For the next four days, Cecil immersed herself in training, following Eri's instructions wholeheartedly. Finally, on the ninth day, she made some progress.

"Well done, you've finally managed to make it sprout."

Cecil panted, nodding vigorously as she wiped away a drop of sweat rolling down her face.

There was a potted plant in front of her, and it has finally began to sprout. Cecil gazed at it, her limpid eyes gleaming.

"The first step is always the hardest, since you have managed to make it sprout, it will be easier to enhance its growth from now," her teacher clapped on her back, wearing a grin on her boyish face. "I'm proud to have you as my student, if only everyone took their lessons seriously like you do."

Cecil smiled, looking at her teacher. "Miss Eri, it is because I have an important goal in mind. If I were to be honest, without this goal, I would have probably avoided attending this academy."

Eri laughed, nodding her head at her student. "Alright, you've worked hard for the past four days. Take a break and come back, you should be able to handle it on your own from now on."

Eri exited the courtyard, and Cecil could feel curious eyes on her. They were practising with their weapons for the past few days, whereas, Cecil was sitting cross-legged in front of a plant pot and staring intensely at it.

"This Cecil Lan...she isn't known for being the enigmatic ice princess for nothing."

"Right, right. First she chose a small rock as her weapon, and when it is time to practice her second form, she wants to grow flowers instead."

"Her thinking is truly unorthodox."

Cecil paid them no heed, taking the potted plant and exiting the courtyard as well. The moment she stepped out, she bumped into a familiar yellow-haired man.

"Cecil!"

"Kai, you are coming here more and more frequently." Cecil noted, a helpless smile on her face.

"Well, the training my master gives me is getting much easier and boring," Kai rubbed his neck, grinning sheepishly. "And I want to see you more."

Cecil sighed, "Kai, I told you--"

"I know!" Kai raised his hands up, his grin becoming smaller. "I know, Cecil. I know. And I still want to continue like this."

A pained look flitted across her face. Kai caught it and he panicked, clearing his throat.

"How's your progress?"

Upon hearing that question, Cecil grew more troubled and Kai panicked even more.

Why?! I--I didn't come here to make her upset!

"So-sorry. Should I not have asked, or come here at all?"

Cecil shot her head up, widening her eyes as she shook her head. "No, no. It's not your fault, and my progress, here, you can take a look."

Cecil pushed the pot towards Kai and he noticed a small sprout present on the soil.

"You did it, congratulations. I knew you would be able to, you are one of the most capable woman I've known after all." Kai grinned proudly.

"You think too highly of me."

"I think what I think, and I feel what I feel."

Cecil let out a short laugh, amused. "Alright, since you are here, let's have tea break in the canteen."

Kai glowed at Cecil's words. She hardly invited Kai for anything.

"Sure--" Kai instantly agreed with a bright smile, only to halt abruptly and he grimaced. "Damn, my senses for my master is tingling."

"You need to go?"

"Yeah..." Kai muttered out, and Cecil could see his imaginary ears drooping. "If I could, I wouldn't go at all."

Cecil chuckled, ruffling his hair like always and, he leaned instinctively into her touch like always.

"Damn, I need to hurry back," Kai sighed and he stepped back. "Let's go for a drink another time, Cecil."

"Sure." Cecil nodded and Kai jogged off, raising his voice with a smile.

"You agreed! And promised!"

"Yes." Cecil smiled in amusement.

Kai spun back around, running off and her smile faded.

"I promised, a drink for another time..." Cecil muttered to herself, her eyes looking up.

[ Time limit : 14 days
46 days has passed since you were last given this secret mission. ]

"Another...time..." she whispered softly, her voice despondent.

Cecil suspired, her breath shaky and she turned. She made her way back to her dorm, her eyes focused on the sapling, conflicted.

Engrossed in her own world, Cecil didn't notice someone standing in front of her and collided right into them. She gasped, her eyes growing wide and a pair of callused hands reached out, one of them grabbing her arm while the other stabilised the flowerpot in her hands.

"Why are you daydreaming at such a timing?"

It was a silvery voice that Cecil could recognise instantly.

"Xue." Cecil blinked. "What are you doing here?"

"To talk, to you."

"...me?"

The stone pavement was deserted, everyone were still having their lessons. Cecil was an exception as Eri had decided to send her back early to rest.

"For how long do you expect me to play along with your vision?" Xue questioned, his cold voice somehow pierced at Cecil. "If you saw more visions of me, you should know what kind of person I am."

"I know," Cecil glanced down, her voice soft. "I know you are only holding back because of Hana, but...you wouldn't care eventually."

"Since you know, step aside now."

Cecil hesitated, not making a move. She looked Xue in the eyes, and Xue could see how conflicted she was by her clear, onyx eyes.

"...you care about the other me. You have fallen for him?" Xue furrowed his eyebrows, his expression unreadable.

"It's not what you think, Xue. I care for him, yes, but it's all platonic." Cecil explained, her expression earnest.

Xue found it hard to doubt her, and smirked in amusement. "How intriguing. My other me clearly doesn't hold Hana in his heart anymore, and it's entirely you. And somehow, you have come to care for him as a friend."

"..."

Cecil didn't respond, looking away.

"Do you still desire for me to be happy?" Xue asked, sounding slightly bitter. "Now you are hesitating after getting attached to the other me, and soon, you'll go back on those words."

Cecil glanced up, and she could see Xue's indifferent mask cracking.

[ Previous impression points : 75
Remaining impression points : 65
Protagonist "Xue" is starting to doubt you. ]

Cecil knew what Xue was thinking, he believed that associating with someone would only result in one thing.

Betrayal.

"This pot...is the progress of enhancing the growth of a plant. I found a Flaming Lavender, but it isn't completely mature yet." Cecil stretched the pot towards Xue.

Xue registered her words, silent for a moment as he contemplated. "You want to save the previous occupant of that body?"

Cecil closed her eyes, nodding slowly.

"That is the possible way I have thought of. If it succeeds, the principal would not launch an all-out war against you. If it doesn't..."

"I'll kill them all."

"...yes, exactly like the vision. Just...don't do one thing, Xue."

"What?"

"Don't kill in front of Hana."

"..."

Cecil sighed, at least she tried what she could. There was nothing she could do about the assimilation, as much as she disliked it now, it was the original plotline after all.

Even with the points she had, knowing the strict and troll system, there was no such possible item to prevent the original plotline from happening.

As long as I could change the principal's reaction, that would be good enough.

"How long do you need?"

"Thirteen days, I did not expect that training the growth of a plant would be this difficult."

Xue didn't say a word, only turning away and starting to walk off.

"Xue."

He paused, raising his eyebrows at her.

"My desire for you to be happy, it will never change."

Xue scoffed, "It will change, and when it does--"

"It won't," Cecil insisted and she gave Xue a small smile. "I promise, with all of my heart. If it ever changes, you...you can kill me, Xue."

Xue, hearing her last few words, was floored.

I would rather die, than cause any more pain to this dear protagonist of mine.

Cecil hugged the pot to her chest, back to her usual mien. "I'll see you in thirteen days, Xue. Thank you for being patient all this while."

Cecil strode past Xue, and her pleasant fragrance of flowers and herbs assaulted Xue's senses. Somehow, seeing her from the back this time, Xue could detect a hint of sadness.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

She truly cares about the other me, she's getting attached.

I should have known.

Without fail, everyone I know doesn't hesitate to betray me, every single time.

Her desire for me to be happy, it should be wavering now. It will never change? Promises?

Lies.

Her visions are probably lies too, yet I find myself believing her.

Pathetic--

...?!

She gives me the permission to kill her if her desire changes?

...why would this annoying woman do that?

What have I ever done for her that I...deserve something like this?

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

This sucks.

If it wasn't for master, I would be having a great time with Cecil now...

I hope Cecil doesn't change her mind.

《 stop 》