The First Witch Academy, located in the heart of the Lower District, was the finest school in the area.
It was also the institution where the most girls underwent Awakening to become Witches.
Its glazed dome reflected a brilliant, dazzling light under the sun, while carved gallery pillars intertwined with magical patterns.
Everywhere one looked, it exuded an air of nobility that felt entirely out of place in the filthy, disorganized Lower District.
Clearly, someone very powerful stood behind this academy.
After all, it wasn’t unheard of for someone from the Lower District to make their way to the Upper District and become an existence both feared and respected by the numerous Witches there.
Gentle sunlight spilled down, coating the stone path in front of the academy gates with a layer of warm gold.
At the school entrance, Lin Lue looked down at the little girl tightly clutching his leg.
Lin Xue’er was practically glued to him, her cheek pressed firmly against his thigh.
She refused to let go no matter what.
Lin Lue felt helpless.
He reached out and rubbed her hair, which felt as soft as a cloud.
“Xue’er, it’s time for school. Can you let go of your brother now?”
“No… I don’t want to!”
Lin Xue’er refused, her voice thick with reluctance.
“I don’t want to be apart from Brother. I want to be with Brother forever.”
His sister was even more clingy than usual today.
The warm sunlight fell upon her fair, delicate face, making her skin look almost transparent.
Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, her pink lips were pouted, and her rose-colored eyes were misty with tears.
Her pitiful and adorable appearance almost shattered the mental defenses Lin Lue had worked so hard to build.
‘Little sisters really are the cutest.’
But school was starting, and if they delayed any longer, Lin Xue’er would be late.
Lin Lue crouched down to meet her gaze.
He held out his pinky finger and said solemnly, “Be a good girl, Xue’er. I promise I’ll be the first one here to pick you up as soon as school lets out. I won’t break my word.”
Understanding his intent, Lin Xue’er quickly hooked her slender finger around his and gave it a shake, finalizing their promise.
“Brother has to come.”
“Yes, definitely.”
“No matter how long it takes, Xue’er will wait for Brother.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll absolutely come for you.”
Today, Lin Xue’er wore a brand-new dress that faded from white to pink, looking like a delicate flower bud on a branch.
Her natural, snow-white hair was thick and smooth; half of it flowed down her back like liquid moonlight, while the other half was carefully tied into a side ponytail that bounced playfully with her movements, making her look charming.
She was incredibly light.
Lin Lue had tried picking her up before and found he could lift her easily.
He could probably hold her like that for an entire day without feeling tired.
Perhaps it was some kind of soft-and-squishy buff provided by his sister.
“Brother… hug me one last time. Just one.”
Lin Xue’er looked up, her watery eyes staring straight at him, filled with dependence and longing.
This kind of acting spoiled left Lin Lue with no resistance.
It was an attack on his heart.
However, as an older brother, he had to set an example.
So, with a stern face, he told her that she had to go to school properly once he finished.
He extended his strong arms and steadily swept Lin Xue’er up by the waist.
Her small black leather shoes, which covered feet in white stockings, left the ground as the little girl was hoisted into the air.
Lin Xue’er sat perched on his forearm, her small head leaning against his chest as she felt his steady heartbeat.
A moment later, she jumped down with great reluctance.
She raised her small hand and waved gently at Lin Lue.
Without saying another word, she turned and walked toward the school gate.
She didn’t look back.
She knew very well that if she took even one look back or said a single word more, her courage would instantly crumble.
She would surely rush back and hug her brother, refusing to let go.
Ever since awakening her Witch powers, Lin Xue’er’s dependence on Lin Lue had reached her very marrow.
After all, he was the only thing left in her world.
‘I have to study hard and strive to become better so Brother can live a good life.’
She thought about how her brother might be deceived or bewitched by bad women.
Lin Xue’er wouldn’t blame others; she would only hate herself for not being excellent enough, for not raising her brother better, and for not being able to hand him every beautiful thing in the world.
“Oh my~ Brother really is the best brother in the whole world~~”
A light, playful, and high-pitched voice drifted over from the side.
Lin Lue winced.
It sounded familiar.
He instinctively turned his head and saw a girl with emerald-green hair tilting her head as she entered his field of vision.
Her footsteps were light, almost like a dance, and her black skirt fluttered, revealing her jade-white, shapely thighs.
As she approached, her golden phoenix eyes curved like crescent moons, her pupils resembling gems soaked in water.
She was smiling brightly, showing unabashed curiosity and scrutiny.
She looked Lin Lue up and down, from head to toe.
“I’m so jealous~ I want such a good brother too. Hmm… can I call you Brother as well?”
Before Lin Lue could respond, Wen Yaxin had already approached him on her own, puffing out her chest.
She closed the distance step by step, her voice ringing out repeatedly.
“Brother~ Brother! Good Brother~”
With her hands behind her back, she leaned forward, tilting her stunningly beautiful face upward with a radiant smile.
Lin Lue was caught off guard by this sudden, passionate assault and instinctively took two steps back.
Why was this person still chasing him?
She was proactive and her beauty was flamboyant and striking, like a rose in full bloom—beautiful but aggressively so.
One couldn’t let their eyes be too dazzled by beauty; one had to be careful when admiring it, as it was easy to get a palm slashed by thorns.
“Of course, if just calling you Brother isn’t enough…”
Wen Yaxin’s eyes flickered.
Suddenly, she dropped to her knees and grabbed Lin Lue’s leg.
She rubbed her cheek affectionately against his thigh, her tone sweet and joyful.
“Father~~”
Lin Lue froze in place.
He seriously suspected that this girl’s mental state was a bit abnormal.
She was completely shameless.
“Let go.”
Lin Lue pushed against her face with some force, her soft skin deforming under his palm.
Yet Wen Yaxin remained persistent, mumbling incoherently, a tiny bit of foam even escaping the corner of her mouth.
“Don’t be so stingy~ Was I not loud enough? Then I’ll do it again!”
She took a deep breath, and seeing that she was about to shout at the top of her lungs in public, Lin Lue’s expression changed.
He quickly and firmly covered her mouth and nose.
Wen Yaxin’s eyes darted around, filled with the mischievous glint of a successful prank.
A blush crept across her cheeks, though whether it was from a lack of oxygen or excitement was unclear.
She glanced toward the school gate.
Lin Xue’er had already entered, but her back was still visible.
If she just shouted a little louder…
“Shut up!”
“Stop this right now!”
Lin Lue noticed where her gaze was drifting.
Sensing she was about to say something even more outrageous the next second, he simply grabbed her arm and forced her to her feet.
“Now, go inside and get to school immediately!”
“Oh, you’re so strict~”
“You’re looking more and more like a father. I like it so much~”
“I’ve never actually experienced paternal love, you know. I only have two mothers at home.”
She tilted her head, a trace of loneliness appearing on her face, but she immediately swapped it for a cunning smile in the next breath.
“By the way, Lin Xue’er’s situation at school isn’t very good. If Father is willing to bow his head and beg me, I’ll take good care of her for your sake.”
“So, does Father want to beg me?”
Lin Lue remained expressionless.
This girl was getting way too comfortable calling him Father.
Were girls these days really that starved for affection?
She was something else—truly a character!
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