The cafeteria of St. Freya Academy.
Spacious and tidy, the rectangular tables were neatly arranged in rows, reflecting the glow of the setting sun and gleaming brightly.
In a quiet corner of this serene campus cafeteria.
Layers of pristine white skirts were spread across the floor, while a moon-white bellyband and spotless silk socks were folded neatly and placed to the side.
The slanting rays of the sunset bathed a delicate, fair-skinned body in orange hues, its smooth surface shimmering with a soft radiance.
The height of summer was already sweltering, and maintaining such a posture caused Ji Lin's body to glisten with fragrant sweat, making her appear even more translucent.
Her slightly raised hips traced a dewy, curvaceous silhouette.
In terms of slender delicacy, she couldn't compare to Kiana.
In terms of plump succulence, she fell short of Aponia's peach-like allure.
But Ji Lin exuded a refined, youthful charm—fresh and tender, a rare beauty in her own right.
At this moment, Ji Lin had been holding a *dogeza* (prostration) pose for nearly half an hour.
The floor was hard, and her tender knees ached faintly.
A melodious bell rang out, signaling the end of the day's classes at St. Freya Academy.
Streams of people converged on the cafeteria from all directions.
The once-quiet space instantly buzzed with noise and chatter.
From her prostrated position, Ji Lin could hear the distant conversations of female students. Her body stiffened, and her palms and feet, pressed against the floor, tensed nervously.
They were about to pass by!
Even if they were just unconscious NPCs, the traditionally modest Ji Lin had no exhibitionist tendencies.
To be stripped naked, kneeling on the ground in such a public setting...
A steady flow of people passed by her.
Even if she couldn't feel their gazes, even if everyone ignored her, Ji Lin was still overwhelmed with shame and indignation.
Her body grew hot, her fair skin flushing pink.
After last night's "flute-playing" ordeal, Ji Lin's endurance had improved significantly.
*Clip-clop, clip-clop...*
Suddenly, the sound of hooves approached. Ji Lin lifted her gaze.
A girl in a black battle skirt rode a warhorse slowly toward her under the setting sun.
It was the "other her"—the one Master called "Black Ji Lin."
*"Guh—"*
Just as Ji Lin was about to utter Ye Feng's real name in her mind, she felt as though ten times gravity had seized her, pressing her entire body against the floor.
Her modified, voluptuous curves were squashed flat like snow cakes.
Several minutes later, Ji Lin managed to lift her gaze slightly again.
The person she least wanted to see in this situation appeared—Fu Hua, her posture upright, walking toward her with red-framed glasses.
*"...Chiyou."*
Ji Lin had encountered three different versions of Chiyou here.
One was the memory of "Elysian Realm's" Hua, another was the Chiyou from her own era, and the last was the present-day Fu Hua.
Without a doubt, the one now at St. Freya Academy was the real Chiyou.
Just as Ji Lin was lost in mixed emotions, she spotted another familiar face.
**Kiana.**
The girl whose sweat had splashed onto her last night.
Now, their eyes met again.
*"!!"*
*"??"*
The "dummy" quickly averted her gaze, then secretly glanced back at Ji Lin.
Fully naked in *dogeza*?
She was all too familiar with that pose.
But being left like this in a crowded cafeteria? That was a first.
So, that bastard Ye Feng had actually been *gentle* with her?
Still, now that they'd locked eyes, she couldn't just pretend not to see her.
Maybe it was a lapse in judgment, or maybe she just didn't think full-nude *dogeza* was a big deal—no, actually, when she thought about it, Ji Lin had been watching last night as that bastard Ye Feng [censored] her in every possible position—so really, there was no need for awkwardness between them now.
*You've already seen me at my most "exposed," and all I'm seeing is you in dogeza.*
*No big deal, right?*
So Kiana waved at her with a bright smile and said, "Good afternoon, Ji Lin. Uh... wanna grab dinner together?"
*"..."*
Ji Lin's head burned with embarrassment, her vision spinning. She was so mortified she could faint.
*Wait, you already looked away!*
*Just pretend you didn't see me!*
*Why did you have to greet me?!*
*How am I supposed to respond?!*
But... *this* is how humiliating it feels to be seen?
Yesterday, this girl must have felt... just as awful.
Before Ji Lin could reply, Kiana had already walked up to her.
Sitting cross-legged, she still had to look down at the prostrated Ji Lin.
Since they'd already started talking, Kiana tried to play it cool to avoid awkwardness. Gazing at Ji Lin's smooth, fair back, she remarked:
"Forced *dogeza*... that bastard Ye Feng really loves this kinda thing, huh?"
*"....?"*
"I used to be just like you—forced into *dogeza* until my knees turned bright red."
Kiana shared her own embarrassing stories.
Ji Lin lifted her head, her eyes glistening. "Kiana, you too...?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
Hearing that Kiana had gone through the same thing, Ji Lin's shame lessened slightly.
*Who says this dummy can't read the mood? She's surprisingly considerate.*
"Back then, if I got even one question wrong on a test, I had to take off a piece of clothing. If I ran out of clothes, it was forced *dogeza*. Sometimes it was even worse—I had to wear a sign around my neck that said *'Kiana is a dumb Valkyrie'*... Ugh. What about you? What'd you do to deserve this?"
*"...Lost at cards."*
"Cards? Strip poker?"
"Uh... no... um, well..."
Ji Lin's mind raced, struggling to phrase it in a dignified way.
But just describing it was mortifying enough.
Seeing Ji Lin's flushed face, looking like steam might shoot out of her head, Kiana gently patted her shoulder.
"Ah, you don't have to say it. I can probably guess. Hmph, that guy won't be smug for much longer."
Kiana glanced down at her abdomen, where the number hidden beneath her clothes still read: **69!**
"This time, I'm *definitely* gonna make him suffer a crushing defeat! After tonight, the tables will turn!"
Ji Lin looked up at the girl, stunned.
From her angle, Kiana blocked the sun, her silhouette outlined in golden light, almost as if she were glowing.
But even brighter was Kiana's confident smile.
Ji Lin didn't know what agreement Kiana and Ye Feng had made, but she guessed it was some kind of "duel" like today's.
Kiana's self-assured expression in this moment was infectious.
*If it's her... maybe she really can win against him.*
Kiana reached out a hand, and Ji Lin, still on the floor, took it gently.
...
"Impressive, Kiana. You've only met Ji Lin twice here, and you're already as close as sisters. You and Elysia would get along great."
*"Mmm~ Nngh~~ W-well... it's because... we share... a common enemy... Nngh~ You're going... faster than yesterday? Worried now? Heh... too late..."*
Kiana's legs were splayed straight at 150 degrees, her elbows propping her up as she looked back at him.
There were only **5 hours and 33 minutes** left until their agreed-upon deadline—and Kiana still had **69 rounds** to go!
A full **69 times**—how could she possibly finish in just over five hours?
Ye Feng's lips curled into a smirk.
"Mm, no rush. Oh, how about something fun? Since you and Ji Lin are so close now, why not let her share in your current... *joy*?"
*"?"*
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