Chapter 43: Facing a Tough Problem

Just like that, in the countless cycles of meditation and mana exhaustion, time slipped by quietly, and before she knew it, evening had arrived.

During this period of training, Luna still needed Eliza’s guidance to help her calm her mind and absorb mana more effectively.

“Time’s almost up, kid. We should head back.”

When the final round of mana absorption ended, Eliza gently reminded her.

Luna glanced at the time.

There were still ten minutes before Xiao Xi and the others finished class.

It was indeed time to go back…

She knew she had to return within this window to avoid raising Xiao Xi and the others’ suspicions.

“Alright, Eliza.”

Luna responded, a trace of fatigue in her voice.

It wasn’t the kind of exhaustion from lacking mana, just a simple weariness.

Then, Eliza cast a spell, and the Portal reappeared before her eyes.

Without hesitation, Luna dove into the Portal, feeling a flash of light before she found herself instantly back in her Bedroom.

“Ha~ Home…”

She sat in the chair, resting, recalling the training she had just undergone.

Each round of meditation and mana expenditure made her feel a deeper connection to mana, as if her body was becoming more attuned to its flow.

She knew well that this was all thanks to Eliza’s attentive instruction.

“Let’s continue tomorrow, kid.”

“Mm…”

Luna replied softly, filled with anticipation for the next round of training.

She couldn’t wait to grow into an S-Rank under Eliza’s guidance and surprise Sister!

Thus, Luna waited in the Bedroom for Xiao Xi and the others to return.

About an hour later, the Dormitory door opened, and Luna heard Xiao Xi and the others’ voices.

She quickly composed herself, left the Bedroom, and went to the Living Room to greet them.

“You’re back.”

Luna smiled as she spoke.

When Xiao Xi and the others saw Luna coming out of the Bedroom, surprise flashed across their faces.

“Xiao Lu! When did you get back? We didn’t see you at all!”

“Yeah, how did you get back before us?”

Xiao Xi and the others were full of confusion.

They hadn’t seen Luna since waking up from their nap, and had found the note she left in the Bedroom.

Facing their questions, Luna replied calmly,

“I woke up a bit early, so I thought I’d go to the Training Room to study for a while.”

It was an excuse she’d prepared in advance, meant to smoothly mislead Xiao Xi and the others.

“Eh? Xiao Lu, what’s up with you lately? You seem a lot more motivated.”

Qingyan looked at Luna curiously, doubt in her eyes.

She felt Luna was different from before—not only had she started exercising, but she was even going to the Training Room early to study, a complete departure from her previous self.

“I just suddenly wanted to work harder, that’s all, hahaha… Seeing you all still asleep, I didn’t want to disturb you, so I went alone.”

Facing Qingyan’s inquiry, Luna simply laughed it off, teasing her a little.

“Right, right, I still need to go work out, so I’ll be off.”

To avoid further questions from Xiao Xi and the others, Luna hastily found an excuse, claiming she was going to exercise.

“Wait… Xiao Lu!”

Xiao Xi tried to say something, but Luna had already rushed out of the Dormitory.

“Really… At least let me finish my sentence…”

Xiao Xi complained, her younger sister actually running off before she could finish.

Forget it, I’ll just message her later to ask her to buy some stuff…

***

***

After leaving the Dormitory, Luna pondered what to do next.

She decided to go to the cafeteria first, then… maybe stop by Dai Lina’s Shop for a while.

With that thought, she headed to eat as planned…

By the time she arrived at Dai Lina’s Shop, an hour had already passed.

“What do you want, Eliza? I’ll help pack it for you to take back later.”

“Okay!”

At her words, Eliza excitedly went to the counter to eye the desserts, thinking about what to buy, while Luna continued scrolling on her phone at her seat.

[Buy some bath gel before coming back…]

Luna looked at the message Sister had sent and simply replied with [ok] before continuing to eat her dessert.

She ate while reflecting on the gains she’d made today.

“Xiao Lu? Are you alone?”

Dai Lina’s voice suddenly sounded, pulling Luna back from her thoughts.

She looked at Dai Lina, who had appeared beside her at some point.

“Li Na? How did you know I was here?”

Luna asked curiously.

“My Maid told me. She said she saw you sitting here alone, so I came to take a look.”

Dai Lina explained with a smile.

Luna nodded at her words.

So her every move had already been discovered…

“Well, do you want to come sit at my place for a while? There are some things I want to ask you.”

Dai Lina wanted to invite Luna over to her place, but Luna quickly declined.

“N-no, it’s fine. I still have to buy things for Sister later, so I won’t trouble you.”

Luna smiled with a hint of wariness, her eyes revealing the trouble she felt about the questions that would soon follow.

She naturally understood what Dai Lina wanted to ask.

“I see. Well then, next time you have to come to my place, okay?”

Although Dai Lina agreed, her tone carried an undeniable sense of expectation, as if the next meeting was already set in stone.

“Alright…”

Luna responded softly, feeling complicated inside.

She still didn’t know how to explain everything to Dai Lina.

“Right, Xiao Lu, don’t be shy this time. Order whatever you like—my treat.”

Dai Lina’s words were filled with obvious gratitude, but beneath that gratitude was an almost imperceptible threat and a deep sense of expectation, hoping Luna would be more open with her.

At her words, Luna felt a jolt inside, but maintained her smile on the surface.

“Th-this is too much, really, always making you spend money…”

Dai Lina smiled lightly, her eyes holding both gratitude and a hint of warning:

“No, it’s my way of thanking you—and what I expect from you. After all, I’m helping you keep a secret, so shouldn’t you be more honest with me too?”

At these words, Luna felt a chill run through her heart and replied softly,

“Th… Thank you, Li Na. I’ll tell you next time…”

Upon hearing Luna’s answer, Dai Lina’s smile deepened.

“Then it’s settled. Next time, you must tell me, okay?”

Her tone was firm, as if already securing their next, more in-depth conversation.

After helping Eliza pick out desserts, Luna left the Shop with mixed feelings.

Dai Lina’s words, tinged with a subtle “threat,” hovered over her like a shadow.

What should I do next…

Luna pondered as she walked.

If she didn’t clear things up with Dai Lina, the other girl might really stop keeping her secret.

“Eliza, what should I do now?”

She couldn’t help but ask Eliza beside her for help.

But Eliza seemed unusually relaxed.

She smiled and said,

“Don’t worry, there’ll be a way. As long as you don’t reveal my existence, you can just come up with any excuse you like.”

“Or, you could consider telling her part of the truth. After all, Dai Lina seems like a trustworthy friend.”

Hearing this, Luna’s anxiety lessened a bit, but was quickly replaced by new worries.

How to explain things to Dai Lina—this was truly a troublesome problem…

Her thoughts swirled in her mind like fallen leaves in the wind.

While pondering, she had already finished shopping for Sister and returned to the Dormitory carrying a heavy bag.