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Chapter 9 - No Different

Zixin tilted his head asking with suspicion, "Why were you kicked out exactly?"

Cael scratches his cheek, laughing dryly as he speaks, "We just had some… disagreements."

Zixin signed–rather annoyed. He asked, not out of confusion but more so curiosity, "So why knock on my door now? I assume you have… friends?"

Once again, Cael laughed dryly as though he had no other way to make this situation less awkward. He tried explaining, "I do have friends but I thought about asking you first."

Zixin placed his left hand on his head only to immediately shake his head. He explained–strangely politely, "I unfortunately cannot help you this time. There are several reasons, but I shall not tell you any."

Cael's smile twitched, laughing dryly again but this time, with a hint of sarcasm.

As Zixin closed his door, Cael muttered a few words that Zixin didn't hear, "I really hope everything turns out fine."

Zixin sat back on his bed, thinking about what had just occurred. I highly doubt that Cael would be kicked out due to an argument. After all, from what I have observed of him during Alchemy class, he seems rather composed and strangely… calculating. Sigh, forget it, the real question should be: 'Why visit me?' I would obviously turn him down so it would be a waste, no? Well, he could also be lying about being kicked out but that shouldn't be too hard to clarify.

He lay down, easing himself–ready to sleep. But before doing so, he continued to deduce Cael's strange actions. I believe I have made it clear that I have no intention of interacting with people so why did he still come? Currently, I could think of two reasons. The first one would be Cael not realizing my wish not to get entangled in other people's affairs. And the second is me, he wants to interact with me for unclear reasons.

He sighed, hugging one of his pillows and pouting, something he would only do in private. He rubbed his head, exhausted from overthinking. He commented, "Why did he have to come and bother me now? I'm already stressed out due to my dear sister's demands and to add on human interactions… well, I suppose he won't know and this might just be a bunch of coincidences that will lead to nowhere."

He slowly closed his eyes, falling into deep sleep.

During his free time, Zixin was casually taking a stroll within the Academy's gardens. Taking strolls helps him calm down so he makes sure to give himself some time once in a while.

And during this time, he noticed a crowd gathered around a fountain. This fountain was about three meters tall and was made of a material emanating clarity. Three plate-like objects floated above, each one becoming smaller as the altitude rose. The water danced in a melodic rhythm, never becoming dull like the rest.

Zixin sighed internally, remembering the strange rumors surrounding this fountain. This is the Purity Fountain, isn't it? Wasn't there a strange rumor stating that it cleanses thoughts? Yeah, that sounds fake.

Zixin slowly walked forward, the center of attention slowly appearing in his view. Once he was close enough, his mouth opened–utterly stunned.

There stood two people he never wanted to bother with. Cael, his classmate, and Elmer, the scholar who piques his curiosity, causing him to be where he is now.

He closed his mouth and slowly shook his head but he didn't leave, commenting with his thoughts, I'm still curious. It seems these two know each other.

The two were arguing, screaming their lungs out but because Zixin missed what had happened beforehand, he asked a nearby student.

The girl he asked wore the usual black uniform and skirt but that wasn't the detail that made Zixin ask this specific student. It was because of her short white wig that clung for its life and also hid most of her face. A trait that only one person Zixin knows about and bothers to act upon, Lucia of Pity–Zixin's childhood friend.

A shocked expression spread across her face, although the wig did cover half of it. She expressed her puzzlement by asking Zixin, "So uh… what are you doing here?"

Zixin politely explained, "While I was taking my usual stroll within the garden, I noticed this crowd gathered around the Purity Fountain so I stepped forward–curious. And when I realized that I had missed most of it, I decided to ask a nearby student but it just happened to be you."

Lucia stared Zixin in the eye, suspicion crawling as she spoke, "Just happened to be me huh? Yeah, as if."

Zixin sighed, shaking his head. He just asked plainly, "Look, I just want to know what's happening."

Lucia just smiled, asking, "But don't you have the no-interactions policy? Won't this be considered as one?"

Zixin almost slapped himself, regretting that he had asked her of all people. He bit his lip explaining one last time, "I mainly mean that in the 'don't bother me way and I won't bother you,' human interactions are important but I just don't wish to be bothered right now. So can you please, answer me now?"

A victorious grin crept onto Lucia's face as she explained proudly, like she just won a competition, "Cael and Elmer were roommates but because of some disagreements, they had this huge argument. I believe it was around the time Elmer was promoted."

Zixin's thoughts moved on their own trying to form deductions, So Cael was telling the truth? Maybe I should have been nicer, wait–no, I did what I thought was correct so no reason to feel guilty.

Their argument continued as Cael states Elmer's stubbornness, "After you have been promoted, you become stubborn, you won't even listen to me!"

"Spicy right?" Lucia smiled, giving a thumbs-up to Zixin.

Zixin calmly looked away, clearly used to this by now.

His thoughts began to move once more as he questioned, I can somewhat understand why these two are fighting but why out in public? It doesn't do anything but ruin their reputation… no, only Elmer's would be ruined. Is this a scheme? Sigh, I'm probably reading too much into this.

After evaluating the current circumstances, Zixin decides to leave, having other matters to attend to.

While walking within the halls of the Academy, the thought of what he had just seen surfaced again. Zixin began to consider being kinder, Cael also seems to be going through a hard time so his asking me if he could stay seems rather genuine now. I should be a little kinder, well, I wasn't rude either.

He then remembered Alchemy class. Right, I should be more cooperative during Alchemy class. Also, it seems like my grades in it might drop because I slept in class. Sigh, why does Professor Ceylon have to be such a pain?

While he walks his way towards the library, a sudden yet familiar voice calls out to him, "Zixin of Longevity."

Once he turned to look back, he was met with the blond genius of the Impulse Bloodline, Elena of Impulse.

She politely bowed, showing her deepest respect as she spoke, "I, Elena of Impulse offer an Alliance between us."

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