Chapter 214: Disputes Caused by Appearance

The morning light struggled through the gaps of the withered vines entwined on the roof, casting a few mottled beams into the dim cabin.

Muxuan’s consciousness floated up slowly from a warm embrace.

A strange sense of comfort lingered around her, as if she were soaking in warm water, or being cradled by the softest feathers.

A warm, moist breeze brushed against her face in waves, carrying a familiar scent.

It rhythmically swept across her forehead, eyelids, and the tip of her nose…

This feeling… a bit itchy, and also… overly intimate.

The hazy sleepiness quickly receded.

Muxuan’s long, silvery-white eyelashes fluttered a few times.

With a hint of displeasure at having her dreams disturbed, she slowly opened her eyes.

Her vision was still blurry, but the sight so close to her instantly jolted her fully awake.

Qiansitelin’s overly beautiful face was suspended right above her, so close that she could almost count the other’s long eyelashes.

And the source of that warm, moist breeze… was Qiansitelin’s slightly pouted pink lips.

A familiar mischievous smile curved at the corners of her mouth as she gently blew air against Muxuan’s cheeks, again and again.

“Wah—!”

Muxuan jerked upward like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her back hitting the edge of the mat covered in thick moss with a dull thud.

A hot blush exploded across her face, spreading instantly from her ears to her neck.

Flustered, she pushed Qiansitelin’s overly close face away and shouted with some embarrassment and annoyance:

“Qiansitelin! What—what are you doing again?!”

“A variation of a good morning kiss?”

Qiansitelin wasn’t upset at being pushed away.

Instead, she propped her head on one hand and lay sideways, using her other hand to playfully twirl a strand of Muxuan’s loose silver hair.

Her mischievous smile didn’t fade at all.

“Seeing you sleep so soundly, with such an adorable sleeping face, I really couldn’t help teasing you.”

“So, how was my ‘Morning Breeze Wake-up Service’? Pretty effective, right?”

She even deliberately blew a soft breath toward Muxuan again, her voice carrying cheerful laughter.

“Who uses blowing as a good morning kiss?!”

Muxuan was almost amused by her twisted logic, both shy and anxious.

She grabbed the neat, plain Elf Mentor Robe folded beside her and threw it at Qiansitelin’s face.

“I think you’re doing this on purpose! Get up! We have class today!”

Qiansitelin caught the flying robe easily, her smile growing brighter.

‘My lady is still so adorable.’

As if merely thinking it wasn’t enough, Qiansitelin spoke her thoughts directly.

“Oh my, the shy look of my lady is truly never tiresome to see.”

She slowly sat up and deliberately drew out her tone.

“But you’re right, my lady. Being ‘on time’ for class is something Mentor Sike’erlin emphasized repeatedly.”

As she spoke, she gracefully shook open the elven-style mentor’s uniform and leisurely put on the plain Elf Mentor Robe.

The dark fabric made Qiansitelin’s skin look even fairer.

While fastening the sash at her waist, she glanced at her lady out of the corner of her eye.

Muxuan, her cheeks puffed up, was angrily shaking open her own robe.

Her movements carried a childish air from being teased, her silver hair shining especially bright in the light filtering through the withered vines.

“Alright, my lady, don’t be angry.”

Qiansitelin fastened the last button, walked over to Muxuan, and reached out to adjust the slightly messy folds of her collar, smoothing the fabric over her shoulder.

“If we delay any longer, we’ll really be ‘late.’ We still need to heed Mentor Sike’erlin’s repeated warnings.”

At the mention of “late” and “Sike’erlin,” the embarrassment on Muxuan’s face was immediately replaced by a hint of seriousness.

Indeed, since she had entered Saint Delosia Magic Academy and Sike’erlin had shown no abnormalities, as a senior, his reminder should be heeded… after all, they didn’t know what would happen if they weren’t on time.

She quickly slipped into the robe, no longer dwelling on Qiansitelin’s “Morning Breeze Wake-up Service.”

The elven mentor’s uniform was simple and neat.

Though it was far less refined than the fine clothes stored in Qiansitelin’s Space Ring, it fit surprisingly well and allowed for easy movement.

She lowered her head and gently touched the cool metal Identity Badge pinned inside her collar, feeling a bit more at ease.

“I’m a bit curious about how Ailiya is doing now.”

After parting with Ailiya and learning about the Saint Delosia Academy’s irregularities, Muxuan still felt some concern.

Though they had only traveled together for a short while, Muxuan instinctively felt Ailiya was normal.

“Don’t worry, my lady. We’re all at Saint Delosia Academy, and we’ll meet her sooner or later.”

“Besides, she is an Elf born from the Elven Forest. Many things fatal to us won’t easily happen to her.”

Qiansitelin smiled slightly and answered.

This was easy to infer from Sike’erlin’s words.

Hearing this, Muxuan relaxed and stopped thinking about it.

After all, this was the Saint Delosia Academy that Ailiya had longed for so much.

She was probably overjoyed right now.

Then, the two carefully checked their belongings, confirming that the Identity Badges were securely with them.

Qiansitelin even reactivated her power, removing the layer of Silence covering her Identity Badge to ensure normal communication.

Then they pushed open the creaky, simple wooden door, and the morning air rushed into their lungs.

“This way.”

Muxuan consulted the Leaf Map that Sike’erlin had delivered last night.

Her slender fingers traced the simple lines toward a fork mostly hidden by giant roots.

“Element Resonance Courtyard is on the southwest side of the Core Corridor Area.”

Muxuan and Qiansitelin stopped at a large branch fork in the Core Corridor Area.

“My ‘Rune Application Basics’ classroom is at the Ancient Language Echo Tower in the northeast.”

Qiansitelin compared the Leaf Map and raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Looks like we have to part for now. My lady, your ‘Elemental Shaping Basics’ is at the ‘Element Resonance Courtyard’ in the southwest.”

Muxuan’s heart tightened slightly.

In the twisted rules and danger-filled Saint Delosia, separating always made her instinctively uneasy.

She subconsciously touched the cool Temporary Instructor Badge inside her collar.

A faint Life Essence came from her fingertips.

At least this should maintain some contact.

“Mm.”

Muxuan took a deep breath to suppress that unease.

Her green eyes looked at Qiansitelin, trying to keep her voice calm.

“Remember Sike’erlin’s words. Showing up ‘on time’ is the top priority. Course content… just improvise. Safety first.”

“Don’t worry, my lady.”

Qiansitelin’s lips curved into a gentle arc.

Then she raised her hand and naturally helped Muxuan smooth a strand of silver hair blown by the breeze, her movements soft.

“You too. Stay alert. Don’t take off your Identity Badge. I’ll finish my class and come find you as soon as possible.”

“Mm. You be careful too.”

Muxuan gave Qiansitelin one last look, then turned and walked toward the fork in the southwest direction indicated on the map, mostly hidden by large roots.

Qiansitelin watched the silver-white figure disappear into the shadows of the tangled giant trees.

Only then did she retract all softness, her eyes returning to calmness, and turned northeast.

The “Element Resonance Courtyard” was not far.

After a short walk, Muxuan arrived.

The “Element Resonance Courtyard” was not an open-air garden as Muxuan had imagined.

Instead, it was a round, dome-shaped hall naturally hollowed out from a huge, ancient tree stump.

The smooth wooden walls were naturally covered with glowing moss and vines, forming natural lighting and Mana Circuits.

The air was rich with Life Essence.

In the center of the hall was a slightly sunken platform, surrounded by tiered wooden seats.

About twenty or so elven students were scattered there now.

The moment Muxuan stepped through the entrance, the low chatter in the hall was cut off abruptly.

Almost all eyes instantly focused on her—more precisely, on her silver hair that gleamed brightly even in the dim light.

Admiration, curiosity, scrutiny, and even a trace of barely hidden awe.

Whispers immediately arose.

Though deliberately lowered, they were still clear in the silent hall.

“Silver hair… truly silver!”

“Such a beautiful luster… like threads of solidified moonlight.”

“A new mentor? Haven’t seen her before.”

“Heard she’s a distinguished guest from the Ariadolia Empire.”

“Recommended in person by Mentor Sike’erlin!”

“Feels… such a special aura.”

The words of these elven students reached Muxuan’s ears, tightening her nerves instantly.

The first rule surfaced in her mind.

[Outsiders in the Elven Forest are only nobles from the Empire of Airedoria. Do not let any elf know you are not from the Empire of Airedoria.]

Muxuan forcefully suppressed the instinctive vigilance and slight discomfort from the many gazes.

Maintaining a calm and graceful demeanor, she walked to the podium.

Though the rules kept surfacing in her mind, seeing the curiosity and admiration in the elven students’ eyes, she recalled Sike’erlin’s words.

These elven students carried memories… perhaps this was their truest reaction.

She cleared her throat.

Her clear, steady voice echoed clearly under the wooden dome, silencing the entire courtyard.

“Good morning, everyone.”

“I am Muxuan, from the Empire of Airedoria. As for my family name, there’s nothing much to say.”

“Starting today, I will temporarily be in charge of your ‘Basic Element Shaping Theory and Practice’ course.”

Muxuan briefly introduced herself, mentioning “from the Empire of Airedoria” and her understanding of Elemental Shaping.

But she did not elaborate on her “area of expertise,” keeping it appropriately vague as she had told Sike’erlin before.

“Does anyone have any questions?”

After Muxuan finished, no one raised a question.

She nodded.

Just as she was about to open the textbook, a voice suddenly rang out.

“I knew it! Isn’t Mentor Muxuan the most beautiful among all the mentors?”

Perhaps from arguing too heatedly with his deskmate, the elf’s cheeks were still flushed.

For a moment, the entire courtyard fell silent.

Even the rustling of leaves in the wind was clearly audible.

Muxuan was also stunned.

She looked toward the direction of the voice and felt a bit speechless.

‘Not you, why are you blushing over a teapot?!

‘And you actually got heated arguing about that? Wait, is such a thing worth arguing about?’

‘I even changed my appearance!’