The corridor was empty.
Romio held Karenina’s wrist, his pace never slowing.
Right now, he only wanted to find a place where no one was around to discuss a strategy with his only normal brother.
That Dragon Girl had gone completely insane.
Openly saying those kinds of things in class was practically blocking his path to a peaceful daily life.
“What the hell was that? How did that woman become such a pervert once she left the plot!”
And his brother was his only hope.
The warmth coming from her wrist made Karenina’s body stiffen slightly.
She did not pull away.
Every action of the Examiner must have a profound meaning.
This was a test of her situational reaction, and also a way of conveying some kind of message to her.
Pulling her away right in front of Sylvia.
This was a disregard for Sylvia’s childish provocation, and… absolute trust in her.
“He doesn’t have any special meaning; this is all part of the plan, it’s all his disguise…”
Karenina’s logic was very clear.
However, her body’s reaction betrayed her thoughts.
The patch of skin held by the youth began to burn.
It felt as if a strange electric current was spreading along her arm, rushing straight to her brain.
Reason was evicted by an inexplicable sensation, and her breathing became increasingly difficult to control.
Karenina had never experienced such a… wondrous situation.
“Phew… we’re here.”
Romio pulled her into an empty terrace and finally let go of her hand.
He leaned against the wall and let out a long breath.
“Brother, you saw it just now, that woman isn’t right.”
Romio turned around, his expression serious.
“It’s like… her brain is fried.”
“I need your help.”
Karenina stood with her back to him, trying hard to calm her inexplicably accelerating heartbeat.
She straightened her collar, attempting to let the cool fabric dissipate the heat in her cheeks.
“Please speak.”
Her voice was colder than usual, and also more strained.
“I suspect she’s going to keep pestering me.”
Romio frowned, beginning to analyze.
“Tonight, something big is going to happen.”
“Before that, I have to make her understand that I’m not the kind of person she imagines.”
“But I can’t explain it right now, so I need your help.”
“…. I understand.”
After a slight deliberation, Karenina understood that this was another assessment of her.
As expected, it was a new layout.
Was it to make Sylvia give up completely?
As expected of the Examiner.
Always walking ahead of everyone else.
“How should I cooperate?”
Karenina turned around, her deep blue eyes looking directly at Romio, trying to display her professionalism and composure.
“It’s simple.”
Romio took a step closer.
“You just tell her directly what happened before, and that’s it.”
“Also this, use this to coerce her.”
The contract was still in effect, and Romio couldn’t explain the specific operation, but he fully believed in his brother’s ability!
The distance between the two was less than a meter.
The scent on Romio, a mixture of morning dew and his own unique smell, flooded into Karenina’s nose.
Her brain once again experienced a brief blankness.
“…… A showdown?”
Karenina reviewed the incident.
Although the plan was discussed and finalized by her and Mio Ibuki, it was clear that all of this was within Romio’s expectations.
He just liked it this way—not getting involved in anything, yet fueling the fire and arranging everything.
In other words… what he actually meant was for her to play the role of the villain in Sylvia’s eyes.
Using the coercive power of the top-tier squad leader to persuade her to drop the idea!
“Right.”
Romio didn’t notice her abnormality and was still nodding at his own brilliant plan.
“It’s a matter of great importance. Please make sure she gives up, I’m counting on you.”
This was the true core of the test.
As an heir to the royal family, her law-abiding assessment would end completely at some point.
And Romio would take the results of the inspection back to Russell, back to that Empress.
Before that, she had to be prepared.
To become someone recognized by this Examiner, someone willing to sacrifice all reputation for the “big picture.”
“I…”
Karenina opened her mouth, but found her throat dry, unable to say a single word.
“What exactly is going on with his body?”
Biting her lip inwardly, Karenina felt her body getting hotter and hotter.
Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest, almost wanting to break free from its restraints and throw itself into the other person’s embrace, greedily and forcibly occupying them.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Romio noticed that the situation had become serious.
His brother’s eyes were starting to lose focus, and his breathing had become rapid.
“Are you sick?”
Romio was shocked!
It was over. Was the only normal person about to collapse too?
Could it be that there was a “God-Man Virus” spreading through the air in this world?
Suddenly reaching out, Romio pressed his hand against Karenina’s forehead.
“!”
The warm palm covered her stray hairs and forehead.
In that instant, Karenina felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
All thoughts, all logic, all composure and restraint were completely shattered at this moment.
With a bang, the world turned into a blank slate.
“You don’t have a fever… Brother, where do you feel unwell?”
Romio frowned:
“Don’t move yet, I’ll take you to the infirmary!”
Romio was extremely anxious and reached out to support her.
But his hand was grabbed by Karenina.
The strength was so great that even he felt a bit of pain.
“……. No need.”
Karenina lowered her head, and Romio couldn’t see his brother’s expression clearly.
“I… am fine.”
“This is… a necessary trial.”
“I… can endure it.”
What trial?
Taking being sick as a trial?
Is the Russell people’s way of thinking this fierce? Do you need two bottles of vodka to bolster your courage and disinfect?
Romio didn’t understand, but since his brother had said so, he couldn’t say anything more.
“Here, take this.”
He took out the Dragon Scale Ointment and stuffed it into Karenina’s hand:
“This is her weakness. Next, brother, I’ll be counting on your performance!”
“Please!”
“I will not let you down… Sorry, please allow me to go ahead!”
Karenina practically rushed back to her private lounge.
Bang!
The door was slammed shut, and she leaned her whole body against the door panel, sliding down to sit on the floor as her body lost its strength.
Her magic was in disorder, and her disguise could no longer be maintained.
Accompanying the sudden appearance of the girl’s slender figure, a “rip” sounded. The powerful genes inherited from her mother’s bloodline caused those proud curves to forcefully snap the uniform button on her chest.
“Hah… hah…”
She gasped for air. Karenina only felt as if there were flames flickering in her chest.
Even now, the warmth of the youth’s palm seemed to linger on her wrist.
Her nose was also full of that scent on him that made one’s mind restless.
“What on earth… am I doing…”
Karenina pressed the back of her hand against her burning face, her eyes a mess.
Calm down.
Must calm down.
She forced herself to replay everything that had just happened.
Every movement of the Examiner, every word.
His approach, his concern, his trusting gaze when he handed over the ointment.
These were all tests.
A disguise.
It was to show a kind of “vulnerability” and “dependence” in front of her, thereby testing her ability to respond when faced with this kind of “temptation.”
Yes, it must be so.
Opening her palm, she looked at the Dragon Scale Ointment lying quietly there.
This was the key to breaking the situation.
It was also her chance to prove herself.
“No, I must find a way to calm down…”
Karenina rushed into the bathroom and turned the water temperature in the alchemy array to the lowest.
Splash!
The flow of water took away the heat and also forced her mind to cool down.
“Play the villain, coerce Sylvia…”
Karenina’s eyes gradually regained their clarity, and a trace of the sharpness belonging to a royal heir reconsolidated.
If Romio continued to be pestered by a foolish woman like Sylvia, the interests obtained by the squad would also be affected.
Relevant information about the second exam would be released soon.
At this critical juncture, one must be extremely cautious.
Prioritizing the squad’s interests—this was what a qualified leader should do most.
He probably meant that as well.
Standing up, Karenina changed her clothes and reorganized her appearance.
Her figure shifted.
When she pushed open the door again, that calm, rational leader of the top-tier squad, Kafnir, had returned.
“Understand, execute, as always.”
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