Chapter 299

"Uh, Li En, are you planning to get into Mage Chess?"

When Li En walked in carrying a rulebook and a simple chessboard, Hala exclaimed in surprise.

"No, no, I was just looking up information on a Heroic Soul when my Mage Master persuaded me—he was too enthusiastic, I couldn't refuse."

"You're planning to get into Mage Chess, aren't you?" The same words, but with heavier emphasis.

"No, I'm too busy; this thing looks incredibly complicated, I simply don't have the time."

Li En had never considered himself someone who could resist entertainment temptations—those elaborate schemes designed by high-cost elite talent to hook players specifically targeted human weaknesses; once stepped into, they were hard to escape easily. The most rational choice was to never touch them at all.

"You… are planning to get into Mage Chess." The girl's voice echoed as if right beside his ear, growing heavier.

Only then did Li En look closely—Hala's face was calm, as if she couldn't care less.

But somehow, the chesspiece bag and the board, pulled from her spatial pouch, now sat on the table, as if speaking for themselves.

"Uh, I do plan to give it a try, but it's too complicated—if an experienced player could guide me, that'd be great." Li En had always been rational.

"Really? Hmm, I actually played for a while, Li En—want to try?"

The girl coughed lightly, displaying the enthusiasm and delight befitting her age.

Sighing, Li En picked up the pieces and sat at the table. Five minutes later, he was completely crushed; the veteran, long out of practice, thoroughly enjoyed the pleasure of crushing a novice.

Li En listened silently as the girl cheerfully reviewed the game: "Li En, you made a mistake here," "You wasted your resources," "Your deck has no core—I can give you two pieces."

What was "played for a while"? She was clearly still obsessed.

But Li En smiled as he watched the girl chatter on, and didn't find it unpleasant at all. He had always thought fate had forced this girl to mature too early; it wasn't bad for a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old to play a little.

In certain situations, she would revert to being that young girl again. Her coldness and detachment might be innate—or perhaps just a protective shield against unfamiliar contact.

There was nothing wrong with it—though perhaps her father might feel a little saddened.

"Wait—I'm not her dad! I'm not!"

Li En took a deep breath, striving to keep his composure steady.

It seemed the ones needing psychological therapy and mental correction weren't just the two daughters.

"Since there's nothing urgent for now, let's take a break—at least, be myself for a while."

This was likely one of Li En's rare moments of leisure: without a Heroic Soul possessing him, he could be entirely unimpeded, completely free to "be himself." A cute girl inviting him to play cards or chess? With no other plans, Li En had no reason to refuse.

"So that's how it is—is it designed like the Ten Thousand Heroes Cards?"

"No, the Ten Thousand Heroes Cards are just a low-tier substitute for people who can't play Mage Chess. Without restrictions from supernatural power, even under the Association's oversight, they're wildly unbalanced, boring to play, filled with fake and counterfeit cards, and lack strategic depth. Meanwhile, Mage Chess, in a sense, qualifies as a sacred object—its balance is quite good."

As she spoke, Hala lightly tapped the chesspieces, infusing them with dragon-blooded magic, activating two griffins.

"Aoooh!"

The small griffins' joints clicked as they stretched out tiny wings.

Driven by unknown power, the pieces floated gently forward and lunged straight at Li En's lone hero piece on the front line.

"Oh no, Hero Lex is dead again." The piece was toppled, clacking as it "died," its head rolling off—dreadfully slain.

Watching "Father" die again, the girl happily raised her hands to celebrate victory in advance.

Watching Hala cheer, Li En found himself growing increasingly cheerful too.

Who got hurt? Li En truly didn't know!

Li En noticed: Hala genuinely seemed to love this game—at least, she was delighted when showing off her "Diamond Mask Edition Lex."