Chapter 17: Senior, are you getting revenge for me taking your virginity?

You cannot leave. Regarding Jiang He’s family situation, you’ve been staying here for so long. You must know something. Tell me now.

Through Alice’s tone, little Mo sensed the genuine concern she held for her juniors.

The Alice described by the Spring Court… seemed overly demonized.

“Um… Lady Alice, I actually don’t know the specific details of Jiang He’s family situation, because I’ve never seen her family come over in the evenings.”

Little Mo held her two paws together and shook her little cat head.

“Never seen them? Do you mean they come back too late from work, so you didn’t see them?”

“No, I mean I’ve never seen them at all! Jiang He’s family really doesn’t care about her. Except for transferring a lot of money to her phone every month and occasionally sending a nanny over to clean, they basically never contact her.”

Little Mo told the truth honestly. Alice’s brows furrowed slightly.

“How can something like this happen? Her parents completely ignore a minor?”

“Perhaps Jiang He’s family really puts all their attention on her older sister. Lady Alice, I did ask for more details, but Jiang He either refused to answer or just opened a game and started playing.”

“So, she really likes playing games?”

“Mhm, especially when Yang Bao comes over. They’re best friends after all.”

Little Mo nodded, pointing her cat paw toward the living room. Alice followed her gaze. The two young juniors were currently tackling a level. While playing, both of them leaned forward with necks stretched out, eyes glued straight to the screen, looking extremely serious.

Playing games together was also a form of socializing. It was a good way to integrate into their friendship circle. She couldn’t continue interacting with Jiang He purely as a senior. She needed to lower her stance and try.

Alice already had a plan. She turned to little Mo beside her and instructed,

“You continue staying at Jiang He’s house. If you sense any child suitable to become a magical girl, notify me immediately. I’ll give you my phone number soon.”

After speaking, Alice turned and opened the door.

“Understood! Lady Alice!”

Little Mo hurriedly bowed. Her cat eyes watched Alice’s departing figure as she thought to herself,

The magical girl Alice who carefully looks after her juniors’ lives is completely different from the rumors spread by the Spring Court. Are they really just slander and defamation?

Pushing open the glass sliding door, Alice walked into the living room. She heard a miserable cry from a game character.

“Ugh ah!”

Coincidentally, it was the character controlled by Xia Xiao Cheng that had been killed by a monster. She threw down the controller and shouted loudly.

“Ah! This game is even harder than fighting disaster beasts!”

Compared to Xia Xiao Cheng’s terrible skills, where she was kicked to death by a monster in one move, Jiang He’s control was undeniably powerful. She calmly stared at the large TV screen, her fingers clicking rapidly on the controller. The character in her hands seemed to have a soul—precise movement, perfect dodges, and seizing timing for swift attacks.

Gulp! Roar roar!

The final blow landed. The television showed the monster roaring as it was knocked down, followed by the settlement screen announcing clearance.

“Haah! Cleared it! Cleared it! That little boss was easily crushed by me.”

The corner of Jiang He’s mouth curled into a proud smile. She turned her head to look at the slacking Xia Xiao Cheng beside her.

“I was the only one getting suppressed and beaten by monsters the whole time! This isn’t fair! I don’t understand these monsters’ mechanics at all, and I haven’t practiced the character skills either.”

Xia Xiao Cheng hugged her arms in frustration. Jiang He immediately put down her controller and patted her shoulder apologetically to comfort her.

“It’s okay, Xiao Cheng. There are other games we can play.”

“I don’t want to play anymore. I’m too bad at it.”

“Um, then let’s not play.”

A trace of disappointment flashed in Jiang He’s red eyes. Games were what she was best at, but if her only friend didn’t want to participate, she wouldn’t force her.

“May I give it a try?”

A clear, cool voice sounded from the side. Jiang He looked over and saw Alice standing at the balcony doorway, observing the game screen.

“Senior? You want to play games with me?” Jiang He felt a hint of interest. Or rather, she had originally assumed that an experienced senior magical girl like Alice, who had gone through hundreds of battles, would have long lost interest in games.

“I’d like to try. Shall we continue with this type of game?” Alice smoothed her skirt with both hands and sat down on the sofa, right to the left of Xia Xiao Cheng.

“If it’s playing games with Senior, can I challenge you?” Jiang He asked tentatively.

“This is your home. You decide the game.” Alice nodded, her eyes calm and undisturbed.

“Then let’s play Mortal Kombat! Senior Alice knows it, right!”

The ‘Mortal Kombat’ Jiang He proposed was actually a classic arcade 2D fighting game that tested the player’s understanding of character skills and precise control. It was usually best of three rounds.

“Alright, but I have one condition.” Alice proposed.

“Eh? What condition?” Jiang He asked with interest.

“The winner can ask the loser one question, and the loser cannot refuse to answer.” Alice turned her head. Her eyes revealed seriousness, as if she was determined to accomplish something.

“Oh, any question is fine?” Jiang He rubbed the controller. She was actually quite curious about Senior Alice.

“Yes. Xia Xiao Cheng will be our witness.” Alice designated the notary.

“Me? What is Senior trying to do?” Xia Xiao Cheng couldn’t help feeling curious about the senior’s purpose.

“I have my own ideas. Let’s begin, Jiang He.”

“Alright, Senior. Then I won’t hold back!”

Jiang He excitedly selected Mortal Kombat on the TV and quickly entered the game interface, reaching the character selection screen.

The controller Xia Xiao Cheng had been using was handed to Alice. She calmly dragged the joystick to choose a character and finally settled on a muscular fist-swinging male character named “Hong”.

As for Jiang He, she skillfully chose “Scorpion”, a nimble female character.

The first round began. Jiang He’s “Scorpion” immediately launched a flying kick to seize the initiative. Alice’s “Hong” reacted a little slowly and was hit by the kick, resulting in a long stun.

“Good chance! Watch my combo!”

Jiang He immediately closed in with the joystick, her fingers clicking rapidly on the buttons—light punch, falling strike, whirlwind kick. The entire combo flowed smoothly like water!

KO!

The television announced “Scorpion’s” victory settlement screen.

There was no doubt about the first round. Alice, who was unfamiliar with the controller, was quickly taken down by Jiang He.

“Haha! I drew first blood from Senior!”

Jiang He shook her controller boastfully, her red eyes full of pride and satisfaction.

However, Alice simply continued familiarizing herself with the controller operations. After a moment, she quietly said,

“Mhm, I basically understand now. Continue.”

“Oh? Senior is so calm. But I won’t go easy on you!”

Jiang He had a strong competitive spirit. She wanted to see Alice defeated as soon as possible so she could ask her a question.

The second round started quickly. Alice still chose “Hong”, and Jiang He kept “Scorpion”.

Begin!

The rapid “pa-ta pa-ta” button sounds appeared on both sides of Xia Xiao Cheng simultaneously.

At this moment, Alice’s eyes were focused. Her hand movements were orderly and unhurried. The game character “Hong” under her control seemed to come alive with a soul.

Facing Jiang He’s “Scorpion” opening flying kick, Alice calmly pulled the joystick backward to dodge the attack, then counterattacked!

“Eh?”

Jiang He was stunned with surprise. Because her “Scorpion” was grabbed by the leg at an incredible angle by Alice’s “Hong” and slammed to the ground for a counter barrage!

Left fist—high damage! Right fist—high damage!

“Scorpion’s” health bar dropped rapidly. Accompanied by afterimages from Alice’s controller inputs, “Hong’s” punching speed became extremely fast and even added brief control!

“What is this?!”

Jiang He realized she needed to create distance, but no matter which way she pulled the joystick, her “Scorpion” was pinned in place and hammered to death by “Hong’s” continuous control.

KO!

The television announced “Hong’s” victory settlement screen.

In the second round, Alice won. She shook her controller, her blue eyes calm like a still lake, as if victory was already in her grasp.

“Senior, one more! This time I’m going to use my full strength!”

Jiang He’s competitive spirit was thoroughly ignited by Alice. She hadn’t expected that in the first round Alice had been holding back and was merely familiarizing herself with the controller layout!

Third round, I must win!

Jiang He secretly made up her mind. This was the first time she had encountered a truly skilled opponent—she could fight to her heart’s content!

Before the third round began, Jiang He chose “Cun”, a long-staff weapon character she had honed over thousands of matches. She could perform combos with her eyes closed!

In contrast, Alice still chose “Hong”, a short-ranged character. How could he deal with “Cun”, whose longer reach made every inch count?

Jiang He felt she had victory firmly in hand.

Begin!

In the decisive third round, Jiang He directly controlled “Cun” to charge forward with staff swings. The long staff danced impenetrably—heavy aerial strikes, light downward strikes, forward jumping strikes—all suppression techniques!

Alice’s “Hong” struggled left and right within the staff shadows. His health bar had already dropped by a third as he tried hard to defend.

“It’s over, Senior!”

Jiang He gripped the controller tightly. Her final strike made her fingertips turn white. If she landed one more hit, she could force Alice’s “Hong” into the corner and control him to death!

But the moment the staff came down, “Hong’s” figure actively retreated, flashed against the wall, and vanished. The staff struck empty air and hit the ground!

“What?!” Jiang He was stunned. She seemed to have seen this extremely difficult technique while researching fighting game moves online.

“God Blink.” Alice spoke calmly. Under her exquisite control, “Hong” flashed behind “Cun”, grabbed the opponent, and instantly forced her to her knees!

Bang bang bang!

Left fist—high damage! Right fist—high damage!

KO!!!

There was no doubt—Jiang He was defeated. She put down the controller, her red eyes blinking as she looked at Alice.

“I think I’ve earned the winner’s reward now. One question.” Alice smiled as she met her gaze, without any trace of arrogance in her eyes.

“Why… why does Senior know God Blink! That technique is only known by… a very small number of people.” Jiang He gripped the controller tightly, eager to know the answer. After all, she simply couldn’t figure out God Blink!

Yet Senior Alice had casually familiarized herself with the controller and then immediately demonstrated this divine skill from Mortal Kombat!

At this point, Jiang He had already developed a sense of awe and admiration toward Alice in terms of gaming!

“Want to learn?” Alice tilted her head with a smile.

“Mhm! Senior Alice!” Jiang He’s expression was extremely serious.

“Very well. First, answer my question. What exactly is the situation with your family? Why don’t your parents care about you?”

“Um.” A flash of hesitation appeared in Jiang He’s eyes. It was somewhat difficult to speak about, but thinking of the God Blink technique, she could only continue, “Senior, are you taking revenge on me for taking your first blood?”