Chapter 91: The Necklace and a Deepening Misunderstanding

Wendy had initially intended to buy only one dress, but by the end, she had purchased three complete sets. It was only when Yalin decisively intervened that she ceased her endless try-on session.

‘Wendy… I wonder if it’s just my imagination, but she seemed to truly enjoy changing outfits. Well, it must be my imagination,’ Yalin mused.

As they carried the exquisite paper bags, the sales assistant’s voice, brimming with enthusiasm, sounded particularly cheerful. After all, selling three high-priced outfits in one go meant she would likely sleep soundly that night. Wendy, however, felt a pang of guilt, having paid by card. Tens of thousands of coins! Such was the power of a rich woman!

Yalin briefly considered reselling the clothes to make a fortune, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Should Professor Wendy inquire about them later, she would undoubtedly unleash her fury.

Trying on clothes had consumed a significant amount of time, and it was now midday, with the streets growing busier. While not as boisterous as South Street, it was certainly lively.

“Yalin, is this your first time here?” Wendy suddenly asked.

Yalin smiled. “Indeed, Professor. It’s thanks to you bringing me that I’ve had the chance to see this place.”

“Is that so?” Wendy hesitated for a moment before replying, “In that case, I’ll show you around a bit more.”

“That would be wonderful, Professor! Thank you so much!” Yalin couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t her first visit.

Wendy’s throat tightened; she hadn’t truly intended to make such a suggestion. Her initial plan was to send Yalin straight home after buying his clothes. Yet, seeing him in these new outfits, a sight so rarely afforded, felt like a waste if they didn’t linger outside. Of course, she harbored no strange intentions; rather, this excursion could serve as a process of acclimation, ensuring no peculiar thoughts arose regarding Yalin in the future.

“You seem very familiar with this place, Professor.”

“Hmm? Mostly, I just come here to buy materials,” Wendy replied.

North Street was not renowned for luxury goods like clothes or watches, but rather for its dazzling array of magical implements. After all, this was Ailanmia’s City of Magic, home to countless mages and alchemists. Merchants, naturally, would not let such an opportunity pass. Even relics from ancient civilizations, long lost to history, could occasionally be found here.

“Are you very interested?”

“As an alchemist myself, I find these things quite fascinating.”

“Hmm, well then, let’s go have a look.”

Wendy led Yalin to another street, dedicated solely to the sale of magical artifacts. The scenery here was markedly different from the previous street.

The thoroughfare was bustling with mages in robes and cloaks, or scholars wearing spectacles. The shops themselves boasted diverse styles, offering a wide variety of goods. Some displayed monster skulls, while others exuded a faint, lingering aroma of medicinal herbs from their doorways.

Yalin observed his surroundings with keen interest. There was no denying that affluent areas were distinct; this place far surpassed the black market, showcasing many things he had never encountered before.

Passing a particular shop, Yalin’s attention was drawn to a peculiar magical device. It was a ring-shaped contraption, embedded with fractured crystals, with a small, rotating silver sphere suspended in its center.

“That’s a Mana Resonance Ring,” Wendy explained. “It amplifies mana fluctuations, making them easier to observe.”

“I see. I recall there being something similar in the lab’s storage room.”

“Yes, we bought it for a previous research project that ultimately proved useless, but we no longer have a need for it.”

‘As expected of the Professor, truly impressive!’ Yalin thought, filled with admiration.

Wendy suddenly froze.

She realized, abruptly, that due to her preconceived notions, she had only ever seen him as a wealthy, troublesome individual, a mere tool to keep the laboratory running, and had never truly engaged with him. Yet, after their misunderstanding was resolved, their relationship had, without her noticing, solidified into a habitual mode of interaction.

While Yalin was indeed exceptional, with many brilliant ideas, and capable of automating all experiments, was she truly fulfilling her role as a professor?

“I’m sorry,” Wendy murmured, her blue eyes cast downwards.

Yalin’s back stiffened instantly!

“No, what’s wrong now?” he wondered, finding that whenever Wendy uttered those words, he instinctively assumed he had done something amiss, which always startled him.

“I must be quite unqualified, I’ve relied on you so much in many aspects, and haven’t been able to teach you anything…” A hint of sorrow laced Wendy’s voice.

Yalin sighed in relief.

‘What in the world? It’s just this small matter!’

“That’s not true at all, Professor. You’ve helped me in so many ways, and you’re always so busy.” Yalin smiled. “I truly feel incredibly fortunate to be in your laboratory.”

His words were heartfelt.

After all, having a father who allowed him free rein, not only ignoring his research but also providing him with a monthly allowance, and even letting him use the lab’s equipment freely—it was practically paradise! While she might occasionally be a little eccentric, compared to those benefits, it was a completely insignificant detail! In essence, Wendy’s arrival had transformed Yalin’s hellish beginning into a mere hard mode.

“You… you truly think so?”

“Of course. And aren’t you teaching me right now?”

Wendy paused for a moment, then lifted her gaze.

“Good.”

Yalin couldn’t help but chuckle softly, closing his eyes.

The long street seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance.

They walked side by side, maintaining a comfortable silence, only occasionally exchanging a few words. Most of the time, Wendy would explain the peculiar magical artifacts while Yalin listened attentively, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

Time, in that moment, seemed to lengthen, flowing exceptionally slowly.

It had been a long time since Wendy had enjoyed such leisurely, peaceful moments. She had visited this place countless times, each instance a hurried trip to acquire necessary materials before departing.

The idea of strolling slowly with someone else felt like a memory from a distant past, so long ago that she had almost forgotten it.

Yet, at this very moment, that hazy memory vividly resurfaced in her mind. When she was a child, whenever Grant went out to procure materials, he would always take her along. Back then, she would be brimming with excitement, curiously gazing at the magical artifacts displayed in the shop windows.

Professor Grant would then patiently explain them to her. Today, it felt as though she had returned to that very scene. Only this time, Wendy was no longer the child being taught, but the one imparting knowledge. If her mentor were still alive, would he be happy to see her like this?

Wendy glanced sideways at Yalin. Sunlight bathed the boy’s profile, casting a gentle, warm glow. His earnest listening, quiet and composed, sent an inexplicable tremor through Wendy’s heart.

She suddenly entertained an impractical thought. What if… what if this boy could truly stay by her side forever? Would she then no longer have to endure such loneliness, no longer have to freeze her heart? Would she, too, be able to attain the happiness she had never dared to dream of? If such a future truly existed…

Wendy found herself lost in fantasy, but then, a flash of light from a display case instantly pulled her back to reality.

It was a necklace. The necklace was inlaid with a sapphire-blue gem, refracting a soft radiance under the sunlight.

Wendy froze in place.

‘A necklace…’

‘Yes, a necklace.’

She remembered that night. That necklace. Yalin had never worn a necklace. Was it prepared for a girl? It was only natural. Considering Yalin’s appearance and demeanor, it would be abnormal for such a well-behaved girl not to be involved with him. Wendy then scoffed at herself; the more clearly she perceived the affection in Yalin’s eyes, the more embarrassed she felt.

How pathetic was she? Immersed in unrealistic fantasies, she had completely overlooked Yalin’s true feelings. A chill ran down her spine. Wendy instinctively touched her neck, where she wore a gem necklace of the same style as the one Yalin had given her.

That necklace, which Yalin had placed in his locker, she had seen for the first time. She believed that blue gem was a gift Yalin intended for the girl he liked. Wendy had always assumed that, given their relationship as professor and student, it was only natural for no other girls to be around him. In truth, everything she thought was merely self-deception.

She didn’t care if he liked her or not; Yalin paid her so much attention not because she was special, but because he was inherently a gentle person. She had merely mistaken that tenderness for love, then presumptuously claimed it as her own, even battling Audrey and Fulinna over it.

At this thought, Wendy felt a pang in her heart. She had been lost in unrealistic fantasies, completely ignoring Yalin’s true intentions. She knew that even if it weren’t her, Yalin would likely have acted the same way with anyone else.

If that were truly the case, then what was wrong with her? Why did that necklace make her heart feel so bitter?

Wendy abruptly stood up, but Yalin suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“Wait, Professor! What do you mean, ‘a gift you prepared for someone you like’?” Yalin leaned closer, just then noticing the necklace. Indeed, it also had a blue gem embedded in it, though it was much smaller than the one she wore.

“What a beautiful necklace! I feel like Professor Wendy and the Professor would look great together.”

Hearing these words, Wendy’s heart grew even more bitter.

“What is it… but the necklace you bought is the same style as the one I’m wearing.” Wendy suddenly found it amusing. What was wrong with her? Why was she suddenly competing? She truly was hopeless. “This gem is called the Heart of the Ocean. The necklace you prepared for someone you like is quite tasteful; it’s fine to give it to someone else.”

“I’m sorry, I just said some strange things. Please forget them… It’s getting late; we should head back.” She quietly turned, intending to leave, but Yalin suddenly seized her wrist again. The force was surprisingly strong, leaving a faint red mark on her fair skin. Wendy instinctively looked back, her eyes meeting an expression she had almost never seen before. Yalin was usually composed and calm, but at this moment, his eyes were filled with panic, even a hint of urgency. She hesitated for a moment before saying, “You… you saw the necklace I put in the locker?”

“I… I opened your locker and saw the necklace you bought!”

In an instant, Yalin felt as if struck by lightning. He had calculated everything, yet he never expected Wendy to discover it.

“I’m sorry, I accidentally opened your locker earlier and saw the necklace inside. That necklace was left by Liyang’s parents; it’s called the [Eye of the Void]. It’s fine if you don’t want anyone else to know, I absolutely won’t tell anyone.”

Yalin was stunned that Wendy had found the necklace! He clearly remembered that Nabel, who had come to retrieve the necklace, had died by his hand, and he had subsequently taken the necklace.

He knew that although some wisdom was sealed within it, he could guarantee it was an extremely dangerous item. “Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to study it. But because of this necklace, I absolutely won’t do anything detrimental to Professor Wendy, nor will I tell anyone.And, the school doesn’t forbid it, so you absolutely don’t need to worry…”

She had clearly misunderstood Yalin completely. In her mind, Yalin’s panic was merely fear that his feelings would be exposed, which was why he hastily made promises. However, lacking experience in such matters, her reassurance seemed a little clumsy.

Yalin remained silent. He calmly considered the situation, feeling as though something was amiss. In his impression, Wendy was a person who highly valued privacy, both her own and others’. Unless absolutely forced, she would never casually touch his belongings, let alone open his locker, without special circumstances.

Her current demeanor was entirely different from her usual expression; there had to be a reason. He released her hand and regained his composure, but then, a red light suddenly flickered in his eyes. That was the authority of mental manipulation from an evil god.

Although they were both professors, Wendy was entirely different from that old fox Fulinna; she possessed almost no resistance to mental magic.

Therefore, Yalin was not worried that his ability would be exposed. What concerned him more was the cluster of threads representing consciousness that had been activated—an unprecedented situation.

Moreover, it required almost no effort compared to any he had encountered before. Indeed, something must have happened then…

Wendy’s body suddenly swayed, and her eyes seemed to emit a thick sleepiness. “Professor, why did you… open my locker?”

“Because… that night, I saw something in the locker glowing, so I opened it to look.”

‘Glowing…’ Yalin narrowed his eyes. ‘That was… the sign of the [Eye of the Void] resonating.’ But it wasn’t on him…

After using his authority, Wendy’s body was entwined, and the threads of consciousness around her actually appeared red. It was easier to control than any other threads. ‘A problem, then…’ Her eyes also became somewhat distant.

“What was your mood then?”

“At that time…” Wendy’s voice became somewhat slurred, softer than usual, as if that were her true voice. “Because something happened… which made me very uncomfortable, very lonely. I wanted… to be held…”

Yalin released the mental control magic. He felt as if he had heard some terrible revelations. ‘Sorry, Professor, I didn’t mean to pry, but everyone understands such human emotions.’ At least, he now had a rough idea of the situation. ‘Can it resonate on its own?’

Wendy’s body swayed slightly, and her gaze gradually returned to normal. She felt a little strange, as if she had been in a daze for a moment, her mind blank. When she came to, she couldn’t recall what she had forgotten. “Sorry, Professor, I acted rudely just now.”

“Ah, it’s fine…”

“Speaking of which, about the necklace… Can you keep it a secret for me? It’s actually a gift for my younger sister.”

‘Sister? Wait, sister?’ Wendy suddenly blinked.

“Yes.” Yalin scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “I just feel like a necklace from a brother to his sister is a bit… awkward.”

Wendy understood. So that was it; the necklace wasn’t for his lover, but for his younger sister. She felt a little happy… She didn’t know why, but she just felt a little happy. Perhaps she truly was sick. “This necklace was also a gift from my mentor; I’ve kept it until now.” Wendy looked into Yalin’s eyes and smiled. “So, I think your sister will definitely like it too.”

“That wretched woman…”

From dozens of meters away, Lucas, hidden in the shadows, gritted his teeth. He was the second son of the Rhine family, and he had traveled all the way from the North to personally invite Wendy to the family banquet.

Yet, upon finally meeting her, he was met only with cold rejection, leaving him utterly humiliated. Even so, he had no choice but to remain here and find a way to bring Wendy back. If he failed, he would not gain his father’s approval. As Lucas idled about, at a complete loss, he unexpectedly saw Wendy and Yalin walking together.

He secretly followed them. What he witnessed, however, was an intimate scene. “Damn it, how dare that b*tch Wendy, a dignified princess, fool around with such a pretty boy outside!” Lucas cursed fiercely. “That damned slut! She’s my own sister, yet she looks at me with such cold indifference. But for some wild man from who knows where, she puts on the act of a pure maiden. What are you pretending for?!”

But just then, the anger that had just flared in his heart instantly vanished. A brilliant idea sparked. “Heh heh, silly sister, don’t you just love that pretty boy?” Lucas’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “If I use him a little, you probably won’t complain, will you?”