When an answer is accompanied by a silent response, Cecil knew it wasn't unnecessarily bad.

Most of the time.

It proved to be true, since after a long, uncomfortable minute of silence. Xue simply asked her to repeat her words again.

"What...what did you just say?"

Cecil proceeded to answer with the same words.

"I want you to be happy."

Another silence.

Alas, this time the silence didn't mean anything good.

Xue retreated slowly, taking his hand away from her neck, pointing his finger to the outside of the alleyway. "Scram."

"I...I can go?"

"Scram!"

Cecil jumped and almost sprinted out of the alleyway. She glanced back, still seeing Xue in the same spot as he put down his arm, his back facing Cecil.

[ Previous impression points : 30
Remaining impression points : 80
Your words have greatly affected protagonist "Xue". ]

Cecil ceased her movements and she glanced back again.

Xue was leaning against the wall, squeezing his nose bridge with his fingers.

Cecil looked down, a small smile lining her lips. Her steps were soft as she disappeared from the alley.

[ You have abused your reader powers and revealed too much to the protagonist. This is your first warning, you have two chances left. Upon abusing your reader knowledge for the third time, you will receive the original ending of Cecil Lan no matter the circumstances.
Ten points will be deducted as a penalty.
Remaining points : 60 points ]

"...AI500, why do you always inform me after I've done the deed?"

[ Once again, it was only implemented by the system after you told the protagonist "Xue" the spoilers. ]

"This is the second time, without any warning! Your system is incompetent! Rubbish system! A bullshit system!"

[ ... ]

[ This is an experimental program, you will encounter bugs along the way and it cannot be helped~ ]

"..."

Cecil closed the window in frustration.

***

A week passed by quietly, and before Cecil knew it, it was time for them to set off to the academy.

It was a tearful goodbye, most the tears were from the parents. Cecil's mother had left Cecil the dancing costume as a parting gift. Despite Cecil had ensuring her parents again and again that she would come to visit soon, they still reacted like she was leaving permanently.

There were two carriages, each of them capable of carrying four passengers. Kai was originally with Gom, however, he wouldn't miss the chance to see or talk to Cecil, thus, he sneaked his way to the other carriage.

The carriage rocked lightly, causing the four people in the carriage to sway along. The atmosphere between them was awkward, except for Hana, who doesn't even notice it.

The two young men fixed their eyes upon Cecil, one conflicted while the other was lovestruck.

Cecil could feel the stormy, grey eyes and the bright, yellow eyes on her, and only looked the other way.

"AI500, please remind me of the time limit for the secret mission."

[ Time limit : 45 days
15 days has passed since you were last given this mission. ]

"Completing the mission would only be possible within the last seven days. It'll be a tight stretch."

[ There will be no extension given~ ]

She snorted in her mind, and narrowed her eyes.

Nevertheless, Cecil doubted that she would be able to have a peaceful time to complete the secret mission. Xue tried to absorb his soul unexpectedly, and she didn't know if he would try it again despite the warnings she gave him.

According to the novel as well, the time in Eagle Academy will be a hectic one. Moreover, Cecil needed to evolve her element to the next form no matter what. It was only then, she could help Xue in the soul absorption and prevent the death of the previous occupant of Kai's body.

Alas, she wasn't sure if it would completely work, but she could only try. She didn't want to see the events transpiring for the fourth time for Xue.

"Cecil is always nice to look at, her eyes are pretty too!" Hana exclaimed.

Cecil heard those words, her eyes widening.

What is this heroine saying?

She turned to Hana, frowning at her. "What are you talking about, Hana?"

"Because Xue and Kai have been looking at you the entire time," Hana beamed innocently at them. "They must be thinking you are pretty too!"

Cecil wore a helpless expression, smiling painfully. "Yes Hana, they are thinking like you."

...this heroine, really...

"Mmm!" Hana nodded, turning to the two men opposite her. "Right?"

Kai grinned at Hana, and Xue coughed, smiling at Hana before he looked away. Somehow, because of Hana's words, the two of them didn't look at Cecil as much anymore. In addition to that, Hana began to chatter animatedly throughout the ride.

***

Five hours passed, and Cecil was on the verge of dozing off as Hana lifted up the curtains, causing the light to leak in, particularly on Cecil's face. Cecil frowned, opening her eyes, slightly drowsy.

"Halt!"

Cecil inhaled sharply, blinking awake. This time, Kai lifted the curtains on the other side as well. She could hear two distinct voices conversing.

"Mr. Gom, welcome back to Indigo."

"Glad to be back."

"Open the gates!"

"We are here, the town next to the academy," Kai announced, pushing the curtains further away. "Welcome to Indigo."

Hearing that name, Cecil lamented in her heart.

The author was very lazy indeed, instead of coming up with unique town names, the author decided to name the towns according to...shades of blue. The only twist he added to the names were using the shades of blue in different languages.

At least, the sights of the town was a pleasant one.

It was just like her hometown, Aoi, but the activities here were definitely more lively. Peddlers, merchants, civilians and street stalls, along with the inns, taverns, restaurants and shops lined up on the streets.

The streets were wide enough to accommodate to the large crowd, along with the carriages. Though, the speed of the carriage has slowed down considerably.

"Those carriages are from the Eagle Academy."

"The academy located at the top of the mountain?"

Cecil observed the sights for a while longer, feeling her tummy rumble as the fragrant scent of spice drifted by.

"I'm hungry..." Hana pouted, and Xue immediately fixed his gaze outside, standing up.

"Wait, the academy will provide us a meal while Gom briefs you about the academy, and the division you are assigned to," Kai spoke hurriedly. "You don't need to rush out to buy food this instant..."

Xue would have really jumped out of the carriage and went to buy food for Hana, if Kai hadn't stopped him.

Cecil only smiled, looking forward to the free delicious meal.

***

The academy had four different divisions, all separated by the elements. Air, earth, water and fire, and Cecil would naturally be assigned to earth.

The orientation for the freshmen would begin in an hour, and the freshmen were students who were recommended, selected or went through the enrollment stage like Xue, Hana and Cecil.

However, with the exception of Cecil and a few others, the entire freshmen cohort hadn't discovered their affinity with the elements yet. Hence, after the orientation was done, which is only a short speech by the principal, the students will be forced to drink Widerlich. Failure to do so, will result in an immediate expulsion from the academy.

After that, it will be assigning the students to their various division.

"Those who have drank Widerlich, present yourself on the stage with your right palm in the air."

Cecil moved, along with a dozen other students. The total cohort would be almost a hundred, and the only students who stood on stage were less than twenty.

Her elegant and haughty mein attracted a few eyes, most of them from the males. There were a few envious stares from some of the girls, and Cecil stepped onto the stage, following the principal's instructions.

Her earth symbol was shown clearly to everyone within the vicinity, as well as the symbols of the other students.

The principal, whose appearance just reminds everyone of a wise old man, stroke his beard and smiled in approval at the students on the stage.

"Now, for the rest, take the cup from the table in front of you, lift the cover and drink it."

Cecil closed her eyes, praying for every single soul here, including Xue and Hana. The Widerlich spared no mercy for anyone.

I remember this part in the novel too, and I used to think it was an exaggeration.

A cacophony of groans, exclaims and moans resounded across the hall. Some students fainted, and a few others vomited out upon tasting the dreadful drink. Some of them even had difficulty bringing the drink to their lips, their hands shaking as their face turned green.

The principal and teachers seemed accustomed to this noise and sight, only watching on with expressionless eyes.

Cecil scanned the crowd, her eyes landing on two familiar figures standing side by side.

Xue's cup was empty, and his hand on his lips as his face was rather pale. Cecil noticed the retching motion from him, and she frowned sympathetically, looking at Hana.

Hana was crying, spitting her tongue out in disgust, she was still left with half a cup. She staggered and Xue struggled to stabilise her and himself as he helped Hana.

At that moment, both of them glanced up to meet Cecil's eyes. Instead of feeling even more sympathetic, Cecil found herself being amused as she laughed, her hand flying to her face to conceal the laughter escaping her lips.

[ Previous impression points : 80
Remaining impression points : 90
Protagonist "Xue" respects you for drinking Widerlich willingly. ]

Cecil laughed harder, elated.

***

"Join the division belonging to air," the teacher stated, handing the student a small tablet from the table beside her. "Next student."

The teacher was tall, tanned and fit. Her caramel-brown hair was short, her mannerisms resembling a tomboy.

Hana was still pale, looking at her palm, trembling slightly. "Th-this is my...element? Wa-water?" she stuttered out weakly.

Cecil leaned over, nodding her head, this was a new discovery to her. Thus, she was fascinated. "Yes, it is water, congratulations Hana, you did well."

[ Congratulations! You have completed an achievement "Unlocking the Heroine's Secret Element"! You have twenty-eight achievements remaining, and they will only reveal themselves once you have completed them! ]

Cecil lifted her eyebrows in surprise, she did not expect Hana to drink it completely. She assumed that Hana would resign from the academy rather than subject herself to such a drink.

"Wh-what about Xue...?" Hana questioned softly, gagging once more.

Xue heard himself being called out, and he was standing in between the two women, his back facing Hana. Xue seemed to hesitate, staring at his palm intently.

"Fire." he answered with a frown, his face wasn't as pale as Hana.

Hana whispered out a soft "oh", closing her eyes to suppress the urge to vomit.

Xue reached out to rub at her back smoothingly, and he turned to Cecil, showing her his palm.

"Did you have a vision of this too?"

Xue showed his right palm to Cecil, and her eyes drifted downwards.

She saw a symbol, or to be precise, she saw multiple symbols flickering as if switching continuously.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

I want to die.

How did Cecil drink something like this?

I don't want to drink anymore! But...I don't want to get expelled too or I will be so lonely in Aoi.

I must finish it!

Finish...it...

Blergh.

Finish it!

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

This is the taste that woman had to experience?

It is beyond nauseating.

...this weird woman...

...I can't help replaying that scene in my mind. What she desired was for me to be happy.

No one has ever said that to me before.

Not even Hana.

《 stop 》