As Alex and Alicia stood in front of a virtual gaming arena, the neon lights flickering above the entrance, crowds milling about inside with excited chatter.
Alex’s mouth twitched hard. "You know when I said ’to wherever you want’... I ant sothing romantic. Not here."
Alicia flashed a big smile. "Why? Are you afraid that you’ll lose... just like the first ti we fought in the academy?"
Alex’s voice rose in volu. "I didn’t lose that day, and you know it! You just got lucky, and the professor handed you the win."
Alicia leaned in teasingly. "You just sound like a loser... a handso loser."
Determination burned in Alex’s eyes. "Oh yeah? Let’s see who’s the loser. Sneak peek at . You don’t know it just yet, but I’m also an avid gar who spent hours conquering every ga I got my hands on."
Alicia’s smile widened. "We’ll see, handso."
They both entered the virtual gaming arena.
All eyes landed on them instantly—the room buzzing with whispers as heads turned.
Girls got jealous of Alicia, shooting glares and murmuring among themselves.
Boys got jealous of Alex, clenching fists and exchanging looks.
Girls swooned over Alex. "He’s so hot... Look at that suit."
A vein popped on Alicia’s head. Her icy cold glare swept over them like a winter storm, and the girls averted their gazes imdiately, shutting up and looking away.
Boys comnted on Alicia. "How hot she looks... That dress is killer."
"I can kill to be with soone like her"
Alex’s expression darkened. A little bit of his aura leaked out unconsciously—a subtle pressure wave that rippled through the air, knocking them unconscious where they stood, bodies slumping to the floor.
Alicia laughed her heart out, seeing Alex like that. She gave him a quick peck on the lips. "So you can get protective, huh?"
Alex averted his gaze, a shy expression creeping in. "After all, you an by that... They just collapsed by themselves."
Alicia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Cut the tsundere act. I’ve done it multiple tis myself, so I know when soone’s acting like one."
Alex conceded with a grin. "Alright, alright... my queen."
Suddenly the old manager himself ca walking toward them, shuffling quickly through the crowd.
Alex puffed up his chest. "See? The old manager himself is coming to greet ."
The manager arrived and greeted Alicia first, bowing deeply with a beaming smile. "Lady Alicia... I always wait for you to co."
Alex’s face flushed red with embarrassnt.
Alicia cutely smirked at him. "Looks like I win."
Alex grumbled. "Yeah, you did."
The manager finally noticed Alex, squinting through his thick glasses. Color drained from his face as recognition hit like lightning. He bowed low, almost comically deep. "Your Majesty! I’m sorry for not recognizing you!"
Alex put a finger to his lips. "Shhh. Do you want everyone to know?"
The manager stamred, sweating. "I’m sorry!"
Alicia told him, "Take us to the free‑style virtual combat zone."
The manager straightened eagerly. "With pleasure."
He led them through the bustling arena to the gaming zone—a row of high‑tech imrsion chairs with glowing interfaces.
"Do you want the fully imrsed version?" he asked.
"Yes," Alicia said firmly.
They both sat in the chairs and closed their eyes.
A chanical voice announced: {Initiating free‑style virtual combat imrsion.}
Multiple options ca up on Alex’s interface for him to choose an avatar.
He selected an assassin type—sleek black leather armor with hooded cloak, dual curved daggers, agile boots, mask covering the lower face.
In the next mont, he found himself on a big beach arena. White sand stretched out, ocean waves crashing rhythmically against the shores, a raised wooden fighting platform in the center with barriers glowing blue.
Alicia’s avatar materialized opposite him—good, cool, and sexy. She wore form‑fitting black leather armor etched with glowing red runes, a long cloak billowing dramatically, dual elegant longswords crossed on her back, thigh boots, silver accents highlighting her curves, snow‑white hair flowing like a waterfall.
Alicia smirked. "Are you ready, honey? Because I’m gonna kill you."
Alex drew his daggers. "I’m waiting to die by your hands—but not here."
A voice bood: "Start!"
Just as Alex was about to move, his head was blown away by an invisible slash.
A ssage flashed: {You lose.}
An AI voice announced crisply, "Winner: Alicia von Crestvale."
Alex’s body respawned on the platform.
He couldn’t believe what had just happened. His pride as a gar hurt deeply. "One more ti."
Another match started.
He moved cautiously this ti, dodging an energy blast from Alicia that scorched the sand.
In the next second, his torso was cut in half by a phantom blade.
He died again.
Respawned.
Alicia enjoyed the miserable expression on his face, her smile widening—which pissed Alex off even more.
One hour went by just like this—match after match.
But Alex didn’t land a single win.
anwhile, in the gaming arena, people watching their matches on massive screens were srized by the display.
Her fluid movents, precise strikes, unyielding combos—people gasped and cheered.
"Her fighting style... it’s the sa as ’The Immortal Queen,’ the ranked‑one gar in free‑style combat! No one could defeat her!"
Recognition spread like wildfire.
People started cheering wildly for Alicia, chanting "Immortal Queen! Immortal Queen!"
anwhile, Alex kept losing. Alicia taunted, "Looks like you aren’t good at everything after all."
This was Alex’s fortieth loss.
"This is the last one," Alex declared.
Alicia agreed.
In the final fight, Alicia deliberately let him win—missing strikes just by inches, holding back her full power, allowing openings.
Alex was so happy after winning, pumping his fist.
Alicia smiled softly, seeing him happy. ’I hope you never lose that smile.’
They ca out of the virtual world, chairs powering down with a hum.
Suddenly a huge crowd surged toward Alicia, fans clamoring for autographs and photos, recognizing her as the big‑ti gar "The Immortal Queen" herself.
"Queen! Sign this!"
"Photo, please!"
Alicia grabbed Alex’s hand tightly and ran outside of the gaming arena, weaving through the excited throng.
They jumped into the Ferrari and drove off, tires screeching lightly.
Alex panted, laughing. "Even I don’t have fans like that. How do you get to have it?"
Alicia winked. "Darling, you don’t know everything about , you know."
"Fine," Alex conceded. "But rember, I at least beat you once, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah," Alicia said. "Eyes on the road."
She leaned over and kissed his neck teasingly.
Alex swerved slightly. "Do you want both of us to die together?"
Alicia grinned mischievously. "Not a bad idea at all."
A chill ran through Alex.
"Relax," she laughed. "I’m just kidding."
"Alright," Alex said, steadying the car. "Where to next?"
"A very fun place," Alicia replied mysteriously. "That you will absolutely like."
"Okay," Alex said. "If you say so."
After a ten‑minute ride through winding streets lined with glowing lanterns and evening crowds, they stood in front of a horror house.
Its entrance lood like a gaping maw—flickering red lights, fog machines puffing mist, creepy laughter echoing from speakers, fake cobwebs draping the sign.
Color drained from Alex’s face. "Lily told you about it, didn’t she...?"
Alicia just smiled innocently in return. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
"That traitor," Alex muttered darkly. "I’ll cut off her allowance for this."
"I’ll give her double," Alicia said sweetly.
Alex’s mouth twitched hard at that.
They now stood in front of the entrance.
He took a huge gulp. ’Co on,’ he thought. ’I’ve fought worse—even a dragon recently. How bad can it be?’
As they both entered the horror house...
But what Alex didn’t see was that Alicia’s body was also shaking ever so slightly, her grip on his arm tightening just a fraction.
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