This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist
Chapter 760 - 760: 760: Divine Game – Card Swap 9

Lightchaser stared at the three kids huddled together, and decided it was time to shatter their fantasy about eternal friendship.

"You know your so-called 'friends for life' each tried to ditch you and escape on their own, right?"

The three kids instantly fell silent. One looked up at the sky, another stared at the ground—awkwardness filled the air.

Eventually, it was the little Oak Owl who broke the silence, speaking righteously:

"You were going to sell us for money. We're your property. Why would you kill us?"

The little Moon Fox and the Candlebeast's eyes lit up.

They nodded in sync: Exactly! We weren't just running—we were logically, strategically trying to escape.

Lightchaser: …

The Oak Owl cleared her throat, voice hoarse from crying.

"Sis—no, Boss, listen. We're smart. Instead of selling us off, why not keep us around and let us work for you?"

Lightchaser, who had held in her laughter all night, finally let out a small chuckle.

This kid had clearly decided resistance wasn't an option and was now going with the second strategy—prove her value, and persuade her instead.

But Lightchaser quickly dropped her smile. Her expression scrunched into disbelief.

"Work for me? Aren't you trying to go to school?"

"We can still help after we start school!" the Oak Owl said quickly. "Once we're educated, we'll be even more useful."

Lightchaser scoffed. "So now I gotta pay for your schooling too? Listen to yourself. You think I'd believe a plan you wouldn't even believe?"

The Oak Owl went quiet for a few seconds—then perked right back up.

"Okay then. Do you have any enemies? You could raise us to help you get revenge."

The Candlebeast: "Why wouldn't she just take revenge herself?"

The Oak Owl: "We'd be her backup plan. What if she, like, dies before she finishes?"

The Candlebeast gasped. "Can you even say something like that?!"

The Moon Fox: "Well, things are already messed up, and she does make a point. Who knows how long she'll live."

The Candlebeast shrieked: "I want out! I want to cut ties with them!"

Lightchaser: …

The Oak Owl: "I can brew potions for you."

Moon Fox: "I can copy items and I can heal."

Candlebeast: "I can turn any food into magical food."

Oak Owl: "Instead of selling us and letting someone else profit, you could keep us and make that money yourself."

Candlebeast: "Wait, why should we make money for her and not someone else? Also, what even is a person, really?"

Moon Fox: "Yeah, why her? She's been pretty mean."

Oak Owl: "But what if we end up with someone worse?"

Lightchaser just sat there, listening to them openly debate whether or not she was the least bad option.

This is the liveliest Winterveil I've ever had, she thought.

Stretching out her absurdly long arms—almost as tall as the kids themselves—she let out a lazy yawn.

From her dimensional pack, she pulled out some cookware and ingredients, then tossed a few water orbs into a bucket.

She waved at the kids. "Come here. Wash and cut these vegetables."

The Oak Owl sprinted over first, eyes practically sparkling. "You're not selling us anymore?"

Lightchaser tilted her chin. "Cut. Quit talking."

She realized this kid was the first to accept the new rules.

The other two weren't far behind. Whatever grudges they'd had seemed to melt away. They all began chopping vegetables—clumsy, but obedient.

That actually got Lightchaser intrigued. She braced her elbows on her knees, resting her head lazily on her hands.

"Aren't you the same brats who were just screaming about how much you hated me?"

Their chopping paused. The kids exchanged a glance.

Again, it was the Oak Owl who spoke.

"You taught us. Suppress your emotions, focus on solving the problem."

She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, like Lightchaser was weird for even asking.

The Moon Fox nodded. "We're showing our value."

Lightchaser pressed on. "So why do you think staying with me is better than getting sold off?"

The Moon Fox and Candlebeast both turned to the Oak Owl.

They weren't sure themselves. But Rita already had her mind made up, and somehow that gave them confidence too—even if they didn't fully understand why she chose the elf.

Why had she chosen her?

Rita's logic was simple: The elf was cool.

She hadn't yet learned to weigh choices in terms of gain or loss.

She just… admired her.

Even though she'd suffered under her just earlier that day, Rita was still in awe—by her deception, her ruthless flip, her efficient takedown of them.

Her tall, lean frame like a predator. Her striking elf beauty. Her stylish hunter's gear.

And most of all, the way she'd lectured them—those words had carved themselves deep into Rita's heart.

This wasn't some childish role-play. This was a new world.

And this elf didn't treat her like a clueless brat—she explained how the world really worked.

Rita admired that. She wanted to be that.

So she chose her.

It was that simple.

After she finished laying out her reasoning, she turned to Mistblade and Fat Goose.

"Don't let me influence you. You can decide for yourselves. But if we are getting sold…"

She looked up at the towering elf—still taller than her even while seated, utterly dwarfing her.

"I want to buy myself back. Whatever price someone would pay, I'll double it. Let me redeem myself within five years."

"I can make potions. I can put up those bubble shields. Keep me around—I'll prove my value."

"You're the teacher and boss I chose for myself."

The moon hung high above them. Winterveil was coming to an end. The new moon would rise soon.

The campfire lit Lightchaser's face, but Rita couldn't read her expression.

Then—shing.

Lightchaser drew her long sword. In a flash, she extended her arm.

Combined with the sword's length, the blade's tip rested gently against Rita's throat.

Separated by the flames, Lightchaser spoke:

"I hate idiots. I don't repeat myself."

Rita's body trembled, but her face stayed brave. Her eyes burned with determination.

"So long as you're willing to teach me, I'll remember everything you say."

Lightchaser: "In my world, there's no such thing as law or justice."

Rita: "Then I'll abandon law and justice."

Lightchaser: "Magic Academy enrollment is next July. What makes you think I'll let you go?"

Rita: "I don't know for sure. But I have six months to convince you."

Lightchaser asked one last question:

"What if I'm not as strong as you think?"

Rita: "Then that's something I'll only consider the day I surpass you."

Far away, bells and fireworks rang out from town, welcoming the new moon.

But the clearest sound by the fire… was Lightchaser's low chuckle.