Your heart races with anxiety, eyes darting onto the academic leaderboard in search of your name—2nd place. Yet, any jubilation is swiftly quelled as the name above yours bears the emblem of your archnemesis—Malleus.

Taking a step back, you bump into a solid presence. Gazing upward, your eyes meet Malleus's, a mischievous grin playing upon his lips.

“So, about that deal,” he teasingly reminds.

Right...the bet. A week of unwavering obedience to the victor's whims, the price of defeat.