Ever since that ranking match two years ago, Ying Li had come to a profound realization of her own shortcomings. She possessed the formidable ability known as ‘Spellbreaker,’ revered as a mages’ bane, yet she had lost to a mage. It was utterly humiliating.
From that day forward, driven by a determination born from shame, her days were ceaselessly dedicated to training, or to traveling to her training grounds. The S-rank dungeon in Nan’an City naturally became her primary training ground.
Yet, despite her relentless efforts and pushing her limits in every session, her strength increased at a painfully slow pace, as if she had struck an insurmountable bottleneck. It felt like a path stretching endlessly before her, with no end in sight. For nearly a year now, she had felt no further increase in her internal energy, and had instead shifted her focus entirely to honing her combat techniques.
‘That witch…’
Ying Li’s slender brows furrowed slightly, her gaze shifting with an unreadable intensity. No one could discern the thoughts swirling within her mind. Soon, however, the flicker of emotion in her eyes was expertly concealed, replaced once more by an air of detached indifference.
“Old Deng!”
“You’re only punishing her with an eight-hundred-word self-reflection report, even after she caused such a monumental mess. Are you truly unafraid that someone might seize this opportunity to stir up trouble and have you removed from your position?”
Two newly constructed training rooms had been consecutively blown up in less than a month. The human and material resources expended were considerable. If someone were to exploit this incident, Deng Hongcheng’s position as principal could genuinely be jeopardized.
“What is there to fear? If they possess the capability, it is merely the position of a principal; what harm is there in letting them have it?” Having attained this position, Deng Hongcheng naturally possessed a broad perspective. The capable should govern. If truly exceptional individuals were to emerge, he would readily yield his seat. Just as he had declared to the assembled students at the opening ceremony, he was merely an interim principal.
“Furthermore, if this old man can compel that witch to write a self-reflection report, does that not sufficiently demonstrate my own capabilities?” Deng Hongcheng chuckled softly.
One must understand that S-rank powerhouses, let alone within national borders, are regarded as privileged entities even on an international scale! In Z Nation, of course, this privilege is contingent upon adherence to the law. Should one commit a crime, regardless of whether they are S-rank or E-rank, they would be immediately shackled and marched into custody. Aya Tone had merely damaged some property, and had committed no acts that endangered national security. Even if she had simply turned and walked away, no one would have dared to utter a word.
He admitted that his recent remarks contained an element of calculated risk. Fortunately…
He had won the gamble.
“You old man, you play a truly dirty game.” Ying Li, too, had discerned Deng Hongcheng’s true intentions. Indeed, those who ascended to such positions were never easily underestimated. That eight-hundred-word self-reflection report, rather than a punishment, was more accurately a warning directed at those with ulterior motives. Deng Hongcheng could make the top-ten ranked silver-haired witch docilely write a self-reflection report; could they?
“Ah, you flatter me.”
****
Having left the principal’s office, Aya Tone had barely descended a few steps when she spotted four remarkably familiar figures in a nearby pavilion. They sat there, seemingly engrossed in some clandestine plotting. Assuming it was merely some university club meeting, she gave it no further thought, and was about to continue on her way. Having been detained, she had already been delayed long enough. Catching the high-speed train back now would get her home just in time for dinner. It was a pity that kindergarten dismissed so early, otherwise she could have picked up Aya Jiu herself.
“It’s Teacher!”
Inside the pavilion, Ye Liu exclaimed loudly, and the other three gazes swiftly darted towards Aya Tone. Indeed, in the distance, they saw a flash of silver hair, its owner with their back to them, strolling leisurely in a certain direction.
“–Are you in the car? I’m coming over now.–”
Aya Tone ended the call, and her small hand reached for the four-dimensional pocket behind her.
“Teleport!”
“Teacher! Wait!”
Everyone reached out, attempting to prevent Aya Tone from leaving. But in the next instant, a flash of starlight streaked by, and the silver-haired figure vanished abruptly from sight, leaving behind the students who were still rushing forward.
****
Silence reigned. The four stopped in their tracks, speechless.
Lin Ling: “Teacher Aya has left…”
Liu Fei: “Yes, she’s gone…”
Lin Ling: “Will Teacher Aya Tone be fired?”
Liu Fei: “I don’t know…”
Ye Liu, standing nearby, could no longer bear to listen, and burst out in exasperation: “What are you two babbling about?”
“Teacher Aya is an S-rank powerhouse! They can’t get enough of her, let alone fire her! The academy would never dismiss Teacher Aya!”
Lin Ling blinked, then looked at Liu Fei, who was on the same side as her. “Is that so?”
Liu Fei: “I suppose so…”
“But I’m still a little worried that Teacher Aya might receive too severe a punishment, especially since this time…” As she spoke, Lin Ling instinctively glanced at Huo Wushuang, who remained silent beside her. Hadn’t Aya Tone angrily unleashed super-dangerous magic in the training ground, precisely because she was worried they would be devoured by the demonic vine? And that demonic vine…
“Let’s all go see Teacher Aya this weekend.” Huo Wushuang understood what Lin Ling was trying to say and found it difficult to refute. After all, she was the primary instigator this time. It was a pity she hadn’t witnessed Teacher Aya’s battle with the demonic vine, and had also wasted the seeds her sister had given her. Though, to call it a complete waste wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Their internal magic, bolstered by this incident and the demonic vine’s feedback, had increased by several increments, even if it wasn’t enough for a dramatic breakthrough to B-rank. In another year, they would undoubtedly be able to reach the B-rank level. The supernatural abilities of the Magical Girl series were simply that unreasonable. Possessing an extremely high upper limit, but also a very low lower limit.
“Wushuang… I knew you were worried about Teacher…”
Lin Ling suddenly pounced on Huo Wushuang, showering her with kisses.
“Let go, you’re hurting me.”
“What did you say?” Lin Ling seemed provoked by something, and not only did she not let go, she became even more persistent. She was a BB, after all. How could she endure such humiliation? Absolutely not!
“Such children.” Ye Liu shrugged, pulled Liu Fei along, ignoring the other two, and headed straight for the dormitory.
‘Indeed, the tremor in her soul had been correct!’
****
“I’m home.”
Upon returning to Yan’an City, Aya Tone’s first action was to deactivate his transformation. That cry in the principal’s office had sounded an alarm for him. If the transformation lasted too long, the female body could influence his soul, causing him to act in ways consistent with his outward appearance. Such as the inexplicable crying fit earlier today.
“Wah! Papa, you’re back!”
Before Aya Tone had even stepped into the living room, he heard the pitter-patter of tiny bare feet drumming on the floor. Tossing his backpack onto the nearby shoe cabinet, Aya Tone skillfully knelt down, opening his arms wide. The next second, a warm figure charged straight into his embrace.
“Mmm-hmm, did Aya Jiu miss Papa?” Aya Tone squinted, bringing his face close to his daughter’s, and gently kissed her little cheek. Little Aya Jiu paused, then burst into giggles, her laughter clear and bright like silver bells.
“Aya Jiu missed Papa so much! Papa, I want to tell you, today when Big White picked me up, there were so~ many aunties and uncles surrounding us!” Little Aya Jiu tried her best to spread her small hands as wide as possible, but still felt it wasn’t wide enough. She then scanned the air with her eyes before looking at Aya Tone, satisfied.
“There were *so* many people watching you? Was Aya Jiu scared?” Aya Tone cooperatively made an exaggerated expression. He wasn’t surprised that Big White picking up Aya Jiu would attract a crowd of parents. After all, the morning class group chat had already mentioned him, the perennial lurker. He wouldn’t even be surprised if the news had spread throughout half of Yan’an City by the afternoon.
So the longer he stays the.with the more childlike he will act.