In the dreamlike space of the Golden Bee Amusement Park's central courtyard, a massive magical apparatus reflected a dazzling, kaleidoscopic brilliance beneath the park's vibrant lights.
Even Boss Cat was well acquainted with such devices.
Commercial artificial Shadow World launch terminals in the Southern Continent were nowhere near as expensive as combat training terminals, being used mainly for scientific research, entertainment, and everyday public services.
It was remarkably similar to the artificial Shadow World launch terminal on the seventh floor of the Learning and Education Building at Ikerite Academy, with a shell forged from mithril and magic crystals and interconnections like veins of life—cold yet brimming with magic—though it did not stretch for a dozen meters like the academy's version.
The last time Lanqi had played matchmaker for Loren and Juliana, he had brought Boss Cat there and undergone the Frost Prison Trial against the top student of Aloran Royal Academy, wagering Loren's destiny.
"Oh? So you two are here to participate as well? Hurry up and get ready, then."
The event coordinator, dressed in a golden bee costume, immediately broke into a smile and gestured for Lanqi and Talia to pass through the turnstile.
At first, he had thought the pair was here to cause trouble, but looking closer, it seemed they knew each other all along and were just rushing to snag a spot.
"The couple behind them, please wait a moment and join the next round," the coordinator added, turning to Loren and Juliana behind them.
"No problem,"
both Loren and Juliana replied.
They had planned to spend a leisurely evening here anyway and were in no rush; watching the show together would likely be even more fun than participating.
Lanqi placed the little black cat onto the ground.
He glanced at Boss Cat, his tall silhouette casting a shadow over it as he walked toward the turnstile without looking back.
"Meow..."
Excited murmurs gradually rippled through the Golden Bee Amusement Park.
"Someone else is actually daring to challenge Love-Hurdle Corridors Academy!"
"My favorite show! Quick, grab some midnight snacks—this is prime dinner theater!"
There was no time for extensive preparation.
The coordinator unlocked the terminal's Void Gate using a cipher key.
"This recreational Shadow World requires mutual consent to enter, and mutual consent to leave. There will be a short break between each question, during which you two can consult and decide whether to exit,"
the coordinator explained the rules of the Shadow World.
Lanqi and Talia stood before the iridescent Void Gate.
They exchanged a glance, each catching a glimpse of nervous tension in the other's eyes.
Though they hadn't had much opportunity to communicate, both were certain the other had an objective.
"We'll play a few rounds and then come right out,"
Talia said in an undertone.
She only needed to let Miss Zhuzhu see the dangers of this game, and her mission would be accomplished.
"No problem,"
Lanqi nodded in agreement.
The hazards of this game applied only to couples; he and Talia were merely friends across generations—nothing could go wrong.
Neither of them was a novice when it came to Shadow Worlds. Without another word, Lanqi and Talia stepped through the iridescent Void Gate.
The central courtyard fell dead silent in an instant, as if all sound had been completely blocked out.
Outside various rides and attractions, the eyes of numerous visitors converged onto the magic screens.
The screens flickered with brilliant light as an extradimensional space resembling a spacetime tunnel expanded, then plunged briefly into darkness.
"Start leaping into the air~"
"Your worries will vanish with every jump~"
"Nothing is more thrilling than dancing~"
"Don't be afraid, because! I'm your destined girl~"
Amid the upbeat, quirky music, the curtain lifted once more to reveal the scene of [Shadow World: Love-Hurdle Corridors Academy]!
The scenery of the real world grew translucent, supplanted by a graffiti-filled space bursting with vibrant colors.
It looked like a classroom, a stage, and a platformer game all at once, with the ground and sky constantly shifting to reveal pixel blocks and dynamically scrolling backgrounds.
Lanqi and Talia sat in this empty classroom, one on the left and one on the right, each holding a small slate chalkboard facing the camera.
By now, their outfits had transformed into matching, youthful school uniforms. Puzzled, they turned their heads to look at each other.
Even simple movements and touches against the chalkboards produced exaggerated light effects, sound effects, and pop-up visual symbols.
If not for the overwhelming video-game fantasy aesthetics of this Shadow World, the two of them might have passed for childhood friends attending school together.
"Oho! Are you two ready?"
A cartoon bee fairy suddenly materialized in midair, spinning around twice before asking them.
Meanwhile, outside the Shadow World, the event coordinator stood on the stage holding a microphone, speaking the exact same words.
As the host, he could bridge the inside and outside of the Shadow World, initiating conversation with the two challengers within.
Furthermore, the professional broadcast director of Golden Bee Amusement Park would frequently cut between the Shadow World, the event stage, and the audience, delivering a sitcom-like viewing experience.
"Let's begin."
In the graffiti classroom, Lanqi and Talia both nodded gently.
For they had already seen the brief rules of this Shadow World materialize before their eyes:
[The magic chalkboard apparatuses in the hands of the boy and girl will reveal their truest inner answers.]
[In the Love Classroom, you will be questioned in turns, or both of you may be asked simultaneously.]
[The suffix "(Male)" indicates the male participant must answer, "(Female)" indicates the female participant must answer, and "(Male & Female)" indicates both must answer.]
[Persevere through all fourteen questions to clear the game and claim the grand prize.]
[Note: Questions are randomly drawn from a question bank, including multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and true-or-false. With each subsequent tier, the danger level increases.]
[Note: If you are determined to be faking a relationship at any point, your prize eligibility will be revoked and you will be ejected from the game.]
Both of them breathed a sigh of relief in unison.
For participants who weren't actually a couple, there was no risk of an emotional fallout, and the odds of social death were minimal.
Indeed, there had been contestants before who tried to game the system, only for the host to quickly catch on that they weren't lovers, revoking their rewards.
However, Lanqi and Talia hadn't come for the prizes in the first place—they only wanted to cause a disruption.
"It looks like our challengers this time are brimming with confidence! So let's wait and see what kind of thrilling performance they deliver!"
The host's voice, accompanied by music, instantly pumped up the atmosphere around the Golden Bee Amusement Park's central courtyard.
Inside the Shadow World, the animated host flipped open a card in his hand and took a look.
"The first question looks like an absolute giveaway! Consider it a warm-up to help you get used to how the game works."
He tossed the card forward.
Immediately, the first question materialized at the very top of the magic screens, as well as in Lanqi and Talia's field of vision:
[Question 1 (Male & Female): How many times have you two gone on dates?]
[A. 0 times]
[B. 1–10 times]
[C. 10–100 times]
[D. Over 100 times]
Chapter 631