“Little Teacher Fu… is there something on my face?”
Sylvie asked with a puzzled tone.
“Since just now, Teacher has been staring at me nonstop…”
Florlia chuckled softly, then gently shook her head.
“Mm… it’s nothing… Little Sylvie, please help me over to that corner.”
“Okay.”
Sylvie nodded obediently.
“Teacher, slow down, watch your step.”
With a trembling, limping gait, Florlia approached the corner, her gaze returning to the only remaining Treasure Chest as her mind raced at an alarming speed.
…From that brief contact just now, it seemed she had replenished some magical energy from Sylvie.
As a member of the Witch Race, Florlia’s sensitivity to the flow of magic was among the sharpest.
Therefore, she was absolutely certain… Sylvie carried the magical energy she now desperately needed.
But why?
Florlia’s brows furrowed slightly, one hand clenched into a fist resting on her chin, her expression thoughtful.
Outwardly, she appeared to be leaning down to reach the Treasure Chest with Sylvie’s support.
In truth, Florlia’s focus was locked on Sylvie’s body.
Normally, everyone’s magical energy inside their body should be unique and mutually exclusive.
That’s why Magicians can identify individuals by the distinct magical fluctuations emitted when casting spells.
Yet Sylvie’s magical energy was defying this rule, flowing from her into Florlia…
Could it be that Sylvie’s magic shared the same lineage as hers?
After all, Sylvie had come from the off-the-books Supermodel System and had absorbed quite a bit of Florlia’s blood to hatch…
This was the only explanation Florlia could think of.
As she silently analyzed the situation, Florlia opened the Treasure Chest and scanned its contents.
“Hmm…”
Inside was nothing but a piggy bank she had once scrimped and saved for; there was nothing else.
It seemed to be the last scrap of conscience left by Sophia—but that was all.
For a moment, a faint disappointment flickered across Florlia’s face, but she quickly rallied to comfort herself.
As expected… that scheming Sophia… surely wouldn’t leave me anything useful.
Heh heh… but it doesn’t matter, because the Soul-Breaking New Method is already firmly in my grasp—!
Florlia closed the Treasure Chest decisively and bowed her head in silence.
She was contemplating how to “borrow” a bit of magical energy from Sylvie’s body without raising any suspicion.
A quiet atmosphere spread through the sealed room, the orange glow of the magic crystal lamp casting a warm, dim light, soft shadows draping over Florlia’s delicate, pitifully frail face.
This Florlia gently turned around and deliberately draped her arm over Sylvie’s shoulder, a faint rose-like fragrance emanating from her every movement.
“Little Teacher Fu…?”
“Sylvie, have you not had a proper heart-to-heart with Teacher for a very long time?”
Florlia stared into Sylvie’s equally dark red, exquisite eyes and suddenly introduced a new, heartfelt topic.
“Eh… why does Little Teacher Fu suddenly say this?”
“Nothing, it’s just that Teacher feels as you, Little Sylvie, grow up, the distance between us has been growing too…”
Floria’s face showed just the right touch of maternal melancholy.
Hearing this, Sylvie’s expression froze for a moment before she nervously scratched her cheek with one finger and stammered,
“It seems… indeed… it’s been a long time since I talked with Teacher…”
“When you were little, Sylvie, you’d come home from School and immediately throw yourself into Teacher’s arms, excitedly telling me about everything at School.
“But these recent years, Sylvie’s conversations with Teacher have grown fewer, and you’ve stopped showing me your Diary—Little Sylvie, have you started to dislike Teacher?”
Florlia said sadly.
“Ah? No, no! How could I dislike Little Teacher Fu… that’s impossible!”
Sylvie hurriedly waved her hands, speaking quickly in denial.
“Is that so… then that’s good.”
Watching the still innocent girl desperately proving herself in a flustered state, Florlia chuckled softly in her heart.
“Coincidentally, this secret room is a place where, aside from Teacher and you, no one else can find it, with excellent soundproofing.
“Teacher wants to have a long-overdue chat with you, to share some heartfelt words.”
Florlia’s words made Sylvie’s heart stir slightly.
This is… a secret place only Little Teacher Fu and I know?
No matter what we do here, no one outside will find out… a private space just for me and Little Teacher Fu?
Little Teacher Fu is actually willing to… share this private room with me?
A thrill of joy bubbled up inside her.
To Sylvie, Florlia in this room was completely different from before—her attire, tone, and posture all changed.
The usual elder’s dignity and untouchable nobility had almost vanished, replaced by a gentle, kind, approachable frailty.
From head to toe, every gesture exuded an even more elegant and alluring charm than usual, making Sylvie feel an inexplicable itch in her heart, an odd discomfort.
“Teacher’s health has never been good, and there are many things that require Little Sylvie’s care, but Sylvie is a good child and wouldn’t dislike Teacher because of these things, right?”
Speaking softly, Florlia cupped Sylvie’s cheeks and affectionately pressed her forehead against hers.
Her fair cheek was so close that Sylvie could feel the warm breath brushing against her face.
This gesture made Sylvie involuntarily recall when she was little and had a fever—Teacher had checked her temperature the same way by pressing foreheads.
But now, in this situation, the motive behind the same gesture was obviously very different.
“…I like Little Teacher Fu the most… so I will never dislike Teacher…!”
Heart pounding, Sylvie’s eyes darted shyly, and she said with a bashful but resolute voice.
“Good girl, just like my sweet child~”
Florlia praised her.
Then, to Sylvie’s surprise, Florlia’s cheek came closer and she softly pressed her tender, enticing lips against Sylvie’s.
“Mmm—”
Floria expertly placed a close, intimate kiss, but it lasted less than two seconds before she pulled away.
“Ugh…!”
Sylvie, caught off guard and slow to react, blinked wide-eyed, her mind buzzing into a brief shutdown.
Florlia, however, looked as natural and practiced as ever and softly explained:
“Good girls deserve rewards.”
Seeing Sylvie’s face flush bright red and her awkwardness, she smiled gently and ruffled her little head.
“Teacher… I… um…”
Sylvie’s voice was hoarse and short as she nervously spoke.
“What is it?”
“Teacher… kissing mouth-to-mouth… I… now feel… really strange…”
Sylvie lowered her head shyly, fingers twisting the hem of her skirt anxiously.
Though Florlia had rewarded her with kisses before when happy, it was mostly on the cheek or forehead.
Mouth-to-mouth kissing was something Sylvie had only seen in that “blasphemous” and rebellious picture book borrowed from her deskmate.
…And most importantly… wasn’t that something only lovers did? And it supposedly had a special name called “first kiss” or something like that…
Seeing her hesitation, Florlia smiled warmly and began to “explain”:
“It’s okay.
“Think about it, Teacher and Sylvie have lived together so long, we’re already like close family, right?”
“Mm…”
Sylvie nodded hesitantly.
“Since we’re close family, it’s perfectly normal to kiss a little to strengthen bonds and deepen our relationship.
“After all, Teacher kissed you so many times when you were little that I’ve lost count—”
“Eh? But…”
“Besides, Teacher and you are both girls.
“What’s wrong with a little intimate physical contact? There’s really nothing to fear.”
Florlia reasoned with gentle persuasion, speaking words that made Sylvie’s cheeks burn with embarrassment and her whole body flush hot.
“Little Sylvie’s thinking is still too old-fashioned, that won’t do~
“Now that we’re in the Big City, and with School starting tomorrow, Little Sylvie must keep up with the times and learn fresh new ideas—”
Floria raised a finger and wagged it, taking on the tone of an elder educating a junior.
“Besides, do you really think that just because Teacher kissed you lightly, you’d become uneasy, restless, or have butterflies in your heart? That can’t be right.
“Because the Teacher I know is a pure, adorable good girl who definitely won’t develop any strange thoughts about a female teacher like me~”
Florlia hinted indirectly, then shifted to a mock scolding tone and said seriously:
“Also, you should know, I don’t kiss just anyone.
“Because Little Sylvie is my closest, most trusted good child, I do this for you—of course, if you’re uncomfortable, just say so, and Teacher won’t force it.
“After all, this is just one of the ways Teacher shows encouragement.”
“Eh…? Um… then I… I guess I’m… actually…”
Sylvie’s face twisted in inner conflict for a long moment, her expression wavering deeply before she murmured softly in a voice barely above a whisper:
“Actually… I don’t dislike… Teacher’s kisses…”
“That’s my girl~”
Florlia covered her mouth and chuckled lightly.