By the time the notification disappeared, Cecil still hasn't recovered from the shock. She was staring blankly into space, looking like she was questioning everything and everyone in this world.

"Are you done?" Xue asked, irked.

"Fine, Xue, I'll merge souls with you."

Xue didn't expect that answer, raising his eyebrows in suspicion. "It's pointless to try tricks--"

"I know, I'm not," Leonaut raised his arms up in surrender. "I am willing to merge souls with you, trust me."

"You liar!" Hana pointed out. "We can't trust you after what happened!"

Leonaut glanced at Hana, remembering how he broke Cecil's trust.

"Trust..." Leonaut scratched his head. "Trust yourself."

Xue frowned at his response, quietly taking out a blue marble. "Why are you not fighting against it now?"

Leonaut glanced back at Cecil, smirking. "No reason."

Leonaut soon noticed that Cecil was still standing rooted on the same spot, not reacting to his response. He tilted his head, stretching his hand out and waving it in front of Cecil's face.

Cecil gasped, snapping out of her daze. She turned to look at the owner of the hand, stumbling back.

"I thought you would have more of a reaction," Leonaut leaned in. "Or did you already expected me to say it?"

"Say what?"

"That I will merge my soul with Xue instead of fighting to the death."

Hearing it from the person itself than the notification made a stronger impact on Cecil. If it was actually possible, she wanted to vomit out blood right this second.

At that moment, Cecil reached out to hold Leonaut's arm, her expression conflicted.

Upon seeing the physical contact, Xue's face grew dark. He took a step forward, only to be stopped by Hana who held his arm.

"Xue," Hana smiled knowingly. "Let them talk!"

"Why should I?"

"I never knew you could be this jealous!" Hana giggled. "Even of your own soul fragment."

"..."

"Just let them talk, Xue," Hana patted his arm. "Nothing will happen."

"..."

Xue knew he was exposed, and he gave up, listening to Hana in the end.

Leonaut looked down at Cecil who was clutching at his arm, smirking. "What is it?"

"Leonaut, you...you are not a masochist, are you?"

"..."

"...huh?"

Cecil wanted to cry without tears.

She slapped this man so hard, and called him an idiot, and that's how she touched his heart?

She even fought him twice!

If that is not a masochist, Cecil had no idea how to define such a man that falls for a woman like that.

Leonaut was befuddled. "What...what makes you think I am one?"

"Because..." Cecil seemed like she really wanted to cry. "Because..."

"Because...?"

Because we fought not once! But twice!

Because I slapped you!

Because I called you an idiot!

And the system said I touched your heart! Or something like that!

[ Oh, Cecil Lan.
Do you need a reminder of the mission? ]

"What?! No--"

[ Secret Mission #4: Leonaut, the Bandit
Objective : Assist Xue in assimilating with his sixth fragment, Leonaut.
Clue : You have touched the heart of this bad boy, and you are the first person to openly call him an idiot.
Time limit : 1 hour
Reward : 2900 points ]

"..."

[ Another fragment has been captured by you! Congratulations, Cecil Lan!
The "Transmigration World System" is happy to have such a user with such powerful magnetic abilities~ ]

"..."

"Ah, you must be wondering if I wanted to merge all of sudden!" Leonaut gestured to his red cheek. "After all the slapping, and the insults?"

Cecil was jolted out of her daze. "Yes..."

Seeing Cecil blink at him with the expression of a lost sheep, Leonaut couldn't resist.

"Well, that's because..." Leonaut leaned down, grabbing her hand that was on his arm and pulling her close. "You are the first person I want to genuinely care about."

Leonaut lifted her chin up with a finger, smirking at her startled look. He proceeded to plant a kiss on cheek, though it was slightly closer to her lips.

He withdrew back, but he was still close enough for her to feel his breath on her face.

"You know, Cecil Lan, I really like you," Leonaut grinned happily. "Merging souls with that guy, will allow me to see you everyday. That's good enough for me."

Hana watched this entire exchange, covering her mouth in shock and she glanced to the empty spot beside her. She winced, wondering if she actually jinxed it by saying nothing will happen.

Something actually happened! I can't believe it!

Leonaut retreated back in time, seeing a spear descending down to the spot he was previously at.

"So close, Xue." Leonaut smirked.

The voices inside Xue were also very unhappy at Leonaut kissing Cecil on the cheek.

Cecil stumbled back in shock, instinctively avoiding the spear even though it wouldn't hit her in any way. A strong arm supported her back, stabilising her and Cecil blinked up at Xue.

She stood up straight, thanking Xue softly.

Xue put his spear away as it dissipated, a blue marble floating out from his palm and he narrowed his eyes at Leonaut.

"Do you still want to merge?"

"Of course."

Leonaut stepped closer to Xue, and the blue marble began to hover over his palm, glimmering.

The soul absorption process soon begun and Cecil stood beside Xue, still trying to recover from what she experienced. She touched the cheek where Leonaut kissed, blinking rapidly.

...I ruined it. 

I ruined it again. 

Another soul fragment that was supposed to like Hana now likes me. 

Cecil hit herself on the forehead with her palm, ducking her head down. She exhaled heavily, starting to mutter softly to herself. 

“I am the worst.” 

“It’s not the first, the second, the third, it’s the fourth.”

“What have I done?” 

“Should I not even speak a word or not do anything when I see the next soul fragment?” 

“No...I...I don’t think I can do that.” 

“...maybe I should really just lay down and pretend I’m dead.” 

Xue could hear Cecil muttering incoherently to herself, giving her a look. Hana only hopped over to Cecil, tilting her head as she stared at Cecil in concern. 

“Cecil.” Leonaut called out.

“Mhmm?” Cecil lifted her head up, distracted.

There were cracks present on Leonaut’s face, just like Alric and Zasiok, he was starting to disappear. He still felt bitter, but upon seeing Cecil’s face, especially her clear eyes focused on him, the bitterness faded.  

He found himself smiling. 

“I'll see you later,” Leonaut waved and he turned to Hana. “You too, Hana.” 

Hana waved back, grinning. “See you!” 

Leonaut turned back to Cecil, still smiling. Cecil realised this was her first time seeing such a pure smile on Leonaut’s face. It made him appear rather...charming.

“See you later,” Cecil smiled back at him. “Leonaut.”

A breeze blew in from the doorway, and Leonaut’s entire body had cracked into pieces, the wind carrying away any remaining traces of him. 

[ Secret Mission #4: Leonaut, the Bandit
Objective completed!
Reward : 2900 points
Remaining points: 18000 points ]

Cecil’s eyes followed the direction of the wind. 

***

Leonaut opened his hazel eyes, finding himself in a different environment. It was a lobby area, and there were rooms all around.

“Welcome, welcome!” Kai greeted with a grin. “Another new member!”

Leonaut found three men in the lobby area, bearing a resemblance to him. Kai stood up, walking towards Leonaut and throwing an arm around his shoulder. 

Leonaut glanced up and down at Kai, shrugging his arm off. “Who the hell are you?” 

“The other soul fragments.” Kai shrugged, and there was a glint in his eyes as he threw his arm around Leonaut’s shoulder again. “But first, you gotta pay for what you did to Hana and Cecil.” 

“What? Hey, hey--hey! That hurts--ow! I already apologised, didn’t I?!” 

"It's not enough for me!"

Alric stepped back, it was turning into a huge scuffle and he looked at Zasiok. Zasiok only shrugged, walking away.

***

The orb in Xue’s hand stopped hovering and dropped back onto his palm, glinting in the light. Xue absorbed back into his body, feeling a surge of power returning back to his body. He glanced around, spotting the dining table at the far end littered with cups and stretched his hand out, moving his fingers. 

A line of water hovered in the air and Xue pulled it closer, the line of water zoomed straight towards him and he grabbed it, the part he grabbed transmuting into ice and it spread. Eventually, the line of water had turned into a stick of ice. 

“You got your water element back,” Cecil smiled. “Congratulations.” 

“That’s so cool!” Hana clapped, gasping in amazement before she pouted. “I wish I was in the second form of my water element too…” 

“I’m sure you can break through the gates now,” Cecil patted Hana’s head. “And once we head back to academy, you can finally get another soulbound weapon from the sword mound expedition.” 

“You can definitely do it,” Xue nodded, smiling gently at Hana. "You have changed a lot...Hana."

Cecil put her hand down, looking at Xue, and Hana did the same.

"You think so?"

"You have become strong, in your own way." Xue nodded.

Hana brightened up.

“Then let’s go back to the academy now, I’ll be waiting outside! I don’t want to stay here anymore!” 

Hana scurried off to the doorway, avoiding the dead bandits with a squeal as she covered her own eyes.

“Hana, wait! Don’t start running off on your own--” 

Cecil wanted to chase after Hana, only to be stopped by Xue who grabbed her wrist. 

“Xue, Hana is--”

“Hana will be fine,” Xue pulled Cecil closer towards him, narrowing his eyes on the wound on her arm. “You are injured?” 

Cecil noticed his eyes were fixated on the wound on her arm, surprised at Xue’s sudden concern for her. 

“It’s nothing, just a tiny scratch,” she waved it off, smiling proudly at her bandage job. “The bandage will be good enough until I find a chance to get an ointment or even make one.” 

She looked back at Xue, her smile faltering when she realised he had closed the distance between them even more.

Once again, he was giving her the same feverish gaze back in the hut. 

He reached his hand out, his fingers pinching her chin lightly as he started to inspect Cecil carefully. 

“You aren’t injured anywhere else?” 

Cecil could feel the warmth of his fingers on her chin, as he tilted her head from side to side. His actions were considerate, the concern written all over his face. 

To say Cecil was shocked, it was an understatement.

This was her first time receiving such a treatment from Xue, and Cecil couldn’t help but grow flustered. 

She didn’t understand why she was flustered.

“I-I don’t think so.” 

“Let me check," his voice was tender, a voice that Cecil was certainly not accustomed to.

Cecil inhaled sharply, her eyes wandering around as Xue seriously checked for any more injuries on her. He even held her other arm gently, noting her torn sleeves with a frown. His fingers brushed against her skin, making Cecil flinch and she noticed how he wanted to roll her sleeves up.

Unable to bear it any longer, Cecil retreated, forcing a smile on her face. “I am fine, Xue! I don’t feel pain anywhere else.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes.” Cecil almost wanted to cry that word out. 

Xue gave Cecil a lopsided smile.

"That's a relief."

Cecil was astonished.

She had never seen Xue smile in such a manner. With Hana, his smiles were always gentle, nothing less, nothing more.

...but this smile of his, it was a smile she had never seen directed to Hana before, or to anyone else.

Instead, it was clearly directed...towards her.

Thump. 

Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt something warm spreading across her cheeks, all the way up to her ears. 

Seeing the red tint on Cecil’s cheeks, Xue was reminded of how Leonaut kissed her on the cheek and his eyebrows twitched.

He was still unhappy.

He stretched his hand out, stroking her cheek lightly.

Cecil broke out from her reverie, startled at his gentle touch. She could feel her heart revebrating against her chest.

She didn't understand what was happening!

“Xu-Xue?” 

“I don’t like it.” 

“...?” Cecil blinked rapidly, the warmth from her face spreading even further.

She felt as if her entire face was on fire.

Xue sighed, closing his eyes and he fell forward, his head dropping onto Cecil’s shoulder and his hand dropped from her face as well. Cecil gasped, stumbling back as she supported both of their weight.

“Xue?!” 

“...”

Cecil was in a complete flustered mess, her arms and body hanging by her side.

She could feel Xue breathing evenly, his breath blowing lightly on her dress and she slowly brought her hand up, tapping him lightly on the back. 

“...Xue?” 

“...”

Cecil tilted her head to one side, he wasn't responding at all.

Is he...sleeping? 

Knowing Xue, he must have spent the entire time searching for us without taking any rest. Along with destroying all the traps and lanterns, he must be tired. 

She smiled, patting Xue on the back. “You’ve worked hard.” 

Xue’s eyes remained closed, his expression relaxed. 

“Cecil! Xue!” Hana’s voice echoed throughout the caverns, her steps light. “I think Mr. Gom sent help from the academy--oh my!” 

Hana witnessed the scene of Xue “embracing” Cecil, quickly spinning around and covering her eyes. 

“Hana, it-it isn’t what you think it is!” Cecil panicked, hollering. “Xue is just...sleeping!” 

Hana gasped, turning back around and jogging to them, leaning her head down and observing Xue. 

“It’s true!” Hana nodded. “He’s sleeping! Xue must have been so tired.” 

There was a commotion outside the caverns as the sunlight from the outside was getting blocked by dozens of figures rushing in. 

“Hana, I just remembered, there are civilians in the dungeons!” Cecil gasped, carefully pushing Xue towards Hana. “I need to lead the way to help those civilians!” 

Hana nodded vehemently, supporting Xue with a grin. 

Cecil observed Hana holding Xue, smiling. She nodded to herself.

That's the way it should be!

She ran off towards the direction of the dungeons.

However, something made her stop in her steps as she saw Leonaut's flute on the ground, broken into half.

A conflicted look was present on her face, as she glanced at her hand that slapped Leonaut, remembering her words she shouted at him.

Cecil squatted down, picking it up and she kept it, before continuing on to the dungeons.

Eventually, Gom realised he didn’t need to gather any help from the academy at all. He was expecting a grand, big fight, only to know that he was becoming escorts for three students and a few other civilians. 

***

《 start 》

I really don't like it.

Even if they are "me".

Even if I am "them".

I still dislike them touching or even kissing you.

Why are they all sticking to you instead of Hana?

They should only have memories of Hana, and stick to her...but they still stick back to you at the end, just like me.

...so sleepy, so tired.

Since you are back here, safe by my side, I...I can finally relax.

Once I wake up...I should find some ointment...for your...

...

《 stop 》