Chapter 23: Go See a Neurologist

“I accidentally brought this out.”

Meng Linna tossed the codex onto the table.

“Sorry about that. You could borrow it for a few days if you want.”

Miao Miao Niya stretched lazily.

She clearly didn’t want to shelve it herself.

Meng Linna thought it over.

Better not take it back.

“I’ll put it away myself.”

Perfect chance to return it.

If Na Naya asked, she’d say Miao Miao Niya told her to.

Come to think of it, was she caring too much about Na Naya lately?

As Meng Linna headed back to the archive with the codex, Na Naya’s eyes showed a hint of suspicion.

“Just putting this back for Miss Miao Miao Niya. Not here to see you.”

Meng Linna waved the codex for emphasis.

“No need to explain.”

Na Naya frowned.

Her confused loli look was cute.

“You’re being… too obvious.”

Na Naya’s comment made Meng Linna realize her words were thoughtless.

“I just saw you looking confused. How kind of you.”

Na Naya lowered her gaze to the codex.

“Wait, I need that codex.”

“Here.”

Meng Linna handed it over without hesitation.

Na Naya was probably looking up the Water Spirit’s Heart too.

“?”

Na Naya took it, giving her a puzzled glance.

What, suspecting her?

Meng Linna hurried to explain.

“When I left, Miao Miao Niya told me to return it! It’s not my thing!”

Faced with her forced explanation, Na Naya rubbed her forehead.

“What’s wrong with you today? Why keep explaining this to me?”

“But aren’t you…”

“I’m just curious what you’re doing here.”

Na Naya closed the codex.

She had a feeling she couldn’t focus with Meng Linna around.

“Haha.”

Meng Linna gave an awkward laugh.

“I’m just… here?”

“From the bottom of my heart, go see a neurologist.”

Na Naya felt helpless at Meng Linna’s nonsense.

She knew Meng Linna feared her.

But was she scared silly?

Meng Linna sat down.

“No, no, I’m just curious. Got some questions for you…”

“Mhm?”

Na Naya’s reaction felt like tacit approval.

With a hint of intimidation.

Meng Linna sat obediently.

What to ask?

Her brain froze.

She’d stayed out of nerves, not leaving right away.

Her autopilot brain made a bad call.

Ask about her injuries?

No, Na Naya had no visible wounds.

Asking would raise suspicion.

“Can you teach me some divine spells?”

A scrapped idea from her Miao Miao Niya talk came in handy.

She didn’t expect Na Naya to teach her.

But at least she wouldn’t be speechless.

Congrats, self.

“You want to learn spells? From me?”

Na Naya looked puzzled, then smirked.

“Right, a disgraced nun like you can’t learn from the church.”

Her wicked grin mocked Meng Linna.

“That’s how it is.”

“Please teach me? I really regret…”

“Nope.”

Na Naya refused flatly, wagging her finger.

“Should’ve thought of that before you did what you did.”

“Fine, I’ll pay Miao Miao Niya to teach me.”

Talk done, Meng Linna stood to leave.

“Wait.”

Na Naya stopped her.

“What’s this about Miao Miao Niya teaching spells?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. Pay her to teach me. She knows some.”

“You’re saying a guild receptionist knows church spells?”

Na Naya’s face grew serious.

“You sure she’s not scamming you?”

“Huh?”

Startled by Na Naya’s sudden intensity, Meng Linna spilled.

“She said it herself! Some adventurer friend taught her. Like Thunder Spear, Vital Surge, stuff like that. I don’t know much…”

“Heh. You claim you don’t know much? Those are core church spells.”

Na Naya looked at her like she was an idiot.

“But I’m not with the Tribunal. No interest in investigating.”

“Even as a saintess candidate?”

Na Naya rolled her eyes.

“You know it’s just a candidacy. Yanan and the church don’t get along. The church has little sway here.”

“Huh? You can just say that?”

So Meng Linna could use spells freely?

As if reading her mind, Na Naya added.

“Of course, if someone actually harms the church, the Central Cathedral might act secretly. Especially against those with a history of misdeeds.”

A blatant threat.

If Meng Linna used spells recklessly, Na Naya would note it.

She’d use her saintess candidate clout to drag her to trial.

“So as a saintess candidate, you’re in Yanan for that?”

Meng Linna was curious.

She came to cure her vampirism.

But why was a church saintess candidate here?

Caught off guard, Na Naya paused.

Her eyes lowered.

“Classified.”

A curt non-answer.

Curiosity burning, Meng Linna pressed.

“Saintess candidate trial?”

In that brief moment, Na Naya regained her composure.

Her face turned icy, unreadable.

“Classified.”

Same answer.