Chapter 36

When Alane heard the news, he nearly lost his composure. He hadn't expected Lemira to display such amazing skill.

The leader of fronVow approached Lemira. "I've got to hand it to you; you were phenomenal. Mastering the twelve-hit combo isn't something just anyone can do. Since the legend retired, no one had managed it until this girl came along."

Lemira's response was cool. "Time to keep your word."

"Alright," the leader said. "I said some nasty things during the match about your family. That was out of line. I was a real jerk, and I shouldn't have said those things. I'm sorry!"

After hearing this, Lemira simply nodded. "Watch it next time."

But Alaric couldn't let it go so easily. "That's it?" Lemira looked at him, puzzled.

The leader of fronVow sneered, "What's it to you? Your sister is the one who beat us. If you can't match up..."

Just as the argument was about to escalate, Lucian intervened, calming Alaric and avoiding further trouble.

As the crowd dispersed, Lemira headed backstage and was met by Evelina, tears streaming down her face, her eyes red and swollen. The atmosphere turned awkward.

Evelina looked up timidly, her large eyes brimming with tears, appearing utterly pitiful. Anyone would have been softened by such a sight. But Lemira's gaze remained icy; she knew Evelina was putting on her usual act—a trick the latter had used far too many times since childhood. Evelina's voice was weak, "Alaric, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have stormed off during the match."

She had felt humiliated and hoped Alaric would need her in the competition, expecting him to console her. But she hadn't expected Lemira to step in and win so brilliantly! Evelina knew she was in trouble and needed to regain her standing in Alaric's eyes.

Alaric was stern. "You realize the mess you left? If it weren't for Lemira, what then?"

Evelina's tears fell, utterly aggrieved. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have cracked under a bit of criticism. I just feared failure so much, I did something really stupid. It won't happen again."

At Evelina's tears, the other team members began to speak up. "Come on, Captain. She's apologized. Let's not hold a grudge."

"Yeah, Captain, we won in the end. If Evelina hadn't left, the substitute wouldn't have had a chance. How else could we have won this match?"

Alaric felt that familiar sense of helplessness. He was so frustrated!

Lucian turned to Lemira. "What do you think?"

Lemira was surprised Lucian would ask her opinion, but she said, "I think, since Evelina has apologized, what more do you want? Alaric, you're being petty. Evelina's grades dropped so much because of today's match. Can't you see the good in people?"

Evelina gritted her teeth. Lemira was clearly provoking, trying to drive a wedge between her and Alaric! When had she become so difficult to deal with?

Alaric felt like he was being stabbed in the back! This was a complete distortion of the facts! It was Evelina's fault, and he couldn't even complain? Why did it seem like he was at fault?

He burst out, "Lemira, are you doing this on purpose?"

Lemira's inner smile widened. Yes, she was. Once, she had been treated like this countless times. "Alane," she thought, "can't handle it even once?"

As Lemira turned to leave, Lucian called out, "Lemira, I'm officially inviting you to join the team! From now on, we're all in this together. Let's put the past behind us!"

Her smile grew even colder.