On the Dry Road of Fenlai City, Alice was standing on the balcony of her two-story house. Her hands cupped her face as she stared down at the street and the people on it.
Ever since Linley had departed, Alice would come here almost every day to watch the people on the street, hoping that Linley would come again. But…
“School starts again tomorrow. I have to go back today.” Alice secretly sighed, taking another glance at the street.
She had hoped that Linley would come see her again, but over the past ten or so days, Linley hadn’t come even a single time. By this time, the voice of her good friend, Niya, could be heard from below. “Alice, hurry up.” Niya, Tony, and Kalan were all down at her door, waiting for her.
Kalan, Niya, and Tony were all students at war academies, and their school was located fairly close to Alice’s magus institute. Given that, and the fact that all four of their families were located in Fenlai City, they were on very good terms.
“Okay, coming!”
Alice glanced at the street one last time before putting on her backpack and going downstairs.
….
On the third night after Alice had departed the city, Linley arrived in front of Alice’s residence. Raising his head to look up at the little balcony, he saw that no one was there.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” A middle-aged guard in front of the residence shouted at Linley.
Turning his head, Linley smiled as he replied, “Hello. I’m from the Wellen Institute. Alice is a good friend of mine. Is she still at home?”
“Oh.” Hearing these words, the guard immediately was all smiles. “Miss Alice has already left for school three days ago. She’s long since headed back to school.”
“Oh, got it. Thanks.” Linley said courteously.
Turning around, Linley left via the Dry Road. After departing on the Dry Road, he turned his head and glanced at the balcony on the second level of the house. In his heart, he felt a bit helpless.
……….
On the road in front of the Ernst Institute.
A white light shone out of the Coiling Dragon ring and transformed into a white-robed old man, the white-bearded Doehring Cowart. Smiling, Doehring Cowart said to Linley, “Linley, you’ve fallen for Alice?”
“A bit.” Linley didn’t deny it.
Doehring Cowart stroked his beard, laughing loudly. “I didn’t think that you, you little punk, would finally fall for a girl. But Linley, you and Alice are at different magus institutes. With the two of you living in separate places, it will be very hard for your relationship to advance.”
“I know. It’s up to fate. If we are meant to be, we will. If not, then forget it.” Linley couldn’t help but think about what being together with Alice would be like.
He thought back to that terrified look on her face during the battle with the Bloodthirsty Warpig.
On the road back from the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, that shy look on her face as the two of them talked.
And under the moonlight, her moving appearance, seemingly the goddess of the moon herself.
…..
“This must be what one’s first crush is like.” Linley said to himself self-deprecatingly. By his age, all the other bros in his dorm had dated, with Yale and Reynolds having found girlfriends long ago.
As far as relationships went, Linley actually was somewhat excited about it.
…..
At the Ernst Institute, Linley was still as studious and hard-working as ever. Every day, he would spend at least part of his time training in the Straight Chisel School of sculpting. In terms of both spiritual essence and mageforce, his power continued to grow both stably and quickly.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.