Conquering The Game's World-Chapter 261: Pain! & Pleasure~

A few sparrows were humming near the windowsill. Little Ivy, the Moon Fox, was napping lazily on the reclining chair, her fluffy tail twitching now and then in rhythm with her dreams. A soothing romantic melody drifted from the speaker, wrapping the room in a gentle warmth.

Sitting opposite Luis at the dining table was his beautiful fiancée. Alicia’s clear blue eyes shimmered with unmistakable expectation. This was her first time cooking for the man she loved, and she was watching him as if the fate of her entire world rested on his reaction alone.

The scene should have been straight out of his dreams. Peaceful. Intimate. Warm.

It should have been perfect.

And yet, Luis was in a perilous situation.

The moment the first bite of the food touched his tongue, the bitter truth dragged him back to reality. A strange explosion of flavours assaulted his senses. Sugar and salt fought a fierce battle on his taste buds, neither side willing to yield. A part of the bite was burned beyond salvation, and the other? Disturbingly raw.

His soul trembled.

He swallowed. Barely.

Suppressing a powerful urge to vomit, Luis forced his expression into one of heartfelt surprise. His eyes softened, his voice trembled ever so slightly, as if moved by emotion rather than culinary shock.

"It tastes amazing, Alicia," he said sincerely. "Although... the appearance has a somewhat darker visual tone, the taste is delicious."

Even as he spoke, his heart was screaming apologies to his own tongue.

"You are exaggerating." At this praise, Alicia blushed and waved her hand with a smile.

"Not at all. Do you know how I feel right now? It’s as if I have just tasted the food of the gods." Luis said with a fanatical look, while he thought inwardly. ’Yeah, only gods can. This isn’t something meant for mortals to eat.’

Alicia softly rolled her eyes at his exaggerated praise, but her heart instantly melted. Sweet warmth filled her chest, and her lips curved into a radiant smile.

"There’s more," she said happily. "If you like it so much, I’ll cook for you again."

Before she could serve herself, Luis quickly stopped her.

"Wait! Don’t eat that!"

"Huh..?" Alicia looked at him, bewildered.

"This is your first time cooking," he said solemnly, pulling the plate closer. "I want to eat everything myself."

Alicia blinked. She didn’t feel annoyed but amused. She hadn’t expected him to love her cooking this much.

Her effort being appreciated made her heart flutter. She chuckled softly, a faint blush colouring her cheeks, and scolded him with tender yet glaring eyes.

"Idiot. Then what am I supposed to eat?"

Luis immediately reached into his mana bracelet and took out a takeaway lunch box, placing it in front of her.

"Here. Eat this."

Before she could react, he snatched the food she had cooked, hugging it protectively as if afraid she might steal a bite.

"That’s an overreaction," Alicia complained with a small pout. "It’s not like I won’t be cooking again."

(A.N.- Pic Here)

Despite her words, she didn’t stop him. After all, she had cooked it for him.

Meanwhile, Luis’s back was drenched in cold sweat. He didn’t dare let Alicia taste her cooking today. It was already hard enough for her to take the initiative and create such a sweet atmosphere. There was no way he was going to ruin it.

Now the real challenge was... how the heck was he supposed to eat everything?

He couldn’t just take the food away and say he wanted to eat alone in his room. Forget Alicia, even he wouldn’t believe that excuse. It will definitely make her suspicious.

At this critical moment, Luis’s mind worked rapidly as if his life depended on it.

"Why aren’t you eating?" Alicia asked, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Nothing," Luis replied quickly. "I was just lost in thought."

Then he started eating with a ’bright’, ’happy smile’, praising her cooking from time to time.

Alicia grew shy and giddy, trying her best to maintain a composed expression while her heartbeat sped up uncontrollably.

What she didn’t notice was a tiny portal quietly opening inside Luis’s mouth. Every bite that entered his mouth vanished into the portal before it could even touch his tongue. To the outside world, he merely chewed air and made convincing swallowing motions.

A truly brilliant operation.

(A.N.- Pic here)

***

After lunch, Luis helped Alicia clean up the chaos left behind in the kitchen. Burnt pans, spilled seasoning, and mysterious splatters. This made him understand even more just how much effort she put into it.

Soon, the two of them were lazing on the sofa, sitting close in comfortable silence. As the afternoon light filtered in, Luis began talking about his encounter with Professor Hena, their discussion about Sandra, and the discoveries related to Totems.

The conversation flowed easily after that. From harmless gossip around the academy to some of Luis’s half-formed research ideas, topic after topic spilled from his mouth. Alicia listened attentively, occasionally responding with her own thoughts, questions, and subtle insights.

Yet as time passed, she waited.

And waited.

But the thing she wanted to hear never came.

A faint trace of sadness flickered through her eyes, which went unnoticed by Luis.

---

Before long, it was time for the exam results to be announced.

{Master, Sister Alicia, the results are out.} Lily’s hologram appeared in the room, her voice cheerful as he looked at the two with interest.

"Guess it’s time to see who won," Luis said casually, throwing a sidelong glance at Alicia.

Alicia simply nodded. She didn’t bother saying much. There was no need. She was confident. After all, Luis hadn’t even shown his full strength during the exam.

Lily raised her hand slightly, as if formally presiding over the moment.

{Dungeon Rush Exam Results.}

{Team Rankings:}

{Team 3, led by Master Luis — Fourth Overall.}

Luis raised an eyebrow but didn’t look surprised.

{Team 5, led by Sister Alicia — Second Overall.}

Alicia’s lips curved faintly, satisfaction flickering across her face.

{Written Examination:}

{Master Luis, Sister Alicia — Full Marks.}

Luis let out a low whistle. "Figures."

{Personal Rankings:}

{Commander Position — Rank One: Master Luis.}

Luis leaned back, completely at ease.

{Striker Position — Rank One: Sister Alicia.}

This time, Alicia’s smile was unmistakable.

{Final Assessment: Sister Alicia wins the bet.} Lily concluded with a grand gesture, as she set off fireworks in the hologram. One could see just how happy she was.

Luis raised his brow, looking at the rebellious little girl. He turned toward Alicia, a helpless chuckle escaping his lips. "Looks like I lost fair and square."

To say he wasn’t disappointed would be a lie. He also had something he wanted.

"Well then, Miss Winner. What do you want me to do?"

Alicia met his gaze; her earlier trace of pride in winning the bet was long gone, replaced by calmness as she stated.

"Let’s go out for a stroll first."

***

[Quiz Time:]

What would Alicia request as her reward?

1) Something Intimate

2) Ask sensitive questions.

3) Luis must eat her cooking every day.

4) Other options.