So, Let's Have a Joyful Hovos Duel!

"So, Headmaster, can you make this armor set for me now?" Sheng Jiu looked at Theresa expectantly.

"That's absolutely impossible. Headquarters has only given us the blueprints so far. It's not easy to actually craft it. Look, many parts of this armor set use high-grade metals, and some rare materials require applications to Headquarters before we can use them. So, it will take us at least twelve days to finish." Himeko answered decisively.

"Alright, looks like I won't be wearing this treasure on my next mission then." Sheng Jiu reluctantly put down the tablet.

"We're heading off then. I need to submit the material application to Headquarters, and Himeko needs to inspect the Hyperion. See you later~"

After bidding farewell to Theresa and Himeko, Kiana leaned listlessly against Yae Sakura's embrace. "I'm so bored! Without any missions, I can't seem to find anything to do."

"How about you pay me back that cup of milk tea you owe me first?"

"Thump!"

"Ouch!"

"Tch, you should be honored to treat this young lady to milk tea. Many people want to treat me but don't even have the qualifications!" Kiana declared righteously, waving her fist.

"This is infuriating! How about this? You play a game of Hovos Duel with me. If I win, you have to buy me milk tea!" Sheng Jiu, unable to contain his frustration, rummaged under the dorm desk and pulled out a box of cards, saying defiantly.

"Sure, sure! Yae Sakura, Bronya, you two be the referees. Today, this young lady will definitely teach you a good lesson!"

Two minutes later, the clutter on the table was cleared, creating a large empty space for the two of them.

Sheng Jiu sneered and revealed one of his hand cards. A small holographic figure appeared above the card, showing a four-star Berserker: Hovos?Crimson Knight.

"Go! Crimson Knight, show them your power!"

"Hmph, a futile struggle. Let me show you my spirit! Come out! Void Hovos!"

Kiana also flipped over her character card, and the small figure that appeared was a four-star Mage: Void Hovos.

"Go! Crimson Knight, launch a badass attack: Crimson Slash!"

The large red Hovos figure swung a greatsword at the golden Hovos figure. The golden Hovos let out a small yelp and retreated two steps.

"Beep, Kiana the Idiot's Void Hovos has been attacked, losing three HP."

"Go! Void Hovos, activate Spear of Space!"

"Beep, Sheng Jiu the Idiot used the 'Defense' card, blocking one attack. HP remains unchanged."

"What?! Bronya, you're playing favorites!"

The two little figures went back and forth amidst Bronya's turn-by-turn announcements. One moment, the red Crimson Knight was striking the yellow Void Hovos, and the next, the Void Hovos was tossing the Crimson Knight around on the ground...

After about half an hour, the empty table was piled high with used hand cards, and the two holographic figures were covered in pinkish battle scars.

"Tch, why aren't you attacking, you punk? Don't tell me you've got Damage Reflection left!" Kiana stared intently at the confident Sheng Jiu.

"Heh heh, you guessed right. How about it, want to try?" Sheng Jiu mischievously fiddled with the last card in his hand.

"Bronya reminds Sheng Jiu the Idiot and Kiana the Idiot that it is now the final round. You can both play your hand cards simultaneously." Bronya watched Kiana with schadenfreude: Sheng Jiu the Idiot held the Damage Reflection card. Kiana the Idiot had two HP left, and Sheng Jiu the Idiot had one HP left. If Sheng Jiu the Idiot used the reflection to counter Kiana's two points of attack, she would definitely lose...

"Whatever, for my milk tea, charge! Void Hovos, go!" Kiana closed her eyes and played her last hand card: Attack.

"Come on, it's time!" Sheng Jiu also played his hand card.

Unexpectedly, the Crimson Knight did not raise a shield symbolizing damage reflection. Instead, she swung her greatsword at the Void Hovos, dealing one point of damage. The Void Hovos, with only one HP remaining, ferociously raised its club and charged forward.

"Bang!" The Void Hovos slammed the Crimson Knight Hovos to the ground with its club. The latter lay on the ground, waving a white flag.

"Huh?"

"Bronya declares Kiana the Idiot the winner." Bronya announced the match result with a look of disbelief: Strange, Bronya clearly kept track of both their card counts. Sheng Jiu the Idiot should have only had one Reflection card left. Why was it an Attack card...

"Ooh yeah, I won! Hey, lazybones~ A bet is a bet. You have to buy me another cup of milk tea!" Kiana ecstatically grabbed Sheng Jiu's head and shook it.

"Okay, okay, I'll buy it, I'll buy it!" Sheng Jiu had a look of wanting to cry but having no tears as he secretly tucked the "Damage Reflection" card he was hiding into his pocket