Chapter 177: Consider It a Meal You Owe Me

“How was your first day of school, Miss Lu Mo?”

“Not bad.”

“Did anyone bully you or leave you out?”

“No.”

“Did you make any new friends?”

“I guess you could say I did…”

Assuming Cecilia counted as a newly made friend.

On the way back, Elia and Lu Mo chatted casually.

Most topics revolved around Lu Mo’s academy life today.

How it went.

Whether she took care of herself.

Even though Elia was also a new student and they had only just met not long ago.

At that moment, Lu Mo felt as though Elia was taking on a role similar to that of an older sister.

How to put it?

She didn’t dislike the feeling.

But she still found the scene a little strange, yet also oddly familiar.

Perhaps it was because the tall girl’s name was Elia.

Exactly the same as that girl’s name from the first Simulated Reincarnation.

That girl had called her “Sister Lu Mo.”

In the simulation, Lu Mo had truly been like a big sister.

She had held Elia’s hand and led her through the darkest years of her life.

Now, the roles seemed reversed.

And in reality…

“Does Miss Lu Mo want to come to the advanced class?”

Elia asked.

Actually, rather than tutoring Lu Mo, she would have preferred to be in the same class as her.

“I could…”

“Let’s not for now.”

Lu Mo smiled and politely declined.

“My talent is too poor—I wouldn’t get in.”

“And even if I somehow did, a lot of people would have objections.”

That was a lie to Elia.

After the first Simulated Reincarnation ended and the rewards were distributed, Lu Mo had gained extremely strong cultivation talent.

She even possessed a special talent—Light and Shadow.

Given time, she would catch up quickly.

But for now, she didn’t want to reveal it.

She just wanted to lie low.

At that, a hint of gloom flickered in Elia’s eyes.

What a pity.

In this life, Sister Lu Mo still had her heaven-defying comprehension.

But her cultivation talent was almost zero.

Just like…

her back then.

“But it’s okay. This time, I’m here.”

Soon, Elia smiled again.

“I’ll help you, Miss Lu Mo.”

“With everything I’ve got, I’ll help you—”

Just like back then, when Lu Mo had spared no effort to help her over and over again.

“Thank you, Miss Elia.”

Lu Mo smiled and expressed her gratitude.

“It’s only natural for classmates to help each other.”

Elia pretended not to care.

The two continued walking.

Lu Mo’s residence was now close at hand.

“Chirp~?”

The chubby little bird stood still by the window, suddenly letting out a joyful cry.

It sensed Lu Mo’s return.

It hopped around happily, its little belly jiggling.

If its wing weren’t injured, it would have flown out to greet her already.

Under the setting sun, it watched Lu Mo’s figure gradually appear, its eyes sparkling with light.

“Chirp?”

But soon, its body stiffened, and it uttered a confused sound.

That tall girl walking beside Lu Mo…

Who was she?

A classmate? A neighbor?

It watched as Lu Mo and Elia walked all the way to the courtyard and entered together.

Into…

its territory.

“Grr…”

The chubby bird let out a low sound, its gaze toward Elia gradually sharpening with wariness.

“Then, same as before—shall we read through it once?”

“Okay.”

They set down their books.

Elia opened her notebook and leaned in close to Lu Mo.

“This is the swordsmanship the advanced class learned today.”

“I made some simple notes based on what the teacher said and added a bit of my own understanding.”

“It really is a fine sword technique.”

Lu Mo watched intently.

A powerful swordsmanship was completely broken down in Elia’s notes.

Every part was recorded in great detail, easy to understand.

Actually, the most crucial part of the notes wasn’t the sword technique itself.

It was the thought process Elia expressed between the lines.

After the second Simulated Reincarnation ended, Lu Mo’s swordsmanship had already reached a very high level.

So high that if she competed purely in swordsmanship, even the Dean would probably be cut down in a few blows.

To Lu Mo, this swordsmanship was something she could master in a single practice.

However, Elia’s thought process and the sword intent hidden in the notes were entirely new.

They left Lu Mo feeling amazed.

This line of thinking, this sword intent—could it come from Elia’s family legacy?

Lu Mo wondered.

They stood very close, reading the same notebook together.

Sometimes, their hands would accidentally touch.

“Ah?”

“Sorry, sorry.”

At moments like that, Elia would smile apologetically at Lu Mo.

But her hand would linger on Lu Mo’s hand, not moving away.

Unable to do anything, the chubby bird grew more and more upset.

It pressed close to the window, its face nearly plastered against the glass.

Yet it could only watch helplessly as their hands touched, powerless to intervene.

“So, Miss Lu Mo, I remember it pretty well, right?”

“Mm.”

The content was detailed.

The handwriting was beautiful.

In Lu Mo’s original world, it could probably be printed as a top scorer’s notes.

“Then, shall we give it a try?”

Elia suggested.

“Sure.”

Lu Mo said, taking out a training sword from her spatial ring.

She raised the sword.

Suddenly, she felt Elia appear behind her, pressing close.

“Don’t turn around.”

Elia whispered.

“?”

Lu Mo was startled.

What a terrible line.

“Let me guide you through it once.”

“…”

She had overthought it.

Elia couldn’t possibly have any ulterior motives, right?

Lu Mo’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she relaxed control of her body.

She let Elia guide her hands.

A light brush.

A sharp lift.

A sudden thrust.

Sword shadows flickered continuously under the setting sun, cutting through the wind, spreading a chill.

A faint, elusive sword intent emanated.

“Is Miss home?”

“Looks like Miss Elia is here too. She must be helping Miss Lu Mo practice swordsmanship…”

The little maid stepped out of the kitchen, but when she looked toward the window, she froze.

Because she saw the chubby bird pressing its entire face against the glass.

Slapping the window with its pudgy wing repeatedly.

“Chirp! Chirp chirp chirp!”

“Chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp!!!”

It kept squawking.

Its emotions were even more intense than at noon.

It felt like…

it was cursing?

And maybe a bit profanely?

But compared to the whole window, its body was far too small.

Besides, the window’s soundproofing was too good.

The two outside simply couldn’t hear.

Why was the chubby bird so agitated?

Could it be because Miss Elia was holding Miss Lu Mo’s hand?

The little maid thought to herself.

“Ah, is it already this late?”

After practicing the swordsmanship a few times, they noticed the sky had darkened and realized a long time had passed.

Elia packed up her books and prepared to leave.

But soon, Lu Mo stopped her.

“Miss Elia, would you like to stay for dinner?”

Having taken up so much of Elia’s time, Lu Mo felt a bit indebted.

“Me? No, it’s fine…”

Elia declined a few times.

Seeing Lu Mo’s insistence, she smiled.

Then she followed Lu Mo into the house.

Once inside, she greeted Afu.

Afu smiled nervously and bowed to her.

“Miss Lu Mo, Miss Elia, please rest. Dinner will be ready soon.”

The little maid said, hurrying back to the kitchen.

“Okay.”

“Miss Elia, have a seat and rest for a bit.”

Soon, the two sat down on a sofa.

Elia instinctively moved closer to Lu Mo.

“Miss Lu Mo, was today’s intensity too high?”

Seeing Lu Mo clench her fist, she asked with concern.

“Let me massage it for you?”

“Ah, I’m fine…”

Lu Mo started to speak.

But at that moment, Elia had already grasped her forearm and pulled it over.

“Chirp!”

Seeing that Elia was about to hold Lu Mo’s hand again, a dissatisfied cry finally erupted, reaching both their ears.

“Huh?”

Elia saw a plump figure appear on the table.

It was the chubby little bird.

One wing on its hip—the other wing was injured and couldn’t be raised.

It was now looking up at her.

Its eyes…

seemed tinged with anger.

“Oh, it’s you?”

“Miss Lu Mo, who is this?”

Elia pointed at the chubby bird.

“A little bird I picked up today.”

Lu Mo replied.

Sensing the little bird’s anger, she smiled helplessly.

Why was this little thing so angry?

Because she had brought a stranger home?

“Alright, little one, Elia isn’t a bad person. She’s a friend.”

Lu Mo explained.

“Chirp! Chirp chirp chirp!”

The chubby bird cried out relentlessly, its eyes fixed on Elia’s hand, which was trying to touch Lu Mo’s palm.

Mm…

Lu Mo seemed to understand why the chubby bird was acting so angrily.

Faced with the little bird’s fury, Elia felt a bit innocent.

How had she suddenly been snapped at by a little animal?

It had been years since anything dared to snap at her.

But…

it was so cute.

No matter how furious the chubby bird acted, in the eyes of a strong person, it was just another form of cuteness.

“Small but hot-tempered…”

Elia reached out to ruffle the chubby bird.

Seeing this, the little bird became even angrier.

It hopped, and an invisible ripple seemed to spread.

“Hm?”

Elia’s hand stopped midair.

Something flickered in her eyes.

Then, looking at the chubby bird, she suddenly smiled.

“Interesting.”

“It seems Miss Lu Mo has picked up a very interesting little creature.”

She turned to Lu Mo and said.

“Interesting?”

“You should keep this chubby little bird well, Miss Lu Mo.”

Elia spoke.

“Who knows—it might bring you a surprise someday.”

Lu Mo nodded upon hearing this.

Afterward, Afu prepared dinner.

Elia temporarily gave up on massaging Lu Mo’s hand.

The chubby bird was no longer angry, but it remained very wary of Elia.

Even during the meal, it was the same.

Several days passed.

During the day, Lu Mo sat next to Cecilia as her deskmate.

In the evening, she practiced swordsmanship with Elia.

At night, she played with the chubby bird.

She had somehow struck a delicate balance with both of them and the bird.

Another evening.

After finishing sword practice with Lu Mo, Elia seemed to have things to attend to.

She didn’t stay for dinner.

“Miss Elia.”

Just as she was about to leave, Lu Mo called out to her.

“Thank you for all the trouble recently.”

“It’s nothing.”

Lu Mo still felt a bit indebted to Elia.

“You’ve done so much for me, but I don’t seem to have anything right now to properly thank you…”

“If you really feel bad, just consider it a meal you owe me for now.”

Elia thought for a moment and then spoke.

“Just one meal?”

Lu Mo still felt that compared to a single meal, she owed Elia far more.

“I said for now, consider it a meal you owe.”

Elia smiled.

“We can figure out the rest later when I think of something.”

“Alright, then.”

Soon, they parted under the setting sun.

Once she was far away, Elia muttered softly, only loud enough for herself to hear:

“One meal, huh…”

“It’s not just my meal you owe.”

After seeing Elia off, Lu Mo returned home.

She sat on the sofa, stroked the chubby bird as usual, then called up the system to check on the repair progress.

[Ding——]

Today, when the system screen appeared, she heard the familiar notification sound.

The repair was complete.

The system… had won its revival match!