Shia knew her teammate's true identity well—she was a succubus princess who had disguised herself to participate in the competition.

Though she seemed unapproachable, in truth, she was simply a little socially anxious.

There was even a hint of low self-esteem in her demeanor.

Because of her insecurity and social anxiety, she often stayed away from others.

She longed to change her current situation but kept pushing people away due to her self-doubt.

This created a vicious cycle.

Contradictory yet endearing.

After all, she was a succubus known across the continent—though, unfortunately, more for infamy than fame.

This stigma was rooted in historical issues.

As a part of the demon race, the succubi were one of the few groups not eradicated during the demon-hunting war of old.

Why? Because before the war began, the succubi betrayed their own kind and defected to the side of light.

Switching allegiances from darkness to light might sound honorable.

But that’s all it is—a nice-sounding story.

Without sufficient power, history is written by the victors.

Many accepted the succubi’s defection, but even more scorned them for it.

“Traitors who turned their backs on their kind. They aren’t human; who’s to say they won’t betray the human side someday and return to the demons?”

Moreover, succubi weren’t particularly strong in battle.

In the Seven Shield Alliance, the succubi who defected were consistently looked down upon.

As for the demons, their hatred for succubi ran so deep it bordered on loathing.

Due to these racial prejudices, succubi struggled to thrive in the current world, facing limitations at every turn.

The largest succubus settlement today was called the Dreamland of Illusions.

Mentioning this place often elicited disdainful sneers—or sly, knowing glances between people.

Why? Because the Dreamland of Illusions was widely regarded as the largest brothel on the continent.

The succubi had abandoned the demons to join the side of light, yet they could only survive by selling their bodies.

This was simply their way of life.

Thanks to their natural allure, the competition for clients was fierce, practically driving brothels of other races to extinction and forcing them to scrape by.

The succubi’s rise to prominence could almost be considered inspirational—if viewed from a certain perspective.

Given these circumstances, it was no surprise that the succubi had a poor reputation.

Most people despised them.

That said, they certainly didn’t lack customers.

Some people were quick to mock them publicly while eagerly indulging in their services in private.

And what succubi needed most was essence—energy extracted from their clients.

Thus, the Dreamland of Illusions persisted, creating what seemed to be a win-win situation.

Customers left physically and mentally satisfied, while the succubi relied on their essence to survive and cultivate, becoming the most tender yet parasitic beings.

But amidst this race of succubi who lived by seduction, there was one exception.

Shia observed the young girl before him—a soft and cute face with chubby, slightly bouncy cheeks that seemed inviting to poke.

Her expression, however, was distant and icy, keeping everyone at arm’s length.

Her petite, frail body was paired with a flat, featureless figure.

She looked like a small, emotionless, expressionless loli.

She had cast aside everything that made a succubus a succubus.

As an anomaly among succubi, even as a princess, she refused to live that way.

Rong's true goal was to pave a brand-new career path.

She was a pioneer—a rebel among succubi.

Rong didn’t want to languish in the Dreamland of Illusions, becoming a lustful succubus who wagged her tail and enticed clients to their rooms, content with mediocrity.

That’s why she concealed her identity and came to the Seven Shield Academy, seeking new possibilities for succubi—a path that didn’t rely on men.

All pioneers deserve admiration for their courage.

Without pioneers, everyone would walk the same old roads, never breaking through boundaries.

Perhaps in the Seven Shield Academy, the strongest academy on the continent, Rong could find a new way forward for succubi.

The thought gave her hope.

Suddenly, she felt a gaze on her.

Turning her head, she saw her only teammate staring at her with an indecipherable expression.

Rong returned his gaze, her icy eyes filled with discontent.

In truth, it wasn’t hostility.

If he looked at her, she would look back—simple as that.

She was just curious. Why was he looking at her?

“What difficulty level do you want to choose?”

Shia smiled, breaking the silence.

Of course, she wanted the easiest one.

As long as they passed, that was enough.

That was Rong’s initial thought, so she answered accordingly.

“Easy.”

She wasn’t particularly concerned about rankings or groupings.

“Do you trust me?”

Shia stared into her eyes, noticing a flicker of confusion.

“Hm?”

What did he mean by trust?

Why would she trust him?

If it came down to it, she could handle it alone.

He had already admitted he was powerless.

All she needed was a team to enter the second round of trials.

“I have a way to clear the highest difficulty.”

Shia’s tone was solemn, his gaze unwavering as it locked onto Rong.

“Why don’t we try the legendary difficulty?”

Rong looked at the handsome young man before her, his bold proposal causing a wave of hesitation in her heart.

If they chose the highest difficulty and his so-called method failed, they would both fail the exam.

A person with no combat talent claiming he could clear the highest difficulty—it sounded utterly ridiculous.

Her first reaction was disbelief.

But then what?

Should she change the difficulty?

They were strangers who had only just met. Should she trust him?

Rong lowered her head slightly, caught in a difficult dilemma.

For safety’s sake, they should choose an easy-level trial.

But he had chosen her as his teammate without distancing himself despite her harsh words.

If she didn’t choose the legendary difficulty, what if he joined another team?

Then she’d be alone again.

Shia was equally tense, though he didn’t show it.

It was a gamble.

The charm ring had no effect on Rong.

He was simply making a genuine suggestion.

The decision was entirely in her hands.

Asking a succubus princess to change the difficulty carried a 50% chance of rejection.

If rejected, his strategy would fail before it even began.

He wanted to score high, to maximize his influence and expand his power.

Clearing an easy trial wouldn’t win the championship.

Now it was up to this succubus princess.

Would she trust him and tackle the legendary difficulty?

Games could be restarted, but reality didn’t have save points.

Shia waited silently for Rong’s answer, his tension growing.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com