Gurgle!

Snow?!

Wu Yan looked up at the snowflakes falling endlessly outside the window, slightly dazed.

Gurgle!

It’s been almost a year since I came here!

Thinking about the date, Christmas in that world must be coming up soon!

Gurgle!

How nostalgic!

Sadly, there’s no Christmas in this world…

Wu Yan’s expression turned desolate. Though he wasn’t usually homesick, a faint sadness spread through his heart.

Gurgle!

It’s been so long since I’ve seen my parents and friends!

Every day here is fun, but I still miss them sometimes.

Nostalgia flickered in Wu Yan’s eyes, and his mouth curled into a hint of a smile.

Gurgle!

That bastard probably can’t find the latest resources without me!

I wonder if he misses me while struggling to find them?

Gurgle!

Many classmates will get confessions again!

And quite a few will return to the embrace of us singles.

Gurgle!

I’m still single after all this time here!

What a failure, Wu Yan! You’re letting down your title as a seasoned player!

Gurgle!

My dad has probably found the hidden stuff on my computer by now!

Or maybe not—he’s always puzzled by the missing space but never found the cause. Heh…

Wu Yan gazed at the falling snow and sighed deeply.

Gurgle!

This Christmas, I’ll spend it alone again!

A faint sorrow crossed Wu Yan’s face. His body slumped, flattening into a blob on the desk.

Suddenly, a spark flashed in his eyes, and excitement lit up his face.

Gurgle!

That’s right!

This is the academy! Aren’t there plenty of students to spend Christmas with me?!

Wu Yan’s tentacles slowly drew circles on the desk as he pondered.

Gurgle!

Got it!

Overjoyed, Wu Yan hopped twice on the desk using his tentacles. He kept knotting and unknotting two tentacles, unable to contain his excitement.

“Little Dark, it’s time to go!”

Lilina’s voice came from behind Wu Yan.

Gurgle!

Coming, Lilina!

Wu Yan turned happily but misstepped, falling face-first to the ground.

“Little Dark!”

A startled cry came from Lilina nearby, followed by hurried footsteps.

Gurgle!

Damn, I got too excited!

Wu Yan’s joy turned to sorrow. Lying face-down, he began contemplating life…

One day later.

“Hey, did you get one?”

“No, I didn’t. Sob, it’s so unfair.”

“Haha, I got one!”

“Damn you, showing off! Wait till I get you!”

“Ah, no, spare me! Aha ha ha—”

“Phew, made it! Little Dark, this is Teacher Stephanie’s class—I’m doomed if late!”

Lilina rushed into the classroom just as the bell rang.

“I can’t believe they’re still like this after all this time!”

Lilina wore an exasperated look. She’d run into admirers again, the crowd grew, and she barely escaped!

Gurgle!

That’s because you’re so popular, Lilina!

Wu Yan expertly fished a book from Lilina’s bag and placed it on the desk.

“Thanks, Little Dark!”

Lilina patted Wu Yan’s head as a reward, then sat quietly waiting for Stephanie.

Fame has its troubles. After helping the academy win, Lilina gained fame—the hype still hadn’t cooled.

Her classmates, familiar with her, now interacted normally.

Tap, tap!

Stephanie entered with loud footsteps. The noisy class fell silent instantly; everyone sat obediently.

Stephanie scanned the room, cleared her throat, and began the lecture.

“Let me see it!”

“No way!”

“Just one peek! I’ve heard so much—let me see what it looks like!”

“Just one look!”

“Mhm, just one look!”

“Weird, what are they whispering about? During Teacher Stephanie’s class?”

Hearing nearby voices, Lilina looked puzzled and muttered to herself.

“Don’t you know, Lilina?”

Alimi turned around and whispered.

“Huh?! Alimi, is something trending?”

“Not recent—it happened this morning…”

“I was late. What happened?”

Lilina leaned closer, curious.

“Well, yesterday some got a strange card. It said: ‘The lucky holder will receive a small gift three nights from now.’”

Gurgle!

My work last night spread fast!

Wu Yan nodded contentedly—his efforts weren’t wasted.

“The academy doesn’t run events like this. Probably a prank.”

Lilina was skeptical. In her first year, she’d seen the academy’s indifference and class gaps. Gifts? Unlikely.

Besides, three days from now isn’t a holiday. Must be a student’s prank.

“No, it’s not, Lilina…”

Alimi looked anxious. She checked Stephanie wasn’t watching, then whispered.

“The card proves it’s real—you can attack it with magic. Someone tried, and it stayed undamaged…”

“Huh?!”

Lilina was surprised. Even a second-level spell couldn’t harm it? The card must be valuable.

Who’d waste something expensive on a prank? Even fake, it’s worth money!

Gurgle!

Wu Yan chuckled inwardly—these next days would be lively.

He’d added the Law of Gold to the cards: proof they weren’t pranks, plus tracking.

With his magic control, he’d craft trinkets from Mind Crystals. Their colors would shift when used—unique and perfect for girls with few resources.

Wu Yan decided to be an otherworldly Santa, making this Christmas anything but bland.

“So it’s not a prank. Alimi, did you get one?”

“Not yet…”

Alimi looked dejected. Lilina patted her back comfortingly.

Gurgle!

Don’t rush—your deluxe VIP cards are still being made!

Yours can’t be like others’, heh heh!

Wu Yan extended a tentacle to pat Alimi’s head.

“You two, come forward!”

Stephanie’s stern voice startled Alimi and Lilina. They lowered their heads, ready to apologize.

But two other students stepped up faster. Stephanie’s expression stayed neutral, and the girls sighed in relief.

“Hand it over!”

One student reluctantly pulled a card from behind his back and gave it to Stephanie.

Stephanie read the text, a slight smile curling her lips.

“Magic attack, huh…”

Orange flame erupted from her hand holding the card. The heat made the students step back.

“Huh?!”

Stephanie extinguished the flame—the card was intact.

She examined it closely but found nothing unusual.

“I’m confiscating this as punishment for not paying attention.”

“Ah, yes, Teacher Stephanie!”

“Mhm, go listen carefully.”

The two looked dejected, quietly blaming each other on the way back.

Stephanie’s action confirmed the card’s value, exciting some recipients.

But Wu Yan wasn’t happy at all!

Gurgle!

Oh no—how do I deliver Stephanie’s gift?!

He doubted he could enter her room unseen.

Gurgle!

Ah well, I’ll deal with it later!

Maybe she’ll toss it before then!

Wu Yan adopted a “cross that bridge when we come to it” attitude.

Two days later.

“I got one yesterday!”

“Me too!”

“Lilina, did you get one?”

“Nope.”

Lilina shook her head helplessly, seeing Alimi’s downcast face.

“Alimi, you didn’t get one either?”

“Mhm…”

Lilina sighed. “There’s still tomorrow. You’ll definitely get one!”

“Mhm, Lilina—you will too.”

Gurgle!

Yours are the grand finale! They can’t appear so easily!

Wu Yan worried special gifts for Alimi and Lilina might expose him—he’d give them last.

The third day.

“I got one yesterday too!”

“Half the class has them now?!”

“Lilina…”

Alimi walked up, near tears. Wu Yan felt guilty—but he had their gifts ready; he’d deliver them that afternoon.

“Still nothing?”

Alimi forced a bitter smile. She never expected herself and Lilina to be so unlucky.

“There, there—I’ll give you a gift tomorrow!”

“It’s not the same…”

Alimi was surprisingly fixated. She returned to her seat, gloomy.

Lilina was troubled too. She lowered her head and asked Wu Yan.

"Little Dark, why haven't we gotten any cards?"

"Gurgle!"

I don't know anything! Don't ask me!

Hehe!

Elsewhere.

"President, this is that strange card. We tested it—even a fifth-level spell couldn't damage it."

"Not even a fifth-level spell could scratch it..."

Scottia took the card and examined it closely. It seemed ordinary.

Though Wu Yan had only given it to Commoner Class students, after Stephanie tested it, the news spread and reached Scottia's ears.

"President, should we report this to the academy?"

"No need. It's nothing major. Don't bother others. Dismissed."

"Yes!"

The girl slowly left the room. Scottia gazed at the card in her hand, lost in thought.

"Tonight..."

Afternoon.

"Sigh..."

Alimi returned to her room gloomily. She took off her thick coat, changed her shoes, and placed her bag on the table.

"Huh?!"

Alimi suddenly spotted a strange card on the table. Excitedly, she picked it up.

"Great! I have a gift too!"

But then, Alimi noticed this card was different from others'. It looked like solid gold, and the text on it was unique.

"A special gift, but I can't tell anyone..."

Though she couldn't share it with Lilina, Alimi was still happy. She'd thought she'd been forgotten, but instead, she got a special gift.

Alimi's heart raced with anticipation for the night.

Elsewhere.

"Special gift..."

Lilina also found the card. She patted Wu Yan's head and smiled. "Little Dark, take this to Alimi. Make sure she doesn't see you!"

"Gurgle!"

Oh no! How did I not think of that?

But Alimi will send it back, right?

Wu Yan coiled the card with a tentacle and vanished.

Lilina waited for Wu Yan to return. But to her surprise, Alimi arrived too.

"Gurgle!"

"Alimi..."

Lilina felt caught red-handed.

"Lilina, thank you, but I already have a card..."

Alimi showed two cards in her hand and handed one to Lilina.

"Oh, that's great! I never expected both of us to get special gifts!"

"Mm, Lilina, don't do this next time..."

"I just thought Alimi needed it more. You seem so fixated on it. Why is that? Can you tell me, Alimi?"

Alimi hesitated, took a deep breath, and blushed as she spoke.

"Aren't gifts meant for friends? I have few friends. Besides you, Lilina, I rarely receive gifts. So I care about it..."

"I see. Then Alimi should try making more friends. You'll get more gifts that way."

Lilina thought about herself. She was somewhat famous now, so she got small gifts on holidays. She didn't feel that way.

"Alright, alright. Get a good night's sleep tonight, Alimi!"

"Mm, you too, Lilina..."

"Gurgle!"

My presence is really low!

Held in Alimi's arms, Wu Yan saw their attention wasn't on him. He sank deeper into her embrace, deflated.

"Gurgle..."

Only this soft embrace can save me now...

Night.

"Gurgle!"

Twenty-two gifts. Keep Lilina's, so twenty-one left!

Hmm, two people have duplicates. Greedy! No gifts for you this time!

Wu Yan looked at the twenty-one floating gifts. He sensed the position of the Law of Gold.

"Gurgle!"

To avoid exposing my identity, I have no choice. I'll have to sacrifice a bit.

Wu Yan's body was enveloped in black mist. A bare foot stepped down. The mist dissipated, revealing a petite cat-eared girl.

"Alright! Tonight, I'm the Santa Claus of another world!"

Wu Yan waved his arm, crouched, and turned into a shadow. He swiftly left the courtyard outside Lilina's room...

"Phew, only three left!"

Wu Yan looked at the three remaining gifts and sighed in relief.

The academy was huge. Avoiding attention while delivering gifts was troublesome. It took Wu Yan a lot of time.

Wu Yan had planned to leave Alimi's for last, but...

Why are the last two Scottia and Stephanie?!

"This is tough. Sigh, better deliver Alimi's gift first!"

Wu Yan slowly approached the window of the house and slipped inside.

But to Wu Yan's surprise, he plunged into a warm embrace.

"Haha, got you!"

The figure started groping Wu Yan all over.

"Irelia, you! Didn't you recognize me with your mental power?"

Wu Yan waved his hand, lighting the room's lamps. Dim light revealed Alimi's delicate face, but Wu Yan knew Irelia was in control now.

"Oh, it's been so long! Let me quickly recall how your body feels."

"Don't say such misleading things! Let me go!"

Wu Yan struggled but held back, afraid of hurting Alimi's body.

"Oh dear, such a disobedient child. I must punish you."

Irelia breathed into Wu Yan's ear. His body shuddered as if hit by electric shocks.

"You... you really..."

Wu Yan felt his strength fading. He gave up and breathed into Irelia's ear.

"Ee—"

Irelia let out a strange sound, her face flushed red. Her grip loosened. Wu Yan seized the chance and stepped back.

"Sniffle, you did something so mean to me!"

A vein popped on Wu Yan's forehead. He controlled his temper, knowing this could go on forever.

"Gift!"

Wu Yan waved his hand. A golden-glowing item slipped onto Irelia's wrist, shrinking into a bracelet.

"I didn't expect you to give gifts tonight. It's not even a holiday."

Irelia looked down at the bracelet, surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Law of Gold? Quite generous. I bet you're the only one in this world who gives Laws as gifts!"

"To me, Alimi is priceless!"

Wu Yan turned slowly, the gift delivered.

"How envious. Don't I get a gift?"

"Giving to Alimi is the same as giving to you, right?"

Wu Yan tossed that out and vanished.

Irelia walked to the window, gazing outside. She gently stroked the bracelet and murmured to herself.

"It's not the same, silly..."

"Alright, two left. First, Stephanie's place!"

Though Scottia wasn't as strong as Stephanie, Wu Yan felt she was more dangerous somehow.

Wu Yan carefully avoided attention and arrived at Stephanie's house.

Wu Yan swallowed hard. The house felt like a beast waiting to devour prey.

Remembering their first meeting, Wu Yan was sure Stephanie would stab her without hesitation.

Wu Yan clenched his fists, resisting the urge to run. He slowly approached.

Don't be scared, Wu Yan. Maybe Stephanie is asleep!

Though he knew it was self-deception, Wu Yan calmed down a bit.

But as Wu Yan reached the window, a flaming spear pointed at his neck.

"It's you!"

Stephanie looked at the familiar face, slightly surprised.

"Uh, what a coincidence! Haha..."

Wu Yan scratched his head awkwardly.

"I don't know how you got in, but I've gotten stronger. Let's fight again!"

"Wait, here!"

Wu Yan handed her something. Stephanie took it, slightly surprised.

"Did you make this? A neat little gift!"

Stephanie realized it was specially made for Commoner Class students. It was finely crafted and aided meditation.

"Uh, since you got the gift, I'll be off! Haha!"

Wu Yan stepped back, scratching his head. Stephanie's eyes gleamed sharply. Her spear thrust forward.

Wu Yan stomped his foot. Black mist erupted from him.

"She got away again!"

By the time Stephanie dispersed the mist, Wu Yan was long gone.

"But her experience has grown. Her strength has increased too..."

Stephanie looked at a faint footprint on the ground, silent.

At that speed, Stephanie could do it too, but it would leave a crater. Only a faint print meant Wu Yan did it effortlessly.

"How curious, your identity..."

Stephanie retracted her spear and turned back to her room...

"Phew, the last one!"

Wu Yan psyched himself up, standing near Scottia's room.

"Oh! I don't need to go in person. I can control the gift to enter by itself!"

Wu Yan slapped his forehead, realization dawning.

"Sigh, why didn't I think of that earlier!"

Wu Yan made the gift float and drift slowly into Scottia's room.

Wu Yan watched it land on the table inside. He sighed in relief.

"This was easy..."

Before Wu Yan finished, white light enveloped him, illuminating the area like daylight.

"Oh no!"

"I set up a triggered Magic Array at the window, linked to this area’s lockdown. As long as you follow the card’s gift instructions, you’ll activate it eventually."

Scottia, ever fond of digging pits for others to fall into, slowly emerged from behind Wu Yan. She watched his back and explained calmly.

Wu Yan felt helpless, trapped by her scheme. Even after being so cautious, he’d still fallen for Scottia’s trap.

But this time, Scottia had only used her own power—no extra tools. With Wu Yan’s current strength, escaping was simple: just phase straight through these barriers... Wait.

No! Scottia’s style never relied on half-measures to catch him.

Think: instead of struggling to capture him unharmed, wouldn’t it be smarter to learn his identity first? Then decide friend or foe, and handle it another way!

These barriers must carry markers...

Cold sweat trickled down Wu Yan’s forehead.

Close call! Almost exposed!

He couldn’t afford carelessness.

Wu Yan’s body stiffened. The thought of his true identity nearly revealed to Scottia sent a chill through him.

"Now you’re cornered. Surrender quietly."

Fireballs flickered around Scottia. But Wu Yan’s sharp magic sense detected their weakness—they were mere illusions, barely level-one spells. This confirmed his suspicion.

Wu Yan’s form blurred into a black shadow, darting sideways. Scottia watched, face unreadable.

Wu Yan was right. Stephanie’s true goal was uncovering his identity and location, so she’d used only her own strength.

But unexpectedly, just before touching the light barrier, Wu Yan veered downward. He burrowed underground, surfaced beyond the barrier, and vanished.

"Discovered, huh."

Scottia’s expression didn’t shift, even as he escaped.

"Still, we’ve confirmed no hostility. That’s enough."

She waved a hand. The light barriers dissolved, and night reclaimed the area...

"Ah, finally done. Only Lilina’s left!"

Wu Yan sighed in relief, gazing at Lilina’s peaceful sleeping face.

"Sob... Lilina’s so easygoing. Such a sweetheart!"

"Gift delivery almost gave me trauma!"

He gently brushed stray hairs from her forehead, voice tender.

"All these days, I’ve troubled you so much, Lilina. Sorry."

Golden light shimmered on Wu Yan’s fingers, coalescing into a tiny ring. He lifted Lilina’s hand and slipped it onto her ring finger.

"You may not know its meaning, but this is my mark. We’ll walk together forever. Always."

Wu Yan kissed her finger softly, sealing a lifelong vow.

"Little Dark, stop eating... my hand isn’t food..."

Lilina murmured in her sleep—likely dreaming of something unpleasant from Wu Yan’s drool...

Black lines crossed Wu Yan’s forehead. Was he just a glutton in her eyes?

Hmm... honestly, maybe he was...

His body shifted back, plopping onto Lilina’s bed.

"Gurgle!"

Ugh. No more thinking. Sleep!

Wu Yan shut his eyes, flopped backward, and snored softly.

Moonlight spilled between them as time passed. Lilina, eyes closed, reached out blindly until she found Wu Yan. She hugged him tight, a sweet smile blooming on her lips...

"Huh? Why’s Little Dark so low-energy today..."

"Gurgle!"

Of course! Last night was "intense," plus the mental drain from crafting gifts earlier—exhaustion was inevitable.

Wu Yan stretched his tentacle like a yawn, then snuggled deeper into Lilina’s arms to nap.

Lilina stroked his head, a helpless smile on her face.

"I’m not sure. Alimi, what did you receive last night?"

Alimi shyly rolled up her sleeve, revealing a delicate golden bracelet etched with intricate lines.

"It’s lovely, Alimi!"

"Lilina... yours?" Alimi blushed, lowering her arm and asking softly.

Lilina showed her ring.

"This. But no Magic Array traces... I wonder what it does."

"Huh! Lilina, there’s writing on it..."

Lilina turned the ring slightly, reading the tiny characters.

"Merry... Christmas?!"

On Wu Yan’s profile, the corner of his mouth lifted in a faint, secret smile.