After coming out, Bai Ling didn’t say a word.
Although she was usually like this, now she seemed a bit deflated, listless.
“Qiu Feng, you should head back first.” Bai Ling tried to sound calm.
“Okay, sure! Come back early.” Lin Qiufeng understood how Bai Ling was feeling right now—she needed some time alone.
Without lingering, Lin Qiufeng turned and left, but not before reminding her.
“Don’t worry, senpai will come back.
And didn’t that other senpai just say so? It won’t be long.”
“Yeah, I know.”
……
Alone, she wandered along the academy’s path.
The evening breeze lifted her black hair, three thousand strands dancing in the wind.
She reached out her pale, jade-like hand to smooth the hair by her ear.
The casual movement was so natural, as if she was born with it.
If anyone saw her at that moment, they’d think she was a masterpiece of the heavens, a fairy who’d come to earth.
The sunset red seemed to be the only color left in the world.
The sunlight shone on her, casting a long shadow on the ground.
In this scene, with the sunset as the backdrop, she looked even more beautiful in a sorrowful way.
She walked slowly, as if she’d forgotten the time, the place, everything—except the one in her heart.
She sat down on the grass under a tree by the academy square, legs together, looking up at the sunset, lost in thought.
The sunlight touched her cheeks, adding a blush of color.
Maybe she acted tough in front of others, maybe she never let her feelings show, but when she was alone, she was just a weak girl, powerless, licking her wounds in silence, her face showing pain.
She didn’t want anyone to see her weakness, didn’t want anyone to worry about her, and definitely didn’t want anyone to think she was seeking pity.
A day apart feels like three years.
Even though she knew she’d come back, she couldn’t help but think about her.
Waiting day after day was pure torture—maybe only keeping busy could dull the pain.
She didn’t get up until the sun had set and the light was gone, then slowly walked back to dorm 801.
Tonight, Lin Qiufeng didn’t ask Bai Ling to shower together.
She knew Bai Ling wasn’t in a good mood and didn’t push it.
The night passed without a word.
After a night’s rest, Bai Ling was no longer in that gloomy state.
She had a natural body clock and always woke up early.
That day, as usual, she went for a walk in the academy’s little grove to soak up the sunlight.
Today, she planned to check out the Alchemy Hall and find something to do.
The three halls were basically in the same area, not far apart, so Bai Ling easily found the Alchemy Hall.
Plus, the sign above the door had the words “Inscription Hall” written on it.
As soon as she reached the door, Bai Ling could smell the scent of herbs.
She pushed the door open and walked in.
The space inside was big but simply decorated, much like the Inscription Hall.
Shelves lined the walls, filled with all sorts of items. There were tables and chairs in the main hall.
Unlike the Inscription Hall, the shelves here were filled with herbs, and the tables only had a magic circle drawn on them.
By the entrance was a spot that looked like a reception area, with a table and a chair.
A bored-looking young man sat in the chair.
Bai Ling walked over to the reception and asked the young man, “Excuse me, is this where you sign up?”
The young man didn’t even look up as he answered, “Yeah.”
“Um, can I take part?” Bai Ling sounded timid, almost scared.
“Hm?” The young man finally looked up, glancing toward the voice.
He saw a stunningly beautiful face and a curvy, seductive figure.
Coupled with Bai Ling’s delicate vibe, she seemed like someone easy to push over.
The young man blinked in a daze when he saw Bai Ling, thinking to himself, ‘What a stunner.
If a girl like this was my girlfriend, that’d be amazing.
Everyone would be so jealous.’
“Can I take the test?” Bai Ling asked again, seeing the young man spacing out.
She could even see him drooling a little—he was probably thinking something dirty.
“Ah! Yes, yes!” The young man scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
He knew he couldn’t waste time, so he quickly got back to work.
“What’s your name?” It was a work question, but he also wanted to know.
After all, knowing her name and info would make it easier to get close to her, and maybe even take things further.
“Bai Ling!” Bai Ling had no idea what he was thinking.
She thought it was just a formality, and it was just a name—no big deal.
“Magic level?” The young man pretended to be serious, but inside he was thrilled.
“A.” Bai Ling’s tone was still flat.
“Hm? A-level, not bad.
Looks like I’ve got good taste!”
“Magic element?”
“Healing.”
“Healing… Huh? What element is that?” The young man, like everyone else, had never heard of the healing element.
“……”
With Lin Qiufeng not around, Bai Ling couldn’t be bothered to explain.
“……” The young man didn’t expect Bai Ling to just stare at him without saying a word.
Being looked at by a goddess-level girl like this was pretty amazing.
But why wasn’t she talking?
“Uh, okay, so what are your hobbies?” The young man grinned to himself.
“That’s not really something you should be asking.” Bai Ling realized he was just fishing for her info.
“Heh heh!” The young man laughed awkwardly.
He’d thought Bai Ling was the shy, easy-to-bully type who’d answer anything, but she wasn’t dumb after all.
No way he’d get anything out of her.
Oh well!
“……” Bai Ling really didn’t want to talk.
Even speaking felt like a hassle.
“Go wait over there.
The examiner should be here soon.
Just wait and follow the teacher’s instructions.
And remember, the alchemist test isn’t like the other two side professions—it’s much harder.
I don’t want to discourage you, but as a freshman, you’d better be prepared.” The young man was a little disappointed he didn’t get all her info, but he still gave her a kind reminder.
Bai Ling hadn’t liked him much at first, but after his reminder, she felt a bit better.
She figured she’d be fine, but at least he wasn’t as annoying as before.
“Thanks.” Bai Ling didn’t dislike him, but she was still quiet.
She wouldn’t say more than she had to, especially to strangers.
After that, Bai Ling went into the main hall.
Even though it was still morning, there were already a lot of students waiting to take the alchemist test.
After all, alchemist was the most popular profession—everyone wanted in.
But not everyone could make it.
Some were working hard for their goal, but others were just hoping to get lucky.
