When Iris entered the Auburn Leaf Library, a gaze locked onto her. It was not the malicious kind but the curious, longing kind. She flashed a radiant smile as she hung her pastel jacket and hat then turned around, winking at the observer.

Despite busily handling other visitors, Tundra still glanced at Iris, eyeing her serene, ethereal charm. When Iris noticed and reciprocated her, Tundra tensed up, tears of delight stirring in her eyes. She could barely contain her flushes as she rigidly withdrew her gaze and served other visitors, though her manner had become much sweeter.

After the few visitors left, quietude returned. With nothing to busy herself, Tundra fiddled with her hair, which glimmered in brown light of the lanterns. Her eyes shifted between Iris's body parts, but she could not keep them at the same place for long.

Such otherworldly beauty pervaded her mind. Its perfection agitated Tundra, stealing her pulses and breathes.

"Miss Tundra, we meet again," Iris said with a bright smile on her face. "To tell you the truth, I've been looking forward to coming here."

Tundra forced herself to meet Iris's gaze, maintaining her polite manner. "We’re glad our service satisfied you. We have to thank you too for your patronage; your presence brightens our library."

Iris placed her arms on the reception table, leaning forward. "You've misunderstood me; I didn't look forward to coming to the library. I come here for you."

Facing the beaming Iris, Tundra instinctively stepped back, her face reddening. She glanced to her left, where a small vanity mirror was.

She donned her usual librarian uniform, cute, petite, and polite, but she didn’t sprinkle any extra perfume or makeup. Her short brown hair was not messy, but it also was not captivating. She regretted not dressing her best today, for she wanted Iris to see her best version.

"Spacing out already?" Iris said. "What indecent thoughts are you playing inside that sleepy head of yours?"

"Lady Iris, please don't tease me. I'm not worthy of your time." Tundra forced a smile, but she kept trembling and flushing that her smile turned out silly.

"Don't belittle yourself, or I'll have to list your good points, like your cute, your bashful expression, the way you fiddle your hair when you're nervous, the way you look at me with admir—"

"Please don't!" Tundra walked towards Iris and held her hands to cover Iris's mouth, but Iris's mischievous grin was too much. "This is a public place. I'm begging you, Lady Iris. Please don't do it here, or you'll embarrass me so much I won't be able to face my colleagues."

"There are only you and me here, though." Iris pulled back and covered her lips with her palms. "Can I continue? Your face tells me you enjoy the compliment."

Tundra rigidly shook her head and recorded Iris's personal detail on the check-in document. Her ears glowed pink while she tried her hardest to suppress her heartbeat, yet she couldn’t help but wonder what Iris could have done, now that there existed no one else to interrupt them.

With that magic, no one would see them, and no one would ruin their moments. They could spend as much time together as they desired. No need to hold back, no need to panic. Everything would be laid open.

What am I thinking! Lady Iris is a knowledgable scholar, while I'm a mere Mage Apprentice. She is too far above me, yet she still comes to see me. It doesn't make any sense. Is it really true that she sees something in me? Does she . . . ?

Tundra swiftly finished the document and escaped from Iris, going around rearranging the messy papers and organising the whiteboard on the wall. Her gaze would sometimes wander towards Iris, but Iris's unwavering gaze on her made her chest fuzzy. As she did all the works she could, the strange sensation in her heart glowed. She had to confront it, or it would grow too large to suppress.

Using up her bravery, she clenched her fists and turned around.

"Lady Iris, could you please—" She paused. No one was in front of the counter.

Iris had already gone inside the library and seated herself in the middle of the public lounge. Surrounded by neat stacks of books, she attentively read the book in her hands. Her star-like eyes focused on the printed letters as if casting spells to invoke its descriptions to life.

Tundra held her breath and turned herself to the vanity mirror. She slightly crouched as she adjusted her uniform, fixing the faint imperfections her eyes caught. If it weren't for her obligation, she would have gone home to wash up and redress herself before approaching Iris.

Still, she had other options.

As she eyed the vacant street on which Auburn Leaf Library stood, Tundra made up her mind and pressed her fingers on the middle of her forehead. Her Pure Power, faintly blue, emerged from her fingertips, covering her skin. The spell enveloped her body, cooling her sensitive body, cleansing her flesh.

I must be crazy to use my precious Pure Power for something like this. You aren't thinking straight, Tundra! If someone catches you using magic in public, you'll be punished!

Taking a deep breath, Tundra surveyed the surroundings again. Only a few people were walking on the street, and the curtains and stained glasses of the library were enough to obscure their vision. Still, she could feel a gaze lingering on her, not from the outside but the inside.

Iris held the closed book in her left hand and smiled at Tundra, who almost let out a cute cry.

Oh no. It's over. Tundra alternated her gaze between the entrance of the library and Iris then placed her hands on her chest, nervous. She must think of me as a wasteful girl. She might even report me to the Magic Royal Academy for my carelessness. I can't disappoint her.

With an anxious expression, Tundra hurriedly walked to Iris. Her unsteady footsteps echoed alone, each step amplifying her worry. Iris hadn't said or done anything, but Tundra had already conjured countless expressions and thoughts by herself.

"Your apprehension is adorable," Iris said. "Should a librarian like you leave the reception counter unattended?"

"It isn't what you think, Lady Iris." Tundra bowed. "I don't usually use my magic in public, but—"

"Calm down. I'm not going anywhere." Iris put down the book and pointed at the empty seat opposite of her. "If you're going to accompany me, you should sit."

"Then, excuse me." Tundra adjusted her collar and sat opposite Iris. She found herself awkwardly tapping her fingers on the table. She forgot to get a few books to read.

"Do you enjoy watching me?" Iris rested her head on her left hand. "Don't be too conscious. There is nothing to be shy about your usage of magic. There is no useless spell, only useless caster."

Tundra lowered her head. "I'll try my best. I won't waste your guidance."

Iris clicked her tongue; a clean notebook appeared in her right hand. She placed it on the table and moved it to Tundra.

"This is?"

"A few notes, lecture notes, if you will." Iris straightened her back, beaming. "Your cleansing spell is commendable, but it can be improved."

Iris raised her right hand and tapped the air, generating a stream of azure Corruption Power. It coiled around Tundra, permeated her body, and soaked her uniform. She shivered as the mix of warmth and chill circulated her veins, her mouth letting out a weak moan. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks, but she could not speak, for any noise which came out of her would turn into sensual cries.

Having learned from her instinct, the other Monster Girls, and her past life, Iris's magic was much more refined than Tundra's. She did not even need to conceal the nature of her Corruption Power, for she was much stronger than Tundra, who lacked the acute perception to differentiate its nature.

"Endure it, or you might attract the passersby," Iris said. "If the academy catches winds of this, your teachers will be very disappointed."

But the person I don't want to disappoint the most is you!

Tundra opened her mouth, but her sticky saliva made it hard for her to speak. Her pitiful cries, which disrupted the silence, forced her to close her mouth. A flaming spark manifested in her chest and spread throughout her body. She hadn't felt anything like this before, and she hadn't prepared for it.

A hint of Corruption Power entered her body, playfully tickling her mind. Its intensity was not enough to turn her into a Monster Girl, but it was enough to muddle her thoughts and instill craving she couldn’t resist.

While biting her lips, she pressed her arms on her modest chest. Her breathing grew rigid, rapid. Her eyes reddened as tears and confusion oozed out of her face. Her resistance gradually collapsed.

Then, Iris closed her fist. The azure Corruption Power halted its working, fading into sparkles. The raging flame inside Tundra dissipated, leaving only the warm afterglow to yearn for.

"Ah?" Tundra blinked. "What am I doing?"

"You look endearing in that pose. This new side of you is fascinating."

Tundra separated her arms from her chest and bowed deeply. "My apology, Lady Iris. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I suddenly felt strange when your magic touched me. I'm not like myself today. When I'm around you—"

"Carefully savour the sensation. If you can replicate and understand the principle, it'll help you in your journey to an Official Mage."

Tundra froze, then closed her eyes. The burning sensation emerged from her memory, turning her face pink. She wanted to run away, but Iris's encouraging words echoed in her mind. As she focused, she noticed that, aside from the embarrassment, there was another thing in that state.

It was a sense of freedom and raw, distilled magic. Unlike the rigid, banal way with which Tundra cast her spells, this bubbling, carefree style was like a new door, which held another set of endless possibilities.

If she could comprehend this method, her progress in magic would increase much faster than before.

Once she came back to herself, Tundra pushed herself up from her seat and bowed at Iris, flustered. "Lady Iris, thank you for this precious opportunity."

"It is nothing. I just want to see how far you can go if given sufficient resources." Iris shook her head.

She didn't think much of her accomplishment, for her method wasn't revolutionary. Most Monster Girls manipulated their Corruption Power the same way as her, following their wild, untamed instinct. It was that Iris incorporated the knowledge and advice from Ludmint, a veteran magic scholar; Varda, a genius Mage; and Lenmia, a former Holy Maiden.

"Please don't bully me. If your method is nothing, what will I amount to?" Tundra bitterly laughed. "I thought I couldn't become an Official Mage before the end of the exam, but now, I think I have a chance."

"Is it the final exam period already?"

"Yes, which is why I might not have time to come to this part-time job anymore." Tundra sighed. "I'll miss you, Lady Iris. If only you're a tutor or even a professor at our academy."

"I heard that the next professor recruitment is coming up soon?" Iris smiled. "I think you should still come here. Chatting with you have put me in a good mood; I can't let my source of happiness slip away, right?"

Tundra hesitated. "Then, can you teach me more? There are still many things I don't understand. These problems are trivial for you, but they are challenging for me. Please don't chuckle!"

"That is my intention. I can't force you to be with me at the expense of your grade, can I?"

Tundra weakly inhaled. You could, Lady Iris. If you really insisted, I would make sure I have the time to meet up with you. Who are you to be so captivating? Even though I'm also a girl, you still grip my breath with your figure. It's as if you were a seductress. No, Tundra. Lady Iris isn't someone like that!

"Miss Librarian, what are you fantasising about?" Iris snapped her fingers. "Let's start your lesson. Don't worry; I've cast an isolation spell around the library. No one will bother us. It might affect the business of the library, but you won't tell the owner, right?"

Tundra giggled. "You have my secret, and I have yours. Our secrets bond us together. I won't do something that silly. My grade will rest in your hands, Lady Iris."