Chapter 186: Insane Bowling Game
Azalea moved with the elegance of an elven princess, every strike graceful yet laced with biting remarks.
"Hmph, try not to embarrass yourself too quickly, little pookie."
Adam, brows furrowed and jaw set, shot back without missing a beat.
"Keep talking, twig. I’ll make you polish my hammer when I win."
The insults flew as fast as the balls ricocheted across the table, each barb hitting harder than the last. The others gathered around, laughing and groaning at every exchange, Lux in particular hiding a smirk as the tension turned into a spectacle.
The match dragged on, neither willing to yield an inch. Azalea was precise, but Adam was stubborn — his resilience shining through with each daring angle and risky shot. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Adam landed the final ball with a resounding crack.
"YES!" he bellowed, tossing his cue aside and breaking into a ridiculous victory dance, arms flailing as if he had just conquered an army. "The dwarf prince reigns supreme!"
Azalea’s face twitched. For her — an elven princess of pride and elegance — to lose to him of all people was unbearable. She pressed her lips into a thin line, her eyes sharp enough to cut steel.
Adam leaned close, smugness dripping from every word. "My request? Simple. You’re my errand girl for one day."
The silence that followed was broken only by Blake’s uncontrollable laughter in the back, rolling around. Lux pinched the bridge of his nose, trying not to laugh too loudly.
Azalea, however, clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles paled. "...Fine," she spat through gritted teeth. "One day."
But in the quiet depths of her mind, a vow was etched in fire: The next chance I get... I’ll make him regret this. Torture won’t even begin to describe it.
Adam, meanwhile, puffed out his chest, basking in the rare glory of victory. For once, the dwarf prince had triumphed — and he wasn’t about to let anyone forget it.
The second match began with a shift in atmosphere, Lux taking the lead as he guided the lively group down the villa’s polished corridors until they reached another entertainment room — the bowling alley. The polished wooden lanes stretched beneath the warm glow of hanging lamps, and racks of gleaming bowling balls lined the side. It was a stage for a new kind of battle.
Nero and Elreth were chosen as the next contenders. Without hesitation, they changed into more fitting clothes — Elreth in a sleek athletic outfit that highlighted her grace, Nero in something simple but comfortable, his calm composure never faltering.
Lux, like the perfect host, explained the rules clearly. Nero listened quietly, his ominous red eyes focused on every detail. He had no real experience with this game, yet the moment he tested the ball in his hands, he quickly began adapting. The way he bent his knees, adjusted his grip, and calculated the angle of the lane — it was almost as if he was learning balance itself through prana.
Elreth smirked at him, her earlier foul mood still lingering. "Do entertain me, Nero. I won’t go easy."
Nero, as always, didn’t rise to provocation. He simply rolled the ball in silence. The princess took that as arrogance, her smile sharpening. Khione watched from the side, she had no doubt that Nero would win, ask her why she was this certain and even she couldn’t explain why.
The game began. Unsurprisingly, Elreth dominated the first two sets. Her every move was confident, her form flawless — the ball gliding down the lane like fire unleashed, crashing into the pins with commanding force. Strike after strike, she moved with the elegance of royalty, her smirk widening each time she turned back to glance at Nero.
But then came the third set.
Nero adjusted his stance, his eyes narrowing slightly. The ball left his hand with precision, spinning perfectly as it glided straight into the pins. Strike. The sound echoed crisply through the room.
A ripple of surprise moved through the group. Even Elreth’s smirk faltered.
The fourth set followed — again, a flawless strike. This time, Nero exhaled softly, as though settling into his rhythm.
From that moment on, the match changed.
The bowling alley turned into a battlefield. Neither opponent was willing to yield. Pin after pin fell as the two traded perfect strikes, each one pushing the other harder. The group watching from the side grew louder with every round, cheers and groans echoing through the room.
Elreth’s eyes blazed with competitive fire, her movements sharper, more forceful — yet Nero’s calm never wavered. His every motion was deliberate, balanced, refined with frightening speed.
The match stretched on and on. One strike. Then another. Then another. It was no longer just a game, but a duel of wills.
Minutes turned into nearly an hour of relentless competition, sweat forming on their brows, focus sharpened to a knife’s edge.
Finally, in the last frame, Nero’s ball sailed down the lane with perfect grace.
Rolling... whoooosh—
THUD
CRAAASH!
CLATTER—clink—clink!
The pins exploded into a clean strike. The game was decided.
The silence that followed was broken by Lux’s clap, sharp and clear. "Winner: Nero."
Elreth froze for a heartbeat before letting out a sharp breath, her lips pressing into a thin line. She had lost — and to someone who had only learned the game mere minutes ago.
Nero turned slightly, meeting her gaze with his usual calm, unshaken expression. He didn’t say a word, yet that silence stung her more than any boast ever could.
The others were buzzing, Adam laughing loudly, Blake hiding a yawn but smirking, while Azalea raised an eyebrow at Nero, her suspicion of him only deepening.
Elreth clenched her fists at her sides. She hated losing — but what burned her more was that Nero hadn’t even looked like he was trying.
’’So what is your order, dear winner I’m listening.’’ Elreth smiled, even this smile was little bit forced, others could tell. Khione didn’t hold back and chuckled which irked the princess who glared at her, Khione nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders I. Response.
Nero didn’t take too long before giving his order.
’’Do not try anything funny during this summer break.’’
A move to counter any plan she had to make moves on him, it was perfect, flawless victory.
’’I see, I obey.’’ Elreth responded with a smile but this time it was a genuine one, her blood was boiling, she hadn’t feel excited like this in a while. She must have this man, absolutely, she must, not only because she didn’t wish to lose to her rival but because he was worth it, her desire to have him was growing to alarming degree, her orange eyes gleamed, almost becoming red like fire.