The Rebirth of Evelyn Knox

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"The little girl hasn't grown up at all it seems. Her mind is still as childish as her body, and she throws tantrums when she hears something she doesn't like."

Listening to the blue haired woman's words, Aurora's face turned pale, and Evelyn couldn't help but frown.

From her perspective, it was clear that Gwendolyn was knowingly taunting her teacher, but what she didn't understand was why.

But regardless of what her reasons were, Evelyn didn't want to see Aurora be wronged. 

Gritting her teeth, Evelyn soon made the decision in her heart. "Teacher, can you let us talk alone?"

Returning Aurora's sharp look with a pleading gaze, Evelyn finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the platinum blonde reluctantly move back.

But although she moved back, it was only a few meters. Aurora still wanted to be ready to react in case things went south. 

Even if Gwendolyn was a throne, the platinum blonde didn't believe she could kill her student before she could react right in front of her.

Whether she had her control of water or not, Aurora still had her spirit power. Even if her combat ability would be reduced, there was still enough energy in her body to completely turn the entire academy into ashes if she decided to sacrifice herself.

Throne or not, Aurora didn't believe Gwendolyn could ignore such a threat.

Seeing the pink haired girl take the initiative to send her teacher 'away', Gwendolyn rose a brow in surprise. "For being so suspicious before, don't tell me you suddenly believe in me now?"

Evelyn just smiled. "I believe that regardless of what it is that you want to do, you're not here to kill me today."

Of course, her words made it clear that she believed that Gwendolyn came here with a motive other than to just take care of the attack from the Lord of Bones as she claimed before.

After all, not to mention whether the academy could take care of it by itself or not… what did it have to do with Gwendolyn?

If what she wanted was really to just foil each and every one of the plans that Lord of Bones had, wouldn't it make more sense to take the opportunity of his absence to dismantle some of his biggest temples?

There was a hint of appreciation in Gwendolyn's eyes as she nodded. "You're not wrong. What do you think I'm here to do, then?"

Evelyn pursed her lips and shook her head. "I don't know. Why don't you tell me? Why are you here? Why did you keep provoking Aurora? And what is it that you really want from me?"

Gwendolyn looked amused as she snapped her fingers to make a privacy barrier, immediately isolating the two of them and Nadia from any 'eavesdropping'.

Aurora tensed momentarily, but seeing her make no further hostile actions, she soon calmed down.

The blue haired woman couldn't help but chuckle. "Although you're courageous, you should learn that you won't get some answers just because you want them."

Nadia seemed to think that she was being mocked again when Gwendolyn chuckled and immediately became furious. Seeing her hiss and get ready to attack, Evelyn quickly pulled her into a hug to comfort her.

The lake that had just started boiling immediately calmed down again, and Gwendolyn couldn't help but stare at it in thought. "How about this… you tell me how you tamed this wild little thing, and I'll let you know why I was provoking your teacher?"

Evelyn tensed almost instantly, but seeing how Nadia didn't seem to realize anything and just kept swaying her tail docilely in her embrace, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Obviously, as far as Evelyn was concerned, it was impossible to expose her deepest secrets. However, she didn't immediately reject the offer either.

Gwendolyn watched with interest as the pink haired girl seemed to consider her offer before nodding hesitantly. 

"Nadia and I share an intimate connection, and I feel close to her in my heart, and believe she does too. I haven't 'tamed' her as you put it, she simply… favors me."

Gwendolyn blinked. "What? That's it?"

Evelyn tilted her head in confusion. "What else did you expect?"

The blue haired woman stared at her silently before she shook her head with a smile.

Evelyn didn't worry about being exposed, since it's not like she lied. 

Every word she spoke was true. And the reason was simply because she felt that lying in front of Gwendolyn was a risk not worth taking.

Eula had already told her about the 'secret' behind the Aquans ability to detect lies, which wasn't really much of a secret at all. Simply put, those who had a high affinity of water were more sensitive to emotions, and found it much easier to detect falsehood. 

The Aquans capitalized on this 'ability' and further trained everyone with some talent to be able to observe and detect falsehood even better.

It proved to be in invaluable skill in both trade and negotiation, and greatly boosted the economical growth of Aquavahn. 

Evelyn believed that even if this wasn't known to most people due to the information restrictions in this world, there was no way to keep it a secret from those who really wanted to know.

Besides, as someone who claimed to have a mastery of the domain of water, Gwendolyn would probably be able to see through her lies almost instantly, making it pointless in the first place.

The blue haired throne sighed in disappointment. "Well, I was hoping it was one of your throne abilities. I've always been curious about the skills of the lotus throne, after all. But fine… whatever. A deal is a deal."

Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

Gwendolyn smiled as she turned to look at the vigilant platinum blonde through the corner of her eye. "The reason I kept provoking Aurora was because… I just wanted her to be angry."

Evelyn had expected many things, such as the woman wanting her teacher to attack so she can test her abilities, or maybe even 'show the girl her place', but provoking her simply for the sake of enraging her hadn't crossed her mind at all.

She couldn't help but be shocked. "W-Why?!"

Gwendolyn chuckled as she saw the pink haired girl's dumbfounded expression. Compared to her serious look, she looked more 'adorable' like this, much more suitable for her age. "I remember there was only one question in our deal?"

Evelyn furrowed her brows, disappointed.

The blue haired throne smiled. "Well, I'm feeling generous today. To be honest, there is something I need to do that requires the three of you. You, Aurora… and the Lord of Bones."

Evelyn immediately felt a chill run down her spine.

Of course, she had already expected as much, but there had still been a vain hope in her heart that maybe Gwendolyn simply had a vendetta against the Lord of Bones, and that she wanted her to grow to team up and get rid of him together.

Since she was directly involved as a throne herself, Evelyn didn't mind being dragged into her fight. After all, she would have had to face it sooner or later anyway.

Dragging Aurora into it, however, was something she always wanted to avoid.

Every time the platinum blonde had sheltered her before, Evelyn had always vowed in her heart that one day, when she was strong enough, she would protect her teacher like a precious jewel in her palm, and never let her suffer any harm.

However, if the two of them were dragged into a conflict between two thrones that far exceeded her level… what could Evelyn even do to protect her?

Looking at the girl's pale face, Gwendolyn sighed. "Don't look so worried. As long as you succeed, it will only bring the two of you benefits. As for the Lord of Bones… heh."

Evelyn bit her lip nervously. "I-I'm already enemies with the Lord of Bones, and I have no issue with fighting against him with all I have, with or without you. But my teacher… she has nothing to do with it."

The blue haired throne shook her head in denial. "Don't be so reluctant. Even if you don't drag her in, won't she jump in by herself? Do you even know what she thinks of you?"

Evelyn frowned but didn't speak.

Gwendolyn chuckled. "When she thought I was the domain's will, she exposed some of her heart the moment she learned about your existence. 'The World's Only Hope' is what I saw, and for you… she'll even sacrifice the academy, not to mention herself."

Instead of looking happy, the pink haired girl's expression turned pale, and Gwendolyn couldn't help but think it was interesting. "Why, aren't you flattered?"

Evelyn could only try her best to smile, but in her heart, she knew it must look ugly. After all, for an 'outsider' who used to only think of herself… Aurora's thoughts were like a spike through her heart.

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Author's Note:

I wasn't able to update yesterday. Since I was a little depressed to begin with, and then received some bad news later, it became completely impossible for me to focus on writing. I could have forced myself to do it, but... I just couldn't find the motivation, unfortunately.

Now that I think about it, I should have just accepted earlier that I couldn't do it and posted a no-update notice.

So for everyone who waited for the chapter yesterday... I'm sorry. I know there aren't many of you reading this, but I treasure the few of you who do.

I'll make up for it tomorrow, or the day after, with double chapters.