The moment Su Nian spoke, a strange, deathly silence descended over the entrance of Magic Feather Fantasy.
Soon after, suppressed giggles quickly spread through the crowd gathered at the doorway of Magic Feather Fantasy.
The noble ladies’ attendants and nearby passersby whispered among themselves, their gazes toward Su Nian filled with surprise and confusion, mixed with a hint of anticipation, as if waiting for a spectacle.
“What did she say? Did I hear that right?”
“All at once? Has Miss Su Nian lost her mind?”
A young lady named Rosaline, the daughter of a viscount, dressed in a pink gown embroidered with roses, couldn’t help but cover her lips with a lacy silk handkerchief.
Yet her beautiful almond-shaped eyes betrayed undisguised contempt and ridicule.
Her companions wore similar expressions, and the sound of their laughter rose and fell in waves.
“Truly… doesn’t know her place. Who does she think she is?”
“It seems the rumors about this Academy City genius Magic Tutor… are greatly exaggerated.”
Countess Lilian Field’s face changed in mere seconds from her initial shock to a faint blush, then quickly turned ashen.
The elegance she maintained so carefully almost shattered on the spot.
To her ears, Su Nian’s offhanded “all at once” was nothing short of an insult.
‘What arrogance! A blatant display of contempt!’
‘The Field Family had dedicated generations to the study of Magic Pet cultivation—when had they ever been looked down on like this?’
Amy and Lise were also stunned.
Amy instinctively reached out, gripping Su Nian’s sleeve tightly.
Her lips parted, anxious to say something, but at a loss for words, she could only shake Su Nian’s arm helplessly, her pretty face flushing red with worry.
“Nian-bao! You… don’t be reckless! Their Magic Pets look really strong!”
Amy didn’t know much about Magic Pets.
But just among the noble girls, one had a massive wolf-like beast at her side, and another had an armored rhino used to pull carriages.
No matter how she looked, Miss Su Nian’s “Chubby Chirp” on her shoulder… didn’t seem like much of a match.
Lise, on the other hand, frowned deeply, clear, cold eyes revealing an uncharacteristic worry and confusion for the first time.
She swiftly analyzed the situation before her—Su Nian’s move was far too risky, almost reckless, completely unlike her usual calm and steady self.
“Miss Su Nian, they came prepared. If you lose the Magic Pet match… it will affect your reputation…”
But Su Nian paid no mind to the looks and words of the onlookers, only soothing her friends’ anxious objections.
“Don’t worry. I am a genius Magic Tutor, after all!”
Su Nian turned and flashed a V-sign at her friends.
The morning light outlined the beautiful profile of the girl, her lively and adorable side on full display.
Then, she turned back to face her challengers and asked, “Didn’t you all want to ‘consult’ me on the art of Magic Pet taming?”
Su Nian spoke again, her voice not loud, but carrying a peculiar penetrating quality, so that everyone present could hear her clearly, quelling the noise around them.
“As a ‘Magic Tutor’, of course I must offer earnest ‘guidance’ to each and every ‘diligent’ junior.”
She emphasized the words “Tutor,” “diligent,” and “guidance,” her poise standing in stark contrast to the dramatic expressions on the noble girls’ faces.
Though they were all of an age, you are but juniors.
The capable always come first!
Since these people wanted to trouble her or get something out of her, she wouldn’t lose out verbally.
After all, they were the ones who addressed her as “Teacher” first, just to lure her into accepting the Magic Pet match.
The noble girls opposite her were livid.
This Su Nian really was putting on airs as a senior—hmph, if she wanted to die, they couldn’t be blamed!
“You’re sure you want to use the… um, this adorable Magic Pet on your shoulder to ‘guide’ all of our Magic Pets at once?”
Countess Lilian Field forced down the rage roiling in her chest, but she hadn’t lost her reason.
The Magic Pet on the other side looked weak, but if this were an official match, Su Nian might rely on her reputation or Magic Tutor connections to “borrow” another Magic Pet.
If that happened, the outcome would be uncertain.
So, she had to get Su Nian to agree to use the “chubby bird” right here!
“That’s right, Miss Su Nian—you should really think this over,” Rosaline, the viscount’s daughter, chimed in with a sugary voice laced with venom. Our Magic Pets aren’t quite as… petite and lovable as yours.
“If it accidentally gets hurt, we wouldn’t be able to compensate you.” The other noble girls quickly joined in, their “kind reminders” in fact boxing Su Nian into a corner with words, afraid she might back out.
Su Nian nodded lightly, her expression calm as ever, as if they were discussing not a match with overwhelming odds, but a relaxed afternoon tea.
“That’s right, I’ll use it.”
She extended a slender, fair finger—its tip rounded and pink with health—and gently tapped the tiny bird perched on her shoulder, who was still curiously peering around and preening its pale blue feathers with its beak.
Little Green seemed to sense its Master’s summons and chirped a “chirp!” in response.
The tiny bird cocked its fuzzy head, using its pure, innocent golden eyes to gaze at the variously-expressing women before it, looking even more silly and harmless, an utter picture of innocence.
The playful curve at Su Nian’s lips deepened.
She lifted a hand to reassure Amy and Lise not to worry.
“However,” her voice remained steady, tinged with just the right touch of apology, “today is the final rehearsal for Magic Feather Fantasy’s Winter Festival, and time is a bit tight. Ladies, if you don’t mind, how about holding this Magic Pet ‘guidance’ tonight?”
She paused, glancing over the crowd and continued, “As for the location, of course I’ll leave that to you to decide. Just inform me once it’s settled, and I’ll be there on time.”
Lilian Field was momentarily stunned, then quickly exchanged a look with the other noble girls.
An irrepressible excitement and a subtle cruelty flashed in their eyes.
‘Tonight?’
Perfect! They would have plenty of time to prepare their Magic Pets, send out their family’s strongest, and invite even more people to “watch” this grand show!
They would make this arrogant commoner idol pay the most terrible price before all of Academy City for her insolence today!
“Agreed!” Lilian Field replied almost instantly, afraid Su Nian might back out at the last second.
She straightened her back, lifted her chin, and spoke in a higher, commanding tone, “Since Miss Su Nian is so forthright, then let’s have it at the most famous Magic Pet Glory Arena in Academy City!”
Rosaline, the viscount’s daughter behind her, immediately added with a sweet giggle, “Yes, Miss Su Nian! The Magic Pet Glory Arena is the largest venue in Academy City, with the most seats. It’s perfect for you to show your skills and properly ‘guide’ us unworthy juniors!”
She made the word “guide” especially pointed.
“That’s right, that’s right! This way, the whole city can witness the prowess of Miss Su Nian and your… um, ‘amazing’ little bird!” another noble girl echoed eagerly, shooting a contemptuous glance at the still-gawking little bird on Su Nian’s shoulder, her face openly gloating.
It was as if they could already see Su Nian and her poor little chubby bird being torn to shreds by their well-trained, powerful Magic Pets tonight.
“Well then, we have to start rehearsal now—the Winter Festival program is a secret…” Su Nian assumed the posture of seeing off guests.
Lilian and her entourage snorted coldly, heads held high as they strode away, already celebrating their victory in advance.
On Su Nian’s side, the tightly pressed corners of her mouth finally curved up into a delighted smile she could no longer restrain.
‘Heh, hehehe…’
She’d only ever seen scenes of showing off and face-slapping in twenty-first-century web novels—when the villain challenged the protagonist, who responded with kingly aura and defeated them in one move, leaving readers thrilled.
Who would’ve thought that today, she, Su Nian, would get to play out this scene herself?
Although her opponents were just a bunch of spoiled noble girls—compared to that bastard Horned Demon, they were as weak as chicks from the beginner village.
But so what?
Against that perverted Horned Demon, she’d fought and lost again and again, endlessly tormented and humiliated until her body and mind grew numb.
Now, she finally had the chance to regain some pride—how could she not be happy?
If she couldn’t beat the Horned Demon… then she’d just find someone else to beat!
She’d warm up by taking on these clueless noble ladies, just to vent the frustration from being bullied by that wretched Horned Demon.
‘Heehee!’
Su Nian’s mood soared as if she were riding Little Green’s dragon wings up into the clouds—light and impossibly free, unspeakably joyful.
She reached out and gently scratched Little Green’s fluffy chin, finding her little bird especially handsome and majestic today.
‘Little Green, oh Little Green, tonight it’s all up to you. Don’t hold back—let them see what real ‘guidance’ means!’
She cheered Little Green on in her heart, unable to suppress the smile on her face.
Yet this pure joy from the anticipation of “face-slapping success” didn’t last more than three seconds in her chest.
The next moment—
Su Nian’s smile suddenly froze.
‘Wait!’
What did she just… agree to?
‘Tonight?!’
Su Nian’s sky-blue eyes contracted sharply.
She… she seemed to have forgotten something very important!
According to the “agreement” between her and that bastard Horned Demon—
Every night, she had to obey the Horned Demon Master’s commands unconditionally, in exchange for her freedom during the day.
She was doomed!
How could she have forgotten something so important?!
If she was late tonight, she’d be…