Volume 3 Chapter 212

Volume 3 + Chapter 212: Questioning

Biden was grieving.

Although at the start he had wanted to drive this failing student out of Laurel Academy, now that the person was already dead, he decided not to fuss over it anymore—respect for the dead comes first.

Failing student, what a tragic death you had!!

He was deeply immersed in emotion, even squeezing out a few tears.

But just at that moment, as he happened to glance toward the crowd, he caught sight of a bizarre scene.

Amidst those students, there was a black-haired loli staring at him with a faint, ghostly gaze.

It was Xia Yi.

Biden’s expression froze.

This is bad—the failing student has died with grievances, the restless spirit refuses to disperse, and now it’s come to claim a life!

“Ghost!”

Everyone else was baffled by Biden’s sudden outburst.

“You, you…!!” Biden pointed at Xia Yi, the words stuck in his throat.

The others followed Biden’s gaze, and they too were struck dumb with shock.

Just a moment ago, Xia Yi’s black-and-white memorial portrait was still hanging in midair, her likeness vivid—yet suddenly, without a sound, she appeared right there in the crowd.

“Xia Yi?!”

Hill rushed over immediately.

At once, Xia Yi became the center of attention, everyone’s eyes locked solely onto her.

The odds of surviving after falling into a spatial rift were infinitesimally close to zero—especially for someone who didn’t even know space magic.

Yet, Xia Yi appeared here completely unharmed.

After confirming she was truly alive, Hill broke into a smile through her tears: “Xia Yi, you escaped from the spatial rift? On your own strength?!”

“Well… that’s a long story.”

Xia Yi herself had no idea how to explain.

Because she truly did not know why she and the Knight Princess had managed to return alive to this land.

“Failing student, you actually didn’t die?!”

Biden’s feelings grew complicated.

It was just like this, everyone had been gathered together, mourning half the day, speaking only good words about the deceased, preparing for the funeral, planning to eat together afterward.

And right at that moment, the deceased suddenly jumped out and said—Hey! I’m not dead yet!

Such a situation left Biden utterly speechless.

It felt like even his tears had been wasted.

“Teacher Biden, I never expected you would be sad for me to this extent. Looks like I misunderstood you all this time!”

Xia Yi gave Old Bi Deng (Biden) a smile.

“Don’t cry, Teacher Biden, I came back alive!”

“Ah…!!”

Biden clutched his face, utterly bewildered—why did this feel so suffocating??

“Wait—who is that?”

“Yeah! Why is Student Xia Yi carrying a girl on her back?”

“As expected of Little Green Tea Citrus—she can so easily accomplish what we couldn’t. Not only did she survive a spatial rift, she even abducted a pretty girl!!”

The crowd grew restless.

Xia Yi sensed danger.

If the Knight Princess’s identity were to be exposed here, it would cause serious consequences.

After all, the Knight Princess was always seen in a majestic and awe-inspiring manner. If everyone discovered that this girl, who looked underage, was actually the Knight Princess, then in their hearts there would be a huge contrast, to find the Knight Princess unexpectedly cute.

And once “cute” became attached to her, it would be all over.

Compared to the perception of “She’s truly powerful,” the thought of “She’s so cute” would definitely override it.

On this point, Xia Yi had the deepest personal understanding.

She must not say it—absolutely not.

“That’s right, I picked her up on the way,” Xia Yi announced. “I saw she was injured, so I stepped in to help and brought her back. She’s hurt now, and needs treatment and rest.”

Hill looked at the blonde girl, feeling something strange in her heart, but still refrained from raising questions here.

“Then come with me, Xia Yi. Let’s take her to the infirmary for treatment.”

“Mm!”

Xia Yi nodded.

Then she followed Hill out together.

Watching Xia Yi’s departing back, Biden was burning with curiosity. Just what method had she used to safely return from the spatial rift?

Driven by overwhelming curiosity, he too went to the infirmary.

…

…

“Failing student, you’re saying—she is the Knight Princess?!”

Biden’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Hill also found it incredible.

“Yes.”

Xia Yi revealed the truth only to Biden and Hill, trying to minimize the impact.

“Teacher Biden, go notify the Holy Order of Knights to send someone over.”

“Are you absolutely certain?” Biden frowned.

“Of course! The Knight Princess fell into the spatial rift together with me, and we returned together.”

“…Fine.”

Half-believing, half-doubting, Biden quickly sent word to the members of the Holy Order of Knights.

Upon learning that the Knight Princess was reported alive, they repeatedly confirmed the information. Then, without delay, they dispatched people.

The knights of the Holy Order soon arrived at Laurel Academy’s infirmary. Upon seeing the Knight Princess lying in bed, they were overcome with both shock and joy.

“The Knight Princess is still alive!!”

At once, the knights began treating her.

“Thank you, Laurel Academy!”

Except for those focusing on treatment, the knights all bowed to Biden, Hill, and Xia Yi to express their gratitude.

Seeing this, Biden finally believed completely.

“So the Knight Princess was actually this young—it’s truly unimaginable…” Biden sighed.

“The Knight Princess should be older than me,” Hill said, “but her appearance looks so young, not matching her age at all.”

“Miss Xia Yi, may I ask—did you return together with the Knight Princess?”

The knights politely inquired.

“Could you perhaps give us a rough account of what happened?”

“I fell with the Knight Princess into a sub-space. Inside, we were attacked by many disaster beasts. The Knight Princess was protecting me the whole time. But those monsters… they were far too strong, and she couldn’t handle them all alone…”

Xia Yi rattled off the excuse she had prepared in advance.

“At the most dangerous moment, the Sword Saint appeared. He used some method to track the sub-space, fought side by side with the Knight Princess, defeated the enemies, rescued us, and brought us back here.”

“The Sword Saint!?”

“It should have been him. He bears the imprint of the Sacred Sword, wears golden armor, and can summon the Holy Sword,” Xia Yi explained.

“I see… we more or less understand now.”

The knights nodded thoughtfully.

Just as one was about to ask further details, the Knight Princess slowly opened her eyes.

“Knight Princess, you’ve finally awakened!” the knight exclaimed with delight.

“……”

The Knight Princess slowly sat up. Perhaps because she had only just awakened, her mind was still sluggish.

Her gaze swept slowly across the infirmary, finally resting on Xia Yi. She blinked.

Then, the very first words she spoke were words of questioning—making everyone present exchange strange looks.

“Xia Yi, your hair… why has it changed from silver to black?”

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[Author’s Note: Today, Swiss Roll has received everyone’s encouragement, and here is a 6k update ~]