Although the opening ceremony had ended, the freshmen’s enthusiasm and energy showed no sign of waning.
They were all eager to find somewhere to burn off their excess vigor.
The night was dark, the stars dotted the sky.
In the hidden bushes behind the dormitory building, a boy and a girl were secretly releasing their youthful hormones.
“Come on, this is right below the girls’ dormitory. How can we do something like this…”
“Hey, that’s what makes it exciting. Besides, I already scouted the area—there’s no one around, not even a stray cat.”
“You’re impossible… Fine, just one kiss, okay?”
Their faces drew closer and closer, and just as their lips were about to touch—
BANG!
A small black figure shot out from the grass beside them like a cannonball, sending the impatient boy flying into the air, becoming one of the stars in the sky.
The black shadow didn’t stop for a second; it stumbled and disappeared into the night.
Only the girl was left standing there, dumbfounded. After a long pause, she finally blurted out:
“Do the stray cats in our academy… really get that big?”
……
Even though she had encountered a slight obstruction during her headlong dash, the speed of Sevitis’s feet did not slow down at all.
Right now, she only wanted to throw the terrible scenes constantly flashing in her mind far behind her.
Back then, it was just like this—she had inexplicably grasped that slender, soft hand, and then been pulled out of that cold hospital room without being given a choice.
And then came the so-called “friend game” the other party had mentioned, and the absurd farce five years ago.
Hmph, she almost fell for her trick again! This was definitely another one of that woman’s disguises and plans—she just wanted to see her make a fool of herself!
‘That feeling of relief and peace I had just now must have been an illusion too!’
Walking into the dormitory building, Sevitis silently warned herself in her heart while angrily biting into the Osmanthus Silk Cake in her hand.
‘Damned Eulalia, I’ll bite you to death!’
Feeling the sweetness spread in her mouth, Sevitis looked down in confusion.
‘Strange, why does this pastry not taste as good as the one she fed me last time?’
‘Pfft, pfft! It definitely has nothing to do with whether she fed it to me! It’s because my taste buds changed after I became a vampire! That must be it!’
After finishing more than half of the box of Osmanthus Silk Cakes, Sevitis finally reached the door of Room 402.
Familiar with the routine, she swiped her student card to open the door, but before she could step inside, she was stunned by the sight at the entrance.
The half-chewed piece of cake in her mouth fell to the floor with a plop.
There, straight upright on the floor of the entrance, stood a tall back—as if it were about to pierce the heavens.
That is, if you looked at it upside down.
“Are you… holding some kind of mysterious Spirit Race ritual?” Sevitis sighed, pressing her forehead.
She was about to bend down to pick up the fallen cake, but a shadow flashed, and the half piece of cake vanished.
Following the shadow, she saw two heads—one gold, one purple—poking out from behind the artistically inclined “upside-down statue.”
“This cow said since you wouldn’t accept the traditional Spirit Race apology of the Defeat Posture, she racked her brains and invented a new method that better reflects sincere remorse—the 180-Degree Vertical Bow Apology Method.” Ba Ge pointed at the upside-down cow on the ground.
“Mm-hmm.” Luo Tong nodded seriously beside her.
“So, that’s your reason for plunging those two horns into the floor like planting rice seedlings, and then standing upside down like a pillar in the entrance?” Sevitis crossed her arms, calmly waiting for the upside-down person’s response. “…Why isn’t she talking?”
The two girls exchanged glances, then looked down at the face of the “sky-scraping pillar.”
“Hoo… hoo…”
“…Alright, you don’t need to explain. I get it.”
Hearing the faint snores, Sevitis set the box of Osmanthus Silk Cakes on the shoe cabinet with a blank expression, then changed into her slippers.
“Pull this guy out and carry her back to the room.”
“So, does that mean you forgive us?” Ba Ge’s eyes lit up.
“Forgiven?” Luo Tong blinked along.
Sevitis waved her hand impatiently at them.
“Yes, yes, I forgive you! Just get her out of the way. I’m exhausted today and want to sleep early.”
“Great! I knew this move would work.”
“Mm-hmm!”
As she spoke, Ba Ge released several thick vines and, like pulling a carrot, yanked the soundly sleeping Su Ling out of the floor.
Jerked awake so suddenly, Su Ling finally roused from her dream.
“Huh? What’s going on? Is Boss back?” She twitched her cow nose, then her eyes suddenly brightened. “What’s that? It smells amazing!”
Su Ling’s gaze swept the room and finally locked onto the half-box of exquisite pastries on the shoe cabinet.
“Is this a midnight snack you brought for us? Boss, you’re the best!”
With that, she eagerly squirmed free from the vines and reached out a greedy little hand to grab them.
But she grabbed nothing.
Before Su Ling could land, Sevitis had already hugged the box tightly to her chest with lightning speed and deftly sidestepped her.
“Not giving it.”
“Huh? Why not?” Su Ling complained loudly.
“No reason.”
Sevitis didn’t look back and headed straight for the second-floor bedroom.
‘Are you kidding me? Wanting a share without doing anything? This is a tribute I earned by sacrificing myself and enduring humiliation! If I don’t stuff them all into my stomach myself, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.’
Seeing how fiercely she guarded her food and had no intention of sharing, Su Ling pouted in dissatisfaction.
“Tch, small chest, small generosity.”
The little purple dragon beside her stood on tiptoe, raised her small hand as high as she could, and gently patted Su Ling’s drooping cow ear.
“It’s okay. I’ll make some for you.”
Hearing this, Su Ling was so moved that she scooped Luo Tong into her arms and rubbed her face against the other’s equally impressive chest.
“Waaah! Little Luo Tong really is the best!”
“You’re such a kid, easily bought off with a little snack?” Ba Ge teased mercilessly on the side.
“You get some too.” Luo Tong looked at her.
“Ahem… Well, since you insist, I suppose I’ll reluctantly have a tiny bit.” The elf girl looked away, the tips of her ears slightly red.
Listening to the playful noises from downstairs, Sevitis, who had already reached the door of her room, couldn’t help the faint smile that tugged at her lips.
She shook her head helplessly.
“Looks like I’ll have to find time to visit the Commercial Street…”
Before she finished speaking, the black-haired girl stepped into the room.
Click.
The door closed softly, shutting out the lively yet warm night.