Got the mascot

After class ended this time, Professor Enlaisi didn’t keep Xia Lun behind.

He seemed to have something urgent to attend to, leaving in a hurry as soon as the bell rang.

Xia Lun watched Professor Enlaisi’s retreating figure, lost in thought.

If the Twilight Apostle who attacked the manor wasn’t Enlaisi, then who could it be?

"Xia Lun? Hey, Xia Lun." Liyana patted Xia Lun’s shoulder. "So, how long are you planning to stay here?"

Xia Lun: "Getting restless already?"

"Yeah, staying in the academy every day is honestly a bit boring. Life here is just too dull." Liyana shrugged, then flashed an eager grin. "When are we going on an adventure?"

"I remember you used to always want to stay peacefully in town and never go out. What’s with the sudden enthusiasm?" Xia Lun chuckled, recalling the Liyana of the past.

"Come on, that was ages ago, Xia Lun!" Liyana sighed. "And while you were gone, I’ve already lived over a thousand years of peaceful life. Now, I just want some excitement."

Xia Lun pressed further: "What about Delyan? Isn’t she your girlfriend? What’s your plan—just leave her behind?"

Liyana smacked her forehead. "Oh right! If I go adventuring, what about Delyan? She’s busy with her studies—no way she’d come along."

Xia Lun: "…"

She actually forgot. So much for her girlfriend’s importance in her heart.

"It’s fine, she’ll understand," Liyana waved it off. "A heart yearning for freedom and unrestraint… That’s probably why she fell for me in the first place."

Xia Lun stayed silent.

He figured Delyan was more likely just into her looks.

Still, Liyana’s suggestion did stir something in him.

"Xia Lun, do you want to leave?" Aina asked softly.

"It’s about time we set out," Xia Lun stretched lazily.

Originally, coming to Olifendor was just to follow Aina’s advice—to secure a student’s identity. But thanks to Wolund’s hospitality, they’d ended up staying for a while.

Plenty had happened since then, keeping Xia Lun tied down.

As for the Twilight Apostle hiding in the academy, they were too deeply concealed to root out anytime soon.

But with Wolund stationed here, there wasn’t much to worry about.

Xia Lun also planned to leave Yisi behind. If Wolund ran into something he couldn’t handle, he could always ask for her help.

Xia Lun had also asked Wolund to keep an eye on Professor Enlaisi’s movements. Something about him still felt off.

According to Aina, there was a woman’s corpse hidden in Enlaisi’s home… Having Aina handle this was practically overkill.

Xia Lun guessed it was the woman from the portrait—Enlaisi’s former lover.

Enlaisi wasn’t a necromancer, so the only reason he’d hide a corpse was… to resurrect her.

The Twilight Cult’s goal was to revive the Hero. If they had the means to bring back the dead… then the chances of Enlaisi collaborating with them were high.

Of course, this was all just speculation. How things would unfold remained to be seen.

…

Manor, living room.

"Eh… Eh?… EHHH?!"

Mo Lini stared in disbelief at the dismissal letter in her hands.

Due to low enrollment in her music class… she’d been fired by the headmaster.

"No! Why is this happening? What am I supposed to do now? Ugh… I’m doomed…" Mo Lini wailed, tears streaming down her face.

Without Olifendor’s protection, she was just a helpless little lamb—easy prey for the Twilight Apostles.

Xia Lun sipped his coffee calmly.

Mo Lini’s dismissal… was entirely his doing.

Liyana, meanwhile, was struggling to hold back laughter, her hand clamped over her mouth.

Xia Lun’s reasoning was simple: he wanted Mo Lini to join their party.

Their current team’s strength was overkill for most places. What they needed now was a mascot—someone to raise the difficulty level.

The adorable Mo Lini fit the bill perfectly.

Plus, she bore a resemblance to Moke, which helped Xia Lun recapture the feeling of their past adventures.

More than anything, it was about what Xia Lun called "ceremony."

"What am I going to do… Ugh…" Mo Lini slumped onto the sofa in despair.

Liyana figured it was time.

Ahem. "Mo Lini, we’re actually planning to leave the academy soon," Liyana cleared her throat. "We’re heading out to explore cities and dungeons—going on an adventure."

Mo Lini was still wallowing in visions of her bleak future, barely registering Liyana’s words. She lifted her head slightly. "Oh… really? Well, take care. Thanks for everything these past days. If I get the chance, I’ll repay your kindness someday."

Liyana: "…"

Why was this girl as dense as Yisi?

"What I mean is—do you want to join us, Mo Lini?" Liyana cut straight to the point.

"Eh? Me? Join your party? But I’m not an adventurer! I’m weak, I can’t do anything… You’d get no benefit from having me around," Mo Lini mumbled timidly.

"We don’t mind," Xia Lun downed his coffee in one go. Aina refilled his cup—tonight, she wouldn’t let him use sleepiness as an excuse to escape.

"You’re serious? You’re inviting me to join your team?" Mo Lini was stunned.

Xia Lun nodded. "Yeah. You’re being targeted by Twilight Apostles, right? It’s dangerous out there alone. Stick with us—at least you’ll be safe."

"R-really? Then I’ll really join you?"

"Don’t worry, I’ll protect you," Liyana thumped her chest, putting on her most reliable face.

"You won’t abandon me for being weak? Or sell me to slavers?" Mo Lini looked up pitifully. "Or use me as bait for monsters? I’m not even strong enough to carry luggage…"

Liyana patted her shoulder. "A mascot just needs to be cute… and you can sing. That’s more than enough."

"Sing… sing too?"

Unpleasant memories flashed through the minds of all three present.

Aina: "No."

Liyana: "Absolutely not."

Xia Lun: "Let’s not."

Mo Lini tilted her head, confused.