Chapter 5

The plan is perfect! Begin the operation!

Karl immediately accelerated, darted over to Aine's side in a single stride, gazed forward, yet his peripheral vision kept watch on Aine's youthful figure as he smiled without baring his teeth: "Hey, Aine! Can you do me a favor!"

Aine, who had been running with full concentration, turned her head to look; Karl was winking at her, and her pretty face flushed slightly.

Facing Karl's handsome and cheerful smile, she, whose skin was thin, dared not look directly into Karl's eyes.

She could only pretend to be indifferent and shyly replied: "Mm~ What should I do?"

Yes! Karl cheered inwardly; being handsome really pays off!

If he looked like Silver Fox Foxy, there probably wouldn't be anything for him to do.

"Aine, I heard you are a Retrograde Fruit user; can you let me see your ability?"

Aine frowned slightly and said with difficulty: "This, Brother Karl, do you want to do it now?"

"Yes, yes, right now, try it on me! Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll take full responsibility!"

Karl slapped his chest so hard it made a slapping sound, fearing Aine wouldn't believe him.

Hearing this, Aine thought this simply wouldn't do; she knew her ability better than anyone! Once used on Karl, it would absolutely turn him into a child, and she could never do that to her comrade.

"No, no, no, that's not allowed, Brother Karl, I absolutely cannot do this!"

After speaking, Aine immediately put distance between them, her attitude extremely firm.

Karl, furious at her lack of resolve, slapped his own face hard; damn it, couldn't you look a bit better?

This time I'll give you a lesson; if there's a next time, don't even think about getting a facial wash in this life!

Plan A failed, no problem, we still have Plan B!

Running to Aine's side again, Karl whispered: "Aine, let me see your ability; you don't need to use it on me, okay?"

Karl's tone carried a hint of pleading, his eyes looking pitifully at Aine.

Time ticked away second by second; Aine simply couldn't stand Karl's gaze anymore and helplessly sighed.

Under Karl's gaze, she extended her left hand; a deep pink halo rose from Aine's palm, flickering like flames, mysterious and eerie.

Right now!

A sharp glint flashed in Karl's eyes; his right hand seized Aine's left hand with lightning speed before one could cover one's ears, gripping it tightly and refusing to let go.

After his body changed, Karl smiled slightly; the fake-injury plan was declared a success!

"This!"

Aine covered her mouth, stunned by Karl's move, but she reacted quickly and immediately withdrew her superpower.

But her ability takes effect instantly upon contact; withdrawing it now was already too late.

Karl, now a fourteen-year-old youth, tripped over his own pants and fell to the ground; the Navy personnel behind him, unable to dodge in time, were tripped by the falling Karl.

One after another, the commotion on the playground soon caught Master Zefa's attention; after halting the new recruits who were running laps, he darted over to Karl's side in a single stride.

Master Zefa, with furrowed brows, looked at the comical youth hiding behind wide clothes and asked in a deep voice: "What happened?"

"Report, Instructor, just now I asked Aine to demonstrate her ability; out of curiosity I touched her, and then it became like this..."

"This is sheer Hu Nao!!! You are in training, not playing house! Aine, is being a user so remarkable? Must you show off in front of your comrades?"

"I, I... it was my fault, Instructor Zefa!"

Aine wanted to say something, but soon, under Master Zefa's stern gaze, she hung her head in dejection, lowered her head, admitted her mistake, and took the blame for Karl.

"Hmph! What are you all still looking at? Don't you need to train? Keep running!"

"You two, come here!"

Master Zefa, his face full of anger, swept his sleeve and strode away; Karl whispered to Aine: "Sorry, I will make it up to you later!"