The rain fell in slanting threads, the night as dark as ink.
On the way back to the dormitory, the only sounds on the quiet academy path were the rustling of rain against leaves and the slightly hurried breathing of Tunzuo and Olivia.
Olivia carried Tunzuo on her back.
She seemed steady, but her steps were slightly unsteady, with a faint, strange wobble.
Tunzuo’s body pressed tightly against Olivia’s back, the clear sensation through their soaked clothes making Olivia’s mind restless.
As a Dragon Witch, Olivia’s senses were several times sharper than an ordinary witch’s, and this close distance made it even harder for her to concentrate.
She muttered something under her breath, a blush creeping onto her cheeks that even the cold night rain couldn’t suppress.
Such was the nature of a Dragon Witch—
The possessiveness and impulse etched into her bones quietly grew in her heart.
Even though she had just sworn to get along, her thoughts now began to wander uncontrollably.
“Hey… what are you thinking?”
Tunzuo suddenly spoke, his tone alert.
“N-nothing, it’s just that the rain is a bit cold.”
Olivia snapped back to reality and stammered.
Tunzuo clearly didn’t believe her, his green eyes narrowing.
“Why is your body temperature so high?”
“It’s… adrenaline rushing! Yes, it’s the residual heat from battle!”
Olivia hastily explained.
Before she could finish, her waist suddenly hurt.
“Ow—!”
She couldn’t help but cry out, almost throwing Tunzuo off her back.
Tunzuo frowned and withdrew his hand.
“Still lying?”
Olivia gasped in pain, finally settling down and muttering an apology.
A moment later, the two continued on through the dim rainy night.
But after just a few steps, Olivia suddenly stumbled, and Tunzuo slid off her back, landing on the ground.
“Hey!”
Tunzuo snapped.
“What are you doing?”
Olivia was about to explain, but Tunzuo grabbed her wrist and pinned her against a tree trunk.
The atmosphere instantly tensed.
They stared at each other for a moment, rain sliding down their hair, the only sound the falling rain.
Tunzuo gritted her teeth.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
Olivia was silent for a moment, her expression complicated, then she let go.
“…Fine.”
She said softly.
“I give up.”
Just then—
“A-da!”
A sudden shout exploded from the side.
A force struck down, and Olivia saw stars as she staggered back.
Naiya leaped out, brandishing her weapon with a righteous expression.
“How dare you! Bullying the young master!”
Tunzuo blinked, then let out a relieved breath.
“Naiya!”
Naiya immediately stepped in front of her.
“Don’t worry, young master! I’ll protect you!”
Tunzuo nodded and quickly followed her away.
Olivia rubbed the bump on her head, standing there dazed, then hurried after them.
The rest of the way, she kept trying to ease the mood, asking if Tunzuo was cold or tired, but Tunzuo kept her face turned away, ignoring her.
They bickered all the way back to the dormitory entrance.
Just as Tunzuo was about to open the door, Olivia suddenly stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
Tunzuo turned back, puzzled.
The next second, she froze too.
At the dormitory door, Shirley stood there, her face dark, her gaze like a knife.
She crossed her arms, her long-suppressed anger seemingly ready to explode at any moment.
After taking a deep breath, she finally spoke:
“You two! Out causing trouble again, aren’t you?!”
Her voice echoed through the rainy night, making both of them flinch.