Anya’s Unexpected Offer

Outside Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan’s room, Jiu Hui leaned against the wall once more. This time, however, her eyes were filled with vexation.

‘How could I have just walked out like that? Where was my previous resolve?’ She had faced setbacks from both Lisa and the twins, Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan; it truly felt like a failure.

Leaning against the wall, Jiu Hui’s gaze dimmed. ‘Did she really have to seek out that silly Aivy?’

A wry smile twitched at Jiu Hui’s lips as she thought of the blonde Aivy. ‘Could a clumsy, adorable creature who tripped on flat ground even during an assassination help her grow stronger?’

After a moment of careful thought, Jiu Hui vigorously shook her head. ‘No, absolutely not! It would be terrifying if she suddenly tripped on flat ground in the middle of a battlefield!’

‘But who else could she possibly turn to now?’

Exhaling a weak breath, Jiu Hui rubbed her forehead. It seemed she truly had no one else to approach. While the Dark Guard protected her from the shadows, Lisa had explicitly forbidden it, meaning they would never teach her.

‘Was she meant to train herself?’

‘But she truly knew nothing at all!’

Just as Jiu Hui leaned against the wall, her face a mask of conflict and vexation, a rhythmic series of footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Puzzled, she turned her head to look. Entering her sight was the girl who had subtly undermined her in Lisa’s room earlier. ‘Was her name Anya?’

Jiu Hui initially assumed Anya was merely passing by, but as Anya approached, her gaze fixed on Jiu Hui, a new wave of confusion washed over her. It seemed the girl was specifically looking for her.

Soon, Anya stood before her, a peculiar smile playing on her lips as she regarded Jiu Hui.

“I heard you’re Lisa’s personal maid. Is your name Jiu Hui, perhaps?”

Standing before Jiu Hui, Anya’s lips curved into a slight smile as she spoke softly.

Though Jiu Hui was puzzled by Anya’s sudden approach, she still answered her question.

“Yes, that’s right. I am Lisa’s personal maid, and my name is Jiu Hui.”

“Hmm, so it is Jiu Hui. It seems I didn’t mishear back in that room. Jiu Hui, what a rather nice name.”

Anya, still smiling, observed Jiu Hui as she spoke.

Jiu Hui’s confusion deepened as she looked at Anya. The way Anya seemed to be scrutinizing her, as if trying to see through her, made Jiu Hui feel distinctly uneasy. She couldn’t help but speak.

“Um, is there something you need?”

“Ah? Oh! Well, it’s like this,” Anya said, withdrawing her gaze and fixing it on Jiu Hui’s eyes. “After the meeting disbanded, I actually hadn’t left. Instead, I was pressed against the door, eavesdropping for a bit. I vaguely overheard some of your conversation. It sounded like you want to become stronger and then go to the battlefield, didn’t it?”

A flicker of wariness crossed Jiu Hui’s face as she looked at Anya. “You eavesdropped on our conversation!”

Anya looked at Jiu Hui, then seemed to suddenly realize her faux pas. A hint of awkwardness appeared on her face as she let out two dry laughs.

“Uh, haha, well, ah, don’t worry about that! The reason I came to find you is to help you become stronger! Will you agree?”

Anya found it hard to maintain her composure as she watched Jiu Hui’s expression. She hadn’t actually intended to listen to Jiu Hui and Lisa’s conversation. She had merely wanted to hear what Lisa and Jiu Hui would do in the empty room after her actions. Yet, she hadn’t heard what she wanted, only this. For some unknown reason, Anya suddenly felt a desire to help the girl.

Jiu Hui suddenly froze upon hearing Anya’s words. ‘This person wants to help her? Why?’

Jiu Hui voiced the doubt in her mind.

Anya, however, waved her hand impatiently. “Why so many questions? Just tell me if you’ll agree or not. And by the way, while my strength is far inferior to Lisa’s, I’m still quite formidable within the Palace! So, you don’t need to worry about whether I can teach you.”

As Jiu Hui looked at the girl before her, the doubts in her heart only deepened.

‘This person isn’t going to trick me again, are they?’

Despite this question lingering in her mind, the one Jiu Hui voiced was different.

“Um, aren’t you afraid Lisa will come looking for you? You know, Lisa absolutely doesn’t want me to get involved with any of that, let alone go to the battlefield.”

Hearing this, Anya simply smiled. “It’s fine. Lisa doesn’t want you on the battlefield, but becoming stronger doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go. I’m not taking you to battle, so what could Lisa say even if she came looking? Besides, even if Lisa does come, nothing serious will happen. We’ve been comrades-in-arms for many years. At most, she’ll just revoke my current captain position. It’s really nothing.”

As Jiu Hui listened to Anya, she found herself somewhat swayed. It wasn’t that Anya’s words had completely dispelled her worries; rather, she realized she truly had no one else to help her. Anya seemed to be her only option.

As for Anya’s reassurances, Jiu Hui didn’t fully believe them. While becoming stronger didn’t *necessarily* mean going to the battlefield, not becoming stronger certainly meant she *couldn’t* go. Moreover, given the current situation of the Human Race, every combatant was invaluable. Once she grew stronger, going to the battlefield would likely just be a matter of time.

“I agree!”

Jiu Hui declared, looking at Anya.

Seeing this, Anya’s lips curved upward. Yet, her eyes revealed little surprise or delight, as if Jiu Hui’s agreement had been entirely within her expectations.

‘Lisa, have you still not moved past it? To make such a mistake… well, as your comrade-in-arms for so many years, I’ll lend you a hand.’

‘I’ll make sure to teach this child well for you.’

“Since you’ve agreed, let’s head to the training grounds first. We need to assess your current capabilities before I can decide how to teach you. However, let me warn you upfront: I won’t have much time to instruct you. After all, I still have to go to the battlefield. Therefore, my direct guidance will be limited, and you’ll mostly have to practice on your own.”

Anya spoke to Jiu Hui, her expression turning somewhat serious.

Jiu Hui, however, simply smiled. “It’s fine, I understand. It’s already wonderful that you’re willing to teach me.”

Hearing this, Anya smiled. “Alright then, let’s go!”

With that, Anya led the way towards the training grounds, with Jiu Hui following behind.

****