Volume 3 Chapter 176

Volume 3 + Chapter 176: Going Against Each Other

Xia Yi did not believe that, relying on her human state, she could resolve the predicament that Laurel Academy was currently facing.

The endless rainbow magic circle could no longer withstand the Legion of Calamity.

The only way to resolve this was to unleash her true dragon form. This was a turning point.

But that also meant exposing her true identity as a dragon before all humans.

That was absolutely unacceptable.

It completely went against the purpose of her entering the human world.

Moreover, if those who harbored extreme hatred for dragons came to know that, here in the human world, there existed the Silver Dragon Princess from the Dragon Kingdom—what would happen then?

Even if they rallied the entire strength of the human world to hunt her down, it would be expected.

Therefore, based on this judgment, Xia Yi planned to leave with only Hill.

Hill was her student. There was no way she could stand by and watch her student die here. Today she had made up her mind—no matter what, she had to take Hill away.

However, Xia Yi’s attempt was rejected.

Not only that, Hill completely laid her cards on the table with Xia Yi.

She pointed out directly that Xia Yi was the human Sword Saint, Wright Schubert.

“I, I…”

Xia Yi was stunned.

She could not understand why Hill had discovered this.

“Teacher Wright, look into my eyes and tell me the truth—your identity,” Hill stared straight at Xia Yi. “If I am wrong, deny it.”

“…”

Xia Yi lowered her head, no longer daring to look into Hill’s eyes.

She could clearly feel her student’s gaze, as if it pierced right through her.

She could not face such eyes.

Dark clouds loomed across the sky, blocking out the sunlight. The air grew oppressively damp.

“Is that your silence as confirmation, Teacher Wright?” Hill said softly. “I have known your identity for a long time, but I pretended not to know—until today, when I could no longer endure it. I’m sorry.”

Xia Yi’s mind was now in complete chaos.

She had never considered such a situation would occur, and therefore did not know how to respond.

Her small hands fidgeted nervously, clutching at her skirt.

She felt guilty inside.

She knew very well that Hill admired her the most. Hill also cared deeply about her condition, yet after staying by her side for so long, Xia Yi had never revealed anything. This deception felt excessive.

“Teacher Wright, you really are a complete girl now. Before, you would never have done such a gesture.”

“No, that’s not it…!”

Xia Yi hurriedly withdrew her hands. She wanted to deny it, or explain that she was still the same as before—the human Sword Saint.

But…

The human Sword Saint had challenged the Silver Dragon Queen Xia Lulu and failed, becoming the Silver Dragon Princess Xia Yi due to a curse, losing her memory.

Xia Yi Kristie had lived in the Dragon Kingdom for six years, always believing herself to be a dragon—the daughter of Xia Lulu, the Silver Dragon Princess.

But later, she regained her past memories.

So who exactly was she now?

The human Sword Saint Wright?

Or the Silver Dragon Princess Xia Yi?

“I, I…”

Xia Yi’s breathing grew rapidly. She wanted to escape Hill’s gaze, to run away from here, unwilling to face this.

But she could not bear to see Hill march to her death.

Laurel Academy now had no possibility of defeating the Calamity.

Despite her inner turmoil, she still spoke in a low voice: “Hill, come with me. Leave this place. I can protect you. Trust me…”

“You want me to run away, Teacher Wright?”

Hill smiled.

Her smile was filled with bitterness and desolation.

For Hill, the person she admired most was her teacher—Wright Schubert, the human Sword Saint, everyone’s hero.

It was because of this admiration that she picked up a sword, chasing after his figure.

Every skilled swordsman has their own sword path—the reason they fight with a blade.

“Teacher Wright, I remember you once taught me not to abuse one’s power, but to learn the proper way to use it—for example, to protect others.”

Hill drew her sword. Whenever she felt lost, thinking of her teacher gave her strength to go on.

“At that time, your words became my conviction. I wanted to be like you, to use my strength to protect those around me.”

“…”

Of course, Xia Yi remembered all of these words.

Every single one was something she had said herself.

“Now, I have also become a teacher at Laurel Academy. I have my own students. They are the ones I must protect. Right now, they are in danger. To stand by and watch them die here—I cannot do it.”

Hill declared firmly:

“Teacher Wright, no matter what happens, I will never abandon my students. I will not run away. Even if this is a battle with no hope of victory, until death, I will never retreat.”

Every word from her student struck fiercely at Xia Yi’s heart.

She closed her eyes, unable to respond to Hill’s resolve.

“Farewell, Teacher Wright. I will protect those around me, just like you once did. This is my choice as a swordsman.”

After saying this, Hill sheathed her sword and turned to leave.

“No, no!!”

Xia Yi raised her hand.

She wanted to stop Hill from leaving.

With Hill’s strength, she was no match for the enemy.

Even after all these years, even though her student had grown excellent, Xia Yi could still easily take her away by force if she wanted.

The sky began to drizzle.

Stop right there!

Xia Yi reached out her hand, ready to—but then, she saw Hill’s eyes.

Those black eyes were pure and unblemished. Even as she headed toward the battlefield of death, they held no hesitation or wavering.

Just like…

The old her.

The little princess’s hand froze in midair.

If she forcibly took Hill away now, wouldn’t that mean denying her actions, denying her will, denying her own teachings?

The rain grew heavier. Large raindrops struck the ground, stirring mist, soaking Xia Yi’s long hair completely.

In the downpour, her petite figure looked utterly lost.

“What am I… even doing?”

In the end, the black-haired loli watched as Hill vanished into the rain. She said nothing, did nothing, only stood there blankly.

The student she had taught walked the opposite path from her.

Teacher and student—going against each other.

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[Author’s Note: Before seven this morning, I was suddenly called back to my hometown. I’ve been running around the whole day without rest and am exhausted to the point of collapse. I only returned after dinner, but I almost couldn’t hold on because I slept less than two hours and my head was splitting. But luckily, I still managed to finish writing this chapter.]