Chapter 190: The Empty Office, A Scolding Lady, and What Would You Do? (3)
[Seven Shields Academy's First-Year Trial]
[Time: Now]
[Location: The Gloomy Forest]
[Task: Locate and eliminate the goblin nest.]
The task began with an assessment of the students' scouting abilities.
The academy provided no specific location for the goblin nest, leaving it up to the students to find it themselves.
Along the way, they continuously encountered monsters.
"Screee—"
With a sharp cry, a green-skinned goblin parted ways with the world.
In the shadowy forest, creatures lurked everywhere.
However, low-level monsters like cat demons and green-skinned goblins were hardly a challenge.
For this group of outstanding first-year students, these were nothing more than warm-up exercises.
Most of them were sweet, adorable girls, but when it came to fighting?
One word: spectacular!
The girl who had just slain the green-skinned goblin with her spell lightly tapped the ground, floating slightly.
She put away her staff, lifting her chin with a confident air.
In the depths of the gloomy forest, wherever the students passed, blood-red roses of violence bloomed.
These small monsters might cause fear or harm to ordinary people, but for the students of Seven Shields Academy—even first-years—they were hardly worth mentioning.
---
A cat demon crouched on a tree, its eyes fixed on the group below, poised to strike.
Its fur bristled, ready to pounce, when suddenly it fell.
The muffled sound of its landing drew some attention.
The cat demon, once ready to strike, had lost its life before making a sound.
And where it had been lurking, a petite girl now squatted.
Her innocent, cute face seemed unremarkable, but the blood dripping from the dagger in her hand told a different story.
Noticing her, people quickly turned their focus elsewhere.
Despite spending the day together, most hadn't built much rapport with the quiet, reserved girl. However, they had come to understand one thing:
Rong's techniques were unlike anyone else's.
Not the sweeping blows of a swordsman or the elegant spells of a mage—hers were silent and sudden, appearing and disappearing without warning.
Stealth and backstab.
The fundamental skills of an assassin, honed through rigorous practice, were finally proving useful.
She wiped the blood from her dagger in one fluid motion.
Her movements were as graceful as a dancer performing in the shadows.
During their search for the right path, Rong's progress had been remarkable.
No longer the perpetual underachiever who lagged behind, she now kept up with the main group.
Though she didn't stand out among the newcomers, she was no longer someone to overlook.
Rong leaped lightly to the ground, her movements as graceful as ever, not making a sound.
Her vigilant eyes scanned the surroundings.
Then, a hand landed gently on her head, ruffling her hair.
"Well done. You've improved a lot," Shia praised warmly.
The touch on her head was soft and comforting.
At home, this might have made Rong close her eyes in bliss.
But here, in the gloomy forest, during a public trial?
Being praised and rewarded in front of so many people was…
She glanced around cautiously.
There were so many people!
Still, it seemed no one had noticed this scene.
Her heart swelled with joy, though she felt a bit flustered and wanted to run away.
---
Shia watched as Rong's expression turned from confusion to dazed delight.
Then her eyes lit up with happiness, her cheeks blushing deeper and deeper.
Until finally, her face turned as red as a tomato.
How could he do this in front of so many people?
So embarrassing!
Her breathing became uneven, and any trace of a stealthy assassin vanished as she fidgeted awkwardly.
If there hadn't been so many people, Rong might have completely lost her composure, even exposing her succubus tail!
---
Violet swung her longsword, a silver flash cutting through a goblin's head.
From its appearance to its demise, less than two breaths of time passed.
She didn't even need to get close.
The elegant, aloof princess didn't spare the creature a glance, already scanning the area for more goblins.
Her intent was to remain alert, but her gaze inadvertently fell on a certain pair of students.
Unintentionally, she witnessed the heartwarming scene.
The boy smiling gently as he praised, the shy girl lowering her head bashfully—it was a picturesque moment.
Violet frowned, an inexplicable irritation bubbling up inside her.
It felt like a weight pressing on her chest, stifling and frustrating.
She paused, her eyes fixed on the pair.
Her stunning face remained expressionless, but an oppressive aura emanated from her.
"Do you need me to reward you as well?"
Shia, feeling a gaze on him, turned to meet Violet's sharp stare.
He raised an eyebrow, teasing her.
Violet's annoyance only grew.
Who needs your head pats?
Who needs your praise and rewards?
She wasn't some ordinary, weak girl.
Killing a few minor monsters—what's there to reward?
And besides, who does he think he is to reward 'her'?
Violet fumed internally, her mind racing with complaints.
But Shia had already approached her, his hand reaching out to ruffle her hair.
Her soft silver locks, far warmer to the touch than their cold appearance suggested, were a pleasant surprise.
His hand worked through her hair, messing it up thoroughly.
Violet tilted her head slightly, a hint of resistance in her movement.
"What are you doing? Who said I wanted a reward? I'm not a child!"
Her face was full of disdain.
Shia didn't ease up, deliberately tousling her hair even more.
Violet bristled, swatting his hand away.
"Hmph! What do you think you're doing?"
She stepped back warily, putting distance between them, her displeasure at his audacity written all over her face.
Her delicate white-silk-covered feet shifted restlessly, betraying the turmoil in her heart despite her calm façade.
Shia watched with a smile, silently amused.
"Hmph, such a typical case of a tsundere princess," he thought.
"Feeling better now?" he asked casually.
Violet froze, then took a moment to truly sense her emotions. Surprisingly, the gloom that had weighed on her heart had lifted entirely.
Her mood had inexplicably calmed down.
Violet found this revelation unbelievable. Her face remained stern as she stepped a bit further from Shia, still feeling awkward.
Her unease grew as she processed the change in her emotions, a trace of confusion flickering in her eyes.
Why?!
A slight blush crept across her cheeks as warmth spread over her face—unusual in this shadowy, chilly forest. She stole a glance at Shia and quickly averted her gaze.