The fight between Lin Luo and Black Rock lasted only fifteen minutes before concluding, with Lin Luo ultimately losing his head to a single stroke from Black Rock. She hadn't held back, unleashing her full strength in every move, but her Rule Power was suppressed by the Blue Flame, causing her to lose all advantage. Furthermore, Black Rock had already fought 108 similar battles, giving her a significant edge in experience. Her loss was inevitable.

After the battle concluded, Lin Luo touched his neck, feeling a distinct chill. The sheer sharpness of that final blow was still vivid in his memory. It was a terrifyingly keen strike. If that had happened in reality, he’d be having tea with Senior Sister Mami right now.

“I… won?” Black Rock looked blankly at the longsword in her hand, still in disbelief. In her mind, Lin Luo was an invincible powerhouse; at least in every fight she had witnessed, he had never lost a single one. Yet, she had just defeated him. Was it only because the Training Space suppressed their strength, or was it still some kind of illusion?

“Of course. I remember it very clearly,” Lin Luo said, pointing to his own neck.

“……” Black Rock’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment. “Did you go easy on me?”

“I certainly didn't hold back,” Lin Luo spread his hands. “It was normal for either of us to win this fight. You had the natural counter to my abilities, and you have more experience. Your advantage was much greater.”

Hearing Lin Luo say this, Black Rock gradually began to understand. After all, she wasn’t a battlefield novice; her experience wasn't significantly lower than Lin Luo’s. This realization helped restore a bit of her confidence.

“I understand,” suddenly, Black Rock seemed to awaken, her eyes growing clear, losing the anxiety and confusion she’d shown before. “I truly lost my composure earlier. I couldn't leverage my strengths during the fight, obsessively just thinking about getting stronger, yet realizing that the more eager I became, the less successful I was, because my mind wouldn't settle… I’m sorry for making you worry.”

The young girl lowered her head, a trace of apology on her face, laced with shame.

“No, everyone has moments of low spirits. Watching those around you grow stronger one by one while you remain rooted to the spot, seeing the people who once stood beside you gradually pull away, leaving you only to gaze at their retreating backs—anyone would become anxious. I’ve been in that state before. There’s no need to apologize for this; in fact, it shows you’re truly alive.”

Lin Luo cupped the young girl’s cheeks, lifting her head, and smiled. “But no matter how anxious you feel inside, you absolutely must not lose your calm during a fight. Everyone possesses unique strengths. For example, your Blue Flame is something no one else has.”

“Mm,” Black Rock nodded heavily, then spoke with renewed seriousness, “I want to challenge again.”

Lin Luo naturally knew what she meant and nodded with a smile. “No problem at all.”

Following this, the empty room transformed once more into a complex, mountainous terrain. However, Lin Luo did not enter; he stood nearby, observing the young girl in the center of the battlefield. She was challenging the eighth difficulty level—the Ambush Mode.

Although she had regained her confidence and her mood had calmed, the fight remained incredibly difficult for Black Rock. After all, her opponent was stronger than her; the kind of instant burst of cosmic power needed to instantly obliterate the enemy was impossible. Still, she eventually managed to destroy the enemy, albeit at the cost of a mutual defeat.

While Lin Luo didn't entirely approve of the methods used, Black Rock seemed genuinely pleased. To avoid crushing her renewed self-esteem, he refrained from further comment. She had managed to clear the stage this time, so a little praise was in order.

“Um… let’s make a contract,” Black Rock suddenly said just as Lin Luo offered a few words of commendation. Her expression was hesitant when she first spoke, but upon finishing, she fixed Lin Luo with a resolute, unwavering gaze.

“Uh…” Such a sudden turn of events caught Lin Luo completely off guard. While he had actually come to discuss the contract with Black Rock and had prepared several lines—intending to appeal to her emotions and reason—she had brought it up before he could even start. What about those carefully planned speeches?

“Why are you bringing up the contract now?” Lin Luo couldn't help but ask.

Black Rock hid nothing and immediately replied, “I’m not good at expressing myself, neither my feelings nor my words. But I intend to confront my emotions directly, just as I do in combat. If I don’t sign a contract with you, I won’t be able to travel to other worlds. And in this world, I can’t find my sister. Even though I don’t know where she is, I want to see her no matter what. Besides… I owe my current confidence to move forward to you this time.”

“…” Alright, Lin Luo understood. He had, without realizing it, successfully courted Black Rock. It happened all the time in anime, didn't it? The girl burdened by an emotional knot, once the protagonist untangles it, she falls for the male lead.

While Black Rock’s feelings for him might still be far from love, and the primary motivation seemed tied to Hatsune, her affection level had clearly increased substantially. At the very least, signing the contract was now viable… It was true. For the girls of the 2D world, winning their favor wasn't about looks, martial prowess, or kingly dominance; sometimes, all it took was a little bit of gentleness.

No wonder those anime and game protagonists, often pathetic losers, could so easily amass harems. Humans, espers, future people, aliens, even god clans, demons, fox spirits, and even knights, princesses, and queens would flock to those who had no money, no looks, and were utterly useless... Gentleness was the ultimate weapon against women!

Lin Luo nearly wept. He, a master strategist of courtship, had only now grasped this truth. He had focused solely on boosting his ‘overbearing aura’ and neglected working on his gentleness. If he had realized this sooner, perhaps his harem would already be harmonious, everyone rolling together on one giant futon... though that seemed unlikely.

Even the legendary Kakyoin, the only one who achieved the ‘rolling together,’ ended up getting murdered by a kitchen knife.

Forget it. Achieving harem harmony was a long and arduous journey; sharing the sheets could wait for another day.

Since Black Rock’s mind was made up, Lin Luo naturally wouldn't refuse. After the young girl closed her eyes, he placed his hand upon her chest… Because Black Rock’s attire was always quite revealing, she was only wearing a bra cup, so Lin Luo received excellent tactile feedback. Though slightly small, the touch was incredibly