This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist
Chapter 773: Divine Game: Card Swap 22

Chapter 773: 773: Divine Game: Card Swap 22

On the third day after signing the debt contract, Rita managed to cheer herself up.

Lightchaser was right—after she graduated, she could just take on a few apprentices and have them help her pay it off.

Most importantly, she’d probably only live for a hundred years or so. For all she knew, Lightchaser would have to pay her funeral expenses one day!

Thinking about it like that, Rita even started to secretly giggle.

And ever since her school admission was confirmed, Lightchaser would occasionally bring back school essentials—uniforms, weapons, supplies...

Rita completely ignored how Lightchaser always made sure to write everything down in her ledgers. She simply organized the items with utmost care and appreciation.

Lightchaser leaned against the door frame, watching her little apprentice busily sorting her things. After a moment, she suddenly asked,

"Still hate me?"

It was like a needle jabbed her. Rita immediately raised her voice,

"Super hate!"

Lightchaser glanced at the glowing red area in Rita’s emotional starfield. It hadn’t shrunk, but the color was a little less intense. She stretched lazily and said,

"Good. That means I can go ahead and arrange your Winterveil curriculum."

Rita kept talking tough, mumbling things like, "Arrange whatever, I’m not afraid," and "Honestly life’s been a little too comfortable lately."

Lightchaser rubbed her ears, not wanting to hear another word. She was about to leave when something on the table caught her eye—a notebook, lying open.

One look, and her expression darkened.

It was full of notes from Garbage Street. And the titles were... concerning.

The Art of Lying

How to Build a Memory Palace

Anti-Detection and Anti-Divination Techniques

How to Create an Alibi

Deadly Weaknesses Everyone Overlooks

How to Spot Hidden Dangers

How to Neutralize Threats Before They Happen

Friend or Foe?

What Does Real Caution Look Like?

What Are We Thinking When It’s Time to Run?...

Lightchaser: ...

Was that what those lessons had become?!

She grabbed the notebook, shook it in the air, and demanded,

"You seriously need to take notes for this kind of stuff?!"

Rita, who was polishing a dagger, looked up.

"Not really. I already memorized it all. I just think these lessons are valuable, so I wanted to write them down and revisit them sometimes. I didn’t write any names or identifying info, I swear."

Lightchaser tossed the notebook back at her and ordered,

"Burn it. Just existing is already the biggest security risk. Who the hell writes down their crimes like a diary?!"

Rita clutched the notebook to her chest like it was her child, kissed it a few times goodbye, then summoned a little flame from her fingers and reluctantly lit it on fire under Lightchaser’s gaze.

Satisfied, Lightchaser gave a grunt and left the room.

In the final week of May, the elf added a new "lesson" to the curriculum. She left behind a fragile shadow clone at home. Every day when Rita got back, she had to spar with it.

The goal was to hit it three times without dispersing it.

But the shadow was a nightmare. It outclassed her in every way. She had to go all out just to land a hit—but the moment she went full force, the thing would break.

The shadow had a very specific durability threshold. She had to control her power perfectly—hit it hard enough to count, but not so hard that it would vanish.

Lightchaser warned her:

"If you shatter it three days in a row, I’m canceling one of your Garbage Street lessons."

That was Rita’s weak spot. The part of the day she looked forward to the most was exactly those lessons.

She was ready to go back to the underground arena if it meant not doing this.

Lightchaser’s explanation?

"If you don’t want to accidentally kill a classmate and get expelled from Moonlight Marsh, you need this."

That peaceful stretch of life—so peaceful it felt almost "happy"—lasted until the second week of June.

Lightchaser disappeared for a bit. When she came back, she wasn’t alone.

She brought someone Rita hadn’t seen in a while—Mistblade.

Rita was still holding the takeout she’d gotten for Lightchaser. Her eyes lit up when she saw her friend, and she immediately flew over.

"Mistblade! You’re here?!"

But after two weeks at Burrowbug Tavern learning how to read people’s emotions, Rita picked up on something right away.

Mistblade’s smile was way too forced. Her eyes were filled with sadness, frustration, and even a hint of anger.

Rita turned to Lightchaser, who was already digging into her barbecue, clearly pleased with the flavor.

"She’s staying here until school starts," was all she said, then ignored both of them.

Getting no answers from the adult, Rita turned back to Mistblade. She was determined to find out the truth.

She saw Mistblade sneak a few glances at the food. Rita immediately dragged out a few snack storage boxes from under the table, sat cross-legged on the floor, and pulled Mistblade down to sit beside her.

"Here, eat this. It’s all we’ve got. I can’t fight Lightchaser for her food. If you want something better, I’ll take you out tomorrow."

Mistblade felt like her little fox friend had gotten even more assertive.

But that assertiveness didn’t bother her. She really was hungry. She sat down and grabbed the snack that looked the most interesting.

As she ate, Rita watched her like a hawk.

"You’re here early for school stuff, right? Enrollment starts July 10th—we still have half a month. Did you bring everything you need?"

Mistblade didn’t hide it. She took a sip of juice and said flatly,

"My family took all the money I saved for tuition."

Maybe she’d already cried all the way here, because she didn’t break down again—just a slight tremble in her voice, a little redness in her eyes.

Rita remembered how Lightchaser had once described Mistblade’s family: "Trash."

She thought for a few seconds, then said seriously,

"Lightchaser’s loaning me money for tuition and living expenses. I can lend you enough to pay for your first term... if you don’t mind me charging interest."

Lightchaser, munching on her skewers, let out a snort that was half a laugh.

Rita ignored it, holding two fingers apart by a sliver.

"Just a little. Tiny interest. You’ll definitely pay it off within 35 years."

Lightchaser: ... Just say my name next time, why don’t you?

Rita was already thinking long-term.

"Once we start school, we might have to get part-time jobs too. We could try to earn a certification, make potions and sell them... we’ll figure something out. Don’t worry."

She didn’t say anything about Mistblade’s parents. Didn’t try to cry with her. Didn’t offer hollow comfort. She just gave a practical solution.

That cool-headed, almost detached calmness was exactly what Mistblade needed. She gave Rita a grateful smile.

"No need. I already borrowed from Lightchaser."

Rita: !!!

She jumped up, startling Mistblade.

"She told you the interest rate?!"

Mistblade nodded, a little blank.

"She said it’s the same rate she gave you."

Rita clutched her chest like she’d been shot.

"That’s not a good thing!!"

Seeing the horror on her friend’s face, Mistblade tried to explain,

"It’s only fair. I’m really grateful to Lady Lightchaser."

Rita looked at her like she was hopeless. Sympathy, pity... and then pure delight.

Delight?!

Her lips twitched upward. She dropped back down next to Mistblade, threw an arm around her shoulder, patted twice, grinned, then patted two more times.

Mistblade: ??

Rita:

"Now we can repay our debts together."

From the side, Lightchaser snorted again.

Rita took a deep breath, fuming.

Could this elf please eat in silence for once?!