[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game":3,"chapter-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-331":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1218723,1604,"Chapter 331: Returning Practically 5","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-331",331,"\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-FOOOOSHHH!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the four of them had begun to regroup, adjusting their tactics, Riley's demeanor changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in this battle-he moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slow, deliberate step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran down Magnus's spine as he instinctively tensed. \"Hey, I thought you'd just let us come to you, senior.\" His voice wavered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the very beginning, Riley had been nothing but stationary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had stood there, completely still, letting his juniors throw every ounce of their skill and tactics at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had parried, blocked, and countered-but never once had he taken a step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up until now, they had foolishly believed that as long as they kept trying, they would eventually find a way to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That maybe, just maybe, they could outlast him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Riley took another step forward, his voice cut through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You guys were taking too long... and it's about time we wrap this up, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-FWOOSH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant Riley disappeared from his position, a streak of bluish lightning ripped through the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's coming!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stacia, already anticipating his approach, reacted on instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mana surged violently, igniting the air around her in an intense, fiery blaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Mid-Grade Flame Magic]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Infernal Wall]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive wave of fire roared to life, encircling the group in a protective barrier of sheer heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raging inferno should have halted any normal opponent, forcing them to either break through or be consumed by the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley's blurred image passed right through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Untouched and Unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, get back!!\" Stacia screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others instinctively leapt away, but she didn't retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, she gritted her teeth, raising her sword high-ready to take the brunt of his attack. Because she knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew Riley would strike first at whoever stood in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-FLASH!!!-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-CLAAAANNNGGGG!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment their weapons clashed; a deafening shockwave exploded across the battlefield. Stacia had taken enough of Riley's strikes to understand something crucial-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could survive them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer force of his blows rattled her bones and threatened to tear through her defenses each time, but she was still standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, she instinctively knew which parts of her body needed reinforcement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her back, her legs-every fiber of her being needed to brace itself for the sheer impact. She wasn't just fighting; she was enduring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she was to be the tank of the group, she had to hold her ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her flames weren't ordinary. They didn't just burn-they melted mana itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how blindingly fast Riley's swordsmanship was, no matter how refined his technique-if his attacks were enhanced by mana, then her fire should have been enough to reduce the brunt of its impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even with that advantage, it wasn't enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his blade connected-BOOM!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was sent flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, her body was hurled backward from sheer force alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Riley didn't stop assaulting her first ignoring everybody else at the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same situation kept repeating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stacia gritted her teeth, frustration boiling in her chest-not just from exertion, but from the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>sheer annoyance of it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had tried everything. Nothing was working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn't mean she was going to give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slow, confident smirk tugged at her lips. If direct attacks weren't enough... then they just\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>had to change the approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're not getting away this time, Senior-\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body erupted into flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Fwoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley's sharp eyes narrowed slightly as his sword sliced through nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in the entire battle, his gaze flickered with mild surprise. His blade had passed straight through her-like she wasn't even there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like she had turned into fire itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, almost amused exhale left his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Flame Curtain?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered, instantly recognizing the spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could fully process it-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something bloomed in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delicate, fiery petal unfurled at his feet, glowing with a dangerous intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[High-Grade Flame Magic]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Lotus Explosion]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, if only for a fraction of a second, Riley's eyes shot wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His instincts kicked in instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden lightning burst from his body, igniting his aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew this spell-[Lotus Explosion] needed roughly five seconds before it detonated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had more than enough time to evade it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or so he thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because just as he prepared to move-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy steel chains erupted from the ground, their metallic links snapping tightly around his\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a serpent constricting its prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Mid-Grade Earth Magic]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Steel Chain] The once stable battlefield had suddenly become a prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time, Riley found himself immobilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley's eyes flicked toward Magnus-the red-haired young man, panting heavily, his right\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>arm still broken, yet his hands were clasped together, trembling as he forced the spell\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped from Magnus's nose as he pushed his mana to its absolute limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magnus clenched his fists, his breathing ragged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't part of the plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, they never had a plan to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that Magnus could use Earth Magic had always been his hidden trump card,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>something he had deliberately kept under wraps for the upcoming Grand Festival. But now-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point in holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not when the situation demanded everything they had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not when this was their only chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And everyone saw it. For the first time in this entire battle... All because Riley moved they finally saw it a chance to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>climb over that wall....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't because of some intricate plan. It wasn't because they had discovered some key\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>weakness of their monstrous senior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was simply because they had survived this long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for some strange reason-despite never fighting together before-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their instincts were in perfect sync.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't need words. They just moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriel tightened her grip on her spear, steadying her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the very beginning, she had kept her distance, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not out of hesitation, but out of instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something in her gut had told her that Stacia was up to something, that the blazing warrior\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>had a trap prepared in the depths of her flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Uriel had been right. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling gnawing at the back of her mind-a strange reluctance, a\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>whisper of hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A part of her didn't want to harm Riley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't know why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right now, that didn't matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pushed the thought away, burying it beneath the weight of the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tip of her spear gleamed with golden radiance, crackling with raw divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Paradise Spear Technique]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Second Form - Piercing Judgment]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Reina moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the others, she hadn't faced Riley head-on. as she silently managed to get behind his\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unnoticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted her stance, but not from fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer force of mana surging within her sword threatened to spill over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only Mana Wave Sword Skill she knew-taught to her by the Heavenly Duke himself, the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>strongest swordsman in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Heavenly Sword Technique]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Third Form - Balance]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp hum resonated from her blade as pure white energy rippled along its length, forming\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a perfect arc of concentrated power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their one opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew—defeating Riley wasn't the true goal of this re-evaluation exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterall just managing to try and attack him and taking on some of his attacks, should've been\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>more than enough of an evaluation both for him and the professors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the sheer, gratifying satisfaction of landing a hit on their monstrous senior?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was worth everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley watched everything unfold in real-time, his expression as unreadable as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as the battlefield raged around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as the lotus of flames bloomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-BOOOOM!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fiery explosion erupted-but that wasn't all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-SWOOSH!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the distance, Uriel's golden spear shot forward, piercing through the inferno.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment it touched the fire, a second explosion ignited, golden heat surging outward in a\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>violent burst of destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-SLAAASHHH!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reina's Mana Wave Sword Strike carved through the air, arriving at the perfect moment-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>sealing the deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collision of their attacks triggered another explosion, then a third, then a fourth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their mana signatures clashed and fused, amplifying each other into an even deadlier force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stage trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air distorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world seemed to shake beneath their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then-the final eruption came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive, swallowing void of fire, light, and raw mana tore through the battlefield, its sheer\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>force creating a blinding shockwave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-BOOOOOOOM!!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion engulfed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact sent all four first-years flying backward, their bodies barely resisting the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>overwhelming force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even outside the battlefield, professors and students-those who had already finished their\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>exams-watched the carnage unfold in stunned silence. Their eyes widened in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle, contained within the reinforced stage barrier, had reached a level that no one\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are they insane...?\" someone muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That kind of power-\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-isn't this a bit too dangerous that kind of power is enough to take down an A-rank boss\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>monster you know!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe even an S-rank dungeon guardian?\" somebody else added in sheer disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an overwhelming, devastating chain of attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a beautiful attack of sheer determination and power....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the smoke and flames continued to rise, everyone began to wonder the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn't they go too far...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had thrown everything they had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every lethal attack they could muster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Won't Riley die? \"Principal, I think we should-\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A worried professor standing next to the principal started to speak, his voice tinged with\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the principal merely raised her hand, stopping him mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smirk curled at her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her violet eyes gleamed with amusement as she gazed at the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-FOOOOSHHH!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The residual flames still burned fiercely, licking at the air as waves of mana crackled and\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire battlefield had been torn apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very center of it all, a massive crater had been left in the wake of their combined assault\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a testament to their sheer destructive power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stacia, Uriel, Magnus, and Reina stood at the edge, breathing heavily, their bodies exhausted\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>yet their eyes locked onto the smoldering ruins below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, their racing hearts began to calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only sound was the crackling embers and the faint howling of dissipating energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah... Haha... We finally got him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magnus let out a breathless laugh, his lips pulling into a wide grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had done it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had actually landed a hit on Riley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had taken everything they had, every ounce of magic, every ounce of skill-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they had done it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The idea that Riley might have actually been killed in the process?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought didn't even cross Magnus's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did it cross Stacia's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor Uriel's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor Reina's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their minds were singularly focused on one thing-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeating Riley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time since the battle began-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like they had actually succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies were battered, bruised, and barely holding together. Blood trickled from open\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>cuts, their breaths came in ragged gasps, and their limbs felt like lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had pushed themselves beyond their limits, pouring everything they had into that one\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>final attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had nothing left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magnus, feeling the faintest trace of energy returning to his body, tried to steady his\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tried to relax, if only for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly got up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was a good effort, but not enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice too familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice that shouldn't be there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magnus froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran down his spine, his muscles locking in place as his instincts screamed at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, hesitantly-he turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened in horror. 'S-Senior...?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, standing right behind him, was Riley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unburned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a single scratch on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magnus's mind reeled. \"W-Wha-?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips trembled, his thoughts a chaotic mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn't they-?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he never got the chance to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the last thing he saw- Was the golden glow of an aura-coated shoe. -PHUACK!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"GAAAHHHH!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain-unlike anything he had ever felt-exploded through his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head snapped back violently. Teeth shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed from his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire body was launched through the air-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it slammed into the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-BANG!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact was so intense-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrier itself cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skull collided first, sending shockwaves through his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes rolled back, turning both his eyes pure white. And just like that-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magnus was out cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley's gaze shifted-this time locking onto Stacia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her wide, disbelieving eyes met his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body was trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not from fear-but from exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had spent nearly all her mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had poured everything into that final attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a single scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What... happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words left her lips before she could stop them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind raced, desperate to understand-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had planned everything perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had struck him at point-blank range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley had been bound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their attacks had connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was sure of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Riley was powerful-impossibly strong-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No way he could have taken all of that-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without taking a single hit at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was physically impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet-here he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unshaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down at her like she was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just like Magnus-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never got her answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-VWOOSHHH!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blur of motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she could react-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't even unsheathe his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one simple swing-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a knight lazily striking down a weak monster-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blunt edge of the scabbard slammed into her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-CRACK!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her vision blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain exploded through her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her elegant posture snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breath was stolen from her lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body twisted in the air-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spinning violently-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-SPLAT!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood gushed from her mouth and nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her once graceful face distorted in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind barely registered what had happened- Before her body came crashing down the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>hard\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>floor...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriel watched everything unfold, her mind screaming at her to move-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To defend herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breathing was ragged, her muscles burned, but she forced herself into a defensive stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still had some mana left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough to hold on and enough to at least fight back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or so she thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning erupted in a golden trail as Riley blitzed toward her. His cold blue eyes locked onto hers- making her shiver in place... the complications she felt\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when he looked at her like that made her heart beat, in ways too complicated for her to even\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>understand...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emotionless. Apathetic. Unrelenting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriel's grip tightened around her spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A precise thrust-aimed straight at his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spun the spear, sweeping low to catch his legs-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reversed her grip and slashed upward-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley dodged everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements were so smooth, so effortless-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he wasn't even trying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-PUCK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fist slammed into her left cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-KHACCK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another into her right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-PHOOOCK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body rocked with every blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her head snapped back-again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She struck out in desperation, but her spear might as well have been a twig in a storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one person was dealing damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn't her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body swayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-PHOOSH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crushing blow to her stomach-the final strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body froze on the spot as the breath in her lungs vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her vision dimmed, yet a small smile was visible, on her slightly blushing face...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eye lids closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like the others--she collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And silence once again bore through the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"B-Big B-Bro...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trembling voice broke through the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had watched everything, and couldn't understand what was going on...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Big bro is this really you???'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart pounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her throat dried up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her legs refused to stop shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears welled up in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she forced herself to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as her vision swam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as her limbs screamed in exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had to face him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if her body wanted to run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Clink!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sword trembled in her grip as she raised it between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"G-Get b-back...!\" she stammered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"D-Don't come near me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swung-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desperate, weak, limp slash. Riley didn't even acknowledge it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just kept walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cold blue eyes bored into her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draining what little strength she had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reina's breath hitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hands went numb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her legs buckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butt-first onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching- As her big brother loomed over her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the first warm tears trickled down her cheeks, Reina clenched her fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had braced herself for pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For another ruthless strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the same fate as the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Puck!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, gentle flick only came on her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-Hick...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reina's teary eyes snapped open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her big brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the cold, merciless fighter who had just torn through their team-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the brother she remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who used to pat her head when she did well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who always looked out for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Riley she missed, ever since coming to the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"B-Big Bro...???\" she choked out, her voice trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley's hand landed softly on her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle pat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did well, Reina.\" His voice was calm, warm-proud. \"That last attack you just did... it\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was really strong. Did you learn that from Father?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reina blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her thoughts were mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't even remember what she had done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she knew was-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That one sentence... was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of the fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of the tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of the doubt broke inside of her-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uwahhh...!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cried, loudly and uncontrollably. Like the little sister she used to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-Wait, why are you crying?!\" he panicked. \"I said you did well, right?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved his hands frantically, completely unprepared for this kind of situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reina-his ever-stubborn, strong-willed little sister-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he awkwardly tried to calm her down, completely unaware of the scene they had just\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>caused...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the stage-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers already began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One student murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, like a wildfire, the rumors spread-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you see how brutal he was?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Punching down Uriel like that wasn't necessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We need to kill him!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He took down Magnus, Stacia, and Uriel like they were nothing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's BIAS I tell you!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Justice for the princess!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He made a mess out of them...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How dare he touch our princess's face!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will they be fine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That Senior even made his own little sister cry!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't long before a new absurd title for Riley was born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multiple names and titles that would haunt Riley for generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was at this moment in time that Riley would be well known as a merciless tyrant among his\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>juniors.\u003C\u002Fp>",3168,"2026-06-03T14:40:38.925Z",1,"novelbin.me","ed432acac56442d2a93676d4885838c69bbff6e4bd7b44620e5d58e9da1c050c","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-332","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-330",727,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-cover.jpg"]