Chapter 123: The Invitation
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 123: The Invitation
The next morning, at dawn.
When Muen woke from his slumber, he saw Senior Anna still sitting by the window where the blue curtains swayed. She rested her cheek in her hand, gazing out at the scenery beyond.
The thin morning light filtered through the glass, casting a glow like polished jade across her fair profile.
In this moment, her usual seductiveness had faded. Sitting there bathed in light, she looked remarkably pure—almost holy.
For a moment, Muen found it hard to look away.
"Awake?"
Pulled back by her gentle greeting, Muen snapped out of his daze to find her looking at him with a playful smile.
"How do you feel?"
"I... I feel great. Better than I ever have. My head feels so light..."
Muen answered instinctively before remembering. "The potion from yesterday..."
"It was a Sleeping Potion to ensure you got a good night's rest. Regardless of anything else, maintaining peak condition before an exam is the most important thing, isn't it?"
"I see..."
Realization dawned on Muen, and he couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Without realizing it, he had become somewhat obsessed.
No matter how resilient his spiritual power was, a high-intensity study regimen where he only slept two hours a month would cause massive amounts of fatigue to accumulate. If Anna hadn't used a potion to force him to rest for a night and clear his head, he likely wouldn't have performed well on the exam, even with an extra night of revision.
In any exam, one's state of mind is a critical factor.
"Then, Senior... have you been watching over me this whole time?"
Seeing her still in that same spot, as if she had never left, Muen couldn't help but ask.
"How could that be?"
Anna rolled her eyes at him, a gesture full of charm.
"I have my own things to do, you know. It’s just that you slept for a very long time, Junior. However..."
Anna suddenly crossed her arms and leaned forward, her lips curling into a teasing smile.
"Asking that... do you really want me to sleep beside you that badly?"
"Well... since you put it that way, Senior."
Muen straightened his back instantly and said with mock righteousness, "I suppose I could make a sacrifice for your sake."
"Giggle... saying that while blushing doesn't make it very convincing, Junior~"
Anna laughed merrily, her voice full of delight, before shifting the subject.
"While you were asleep, I made a few small changes to you. You won't blame me, will you?"
"Small changes?"
Muen was confused until Anna handed him a cute vanity mirror.
When he looked into it, he froze.
The person in the mirror had neat, short golden hair that seemed even brighter than the morning sun outside. The stubble on his jaw had been clean-shaven, highlighting his natural fairness and handsome features.
"Did... did you do this, Senior?"
"Is there anyone else here besides me?"
Anna sighed softly. "Looking at you yesterday, I couldn't help but tidy you up a bit. You aren't mad, are you?"
"No, not at all."
Muen ran his fingers through a lock of his short hair, feeling a bit shocked. "I just didn't expect you to know how to cut hair, Senior. And... your skill is so good. I would have thought a professional master did this."
"Giggle, you still have such a sweet tongue."
Anna covered her mouth as she laughed. "Actually, it's been a long time since I've cut anyone's hair. I used to do it often back at the orphanage."
"The orphanage?"
Muen caught the word immediately.
"Prying into a woman's past isn't a good habit, Junior."
Anna reached out and flicked Muen lightly on the forehead.
"The exam is about to start. Aren't you going to go prepare?"
"Ah, right!"
Muen snapped to his senses and checked the time, realizing the exam was only an hour away.
"I actually slept for nearly fifteen hours?"
He did a quick mental calculation and realized why she said he’d slept a long time. Even a pig wouldn't sleep for fifteen hours straight.
"I wanted to go over the key points one last time before the exam, but there's no time now."
Muen gave a wry smile and hurriedly bid her farewell. "Then, Senior, I'll be going now."
"Be careful on the way, and good luck."
"Yeah, I will."
Muen prepared to leave, but as he reached the door, he instinctively took one last glance back.
In the empty Ancient Potions Classroom, Anna leaned against the wall alone, her head turned toward the even emptier view outside the window. The blue curtains cast a cold shadow over her, making her look... so lonely.
Muen’s heart gave an inexplicable throb.
"Senior."
"Hmm?"
"About what you said before." Muen turned around, his expression serious. "I want to join the Ancient Potions Society."
"Oh? Bringing that up so suddenly?"
Anna arched an eyebrow in surprise, then smiled softly. "Has my Junior finally developed an interest in ancient potions?"
"Yeah, something like that," Muen said earnestly.
But he was lying.
In truth, he wasn't that interested in potions. For someone like Muen, who intensely pursued power, wasting time on a subject that was highly versatile but offered little direct help to his combat strength was something he should have avoided.
However...
Muen suddenly remembered that Anna had finished her last lesson for him yesterday.
That meant the bond between teacher and student had come to an end.
Muen didn't want his connection with her to vanish so easily. He needed something new to link them together.
So, whether it was potions, magic, or even painting—no matter what kind of club it was—Muen would have joined.
"Alright then."
Anna looked at Muen and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling warmly. "Welcome to the club, Junior."
Muen smiled back. "Are there any joining procedures?"
"A small club like mine doesn't have much red tape. Just remember to drop by every once in a while. I'm usually here in the afternoons."
"I see." Muen nodded. "Then I'll head to the exam. See you later, Senior."
"Yes, see you later."
"Ah, one more thing."
Muen remembered something else, though he felt a bit shy bringing it up.
"Um... Senior, are you free during the Open Day?"
Although Saint Maria Academy was a closed campus, there was a three-day holiday after the monthly exams known as the Open Day. It was a time for students to go home and restock, but it was also a festival for those who had been cooped up in the academy for too long.
It was said that the commercial street outside the academy only opened during those three days each month, yet they made enough profit to last the whole year. Even the hotels on that street required reservations a month in advance.
"Open Day?" Anna thought for a moment. "I have something to do on the first day, but I'm free the rest of the time."
"Then..." Muen took a deep breath and asked, "Then, Senior, would you like to go out for a stroll with me on the second day?"
"Oh?"
Anna was stunned for a moment before she reacted, a mischievous, wicked grin spreading across her face.
"Does my Junior mean... he's inviting me on a date?"
"A date? That’s a nice way to put it."
Muen kept a straight face despite his slightly reddening cheeks. "But actually, I just wanted to repay you a little, Senior."
"Repay me?" Anna twirled the end of her hair with her finger, her gaze shifting. "But I haven't decided what reward I want yet."
"This isn't a reward," Muen said seriously. "It's just a small token of my feelings."
"Your feelings?"
Anna blinked, then laughed, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents. "Alright then. Since it's an invitation from my Junior, I'll go."