"Then, Principal, can this armor be made for me right now?" Sheng Jiu looked at Theresa expectantly.
"That's definitely not possible. Headquarters has only sent us the blueprints so far. Making it is easier said than done. Take a look: many of the armor's components are made of high-grade metals, and some of the rare materials require an application to headquarters before we can use them. So it'll take us at least twelve days to make it," Himeko replied firmly.
"Okay, guess I won't get to wear this treasure on my next mission." Sheng Jiu reluctantly set down the tablet.
"Then we'll be off. I need to submit an application for the materials to headquarters, and Himeko has to inspect the Hyperion. See you later~"
After saying goodbye to Theresa and Himeko, Kiana leaned listlessly against Yae Sakura. "I'm so bored! Without any missions, I can't think of anything I want to do."
"How about you pay me back for that cup of milk tea you owe me?"
"Thunk!"
"Ow!"
"Hmph, having this young lady treat you to milk tea is an honor. Plenty of people want to buy me a drink, but they don't even qualify!" Kiana waved her fist, utterly unashamed.
"I'm so mad! How about this: play a round of Hovos against me. If I win, you have to pay me back for the milk tea!" Unable to let it go, Sheng Jiu rummaged beneath the dormitory table and pulled out a box of cards, then challenged her indignantly.
"Sounds great! Yae Sakura, Bronya, you two be the referees. This young lady's going to teach you a lesson today!"
Two minutes later, the clutter was cleared off the table, leaving a large empty space for the two of them.
Sheng Jiu sneered and revealed one of his cards. A holographic figure appeared above it: a four-star Berserker, Hovos: Crimson Knight.
"Go! Crimson Knight, show them what you can do!"
"Hmph, that's like an insect trying to stop a chariot. Let me show you my spirit! Come forth, Void Hovos!"
Kiana flipped over her character card, revealing a four-star Mage: Void Hovos.
"Go! Crimson Knight, use your awesome attack: Crimson Slash!"
The big red Hovos swung its greatsword at the golden Hovos. The golden one let out a faint yelp and stumbled back two steps.
"Beep. Idiot Kiana's Void Hovos has been hit. Its health has decreased by three points."
"Go, Void Hovos! Use Spear of Space!"
"Beep. Idiot Sheng Jiu used the 'Defense' card to block the attack. Health unchanged."
"What?! Bronya, you're abusing your position to get back at me!"
The two little figures went back and forth as Bronya announced each turn. One moment, the red Crimson Knight was straddling the golden Void Hovos and pounding away; the next, Void Hovos was lifting Crimson Knight off the ground and tossing it around...
After about half an hour, the tabletop was covered in used cards, and the two holographic figures were dotted with pink bruises.
"Hmph, why aren't you attacking? You haven't got Damage Reflection left, have you?" Kiana stared without blinking at Sheng Jiu, who looked supremely confident.
"Heh, you guessed right. So, want to try it?" Sheng Jiu smugly fiddled with the last card in his hand.
"Bronya reminds Idiot Sheng Jiu and Idiot Kiana that this is the final round. You can both play your cards at the same time." Bronya watched Kiana with barely concealed glee. Idiot Sheng Jiu had Damage Reflection in his hand, while Idiot Kiana had two health points left and Idiot Sheng Jiu had one. If Idiot Sheng Jiu reflected Kiana's two-point attack, she was sure to lose...
"Whatever! For the sake of this young lady's milk tea, charge, Void Hovos! Go!" Kiana closed her eyes and played her final card: Attack.
"Bring it on. It's time!" Sheng Jiu played his card too.
To everyone's surprise, Crimson Knight didn't raise a shield representing Damage Reflection. Instead, it swung its greatsword at Void Hovos and dealt one point of damage. With just one point of health remaining, Void Hovos raised its club angrily and charged.
"Thud!" Void Hovos brought its club down on Crimson Knight, smashing the Hovos to the ground. The latter lay there, waving a white flag.
"Huh?"
"Bronya declares Idiot Kiana the winner." As Bronya announced the result, she looked bewildered. Strange. She'd been keeping track of both of their cards the whole time. Idiot Sheng Jiu should have had only the reflection card left. How had it turned out to be an attack card...?
"Oh yeah, this young lady won! Hey, you lazybones~ A bet's a bet. You owe me another cup of milk tea!" Kiana excitedly grabbed Sheng Jiu's head and shook it.
"Okay, okay, I'll treat you!" Sheng Jiu wore a look as if he were about to cry, while quietly slipping the "Damage Reflection" card hidden in his hand into his pocket...
Before you continue