“Does this count as a date?”
Inside the music restaurant, Yue Wu and Lori sat opposite each other. Interestingly, after they entered, the manager offered them a complimentary dinner. Every man in the restaurant, including the manager and the musician, couldn’t help but stare at Lori.
“Your charm is quite potent.”
Yue Wu offered an awkward smile.
“So, when will you marry me?”
Lori lifted her wine glass with exquisite grace. Her posture was far more elegant than any so-called noble, a true work of art.
“That depends on whether you can truly capture my heart.”
Yue Wu said it casually. He could already sense Xiao Qing’s clear displeasure, making it imperative to appease her.
“Really?!”
Lori set down her wine glass, barely having taken a sip.
“Mm-hmm.”
Yue Wu picked up his own wine glass, replying to her with a vague murmur.
“Has your heart been captured yet?”
Lori leaned her upper body across the table. Her eyes suddenly became profoundly captivating.
“What do you think?”
For a fleeting moment, Yue Wu’s gaze lingered on Lori’s lips. He quickly averted his eyes.
“Hmmph~”
Lori pouted her small lips before settling back into her seat.
“Let’s finish eating quickly and head back. I have classes tomorrow, and being stared at like this is quite uncomfortable.”
Yue Wu focused on his meal. Xiao Qing sat on his lap, happily devouring ice cream. After trying it a few times, she had completely fallen in love with it; no other food could ever replace ice cream’s special place in her heart.
“Oh.”
Lori stopped her antics, quietly eating her meal.
A little over ten minutes later, Yue Wu and Lori departed the restaurant, returning to Yue Wu’s home.
“You?”
“I’m scared of the dark~”
“You, a demon, afraid of the dark?”
“I can’t sleep alone.”
“Then take Xiao Qing.”
“No.”
“What do you want, then?”
“I want to sleep with you.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“Men and women should not touch each other intimately.”
“Fine, I’ll sleep holding Xiao Qing.”
A dejected Lori, cradling a highly displeased Xiao Qing, went to Jeanne D’Arc’s room to rest. As a precaution, Yue Wu locked all the doors and windows. Now, it was a matter of fire prevention, theft prevention, and Lori prevention.
As night deepened, Yue Wu went to bed early for the first time. However, this night was destined to be a sleepless one. As the saying goes, “the night is dark and the wind is high,” and a certain infatuated girl began to act stealthily.
****
“Is Yue Wu asleep?”
Yue Wu had overlooked one crucial detail: Lori possessed spatial abilities. She could go wherever she wished, and a mere locked door was hardly an obstacle for her.
“Yue Wu?”
Lori tentatively checked on Yue Wu, but he remained motionless.
“Phew~”
Lori settled onto the other side of the bed, their backs facing each other.
“Yue Wu, I won’t do anything. I’ll just lie next to you for a little while, then I’ll go back.”
Lori lay on the bed, turning onto her side to gaze at Yue Wu’s back.
“I don’t mind if you have someone you like. Even if you don’t like me, I won’t be sad. My demands aren’t high; just let me stay by your side.”
“The Supreme One always emphasized that I shouldn’t have any contact with humans. Nor should I develop any emotions for them.”
“I know that human lifespans are truly short. Even with immense power, they cannot escape the erosion of time.”
“As for me, I was once human. I brought misfortune upon my family, and they cast me aside. They tricked me to the entrance of the abyss and pushed me directly into its depths.”
“From that moment on, my feelings for humanity were solely resentment and hatred. I never yearned for love, nor did I believe in it.”
“But I was wrong. The instant I saw you, I began to believe in love.”
“Say~ Yue Wu, do you believe in love at first sight?”
Lori wasn’t entirely sure what she was saying. She was simply following her heart, speaking whatever came to mind.
“I do believe in love at first sight. It’s a truly wondrous sensation.”
Yue Wu, deep in sleep, suddenly spoke.
“Yes, that feeling is truly magical.”
Lori smiled, genuinely happy.
“If I had met you before I met her, perhaps I truly could have accepted you.”
“I don’t mind. As long as you don’t drive me away, just letting me stay by your side would be enough, truly.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yue Wu, you don’t need to apologize. Besides the Supreme One, you are the kindest person to me in this world.”
“I won’t drive you away.”
“Thank you, Yue Wu. Falling in love with you is the happiest thing that has ever happened in my life.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Then I’ll go back to sleep now.”
“Goodnight.”
“Mm-hmm, goodnight, Yue Wu.”
Lori truly left Yue Wu’s room, returning to Jeanne D’Arc’s. After she departed, Yue Wu opened his eyes, sitting straight up in bed. Page after page of information suddenly popped up before him.
“Fei Fei, do you think we’ll ever have a chance to meet again?”
Yue Wu walked to the window, pushed open the panes, and looked up at the full moon in the night sky.
Item: Vow of This Life
Rank: Rare
Type: Ring (Engagement Ring)
Creator: Fei Fei
Description:
A diamond ring lay in Yue Wu’s hand, though its description had become blank. This ring had originally been part of a pair: one in Yue Wu’s possession, the other with Fei Fei. They had exchanged vows, hence the name, “Vow of This Life.”
****
The next morning.
“Yue Wu, wake up!”
Lori had woken up bright and early. She even teleported into Yue Wu’s room, launching a surprise attack as she lunged onto the bed.
“Huh?”
Lori, having pounced onto the bed, was suddenly bewildered. She had clearly seen Yue Wu lying there, yet in the blink of an eye, he had vanished.
“Lori, if you’re awake, come downstairs. I’ll be heading out soon.”
Yue Wu’s voice echoed in Lori’s mind. With another teleport, Lori appeared downstairs, where she saw Yue Wu emerging from the kitchen, carrying breakfast.
“Can I come with you?”
Lori sat down in a chair, her eyes full of eager anticipation as she looked at Yue Wu.
“As long as you don’t cause any trouble.”
Yue Wu pulled out a chair and sat down, beginning his simple breakfast.
“Mm-hmm~ I won’t cause any trouble.”
Upon hearing Yue Wu’s agreement, Lori nodded happily. She then began to eat her breakfast.
****
A little over ten minutes later, they arrived at the central area of Fingle Forest—an open grassy field.
“Haven’t Lucy and the others arrived yet?”
Gazing at the empty field, save for himself and his companions, Yue Wu suddenly realized he had arrived quite early.
“In that case, I’ll prepare everything first.”
With that, Yue Wu retrieved a large bag from his Gate of Babylon. It contained all the essential items for outdoor camping.
Once Yue Wu had set up all the equipment, Lucy appeared with thirty priest-class students. Each of them carried a backpack that Lucy had prepared.
“Starting today, we will undergo a month-long wilderness special training. Prepare your tents now, and we will gather here in half an hour.”