Though Irina kicked up a fuss after learning she’d been drugged, Xueluo still held her ground.
The following days dragged on with dull classes and the headache of facing two feuding girls at home. Still, Xueluo pushed through.
Even so, she never slacked on her studies. In just a short time, she’d mastered the fundamentals of Zerich’s Spatial Magic system—a pace that even startled Zerich himself.
Three days later, it was time to head to Omaha for the entrance exams.
Now, Xueluo, Lia, and Irina stood before the train station. With departure imminent, Lia and Irina were busy buying bento boxes and books for the journey.
Xueluo, however, sat on a bench beside Zerich, resting.
"Try this first," Zerich drawled, slumped lazily on the bench. He pulled a silvery metal device from his pocket with zero enthusiasm.
"Huh? What’s that?" Xueluo set down her pen and notebook, rising slowly from the seat.
"Just a simple mana capacity tester. Probably the first round of your exam." He tossed a cookie into his mouth, crunching noisily. "Go on. Place your hand on the imprint. It’s not a big deal anyway."
*...It’s literally part of the exam...*
Grumbling inwardly, Xueluo took the device and watched its reaction.
The moment her palm touched it—
*Whirr~*
A dim light glowed. Moments later, a large blue number flashed on the screen:
**1090**
*What... is this?*
"Hmph. Nothing impressive," Zerich muttered around another cookie. "Barely passable. But you’ll scrape through the exam, so whatever."
"Hey! At least tell me what this means for a human mage!"
"Tch. Who knows? See for yourself at the exam. You’ll pass. Stop overthinking."
*[This Archmage’s irresponsibility has no limits.]*
*...Amen to that.*
Just as Xueluo sighed and turned to sit back down, Zerich brushed crumbs off his coat, stretched lazily, and stood.
"Pass the first test, and the rest is child’s play. Mess up? I hope you jump off a building."
"Sorry to disappoint, but jumping won’t kill me."
Ignoring her retort, Zerich stared blankly at the cookie crumbs in his bowl. After a long pause, he murmured, "Well... do your best. If you pass, I’ll continue your training at the Hymn Guild. From a crow’s perspective. Remember, you’ve only just finished basic training."
*"...Why get responsible at a time like this?"*
"Because I love you."
"Piss off."
Their usual bickering ended as rustling sounds came from behind. Irina and Lia approached, glaring daggers at each other.
"Train’s about to leave. Guess I’ll head off too," Zerich yawned. "Do your best. Not that I care."
"Care a *little*, you old bastard."
*It’s like playing house,* he grumbled under his breath before waving and ambling toward the station exit. Xueluo watched him fade into the distance, taking a slow breath.
"Big sister~"
She turned. Irina and Lia stood there, tension thick between them.
"Got everything?"
"Mhm~" Irina chirped, darting to Xueluo’s side. "Let’s board! You’ll sit with me, right?"
"Miss Irina, don’t trouble Miss Xueluo," Lia cut in, stepping closer. "Miss Xueluo will sit with *me*."
*Here we go again...*
Xueluo sighed as the two squared off. Just as she opened her mouth to intervene—
*[Contractor. Look to your left.]*
*Huh?*
Following Guya’s cue, Xueluo glanced sideways.
Edward stood not far away.
The eldest son of the Hymn Guild’s Frosteren clan was escorting a group, ushering a young man onto the train.
The youth wore expensive silver-white robes, his golden hair oddly reminiscent of Lorath’s flamboyance. But Xueluo’s gaze locked onto the single-shoulder cape draped over his right arm.
Embroidered on it was an inverted silver longsword.
*[That’s the crest of the Elmelloss Family—one of the Hymn Guild’s great clans, equal to Edward’s Frosteren. They hold a seat in the Guild’s council.]*
Guya paused.
*[And the Elmelosses oversee the Hymn Blood Hunters. Every head of their house is a Blood Kin slayer.]*
*...*
Xueluo swallowed hard. Just then, the youth turned his head toward her.
After a brief study, he gave a slight bow and a bright, smiling nod.
That dazzling grin sent involuntary shivers down Xueluo’s spine.
*[Seems the young master’s taken a liking to you. Quite the charmer, aren’t we?]*
"You’re just complimenting yourself..." Xueluo muttered, shuddering.
---
"Fled so shyly. Adorably pure." The youth chuckled, watching Xueluo hurry away.
"That wasn’t shyness, Andy. Your IQ still hasn’t improved," Edward deadpanned, sighing. Andy merely flipped his golden hair with practiced elegance.
"You’re just jealous, Edward. You queen."
*Sigh...*
*This Elmelloss family idiot...*
*Why did I get stuck with this assignment?*
Edward was only accompanying Andy because the boy was taking the Hymn Guild entrance exam. As a fellow scion of a great house—and an examiner—Edward had no choice but to babysit him.
The Frosterens and Elmelosses had no feud. Every vote in the council mattered.
Edward trudged toward the train, weary. As he stepped aboard, Andy’s voice cut through the noise:
"Wonder if she’s taking the exam too? If so, I’ll pay her a visit~ Such beauty isn’t common. Though her chest is a bit flat."
"I’d advise against it. That woman and you might..."
*Wait.*
Edward suddenly recalled his subordinate, cleaved in two.
He looked at Andy—this chatty, narcissistic brat.
Then he remembered Xueluo calling out "Sif."
*...*
*Let’s mess with both of them.*
Edward made his decision.
"Oh, I know. She’s taking the exam. An exceptional candidate. I even gave her a free seat."
"Ah! Your prey? I never knew the legendary bottom Edward fancied women."
*You don’t even know the phrase "tact," and not everyone’s hormones do the thinking for them...*
Edward forced concern into his voice. "I merely see potential in her. But if you’re keen, go for it. Might be off the market soon."
"Hmph. Don’t tell me what to do." Andy puffed out his chest proudly. "Watch me. Have a large carriage ready. When you pick me up for the exam in Omaha, you’ll find us tangled in bed."
*Truly the pampered youngest son...*
Biting back a smirk, Edward gestured politely.
"After you, then."
