The Lovely Teacher

"Is... is that so? Xia Lun, you're capable of this? It's actually kind of disgusting." Liyana clicked her tongue.

Is this what married life looks like?

Xia Lun reluctantly released Aina's foot, and she immediately pulled it back, bending down to slip on her tall leather boots.

The class was nearing its end.

"Alright, students, that's all for today..."

As the words left her lips, Mo Lini, standing at the podium, suddenly snatched up her teaching materials and bolted for the door without hesitation.

"Oh no! Xia Lun, she's running!" Liyana exclaimed, quickly motioning for Xia Lun to give chase.

But Xia Lun and Aina had already vanished from sight.

So fast?

Liyana blinked in surprise before hurrying after them.

In the classroom, the few remaining students exchanged bewildered glances.

"What are they doing? Are they trying to catch Mo Lini?"

"Who knows? Aren’t they students? How dare they go after a teacher?"

"I know that guy—Xia Lun. He’s a freshman, got in through connections. Rumor has it he’s close with Headmaster Wolund. You definitely don’t want to mess with him."

"Why is he targeting Mo Lini? What’s he planning to do with her?"

"Those two girls are always around him. Maybe he’s trying to add Mo Lini to his harem!"

"How outrageous! And he shares the same name as the Hero too. How could he do something like this?"

"Well, he is quite handsome... Maybe Mo Lini wouldn’t mind..."

The noble ladies in the front row chattered excitedly, gossiping without a care, seemingly more amused than concerned about Mo Lini’s safety.

"Xia Lun isn’t that kind of person!"

The girls turned to see Mian, his face flushed red. The weight of their stares made him realize what he’d just done.

He hadn’t meant to shout.

Shrinking back, Mian added in a small voice, "Xia Lun... isn’t a bad person."

"Who’s this guy? Do you know him?" one of the girls asked, eyeing Mian up and down.

"Nope."

"Look at his clothes—probably a commoner. Hah, a commoner taking a music class..."

"He should be learning 'How to Clean Trash with Wind Magic' instead."

"Pfft—does the academy even offer that?"

If it were the Hero...

Mian pressed his lips together, ignoring the noble girls’ mocking remarks, and quietly left the classroom.

---

Mo Lini sprinted frantically down the hallway, wishing she could cast wind magic on her legs to move faster.

She had no idea who those people were, but if they knew her ancestor... it couldn’t mean anything good.

She’d thought taking a position at Olifant Academy would keep her safe from those kinds of pursuers. How naive she’d been.

Now... where else could she go?

Thud—

Mo Lini crashed into a broad chest. The person didn’t budge an inch, while she nearly toppled backward—until a firm grip caught her arm.

"S-sorry! I’m in a hurry—" Mo Lini stammered an apology.

"Oh? What’s the rush, Professor Mo Lini?" Xia Lun smiled warmly. "Care to share?"

Mo Lini: "..."

Aina’s boot came down hard on Xia Lun’s foot, making him grimace in pain.

"Sorry, Xia Lun. That was an accident."

Then she stomped on his foot again. "Also, how long do you plan to hold this girl’s hand? Flirting with another woman right in front of your wife—how very like you, the dazzling, ever-charming Hero..."

Xia Lun had no choice but to release Mo Lini’s arm. The moment she was free, she immediately turned to flee.

Thud—

She collided with someone else.

"What an enthusiastic lady, throwing herself at me the second time we meet." Liyana cackled, blocking Mo Lini’s escape. "No running away now, little princess~"

Mo Lini froze like a terrified squirrel, trembling in place.

She was surrounded. She had to... had to find a way out.

Her mind raced.

The weak point—she had to break through the weakest link.

Both Xia Lun and the elf were much taller than her. Only the silver-haired girl was close to her height.

That had to be it! She must be the weakest! If she could just slip past her, she could make a break for the headmaster’s office and beg for help!

"Hyaa!" Mo Lini let out a spirited cry and charged straight at Aina.

The next thing she knew, the world spun—and then she was dangling in the air like a kitten, held by the scruff of her collar.

"What was she trying to do?" Liyana asked, baffled.

Xia Lun shook his head. "No clue."

Despair settled over Mo Lini as she curled into a tiny, trembling ball. "Please let me go... I really don’t know where my ancestor left anything."

Xia Lun and Liyana exchanged glances.

So Moke had left something behind, and Mo Lini was being hunted because of it?

"And I don’t have any money either! My father’s business went bankrupt—he left me nothing! My mother ran off with another man and abandoned me... I’m so pitiful, waaah—"

Mo Lini’s voice cracked as tears welled up, her face the very picture of misery.

"Ahh, don’t cry, don’t cry! Professor Mo Lini, you’ve got it all wrong. We’re not here to cause trouble. We just... well, I was a friend of Moke’s, so when I saw you, I wanted to talk..." Liyana, utterly defenseless against such a display, softened immediately, patting Mo Lini’s head reassuringly.

Aina set Mo Lini back on her feet.

Though she might be exaggerating her pitiful act, her words seemed genuine.

Mo Lini’s red hair tumbled loosely as she lifted her head, eyes glistening with tears. "R-really?"

So... so cute!

Liyana clutched her chest.

No! No getting flustered! She already had Delyan! And this was Moke’s descendant!

Now that she looked closely, the resemblance was uncanny. If Moke had looked like this back then...

Liyana bit her lip hard.

No! Liyana! Stop this train of thought! Moke’s gone—don’t tarnish your old comrade’s memory!

"Professor Mo Lini," Xia Lun spoke up, "are there people chasing you because of your ancestor?"

Mo Lini gave a small nod.

Xia Lun pressed further. "Do you know who they are?"

Mo Lini hesitated before answering. "They wear grayish-yellow robes."