Chapter 10: Perfect Score

Hot water trickled down the drain, washing away the sweat and lethargy Fang felt.

Today, I finally beat Vincent!

Elders, though I don’t know who they were, I really appreciate them – they changed my life!

If it wasn’t for those crazy men pushing to teach him everything, he could have never passed the entrance examination, and probably would’ve suffered for life with Mii.

But now that I have the ability to gain energy, the future seemed limitless!

After he was refreshed, Fang put on clean clothes and comfortably headed out.

Mii had already finished her nightly chores; she greeted him and took the piping teapot from the corner, pouring a cup of barley tea.

Slowly, Fang sat down around a small table as the warm fireplace lit up the room in a cozy light. “Hey Mii, sit down.”

She sat down, and contently, Fang drank small sips. A happy smile floated across Mii’s face. Curious, Fang asked, “Mii, what’s with that smile?”

Keeping the smile on her face, she replied, “Master, life feels so great, it’s like a dream, a really good dream.”

Just a month ago, Fang was lying in a bed, unconscious and Mii worried every day, wondering if today would be the day she couldn’t buy the nutrition for Fang. But then, Fang woke up, Vincent was crippled, no one would laugh at them anymore, and Fang would get into the college. She was sincerely happy for Fang, who was the only family she had left.

His strength wasn’t important in her eyes, instead, his persistence has finally paid off!

Impulsively, Fang put down the small teacup and hugged her. “Mii, this is just the beginning, things will get even better and better!”

“Really, will things get better?” Her voice carried a trace of longing; after tasting hope, she couldn’t help but want things to continue on like the present forever.

Looking down at her exquisite, charming face with those charming eyes, loud heartbeats awkwardly filled the silence.

“I mean, it’s okay…” Her voice was stolen away as lips met lips, and for what seemed like an eternity, the world slowed down.

Her mind blank, eyes hazy, Mii’s hands reached to wrap around Fang’s shoulders. But then, as if she was hit by thunder, she pushed Fang away with a flushed face, slightly panting. “I’m sorry, master, really I’m sorry! I’d only be a burden if this continued…”

This time was possibly the most important moment in a person’s life for progress in both training mana and energy – if she burdened down Fang today, she’d never forgive herself. So for his sake, no matter how reluctant she was, she must firmly reject him!

Fang realized Mii’s good intentions and mentally derided himself; he knew that it wasn’t just him, but Mii also had a talent for learning magic.

Gently, Fang said, “It’s okay, Mii.”

“Well, if there’s nothing, I must go, you must be tired, please you must rest early!” Like a frightened kitten, she hurried out of the room.

Mii wasn’t afraid, just extremely shy and confused. It was the first time Fang had gotten that close to her, and even though they didn’t cross the line, she still felt heated thinking of that delicate, delicious kiss…

Master and me, could it hopefully happen?

Thinking of her face, Fang couldn’t help but smile. She was really too cute!

--- --- ---

Two days went by in a blink of an eye, and Mii began to take the magic examination as Fang waited outside. Until like the examinations for martial arts, the magic test was completely written; the ability to understand the fundamental laws that magic revolved around was quite crucial for the development and use of mana.

Quietly, an hour crept past as Fang patiently waited. A figure finally walked out of the room. Rising to his feet, Fang excitedly asked, “How was it Mii?”

The magic exam was graded immediately after it was filled out, he knew that Mii’s magic capabilities were always high, so he wondered what her score was.

Mii bit down on her bottom lips and stayed silent, surprising Fang. Did she bomb the exam?

In a consoling tone, he reassured, “Nevermind Mii, the written score doesn’t truly represent what you’re capable with magic, and it’s pretty difficult, you shouldn’t feel bad at all.”

Her expression instantly changed into a sweet smile. “Master, I scored 100 points on the written exam!”

A perfect score?

Fang was stunned, he didn’t expect to be tricked by Mii at all!

Excited, Mii continued. “Master, before when I took the practice exams at school, it took me up to an hour just to solve a single question, but ever since you showed me those alternate theories, I thought that the laws were actually simple to understand, and got a perfect score on this exam.”

“You dare to pretend like this with a perfect score, what horrifying acting!” Fang laughed, “Well, Mii, for cheating your master, how would you like to get punished?”

Mii knew that Fang was just kidding, and played along, crouching like she was afraid. “Ah, master, how are you going to punish me?”

“I want to kiss you right now, just like last night!” Mii’s face instantly turned bright, cherry red.

Giving Fang a cold look, Mii replied, “Master, you’re dead!”

He shrugged. “Hey, it isn’t my fault that Mii looks so beautiful!”

--- --- ---

With the top score on the magic examination, Mii also received a recommendation into an intermediate school for training magic. After all, there wasn’t much competition for that spot – people who could utilize magic were few in number, perhaps making up 0.1% of the population. Furthermore, Mii was trainee magician, while many of the examinees were simply apprentices.

In just a week, two letters arrived at Fang’s house.

Fang had been continuously practicing the endless method the entire time. To get into a college required not just talent, but money! Only by getting stronger could he tackle the monsters that roamed the world, and sell their parts for money to fund both his and Mii’s education.

Out of the mansion, Fang and Mii looked at the empty place, with mixed emotions running through their minds.

With no one else in the family alive, and Fang heading to college as well as Mii, there felt like there was nothing but bitter nostalgia left behind in this city.

He bowed slightly, then taking her hand, turned his back and started walking.

Goodbye, Victoria City!