Chapter 36: The Cursed Dormitory

“So, that’s the situation,” Mo Ya stated, standing in the dorm room as he looked at Akuma, who was seated on the mattress.

Feng Ling, observing her surroundings with curiosity, found everything within the academy utterly novel. “Just like last time, our luggage will be transferred before evening.”

Like a repeater echoing the principal’s instructions, Mo Ya finished speaking and immediately turned to leave, completely oblivious to the astonishment on Akuma’s face.

“You’re an idiot! Why would you agree to that?!”

Akuma quickly rose to her feet, a hint of complaint in her tone. Her words caused a flicker of displeasure in Feng Ling’s eyes as the younger girl watched from the side.

It was fortunate Blood Princess wasn’t present; otherwise, it would likely have devolved into a bloody scene.

Mo Ya turned back, a confused expression crossing his face. “Is there a problem?”

“A huge problem! Your information is truly outdated. Don’t you know? That place is a long-abandoned, cursed house!”

“Cursed…” A brief flash of light ignited in Feng Ling’s eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Her gaze returned to normal, adopting the curious expression expected of a nine-year-old girl, as she stared intently at Akuma.

Mo Ya, too, had naturally heard the news and found his interest piqued. He temporarily abandoned his intention to leave and settled onto Akuma’s bed.

“Hey, that’s my bed!” Akuma complained, overcome by an indescribable sense of humiliation.

What kind of joke was this? Her bed, occupied by a man! For her, it was simply intolerable.

She immediately blurted out her protest. Yet, Mo Ya did not stand up; he simply continued to gaze at her, his expression clearly indicating his desire to uncover the truth about the cursed house.

Akuma grew visibly uncomfortable, fidgeting and stammering, feeling the heat rise to her ears. Her mind was a tangled mess.

‘What is this? Why am I feeling this way?’

After a brief internal struggle, Akuma let out a long sigh, then began to relay the information Mo Ya sought.

“A former instructor once lived in that house. He was a brilliant scientist who sought to connect magic with everyday life—things like magically imbued clothing, for instance. So, the house constantly emitted strange odors and astonishing explosions.”

Akuma paused, intending to sit beside Mo Ya as she explained further.

This movement, however, did not escape Feng Ling’s notice. Just as Akuma was about to sit, Feng Ling interjected herself between Mo Ya and Akuma, embracing her ‘brother.’

“Hey! I’m a man! Why are you looking at me like an enemy?”

Akuma was on the verge of collapsing. This girl Mo Ya had picked up was far too peculiar.

He shifted his body, making himself more comfortable, but secretly resolved to be far more careful when dropping his disguise in the future.

If this girl ever discovered the truth about his body, he dreaded to imagine the awkward situation he would find himself in.

Mo Ya frowned, creating some distance from Feng Ling while gesturing for Akuma to continue.

“Um… please continue.”

“Hmm?… Oh. The joy of scientific research is unparalleled, so this instructor worked day and night, leaving behind countless experimental products. But then, one day, he simply vanished from that house. He disappeared without a trace.”

“Disappeared…”

“Some say he was consumed by his own experiments, others that he was eliminated by a kingdom organization, and some even believe he went to the Corroded Realm. Such rumors once spread throughout the academy, yet no one knew the true story.

However… one thing is certain: ever since he vanished, people have reported seeing white mist drifting through the house’s windows late at night.

Within that hazy white mist, slowly… a distorted human face would appear.” Akuma’s description was vivid and dramatic; she even made a strange gesture at the end of her tale. Feng Ling’s face shifted between expressions.

She wasn’t afraid of the Corroded, but these eerie occurrences sent shivers down her spine.

She tried to stand, trembling slightly, but instead collapsed onto Mo Ya’s knees.

“I… I’m not… not scared at all.”

“Compared to the stories of puppets, this one sounds much more real.”

Mo Ya casually placed his hand on Feng Ling’s head. Feng Ling’s body shivered.

“I… I’m really not afraid of ghosts… really.”

Akuma watched the heartwarming scene but offered a helpless smile. If only they were truly siblings. For some reason, that thought surfaced in her mind.

“So, why did you accept? No… why would the principal send us there?”

Akuma rested her chin on her hand, trying to reason it out, but quickly gave up.

“Anyway, let’s have the student council help us move our luggage first. It’s still morning, so nothing should happen. As for tonight, I’m actually a little interested.”

Mo Ya’s eyes gleamed with even greater interest. Akuma naturally noticed this.

‘This man always acts so impulsively. Does he not know what fear is?’

Akuma spread her arms, expressing her helplessness. However, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t interested herself. Even as a girl, Akuma found her thoughts aligning with Mo Ya’s for once.

On one hand, she was confused by the situation, but on the other, she felt an incredible excitement. The hunter’s blood within her began to boil once more.

Akuma glanced at Mo Ya’s personal belongings, which were as sparse as ever. Compared to his, her own possessions seemed substantial.

“Well then, I’ll go report to the student council first and gather some help.”

“And I’ll go check out the situation there.”

Mo Ya stood up. Feng Ling clutched tightly to a corner of his clothes, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Are… are you two really not afraid of ghosts? Aren’t such things terrifying? They’re terrifying, right?!”

Mo Ya tilted his head, his gaze fixed on Feng Ling.

“It’s alright. Even if it’s a ghost, I won’t let it interfere with your destiny again.”

‘If necessary, I’ll just eliminate it.’

***

The two walked out of the dorm and down the corridor. This was the shortest route to the cursed house.

“Brother, is this the great bathhouse?”

“Hmm… and, I’m not your brother.”

Feng Ling stuck out her tongue, turning her head away.

This wasn’t the optimal time for a bath, and with the showers available in the dorms, the great bathhouse’s business was increasingly difficult. The bathhouse manager sighed, looking at the deserted facility, a strange feeling in his heart.

Mo Ya observed the scene, his pace undiminished as he continued towards his destination.

Suddenly, a strangely behaving youth appeared before him. He was likely a new student, just like Mo Ya.

Holding binoculars and clad in green camouflage, with two L-shaped tubes protruding from his head, he was currently sprawled on the ground, a sinister grin on his face—truly bizarre.

“Perfect preparation! Now, it’s time to enjoy! Hahaha, beauties! Lord Luoyi has arrived!”

“What are you doing?”

The sudden, deep voice startled Luoyi, causing him to lose his grip on the binoculars. With a clatter, they fell to the ground.

“Wah, wah, wah, my meticulously designed penetrating binoculars! Hey… do you know how many gold coins that costs?! How do you plan to compensate me?!”

Luoyi grimaced as he stood up from the ground, the two bent tubes on his head pointing directly at Mo Ya.

“Weirdo…” Feng Ling muttered, hiding behind Mo Ya.

This, however, drew Luoyi’s attention.

“While I do prefer big-chested women, lolis are a different matter entirely! To think I’d find such a rare species as a loli in this magic academy! This won’t do… Hey, you, yes, you.”

“What?”

“Can I hug your little sister?”

“What do you think?”