Chapter 4: Similar

Why are these believers here?

This is bad.

Lin Yue cursed inwardly.

Just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, trouble piled on.

Airella had clearly heard the noise as well.

She frowned, withdrew her energy tendrils for now, and looked warily toward the direction of the sound.

The two men entangled by the tendrils, as if grabbing a lifeline, shouted desperately: “Help! Sirs of the Church! There’s a witch here! And the brat from the Hawk family—he’s colluding with the witch!”

The sound of hooves drew closer and closer, and in no time, over a dozen knights clad in silver armor appeared at the edge of the woods.

At their head was the knight Lin Yue had misled earlier.

Upon seeing the scene before him, his expression darkened instantly.

“So it really is her, and you from the Hawk family—so you’re involved with her after all?”

The knight stroked his chin, his voice laced with malice.

“That makes things simple… Take them down!”

With his order, the dozen or so knights simultaneously drew their longswords and charged toward Airella and Lin Yue.

Airella’s eyes grew cold.

She clutched the jade pendant at her chest once more.

This time, not only did the energy tendrils appear—a series of fierce roars erupted from the forest.

Over a dozen enormous Blackwind Panthers burst from the dense woods, interposing themselves between Airella and the knights.

“High-rank magic beasts—Blackwind Panthers!”

The knights’ expressions changed.

None had expected this girl to command such formidable beasts.

In a flash, the Blackwind Panthers and the knights clashed.

Airella remained in place, continuously controlling her energy tendrils to assist in the assault.

However, the knights’ numbers and their flawless cooperation soon tipped the balance.

The Blackwind Panthers began to fall one after another beneath the knights’ blades.

“It’s useless—give up!”

The lead knight sneered, then leapt forward, lunging at Airella with his longsword aimed straight for her heart.

Airella’s face turned pale.

Most of her mana was already spent—she couldn’t withstand such a lethal blow.

At that critical moment, Lin Yue rushed forward, picked up the largest stone nearby, and hurled it at the lead knight.

“Ugh!”

Distracted, the knight was forced to defend himself, leaving an opening that Airella spotted immediately.

She pushed herself several meters away.

“Come with me!”

Airella froze for a moment as Lin Yue grabbed her arm, but instinctively followed his lead as they ran.

“The Hawk brat…”

The knight clenched his teeth, randomly seized a horse, and set off in pursuit.

“What are you standing around for? Quick, get your animal friends to carry us!”

Airella then remembered she could summon beasts.

With a thought, a gigantic Silver Wolf appeared, allowing them both to climb onto its back.

The Silver Wolf was swift.

In the tangled woods, it shook off their pursuers in just a few leaps.

“Turn left—my hideout is over there…”

Lin Yue called to Airella.

Airella nodded, then directed the Silver Wolf to the cave entrance.

“Thank you, Reil.”

Airella pressed her forehead against the Silver Wolf, then let it return alone into the forest.

“Let’s go inside.”

Lin Yue moved aside the stone sealing the cave entrance.

Warm firelight flickered within.

Lin Yue entered somewhat awkwardly, scratching his head, unsure of what to say to Airella.

“Why did you save me?”

Airella broke the silence first, her voice still cold, but the hostility was gone.

Lin Yue smiled bitterly.

“I couldn’t just watch you die in front of me, could I? Besides, if I hadn’t helped you, do you think those knights would let me off?”

Airella fell silent, her gaze complicated as she looked at Lin Yue.

The moment he grabbed her arm flashed through her mind, and a strange feeling rose within Airella.

“I’m sorry.”

Airella suddenly spoke.

“I misunderstood you earlier.”

After so long being branded a witch, it was only natural for her to be on guard.

“It’s nothing. If I’d been hunted for so long, I’d be suspicious too.”

Lin Yue understood.

“I’m Airella, from a small village in the Dalian Mountains…”

“Airella…”

Recalling all that Airella had been through in the game, Lin Yue couldn’t help but admire her strength.

He poked the fire with a stick.

Beside the crackling flames lay fish he’d caught from the river that morning.

Lin Yue didn’t ask much.

After all, this was the first time a main character from the game appeared before him.

If he said something wrong, the butterfly effect might spiral everything out of control.

Not to mention, she’d only just mistaken him for an enemy and nearly killed him.

Though he knew she meant no harm, forgiving her too easily might seem suspicious.

Grrrr…

At that moment, an untimely noise sounded.

Lin Yue turned to see Airella clutching her stomach, her face turned away in embarrassment.

Seeing Airella’s reaction, Lin Yue couldn’t help but smile.

“Hungry? Want to eat together?”

Airella nodded shyly, seemingly a little apologetic.

The campfire crackled, with several skewers of roasted fish grilling above.

The warm firelight cast upon Lin Yue’s face, and Airella, resting her chin in her hands, felt a tangle of emotions.

She hadn’t expected—he really was Lin Yue Hawk.

Airella had long heard of this notorious wastrel, and had noticed Lin Yue hidden in the grass earlier, but hadn’t figured out his intentions, so she’d waited until the last moment to act.

Truth be told, she’d never imagined someone would actually step out to save her.

Being able to command magical beasts was terrifying to ordinary folk.

Since leaving home, she’d been met with suspicion and hostility, even outright danger.

For this young man to help her—it felt novel, surprising, and… grateful.

Yet, she truly couldn’t figure out his motives.

He seemed impulsive and foolish, yet could judge the exact moment she would act.

He seemed cautious and astute, yet was fooled by a mere slip of paper.

How should she treat such a person…?

“Here.”

As she was lost in thought, Lin Yue handed her a golden, crispy fish.

It was probably the largest one.

“Oh, right.”

As if remembering something, Lin Yue said to Airella, “I sprinkled some salt just now, no poison. If you’re worried, just give it back.”

Airella was amused by his odd words, covering her mouth as her eyes curved like crescent moons.

“You say that like you’re hiding silver under the floorboards…”

Lin Yue was captivated by her smile and stared for several seconds.

Seeing Lin Yue’s dazed look, Airella smiled even more brightly.

“I mean… thank you.”

“Oh… yeah.”

Lin Yue was a little surprised to hear her gratitude, but didn’t think much of it.

He turned to fetch the kettle of boiling water and poured some into a wooden cup.

After all, Airella wasn’t some cold-blooded killer.

It was normal for her to have this side.

Or perhaps, this was part of her charm in the original story.

After this little episode, the awkwardness between them faded.

Airella’s tense shoulders visibly relaxed as she accepted the cup.

The warmth of the cup seeped into her fingertips.

“So, why are those knights chasing you? Did you do something?”

Lin Yue asked, trying to start a conversation.

“Ah… it’s a long story.”

Because Airella came from a small village, she barely scraped together enough for tuition and room, so she had to save on travel expenses.

Most of her journey was spent riding the Silver Wolf, which inevitably drew the attention of the Church’s patrols.

Lin Yue nodded, finally understanding this bit of story outside the main plot.

“You said the Hawk family drove you out. What do you mean by that?”

Airella cradled her cup, curiosity in her eyes.

“Just what it sounds like. I got thrown out for being lazy and useless.”

Lin Yue answered vaguely.

“Oh…”

Airella glanced meaningfully at Lin Yue, then asked, “You… aren’t afraid of me?”

The ability to command magical beasts was the stuff of nightmares for the locals.

Magicians were strong, but repelling endless beast tides was nigh impossible.

Not to mention, humanity’s own conflicts.

So, for people on the frontier, nightmares weren’t just invaders and monsters—magical beasts counted too.

Someone of Lin Yue’s background ought to hate them even more.

But Lin Yue seemed not to care at all, making Airella very curious.

Hearing Airella’s question, Lin Yue looked up at her and replied, “To be honest, I am afraid.”

He stood up, dusted off his ashy hands, and grabbed a skewer of fish.

I see…

Hearing this, Airella couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

So he thinks like the others?

No, why was I expecting anything else…

Expecting this wastrel to understand her—just because he saved her life?

Airella felt she was too naive.

Her gaze dimmed, and the words she wanted to say were swallowed as she nibbled her fish in silence.

“But what I fear isn’t your ability to command magical beasts, but the malice you carry from others.”

What… does he mean?

Hearing his unusual answer, Airella inched a bit closer.

“This different power brings suspicion, doubt, and fear. Those hostile feelings slowly consume a good person.”

“When those ill intentions surpass what one person can bear, that’s when the real horror begins.”

Lin Yue closed his eyes, speaking his thoughts quietly.

“In the end, commanding magical beasts is just a skill—no different in essence from magic or swordsmanship.”

“So, I… huh?”

Lin Yue turned to find the girl before him staring blankly at his face.

“You… okay?”

Lin Yue worried the poor girl might have had her worldview shattered by his words.

Then again, maybe it was just that she’d never been understood in all these years, and he’d accidentally touched a sore spot in her heart.

Thinking of his own experiences in the real world, Lin Yue felt an indescribable connection.

Maybe… he felt she was a bit like him.

“Ah… Sorry, I lost my composure.”

Airella steadied herself, trying to collect her emotions.

She realized that this so-called wastrel, like herself, had been misunderstood and maligned by those who didn’t know the truth.

He and she—they were the same kind of people…

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Airella spotted a familiar insignia.

“That’s… the Avelina Magic Academy crest?”

“Mhm.”

Lin Yue replied, “What, are you a student there too?”

“Yeah, I’m a prospective student. Still have to pass the entrance exam.”

Of course I know that.

Lin Yue took a sip of water, secretly delighted.

As a transmigrator, he finally felt a bit of relevance—haha.

“Hiss… Hot, hot, hot!”

He nearly forgot it was boiling water…

“You okay?!”

Airella, now clearly at ease, stood up in concern.

“I’m fine… I’m fine…”

Lin Yue forced a calm look as he set the cup down, though his tongue stung.

Great, now my tongue’s going to hurt for a while.

As Lin Yue suffered, a gentle breeze stirred the air and green mana began to gather.

“Great spirit of wind, please grant dew to soothe this pain.”

Airella softly chanted a short incantation, gathering a strand of gentle wind element at her fingertip.

She extended her hand, and that magical power brushed lightly across Lin Yue’s lips, bringing a cool, refreshing sensation that eased the burning at once.

Lin Yue blinked in surprise—he hadn’t expected Airella to heal him with magic.

He touched his lips and smiled easily.

“Thanks, it feels much better.”

Airella withdrew her hand, a faint smile on her lips.

“Didn’t expect you to be so careless.”

Lin Yue watched the smiling girl before him, thinking that when they reached the academy, he should probably keep his distance.

After all, she was the first chapter’s boss—starting off well was important.

Before everything ends, it’s best not to get too entangled with these characters.