"Time? Even now, you still want to stall? Do you think I’d believe you?" Qingruo’s gaze dropped to the thin black strap resting on Tiyi’s pale shoulder. *Could Teacher Yedi really have been seduced by her?* she thought. *I trust his honor and willpower... but if it’s her, this might be his greatest trial yet...*

"This isn’t what you think..." Tiyi realized Qingruo was staring at her sleepwear. Being seen in such attire while entering a man’s room was damning enough—but why did it feel so mortifying under another woman’s gaze? Was this lingering shame proof her heart still belonged to a boy?

"Still making excuses?" Qingruo pressed closer, her voice a blend of steel and silk that left little room for defense. "Teacher Yedi’s power has plummeted. Yet every night, you slip into his room wearing this scandalous outfit. What’s the point of lying now?"

Just then, a noise echoed from downstairs.

"What was that?"

"No idea... sounded like a thud. Let’s check upstairs."

Footsteps began climbing the stairs.

Both Tiyi and Qingruo froze.

If others found them like this, it’d be disastrous.

Qingruo also couldn’t risk ruining Yedi’s reputation before uncovering the truth.

In one swift motion, Qingruo straightened her back, pressing her warm, soft hips down onto Tiyi’s lap. This helplessness—being pinned and manipulated—was far worse than mere embarrassment over revealing clothes.

"*Sacred Word: Bonds of Repentance.*"

A holy light flared above Tiyi’s head. Scorching thorns of Sacred Power coiled around her wrists, binding them tightly together.

*So tight...*

"Get up," Qingruo whispered against Tiyi’s ear, her breath hotter than the sacred thorns. "Unless you want the Imperial guards dragging you to the security office. You won’t enjoy how they handle girls."

For a split second, Tiyi considered fleeing in the chaos. But she’d fallen into Yedi’s trap—underestimating Qingruo’s strength.

*She still has Sacred Power. And I... I can’t use magic. Not unless I want her to know I’m a Witch.*

*A Witch infiltrating the Holy Academy to bewitch an Empire hero?* Burning at the stake would be the *lightest* punishment.

Once Qingruo channeled her Sacred Power, resistance was futile.

"Move!" Qingruo yanked Tiyi up. The stairs were no longer an option. She scanned the hallway, shoved Tiyi toward the nearest door—and found it locked.

Qingruo pressed two fingers to the keyhole. A pulse of sacred light flared.

*Click!*

The lock shattered.

"You—" Tiyi stared in disbelief at the elegant lady knight towering half a head above her. This paragon of virtue, who always followed rules to the letter, had just broken into a room without hesitation.

"Inside." Qingruo pushed Tiyi’s slender back, thrusting her into the dark room before slipping in herself and closing the door silently.

Outside, lamplight flickered. A young male teacher’s androgynous voice drifted through the wood: "What happened? I definitely heard a loud noise."

"Look—the light’s on in Teacher Yedi’s room. Must be fine. Miss Gallilu warned us not to disturb him," a female teacher replied.

"Right. With a swordmaster like Teacher Yedi here, what could go wrong? Let’s go back to our chess game."

Behind the door, Tiyi exhaled as the footsteps faded.

But Qingruo gave her no reprieve. She yanked Tiyi’s bound wrists overhead and pinned them against the wall.

*Shink!*

Her sword flashed, piercing through the sacred thorns and embedding deep into the wall—locking Tiyi in place.

"Ahh—!" Tiyi’s muffled cry was cut off as Qingruo clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Dampness" spread under Qingruo’s palm, tightening her own body unexpectedly—but her will only hardened.

"Choose: interrogation by Imperial soldiers? Or questioning by me?" Her eyes held no bluff. She slowly lifted her hand.

"Mmmph..." Tiyi winced, cheeks flushed.

"Answer!" Qingruo’s gaze promised she’d drag Tiyi to security without hesitation.

"...By you."

Tiyi felt her pride crushed under a mountain. Security would ruin everything. But with Qingruo alone... there might still be a chance.

*Not that I actually want this woman interrogating me!* That much was certain.

The room smelled of disuse—likely a former female teacher’s quarters. Moonlight bled through feminine curtains, painting the carpet in ghostly blue.

Qingruo leaned in, towering over Tiyi. Her slender fingers lifted Tiyi’s chin, breath soft yet commanding. "Good. Start talking."

"I *will* tell you everything. I’d never lie to you, Miss Qingruo. But... too much is at stake. I need time. Just one day! Give me one day, and I’ll explain everything!" Tiyi’s thoughts spiraled. She needed breathing room—*anything* to buy time. If all else failed, she could still run...

"One day?" Qingruo’s gaze cut through the shadows, sharp yet fluid. The height difference left Tiyi defenseless. "You think I’ll let you escape?"

"Then take me to security." Tiyi turned her head away, feigning reckless defiance—preferring rough Imperial soldiers to answering now.

"You... what are you scheming..." Qingruo’s chest rose and fell heavily beneath her high-collared uniform. Handing this girl to soldiers without proof felt wrong. And Yedi’s involvement... she couldn’t risk a mistake.

But confronting Teacher Yedi directly? Unthinkable.

"...Hmph." Qingruo sighed, a rare crack in her armor. "Fine. One day."

His reputation demanded caution.

Relief washed over Tiyi.

"But we seal it with a contract." Qingruo’s eyes darkened like midnight.

"Eh!? W-what contract?"

"A one-day..." Qingruo’s gaze swept down Tiyi’s silhouette, half-hidden in shadow, lingering on her flushed, almost bruised-looking beauty. Something primal stirred in her—seventeen years of pent-up restraint trembling at the edge.

Ordinary contracts wouldn’t punish the girl who’d ensnared her most revered teacher. Her lips parted, words escaping before she could stop them:

"...slave contract."