The Dormitory assigned to Cerise was a delicate little two-story villa, its exterior walls painted a warm cream, the sloping roof a deep gray, dotted with a few quaint dormer windows.
Ai Ting carefully examined the building in front of him, finding it a bit peculiar—it seemed to blend elements of Gothic Pointed Arch windows with the elaborate decorative lines of Baroque Style.
Such an eclectic mix was unique in this magical world, and yet, oddly harmonious.
Looking at the unique architectural style of this otherworld, Ai Ting couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
He shook his head right after, inwardly mocking himself.
Why was he still trying to find traces of his previous world’s existence in this completely different realm?
A senior once said, “People who seek realism in fictional stories must have something wrong with their heads.”
“Ai Ting? Why… are you laughing?”
Seres was taking out the key to open the door when she heard Ai Ting suddenly laugh at the little building.
She froze for a moment, puzzled, and turned to look at him, her ice-blue eyes full of confusion.
“Ah… it’s nothing, just… remembered something funny.”
Caught off guard by Seres’s sudden question, a trace of panic flashed across Ai Ting’s face.
Somewhat embarrassed, he raised his hand to scratch his hair, his gaze flickering as he hurriedly came up with a clumsy excuse.
Seres blinked her clear eyes, sharply noticing Ai ting’s evasive words.
Ai Ting was obviously lying.
She was certain of it in her heart.
So… what was the real reason?
At that moment, Seres’s mind spun rapidly, combining the current situation—they were about to share a room—and a thought flashed through her mind like lightning, instantly coloring her cheeks a deep red, as if touched by the evening glow.
Why would Ai Ting suddenly laugh while looking at the Dormitory?
Could it be… could it be because he was looking forward to sharing a room with her, fantasizing that something… ambiguous might happen, and couldn’t help but feel excited, letting his emotions slip?
As that idea emerged, the girl’s heart began to race.
But… Ai Ting had always maintained clear boundaries before, even going so far as to keep a deliberate distance…
Seres frowned slightly, thinking it over, then suddenly “realized” something.
Could it be… that Ai Ting was the type who appeared proper on the outside, but was actually… rather reserved and repressed inside?
When it came to feelings involving Ai Ting, Seres’s mind always worked at lightning speed.
She immediately recalled how, when confronting Rufus, Ai Ting had told her to her face that he “wasn’t interested,” only that he couldn’t stand Rufus’s behavior.
Could it be… that Ai Ting was actually very proud and believed in “A promise once spoken is as binding as four horses”?
So, in order not to go back on his word, he had to forcibly suppress his true feelings?
If that was the case…
Seres found Ai Ting in front of her not contradictory at all, but instead even cuter.
That stubborn persistence struck her as a kind of awkward, heartwarming adorableness.
Really now… why take such responsibility for an offhand comment?
Actually, if you’d just taken the initiative, even a little, we’d already have our story by now.
But since she had deduced that Ai Ting might be holding back his feelings out of pride or a sense of commitment, Seres’s ice-blue eyes slowly narrowed.
In that case, she would take the initiative.
For a girl to pursue a boy first might seem a little forward based on the upbringing and beliefs Seres had since childhood.
But when it came to Ai Ting, she had long since tossed aside all such worldly worries and shyness.
Staring at Ai Ting’s slightly awkward profile, Seres silently made up her mind, an unprecedented courage rising in her heart.
Since you’re too embarrassed to take that step forward, Ai Ting, then I’ll be the one to walk towards you.
The thought that tonight might be the moment when their relationship could finally break through, taking a crucial step forward, made Seres’s heart race even faster.
She couldn’t help imagining the future: herself arm-in-arm with Aydin, strolling together down bustling streets like an ordinary couple, basking in sweet happiness.
“Cerise, are you alright? Do you feel unwell?”
Aydin noticed Cerise was lost in thought, standing there with flushed cheeks and a distant look in her eyes, and he couldn’t help but ask in concern.
“No, no, I’m fine…”
Seres was jolted from her lovely daydream by his voice.
She quickly forced down the stirring in her heart, shook her head lightly, and replied in a low voice to cover it up.
Her cheeks still rosy, she strode quickly to the door, placed her fair hand on the door’s sensor, and infused it with a hint of unique Ice Magic.
With a soft “beep,” the door swung open.
Inside the foyer, the magical lamps embedded in the walls lit up one by one, their gentle light instantly dispelling the darkness.
So… what was the real reason?
At that moment, Seres’s mind spun rapidly, combining the current situation—they were about to share a room—and a thought flashed through her mind like lightning, instantly coloring her cheeks a deep red, as if touched by the evening glow.
Why would Ai Ting suddenly laugh while looking at the Dormitory?
Could it be… could it be because he was looking forward to sharing a room with her, fantasizing that something… ambiguous might happen, and couldn’t help but feel excited, letting his emotions slip?
As that idea emerged, the girl’s heart began to race.
But…
Ai Ting had always maintained clear boundaries before, even going so far as to keep a deliberate distance…
Seres frowned slightly, thinking it over, then suddenly “realized” something.
Could it be… that Ai Ting was the type who appeared proper on the outside, but was actually… rather reserved and repressed inside?
When it came to feelings involving Ai Ting, Seres’s mind always worked at lightning speed.
She immediately recalled how, when confronting Rufus, Ai Ting had told her to her face that he “wasn’t interested,” only that he couldn’t stand Rufus’s behavior.
Could it be… that Ai Ting was actually very proud and believed in “A promise once spoken is as binding as four horses”?
So, in order not to go back on his word, he had to forcibly suppress his true feelings?
If that was the case…
Seres found Ai Ting in front of her not contradictory at all, but instead even cuter.
That stubborn persistence struck her as a kind of awkward, heartwarming adorableness.
Really now… why take such responsibility for an offhand comment?
Actually, if you’d just taken the initiative, even a little, we’d already have our story by now.
The girl cheered herself on in her heart.
“Seres?”
After looking around the living room, Ai Ting turned to find Seres dazed again, head lowered in thought, her cheeks tinged with a suspicious blush.
Somewhat puzzled, he lightly patted her shoulder.
“Ah! It’s nothing! Ai Ting, shall we… shall we take a look at the Dormitory layout together first?”
Seres snapped back to her senses as if her secret thoughts had been discovered, her gaze flickering nervously.
Stammering a bit, she spoke, and before Seres could reply, she turned around rather stiffly, a somewhat embarrassed smile on her face, and walked briskly towards the stairs leading to the second floor.
What’s going on with her?
Ai Ting looked at Seres’s clearly unnatural back, blinking in confusion.
He really couldn’t figure out what was behind Seres’s series of odd behaviors tonight, but still followed after her.
Floating behind Ai Ting, System Assistant Ruby fluttered her luminous wings in two quick circles, looking first at Seres’s back, then at Ai Ting’s blank face, a knowing smile on her tiny face—as if saying, “Lady Ruby has seen through everything long ago.”
After all, she had personally witnessed Seres secretly kiss Ai Ting while he slept in the training room.
Unlike the currently oblivious—or pretending to be oblivious—Ai Ting, Ruby, as a System Assistant who knew everything about the world, could see right through a lovestruck girl’s twists and turns.
Whatever Seres was scheming in her mind, Ruby had already figured out completely.
Hovering in midair, she pinched her smooth chin in a gesture of deep thought.
Hmm…
If Ai Ting is left to struggle and drop hints by herself, she might never get through to her blockheaded master…
A sly glint flashed in Ruby’s little eyes.
It seemed the time had come for her, the most understanding, attentive System Assistant, to step up and help Seres… and her master, to take this most important step.
After all, she, Ruby, was the world’s most thoughtful and reliable System Assistant!