"Idiot."A cold, piercing voice suddenly broke the silence, sending a chill downEsther's spine. She spun around, her eyes wide with surprise and a hint of fear, to see who had uttered those harsh, unfamiliar words.The Russian princess Katia Volkov was standing there, exuding an aura of regal authority and disdain. In the gaming world of Rainfall Disorder, Katia was not just another character; she was your in-game crush, a figure of both admiration and intimidation.Esther's heart pounded as she saw Katia, whose icy blue eyes seemed to pierce right through her.
"Why is it that every time I see you... Do you always cover your face so thoroughly? I know it's ugly... covering it up won't help anyway."A mischievous smile slowly spread across the plump lips of the playful girl, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Her words, laced with mockery, grated on Ryoshu's nerves. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows on the walls, and her taunting voice seemed to echo in the enclosed space. Ryoshu could feel a surge of irritation rising within him, his hands clenching into fists under his cloak. However, he managed to suppress his anger, knowing lashing out would do no good. The memories of past confrontations where he had let his temper get the better of him flashed briefly in his mind, reminding him of the importance of control.Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he responded, his voice measured and even, "Sensei Kenzo accidentally cut off one of my ears."As soon as those words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramaticall
'She looks quite sleepy, doesn't she...? Some things never change, even in this virtual reality version,' Ryoshu thought, noticing Katia's drowsy expression. Her eyelids drooped slightly, and she leaned against the wall with a languid grace as if the day's weight was finally catching up with her. Her serene beauty seemed almost out of place in the tense atmosphere of the room, a stark contrast to the urgency surrounding them.Meanwhile, Alan and Esther were engrossed in a hushed conversation in a dimly lit corner. Alan's posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp and calculating, darting occasionally toward the rest of the group to ensure their privacy. Esther, on the other hand, looked anxious. Her brow was furrowed, and she kept glancing at Alan's bandaged arm, the concern in her eyes deepening with every passing moment."Alan, with your injury like this, can we still proceed with the original plan—?" Esther's voice, though soft, was tinged with worry. She bit her lip, her finge
"Please, Esther. Ryoshu also has quite good reasoning skills. Who knows, he could do something.Esther's expression shifted slightly. The confident and somewhat haughty demeanor she usually carried wavered for a moment. This subtle change did not go unnoticed. It wasn't merely the logical appeal of the request that caused her to pause. The actual influence came from the one making the plea. Esther highly regarded Charlotte, valuing her opinions and respecting her deeply. This respect was coupled with a strong belief in Charlotte's intuition, which had proven reliable on many occasions.Charlotte's request carried weight, not just because of her logical argument but because of the bond they shared. Esther contemplated the situation, her mind racing through past experiences where Charlotte's instincts had been spot on. She let out a long, resigned sigh, an audible sign of her internal struggle, and finally responded, her tone laced with reluctance:"Fine, I agree because you asked, bu
She could only let out a weary sigh, feeling the weight of the situation settle heavily on her shoulders before she spoke again. "Alright, let me repeat the plan again for the group. This is especially important for you, Haruki, and Charlotte. Please make an effort to remember it this time."Haruki, always the one to lighten the mood, chuckled nervously, "Hehe. Sorry about that..."On the other hand, Charlotte felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. "I'll try my best to remember..." she added softly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.The mention of their names jolted Haruki and Charlotte, causing them to sit up straighter and exchange sheepish glances. They realized they needed to pay better attention. The gravity of their task was starting to sink in. Despite their initial reactions, they quickly refocused, understanding the critical nature of the plan. They leaned in closer, eyes fixed on her, as she meticulously went over every detail, ensuring no one missed anything. He
To Ryoshu, it represented a ticket to power and respect, things he craved deeply.In a typical exam scenario, Ryoshu might have considered withdrawing, recognizing his limitations and the overwhelming odds. But this was no ordinary test. The stakes were higher, and so was his resolve. This was a unique opportunity, one he could not afford to miss. Part of his motivation stemmed from a lingering resentment towards a teacher who had publicly humiliated him, leaving a scar on his pride that he was eager to erase. He could still feel the sting of that embarrassment, a burning reminder of why he needed to succeed. The other part was driven by calculated confidence. Ryoshu had devised a plan that he believed would allow him to outshine all the other students, including the prominent main characters, and secure the coveted top spot.He stood there for a moment, reflecting on the upcoming challenges. The atmosphere around him seemed to thicken with tension and anticipation. His mind raced w
"You didn't need lightning-fast reflexes to recognize that the sound from a moment ago had a malicious intent." Realizing the imminent danger, Esther cried out with all the strength she could muster despite the excruciating ringing in her ears, "CHARLOTTE! PLAN B!" Her voice was strained and desperate, carrying the situation's urgency to her friend.Charlotte, the blonde princess, though also affected and bleeding from her ears, managed to catch Esther's plea. Summoning her remaining strength, she immediately called upon the earth around them. The ground responded to her summons, and large chunks of earth rose and coalesced. They rapidly formed a formidable wall, attempting to seal off the gaping hole violently torn into the room, which now stood split in half.The earthen barrier stood tall and seemed sturdy, a testament to Charlotte's power and control. It loomed protectively, casting a shadow over the wreckage of what had once been a secure room. The wall's surface was rough an
"What are you waiting for?" Master Kenzo's voice rang out sharply, cutting through the tense silence of the room. His hand moved to rest on the hilt of his sword once more, a gesture that conveyed both readiness and threat. His eyes, cold and unyielding, remained fixed on his students, scrutinizing their every move and reaction. The intensity in his gaze was palpable, a silent command that demanded their utmost attention and effort.The following command was filled with murderous intent, reverberating through the empty, desolate space: "Charge!"The air around Master Kenzo began to crackle with energy as his mana erupted. Though it was currently classified as rank F, the power radiating from him was anything but ordinary. The sheer intensity of his mana was overwhelming, far surpassing what was typical for an F-rank. It surged and swirled around him, creating an almost tangible aura of power. The energy seemed to pulsate, sending ripples through the air, making the ground beneath th