“…That’s it for today. After class, sort out your notes on mixed magic. Aim to cast a mixed spell soon, like sparks weaving into one flame.”
With that, Stellar Rosa gathered her books, like a crane folding its wings, and left the classroom.
The third period ended, and school let out. The day’s rhythm was set—four classes in the morning, three in the afternoon, like beads on a rosary.
“Then, Xinuo Miss, Yumigawa-kun, and Hill—Faya and I have student council work. We’ll take our leave,” Eastern Moon Aixue said, rising like a reed in a light breeze.
“If you don’t feel like heading back to the dorm, wander the academy district or visit a few clubs,” Faya added, nodding like a sparrow pecking grain.
“Mm, go do your thing. Don’t worry about us,” I said, smiling, warmth like tea in a clay cup.
“Great. See you tonight. And remember—have dinner ready. We’re coming to mooch!”
“No problem.”
“Mm-hmm! Then, see you.”
“See you.”
They waved and slipped out, their figures like red leaves drifting through the doorway.
“Xiao Nuo, what should we do now?” Hill asked, perched on my lap, spring-bright eyes like dew on grass.
“Hmm.” Xinuo slid her finished book into the desk, thought a beat, then said, “If we go back now, there’s nothing to do. Boring as dry bark. Let’s just stroll the academy district.”
“Yes, yes! There’s still so much we haven’t seen. Let’s go!” Hill bounced, a little firefly blinking on my knee.
“Then let’s head out.”
Xinuo stood and took my hand, cool as river stone, guiding me toward the door; Hill hugged my other arm like a cat claiming a sleeve.
“Emperor Sister, Sir Xino, and little Hill, you’re heading out? Bye!”
“See you tomorrow!”
“I’d love to chat, but we won’t intrude. Goodbye!”
We turned to answer, “All right, see you tomorrow,” and stepped into the hall, like stepping from shade into sun.
“What do I do!” Deyue’er fretted, thoughts buzzing like trapped bees. She wanted to talk to Yumigawa Sumeragi and the others, but the last time she tried, she’d been ignored.
Maybe it would happen again. Yet if she didn’t try, Rangetsu would be hard to face, like thunder waiting behind the hills.
“Ugh, whatever! I don’t care! I’m going to the cafeteria for snacks. I’m suffocating here!”
She raked her hair in defeat and left, her mood a crumpled paper crane.
“Please wait a moment!”
We’d just stepped out of the teaching building when a small, bell-clear voice rang out behind us, familiar as a wind chime.
“What’s the matter?” I turned. A girl in a crimson kimono stood there—Yuyi Mengliu—her gaze steady, like a blade held true.
“I am Yuyi Mengliu. You’re from the Mizumi Clan, correct, Your Excellency?” Her words were formal, each syllable set like ink on rice paper.
“Your Excellency? Uh… yes, I’m Mizumi Clan. Yuyi Mengliu, what do you need?” I nodded, a little unsure—her way of speaking was an antique fan opening in a modern room.
“Mm. It’s important.”
Her amber eyes shone with intent, like lanterns lit at dusk. “Legend says the founder of the Mizumi Clan was a Sword Wielder. Since you’re Mizumi, you should be a Sword Wielder too, right?”
“Mm. I am a Sword Wielder. Is there something you want?” The puzzle of her purpose tightened like a knot.
“As I thought!”
Excitement sparked in her eyes, a gold flare in warm honey. “I’m from a sword lineage—the Yuyi Family. I’ve heard Sword Wielders are the strongest with a blade in this world. I want to test myself against you.”
“Oh, that’s it.”
So she wanted a match. I’d heard from Eastern Moon Aixue—Yuyi Mengliu often challenged top students to refine her sword. It was like Qianji Sister, who trained by fighting spirit beasts in deep mountains, pines whispering around her.
But I didn’t want to fight now. First, I had no interest; second, she was a cute little loli, and it felt like trying to cut cherry blossoms.
I opened my mouth to refuse, but Xinuo caught my sleeve. “Servant, don’t refuse. Accept.”
“Uh, why?” Confusion flickered, a moth circling a lamp.
“Your sword hasn’t advanced since we left the Central Continent. Her strength isn’t low, especially her swordwork. A bout with her will profit you greatly. Accept.”
Xinuo’s voice was calm, like moonlight on water.
“Sir Xino is right,” Yuyi Mengliu said, nodding in accord, words clean as a bell strike. “A duel benefits us both, Yumigawa Sumeragi.”
“All right then. Not now, though—tonight.” We still planned to wander the district, so I set the time like placing a stone on a Go board.
“No problem. I heard you live at Zhuyue Tower. I happen to live there too. I’ll trouble you tonight. Farewell.”
She turned and left, steps like brushstrokes, no smudge or hesitation.
“What a curious child.” I shook my head with a smile, then said to Xinuo and Hill, “Let’s keep wandering.”
“Mm.”
“Okay!”
We strolled through the academy district, drifting like leaves in a gentle current. We popped into clubs now and then, and when we got tired, we settled in the cafeteria for snacks, sweetness like small suns on a plate.
Time flowed fast, a river slipping past rocks. Night arrived, a silk curtain drawn across the sky.
Zhuyue Tower, our room.
“Eh? Yumigawa-kun, you’re going to fight that child Yuyi Mengliu?” Eastern Moon Aixue asked as we ate, surprise flaring like oil catching a spark.
“Yeah. Is that strange?”
“Not really. Just a bit unexpected. But thinking on it—both of you are sword experts. A duel is natural.” She waved it off, her tone as easy as a breeze through bamboo.
“Oh. By the way, Aixue, do you know how strong Yuyi Mengliu is?”
I slid a piece of red-braised pork into my mouth, flavor deep as dark lacquer, and looked to Eastern Moon Aixue.
“Mm, that’s hard to pin down.” She took a bite of rice, then continued, “By current ranking, she’s third among Egisia Academy students. Her sword is formidable. With magic, she’s likely SSS-class—an Archmagus. Oh, right.”
She ladled herself a bowl of soup, steam curling like mist on a pond. “Yuyi Mengliu’s magic attribute is ‘Flame’.”
“Flame?”
I blinked. Flame surprised me. It’s fire, yes—but ‘Flame’ stands higher than ‘Fire’, like a phoenix to a hawk.
If ‘Fire’ is a lower sprite, then ‘Flame’ is a higher spirit, proud as a sunbird on a crimson branch.
