The Comprehensive Examination

“Okay, all relevant personnel are present.”

Soon after, Elena pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Ziyao clapped her hands, drawing both their attention. “Elena, you’ve already heard this once. However, Aiya hasn’t, so you’ll hear it again.”

Elena raised her hand. “Uh, could you make it a bit shorter?”

Ziyao shrugged. “If you believe Aiya can understand, I don’t mind. You’ll bear the responsibility, after all.”

“Then let’s just go over everything.”

“Alright.” Ziyao cleared her throat.

She began explaining to the bewildered Aiya, “In a moment, I’ll need to conduct a comprehensive examination of you, Aiya. Some parts might require you to remove your clothes.”

“Eh? Remove my clothes?”

Aiya’s face instantly flushed crimson.

“If you have any reservations… these specific items can be skipped. They aren’t crucial, anyway.” Ziyao had no intention of forcing Aiya to make a decision, as these particular checks weren’t the most vital.

“It might, however, cause a minor issue when I formulate the potion later. Nothing too significant, though.”

“In any case, these checks can be done whenever you’re ready. Just tell me when you agree, Aiya.”

Aiya nodded, indicating her understanding.

“Next, and most importantly, I will take a vial of your blood.” Ziyao produced a small test tube.

“Your blood will be preserved by your sister, Elena, the Second Princess of the Roland Empire.”

Ziyao’s expression was exceptionally stern. The blood of an imperial princess was not something she could afford to be negligent about.

If this blood sample fell into the wrong hands, Aiya would be directly exposed to those individuals.

Curses. Ziyao knew of no fewer than ten curses that could be performed through blood alone.

Thus, she had to be serious.

“To confirm once more, Elena, do you agree to me taking a blood sample from Aiya?”

“I agree.”

“Can you guarantee that Aiya’s blood sample will not be in danger?”

“I can.”

“Good. Now, Aiya,” Ziyao turned her gaze to Aiya, who had already straightened her posture. “Do you agree to me taking a blood sample?”

The atmosphere in the bedroom grew somewhat heavy. Aiya was not a foolish child; she had been taught from a young age not to let her personal belongings fall into the hands of others.

Yet now, the white-haired alchemist before her intended to take her blood.

“Hasn’t Sister already agreed?”

“Your sister cannot represent you, Aiya.” Ziyao stood up and walked over to Aiya. “You are an independent person, and as an alchemist, I must respect your decision.”

Aiya looked at the white-haired girl before her, feeling an inexplicable sense of trust bloom in her heart.

“Alright, I agree.”

“Are you certain?”

“I am certain.”

“Good.” Ziyao did not return to her chair. She pulled a stack of white papers from her robes, then looked at Elena. “Do you wish to observe?”

“No, no, that’s quite alright.” Elena waved her hands repeatedly, clearly unable to bear such a scene.

Watching Elena’s retreating back, Ziyao sighed helplessly. “Never mind that one. Aiya, extend your hand first.”

Aiya obediently held out her right hand.

Placing her hand over Aiya’s right hand, Ziyao closed her eyes and began to count.

Aiya’s hand was incredibly beautiful, with delicate, soft skin. Ziyao even felt a desire not to let go.

“Hmm, your pulse is a little fast, and…” Ziyao opened her eyes. Aiya’s physical condition seemed slightly worse than she had anticipated.

Withdrawing her hand from Aiya’s wrist, Ziyao picked up a pen and jotted down the data on the examination form.

What followed was a tedious and meticulous inspection. Ziyao was performing these tasks for the first time, as it was her first time specifically crafting a potion for another individual.

As for the potions she made for herself? Please, wouldn’t she understand her own body? She had thoroughly explored her own physique the moment she transmigrated, after all.

Nearly an hour later, Ziyao had finally filled most of the forms completely.

The remaining items, however, would require Aiya to remove her clothes.

“Aiya, the remaining checks will require you to take off your clothes. It’s perfectly fine if you’re uncomfortable with it,” Ziyao said to Aiya beside her.

For convenience during the examination, Ziyao had already removed her own black robe and was sitting on Aiya’s bed.

Speaking of which, Aiya’s scent was truly delightful. Ziyao now understood why Elena was so fond of holding Aiya in her arms.

If only she could hold Aiya too!

Alas, she and Aiya were merely strangers. If not for Aiya’s body requiring her potion, they likely would have had no connection whatsoever.

Of course, Ziyao was unaware that Aiya harbored similar thoughts.

I want to hug Ziyao so badly. I want to take a deep, long breath of her scent…

“Mmm, that’s fine. I trust Ziyao.” Aiya’s voice was almost imperceptible as she looked at Ziyao’s red eyes.

No, why do I feel like something is off?

Ziyao shook her head, dispelling the stray thoughts from her mind.

“Ah… then let’s start with the upper body.” Ziyao’s voice began to tremble slightly. “If there are no injuries, you don’t need to remove everything.”

Heaven help her, she had never seen the body of any girl other than her own.

But Aiya seemed to have made up her mind. She unhesitatingly unbuttoned her top.

An expanse of white skin was exposed to the air. Aiya’s skin was incredibly well-maintained.

“Mm, no injuries.” Forcing down the rush of heat to her brain, Ziyao’s trembling hand brushed against Aiya’s skin. “Put it back on.”

“Is that all?”

No, no, of course there’s more, but if I continue this examination, I might just spontaneously combust!

“Mm-hmm, it’s finished.” Ziyao nodded repeatedly. “Quick, put it on. You’ll catch a cold.”

However, Aiya snatched the examination form from Ziyao’s hand. She pointed at the large blank spaces on it, a smile in her eyes. “But there’s still so much left?”

Whoa! Elena, come control your sister! This is clearly not right! Where did that shy little girl from earlier go?

“Wait, Aiya, your current state is very abnormal.” Ziyao grabbed the clothes scattered on the bed and quickly put them back on Aiya. “You need to calm down.”

But she hadn’t expected Aiya to simply embrace her.

“Ziyao, you’re very comfortable to hug.”

Her body rigid, Ziyao’s hands froze in mid-air. She had never anticipated such a situation!

Ah, Aiya’s scent is so good… I want to devour her…

Wait, no, something is definitely wrong.

Unlike Aiya, Ziyao possessed extreme self-control. She acutely realized that their current situation was highly unusual.

“My apologies.” Ziyao stroked Aiya’s small head, then drew a vial of pink potion from her belt buckle.

But how could Aiya allow Ziyao an opportunity to break free? She clasped Ziyao’s hand, making it difficult for Ziyao to make her next move.

“A very clever choice.” Feeling Aiya’s warm embrace, Ziyao exhaled a turbid breath. “But I am a Water Mage.”

A flash of blue light. The glass vial shattered into fragments, and the pink liquid instantly vaporized, filling the room.

The glass shards, enveloped by a stream of water, were flung far away by Ziyao.

This was a Quadrant-grade sleeping potion. Its effect wasn’t particularly strong, but its greatest advantage was that it caused no harm to the person.

Aiya fell into a deep slumber the moment she inhaled the gas.

“I’ll have to mention this to Elena.” After putting Aiya’s clothes back on, Ziyao walked towards the door, her steps heavy.

The potion had little effect on Ziyao, so she remained in that strange state.

****

“Lotia, you won’t escape… This time… I won’t make any more mistakes…”