Su Hong’s brows furrowed slightly.

If it were just two students coming to pick up Lia, that’d be reasonable. But even an instructor showed up…

Diana alone was more than a match for most. And an Academy instructor? She couldn’t be much weaker than Diana.

A team this strong—bandits wouldn’t stand a chance, and even an army couldn’t take them down easily, right?

As Su Hong hesitated, Lia whispered, “Senior Diana, please don’t… I think I’ll skip the Academy after all. Let’s not argue over this anymore, okay?”

Diana’s anger cooled noticeably. She shot Su Hong a resentful glare, as if blaming him for everything.

Ignoring her, Su Hong looked at Lia’s dejected face and shook his head slightly.

Attending the Spirit Card Academy was Lia’s long-cherished dream—something she’d pursued for years. How could she just give up now?

Worry had clouded his judgment. Maybe he really was overthinking it. Prolonging this stalemate might cause trouble and weaken the Academy team’s strength.

If it was for Lia’s dream, stepping back a little meant nothing.

“Lia, I might’ve been overcautious earlier. Go with them to the Academy. I’ll come find you soon.”

“No, no! What about you?”

“I’ll keep training. Don’t worry. This is your dream—and an instructor came personally. Giving up now would be such a shame.”

Su Hong smiled gently, stepped closer, and lightly stroked Lia’s orange hair.

Though it was Su Hong’s first time making such an affectionate gesture—meant only to comfort her—

Lia’s cheeks flushed. For a moment, she forgot to protest.

Diana shot him a cold look and snorted. “He got scared the second he heard an instructor was coming, yet plays the kind guy,” she muttered. “That’s why liars who leech off girls are the worst. What’s even good about someone like him…”

Just then, a woman in the Spirit Card Academy instructor’s uniform walked in.

Though the shop’s atmosphere felt tense, the instructor glanced at Diana and spoke politely:

“Excuse me. May Lia depart for the Academy now?”

Seeing Lia’s lingering worry, Su Hong gently placed a hand on her shoulder and urged her forward.

“It’s fine. She can go.”

“Wonderful. I’ve already prepared the travel beast carriage.”

As the instructor turned to Diana, she froze—Diana was fishing a Spirit Card from the floor debris.

The instructor’s pupils contracted sharply at the wreckage and the damaged card.

“Diana… what… what happened?”

Diana’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment. She stepped closer and mumbled evasively, “The Spirit Card Slot reached its lifespan.”

The instructor looked baffled but held no suspicion.

After all, with Diana’s strength and that Spirit Card, few in the Imperial Capital could defeat her—let alone in a small town.

A broken slot was one thing… but the Spirit Card itself partially damaged? The instructor sighed deeply with regret.

Standing before Su Hong and her grandfather, Lia’s cute, pink-tipped nose scrunched up, tears welling in her eyes.

“I… I think I’ll stay…”

She’d resolved for years to enter the Spirit Card Academy, worked tirelessly for it—but this sudden change left her overwhelmed.

Su Hong hadn’t expected it either: sharing breakfast that morning, parting by noon. Yet this was good for Lia. Her efforts had finally paid off.

Her grandfather’s eyes held reluctance, but he urged firmly, “Don’t miss this chance! This old man’s hale and hearty. Trust Su Hong—he’ll come to the Spirit Card Academy for you next year!”

“Exactly. I’ll find you. Maybe even sooner—I promise.”

Lia blinked in confusion. *So soon?*

But Su Hong’s smile radiated gentle confidence—the first time she’d seen it. Logically impossible… yet warmth flooded her chest.

Like a fledgling returning to the nest, she threw herself into his arms.

“I believe you! I’ll visit you and Grandpa when I can!”

She released him, blushing, and shyly retreated toward the instructor.

Nothing left to pack. The travel beast carriage waited outside.

Su Hong and Grandpa waved as Lia, tears glistening, followed the instructor out.

Diana was last to board. Just before the door closed, she glanced back at Su Hong.

Only after the door shut and hoofbeats faded did she suddenly remember:

“Oh—Lia! Where’d you buy that ‘Magical Girl Monkey Burn’ from the shop? I want a complete copy too!”

The junior student beside her perked up, nodding eagerly: “Is the creator, Old Xu, in this town? I just want to peek! Passing by is fine! I’m so curious what Old Xu’s like!”

The instructor stayed silent but listened intently.

Lia’s dejected expression turned oddly awkward.

“That ‘Magical Girl Monkey Burn’… isn’t for sale. Because… Su Hong made it.”

Σ(ﾟДﾟ；≡；ﾟдﾟ)

The carriage fell dead silent.

Diana froze. Her face flushed red, paled, flushed again—who knew what raced through her mind.

The junior student’s jaw nearly dropped. Her neck creaked like a rusty hinge as she slowly turned to stare at Diana.

*The guy Diana bullied, despised, looked down on… was Old Xu?!*

Only the instructor remained clueless, murmuring: “What a strange name. Who’s Su Hong? Diana… what’s wrong? You look terrible…”