The next day.
A girl with short brown hair stood at the cafeteria counter. "One large special, no meat."
"Got it," the chef replied.
As she waited, a voice from a nearby table caught her attention.
"I'll buy you lunch tomorrow," Baam said.
"You better keep your promise," Laure replied lazily.
The girl glanced over. Baam and his friends were gathered at a table, casually eating.
"Laure, it only took a meal to win you over?" someone teased.
The girl turned back just as the chef handed her a tray.
"Here's your special."
She picked it up and made her way over to their table.
"Is this seat taken?" she asked.
Everyone looked up. It was the same cloaked figure who had fought the masked woman—but now without her cloak, her features were on full display: short brown hair, golden-brown eyes, and a strikingly fair complexion unmarred by a single flaw. She wore an orange top beneath a brown overcoat.
What's with this group? They're way too friendly for supposed enemies, she thought.
Shibisu stammered, "O-of course not! Uh…"
"Endorsi," she introduced herself. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. Go ahead and sit," Shibisu said, scooting aside.
He turned to Serena and whispered, "Hey, make room."
Serena scowled. "Pervert. Gross."
"Now, now," Hoh interjected, trying to keep the peace. "Let's all get along."
Endorsi sat down. "What were you guys talking about?"
Shibisu held up a note. "The Scout instructor gave us a weird test: make ten friends in a week."
"So that's why these two act like they hate each other but still hang out," Endorsi said after someone explained.
Baam asked, "Would you become their friend too, Endorsi?"
She smirked. "Well, I might enjoy getting close to this handsome one."
Shibisu leaned in hopefully—only to be shoved back.
"Sorry. My family forbids love," Endorsi said.
"I meant friendship," Baam clarified.
"Oh," she said. "Well, I don't believe men and women can be just friends."
"I see…" Baam replied, unsure what to say.
Just then, another voice cut in.
"What are you doing over there?" Anaak stood nearby, glaring. "Fraternizing with this lot? How far the Princess of Jahad has fallen."
Shibisu gawked. "Wait—Princess of Jahad?!"
Serena blinked. "So there are two princesses in our test group?"
Khun narrowed his eyes. Everyone here is bound by rules…
"You sure talk a lot," Endorsi replied coolly to Anaak.
Baam looked at her, and Anaak said sharply, "Stare all you want. I'm not giving the Black March back."
"That's not it," Baam said. "I just… I want to apologize to her. I don't know if she'll forgive me."
Endorsi gestured to the seat beside her. "Why don't you sit down?"
But Anaak turned and walked away without answering.
Baam turned back. "So, you two are sisters?"
Endorsi scoffed. "Hardly."
"Huh?"
Khun explained, "The Princesses of Jahad are selected to represent powerful families and tribes. They're not related by blood."
"Exactly," Endorsi added. "We're like luxury shoes displayed in Jahad's storefront."
Shibisu scratched his head. "I kind of get it... and kind of don't."
"They're a group of difficult women," Laure muttered.
Endorsi sighed. "Annoying, but not inaccurate."
---
Later that day.
A team of Regulars gathered on a wide platform suspended high in the air.
Their instructor—a woman with a mask—stepped forward. "Today, we'll play a game."
She paused before continuing, her tone cool and composed. "The rules are simple: knock each other off the platform until only eight remain."
"You may only use the needles provided to you," she added. "Your performance will affect your grade."
Endorsi glanced down at the dizzying drop. "Uh... won't we die if we fall from here?"
"Is there a safety system or something?" another Regular asked.
The instructor nodded. "Yes. The platform has enough safeguards to prevent death. Probably."
"Let the game begin."
Endorsi smirked. Maybe I'll knock a few nobodies off to pad my score.
But just then, a blur lunged at her—it was Anaak.
Endorsi leapt back just in time to avoid a crushing punch that cracked the platform beneath her.
"What the hell's your problem?" Endorsi snapped. "Got a lizard brain to match that tail?"
Anaak growled, "Shut up, horned woman!"
She charged again, swinging her needle. Endorsi blocked and shoved her back, grinning.
"You're seriously picking a fight with a real Princess of Jahad—without even using the Green April?" she taunted.
Anaak's expression turned cold. "Real? Don't kid yourself. There's no such thing as a real Princess of Jahad. We're all fakes."
Endorsi tossed her needle aside with a laugh. "Fine. I'll give you a handicap."
She darted away.
"Don't run!" Anaak shouted, chasing after her.
On her way, Endorsi kicked off two Regulars trying to interfere, sending them plummeting below.
"Oops. I toy with men and toss them away," Endorsi said theatrically. "I'm such a sinful woman."
"Stop messing around, you bitch!" Anaak shouted, rushing her again.
Endorsi jumped to another platform, knocking off another guy mid-air. "And now we're down to nine."
Anaak scowled. "Planning to run until we're at eight?"
Endorsi flipped her hair. "Come back when you've got the Green April. Right now, you're just not—"
She didn't finish.
Anaak hurled her needle without warning. Endorsi sidestepped it, eyes narrowing.
Then Anaak surged forward, feet glowing faintly.
Shinsu enhancement? Endorsi's eyes widened.
Anaak slammed into her, tackling her hard.
"Guess I'm more than a match for you," Anaak said as she went for a follow-up kick—
—but Endorsi caught her foot mid-swing.
"Careful," Endorsi said with a smirk. "What if you ruined this natural treasure of a face?"
With a smooth motion, she lifted Anaak and flung her across the platform. Anaak hit the ground hard.
Endorsi walked over, her voice low but sharp. "I knew it. You're Anaak's orphan."
"I had a hunch since the crown game," she continued. "There's something I've been meaning to confirm."
She looked down at Anaak. "So… why did you choose the path of misfortune, my niece?"
Anaak lay on the ground, breathing heavily. "Mom was happy. She married a cook who made the best chicken pies in the world."
Endorsi's expression shifted.
Anaak continued, her voice bitter. "Her only regret was that he was killed... by her sisters. The so-called Princesses."
Endorsi stiffened. Anaak stood slowly, her eyes burning with resolve.
"There's only one reason I came to the Tower," she said. "To kill everyone bearing the name Jahad… and avenge my family."
"You're first, Endorsi."
Without another word, the two clashed again.