Chapter 132: In the Middle, In the Middle

Inside the restroom, Moyuna cupped some cool water in her hands and splashed it onto her face. Since her relationship with Ruby had been confirmed, there was no need to remain confused about what happened yesterday. They were, after all, teacher and student who cared for one another.

"Where are we going today?"

Well, calling Ruby "Teacher" felt incredibly awkward. Moyuna had no intention of actually respecting this temporary instructor, so she asked him the moment she stepped out of the restroom.

"Let's keep exploring. Ximei said there’s a singing performance or something today."

The school anniversary celebration was still in full swing. As Ruby led Moyuna out of the dormitory, he suddenly felt a warmth on his right hand. Glancing down, he realized the Mage God had slipped her hand into his at some point. Since Moyuna said nothing, he felt it would be inappropriate to ask why.

Moyuna, of course, simply wanted to recall the feeling of the previous day. She had been holding Ruby’s hand when he kissed her. While they couldn't repeat the kiss, holding hands was perfectly acceptable. Ruby’s hand was warm and comforting, providing a sense of security that felt exactly like holding Yula’s hand while shopping back in the day—a realization that only deepened the Mage God's misunderstanding.

For Ruby, it was also the first time he had carefully felt the softness of her hand. It felt boneless and light as air, possessing only a heart-melting, velvety touch. However, the moment was short-lived; as soon as they reached an area with other pedestrians, Moyuna pulled her hand away, her thin skin still easily flustered.

Yet, the God of Light granted Ruby a surprise. Just when he thought he wouldn't get to hold her hand again for the rest of the day, a chance encounter with Qianye, who was wandering alone with a drink, turned the tide. Seemingly as a display of dominance, the Mage God took Ruby’s hand once more.

"Yo, what a coincidence."

Qianye greeted them upon seeing familiar faces, then took a sip of her delicious milkshake through a straw. She couldn't help but think that this invention called a "straw" was incredibly convenient; it meant she didn't have to tilt her head back to drink, and it didn't seem to be a specialty of the Holy Empire—it appeared to be supplied only within this academy.

"Are you alone? What happened to your companions?"

Ruby squeezed the small hand in his, silently signaling its owner to stop flashing that triumphant, mocking smile at Qianye, and asked the perpetually solitary girl.

"I usually keep to myself. My status makes it difficult for others to approach me, and the gender gap doesn't help. I had thought about finding a local student to show me around, but they all seem quite afraid of me."

Qianye maintained her signature faint smile, though Ruby couldn't detect a hint of loneliness in her tone. The girl was likely that rare type of person whose strength of character was as consistent on the inside as it was on the outside.

"That's probably because you were too aggressive the other day. Girls who act like that won't find a partner."

"Are you kidding me? Am I more aggressive than *her*?"

Qianye nearly bit through her straw, pointing at Moyuna in disbelief. In this world, anyone could tell her she wouldn't find a boyfriend because of her intensity, but Ruby was the last person with the right to say that. He should look at who he was holding before he spoke.

"Would you like me to find you a tour guide, then?"

Ruby offered politely, but he felt a sharp pain in his palm. The Mage God was still pretending to look at the scenery, but her fingernails had already left a mark in his hand.

"No need. I’m used to it; I’ll just wander on my own."

Qianye didn't want to intrude on this newly formed couple. In the Blackrock Empire, there was a nursery rhyme about how "if you disturb a couple, the gnomes will throw rocks at you." Ruby genuinely admired this princess, who was petite in stature but mature in spirit; he only wished Moyuna could learn a thing or two from her.

"I thought you said you were going to wander on your own!"

Ten minutes later, the Mage God glared at Qianye, who was still trailing behind them, her rage mounting. If she didn't get a reasonable explanation, she was ready to pull out her Elemental Rainbow Sword and cut her down.

"Hey, why are you being so unreasonable? This academy isn't your house, you know. I just want to see the concert."

Qianye swapped to a fresh cup of fruit juice, waving a flyer at Moyuna to convince her that she was just heading in the same direction.

"Stop making a scene."

Ruby tapped Moyuna on the head. They had arrived at their destination: his classroom, which was being used for the concert. It made sense, as it was the largest room in the academy and the only one suitable for an audience.

"Oh, Teacher Ruby, you're here too."

It was Ximei selling tickets at the door. He seemed to be the mastermind behind the entire event, from the room decorations to the flyers.

"Running a stall and selling tickets? Are you that strapped for cash?" Ruby asked curiously. It seemed Ximei had made quite a profit from the anniversary.

"It’s not so much that I’m broke, but Ailian’s family is a bit better off than mine. I need to start saving hard now so we can get married smoothly later."

Ruby was momentarily speechless. Children these days were truly precocious, already planning for marriage dowries.

"Just kidding! You don't need a ticket, Teacher Ruby. Just head inside and take the front row; those are the special seats."

Ximei wouldn't dream of taking his money. With a fawning smile, he ushered Ruby inside. Ruby couldn't tell if it was just his imagination, but he felt as though the boy was trying to curry favor with him.

The three of them quickly found their seats. Qianye, having successfully hitched a ride, sat next to Ruby, curiously watching the podium that had been transformed into a stage. A red curtain hung over it, concealing what lay behind.

"Teacher Ruby, you're here too."

A familiar voice came from behind, accompanied by a finger poking Ruby’s back. There was no need to guess who it was.

"Teacher Bai Yu, you left Xiaobai in the haunted house, didn't you? What are you trying to do?"

Ruby turned around and looked at the bespectacled woman with an icy glare. If anyone discovered the creature, her career as a necromancer would be over. She truly had no fear of death.

"Ah, ahaha, what are you talking about? It's a bit loud, I can't hear you."

Bai Yu gave an awkward smile and sneakily took off her glasses, pretending to be blind. Just as Ruby was about to remark on whether she used her eyes to hear, the stage curtain was pulled up, revealing the singer who was about to perform.

The entire hall erupted in a gasp. The performer was not a human, but a creature with a human upper body and a fish tail—a mermaid. Since the mermaid couldn't stand on her tail, she was seated on the back of a unicorn, waving to the audience.