But for some reason, even though he’d tasted cream before, it had never felt this tempting.

To his taste buds, the cream was like an addictive poison. The moment the cake’s flavor touched his tongue, a completely unfamiliar taste seemed to bloom—something he’d never experienced.

It was sweet, yet beyond the five basic tastes—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty—a uniquely new sensation.

***

Walking toward Huangfeng Academy, Xue Yu had placed a small black hat on Tongxi. As a member of the Blood Clan, she couldn’t risk exposure to humans.

Tongxi flinched at every passerby, constantly hiding behind Xue Yu. When strangers drew near, she trembled violently.

"Don’t be scared, Tongxi," Xue Yu murmured, gently patting her head.

"Tongxi, is your stomach still upset? If it tastes bad, just don’t eat it, silly!"

He remembered breakfast: Tongxi’s face had screamed nausea after one bite of the cream cake.

*Xue Yu realized—she wasn’t human. As Blood Clan, her sense of taste might be entirely different.*

Not knowing their preferences, he might have served her something utterly repulsive. Guilt twisted in his chest for hurting a child already burdened with trauma.

Tongxi stayed silent. One hand clutched Xue Yu’s leg; the other lightly rubbed her stomach.

*That cake tasted like mashed bitter melon mixed with pepper and chili powder, drowned in boiling water.*

Inside her, her stomach churned violently, waves of discomfort crashing through her.

"If it’s nasty, don’t force yourself," Xue Yu sighed.

At breakfast, after she pushed the cake away, he’d kept eating cheerfully. Tongxi watched quietly—then suddenly picked it up and finished it.

Even while clutching her stomach in pain, she’d whispered, "I’ll accept anything you give me!"

*Does she trust me this completely now?*

Holding that quiet wonder, they arrived inseparably at Huangfeng Academy’s trial grounds.

The venue looked like a gymnasium. Stepping onto campus flooded Xue Yu with bittersweet nostalgia for his own passionate youth.

Holding Tongxi’s hand at the entrance, he spotted a familiar figure and called out warmly,

"Hey, Xia Mo! Over here!"

Xia Mo turned, waved back, and jogged over.

But her eyes locked first on the silver-haired girl hiding behind Xue Yu. Her expression hardened with disgust. "Master, why did you bring *her* here?"

"You know what she is—" Xia Mo cut herself off, finger pointing at Tongxi.

Sensing the hostility, Tongxi shrank completely behind Xue Yu, trembling.

Xue Yu gently lowered Xia Mo’s hand, offering an awkward smile. "Don’t scare her. She has deep trauma—she only feels safe with me."

Xia Mo’s frown softened into weary exasperation. Hands on hips, she pressed, "If she fears strangers, why bring her out?"

Xue Yu raised placating hands. "Believe me, I’d rather not. She clings *only* to me. If I’m gone? She might tear the house apart."

"Imagine: she runs outside, gets spotted… total chaos!" he added with a weak chuckle.

"Not funny. This is a school. Just… be careful," Xia Mo said firmly.

"Teacher Xia, the trial’s starting—please prepare!" another instructor called from the gate.

"Coming!" Xia Mo waved, then turned to Xue Yu. "Register quickly. I’ll go first!"

She left. Xue Yu stepped inside toward the "Registration" sign.

A bespectacled man at the desk greeted him. "Here to sign up? Write your name and wait."

Xue Yu took the notebook—but froze mid-stroke.

*Right. I can’t use my real name. "Xue Yu’s death" is public knowledge.*

And this borrowed disguise from Xia Mo made him look nothing like his former self. Even if he claimed to be Xue Yu, no one would believe him.

"Friend? Trial’s starting soon—hurry up."

"O-Okay," Xue Yu mumbled, scribbling a random name.

He handed it back.

The man glanced down. "Comrade Ling Yu? Please wait in the seating area. We’ll call you."

"Thank you."

"Wait—Comrade Ling Yu, who’s this little girl?" The man finally noticed Tongxi, previously hidden by her small frame.

"Oh, my adopted daughter," Ling Yu said with a strained laugh.

"Adopted?" The man adjusted his glasses, studying Tongxi closely. "Children aren’t permitted. This is a combat trial zone. You understand."

From the moment he looked her way, Tongxi had gone rigid with fear, cowering behind Ling Yu.

"I… I can’t leave her," Ling Yu replied softly.

"Why?"

"Because—" Ling Yu’s eyes widened with practiced pleading. "Brother, she was abandoned. Bullied into trauma. To her, every stranger is a threat. She won’t let me go. Please… have mercy."

He fell silent, inwardly wincing. *Terrible acting. Full of holes.* He just hoped the man wouldn’t notice.

The man’s gaze softened as he took in the girl: black-and-white sweater, tiny black hat, silver twin tails flowing to her knees, crimson eyes wide with fear.

The instant their eyes met, she vanished behind Ling Yu. Only her trembling fingers gripping his coat remained visible.

"Ahem." The man cleared his throat sternly. "No. Absolutely no children in the trial zone."

*Blink.*

The pair vanished.

"Where’d they—?"

A tug on his pant leg made him look down.

"Whoa!"

Ling Yu was on one knee, desperately clutching his trousers. Had he reacted slower, his pants might’ve flown off.

"Bro, what the hell?!"

"Please! Just let her stay with me!" Ling Yu begged, voice cracking.

*If she can’t enter… I can’t take the trial. My plan—to become a mage, find a spell to lift the Succubus Curse—ends before it begins!*

*No… I can’t stay like this forever!*

"Pleeease~" Ling Yu whined, dignity long gone.

"Ugh!" Flustered and drawing stares, the man finally relented.

"Fine! Go in! But she stays glued to you. Crowd’s thick—don’t lose her!"

He blinked.

Ling Yu was gone. *Really* gone this time.

"Kids these days," the man muttered, smiling faintly at the register. "That silver-haired, crimson-eyed girl… kinda cute."