Chapter 9 : The Bet

She stood in front of him, her figure small but eye catching.

Pink hair fell straight down her back, silky and soft, shining under the hall lights.

Her body was petite but her chest still filled her plain white top.

A short skirt hugged her slim waist and long legs.

Her skin was pale and smooth, like she had never stepped in sun.

Her eyes were sharp, pink mixed with violet, looking like they could cut someone down just by staring.

Jax knew her well. She was one of the heroines, one of the main characters people could choose in the game. And more than that, she was his sister’s favorite. Zinnia.

She folded her arms and tilted her head. Her lips curved in a smirk as she spoke."I didn’t think you would come."

There was a pause. Then her voice cut deeper."You are here to fall with your stupid Rayne family reputation, huh?"

Jax was still processing her words when she stepped closer. Her perfume hit his nose, light but sweet.

She went on without hesitation."Well of course you can team up with your pathetic sister. Hide behind her and maybe get enrolled. But listen to this—if I find both of you, I’m going to eliminate you together."

Before Jax could answer, another voice joined in.

"Enough, Zinnia. What is your problem?"

Kiera had arrived. She had heard the last part. Her eyes were cold, filled with anger.

Zinnia turned towards her, smile still painted on her lips."My problem? It’s the Rayne. A family of losers."

Kiera’s face tightened. Her fist clenched like she was about to punch Zinnia right here.

Zinnia didn’t stop. Her words pressed harder."They are so desperate to get their members in the academy that they sent a stupid boy. Haha."

Kiera’s teeth ground together. She was holding herself back, but the anger on her face was clear.

Jax stepped forward. He looked at Zinnia with a devilish smile."Hey Zinnia. You seem confident to win against us, don’t you?"

She smirked wider."Well, it’s obvious. I have more IQ and skills than both of you combined. Wait no—your whole family combined."

Kiera snapped. "You bitch."

Jax raised his hand slightly. His voice calm."Then why not have a bet? Let’s see who wins."

Her expression shifted a little. "A bet, huh? Let’s do that."

Jax asked, "So what do we bet? Money? A confession that the other party is stronger? Or—"

Before he could finish, Zinnia cut him off. Her eyes gleamed."Slavery."

The word dropped like a hammer. Both Jax and Kiera froze.

Zinnia’s smile sharpened."A whole day slave. The loser has to follow all orders. Like anything."

Kiera’s voice burst out. "What nonsense! We can’t accept that."

Zinnia laughed, a sharp little sound."Scared, bitch?"

But Jax stepped in again. His voice steady."Fine. I accept."

Kiera turned on him. "Have you lost your mind? Even I am greater than her, but we can’t bet something like that."

Jax didn’t waver. "Fine then. I will fight the bet alone."

Her mouth hung open. "What are you doing, you moron?"

"I know what I am doing. And as I am alone, I can freely bet anything. So keep quiet." His voice carried a weight that silenced her.

Kiera wanted to say many things, but seeing this side of her brother, she couldn’t.

Zinnia laughed softly."Well, that’s a waste. I thought it would be an interesting bet. But now, it looks less rewarding and guaranteed."

Jax didn’t blink. "Time will tell the winner. Are you sure about the bet? I can ask anything."

Her face turned serious for a moment, then curved into a confident smile."That time won’t come, fellow." She laughed again.

"For evidence, let’s record it here." She pulled out her sleek smartphone, the screen glowing. She tapped on the recorder.Both of them spoke clearly about the bet.

After recording, Zinnia smirked again."I’ve sent the copy to your number too, Kiera."

Kiera’s eyes narrowed.

Zinnia waved her hand casually."Let’s meet again after the match."

But Jax wasn’t done. He tilted his head. His voice teasing."Wait. I can ask for your body, right?"

Her eyes widened, her face stunned. Then slowly her expression melted into a playful smile."Of course you can. But for that you have to win. And winning? That’s neither in your blood nor in the entire Rayne blood."

Her words cut sharp. She turned and walked away, her skirt swaying with each step.

Kiera spun towards him, eyes blazing."You pervert. Horny pest. You did all this for that? You don’t even know—you don’t have a single chance."

Jax met her glare with calm eyes."Don’t worry. I didn’t do it for pervert things. I did it for you."

She blinked, confused. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Think about it. If I win, your potential rival will be at our feet. Isn’t that the best start?"

Her lips curled in disgust."You are delusional." She turned and stormed off.

At that moment, an announcement echoed through the hall."All students, follow the faculty towards the VR arcade."

Jax walked with the others. His eyes wandered as they entered the room.

Rows of VR capsules stood in perfect lines.

Each capsule sleek, black with neon blue edges, glowing faintly like veins of light.

Large screens floated in the air above them, showing feeds from inside games. Technicians walked around, checking systems.

The floor shined white and metallic, reflecting the glow of the capsules.

Jax’s gamer heart was beating fast. This was beyond anything he had seen even in his world’s best VR setups.

A staff member guided him to one capsule. He stepped in, the door sliding shut with a hiss.

Inside was comfortable, soft padding around his body.

He picked up the VR set—it was not a simple headset but a full helmet, stretching from the top of his head down to the back of his neck, covering until his nose.

He placed it on.

The next moment, a sharp shock surged through his body.

Zzap.

His vision blurred.

When it cleared, he was standing in a wide empty space filled with glowing grids under his feet.

A voice echoed all around.

[Match starts in 5 minutes.][Waiting for character confirmation.]

In front of him floated holograms of the ten characters. He had seen them before, studied their stats.

But now they looked more alive, more detailed than he remembered.

He didn’t hesitate. His eyes locked on Eryndor.

The hologram of the male character spun before him.

Short brown hair, plain armor of dull steel, a simple longsword in hand.

His stance was straightforward, no fancy poses, no glowing effects.

Just a man with a sword.

Everyone in this world thought him weak. A joke. But Jax smiled.

[Character selected: Eryndor]

[Waiting for departure to the Land of Ruins.]

His lips curled higher.

He could almost hear Zinnia’s laugh still echoing in his ears.

"It’s going to be too much fun," he muttered. "And now there’s a bet to keep me entertained."