaction—Alreis countered.

No grand spell. Just a simple spatial magic. A… nauseating one.

*Ever get carsick?* Motion overloads the inner ear’s balance sensors, flooding nerves with signals—cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, dizziness…

Alreis knew none of the science. But she knew *how* to trigger it.

Disorient the target. Toss them through warped space. Let the distortions do the rest.

(Wude and Elisa avoided this during Alreis vs. Tini thanks to Tini’s life-manipulating barrier. Alreis later regretted not thinking of it herself.)

Now? Perfect for *this* woman.

Alreis had planned a flashy “humanely eliminate her” spell—but remembered *this*. Make her vomit. Everywhere. Filthy. Disgusting. Then Wude would see her as repulsive… no longer tempted by that figure Alreis found so *irritatingly* enviable.

*Spending time with Wude made me underhanded too? So what? Can an Ascendant Sovereign’s move be called underhanded? It’s wisdom!*

Lopera met her tragic fate. Wude stood stunned.

What followed is best left undescribed.

Suffice it: from that day on, Lopera fled at the sight of Alreis—or hid behind Wude.

And Wude? He avoided teasing Alreis *very* boldly for years. Only a demon could devise such cruelty. Lopera’s pitiful state haunted him long after.

(But that was for another time.)

“Alreis… go clean her up,” Wude ordered, eyes averted.

Alreis stared at the pixelated mess. Strangely, no disgust—only quiet delight.

“As you command, my master… hehehe.”

With an eerie smile, she pulled the girl into a water-filled dimension.