When They Beg, I Rise!

Alaric was pacing back and forth, clearly troubled about the upcoming competition.

Lucian clapped him on the back, "Once the scores are in, I'll have a word with her. The match is crucial, after all."

Alaric was displeased, "Lemira begged me for ages to teach her how to play, and now she's trying to corner me. When did she get so cunning?

"If push comes to shove, let's get Asher involved. Lemira wouldn't dare snub him!"

Evelina, listening in from the side, was seething. She had no intention of giving up her spot to Lemira! It was her spot, fair and square!

---

Upon Lemira's arrival at school, the buzz was all about the recent exam scores.

Evelina's sidekick, eyeing Lemira, loudly commented, "Someone's been working so hard lately. Wonder how much it paid off."

air. "Quiet down," the teacher said, tapping the desk. "Overall, the scores weren't great. It's no time to slack off. Evelina, in particular, you've slid back quite a bit." Evelina's face paled in an instant. She knew she hadn't

shifted to Lemira, pausing before saying, "However, Lemira, you've shown

pressed, "Sir, what

top 100 of the

erupted with chatter at

She actually did it! Thrilled, she thought about reporting back to Orion. Her efforts

she might even stand

suspect something's off with Lemira's score. There's no way she could've improved so much

with skeptical eyes turning towards Lemira. Even the teacher, looking

up softly, "Sir, Lemmy really wanted to prove herself, especially since she bet with her brother. So, please, let's not doubt her score. It means a lot to

beautifully crafted. Yet, Lemira's expression turned scornful. Evelina's manipulation was top-tier, indeed. No wonder she'd been controlled by Evelina

the teacher, swayed by Evelina's words, started to suspect Lemira might have cheated to win