The interior of Magic Feather Fantasy bustled with activity.
On the largest stage, many were already rehearsing.
The troupe had grown considerably in size.
In addition to Amy and Lise, the former lead singer and dancer of Dream Butterfly Troupe, there were now over a dozen backup dancers, a five-member band, the original owner Lu Xi (now the manager), and several maids handling cleaning and cooking.
It was precisely the financial burden of supporting so many members that had driven the original Dream Butterfly Troupe to collapse.
The former stage of Dream Butterfly had been completely repurposed into Magic Feather Fantasy’s training ground.Â
After removing part of the surrounding seating, the stage had expanded significantly.
After all, they now had a magical girl idol among them she needed ample space to perform.
As the recording crystal emitted a melodious tune, another rehearsal began.
The music started softly, gradually building in intensity until it reached the climactic chorus.
“Let it go.”
“♬ Let it go!”
Su Nian had translated most of the song into the mainland’s common language, but these pivotal lines retained their original lyrics.
As the final notes faded, the backstage crew erupted in applause.
Their rendition of this new song was clearly improving.
Su Nian would only incorporate magic into the performance during formal rehearsals and shows-maintaining such intensity while continuously casting spells would drain her mana reserves.
“Good work! Tomorrow we’ll practice the older songs, but for today, rest well,” Su Nian announced decisively.
“Got it!” the group chorused.
Just as Su Nian bid her team farewell, wrapping up the day’s training to retire for the evening, a familiar man appeared before her.
Who was this…?
Chu Tian?
That naive boy from Flash Town whom she’d swindled out of money and weapons!
She distinctly remembered “borrowing” 25 gold coins from him before leaving Flash Town—a small fortune.
Had he come for revenge?
While Su Nian debated whether to flee immediately or attempt an explanation, Matthew spoke up.
“This is our new head of security, Chu Tian,” Matthew introduced.
Su Nian knew exactly who stood before her.
What now?
If Chu Tian publicly revealed their history in Magic Feather Fantasy-how she’d “borrowed” 25 gold coins and a longsword from him…
The damage would extend far beyond mere humiliation.
How would the troupe view her?
What would the performers think of their captain then?
Could she really let them discover that Su Nian, the noble and sincere mage they admired, was actually a deceitful woman who exploited trust and money?
No… absolutely not!
After a moment’s deliberation, Su Nian took a deep breath and prepared to deploy her greatest weapon once more-her “acting skills.”
To avoid being exposed as a fraud by Chu Tian…
Impromptu performance mode: activated!
“Oh~!Chu Tian, I never expected to see you here! My parents’ shop issues have been resolved.”
“Just as I was about to return to Flash Town to find you…”
“I’ve found my dream career becoming an idol!” Su Nian tried her best to make her eyes appear utterly sincere.
“I believe Brother Chu Tian will understand me, right? I’ll repay the money you lent me as soon as possible.”
Su Nian deliberately put on an obedient and sensible act.
To boost credibility and make Chu Tian trust her, she called him “Brother Chu Tian” for the first time in her life.
The term nearly made her own skin crawl-so gross!
Chu Tian was well aware that Su Nian was lying again.
Ever since she left Flash Town, she had gone to the Monster Forest to fight him, the “Horned Demon,” and was subsequently imprisoned for ten days.
Shortly after, the woman somehow teleported to Academy City.
When would she have had time to deal with her parents’ shop issues?
Most likely, the shop problem had never existed in the first place.
Though this was just Chu Tian’s speculation, hearing the girl call him “Brother Chu Tian” still stirred something in him.
That sweet, honeyed voice intoxicated him.
Perhaps…
She was just too humiliated and ashamed after being imprisoned by the “Horned Demon” and wanted to cover it up, not intentionally lying.
What if…
Su Nian actually had feelings for him?
That treasure of a girl back in Flash Town, whose eyes sparkled when they met his…
However.
A cold system notification ruthlessly shattered Chu Tian’s thoughts.
“Ding! Absorbed disdain emotion. Annoyance Points +21.”
Instantly.
The fantasy in Chu Tian’s heart shattered once more.
Hah?
Disdain?
At this moment, how could Chu Tian not realize that the absorbed disdain came from the girl standing right in front of him?
“Wow, our security captain actually knows our ace, Su Nian! How about telling us how you two met? And how did ‘Brother Chu Tian’ come about?” Matthew teased from the side.
At that moment.
Many performers who had just finished their acts hadn’t left yet.
They all crowded around, eager to hear gossip about Su Nian, the core figure of Magic Feather Fantasy.
Su Nian, meanwhile, kept her eyes fixed on Chu Tian’s expression.
When she saw his furrowed brows and the displeasure on his face, she knew she had to think of a solution.
At the very least.
She couldn’t let him expose the truth to Magic Feather Fantasy .
“Brother Chu Tian, thank you so much. Without you, my problem would’ve been unsolvable. How about I treat you to a meal as thanks? You always treated me in Flash Town-it’s only fair I return the favor.”
Su Nian stepped forward, closing the distance to Chu Tian, and pulled him away by the arm.
Naturally.
This involved physical contact.
No choice.
Su Nian had to suppress her discomfort and disgust, gripping his arm with both hands.
In that fleeting moment, the swell of her chest accidentally brushed against the armored bracer on Chu Tian’s arm.
Instantly, Su Nian’s cheeks flushed red.
Eek-
She hadn’t meant to!
Being touched there by a man was so disgusting!
“Ding! Absorbed disdain emotion. Annoyance Points +102.”
“Ding! Absorbed disgust emotion. Annoyance Points +116.”
However, Chu Tian, clad in his bracer, felt nothing at all.
How could he have known that the sudden surge of negative emotions was because the girl had accidentally brushed against a sensitive spot?
Right now.
In Chu Tian’s eyes, it transformed into the absorption of hundreds of negative emotions the moment Su Nian mentioned treating him to a meal.
Hah…
Ahaha.
So the girl before him found sharing a simple meal with him utterly repulsive and disgusting?
Sigh-
Chu Tian heaved a long sigh in his heart.
Truthfully, he didn’t want to imprison this dreamlike, angelically beautiful maiden before him like before…
What he truly yearned for was to stroll through streets and share meals together like any ordinary couple.
Really… don’t push him any further.