Liana's Confession

Kahn was deeply agitated, feeling as though nothing had gone right for him lately.

His elder brother, for some reason, had gotten wind of his performance during the academy’s entrance test—where his magical aptitude had been overshadowed by three others—and had openly mocked him in front of the entire family.

Because of this petty incident, his father had cut back on his allocated family funds.

His attempt to recruit that brat Mian had been met with rejection.

And during a recent magic experiment in class, a mishap had nearly blown up in his face…

It was as if the entire world was conspiring against him.

Now, even his attempt to vent his frustration by teaching some clueless fool a lesson had been interrupted.

"That Xia Lun again…"

"What should we do, Young Master Kahn? Should we retreat for now?"

Kahn backhanded the lackey who suggested retreating. This was the same guy who, earlier in the restroom, had urged Kahn to beat Xia Lun up too—only to earn himself a slap then as well.

The lackey’s face, still swollen from the previous strike, now bore a matching mark on the other side.

"Retreat? Keep beating that lowborn scum!" Kahn roared, completely ignoring Xia Lun’s presence.

He wasn’t afraid of trouble—he just preferred to avoid it.

With the Stark Family backing him, he seriously doubted anyone would dare cross him over some nobody he barely knew.

But once again, he was mistaken.

"What do you think you’re doing? Stop." Xia Lun spoke softly, his tone calm. "Aren’t you nobles? Don’t stoop to such tasteless behavior."

"This is none of your concern!" Kahn glared at Xia Lun. "Are you trying to pick a fight with the Stark Family?"

Aina turned her head away, as if stifling a laugh.

If she were alone, she would’ve remained expressionless at such a threat. But with Xia Lun around, she felt compelled to show a bit more humor.

"This academy isn’t a place for violence. Oliphond is for learning magic," Xia Lun stated matter-of-factly. "And since it bothers me to see it, I’ll stop it."

"Tch. Don’t think just because you have some connection with the headmaster that I won’t touch you!" Kahn snarled, teetering on the edge of an outburst.

"What’s wrong with him?" Aina asked Xia Lun.

She didn’t understand Kahn’s behavior. The last time they’d met under similar circumstances, Kahn had backed off without a word. Yet now, he was dead set on opposing Xia Lun.

"People are easily swayed by their emotions," Xia Lun explained. "That’s why they act so differently under the same circumstances."

"Hmph. How pathetic, to be so easily controlled by emotions," Aina scoffed.

Truthfully, the same could be said for her—her attitude toward Xia Lun now was worlds apart from how she’d treated him a thousand years ago.

But of course, Xia Lun wouldn’t say that out loud.

Seeing Xia Lun and Aina act as if he were beneath their notice only fueled Kahn’s fury.

"You—Xia Lun, was it? Whatever your status, since you insist on opposing me, then—"

Xia Lun had no patience left for his blustering. He took a single step forward.

Kahn and his lackeys suddenly stiffened, as if struck by lightning, before their eyes rolled back and they collapsed to the ground.

Mian stared blankly at the unconscious figures around him, utterly bewildered.

Their minds and strength were too weak. Had they been stronger, they would’ve been trembling on their knees under the weight of Xia Lun’s aura—not outright fainting.

"Uh… Mr. Xia Lun?"

Mian looked anxious. "Why did you do that? You didn’t have to provoke him for my sake…"

"This isn’t about you," Xia Lun shook his head. "I only did what I wanted to do."

Xia Lun knew there were countless injustices in the world he couldn’t possibly address. But when wrongdoing happened right in front of him, he wouldn’t turn a blind eye.

Aina let out a soft, disdainful snort. "Such a self-righteous human."

Xia Lun patted Mian’s shoulder without another word and walked away.

They still had matters to attend to back home.

When Xia Lun returned to the estate, Mo Lini and Liyana were sitting by the entrance, staring blankly at the long crack running along the wall.

The repair golems were already at work, but the damage would leave a mark. Restoring it to its original state would be nearly impossible.

"What are you two doing?" Xia Lun asked casually.

Aina lowered her gaze, clearly hoping to retreat to her room without engaging in conversation.

Mo Lini snapped out of her daze and turned to Xia Lun, her eyes brimming with tears as if she’d found her savior. "Mr. Xia Lun… Liyana confessed her feelings to me!"

"Oh? And how do you feel about that?"

Xia Lun wasn’t surprised. Aina, however, shot Liyana a look of contempt.

Mo Lini looked indignant. "But we’re both girls!"

"The academy is quite open-minded. No one would care," Xia Lun replied, glancing at Liyana, who was frantically signaling him to say something favorable.

He added, "So… what are your feelings toward Liyana?"

Mo Lini sounded troubled. "We barely know each other. How could I have feelings? At most, I don’t dislike her… But she just confessed out of nowhere! What is she thinking?"

"What are you thinking?" Xia Lun asked Liyana directly.

Oddly, despite Liyana sitting right beside her, Mo Lini acted as if she weren’t there.

"Xia Lun, you taught me this," Liyana clenched her fists. "Honesty is the ultimate weapon! I genuinely think Mo Lini is adorable! If even you managed to win over Aina, I figured I could do it too!"

"An animal in heat would at least have some shame," Aina remarked coldly.

"Ugh…" Mo Lini sighed.

Hidden in a corner of the room, Yisi listened to the conversation with great amusement.

"Mo Lini," Xia Lun advised, "if you’re conflicted, just reject her outright."

Mo Lini hesitated. "But… wouldn’t that hurt Liyana’s feelings?"

Liyana clasped her hands over her mouth. What a kind soul!

Wait—she was right here! Mo Lini was saying this deliberately for her to hear! What kind of scheming was this?!

"Don’t worry about her feelings. She’ll keep pestering you regardless," Xia Lun waved it off.

Mo Lini’s eyes lit up, as if she found his reasoning sound.

She then turned to Liyana and said, "Liyana… I know you’re a good person, but… I’m sorry. I can’t return your feelings."

"Nooo!" Liyana wailed, slumping in despair.

"Xia Lun… take me to the tavern tonight. I need a drink to drown my sorrows," Liyana lamented. "This is the 321st time I’ve been rejected by a girl in my life."