Chapter 15: The Unveiling of a Vow

Bai Yu nodded, feigning nonchalance as she settled into the seat.

The seats were not individual; rather, they were arranged in contiguous rows.

Even though international high school classes typically had fewer students, this seating arrangement persisted, upholding an old tradition of the Dragon Summer Nation.

Cecilia was seated on the inside, positioned against the wall.

A tremor of nervousness ran through Bai Yu; Cecilia had been intently watching her.

‘Should I ask her about that badge?’

Bai Yu mused internally, recognizing it as a prime opportunity, for such a precious item given to her surely held some significant meaning.

Just as Bai Yu was about to jot down a note to inquire, a sudden sensation coursed through her body.

‘What’s happening?’

Bai Yu subtly turned her head, discovering that Cecilia had extended a hand and was stroking her waist through her clothes.

‘What in the world is this? Could it be some bizarre form of greeting?’

‘No matter how I look at it, this is sexual harassment. Even if we’re both girls, what she’s doing is completely inappropriate.’

As they were situated in the back row, Cecilia’s discreet actions went unnoticed by others.

Bai Yu feigned a cough, hoping to prompt Cecilia to cease her movements.

However, Cecilia paused only for a fleeting moment before resuming her wandering touch on Bai Yu’s waist; far from retracting her hand, she intensified her actions.

Suppressing a surge of shame, Bai Yu firmly seized Cecilia’s hand.

She turned, meeting Cecilia’s gaze, only to find the other girl still staring at her with an utterly expressionless face.

‘No, even if you look so serious, there’s no way I can pretend this isn’t happening.’

“What are you doing?”

Bai Yu whispered to Cecilia.

“I’m checking if you’re a boy.”

Cecilia replied softly, her expression remaining intensely serious.

“What? A boy? Of course I’m… not!”

Although Bai Yu desperately wished to affirm it, reality simply wouldn’t permit such a claim.

Beyond that, what truly astonished her was why Cecilia would even pose such a question.

Her appearance was such that no one, regardless of who they were, could possibly mistake her gender; her beauty was that of the quintessential female, the very essence of womanhood.

Even she herself harbored no doubt about this assertion.

“But you were clearly male before; don’t try to deceive me.”

Cecilia’s expression remained utterly unchanged, as perpetually cold as ice.

Yet, the hand she held Bai Yu’s with was incredibly warm, even making Bai Yu feel a strange sense of comfort.

“What are you saying?!”

Bai Yu was utterly stunned, quickly glancing around, genuinely terrified that others might have overheard Cecilia’s words.

After all, aside from Lu Xingyao, the only other person who knew she was the former Bai Yu was the Principal.

As for perceiving others through spiritual aura, that was a power unique to Lu Xingyao’s spiritual core; surely Cecilia couldn’t possess it as well?

‘How did Cecilia know?’

“Rest assured, I’ve already cast a shielding spell. Everyone here, apart from you and me, will ignore our presence. Nothing we say will be overheard.”

Cecilia explained with earnest gravity.

“Good heavens, you scared me half to death!”

Bai Yu breathed a sigh of relief, observing her surroundings and realizing that even with her conspicuous glances, no one was looking at her.

“You are Bai Yu, aren’t you? I’m referring to you as you were before, as a male.”

Cecilia stated Bai Yu’s secret with utmost solemnity.

“Ah, what are you talking about?”

Bai Yu feigned ignorance, yet her expression had already betrayed her.

“There’s no need to lie to me; I already know.”

“So, what do you want from me? It seems we have no prior connection, do we?”

Bai Yu decided to drop the pretense; what did it matter if she was recognized? At most, it would be a moment of social mortification.

“It truly is you…”

Upon hearing this, Cecilia finally exhaled a breath of relief and spoke.

“I have come to fulfill a vow.”

“A vow? What kind of vow?”

Bai Yu was utterly bewildered; she had no recollection of any agreement with Cecilia.

“A marriage contract. This is a vow unique to us.”

The girl gazed at Bai Yu with unwavering eyes, making Bai Yu wonder if the confusion was somehow her own fault.

“A marriage contract? What marriage contract? I don’t have any marriage contract!”

Bai Yu was now completely dumbfounded; she had never once heard of having a fiancée in all her life.

“I’m not entirely sure, but my family informed me that your father arranged this marriage contract between us before I was even born.”

“Father?”

Bai Yu was rendered speechless.

Her father had passed away years ago, and now, suddenly, a fiancée?

Moreover, did the concept of a marriage contract even exist in modern society?

“Could there be a mistake? I’ve never known anything about a marriage contract.”

Cecilia shook her head, taking Bai Yu’s hand and channeling her own spiritual energy into Bai Yu’s body.

“What is this?”

Bai Yu felt the spiritual energy within her body, confirming an undeniable, intricate connection with Cecilia.

“But, this…”

The situation had unfolded so abruptly that Bai Yu’s mind simply crashed.

Setting everything else aside, she was a girl now, wasn’t she?

Could this even work?

“Can the marriage contract be dissolved?”

Bai Yu asked timidly.

Despite Cecilia’s striking beauty, the idea of marrying someone she barely knew was simply out of the question.

Cecilia’s expression shifted, revealing a hint of displeasure.

“Yes, it can. In that case, you will be unharmed.”

Cecilia stated calmly.

“What about you?”

“I will die. That is all.”

Bai Yu flinched in alarm; the girl before her truly seemed to hold her own life in utter disregard.

Cecilia remained utterly expressionless, a sight Bai Yu found somewhat chilling.

“The vow was made thus; I cannot change it. Everything was decreed by the family.”

The atmosphere instantly grew tense, leaving Bai Yu feeling both sympathetic and helpless regarding the situation.

Ultimately, she could only attempt to change the subject.

“That badge you gave me yesterday, telling me the location of the rooftop—what was it truly for?”

Bai Yu pressed, her voice laced with urgency.

“A duel.”

“A duel? Why?”

Cecilia’s expression finally shifted.

“My destiny is identical to my mother’s.

We, who possess the Knight Core, can never be bound by fate, much less by a so-called marriage contract.”

Cecilia’s face was stern, her eyes filled with resolute determination.

“Do you despise this marriage contract?”

Bai Yu gradually understood Cecilia’s meaning; it seemed Cecilia was not one to willingly accept a future dictated by her family.

“Originally, yes. It was precisely for this reason that I left my family—to annul this marriage contract.”

“So, after I duel you, it can be dissolved, and you won’t be harmed?”

“Yes, that’s correct.

Through [Duel], a unique innate secret art derived from my spiritual core, we can break free from fate.”

“That makes things easy then! I can just forfeit, can’t I?”

Bai Yu sighed in relief, realizing there was indeed a solution.

“No.

That was originally the plan, but after seeing you again, I’ve changed my mind.”

Cecilia’s voice immediately turned serious, her gaze locking intensely on Bai Yu.

“Now, I intend to uphold this marriage contract.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because it’s you.

After I saw that it was you, I made up my mind.

That’s all there is to it.”

Cecilia looked at Bai Yu, a distinct light shimmering in her eyes.

“[Duel], once initiated, cannot be revoked.

Bai Yu, defeat me, and I shall be your knight, dedicating my all to you.”