"Big brother Su Ming wants to pat my head? You can~"
Only then did Griseo's second half float over.
Su Ming nearly had a heart attack.
Griseo. Dramatic pauses are not allowed.
"Heh. Griseo, then I'm coming!"
Su Ming put on an evil grin and extended his sinful hand.
You agreed yourself. Don't blame me for being ruthless.
"Eh?!"
Griseo realized she might have consented to something terrible—too late.
Ultimate head rub!
Rub, rub, rub!
That fluffy little head had to be soft. Rub!
And the little cheeks were bouncy too! Rub!
Hehe. Cute kids like Griseo are basically born to be "eaten" by big brothers!
"Mmmph—mmph—"
Under Su Ming's all-angle, no-mercy kneading, Griseo made muffled, adorable little whimpers. If a certain pink demon saw this, she'd scream "Me too!" and jump in immediately.
Griseo's cheeks were very soft.
Absolutely not revenge, and definitely not why he rubbed longer.
Su Ming guiltily wiped the oil at the corner of Griseo's mouth and looked at Pardo—who was staring with longing.
"Waaah… I want that too…"
It wasn't clear whether she envied Su Ming or envied Griseo.
"In that case, Griseo is yours now, Pardo!"
Like a cold-handed cat-café villain, Su Ming handed the dizzy Griseo to Pardo and fled the scene.
Kevin and Su were deep in a lively conversation about life. No need to interrupt.
Su Ming decided to go "bother" Hua.
Which, translated into human language, meant: he wanted to learn her skills.
"Class Monitor, still working? Aren't you going to eat too?" Su Ming walked up to the grill. Hua was finishing the last fish.
Hua now worked at World Serpent, but back when Su Ming and the main trio attended St. Freya Academy, she had served as their class monitor under the name Fu Hua. Their bond was real, so the old title remained.
Hua also understood Su Ming's temperament well. One look at his expression and she knew he wanted something. She smiled.
"This last fish is for me. Su Ming, you don't have to be so cautious. We're friends. If you have something in mind, just say it."
Class Monitor is great. No further words needed.
I swear I will never again mock Class Monitor for being flat.
And then Su Ming's eyes landed on something that made his scalp explode.
[Name: Hua]
[Charisma: 17]
[Description: World Serpent's martial director. Beneath this identity lies a secret. Although a certain part does not match your preferences, she still has considerable charm in your eyes. Recommended to pursue.]
[Affection: 20]
[Bond Quest 1: This beautiful woman, elegant and capable, has sparked your interest. But you lack a way to get close. Then you have a brilliant idea—why not become her disciple? In time, feelings will grow. You will become the "rebellious disciple who betrays the master."]
[Requirement: Obtain Hua's consent and become her disciple.]
Excuse me?
No, no, no. I don't want to damage cultural relics!
System, what are you stirring up now?
Yes, Su Ming truly wanted Hua to teach him martial techniques—something he could use against Honkai, maybe even convert into a skill.
But he absolutely did not intend to become some "rebellious disciple."
He really didn't.
Su Ming's dazed expression made Hua tilt her head.
"Su Ming? Are you listening?"
"Ah? Yes, yes—no, no—"
He snapped out of his internal screaming. The words "rebellious disciple" flashed again, and his mind involuntarily pictured Hua's "Azure Courtyard" outfit. He suddenly couldn't meet her eyes.
Wait. Even a "flat" goddess has… charm—
No. Stop.
He slapped himself mentally.
How can I harbor disrespectful thoughts toward Class Monitor? My respect for Class Monitor is higher than the sky!
He cleared his throat. "What I mean is—Class Monitor, I want to ask you to teach me some martial skills. Not the 'for fitness' kind. The kind you can actually take into battle. Ideally… something that can slay a dragon."
If he said "I want to learn dragon-slaying techniques" to most people, they'd laugh and hand him a civics textbook. But Hua wasn't "most people."
"…If you're asking me this way," Hua said after a pause, "you must have tried other methods. Modern martial arts rarely have practical battlefield lethality, and as for 'dragon slaying'… that's even more extinct. However, I do have some techniques that are genuinely useful. If you want to learn, I can teach you."
Class Monitor. My superhero.
Su Ming nearly wanted to grab Hua's face and kiss her twice—but considering those fists were basically iron, he discarded the idea.
A system notification chimed.
[Hua Bond Quest 1 completed]
[Reward: Free Attribute Points ×2]
[Talent gained: Honkai Control (Excellent): You can externalize Honkai energy]
[Pursuit-method reward: Creep Points +100]
Why is it again Creep Points? I became her disciple openly and properly! Are you already assuming I'll become that "rebellious disciple"?
[The system evaluates based on the player's true inner intent. If the player genuinely desires a certain type of behavior, the system classifies the player's actions accordingly.]
…
"Thank you, Class Monitor!"
Su Ming cursed the system to hell internally, but smiled warmly at the angelic teacher in front of him.
"No need. There's still time this afternoon. We can start by trying a little," Hua said, and she looked—unexpectedly—eager.
"Class Monitor, don't rush. Eat first," Su Ming said, reaching out to stop her.
"…You're right. Learning matters, but health comes first."
…
"The sword art I practice is called the Taixu Sword Art. Its core consists of five aggregates: Heart, Form, Intent, Soul, and Spirit."
Hua changed into training clothes and brought Su Ming to a training hall within World Serpent.
She assured him Elysia wouldn't come to disturb them—though she didn't explain how.
"Among these, Sword Heart is a clear and lucid mind… and," Hua searched for the right words, "a thorough opening of the meridians. Your age is already… not ideal for that path. But I observe your Sword Heart is already formed, so there is no need to trouble yourself."
…Huh? When did I ever cultivate Sword Heart?
Su Ming was confused—then remembered that in the Taixu framework, "Sword Heart" was essentially a body modification process tied to Divine Key technology, increasing resistance to Honkai energy.
Wait. Honkai resistance?
Su Ming's mind fizzed with implications.
-------
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