A Day of Distractions and Dark Omens

A moment later. As she knocked on Lina’s door, only the thumping of her own heart echoed in the profound silence. It was not until a cool, clear voice drifted up from downstairs that Silvia noticed the shimmering golden hair at the bend of the staircase.

“Coming!”

As she descended the steps, her pleated skirt swirled gracefully, revealing the lace safety shorts peeking from beneath her thighs.

****

A thin mist still clung to the streets. On the cobblestone paths, a scattering of pedestrians, bundled in coats and scarves, hurried on their way.

Silvia raised her hand, glancing at her wristwatch. It was 8:25.

A pang of regret stirred within her.

Yet, she mused, having indulged herself in the bathroom, she felt truly refreshed, body and soul. After all, one occasionally needed to attend to such physiological needs…

It was, in any case, a convenient matter.

“Oh dear, we’re going to be late! Only five minutes left…”

She turned, winking at Lina, who leaned against the wrought-iron gate.

At that moment, Lina lowered her gaze. She stared at the silver crucifix necklace she idly toyed with, a casual pick-up from a recent supermarket trip. Her gaze, utterly devoid of emotion, swept over Silvia. Finally, it settled upon the slender legs encased in white stockings.

‘This human girl is always overflowing with energy,’ she mused. ‘She bears a certain resemblance to Kuganawa, especially concerning matters of desire.’

“Mhm,” Lina hummed softly. Having consumed blood several times now, she had grown increasingly aloof.

“Well then, hold on tight.”

Silvia stepped forward, encircling Lina’s waist. With her other hand, she made a swift, light gesture in the air. Wind elements converged beneath their feet, manifesting as Windwalk magic.

In the next instant, they transformed into streaks of light, piercing through the morning mist, as the streetscape below rapidly dwindled into vibrant patches of color.

****

High above the ground. Though the wind carried a thin chill, Lina could distinctly feel the warmth emanating from the person holding her.

Lina looked up. She saw Silvia’s neck craned upwards, revealing the elegant curve of her jawline.

“Tell me if you get hungry, alright?”

Silvia turned her head, her hair brushing against Lina’s crimson lips, while her purple eyes reflected the surging crimson within Lina’s gaze.

“After all,” she added, “my blood is your exclusive supply.”

As she spoke, her fingertip playfully poked Lina’s cool cheek. However, the moment it made contact, Lina deftly evaded her touch.

Evidently, Lina was no longer permitting such contact.

“What’s the deal? You won’t even let me touch you? Hmph, you’re growing up to be disobedient…” Silvia sighed. “Never mind. For now, just come and explore the school with me properly. All the courses are open for auditing.”

Since becoming more familiar with Lina, Silvia had shed the initial reserve she held when they first met.

Furthermore, Silvia had taken in Lina, a Bloodkin monster girl. She therefore bore the responsibility of looking after her. Otherwise, what would happen if Lina went out to harm people or consume blood while Silvia was away?

Keeping Lina by her side was, in fact, the safer option.

****

A short while later. Suddenly, the sky became overcast with dark clouds, plunging the entire expanse of clear sky into gloom.

‘Is it going to rain?’

‘This is hardly a good omen…’

Silvia’s eyes narrowed slightly, and the arm around Lina’s waist tensed imperceptibly. Increasing her magical output, she accelerated, and the two, transformed into streaks of light, pierced through the leaden clouds.

****

The time was now 8:29. They descended beneath the rose trellis on the eastern side of Qinghe High School. The lingering echo of the preparatory bell still vibrated in the air.

Suddenly, ‘Good and Evil Severed’ jolted through her spine like a surge of electricity.

Silvia whirled around, her gaze sweeping across the distant cluster of academic buildings. That fleeting wisp of malice, carrying with it a chilling cold, brushed against the edges of her perception like a venomous serpent flicking its tongue.

“What is it?”

Lina’s voice was as cold as a deep pool, her golden hair cascading over her shoulder with the movement. She followed Silvia’s gaze—only to see empty corridors and swaying glass curtain walls. However, she also detected a mix of scents carried on the wind—human… no, something else, a distorted presence tainted by dark magic.

“Something has infiltrated,” Silvia murmured, her voice low. Finding her perception yielded no clear results, she decided to remain vigilant.

“Let’s not worry about it for now. We should head to class first…”

****

Meanwhile, a hundred meters away, on the fourth floor of an academic building. Inside, Ling Qinghe leaned against the windowsill, the rhythm of her pen-spinning suddenly accelerating. The nib of her fountain pen pierced the paper, creating a hole that coincidentally obliterated the character for ‘Nu’ from ‘Zhennu Yibai’. She gazed into the distance, observing the silver-haired girl’s vigilant demeanor.

‘Such perceptive abilities are truly remarkable,’ she mused. ‘And that golden-haired girl… the scent of blood is unmistakable. She’s an otherworldly being… Thankfully, she is still quite weak.’

“Zhennu Yibai,” Ling Qinghe whispered to the empty air, “how will you contend with this tonight?” Outside the window, the dark clouds parted just enough to reveal a sliver of sky.

****

A short while later. Silvia led Lina upstairs. After locating their classroom, they entered through the back door. It was a spacious lecture hall, with far more seats than students. Consequently, when Silvia brought in Lina, a stranger, no one seemed to find it unusual. Fortunately, few people noticed them. It proved worthwhile that Silvia had cast a Concealment spell on herself before ascending the stairs. Unless a mortal truly scrutinized them, it would be difficult to notice their presence.

Having chosen a secluded corner to sit, Silvia took out her phone and simply scanned a QR code to sign in. Lina, meanwhile, settled into the seat on her right. She inhaled the scents. She found that most of the people in the classroom were mere mortals, and their blood gave off an unappealing scent. Only the middle-aged woman at the podium had blood that smelled somewhat less acrid. The only truly sweet scent came from Silvia, seated beside her. This was precisely why she clung to Silvia; Lina only consumed extraordinary blood that aided her recovery.

Now, Silvia had brought no textbooks, only a person and a phone.

At that moment, the lecturer at the podium began their lesson. They announced:

“Students, please turn to page 42 of *A Century of Harmony*. Today, we will continue our study of the romantic entanglement between the protagonists of this esteemed work…”

Lina’s ears perked up. Was this actually a lecture on romance between women? And one tied to the history of the Iris Feather Kingdom, no less. She found it rather novel.

Just then, Lina noticed Silvia was hunched over her desk, engrossed in her phone. A flicker of curiosity prompted her to lean closer and steal a glance.

What she saw was this: Silvia’s phone screen displayed a ‘scandalous’ image—the female protagonist was demonstrating how to use various intimate toys. Her naked body was adorned with, filled with, clipped with, and wearing all sorts of ‘equipment’. Anyone unaware might have thought she was engaging in self-torture.

Lina’s lips twitched slightly. She had never imagined Silvia possessed such a private side. Having shed her idol persona, she wasn’t even pretending anymore… When serious, she was a reserved yet playfully cool beauty. But when she wasn’t serious, the contrast was simply astounding…

****

Just then, Silvia was diligently ‘studying’ the video, observing the female protagonist’s various techniques and methods. However, just as she was thoroughly enjoying herself, the screen suddenly changed. A girl with a high ponytail burst onto… the screen?

Silvia’s first thought was, ‘Could I have gotten a virus?’ She had, after all, ignored the risks and installed the app directly a few days prior. ‘Surely not that unlucky…’

Yet, the girl possessed long purplish-black hair with streaks of orange-red highlights. She wore the Qinghe High School uniform: a classic ensemble of a grey pleated skirt and a white shirt. Moreover, her legs, encased in black stockings, were slightly bent, and her sky-blue eyes gazed directly at Silvia through the screen. The girl held up a fluorescent green sign, completely obscuring the screen’s content.

‘This was the crucial part, the ‘honey-spraying’ moment! This timing is truly impeccable…’

The sign boldly declared: [Not paying attention in class? Take care of yourself, Via ♥].

Seeing this, Silvia’s smile froze. Her cheeks flushed with a mix of shame and indignation as she glared towards the front rows—where the culprit sat with her back to Silvia, shoulders subtly shaking with suppressed laughter.

“Hmph, Xia Naxin…”

Silvia, exasperated, had no choice but to close the application. Yet, before she could even compose herself, the application lit up on its own? It then jumped back, displaying the same image, the same girl. Only this time, the sign read: [Look at the ceiling screen].

Silvia looked up. There, on the projection screen mounted on the classroom ceiling, was playing the very ‘video’ she had just been secretly watching! Fortunately, since few people were actually paying attention in class, most being ‘phone addicts,’ it was likely no one noticed. Or so she hoped…

Lina, drawn by the subtle commotion around her, casually flicked her gaze upwards. By the time her full attention shifted, the screen had already reverted to normal. Only the lecturer was left narrating the tale of lovers from the Iris Feather Kingdom. She turned to Silvia, observing the silver-haired girl’s flushed face, brimming with indignation. Silvia glared at the front row, muttering under her breath:

“You infuriating, infuriating Xia Naxin, you little rascal…”

****

Concurrently, Xia Naxin heard the murmuring from behind her, and a sly glint flashed in her eyes. She straightened her back. Her ponytail swayed gently with the movement as she bent low, slipping out of her seat amidst the rustling of books. Her legs, clad in black stockings, moved silently down the leftmost aisle. Like a nimble black cat, she circled around to Silvia’s vicinity.

“Oh!”

Silvia felt the seat to her left dip. Before she could react, she was enveloped by a warm presence. Xia Naxin practically pressed herself against Silvia, her purplish-black hair cascading over their intertwined arms. The orange-red streaks in her hair brushed against Silvia’s burning earlobe.

“Via, you really must exercise restraint,” the girl whispered softly. “You can leave those matters to me in private, you know ♥” Her fingertips toyed with the pearl button on Silvia’s uniform cuff, specifically the one on her chest. Anyone unaware might have thought she was unbuttoning it…

“Watching things like that in class… I get jealous. Hmph, the female protagonist isn’t even me…”

As she spoke, she glanced at Lina, who sat primly to Silvia’s right, and paused for a moment. Silvia, her face flushed, tried to pull her hand away, but Xia Naxin only tightened her grip. Their intertwined wrists struggled beneath the desk, the grey pleated skirt and black stockings producing a subtle rustling sound.

“Who, who’s watching things like that? I was just curious, uh… I accidentally clicked on it.”

Silvia retorted in a low voice. Catching Lina’s chilling, blood-red gaze sweeping over them from the corner of her eye, she could only offer an awkward smile.

At this moment, Xia Naxin tilted her head, scrutinizing the expressionless Lina. She sensed the girl’s vital blood energy—she wasn’t human!? ‘And she’s sitting on Via’s right? Via even brought her into the classroom…’

Thus, Xia Naxin’s gaze lingered on Lina, carrying a subtle air of déjà vu, as if she were appraising a rival in love. Her fingers, tipped with silver nail polish, continued to rub the back of Silvia’s hand.

“New pet?” Xia Naxin leaned close to Silvia’s ear, her voice a light jest, soft enough for only the two of them to hear. “Be careful, you know. Some felines can be quite territorial over their ‘food’.”

Upon hearing this, Silvia’s ear tips flushed crimson. ‘What did she mean, ‘new pet’?!’ She wasn’t that wild, treating another girl like a human pet…

“Lina is someone I only met last night. I’m merely sheltering her for now. Our relationship is completely innocent; nothing has happened…”

Upon hearing this, Xia Naxin blinked, her gaze meeting Silvia’s. At this moment, her sky-blue eyes truly resembled those of a feline, glinting with a hint of something morbid.

Under such a direct gaze, Silvia felt her soul tremble. Her vision shifted, and the entire classroom grew dim, the world outside the window becoming pale and hazy.

Silvia knew she had been pulled into Xia Naxin’s mental realm—the Inner World.

At this moment, Xia Naxin’s hair color subtly reversed, becoming predominantly orange-red with purplish-black highlights. Moreover, she was completely naked! She leaned against Silvia’s left side, her body bare and smooth.

Seeing this, Silvia blushed and averted her gaze:

“Oh, please put on some clothes. I’m trying to be modest here…”

“I love you. What does it matter if the person I love sees me?” Xia Naxin chuckled, her fingertip tracing Silvia’s burning cheek.

As a witch who commanded ‘Mental Prison,’ she had effortlessly dragged Silvia into the Inner World. Here, their souls conversed directly. Of course, Xia Naxin presented her soul ‘without reservation’—visually, that is. Furthermore, their relationship was that of ‘half-lovers’—more than friends, less than true lovers. And Xia Naxin… she was a witch! However, she did not harm people. On the contrary, she had fallen in love with the Magical Girl Zhennu Yibai. Silvia remembered when Xia Naxin first confessed, revealing her identity. Given their friendship and the fact that Xia Naxin had never served the Witch’s Assembly, virtually only holding a nominal membership, never attending a witch’s tea party, and certainly never harming anyone… Silvia hadn’t outright rejected her, but rather tacitly accepted their budding, ambiguous relationship. In essence, they were trying to see where it would lead.

At this moment, Xia Naxin leaned closer, her soft, rounded breasts brushing against Silvia’s arm. Her breath carried a sweet, cloying scent:

“Via, your junior is showing signs of defection. Guess what I saw this morning?”

Silvia’s pupils constricted slightly.

“What?”

“The Scarlet Star brought the little witch to Qinghe High School. They didn’t even go to the Magic Prison…” As she spoke, Xia Naxin’s fingertips conjured an image—in the scene, the little witch had her arms around Qiye’s waist, heading towards a shadowy spiral staircase on the rooftop.

“Do you think they’ve colluded?”

Silvia fell silent, weighing the truth of these words. If it was betrayal, she absolutely refused to believe it. Silvia had watched this adorable junior grow step by step, from a novice Magical Girl to the formidable Scarlet Star. Yet, recalling the malicious presence she sensed this morning, a terrible suspicion surfaced in her mind—it could only be the Great Witch He interfering.

Perhaps the Great Witch He had set a trap, forcing Qiye to bring the little witch to Qinghe High School. Moreover, the malice she sensed this morning—could that have been the Great Witch He’s?

“Did the Great Witch He intervene with Qiye?”

“Correct.” Xia Naxin snapped her fingers, and a faint illusion of the Great Witch He appeared in the air.

Seeing this, Silvia’s memory of the wanted poster from the Tanhua City Magical Girl Association branch suddenly became clear—next to the file of the little witch Aisi Aimu, the mark of ‘Blood Relative’ to the Great Witch He was prominently displayed. A chain of conspiracy now pieced itself together in her mind:

“It’s He, plotting in the shadows, just as I suspected. Then… the malice this morning was most likely hers as well.”

At this juncture this morning, it could only have been the Great Witch He who orchestrated the little witch’s rescue. However, Silvia had anticipated this. She hadn’t killed the little witch back then, precisely because she had considered this possibility. Otherwise, why wouldn’t she have personally escorted the little witch to prison? That would have ensured a higher chance of success. But Silvia didn’t. It was precisely because she also feared the Great Witch… which was why she entrusted the task to the Primary Colors Squad.

Thinking this, Silvia let out a sigh of relief.

“Is Qiye alright?”

“Don’t worry, the Scarlet Star is fine. She’s still out on patrol in the outside world,” Xia Naxin chuckled. She was well aware of Qiye’s ordeal in Ling Qinghe’s office—it was nothing short of… humiliation! And then, she had even entered a room with Ling Cheyin, two naked women alone together. What could have transpired?

However, when she tried to probe further into the situation inside the room, Ling Qinghe caught her and unceremoniously ‘swept’ her out. As for what happened next, she only saw Qiye flying away from Qinghe High School, looking utterly distraught. But this information held little value, so Xia Naxin didn’t mention it. She certainly didn’t want Silvia to hear about the Scarlet Star being so mistreated and then seek vengeance against the Great Witch He.

“That’s good then…” Silvia’s shoulders relaxed, and a gentle light flickered in her purple eyes.

Their conversation then gradually veered from the original topic, moving towards matters of affection. Xia Naxin’s fingers twirled Silvia’s silver hair, her voice laced with a teasing lilt:

“Via, you haven’t been on a date with me for two days. How about we go to the dessert shop this afternoon? They have a new strawberry mille-feuille…”

“This afternoon, you say… I can’t, Naxin. How about tomorrow?” After all, she had already arranged to dine with her three juniors this afternoon. She couldn’t possibly break that appointment.

“Alright,” Xia Naxin said, sounding a little aggrieved.

A moment later, Xia Naxin cupped Silvia’s face, their eyes meeting:

“Promise me, you’ll be careful lately. I have a bad feeling about this…”

“Oh, I’m Zhennu Yibai! Don’t worry, I’m very strong,” Silvia chuckled, gently prying her hands away. Before leaving, she couldn’t resist giving Xia Naxin’s breasts a light squeeze.

****

As the light of reality rushed back into her vision, the lecturer’s voice from the podium suddenly became clear. At this moment, Xia Naxin picked up Silvia’s phone. The screen was still playing the ‘instructional video,’ or rather, the adult film, that Silvia hadn’t finished watching earlier.

“Via, want to watch together? I promise not to project it this time…”

“A-alright,” Silvia agreed, her face flushing.

****

Beside them, Lina’s tongue flicked over her lips. More than their ambiguous affections, she craved extraordinary blood. For a fleeting moment just now, she had caught the scent of that girl’s blood, and it was even sweeter than Silvia’s.