Hana was extremely happy, after the teacher had informed her of her progress. She could make the breakthrough to the third gate, and she could have the chance to go on the next expedition soon, which is after the break.

Hana would have never thought she would feel so happy to obtain a weapon.

Somehow, she could understand why Cecil and Xue liked training and getting stronger now.

It was addicting.

They were currently listening to their teacher, like Eri, explaining about the semester and the upcoming break.

Just then, Hana felt a strange sensation and she frowned, looking down at her body. However, there was nothing there.

"Class dismissed, it's your free time now."

The students scattered quickly and soon, the courtyard wasn't as crowded as before. They were still students hanging about, discussing about their holiday plans.

Hana was still thinking of the strange sensation, when she felt it again.

There was a shape of hand, made of ice, touching her waist. Seeing this, Hana screamed and looked up, the culprit was one of the male students hidden within the group.

When Hana met his gaze, he paled.

"I...I..."

"You touched me, with your...ice hand!"

"I'm sorry, it was all a dare! I just had to do it the third time without you--"

A spear shot right in from the entrance of the courtyard, stabbing into the ground where the male student was at. He let out a shocked yelp, barely dodging it as he collapsed the ground.

Everyone recognised the spear in an instant.

"Xue!"

The male student paled even further.

I am dead. Why did I have to carry out the dare, and even at this moment?

This Xue...he really comes and goes unpredictably, and everytime he appears the teacher isn't here!

I'm going to be killed!

Xue recalled his spear, and marched towards the male student. Everyone scrambled out of his way, no one daring to make a move.

"What did you just say...and do?" Xue questioned, a murderous look in his grey eyes.

"I'm-I'm sorry, it was...it was all a-a dare!"

Xue regarded him with an icy-cold stare. He lifted up his spear, and Hana was still recovering from the shock of being touched inappropriately.

A female student shrieked in horror.

"Xue!" another male student called out. "Wait, you...you can't expect to kill him? He...he--"

"All those that touch or harms Hana will die, especially scums like you." Xue retorted coldly, and Hana upon hearing that, suddenly snapped awake.

She could feel that Xue was more chaotic than he ever was, though, she couldn't identify whether the cause was actually her or Cecil.

The male student was terrified to the point where he couldn't even move an inch, trembling violently.

Xue aimed his spear at his clammy hands, a merciless look in his eyes.

"Xue."

A familiar tranquil and aloof voice rang through the courtyard.

Xue, hearing that voice, halted.

Hana opened her mouth to stop Xue, when she heard Cecil's voice. She immediately smiled, looking at the entrance of the courtyard.

A beautiful, raven-haired woman stood there, tugging her hair behind her ear. Her limpid, almond-shaped eyes regarding the scene before her calmly.

The students gazed fervently at her, as if she was the holy grail of life. If one were to exaggerate, there would blinding white wings around her, along with a halo.

"Let him go, it is Hana's right to deal with that idiot."

Xue slowly withdrew, placated by her words and her presence. However, he still didn't keep his spear.

Hana smiled even wider.

Cecil...she is truly the only person capable of calming Xue down.

I don't know why...even if I think I can stop him, something tells me I can't.

Only Cecil can.

Hana forgot about the torment she had to go through, immediately skipping her way to Cecil, glomping her.

"Cecil!"

"Hana, I was looking for you, but before that, how do you plan to deal with that--"

Cecil glanced at the male student in disgust, and she noticed Xue was glaring at him, his fingers tightening around the spear.

He was like a dragon breathing down at a cowardly pig.

"Xue, I think you've done enough. I have important things to talk about," Cecil maintained her haughty demeanor. "Hana, you cannot let this disgusting man go, you need to deal with him."

"Mhmmm!" Hana nodded, nuzzling against Cecil's arm and Cecil smiled, patting her head.

The dragon, Xue, intimidated the frightened pig for a second longer. He turned, taking a step, before veering back, keeping his spear.

He was still unhappy.

"Xue, we are going." Cecil called out.

Xue twitched, growling, finally marching off.

The moment the three left the courtyard, most of the students collapsed to the ground.

"The true power of the pacifier."

"Xue seems more scarier today, if Cecil Lan wasn't here..."

"Who was the retard that stopped Xue?!"

"Someone ought to beat up the scum that touched Hana!"

***

The three of them were seated in a secluded area, Hana kicking her feet as she admired the willow trees. Xue stood beside them, arms across his chest, staring ahead but his eyes strayed to Cecil from time to time.

Cecil was seated beside Hana, asking Hana about the plans for her break.

"You want to go back, Hana?"

"Mhmm! I want to see mother and father! I'm sure you do too!"

Cecil smiled, nodding. "Yes, let's go back then."

"Xue, follow us!" Hana chirped and Xue agreed in a heartbeat.

"So, Hana, how do you want to handle that disgusting molester?"

Hana hummed thoughtfully, rubbing at her chin, beaming at Cecil. "You decide, Cecil!"

"...Hana, you were the one who was molested, why are you--"

"Ohh, a butterfly!"

"Hana! Wait! I haven't--but you--fine...Just don't stray too far!"

"Okayyyy!" Hana hollered back as she chased after the butterfly.

Seeing Hana chasing after the butterfly, the innocence reflected in her round, blue eyes. Cecil sighed, smiling as she admired the red-haired beauty fooling around with a butterfly.

She didn't know whether to admire or scoff at Hana's carefree attitude. However, it was still a good thing that Hana is simple, and she wasn't affected by the incident before.

That damn classmate of hers, I'll make sure he'll pay. The principal will definitely not let him go easy.

Cecil was immersed in her anger and disgust over that male student, until she heard Xue talking.

"...we haven't see each other in a month, and the first thing you do is stop me from killing someone?" Xue suddenly spoke and Cecil glanced back.

Xue had leaned in, observing Hana and glancing to Cecil.

"It has already been a month? Oh...that's right...I didn't notice a month has passed."

Xue scoffed.

"If you killed anyone here, the vision might still come true, the principal won't forgive you. And I told you before, never kill in front of Hana." Cecil warned, and Xue raised his eyebrows.

"Are you reprimanding me?"

Cecil furrowed her eyebrows. "Nonsense, how am I reprimanding--oh."

She blinked in surprise, if it was two months ago, she would have never dared to reprimand the protagonist.

Since when have I grown this...bold?

Ah, not seeing him for a month after that...maybe? Or was it because I am used to stopping Xue from killing so many people?

Cecil bit on her lower lip. "Sorry, I never meant to reprimand you. It was just for your sake and Hana, that's all."

Xue spun around, leaning against the bench, his face indifferent. However, compared to before, his eyes were a little soft as he looked at Cecil.

"So, all that was said before, everything that you did here, was all for us?"

Cecil looked down, blinking, before she met Xue's eyes with her clear, onyx eyes. "Yes, it was for all of you, especially...you."

A faint hint of a smile flitted past Xue's sensual lips. It was almost impossible for anyone to have seen it.

[ Previous impression points : 64
Remaining impression points : 70
Protagonist "Xue" appreciates your words. ]

"Ah, I haven't seen you in a while, AI500."

[ You were locked up the entire time in training. There was nothing I can inform you about. ]

"Well, seeing that your first message after a month of silence is about Xue's positive impression points. It's nice."

[ Of course~ ]

The message disappeared and Cecil realised she and Xue were still staring at one another.

"...what about you?" Xue suddenly questioned abruptly.

Cecil widened her eyes, pointing to herself. "Me? What about...me?"

"Do you not desire anything for yourself? For your own sake?"

"For...myself...?"

Cecil was stumped at the question. Ever since she came to this world, she has never really thought of what she wanted to do for herself.

Her goal still remains the same, it was to make the great lord protagonist, Xue, and her dearest heroine, Hana, happy. Also, to make sure they get their happy ending to live blissfully.

"Uhm...uh....for my own sake, if-if you are happy," Cecil started to say, before nodding in confirmation. "If you are happy with Hana, I will be happy too."

Xue was speechless.

"You...you are really one weird woman. You will be happy, seeing the two of us happy? And that is what you want?"

Cecil smiled softly in agreement.

Xue hadn't seen Cecil for an entire month, and seeing her smile at him after such a conversation, especially after a month of disappearance, he couldn't help but admire her. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a tiny bit of guilt welling up within him.

"I caught it! I think I caught it! I think--awww...I didn't catch it."

They turned to look at Hana, who pouted at the butterfly flying away. Her red hair was decorated with dead leaves, and Cecil noticed it, her hands itching to remove them.

Cecil quickly stood up from the bench, and went towards Hana.

Xue watched her go, his expression unfathomable.

He placed his palm in front of him, seeing the same red marble emerging out.

Xue stared at it intently, not uttering a single word the entire time.

***

《 start 》

They always aim for Hana, again and again.

I had enough.

Killing them is really the only way to warn them. No, killing them would be letting all them off easy.

I should cut off the filthy parts that dared to touch Hana. His hands will go first, and then his legs and I will gouge out--

...

...it's her voice.

That woman is finally here.

Why does she only appear when Hana is in trouble, and only when I want to kill someone?

Why does she never appear in a normal way?

...that's fine...

...it's all fine, as long as she's here.

I can finally ask her what I've been wanting to ask.

《 stop 》