After death, would one truly reincarnate as a cute, beautiful girl?

This was the Headmistress’s first time experiencing it. He’d only heard Luo Yu speak of such things before.

His emotions swirled chaotically in slumber—lingering attachment to the mortal world, unfulfilled ambitions, affection for Luo Yu—but above all, fear.

He could only watch silently as his body grew cold. Countless thoughts raced through his mind, yet he could do nothing. Time would erase it all.

*If that Training Dummy hadn’t helped me untie this knot in my heart,* he thought, *I’d probably have clung to life much longer.*

But it was nearly over. To slip away painlessly in a dream… perhaps that was a blessing.

*Just drift off slowly…*

*Drift off…*

He chanted it inwardly.

*…*

***Slap!***

Luo Yu’s palm cracked across the Headmistress’s face. A kick sent him sprawling. She pinned him down, hands slamming onto his chest.

***Crack!*** His ribs gave way.

“Argh! I’m dying! Dying!” The Headmistress jolted awake, gasping for air.

“Old coot! Napping in broad daylight? What’s wrong with you?” Two more slaps landed. A boot stomped his shin.

The blows snapped him fully awake.

He slumped on the floor, finally clear-headed.

Luo Yu loomed over him, head lowered. The Headmistress instinctively grinned. “Xiao Yu… why are you back?”

“Forgot something. And I have words for you, old man.” Luo Yu tilted her head bluntly.

“Oh…” Tears welled in the Headmistress’s eyes. “So even this old fossil gets missed by a girl… Damn. Worth living for.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Luo Yu’s small hand slipped into his robes, pulling out his coin purse. “I’m broke. Gotta loot some gold before I go.”

The Headmistress: “….”

“Only three hundred coins? Geezer, you’re poorer than I thought.” Luo Yu’s nose wrinkled in disgust at the meager coins.

“…Anything else, Xiao Yu?”

“We might never see each other again.” Luo Yu stared at her toes, then clenched her jaw as if steeling herself. “You’re old, ugly, broke, and girls hate you—but you’re still a good man to me. So… I’ll give you a gift. What do you want?”

“A gift?” The Headmistress blinked.

“Yes. I’ll grant your wish.”

“Gift… gift…” He stroked his chin, eyes tracing Luo Yu’s delicate face and soft curves. A sly smirk curled his lips.

*Heh… Xiao Yu… heh…*

***Thwack!*** Luo Yu’s fist smashed into his face. “Creepy laugh.”

“Ow!” His grin vanished instantly. Face solemn, he pondered long before speaking: “Then… dance for me, Xiao Yu.”

“Dance?”

“Anything. Just dance.” He tapped his thigh, eyes closed. “This old man’s life… would be complete if a lovely girl danced for him once.”

“That’s all?”

Luo Yu hadn’t expected this. Surprise flickered across her face.

“Mm.”

She pressed her lips together, gripped her skirt’s hem, and began to dance. Light steps painted the air—her lithe figure swaying, curves flowing like water.

When she finished, sweat glistened on her brow. She wiped it with her sleeve, hands slipping into her pockets.

“You’re so beautiful, Xiao Yu…” The Headmistress stared, tears bursting forth. “Wah! I just wonder which damn guy’ll get you someday… Thinking about it makes me furious… *sob*…”

“…” Luo Yu cut off his meltdown. “I was going to give you the band-aid stuck to me. Since you’re not interested…”

“Huh?” The Headmistress froze. “You’d give me your band-aid?”

“I was. But you wanted a dance instead…”

“No! I want it!” His wrinkled hand shot out.

Luo Yu: “….”

“What’s wrong, Xiao Yu?”

***CRASH!*** Her fist sent him and his wheelchair tumbling. “Pervert.”

As the Headmistress shakily climbed back into his chair, Luo Yu was already yards away, waving. “This is really goodbye, old coot.”

“*Mumblegrumble*…” He muttered nonsense under his breath like an ancient god whispering.

His gaze followed the girl until she vanished. Then it dropped to the empty coin purse in his hands.

“Now… this old man has no regrets left. I can die in peace.”

*Ninety years slip away like smoke… dreams and feelings turning to dust…*

Beside him, the Training Dummy whirred to life. It shuffled over, noticing the Headmistress brooding in the corner. “Why aren’t you dead yet?”

“…” The Headmistress scowled. “Watch your tongue. I’m dying *right now*.”

The Dummy’s wooden hand settled on his shoulder. “Truth is… you were nearly gone a year ago. If Luo Yu hadn’t appeared, if you hadn’t scoured ancient texts and used forbidden arts just to stay by her side… this body—and your soul—would’ve crumbled long ago.”

“You know that too…” The Headmistress trembled. “Just a half-sentient construct… yet so sharp. No wonder Xiao Yu spends time with you. I’m… envious.”

“I’m not that clever.”

“Then how do you know everything?”

The Dummy sighed. “Emperor—*ahem*—Luo Yu told me. Days ago. When you got her that Highborn Demons permit… she smiled through tears and said it.”

“What?” The Headmistress stiffened. “How could she know? She’s just a child…”

“Sigh.” The Dummy shook its head. “Do you really think Luo Yu understands nothing? Since awakening her Noble Bloodline, her magic leapt forward. She saw through your self-inflicted curses long ago. She’s known you were half-dead.”

“So…” His pupils darted wildly. “Xiao Yu knew everything…”

“Don’t worry. When she truly grieves, she finds a quiet place. Even I stay away.” The Dummy plucked his hat off and plopped it on its own head. “But trust me—Emperor Luo Yu aims high. She won’t break. She’ll still laugh. Might even dance on your grave someday.”

“Enough!” The Headmistress pinched his thigh hard, forcing calm. “I’ll die *now*. End it all. No more fears. No more worries.”

He shut his eyes tight.

“…”

“…”

Moments later, his eyes snapped open. “What’s happening?”

“…” The Dummy deadpanned. “You’re not dead yet.”

“Ah! I mixed up the dates!” The Headmistress suddenly shouted. “The Necrotic Seed’s curse lingers seven days after breaking! No wonder I can’t die!”

The Dummy: “….”