Instructor Han Rou cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence. She looked at Kai, her expression a mix of professional pride and lingering personal embarrassment.
"Regarding the compensation," Han Rou said, smoothing her jade robes. "Since the mission was cleared primarily due to... individual effort, the Academy has authorized a monetary reward for Kai. It's not a fortune—just a few hundred Spirit Coins—but for a student on a stipend, it is significant."
Kai nodded, keeping his face neutral. "Money is money, Teacher. I'll take it."
"Hey!"
Gu Ling stepped forward, her hands on her hips, her red ponytail twitching with irritation.
"What about us?" she demanded, gesturing to herself and the silent Leng Yue. "We are also part of the team! We walked there too! Don't we get hazard pay?"
"You spent the entire mission hallucinating on the floor, Gu Ling," Kai pointed out dryly.
"Shut up!" Gu Ling hissed, her face turning pink. "I was... strategically detained!"
"But Kai deserves it!"
The sudden interruption came from Yun Xi. The shy girl stepped out from behind Han Rou, clutching her bag of salt against her massive chest. Her face was red, but her eyes were fierce behind her thick glasses.
"Kai was the one who completed the mission!" Yun Xi insisted, her voice trembling but firm. "He saved us. If it weren't for him, we would still be in there. He earned every coin!"
Gu Ling blinked, surprised by the outburst from the usually mute girl. She scoffed, kicking a pebble across the pavement.
"Yeah, whatever, fuckers," Gu Ling muttered, turning on her heel. "Useless group. I'm going to the training hall to burn something."
She stormed off, radiating heat and annoyance. Leng Yue gave Kai a curt nod—a silent acknowledgment—before gliding away toward the Sword Pavilion without a word.
"Well," Han Rou sighed, watching her chaotic students disperse. "We will receive our next task next week. Until then, take time to recover. And I believe in my team... we will do better every day."
She adjusted her glasses.
"Classes are currently in session. If you want, you can all go and gain some theoretical knowledge. It might prevent... future surprises."
With a final nod, Han Rou walked toward the Faculty Tower, her hips swaying beneath her robes, leaving Kai and Yun Xi alone in the plaza.
The bustle of the Academy surrounded them, but in their little bubble, it was quiet.
Kai stretched his arms, his joints popping. He started to turn away, intending to head to the Administration Office to claim his gold.
"Umm... Kai?"
He stopped. Yun Xi was still standing there. She hadn't moved. She was fidgeting with the hem of her skirt, her eyes darting between his face and his boots.
"Yun Xi," Kai smiled, leaning back on his heels. "Don't you want to go to class? I hear History of Magic is starting soon."
Yun Xi shook her head rapidly, her heavy breasts bouncing with the motion.
"No... I don't," she whispered. "I already read the textbooks."
She looked up at him through her lashes. "And what about you? Don't you want to go?"
"Me?" Kai scoffed, a rogueish grin spreading across his face. "Nah. I'm too tired for lectures. Besides, I find sitting in a classroom boring. I only like fighting. Practical experience is the only thing that matters."
He flexed his arm slightly, the fabric of his uniform straining against his bicep.
Yun Xi stared at the muscle. Her breath hitched.
"You are so cool, Kai," she breathed, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Kai chuckled, stepping a little closer to her. He loomed over her petite frame.
"Thank you, Yun Xi," he said, his voice dropping to a warm, intimate register. "And thank you for defending me earlier against Gu Ling. You really support me, don't you?"
Yun Xi felt her knees turn to water. Being this close to him, smelling his scent
"It's okay, Kai," she stammered, a deep blush creeping up her neck. "It's because... because I think you are very good. And... you don't make me feel insecure."
She looked down at her own chest—the source of so much ridicule from other students. Kai had never mocked her. He had only ever looked at her with intensity.
She took a deep breath, gathering every ounce of courage she possessed.
She bit her lower lip.
It was a subconscious gesture, her white teeth sinking into the plump, pink flesh of her lip, drawing blood to the surface. To Kai, it looked like an invitation.
"And also..." Yun Xi started, her voice barely a whisper. "I wanted to ask you... will you come to my house tonight?"
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Your house? Why?"
Yun Xi's face turned scarlet. She twisted her skirt in her hands.
"I think... I think we both can study together," she hurried to explain, her words tumbling out. "Read books? You know... we also have written exams coming up soon. And they are also important for our ranking, right?"
She looked up at him with wide, pleading, hopeful eyes.
Kai looked at her. He saw the way she was trembling.
"Written exams," Kai groaned, playing along. "Yeah, you're right. I hate written exams. I'm terrible at them."
"So..." Yun Xi stepped closer, practically vibrating with anxiety. "Will you come, Kai? It's okay if you don't want to... I will not force you..."
She looked like she was ready to bolt if he said no.
Kai smiled—a slow, predatory smile that made Yun Xi's heart skip a beat.
"You don't have to force me, Yun Xi," Kai said smoothly. "I will surely come."
The relief on her face was blinding. Her expression lit up like a lantern.
"Oh! Thank you so much, Kai!" she beamed, doing a little hop of joy. "You are so good! I'll... I'll prepare snacks! Come at sunset!"
She waved frantically and turned to run, her large chest swaying.