Chapter 7: Friends
In the magic academy’s classroom, Angus, as always, displayed her exceptional talent and sharp insight.
Today’s lesson focused on manipulating and combining magical elements—a daunting challenge for most students—but Angus handled it with ease, skillfully casting spells and blending elements to create dazzling, powerful effects.
Her outstanding performance naturally drew attention, particularly from Lily.
Lily, with her radiant golden hair and lively blue eyes sparkling with curiosity, stood barely over one and a half meters tall.
After class, she approached Angus’s desk with a smile.
“Elena, your performance in class was amazing!”
Angus smiled shyly, her cheeks faintly flushed.
“Thanks, Lily. I was just doing my best.”
The two quickly struck up a conversation, discovering a surprising alignment in their views on magic.
“I’ve always thought magic isn’t just a symbol of power—it’s an art that can create beauty and change the world,” Lily said excitedly, her eyes gleaming.
A spark of delight flashed in Angus’s eyes.
“Exactly, Lily. Magic should be used to help others, not for fighting or destruction.”
Their conversation grew more animated, covering the origins of magic, the traits of different magical schools, and their visions for magic’s future.
Lily, bubbling with enthusiasm, said, “I think magical elements are like nature’s spirits, each with its own personality. Fire’s passionate and wild, water’s gentle and fluid.”
In her excitement, she suddenly grabbed Angus’s hands, startling her.
Angus froze, her mind going blank.
Having been single for 18 years, her life consumed by dry research and no close contact with anyone—let alone a girl—she was unprepared.
Though Lily’s soft, warm hands were a stark contrast to the cold corpses she’d once handled, instinct made her pull away quickly.
Lily looked at her with a pitiful expression, eyes welling up.
“Don’t you like me?” she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.
It was Angus’s first time being confessed to, and by a golden-haired loli no less.
Her heart raced, her face flushed, and she stammered, “I’m just… not used to physical contact.”
Lily pouted slightly.
“I didn’t expect Elena to be so aloof. That’s not what the rumors say.”
Angus’s heart tightened, and she eagerly asked, “What rumors? Tell me!”
Her eyes brimmed with anticipation, hoping Lily could reveal something useful about herself.
Lily scratched her head, embarrassed.
“I don’t know much, just bits and pieces.”
Angus’s eyes dimmed, her excitement doused like a bucket of cold water.
Unfazed by Angus’s shift in mood, Lily grabbed her arm and dove back into their earlier topic with enthusiasm, treating Angus like a close friend, as if the awkward moment never happened.
But Angus was quietly weighing whether she could entrust Lily with mailing her letter.
The letter was critical, requiring someone absolutely trustworthy.
Lily seemed kind and genuine, her passion for magic making her seem reliable, but Angus hesitated.
This was a highly sensitive task—one mistake could be catastrophic.
Lost in her dilemma, Angus didn’t notice Eric watching her from another corner of the classroom.
His eyes were filled with doubt and vigilance, puzzled by her sudden closeness with Lily and speculating about her intentions.
Time slipped by in their conversation, and soon evening arrived.
The setting sun cast a golden veil over the campus pathways.
Lily and Angus walked side by side along the path, continuing their discussion about magic.
“Lily, there’s something I’m not sure if I should tell you,” Angus finally ventured.
Lily stopped, turning to her.
“Elena, just say it.”
Angus took a deep breath, ready to mention the letter, when she suddenly felt an unsettling gaze.
She whipped around, catching a fleeting glimpse of Eric’s figure vanishing around a corner.
“What’s wrong, Elena?” Lily asked.
“Nothing, maybe I’m just paranoid,” Angus replied, suppressing her urge to speak about the letter.
She decided to observe Lily further to confirm her trustworthiness and find a way to evade Eric’s surveillance.
As night fell, Angus and Lily prepared to part ways.
Suddenly, Lily lunged forward, wrapping Angus in a fierce hug.
Her movement was so swift and resolute that Angus had no time to react.
Lily buried her head in Angus’s chest, her arms tightly encircling her waist.
Angus stood stunned, her face a mix of shock and embarrassment.
“Let go!” Angus’s voice carried urgency and awkwardness as she tried to push Lily away, her hands pressing against Lily’s shoulders.
But Lily clung tightly, as if using all her strength, and Angus’s efforts failed.
It felt to Angus like a golden retriever nuzzling her chest, the soft yet stubborn force leaving her flustered.
“I won’t. Just let me hug you a bit,” Lily pleaded, her muffled voice coming from Angus’s embrace.
Angus sighed helplessly.
“Fine, but not too long… okay?”
Her voice was laced with resignation.
Lily didn’t respond, only tightening her grip.
Time ticked by, and Angus grew restless.
“I need to get home. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Lily still didn’t let go.
“Just a bit more.”
After a long while, Lily finally loosened her hold.
She looked up, her face beaming with satisfaction, a sly glint in her eyes.
“Not only is Elena aloof, she’s a pushover too—agreeing after just a few words,” Lily teased.
Angus’s face flushed red.
“Who’s a pushover?!” she retorted loudly, her voice echoing in the quiet street.
Turning away, Angus adjusted her disheveled clothes, her eyes flashing with mock anger.
Lily’s smile faded, and she said cautiously, “Elena, don’t be mad. I was just joking.”
Angus huffed.
“That joke wasn’t funny.”
Lily quickly grabbed her hand, shaking it gently.
“Sorry, I won’t do it again, okay?”
Seeing Lily’s pitiful expression, Angus’s anger softened.
“No next time.”
Lily nodded eagerly.
“Mm-hm, promise.”
Angus glanced at the sky.
“It’s getting late. I need to go.”
Lily reluctantly let go.
“Alright, see you tomorrow.”