Imperial Magic Academy, in the quiet and secluded school pathway.
“The sun shines high, the flowers smile at me, the birds chirp ‘boom boom boom,’ and with a bang, the school just exploded~”
Luo Ye was humming a nursery rhyme in a great mood.
People say the world treats cattle and horses badly, but even cattle and horses only endure the 996 work schedule, rarely ever 007.
This world was no different.
Students also had Sundays off.
Although there was no traditional seven-day weekend, there was a “day off on the seventh.”
Today, the academy had no classes—a rare break—and by coincidence, Luo Ye had entered the simulation, thus avoiding his scheduled meeting with Lilith.
That goddess, at Alicia’s funeral, still wore that same “like a cat” expression.
Who knew how she’d behave toward him at the tavern.
Compared to her real-world self, Luo Ye thought that even the simulation version of her from three years ago looked far more refined.
At least every time she faced him, she ended up defeated, glaring at him in a sulky and angry way that was honestly kind of cute.
Want to ri… cough cough, want to rua.
♪~♩~♫~♬~¶~‖~♭~♯~§~∮~
Wait a minute…
Is someone playing an instrument?
Luo Ye looked up, scanning his surroundings, trying to find the source of the sound.
The setting resembled a Western royal garden style, lush greenery and blooming flowers everywhere, with occasional green leaves drifting down from the branches. The bird songs and floral fragrances created a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
The surrounding Western-style buildings blended perfectly with the environment, from the towering clock tower to the palace-style academic buildings, all showcasing the academy’s exquisite architectural design.
Amid this cluster of buildings, Luo Ye’s gaze locked onto an inconspicuous small Western-style villa.
What was that building used for?
Luo Ye frowned, racking his brain through the original owner’s memories but found no information about this villa.
That shouldn’t be.
Excluding the possibility that the villa was newly built and thus not widely known, the only explanation was that the original owner was a true shut-in who rarely went out.
Serves him right for ending up like this.
Luo Ye sighed and stopped overthinking.
He quietly listened to the music drifting from inside the villa.
Judging by the tone, it was unmistakably a violin—elegant and noble, the instrument itself flawless without a hint of imperfection.
But the player was a bit inexperienced.
Her skill was even worse than his own half-baked self-taught level back when he was in college in his past life.
Since he was bored anyway, he figured he might as well listen to her practice. Maybe she was a beginner, preferably a normal girl, so he could have a proper look and cleanse his nerves, which had been polluted these past few days by those godly women who adored Lilith…
“Ahhh! I’ve never enjoyed practicing violin before!”
“This lousy place, destroy it! Release magical power!”
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from inside the villa.
Luo Ye’s heart jolted. That voice, so adorably cute and youthful—why did it sound so familiar?
He abruptly raised his head and saw, by the second-floor window of the villa, a girl with light green hair stomping her feet in frustration.
A gentle breeze brushed through her hair, sunlight pouring through the window, casting a glow on her profile. Her strands fluttered softly, shining brightly—like a breathtakingly beautiful girl.
If Luo Ye weren’t so familiar with that face, he would have thought this was a perfect encounter.
But just seeing that face drained all his interest.
No matter how beautiful she was, it didn’t matter.
After all, she was Lilith.
Girl, why are you pretending to be elegant while practicing the violin?
Is this kind of instrument suitable for your intelligence?
Luo Ye muttered silently. The original grace vanished completely.
Just as he took a step forward, he suddenly sensed something was wrong—massive traces of uncontrolled magic condensed directly above his head.
Looking up…
A gigantic thundercloud loomed right over him!
“Damn it!”
……
……
“Crap, I messed up!”
Inside the villa, Lilith noticed the magical disturbance outside and immediately turned pale, her delicate face losing its composure, now showing the guilty expression of a troublemaker caught in the act.
This grove was far from the teaching and dormitory areas, and no one usually passed by this villa, so when Lilith grew frustrated with her violin practice, she would casually release magic outside.
After all, increasing magic power required continuous magic output. If the small forest got damaged, her parents’ gold coins could easily cover it—her parents had plenty of money, so Lilith never begrudged using her free time to vent her magic energy. No one came here anyway to suffer.
Why was there suddenly someone outside today?
Had she seriously injured someone?
Lilith gripped the hem of her clothes and paced nervously behind the wall for a long while.
Only after the noise outside died down did she timidly peek out her small, cute head, wanting to see which unlucky fool had been struck by her lightning—hehe~
On the school path, the thick smoke gradually dispersed, and a soaking wet figure slowly appeared from the mist.
Lilith lifted the corners of her mouth with anticipation.
Luo Ye’s figure became clearer. He looked up toward the villa’s second-floor window, his gaze icy cold.
Lilith instantly froze.
On the pathway, Luo Ye stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes locked tightly on Lilith.
Lilith: …
Run!!!
……
Luo Ye clenched his fists so tightly they creaked, a cold smile curling on his lips as he stared at Lilith curled up in the corner, trembling.
“Lilith, I think… you owe me a reasonable explanation.”
Luo Ye’s expression was stern, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
This cold smile was undoubtedly a threat to the terrified Lilith.
“I was wrong, Teacher Luo Ye!”
Lilith immediately dropped to her knees at lightning speed, her expression pitiful as she raised four fingers to swear in front of Luo Ye, “I swear, I will never do it again!”
Startled, Luo Ye instinctively stepped back a pace, raising his right arm defensively as he watched her warily.
No, girl, your kneeling posture and oath look like they’re going to kill me just by looking at them, alright?
Count Kanor, what kind of family education is this?
Is this how you punish your daughter when she messes up?
I’ll definitely have a word with my father-in-law later and give you a piece of my mind right in front of you.
“Ahem ahem!”
Luo Ye cleared his throat twice and glanced around.
Various instruments were placed everywhere—the piano, accordion, saxophone, and so on—including the violin resting by Lilith’s feet.
So this was the music room?
“What are you doing here?” Luo Ye shifted the topic, scrutinizing this flat-faced girl.
“Teacher Luo Ye, this is the music room. I’m practicing here.”
Lilith answered obediently, as sweet and well-behaved as ever, never causing trouble.
I know this is the music room, and I know you’re practicing, but that’s not what I’m asking. What I want to know is why you’re here practicing in the first place!
Luo Ye complained inwardly.
“Um, Teacher Luo Ye, are you okay?”
Lilith nervously poked her index fingers together, looking at the drenched Luo Ye—soaking wet from the thundercloud and rain caused by her uncontrolled magic.
Luo Ye looked down at his drenched self, then couldn’t help but lift his gaze back to Lilith.
“You still have the nerve to ask?”