Everything appeared orderly and well arranged. In the refined dining hall, a long table was covered with a snow-white linen cloth, and the silverware gleamed with a soft luster.
The morning sunlight had yet to fully dispel the thin mist, yet the Duke’s Mansion was already brightly lit.
Wei Erxi was already seated in her place. She wore the female uniform of Legdolo Magic Academy; the deep blue tones made her ice-blue hair stand out even more, like a cascading glacier.
Her posture was elegant, her back straight, as she took small sips of the warm milk in her cup. Her movements were calm and precise.
After a while, the dining room door was pushed open, and Duke Eisennahe walked in, looking weary.
Now middle-aged, traces of his former handsomeness could still be seen on his face, but the dark circles under his eyes revealed yet another night spent handling official duties.
“Good morning, Father,” Wei Erxi said, setting down her cup and lifting her face with a perfectly measured smile.
The smile was gentle and warm, carrying both a young girl’s innocence and respect for her elder, like melting snow in spring—inviting and comforting.
“Good morning, Wei Erxi… ah—” The Duke let out a long yawn, rubbing his brow as he sat at the head of the table. “I’m getting older. My energy really isn’t what it used to be.”
“Father, you should take better care to rest at night,” Wei Erxi said softly, her concern evident. “Your duties are important, but they can wait until daytime. Your health is what matters most.”
“Mm, I know,” the Duke replied faintly. As he took the coffee handed to him by a maid and looked at his daughter, a trace of satisfaction flashed in his tired eyes.
His daughter—exceptionally talented, composed in character, flawless in her dealings with others—had always been his pride.
“Father, I had the maids prepare some calming potions to help you sleep. They’re on the coffee table in the living room. You might want to try them tonight,” Wei Erxi added thoughtfully.
The Duke nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face. “That was considerate of you, Wei Erxi.”
“Then I’ll be off to school,” Wei Erxi said as she stood up gracefully. She picked up the canvas bag from the chair beside her, which contained the textbooks and notes she needed for the day.
“Go on. Be careful on the way,” the Duke said, watching her leave with a heart full of relief.
***
After leaving the Duke’s Mansion, Wei Erxi walked alone along the tree-lined path leading to Legdolo Magic Academy.
The morning breeze lifted her ice-blue hair, the strands shimmering softly in the sunlight. The gentle light fell across her delicate features, her long lashes casting faint shadows beneath her eyes.
Wei Erxi’s presence seemed to naturally draw attention. Along the way, many students in the same uniform glanced at her, whispers spreading like ripples.
“Look, it’s Senior Wei Erxi!”
“It really is her! The youngest sixth-tier mage in Legdolo’s history! I heard she broke through during last semester’s final assessment!”
“Sixth tier?! My gosh, doesn’t that make her stronger than many instructors?”
“She even helped correct my magic notes last time. She was so patient.”
“Yeah! And she’s super nice too. She looks so gentle and kind—I really wish I could be friends with her…”
“It feels like… she’s easy to approach, right? Not arrogant like other geniuses at all.”
All these murmurs clearly reached Wei Erxi’s ears, yet her expression did not change in the slightest. That signature gentle smile remained on her face.
As she walked at an unhurried pace toward the teaching building, just after turning a corner, a petite blonde figure suddenly rushed out with her head lowered and collided straight into her.
“Ah—!”
A cry rang out.
Wei Erxi only swayed slightly before regaining her balance. The other girl, however, wasn’t so fortunate—she fell backward onto the ground, her textbooks and parchment scrolls scattering everywhere, looking quite disheveled.
She looked very young, likely a first-year student.
When the girl lifted her head and saw who she had run into, all color drained from her face. Embarrassment and fear filled her expression. She even forgot to get up, sitting there as she stammered out apologies:
“S-sorry! I’m so sorry, Senior Wei Erxi! I didn’t mean to! I… I was walking too fast and didn’t look where I was going… I’m really, really sorry!”
Her voice trembled, on the verge of tears.
However, the expected scolding never came.
Wei Erxi merely bent slightly, her slender, fair fingers gently tucking a strand of ice-blue hair behind her ear.
Then she smiled at the girl on the ground—a natural, harmless, gentle smile—and spoke in a voice as soft as a feather brushing past:
“Are you alright?”
As she spoke, she naturally extended her hand, grasped the girl’s arm, and with a slight pull helped her to her feet.
“I-I’m fine. Thank you, Senior Wei Erxi…” The younger girl was flattered and overwhelmed, her cheeks flushing faintly, her voice barely above a whisper. She clearly hadn’t expected this “legendary” senior to be not only unblaming, but so gentle.
While the girl stood there in a daze, staring at the soft profile of the senior so close to her, Wei Erxi had already bent down gracefully, efficiently yet elegantly picking up the scattered books one by one, dusting them off, and neatly placing them back into the girl’s arms.
After finishing, Wei Erxi gently patted the girl’s shoulder, like an elder encouraging a junior. Then she leaned slightly closer, near the girl’s ear, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:
“Next time, be more careful, okay?”
Her voice carried a faint, tingling quality, as if a soft current slipped into the ear.
The girl suddenly felt her body go weak, warmth rushing to her cheeks, leaving her frozen in place.
By the time she came back to her senses, the senior with the ice-blue hair had already turned gracefully, leaving behind an elegant and composed silhouette as she disappeared into the flow of people in the corridor.
Wei Erxi continued toward her classroom. As soon as she stepped inside, a lively voice called out:
“Wei Erxi! Over here!”
Following the sound, she saw a girl in the same uniform, though her noble aura was unmistakable, waving energetically at her.
She was Yiseqian—the only daughter of the Emperor of the Sarkax Empire, a princess cherished since childhood, and Wei Erxi’s closest friend at the academy.
Wei Erxi naturally walked over and took the empty seat beside her.
The two began chatting as usual. From the difficult ancient magic rune assignment given the previous day to the possible content of the upcoming field practice assessment, their conversation flowed easily and casually.
Yiseqian had an outgoing personality and did most of the talking, while Wei Erxi listened with a smile, occasionally responding, her demeanor always elegant and composed.
At last, as if suddenly remembering something, Yiseqian spoke with a hint of anticipation and curiosity:
“Oh right, I heard that the exchange students from Oselenka Magic Academy on the East Continent will be arriving soon. I wonder what kind of people they’ll be.”
At the mention of “East Continent” and “Oselenka,” Wei Erxi’s fingers paused slightly as she turned a page.
“Yes…” she responded softly, her tone betraying nothing unusual. “It’s certainly something to look forward to.”