Second Lead Syndrome (1-187) | ✓

• 84 •

Author's note: Update schedule switched to 2 chapters per week, every Monday and Friday. I hope I get my writing mood back soon 😅.

Cecil flipped in the air, landing safely on the ground again. She sighed, knowing that lost once again and jumped back onto the pillar. Now, with or without the blindfold, she knew which and every pillar stood at.

She could even differentiate their heights in an instant

The teachers had also left them to their own training, since firstly, they knew what to do without any guidance. Secondly, Eri wanted to give the couple their own private time.

It was still late in the afternoon, and they were planning to train until night once again.

"You could have dodged that." Xue stated, his blindfold still on as well.

"Really?"

"You are distracted."

Cecil tapped her fingers on her chin, sighing again. "I am worried about Hana."

"Why?"

"You know her, Xue. What if she meets beast and disturbs them? What if she encounters some trouble while trying to find her soul weapon? What if she gets injured?"

"I see."

"Are you not worried, Xue?" Cecil questioned Xue, surprised.

"If it was the past Hana I knew, I would be," Xue answered, a smile in his voice. "But the Hana now is completely different, and she will be able to handle herself just fine."

"Hana has grown stronger, in ways I could never imagine. I always thought she needed my protection, before I knew it, she had started to walk on her own," Xue started to swing the spear around his hands, still talking. "So, believe in Hana, she will do just fine."

Cecil couldn't retort. After all, what she knew about Hana was reading the novel. Whereas, Xue knew her personally and has been with her the entire time, from whether she was an angel, and to now when she has been reborn as a mix between human and angel, though majority of her was still human.

Cecil smiled, nodding. "Mhmm."

She inhaled deeply, shaking off her worries. Today was the last day for her to complete the mission, and also, the last day for her to try and land a hit on Xue.

If she could land a hit, that was already a huge win for her.

"Whenever you are ready."

Cecil narrowed her eyes in concentration, charging towards Xue with her vine daggers.

***

Hana had already descended the hill, her legs feeling tired from walking in circles. She sat on the ground, sighing with a pout.

She knew she was lost.

No matter where she walked, she would always find herself back here at the sword mound. Moreover, she was really unlucky this time. She couldn't find any student around, even when she walked around.

For this trip to the sword mound, Hana's thick clothes were robes that had two layers. They were the thickest clothes she possessed. In order to keep herself even more warm, she didn't style her hair, keeping it down to protect her ears and neck from the cold.

She made the right choice, as she was starting to feel the chill for staying her too long.

She retrieved the flare from her knapsack, staring at it, beaming.