Chapter 66: Gambling is harmful to physical and mental health

On the dueling field, Aurora didn’t budge. A wisp of pale cyan wind swirled at her fingertip. Opposite, Beatrice, face flushed, strained to summon a thick earthen wall.

But when Aurora’s breeze sharpened into a precise wind blade, it sliced through the wall like tofu, grazing Beatrice’s cheek, leaving a faint red mark before dissipating.

The match was over.

Beatrice, dejected, lowered her wand and returned to her team.

“Don’t be upset, Bea,” Cordelia comforted, patting her shoulder. “You did well, wearing down their strongest. Leave the rest to us.”

Their gazes pierced through their sulking teammate, locking onto Ailiya with smug confidence. Let’s see how you, the bottom-bottom horse, handles this.

Aurora yawned, sauntering back to Ailiya, nudging her. “My job’s done, bottom-bottom horse. But your ‘flawless’ plan? They saw right through it.”

“How…” Ailiya clutched her head, crushed. “It was supposed to be perfect…”

“Flawless where?” Genevieve scoffed. “It’s an open gate, obvious to anyone.”

Ailiya had underestimated these noble girls, raised in webs of intrigue.

“Second match, prepare,” Isabella announced, emotionless.

Seraphina took a deep breath, gripping her wand, and stepped forward. Her opponent: Cordelia, their top horse. Despite Seraphina’s prodigious talent, her water serpents weaving and striking for weaknesses, the gap between a first-year and a senior was stark. Cordelia’s wand flicked elegantly, wind barriers shredding the serpents. A powerful gust lifted Seraphina, spinning her twice before setting her down gently.

Seraphina lost.

The score was tied, one-to-one.

The final match pitted Ailiya against Genevieve, their middle horse.

“It’s one-to-one,” Cordelia said, twirling her curls with a smile. “But the outcome’s set, isn’t it, commoner?”

“Aren’t you noble ladies?” Ailiya shot back, defiant. “Can’t you show some basic manners?”

“We respect those of equal standing,” Genevieve said, stepping forward, arms crossed, looking down. “You don’t qualify. You’re terrified, aren’t you?”

“N-No way!” Ailiya stammered, her bravado faltering.

Ugh, I should’ve gone first! The pressure of the deciding match felt like a mountain crushing her. Staring at pebbles by her feet, her heart pounded, threatening to leap from her throat. What now? She’s a fire mage—can my earth spike block her? Or just cast blindly and lose? But that’s a thousand gold coins!

Isabella’s cool gaze lingered on Ailiya, then she raised her hand. “Third match, enter.”

Genevieve strode confidently to the center. Ailiya froze, mind blank, palms sweaty.

Isabella began the countdown, her voice steady, each number a hammer on Ailiya’s heart.

“Three.”

The air thickened, all eyes on her.

“Two.”

Her blood roared in her veins.

“One.”

“Wait!” Ailiya’s shout shattered the tension.

Genevieve, wand raised with fire sparking, glared. “The result’s set! Stop stalling!”

Ailiya ignored her, chest heaving like a fish out of water. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply—once, twice, three times. The chaos faded, her racing heart calming.

When she opened her eyes, the panic was gone, replaced by an enigmatic calm. Her lips curved into a sly, almost wicked smile. “Why,” she tilted her head, voice soft, “are you so sure you’ve won?”

Her tone sent a chill down Genevieve’s spine.

“Ever heard this saying?” Ailiya tapped a finger to her lips, eyes gleaming with mad delight. “I love crushing smug know-it-alls. Lifting them high, then slamming them down—it’s thrilling!”

Her shift stunned the crowd.

“Genevieve!” Cordelia snapped. “Don’t let her rattle you! She’s bluffing—”

Clap! Ailiya’s sharp handclap cut her off, drawing every eye. Her petite frame radiated a commanding aura, her usually goofy eyes now deep, almost hypnotic.

“You think,” she said slowly, voice carrying, “you know who taught me magic?”

With a dramatic sweep of her arm, she directed all eyes to the bench. “Lady Liliane von Winter! St. Freya’s queen! A peerless genius!”

Her voice rose, fervent with pride. “As her personal maid, how could I lose to nobodies like you?”

Liliane’s eyes flickered with surprise.

Ailiya flicked her wrist, her plain ash wand appearing. Holding it like a fencer’s rapier, she struck a poised stance.

“That wand…” a noble girl gasped. Its faint glow betrayed high-level enchantments—far beyond a commoner’s means.

Could it be…

Cordelia’s face soured, but she gritted her teeth. “No matter your training or fancy wand, you’re still a commoner! Bloodlines can’t be bridged!”

Ailiya nodded slowly. “True, there’s a chasm between our statuses.”

Cordelia smirked, sensing victory.

“So…” Ailiya’s eyes sharpened, cutting her off. “I’m raising the stakes!”

She pulled a gold coin from her pocket, flicking it into the air. It spun, catching the light, and she caught it deftly, displaying it like a badge. “I bet everything—my dolls, my maid outfit. If I lose, it’s yours!”

Her voice rang with conviction. “In return—” Her gaze sliced through the three pale-faced girls. “You stake everything too. Pride, possessions—all of it.”

The crowd erupted. She’s insane! All this for a training spot?

Some nodded in approval, admiring her audacity.

Genevieve, unnerved by Ailiya’s predatory smile, stepped back. Ailiya clenched the coin, thrusting her fist forward. “You say I can’t cast? That nobles and commoners are worlds apart?”

Her voice dripped with defiance. “Show me your resolve, ladies.”

She opened her hand. The coin fell, spinning, its rose emblem glinting. Time stretched, the world silent save for its faint hum.

Clink. It hit the stone, bounced, and stilled.

“I… I forfeit,” Genevieve whispered, head bowed.

“Genevieve! Why?!” Cordelia, recovering from shock, shouted.

“I’ll give her the thousand coins!” Genevieve looked up, trembling. “I don’t want this to escalate! You remember Clarissa from the bulletin board? Would you bet it all?”

Cordelia opened her mouth but fell silent.

Isabella, composed, stepped forward. “Genevieve concedes. Final score: two to one. Ailiya Winster’s team wins.”

Ailiya wordlessly picked up the coin, not sparing the losers a glance, and walked back.

“Not bad,” Aurora said, patting her shoulder. “That was a bold gamble.”

Ailiya kept her head down, voice weary. “I… just bet she’d back down. If she was fearless, I’d be done for.”

“But you won,” Aurora said, impressed. “Gutsy.”

Ailiya let out a low chuckle, growing louder, wilder, until it turned manic. “Haha… hahahaha… ha…” It stopped abruptly, shifting to choked sobs. “Waaah!” She collapsed, hugging Aurora’s leg, bawling. “That was terrifying! Never again! I’m so scared!”

Her tears and snot flowed, inconsolable, leaving the crowd dumbfounded.

On the bench, Liliane watched the sobbing mess, a faint, helpless smile curling her lips.

The three noble girls stood speechless. This girl… is just a complete idiot, isn’t she?