On the platform above the library rooftop entrance, a little girl dressed like a tiny devil lay on her stomach, engrossed in flipping through a notebook.

Her petite wings twitched slightly now and then; her slender tail swayed side to side, occasionally freezing mid-motion. But the most eye-catching detail? Those short legs sheathed in black over-the-knee socks, tracing perfect curves as they lifted and lowered rhythmically.

“I never expected a spell like this… Suddenly, I feel like finding a ‘lucky one’ to test it out,” she murmured.

A mischievous smile—perfectly matching her devilish outfit—played across her adorable face.

She was none other than Luo Ling, who’d earlier come to the rooftop to read the little notebook from her mom. Correction: she should be called Ling Luo now.

Seemingly to rest her eyes, Ling Luo lifted her gaze—and spotted the sun clocking out for the day. Only then did she realize how late it was.

She fumbled for her phone. Nearly six p.m.

“Whoa! Got so absorbed I almost forgot the time…” she exclaimed. “Hmm… Still a few pages left. As much as I want to finish now… I’ll save it for later.”

“Come to think of it, good thing I didn’t burn this in a fit of anger back then…” Ling Luo muttered, closing the notebook and tucking it into her nearby backpack.

Sure, the “little notebook” wasn’t what she’d imagined—but just as Mom claimed, it *was* something boys would find interesting. More importantly, it was exactly what Ling Luo needed right now: Mom’s meticulously compiled magic notes.

Packed with practical spells, each entry detailed steps, uses, limits, range, and more. Clearly, Mom had poured effort into it. Yet the teasing still made Ling Luo fume! *(Mom’s voice echoed: “Isn’t it your own dirty mind?”)*

Even better: some spells included magic circle tutorials—*exactly* what helped someone with limited magical energy most.

Why? Because magic circles channeled ambient energy or drew power from materials. Simply put: activate with a tiny bit of your own energy, and the spell unleashes. No wonder they were her lifeline.

Side note: the Human Realm lacked the Demon Realm’s magic-saturated air. Here, energy clung mostly to living things; the atmosphere held almost none. Casting large-scale spells? Nearly impossible—you’d supply most energy yourself. No demon could endure that.

She’d once dreamed of blasting a solo “Explosion” spell somewhere secluded… but reality killed that fantasy.

Packing up, Ling Luo hoisted the backpack (comically oversized for her petite frame), took flight, and headed toward the cafeteria. She’d transform back to Luo Ling somewhere quiet before eating. Of course, she cast transparency first—being spotted mid-air would be trouble.

“Hmm… Did I forget something?”

Gliding leisurely, she pondered.

“Ah! The rooftop iron door!”

Only above the cafeteria did she remember. Sighing, she turned back. Burdened by the heavy pack, she flew slowly—no rush anyway.

Near the cafeteria lay the tennis courts.

Xiao You, flushed and drenched from an intense match, rested at the edge. Her sweat-dampened top clung to her toned frame; her chest rose and fell with steady breaths. She radiated that fresh-from-exercise charm.

Glancing up absently, she spotted a floating figure in the sky—

*A kid flying? Carrying something?* Too far to tell clearly.

“Ning Shuang, I’m grabbing water.”

“Got it. It’s late—they’ll probably head to the cafeteria after this game.”

“If I’m not back, call me. Racket’s with you.”

“Mm, don’t worry.”

Xiao You handed over the borrowed racket and hurried off.

She’d told herself *don’t meddle*… but curiosity won. She followed.

Luckily, the figure drifted slowly. Xiao You easily tracked it landing on the library rooftop.

She circled the building for minutes—no sign of movement.

“Still up there? Should I go up?”

*Hesitation leads to defeat.* True to her decisive nature, she dashed inside.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Ling Luo landed softly, transformed back into Luo Ling, slung the backpack over his shoulder, and stepped through the door downward.

He latched the iron door shut. Walking felt annoying—addicted to flying as he was—but his reserved male persona showed nothing. Only someone who knew him well would spot the faint irritation.

The elevator to the sixth floor was empty (few came up here). A blessing… for now. He knew lower floors would pack tight.

True enough: at Floor 4, several people entered.

Tolerable—until the last two stepped in: a couple clinging arm-in-arm, utterly lovey-dovey.

“Hao Lin, what’ll we eat later?”

“I booked a table. Order anything you like.”

“Trying to make me a pig?”

“I’ll exercise with you! You studied hard—you deserve it.”

“Stop it~ Then I won’t hold back!”

“No problem, my little Jing Hua.”

Their saccharine exchange gave Luo Ling goosebumps. He glanced down—a lemon had appeared in his hand. He bit it.

*Ugh—so sour!*

Paired with the couple’s cloying romance? Sourness upon sourness.

“Senior Hao Lin and Senior Jing Hua flaunting again…”

“You’re just jealous. They’re the department’s model couple—we can only envy them.”

Two girls beside him whispered commentary he overheard *word for word*, then launched into the couple’s love-story highlights. Luo Ling’s “single dog” HP bar plummeted to zero.

*“Just riding an elevator… must this happen?! And you two—STOP NARRATING THEIR LOVE STORY!!”* he screamed inwardly.

Stepping out, Luo Ling trudged out of the library, head low, spirits drained—completely missing Xiao You rushing past. Flustered, she missed him too.

Xiao You swiped her campus card, caught an empty elevator to Floor 6, found the rooftop door (unlocked), and pushed it open.

She circled the rooftop. Empty.

“Never mind…” she murmured, walking to the edge to gaze outward.

Thirty meters down would make most knees buckle—but Xiao You stood calm. She’d grown used to heights.

Left: Huangfu Avenue stretching east-west before the South Gate. Right: South Normal University across the street. Ahead: the bustling Tianhua Commercial District, soon to glitter under nightfall.

“Xiao Luo… your method really works. Standing high, watching the distance…”

Outwardly composed after tennis with new roommates, inwardly she trembled. *How long until they pull away too?* Even silent about the strange things she saw, she’d still react—gestures, words others called “weird.” Labeled the “odd girl,” friends had drifted. Would this time be different?

“Xiao Luo… will I ever stand here with you?”

Her phone rang. Ning Shuang: *We’re heading to the cafeteria—join us!*

She hung up, eyes on the cityscape.

“Enough worrying. Just live in the now.”

…

Luo Ling, though “critically hit” by the couple, bounced back fast. Appetite dampened by “dog food,” he still obeyed his foodie instincts and entered the cafeteria.

He’d eaten lunch with Mom on Floor 2—today, Floor 1.

Inside, cold drinks (milk tea, juice) lined the left stall, followed by desserts: mung bean soup, gulengao (herbal jelly), shaoxiancao (grass jelly). *Whoa—the cafeteria sells these?*

Wait—that white, brimming cup…

Minutes later, Luo Ling sat alone near the escalator to Floor 2, cradling a large cup of Shuangpi Nai. Spoon by spoon, he savored the creamy sweetness.

Though the milk flavor wasn’t as rich as the shuangpi nai from the last milk tea shop, the generous portion—loaded with coconut jelly, raisins, and other toppings—and the wallet-friendly price left Luo Ling thoroughly satisfied. A blissful smile spread across his face, all earlier frustrations cast far from his mind.

Just as Luo Ling savored his large cup of shuangpi nai, Xiao You and her roommates entered the cafeteria. Passing by him, Xiao You subconsciously glanced at his back but noticed nothing unusual, then continued chatting and laughing with her friends as they rode the escalator to the second floor.

Full and content, Luo Ling headed straight back to the dorm. Inside, his three roommates had already pulled out their prized laptops, tinkering away at their desks.

“Luo Ling, you’re back! Have you eaten?” Han Peilin turned and asked.

“Just finished. Haven’t you guys eaten yet?”

“Nah, we were waiting for you to go together.”

Liu Ye and Liangqiu Long nodded in agreement.

“Ah… really sorry…” Luo Ling murmured, bowing his head slightly. It was already past six—all because of him—and guilt prickled his chest.

“No worries!” Peilin laughed warmly. “We should’ve checked with you first. We’re still getting to know each other—things’ll smooth out.”

The other two quickly chimed in to reassure him. Luo Ling’s unease eased a little. *Seems like my roommates are actually pretty easygoing.*

The three headed off to dinner, leaving Luo Ling alone in the dorm.

“What to do tonight?”

Idle hands stir restless thoughts—and Luo Ling was no exception. He cheerfully pulled out the laptop he’d bought last month, plugged in the cable, powered it on… only to find even Baidu wouldn’t load.

A flicker of frustration hit him. *Right—I need to register for campus internet and pay the fee first.* But dusk was already settling; the office would be closed. Tomorrow it is.

Luo Ling slumped into his chair, dreams shattered.

True to the old saying—a full belly breeds idle thoughts—restlessness began stirring within him.

“Uh… no way… Could this feeling be…?”