The Tier 3 Test and a Sleepover Dilemma

“You speak with such certainty, but don’t fail to even meet the first requirement when the time comes.”

Starshimmer crossed her arms, pouring cold water on the idea.

Silverbloom simply replied, “Just take me to the magic testing area.”

Starshimmer merely glanced at her.

She said no more, turning her head and walking towards the Rune Academy library, motioning for Silverbloom to follow.

Chiling followed suit.

Annie, however, had classes soon, so she had no choice but to depart.

****

The magic testing area was located in a semicircular building beside the library.

Starshimmer led Silverbloom all the way to the room designated for testing Tier 7 magic.

Nodding towards a crystal ball resting on a pedestal, Starshimmer urged, “Start quickly.”

Silverbloom stepped forward, closing her eyes as she placed her hands over the crystal ball.

Tier 7 magic fluctuations quickly emerged within the sphere, signifying her success in the first stage of the test. The true challenge, however, was yet to begin.

Gradually, several twisted strands appeared within the ball. They intertwined, forming an incredibly complex structure.

Silverbloom’s task was to guide her magic, meticulously dyeing each fine strand white.

This particular assessment tested a participant’s control over magic. Successfully dyeing all the strands white meant the participant had achieved Tier 3 mastery.

However, any mishap midway, any fluctuation in magic, would result in utter failure.

As the strands slowly turned white under the influence of magic, Chiling appeared even more nervous than if she were taking the test herself.

Starshimmer, on the other side, furrowed her brows, her eyes fixed intently on the magic within the sphere.

Gradually, white enveloped half of the strands.

The other staff members in the room exchanged glances, whispering softly:

“She’s already at Tier 2. Should we stop?”

“Instructor Starshimmer, should we continue the test?”

“Is she attempting Tier 3?”

Seeming to find their chatter disruptive, Chiling glared at them.

Starshimmer slowly averted her gaze from the crystal ball, her eyes settling on Silverbloom’s mask.

The room grew so quiet that a pin drop would be audible.

Silverbloom’s breathing became heavier, her hands subtly trembling, and beads of fragrant sweat traced paths down her cheeks, dripping onto the floor from her chin.

Raising the magic she had neglected for so many years all at once was undoubtedly an extremely strenuous endeavor.

Fortunately, as time passed, she was only a hair’s breadth away from completely dyeing the strands white.

She instinctively clenched her fists.

Chiling, watching that final wisp, involuntarily held her breath, as did everyone else.

Their expressions were filled with excitement, their eyes glued to the crystal ball, afraid to miss the birth of Tier 3 mastery.

Whoosh—

Finally, a faint sound emanated from the crystal ball.

The moment the last strand turned completely white, the crystal ball neared shattering, unable to withstand the surge of magic.

“Haaah—”

Silverbloom let out a heavy sigh. Perhaps from sheer exhaustion, her vision blurred for a moment.

Chiling embraced her tightly, praising, “You truly are incredible! To achieve Tier 3 guidance after so many years of not using magic—in my eyes, only you, Silverbloom, could do it.”

Sensing the weariness of the person in her arms, Chiling cast a spell to alleviate some of her fatigue.

Then, she looked up at Starshimmer, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Disappointed, Instructor Starshimmer?”

Starshimmer did not respond.

Silverbloom turned to look at her, only to find Starshimmer staring with a complex expression, a look of struggle and distortion contorting her face.

She unconsciously touched her own face.

Only after confirming she was wearing her mask did a faint sense of relief settle in her heart.

‘She… shouldn’t recognize me, right?’

“Instructor Starshimmer?”

Chiling’s voice brought Starshimmer back to her senses.

She took a deep look at Silverbloom, then let out a cold hmph and turned to leave the room.

‘I hope you don’t regret this later. The Academy isn’t as peaceful as you imagine.’

‘What does that mean?’

With a slight frown, Silverbloom reached out, intending to stop her and ask for clarification, but Starshimmer vanished from her sight with a flash of magic.

She stood rooted to the spot, pondering Starshimmer’s parting words.

“Don’t mind her. You are now an official provisional instructor at the Academy.”

“Though it’s only temporary, you’ll still have your own villa.”

Chiling withdrew her gaze from where Starshimmer had been, then pulled out three recommendation letters.

“However, for tonight, you should stay at Celia’s villa. Also, hand these recommendation letters to them. The assessment begins in two days.”

Silverbloom accepted the recommendation letters Chiling offered.

She nodded, choosing not to dwell on Starshimmer’s enigmatic words any further.

Afterward, Chiling, being a council member, mentioned having many matters to attend to and temporarily bade her farewell.

Silverbloom, having received her provisional instructor’s golden badge, then left the Rune Academy and followed the communicator’s GPS to the villa Celia had rented.

Without Orl’s interference, this noble young lady could rent a villa anywhere, unlike long ago when she had to rely on Guild Leader Sharlene’s help to find a place to stay.

Adjusting her mood, she pressed the doorbell.

Ding-dong—

Isha, with her pink hair, opened the door.

Upon seeing Silverbloom, she immediately spread her arms and rushed into her embrace, rubbing her soft cheeks against Silverbloom’s chest.

“Welcome, Senior Silverbloom!”

She chirped sweetly, giggling as she led Silverbloom into the house, even thoughtfully preparing slippers for her.

“Did you encounter any dangers on the way?”

“No, everything went smoothly!”

After passing the entryway and seeing Celia and Aurora on the sofa, Silverbloom greeted them with a smile.

Celia’s reaction was understated, but the slight curve of her lips betrayed her inner joy.

What truly puzzled Silverbloom, however, was Aurora’s behavior.

The demure girl elegantly brushed a strand of hair behind her ear upon seeing Silverbloom, her golden eyes as clear and deep as a lake.

She, too, smiled, but unlike Isha and Celia, her smile did not seem to stem from joy.

For some reason, Silverbloom always felt a little guilty in her presence.

Casually surveying the living room, she was surprised to find a stack of bread and snacks on the table.

“These are…”

“Sister Lena isn’t here, so we had to buy some things for dinner ourselves,” Isha explained, smacking her lips twice.

The thought of no longer being able to eat Lena’s dinners instantly made her beaming face fall, and a strong yearning for Lena welled up in her heart.

At the same time, her gaze swept over the desserts on the table, seemingly searching for food to console her soul.

“I can cook too! You just don’t let me!”

Celia’s cheeks puffed out, seemingly indignant at Isha’s words, which filled Silverbloom with immense curiosity.

‘Celia can cook too?’

After knowing her for so long, this was the first time she’d heard of it.

‘Hmm, how could a dignified noble young lady cook herself?’

‘Isha remembered something, and her delicate body trembled.’

‘Huh? Are you indirectly saying my cooking is bad?!’

‘No, Celia, I didn’t say that.’

‘Really?’

‘Really!’

Celia looked at Isha suspiciously, but seeing the sincerity on her face, she believed her a little.

In her eyes, Isha was a simple foodie, straightforward and not one to speak in riddles.

Unless Aurora had corrupted her.

Seeing Celia clearly believe Isha’s words, Silverbloom gave a helpless smile.

She suddenly felt that Isha had grown up quite a bit.

Amidst their playful banter, she noticed Aurora on the sofa.

The young girl sat quietly in a corner of the sofa, not joining their conversation.

She held her communicator, chatting with someone unknown, a faint smile always gracing her lips.

At Aurora’s age, girls are most prone to developing crushes, and Aurora’s demeanor suggested she had someone she secretly admired.

Feeling a strange sense of her own daughter growing up, Silverbloom felt an obligation to vet the person, to see if they were truly worthy of Aurora’s affection.

With this thought, she stealthily approached.

Then, she sat down beside her, cleared her throat twice, and asked in the tone of a caring older sister:

“Aurora, who are you chatting with? You’re smiling so happily.”

In a corner Silverbloom couldn’t see, Aurora’s lips suddenly curved upward, then quickly fell.

Afterward, she smiled faintly and shook the communicator in her hand, replying, “I’m chatting with Sister Lena.”

‘Huh? Lena?’

‘Isn’t that me?’

A jolt went through her heart.

Silverbloom secretly glanced at Aurora’s communicator, finding only messages she had sent, while the other side remained silent, with no replies.

“Is that so? At this hour, she must be busy,” she instinctively tried to explain.

“Oh? Senior Silverbloom seems very familiar with her, doesn’t she? She really hasn’t replied to a single message of mine.”

Turning her head, Aurora smiled, her tone laced with a touch of innocence, like a pure, unblemished maiden.

But the more she acted this way, the more flustered Silverbloom felt, as if her secret identity as Lena had been seen through by the girl before her.

“It’s dinner time. She’s probably busy cooking in the kitchen. She should reply to you soon.”

Offering a casual explanation, Silverbloom stood up, preparing to leave the sofa.

Whenever Aurora mentioned Lena, Silverbloom felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

This quiet girl was far more observant than Celia and the others; sometimes, even a tiny gesture could reveal a clue to her.

If she stayed any longer, she feared her identity might be exposed.

Unfortunately, Aurora clearly didn’t want her to leave.

She reached out, grabbing Silverbloom’s skirt hem, and blinked innocently, saying, “Where are you going, Senior Silverbloom? Why don’t you sit with me a bit longer?”

“Or perhaps, Senior Silverbloom wants to cook? We actually bought some ingredients, but I wonder how your cooking skills are?”

Silverbloom’s bell-like laughter echoed in Silverbloom’s ears.

She waved her hand, replying with a slight stammer, “Cooking? Let’s not. I’m not very good at it…”

“Oh? Is that so? I thought I could eat a meal personally prepared by Senior Silverbloom.”

Aurora’s eyes drooped, strands of long hair falling over her delicate ears, obscuring part of her profile, making her appear exceptionally disappointed.

Silverbloom found it most difficult to see them make such expressions.

If Silverbloom weren’t so similar to Lena, Aurora might notice something.

Lena and Silverbloom were not the same person. Perhaps she would truly put on an apron and cook.

But there was no ‘if’ in this world.

No matter how disappointed or sad Aurora became, Silverbloom couldn’t possibly cook and ruin her persona.

Otherwise, if Silverbloom were too similar to Lena, Aurora might notice something.

Adhering to the principle that more words meant more mistakes, Silverbloom sat beside Aurora and closed her mouth.

The latter sent a few more messages to Lena, then rested her head on Silverbloom’s shoulder.

Many years later, Aurora pulled out her communicator, complaining with a sigh, “Oh, why hasn’t Sister Lena replied to my messages yet? Has she forgotten about me?”

“She hasn’t. Lena must still be busy,” Silverbloom explained.

“Is that so? Then when will she not be busy? It’s almost dinner time.”

“…Soon, I suppose.”

Knowing that continuing the conversation would only make her identity more suspicious, Silverbloom gently pushed Aurora away, then stood up and said to Celia, “Oh, by the way, Celia, I might need to stay here for the night. So, if you have any spare rooms…”

“Spare rooms? No, we don’t.”

Upon hearing Silverbloom wanted to stay, Celia crossed her arms over her chest, denying the existence of any spare rooms.

Then, she feigned helplessness, saying, “So, Senior Silverbloom, you should sleep with Celia. My bed isn’t big, but two people can squeeze in.”

Her tone held a hint of grievance, as if she were very unwilling to sleep with Silverbloom and Silverbloom was forcing herself upon her.

But how could Aurora not understand her intentions? Taking advantage and then acting innocent!

However, before she could say anything, Isha patted her chest and declared, “Since Celia’s bed is small, then Senior Silverbloom should sleep with me! My bed isn’t big, but it’s more than enough for two.”

“My bed is quite large, more than enough for two to sleep comfortably.”

Aurora hadn’t expected her to say that.

Celia’s triumphant smile froze on her face.

She then stepped forward, linked her arm through Silverbloom’s left arm, and huffed prettily, “With your terrible sleeping habits at night, Isha, Senior Silverbloom would be kicked off the bed! Senior Silverbloom sleeping with Celia is the best choice.”

“I’ll restrain myself! It’s you, Celia, you sneaky cat!”

Isha wasn’t to be outdone.

She hugged Silverbloom’s right arm, sniffing her senior’s scent and grunting a few times.

“Who are you calling a sneaky cat!”

“You!”

“Hmph, I can’t be bothered to argue with you. Why don’t we let Senior Silverbloom decide who she’ll sleep with tonight?”

“Fine! Celia, don’t you dare cry later!”

After a few more squabbles, they unanimously decided to let Silverbloom make the choice.

Feeling their expectant gazes, Silverbloom felt her head spin.

Choosing one would hurt the others’ feelings, so her only answer was for all three of them to sleep together.

Just as Silverbloom hesitated, about to suggest it, Aurora suddenly waved her hand, coming to her rescue. “Don’t mind them, Senior Silverbloom. There are still empty rooms in the villa.”

At this truth, Celia and Isha glared fiercely at her.

Aurora merely returned their glares with a faint smile, as if everything was within her grasp.