Tiyi returned to her teacher’s apartment.

“Tomorrow… I’ll go to town with Qingruo to pick out underwear…” Tiyi knelt by her bed, her cheek resting on the sheets. The folds of fabric, carrying her faint scent, resembled ridges of mountains.

If she ignored the purpose, it almost felt like a date.

Who would have thought? As a teacher and a Holy Temple Knight, even thinking about it was sinful. But after becoming a girl, by a strange twist of fate, she could openly go shopping with her.

What a twist of fate…

“What should I wear tomorrow? Qingruo specifically told me not to wear the Imperial Sacred Academy uniform to avoid unwanted attention. So, I’ll wear that ‘Nolan’ school uniform. As for underwear… for now, I’ll have to wear what she calls ‘indecent.’ She should understand.” Tiyi’s gaze drifted. Honestly, it was a rather meaningless question.

After becoming a girl, she sometimes indulged in these tiny details—things the once dashing young man, whether boy or youth, would never have cared about.

…

The Imperial Sacred Academy sat on the southeastern outskirts of the Di Zhong Mountains. As the name suggested, the Di Zhong Mountains were a vast range spanning thousands of miles in the heart of the Empire.

Gloomy clouds drifted slowly around the mountain slopes. The sky was bleak and dim. Mist curled among old, pointed-roof houses, their walls weathered and scarred like the history of this land.

This was Molov Town, the closest settlement to the Academy, nestled at the foot of the Di Zhong Mountains.

Clatter… A carriage with mud-splattered wheels halted on the bumpy crossroads.

Qingruo stepped down first. She wore a white hunting outfit with a short skirt, a bluish-purple shirt with rose-like ruffled collar, white thigh-high socks, and brown boots. She radiated vibrant, youthful femininity—bright yet imposing.

Tiyi, meanwhile, wore the ladylike uniform dress of ‘Nolan’ Academy.

At the carriage door, Qingruo extended her hand.

Wasn’t she clearly a young lady? Why act like a gentleman now? Maybe she was overthinking it—girls do help each other. But if possible, Tiyi would rather take on the ‘gentleman’s’ role herself.

Not wanting to keep Qingruo waiting, she reached out and let Qingruo help her down.

“Wait for us here at dusk,” Qingruo instructed the coachman.

“Yes, young lady,” replied a tall, thin elderly man with neatly combed white hair. He wore a black formal suit and sat at the front of the carriage.

A coachman… Tiyi couldn’t help but recall the nightmare carriage without a driver that had brought her to the Imperial Sacred Academy.

“Let’s go.”

Qingruo and Tiyi stood together at the entrance of the ancient town. In the distance, the church bell tolled.

“Molov Town.”

By the roadside, a rusted black iron sign swayed slightly in the wind.

The two girls walked down the street into the town.

After a short distance, Tiyi glanced back. Though it was morning, the fog was thick, and the town entrance was already obscured.

Yedi had never been here before; he had only passed by the outskirts.

The town was quiet. Tiyi could hear their footsteps on the damp cobblestones, echoing faintly.

Along the streets, most houses were shut tight, their windows barred with iron grilles carved with floral patterns.

Few pedestrians walked about, dressed in worn clothes with gloomy expressions. Occasionally, a beggar or two sat by the roadside, faces obscured, clothes so tattered their style was unrecognizable. Others lay in dark alleyways—whether drunk or dead was unclear.

This place was nothing like Tiyi had imagined, especially compared to the Imperial Sacred Academy campus.

Hm?

Ahead, by the roadside, stood a… person?

“Senior Qingruo…” Tiyi wasn’t exactly afraid, but she cautiously alerted Qingruo beside her.

It was a humanoid figure in a dark oilcloth robe and hat, but its head resembled a bird’s. Judging by the build, it was male.

“Let’s go. Don’t look around,” Qingruo said calmly.

“Mm.” Tiyi nodded obediently. Walking beside her tall senior, just looking at her seemed to bring light to this gloomy town. She could smell her fragrance—a scent that felt safe yet made her want to protect her.

But as they neared, Tiyi couldn’t resist a glance. This time, she saw clearly: the figure wore a grotesque bird-beak mask, its surface worn, with rough glass pieces for eyes. His oilcloth robe was stained with blood, and his gaze fixed eerily on her.

In truth, anyone would find such attire unsettling.

Tiyi quickly looked away, no longer staring rudely.

As they walked, they encountered more such figures. Though their clothes varied—some carried muskets, others large tools with iron hooks—they all shared one feature: bird-beak masks.

“Who are these people?” Tiyi couldn’t help but ask.

“Members of the Witch Hunters’ Sect,” Qingruo whispered, not wanting to draw attention. “I don’t know where they came from. Last time I was in town, I hadn’t seen them.”

“Witch Hunters’ Sect…” A shiver ran deep within Tiyi. In the past, Yedi had mainly fought demon hordes on the front lines and knew little of this group. But even scant rumors gave Yedi a poor impression of this rapidly growing organization.

Though Yedi also knew their goal was to protect the Holy Church and maintain the Empire’s stability—much like the Sacred Temple Knights.

Now, as Tiyi walked past these figures, an unusual wariness stirred within her. Because of their masks, they tilted their heads bird-like to look at her, yet she couldn’t tell where their gaze fell.

She always worried they might detect some sign of heresy. These people were the natural enemies of witches.

Tiyi instinctively moved a little closer to Qingruo.

Though in truth, Qingruo was a Holy Temple Knight, tasked with judging and executing witches. At this thought, a deep sense of loss washed over Tiyi. If this elder sister knew her true identity… it was unimaginable.

So Tiyi wanted to get closer to Qingruo, yet felt guilt and fear within. Her steps became hesitant and conflicted.

As they reached a livelier area with a market, wanted posters for witches—searching and executing—were plastered everywhere. Most were tattered, some stained with blood.

This deepened Tiyi’s sense of isolation.

Disordered footsteps approached from behind, keeping their distance. A chill ran through Tiyi. She pretended to look at a shop window while glancing back.

“Senior Qingruo, it seems we’re being followed,” Tiyi said in a soft, low voice.

Not far behind them were four or five young men, dressed shabbily and sloppily, with a thuggish air. They had been trailing them for some distance.