"Sister...?"

Shen Xueyun was still drowsy, but the moment she heard "Sakura," she snapped wide awake.

"She said she has important intel for me," Lyn explained. He casually mentioned how some lowly knight had schemed against him yesterday. "Anyway, summoning Xing Luo caused minor trouble—I’m being watched by someone. Don’t worry; I’ll handle it."

"Sister’s so reliable. With her helping you, Senior, nothing will go wrong," Shen Xueyun murmured, her gaze lowering slightly.

"Yeah, that girl needs a good spanking sometimes, but she gets things done," Lyn agreed.

Shen Xueyun clenched her slender hand, staring at Lyn with conflicted eyes. Noticing her look, Lyn casually asked, "Kaoru, come with me? You haven’t seen your sister in ages."

Ever since Divine Snow Sakura graduated early as a Provisional Sanctuary Executor, the sisters rarely met. As kids, Shen Xueyun had clung to her sister. Lyn figured she must miss Sakura.

"I... won’t go. Senior, just see Sister alone," Shen Xueyun replied. Her answer surprised Lyn.

"Really not coming, Kaoru?"

"Mm. We chat often via communication crystals. Sister said... she’ll visit me in days to take me home." Shen Xueyun’s voice was soft. "Since she has urgent matters with you today, I shouldn’t intrude."

"Alright." Lyn studied her thoughtfully. Confirming she genuinely didn’t want to go, he dropped the idea of forcing her. "I’ll find you tomorrow."

He’d visit the academy often anyway—he hadn’t claimed the Sage Tower’s top-floor item yet. Until he mastered it or failed, he wouldn’t quit. He’d see Kaoru regularly and monitor her mood.

"Let me walk you back first," Lyn added.

This time, Shen Xueyun nodded. Though she wouldn’t leave campus with him, she still wanted more time together. Composing herself, she rose from the bench. With ample time before meeting Divine Snow Sakura, Lyn leisurely escorted her to the Potion Experiment Zone and bid farewell.

Only after Kaoru vanished inside did Lyn look down at Xing Luo. The girl had been quiet since waking, now watching Kaoru’s departure with a thoughtful frown. Meeting Lyn’s gaze, she hesitated.

"Something to tell me, Xing Luo?" Lyn pinched her cheek playfully.

"Sister Kaoru has strange scars on her arms," Xing Luo said. "Probably not just there."

"Is she so gloomy because someone’s bullying her?" Though uneasy about Shen Xueyun’s stares at Lyn, Xing Luo shared what she’d seen in the lab. If Kaoru suffered, Lyn might grieve—and she hated seeing him sad.

Lyn showed no shock. He paused slightly, voice complex: "It’s not bullying. It’s her bloodline."

"You knew already, Master?"

"Mm. But you did well. Keep talking with Kaoru. If you learn what troubles her, I’ll reward you."

"Like the petting before?" Xing Luo’s eyes sparkled with stars as she looked up eagerly.

"...We’ll see later," Lyn said, lying guiltily. The reward’s final terms were his to decide.

...

After Lyn and Xing Luo left, several students surrounded a thin boy on the academy road’s opposite side, all glaring toward the Potion Experiment Zone. The boy—Ande—wore a dark scowl while his noble peers sneered.

"Ande, that’s your sister, right?"

"Tsk tsk. The Kraken Family’s cursed bloodline turns them into monsters, yet she’s stunning now."

"Especially her chest—how old is she? Bigger than my maid’s. Touching it would feel amazing."

"You fool, you’ve probably enjoyed her in secret already."

Ande’s face darkened further as he clenched his fists. They pressed on mockingly:

"Oh, calm down. Everyone knows you tried messing with your sister before. Lyn beat you like a dog."

"Now she’s Shinsnow Clan—even as an unacknowledged adopted daughter, she outranks you. No fun for you, loser."

"Worse, young master Belmond favors her. Look at Lyn’s shaky steps—he’s been thoroughly used. Enviable, huh?"

One student shoved Ande. "You claimed Lyn wouldn’t visit the academy this week. What now?"

"We gave you days! Your sister’s glued to the lab. Will you repay your gambling debt?"

"Without your pretty sister, we’d have no patience."

"I’ll repay it," Ande growled, tearing his gaze from Lyn’s retreating figure. He glared at their threats, head bowed. "That bitch stays in the Potion Zone daily. What chance do I have?"

"But tomorrow’s Meditation Day—she’ll leave then. I’ll get my chance."

"She brews so many potions; she’s rich! Help me once, and I’ll clear my debt plus pay you extra!"