Chapter 10 - Goodbye, Victoria City!

Hot water trickled down the drain, washing away the sweat and lethargy Fang felt.

*Today, I finally beat Vincent!*

Elders, though I don’t know who they were, I really appreciate them—they changed my life!

If it hadn’t been for those dedicated individuals pushing to teach me everything, I could have never passed the entrance examination and might have suffered for life with Mii.

But now that I have the ability to gain energy, the future seems limitless!

After refreshing himself, Fang put on clean clothes and comfortably headed out.

Mii had already finished her nightly chores. She greeted him and took the piping teapot from the corner, pouring a cup of barley tea.

Slowly, Fang sat down around a small table as the warm fireplace cast a cozy light over the room. “Hey Mii, sit down.”

She sat down, and Fang contentedly sipped his tea. A happy smile floated across Mii’s face. Curious, Fang asked, “Mii, what’s with that smile?”

Keeping the smile on her face, she replied, “Master, life feels so great. It’s like a dream, a really good dream.”

Just a month ago, Fang had been lying in bed, unconscious, and Mii worried every day, wondering if today would be the day she couldn’t buy the nutrition Fang needed. But then, Fang woke up, Vincent was crippled, no one would laugh at them anymore, and Fang would get into the college. She was sincerely happy for Fang, who was the only family she had left.

His strength wasn’t important to her; instead, his persistence had finally paid off!

Impulsively, Fang put down the small teacup and hugged her. “Mii, this is just the beginning. Things will get even better!”

“Really, will things get better?” Her voice carried a trace of longing. After tasting hope, she couldn’t help but want things to continue like this forever.

Looking down at her exquisite, charming face with those captivating eyes, loud heartbeats awkwardly filled the silence.

“I mean, it’s okay…” Her voice was stolen away as lips met lips, and for what seemed like an eternity, the world slowed down.

Her mind blank, eyes hazy, Mii’s hands reached around Fang’s shoulders. But then, as if struck by thunder, she pushed Fang away with a flushed face, slightly panting. “I’m sorry, master, really I’m sorry! I’d only be a burden if this continued…”

This was possibly the most crucial moment in a person’s life for progress in both training mana and energy—if she burdened Fang today, she’d never forgive herself. So, for his sake, no matter how reluctant she was, she had to firmly reject him!

Fang understood Mii’s good intentions and mentally derided himself; he knew that not only was he talented, but Mii also had a knack for learning magic.

Gently, Fang said, “It’s okay, Mii.”

“Well, if there’s nothing else, I must go. You must be tired, so please, rest early!” Like a frightened kitten, she hurried out of the room.

Mii wasn’t afraid, just extremely shy and confused. It was the first time Fang had gotten that close to her, and even though they hadn’t crossed any lines, she still felt heated thinking about that delicate, sweet kiss…

Master and me, could it hopefully happen?

Thinking of her face, Fang couldn’t help but smile. She was really too cute!

---

Two days went by in the blink of an eye, and Mii began her magic examination while Fang waited outside. Unlike the martial arts examinations, the magic test was entirely written. Understanding the fundamental laws that magic revolved around was crucial for the development and use of mana.

Quietly, an hour crept past as Fang patiently waited. A figure finally walked out of the room. Rising to his feet, Fang excitedly asked, “How was it, Mii?”

The magic exam was graded immediately after it was filled out. He knew Mii’s magic capabilities were always high, so he wondered what her score was.

Mii bit down on her bottom lip and stayed silent, surprising Fang. Did she bomb the exam?

In a consoling tone, he reassured her, “Never mind, Mii. The written score doesn’t truly represent what you’re capable of with magic. It’s pretty difficult, so you shouldn’t feel bad at all.”

Her expression instantly changed into a sweet smile. “Master, I scored 100 points on the written exam!”

A perfect score?

Fang was stunned. He hadn’t expected to be tricked by Mii at all!

Excitedly, Mii continued, “Master, when I took the practice exams at school, it took me up to an hour to solve a single question. But ever since you showed me those alternate theories, I found the laws were actually simple to understand, and I got a perfect score on this exam.”

“You dare to pretend like this with a perfect score? What horrifying acting!” Fang laughed. “Well, Mii, for cheating your master, how would you like to be punished?”

Mii knew that Fang was just kidding and played along, crouching as if afraid. “Ah, master, how are you going to punish me?”

“I want to kiss you right now, just like last night!” Mii’s face instantly turned a bright cherry red.

Giving Fang a cold look, Mii replied, “Master, you’re dead!”

He shrugged. “Hey, it isn’t my fault that Mii looks so beautiful!”

---

With the top score on the magic examination, Mii also received a recommendation to an intermediate school for training magic. After all, there wasn’t much competition for that spot—people who could utilize magic were few in number, perhaps making up 0.1% of the population. Furthermore, Mii was a trainee magician, while many of the examinees were simply apprentices.

In just a week, two letters arrived at Fang’s house.

Fang had been continuously practicing the endless method the entire time. Getting into a college required not just talent but also money! Only by getting stronger could he tackle the monsters that roamed the world and sell their parts for money to fund both his and Mii’s education.

Outside the mansion, Fang and Mii looked at the empty place, with mixed emotions running through their minds.

With no one else in the family alive and both Fang and Mii heading to college, there seemed to be nothing but bitter nostalgia left behind in this city.

He bowed slightly, then took her hand and turned his back, starting to walk.

Goodbye, Victoria City!