Upon seeing the comment, Fire Finch scoffed. ‘Going back to blow up her alma mater after achieving success… The “witch” they speak of probably hasn’t even started college yet.’
“It’s not like your sister is causing trouble, wait!” Aya Tone suddenly recalled something.
While it was true that Huo Wushuang had used her ability to create the demonic vine, the aura emanating from it didn’t feel like something from an ordinary dungeon. It felt more like… the aura of an S-rank dungeon.
So, where did Huo Wushuang get the seed from? Aunt Xuan Yuanhuai wasn’t the type to be so bored as to casually hand her daughter something from an S-rank dungeon to play with. Such a pointless act…
Aya Tone’s gaze involuntarily fixed on Fire Finch.
“Guild Leader, you wouldn’t have given that seed to Wushuang, would you?” Although his words were a question, his tone carried an undeniable certainty. Aside from Fire Finch, he couldn’t imagine anyone else being so utterly bored.
“It wasn’t me, oh.” Fire Finch’s denial was utterly feeble. She quickly changed the subject.
“Right, Wushuang said she was worried about you, so she plans to visit you this weekend. What do you think?”
This abrupt change of topic solidified Aya Tone’s conviction that Fire Finch was definitely behind this scheme.
He retorted irritably, “How else would I see? I’ll just sit and watch, I suppose.”
“Alright then, I’ll tell Wushuang you’re free this weekend.” With that, Fire Finch, moving with lightning speed, transformed into a tiny Vermillion Bird and flew out from the balcony, leaving Aya Tone no chance to react.
“?”
Aya Tone, belatedly realizing what had happened, widened his eyes, his face a mask of disbelief. ‘He wasn’t free this weekend either. After a hard week, he finally had a chance to rest and play with Aya Jiu. How could that be taken away?’
Thinking this, Aya Tone immediately pulled out his phone and rapidly dialed three numbers.
“Hello? Is this the emergency line? Yes, I’d like to report a crime. Just now, above ** Road, I saw someone casually using their ability. You need to investigate quickly; she’s clearly flouting the law! She must be heavily penalized!”
“What? You’ve already sent people to investigate? Don’t waste time investigating; I know that person. I’ve seen her at the Vermillion Bird Guild.”
“My identity? I’m someone who does good deeds without leaving a name. You can call me, Red! Scarf!”
Hanging up the phone, Aya Tone couldn’t suppress the smile playing on his lips. ‘That’s what you get for tricking me!’
He knew that whether he agreed to meet Huo Wushuang or not, Fire Finch would simply agree on his behalf. But he wasn’t one to suffer a loss in silence.
“Master, if you do this, Miss Fire Finch will at most be investigated. Nothing will actually happen.”
“That’s enough.” Even if calling the police couldn’t get his boss arrested, it could still be a nuisance. It was purely to vent his frustration.
“Big White! Go to the Guild for me this weekend.”
Big White: “Huh?”
“Master, they’re coming to see you. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to go?”
“What’s inappropriate about it? It’s good to get familiarized early. I’m counting on you to take care of me in my old age, you know.”
Listening to her master’s somewhat outlandish words, Big White inexplicably felt a sense of foreboding. She had a strong feeling her master was digging a massive pit for her, one she would have no choice but to step into.
“Speaking of which, Big White, do you have any offensive capabilities?” Aya Tone recalled that he hadn’t equipped Big White with any offensive abilities. ‘A practical combat instructor couldn’t just have theoretical knowledge.’
“My body was constructed using your two types of magic as a foundation, Master, so I can also use your magic,” Big White answered truthfully. “It’s just that my power might not even reach a quarter of yours, Master…”
This was unavoidable, as Big White wasn’t created for combat in the first place. Compared to fighting, she was much better suited for childcare.
“It’s fine, a quarter is enough,” Aya Tone said, his eyes narrowing, his face alight with pleasant surprise. This far exceeded his expectations. A quarter of his power would still be roughly upper A-rank strength, which was perfect for sparring with those students.
However, it was still early; there was a week until the next class. This period would be perfect for taking Big White to familiarize herself with using magic techniques.
“Master, just tell me honestly, what do you want me to do?” Big White asked, pulling at the excess flesh on her chest, glaring irritably at Aya Tone. ‘Didn’t she understand her own master by now? After all that talk, he surely had some ulterior motive.’
“Oh, Big White, how could you think that of me!” Aya Tone immediately changed his expression, feigning a look of profound heartache. “I am your most revered master, and yet you—!”
Big White sweatdropped. “Master… it’s just the two of us here. There’s really no need…”
“Oh, fine.” Seeing that feigning misery was useless, Aya Tone simply dropped the act. “Didn’t I take on a teaching job? After teaching one class yesterday, I realized my power is simply too immense. I could easily mess things up by accident, so I was hoping you could cover my classes. What do you say?”
(●—●): “…?” ‘Does Master even know what he’s saying? I’m just a magical construct, not a deity! Doing laundry and taking care of the child is what I do, and now he’s found me a job too? Even capitalists aren’t as exploitative as you.’
Hesitating for a moment, Big White decided it was best to speak up and assert her rights.
“Master, I refuse!”
“Oh, Big White! Can you really bear to see your master out there, day after day, exposed and bullied? Can you bear it!?”
“…”
Big White helplessly watched her master, who had rolled off the sofa to embrace her, and mercilessly exposed Aya Tone’s pretense.
“Master, you’ve only worked two days in two months…”
“Ahhh, I’m not listening! Big White, just give in to me this once! I’ve never asked you for anything in my life, please just agree~ I’m begging you!”
Faced with such a dramatic and pleading master, Big White remained unmoved, accustomed to his antics. She still remembered. Her master had said similar things before, hugging her with the exact same expression and persuasive words, all to prevent the little master from disturbing him while he played games. But! He was her master. He was her creator.
“I… I’ll try.”
“Wow! Big White, you’re the best!” At this moment, there was no trace of the profound conviction he had feigned earlier; only a cunning smirk of a plan successfully executed remained on his face.
Aya Tone happily stroked Big White’s head. Unlike Aya Jiu’s small head, which could be cradled in one hand, Big White’s required a hand and a half. The feel was different, yet equally soft and smooth. ‘What kind of shampoo do we use at home? Ahem, I got distracted.’
“Master, don’t celebrate too soon. I’ll only help you this one time, and it will come with a fee!” Big White’s voice suddenly rang out, like a basin of cold water poured over his head.
“Big White, you’ve changed,” Aya Tone said, retracting his hand with a look of indignation.
“No, it is *you* who have changed, my Master,” Big White retorted, her gaze fixed sternly on Aya Tone, using the honorifics she rarely employed. “Master, are you afraid of something?”
Ever since Aya Tone returned yesterday, Big White could sense that something had definitely happened to her master, which was why she had suggested he wash up and calm down. Now, she seemed to understand: her master appeared to be avoiding something. A monster? An enemy? Or perhaps… himself?