Chapter 61: The relationship between the two

Feili leaned against the registration desk, watching Xi Ya console Dilon nearby, an involuntary smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Mm, this was the Xi Ya she knew from the very beginning.

She glanced at the commission letter on the desk, her gaze lingering on Xi Ya’s name as she drifted into thought.

Come to think of it, how had she first met Xi Ya?

That was still before her rebirth, in her first life, when she went to the academy to register and ran into Xi Ya, whose clothes didn’t match anyone else’s, looking around everywhere.

Back then, she laughed at Xi Ya for being a country bumpkin who had never seen the world, but Xi Ya actually dared to snap back at her, completely unafraid of offending a noble.

Even though she hadn’t been a noble back then—just a commoner orphan—until she was later adopted by her current father, Count Granville, and gained noble status.

Because she was an adopted daughter, she had no friends in noble circles.

The only one who would even talk to her was Xi Ya.

After that, she and Xi Ya grew close.

The two of them were always trading barbs, and out of ten exchanges, not two were kind words.

But she thought it was fine.

Then came the entrance exam.

While they were clearing out the ancient ruins, Xi Ya suddenly pushed her into a deep pit.

As she fell into the ruins, she couldn’t understand why Xi Ya would betray her like that, and then she died in the ruins, ending her first life.

She began her rebirth.

In the first few lives, she remained convinced that Xi Ya wanted to harm her, and without hesitation, she pushed him into the deep pit instead.

After Xi Ya came out as a monster, she became even more certain of her judgment, killing him over and over again.

It wasn’t until a certain life, when she survived much longer, that she learned Xi Ya had been controlled by the Blood Demon God back then—it wasn’t Xi Ya who wanted to harm her.

The moment she learned the truth, she felt overwhelming guilt.

She had wronged Xi Ya.

She wanted to save Xi Ya, but no matter what she did, Xi Ya inevitably entered the elite class, was seduced by the demon god in the ruins, died there, and came out as a monster.

She could never change Xi Ya’s fate.

After enduring the pain of killing the monster Xi Ya had become time and time again, she gave up.

Xi Ya couldn’t be saved.

Stop worrying about him.

Just think of him as a bad person…

When this life came around, she suddenly discovered that Xi Ya hadn’t turned into a monster.

She was surprised, even a little delighted.

Could she actually save him this time?

But she quickly dismissed that thought.

She knew Xi Ya’s strength well.

There was no way he could escape from those ruins teeming with monsters.

Having lived through so many lives, she didn’t dare take the gamble.

So she didn’t trust this Xi Ya, believing he must be the demon god in disguise.

So, just like before, she prepared to kill him.

But from observing him during this time, she realized she might have been wrong.

This Xi Ya in front of her—whether it was the way he consoled people, the tone of his voice, or even his habit of rolling his eyes—was exactly the same as the Xi Ya she knew.

How could a demon god imitate someone that perfectly?

Thankfully, Dailina had come over in time to stop her.

Otherwise, she really would have killed him with her own hands.

Feili breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

When she snapped back to attention, Xi Ya had already shamed Dilon into a red face, and the surrounding students were all talking about him.

“Three people doing such a simple C-class commission, and it took you five days?”

Xi Ya feigned surprise.

“I—I didn’t take five days! It was those two who were too slow! I finished mine on the second day and kept waiting for them!”

Dilon hastily explained to the crowd, but Xi Ya didn’t give him a chance, pressing the attack.

“Is that so? Since Young Master Dilon could finish in two days, why bring your two followers along? Could it be…”

Xi Ya covered his mouth with one hand, looking as if he had uncovered some earth-shattering secret.

“It was those two carrying you, and you were the one holding them back, right?”

After saying this, Xi Ya stared at the onlookers with a shocked expression, drawing a burst of laughter.

“So the young master from the marquis’s household can’t even handle a C-class commission without help?”

“What a complete waste…”

“He said he finished on the second day, so why wait for his followers? Why not just come back?”

Xi Ya crossed his arms and watched Dilon flounder helplessly in the crowd.

You like stirring up public opinion to attack others?

Let’s see how you like the taste of it!

“How—how is that possible?! I’m the young master of a marquis household! How could I possibly—all of you shut up! And you! I…”

Dilon’s eyes darted around frantically as he pointed here and there, trying to silence them, but it only made the murmuring louder.

The scene spiraled out of control.

Dailina, who had been watching for a long time from the side, looked at Dilon flailing in the crowd, then glanced at Xi Ya beside her smiling as he enjoyed the show, and felt a little worried.

Isn’t Xi Ya going too far with this?

If this keeps up, he’ll provoke Marquis Bant’s household.

They’ll come after Xi Ya…

Dailina hesitated, wanting to step forward and warn Xi Ya, but Feili beside her seemed to read her mind.

She gently shook her head and reached out to stop her.

“Don’t go.”

“But…”

“It was Young Master Dilon who struck first. Even if Xi Ya didn’t provoke him, he would still come after Xi Ya.”

Feili said in a low voice, her tone unusually calm.

“Do you think he would let Xi Ya off just because Xi Ya swallows his pride?”

“Some people won’t leave you alone just because you don’t go looking for trouble.”

“I understand.”

Dailina nodded and gave up on the idea of stepping in.

Dilon was completely red with fury.

In a fit of anger, he charged to the registration desk and reached for Xi Ya’s commission, trying to shift everyone’s attention by pointing out Xi Ya’s commission.

Xi Ya noticed his intent and tried to take the commission back, but he had already walked away from the registration desk and couldn’t get there in time.

Just as Dilon was about to grab the commission letter, a slender hand pressed down on it instead.

He looked up and met Feili’s eyes, which held a hint of a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

“Young Master Dilon, what are you doing with Xi Ya’s commission letter?”

“Give it to me!”

Dilon shouted.

“And why should I? This isn’t your commission letter, is it?”

Feili pulled the commission away and tucked it into her chest.

“Don’t push me…”

“Oh? Push you into what? Could it be~ you’re going to tear up Xi Ya’s commission letter?”

The moment those words left her mouth, the crowd that had barely settled down erupted, showering Dilon with accusations.

Dilon was now completely beside himself.

After muttering a few incoherent curses, he stormed out of the hall.

The crowd dispersed, and Feili walked over to Xi Ya, handing him the commission.

“Here you go~”

Feili smiled at him with narrowed eyes, which made him roll his own in return.

“Oh, thanks.”

Xi Ya took it and nodded in gratitude.

“Oh? Xi Ya actually thanking someone so politely?”

“Huh? Fine, you want to hear some sarcasm, is that it? Then I’ll…”

“Shh~ shut up.”

Feili cut him off.

“Heh.”

Xi Ya let out a scoff but actually did shut up.

Dailina watched the two bicker and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

Thinking back to that day at the ruins’ entrance, when Feili raised her sword to kill Xi Ya, she had worried they would always be at odds.

But now, though she didn’t know what had happened between them, the two…