Chapter 36: No Emotions, Not Even Sympathy

“Rustle! Rustle! Rustle!”

Suddenly—Fabiana stared in shock as the crumpled body of Samimi on the ground began to break apart. In the next instant, it transformed into countless sheets of rune paper, glowing faintly with rose-colored magical energy.

“A clone?!” Fabiana finally realized she had been completely deceived.

It wasn’t Samimi at all—it was a magical duplicate.

The Gale Hero, Laigaiyas, had a technique called [Afterimage of Wind], which created illusions to confuse enemies.

Samimi’s trick was a magic clone—specifically known as [Substitution Technique], a spell that constructs a body double using raw magical power.

However, compared to the complexity of [Afterimage of Wind], the [Substitution Technique] was a thousand times easier to learn. Anyone with a working brain could pick it up.

Because this spell, like a basic magic shield, was considered an elementary, universal technique. Unlike the exalted status of the shield spell, however, the [Substitution Technique] was often dismissed as impractical, not worth a proper magician’s time.

But Samimi wasn’t like other magicians—she was a transmigrator.

She knew that this humble [Substitution Technique] would eventually become a lifesaving staple among magicians in the future.

Currently, the magical community was still obsessed with increasing spell power. In other words, they were all just glorified glass cannons.

But once the story progressed into the middle arc—when they would face abyssal demons skilled at shield-piercing and assassination—they would finally realize that survivability was the true core of magic.

At that point, the [Substitution Technique] would become a mandatory spell.

That’s why Samimi had not only mastered it early, but even improved it.

“Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!”

As the magical clone was flung aside and exploded, dozens of rose-colored magical vines shot out, instantly wrapping around the Pure White Knight.

This was Samimi’s enhanced version of the [Substitution Technique], now with a control effect embedded.

“What the—?!”

Fabiana struggled fiercely, attempting to break free, but it was already too late.

“[Haste]!”

“[Power Amplify]!”

In the next instant, the cunning Samimi leapt out of the flowerbed, chanting support spells mid-air as she ambushed the Pure White Knight without mercy.

Fabiana, still frozen in a daze of fear and sorrow, couldn’t react in time. The magical vines had momentarily restrained her movement—she was vulnerable.

Only because the Pure White Knight had exposed so many openings did Samimi dare to strike. Otherwise, she’d have just kept hiding in the flowers, playing cat and mouse.

Samimi’s original strategy was to exhaust Fabiana through hit-and-run tactics, slowly wearing the clunky knight down.

But plans often can’t keep up with reality—the knight was far weaker than expected. There was no need to kite.

At this stage, Fabiana was still just a leveling-up knight girl. Her brain and combat instincts couldn’t compare to the elite commanders of the human army she’d become in the future.

“Knowledge is power!” Samimi roared, swinging her thick magic book.

“Thunk!”
The heavy tome smashed into the left side of Fabiana’s face, leaving her dazed.

“Like going helmetless, huh?” Samimi smirked, reversing her grip and landing a fierce blow on the other cheek.

“Ahhh!” Fabiana cried out, tears flying as she was knocked to the ground.

She was literally knocked unconscious. Even if she had ten brains, she never would’ve guessed Samimi would hit her in the face with a magic book.

And why was this one book so damn heavy?! The impact rattled her skull.

“You’ve lost, Pure White Knight.”

Samimi stepped on Fabiana’s chestplate, looking down at her with icy calm. Her expression radiated overwhelming dominance.

Floating beside Samimi was a blade forged of holy rose magic—its tip aimed directly at Fabiana’s throat.

“Ugh… ngh…”

Fabiana bit her lip hard, eyes filled with defiance—but tears kept falling uncontrollably.

It was over. Everything was over. She had been instantly outsmarted, overpowered, and now literally stepped on by Samimi.

It was a total and humiliating defeat.

“Why cry? Playing the victim now? Sure, we may be even now as former teammates—but don’t think I forgot how you all stole my Steelback Dragon.” Samimi’s voice was frigid.

As she spoke, she knelt down and unhooked the golden sword sheath from Fabiana’s belt. Only then did she remove her boot from the knight’s chest.

Fabiana jolted upright like a triggered reflex, cheeks red and swollen. She opened her mouth several times, but couldn’t say a word.

Because when you lose, nothing you say matters.

It’s just barking. It’s just impotent fury. Meaningless.

“Heh. You couldn’t even see through my magic clone. And you couldn’t even break it. That charge of yours was pathetic—weak and sloppy.” Samimi, having won, naturally unleashed a round of harsh ridicule.

“I held back so I wouldn’t kill you with it!” Fabiana finally found her voice and shot back.

That, in truth, was the real reason she lost. Not because she lacked power—but because she lacked judgment.

She’d held back her charge. Had she gone all out, she could’ve broken the clone immediately and realized it was a trap.

That would’ve at least prevented Samimi’s side ambush—maybe even spared her the humiliating knockdown from a magic book.

Thankfully, there had been no spectators—otherwise, her knightly reputation would’ve been ruined on the spot.

“Lost is lost. Hand over the golden sword,” Samimi smirked. “Or don’t—after all, what can I do? I’m just a helpless little sinful nun.”

“I… I admit defeat…” Fabiana said through gritted teeth, raising a trembling hand to give Samimi the golden sword.

“Now we’re even,” Samimi grinned, sliding the golden sword smoothly back into its shining sheath—clearly pleased with the acquisition.

Finally, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a giant whale knight medal—the very same one Knight King had awarded to Niubao.

“Take this back,” Samimi said, tossing the medal into Fabiana’s face. “You lot have no right to bestow honors on us. When you’re strong enough to land a real hit on me, then maybe I’ll consider accepting it.”

With that, she turned and walked off—to help Niubao up from the flowerbed.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Nun,” Niubao said groggily, trying to stand.

“You did just fine. From now on, I’ll be relying on you to protect me,” Samimi said, supporting her as they walked away down the garden path—completely ignoring the seething knight behind them.

Fabiana could only watch their backs, fists clenched, heart torn between jealousy, resentment, and the agony of being ignored.

But no matter how much she hated it, she couldn’t do a thing. She had been defeated.

Today was supposed to be the most glorious occasion for her family—a noble title promotion.

Yet here she was, beaten down, even her ceremonial sword taken.

No—she’d lost it fair and square in a bet.

The usually sharp-tongued Pure White Knight now didn’t even have the will to speak.

In the end…

She had to lower her proud head and pick up her own Giant Whale Knight Medal from the ground.

The moment she picked it up, her fingers trembled, her eyes went dull, her mouth dry. Her will drained away. Her face turned pale.

There is no greater agony in a knight’s life than this very moment.