Teacher, your friend is not a decent person

That night, Louis used his crystal ball to send a message to Ying Ling:

[What should I do, Sister Ying Ling? A friend of mine got drunk and did a lizard. He's panicking right now and smells completely of sulfur. Is he tainted now? Are there any precautions? What should he do? Will he get pregnant and give birth to some weird monster? Waiting online, it's quite urgent.]

Louis was so panicked that he even addressed her as Sister Ying Ling.

The eldest sister Ying Ling glanced at the crystal ball on her wrist and rolled her eyes inwardly—I knew that dragon would go looking for you!

[Wash up, and do a few more foxes.]

She didn't have time to exchange more messages with Louis right now, as she was busy dealing with her two good girlfriends.

"These two scheming girls!"

Ying Ling smiled gracefully, changed her posture, and sat on Othecilis's bed.

The three good girlfriends chatted away about this and that. On the surface, they were all harmonious and friendly, but underneath, each had her own hidden agenda.

The girlfriends were all masters of rhetoric and tactics, and soon, amidst the casual small talk, they once again 'unintentionally' shifted the topic to Othecilis's student.

The reserved Miss Kate naturally drew a clear line between herself and Louis. She simply stated that she and Louis were just innocent pen pals—Ying Ling shot Kate a look loaded with meaning.

Are pen pals divided into innocent and non-innocent ones?

Besides, the two of us were chatting so excitedly during the banquet just now, and we even agreed to be good friends forever. And now you're putting on an act of purity for me—don't tell me you're planning to reveal your true identity later under the pretext of wearing a green hat for me.

Your schemes are just too damn deep!

Othecilis also drew a clear line between herself and Louis, explaining that they had merely discussed some family matters and that she had appointed him as her knight. Her whole demeanor screamed, "Ying Ling, don't overthink this."

The vixen miss nodded with a sudden realization—are you planning the same thing as Kate?

I get it now. You two said the other day that you were going to buy me a pretty hat, and it turns out you meant *that* kind of hat.

"Ying Ling, how on earth did you and my student end up together?" Othecilis felt a dull ache in her heart, but on the surface, she asked with a smiling face.

Kate also looked over with curiosity.

Amidst the curious inquiries of her two good girlfriends, Ying Ling recounted the process of how she and Louis got to know each other, and then expressed a tinge of apology to Othecilis—Sister is a bit sorry to you. This was originally the 'toy boy' you prepared for yourself, but now he has become my big lord.

However, Sister's family tradition is very open, and she loves lively company.

Othecilis immediately declared, "You mustn't talk nonsense. I don't think much of him. Even if he were the Prince of the Kingdom of the Clouds, as a proud princess, I would never develop feelings for my student, let alone share a foreign prince consort with someone else."

"So, I truly bless you both."

Ying Ling nodded knowingly—Fine, then I'll just be blatant about it. Go ahead and keep pretending, little brat. When you and the boss finally hook up, I'd love to see how you explain it to me!

"So don't believe those scandalous rumors, Sister Ying Ling. I plan to... get along with Annabelle. Don't let her think there's anything ambiguous between Louis and me, that wouldn't be good..." Othecilis explained, pulling out Annabelle as a shield.

Ying Ling nodded blankly: "I think... never mind."

That night, Othecilis curled up under the covers, imagining the tragic and beautiful romance between herself and Louis—a love doomed to never be together—while shedding tears and silently humming an otherworldly version of *If You Love, Let Go*, deeply moved by her own emotional performance.

On the other side, Louis was also curled up in the embrace of Big Sister Ying Ling, crying his eyes out.

...

The next morning, Count Crawley and Archie came knocking on the door bright and early. Count Crawley informed Louis that they, along with the King and Queen, would be very busy lately, seemingly negotiating matters with a delegation from some mysterious kingdom.

Hearing this, Louis glanced at Archie, who returned a look that said *you know how it is*—it seemed the King intended to let Crawley and certain political figures gradually delve deeper into the affairs of the wizards.

Prince Nefar would also lead a team accompanying the King's negotiation delegation—it seemed he had only come this time to act as a diplomatic ambassador representing the Black Dragon clan.

To put it bluntly, he was just accompanying his little sister.

Louis wore a blank expression—I know that now.

After the conversation, Louis went to the long dining table and coincidentally sat right across from Annabelle. The two of them looked up, exchanged a blank stare, and immediately turned their heads away.

Soon, Ying Ling, Kate, and Othecilis also walked into the dining room. Othecilis and Kate sat opposite each other, while Ying Ling sat beside Louis.

Louis blinked and glanced at Othecilis and Kate across the table. Othecilis pretended not to notice Louis's gaze and started chatting with Annabelle. Meanwhile, Kate smiled at Louis with restrained politeness, and Louis responded with a slight, reserved nod.

Ying Ling also offered a reserved smile. She secretly lifted the tablecloth to take a peek, then cursed them as a pair of scoundrels in her heart, thinking that Kate this stinky girl really had some damn deep schemes.

Seeing Othecilis chatting excitedly and mysteriously with Kate about something, Louis looked at Ying Ling with some confusion.

"Her Royal Highness the Princess has invited Kate and Miss Annabelle to visit the Holy Oak Academy together," Ying Ling whispered.

Louis suddenly understood. It seemed the recent wagering incident had a massive impact. Although Holy Oak had always been open-minded, no secular nobility had visited or toured the grounds for over a decade.

The Princess held a special status; she was both the princess of the mundane people and the princess of the wizards. It was entirely appropriate for her to lead a group of nobles to broaden their horizons.

"What about Helen and Lilith?" Louis looked around, failing to spot the two of them.

"Those two dead girls have gone wild with playing these past few days," Ying Ling said through gritted teeth. "When they heard school was starting, they both vanished without a trace. I managed to catch Lilith this morning, and she's already tied up inside a trunk. As for that girl Helen, she ran off to the palace monastery. She's probably praying and eating with the nuns right now. Her sister didn't dare go over to the nuns' place to drag her back."

Louis couldn't help but find it amusing inwardly. Othecilis was quite afraid of the Dragonkin nuns, so that dead girl Helen really knew how to find a powerful backing.

Ying Ling continued, "I think this is for the best anyway. Helen isn't like Lilith, that academic slacker. Helen has already mastered most of the curriculum at Holy Oak; what she lacks right now is practical experience."

"Are you planning to make a trip back? The little girl didn't ask for you, but I can 'arrange' it..."

Louis didn't quite understand what she meant by 'arrange'. He looked at Ying Ling in confusion, only to notice that she was smiling warmly as she looked toward Othecilis and Annabelle.

Louis looked over with a blank expression, his gaze accidentally locking with Annabelle's. The two of them froze, goosebumps erupting all over their bodies, and both turned their pale faces away.

Louis declined Ying Ling's suggestion to travel together.

After breakfast, Othecilis put on a stern expression and called Annabelle over, then dragged Louis into the study with a dark face.

Once inside, Annabelle crossed her arms and leaned against the windowsill, her gaze scrutinizing Louis. Meanwhile, Othecilis sat beside Louis, her face straight as she sized him up for a long time.

Seeing this setup, Louis's heart skipped a beat.

"Do you have any idea what you did last night?"

Sweat instantly poured down Louis's back in torrents.

Cold sweat also poured down Annabelle's back in torrents, not daring to look at either of them—how could Othecilis possibly know?

*Yeah, how on earth could Othecilis know?!* Louis's mind was in absolute chaos.

"Hmph, sobered up now?" Othecilis sneered. "Regretting it? Feeling ashamed?"

"I am ashamed. I repent. I deserve to die." Louis rubbed his face and said with boundless remorse, "I took the wrong medicine, my mind was clouded by ghosts... I'm willing to bear all the consequences, please forgive me."

With that, Louis looked sincerely toward Annabelle.

Annabelle broke out in cold sweat and turned her head away—Don't look at me!

"Hmph. I've already explained things to Annabelle. You should count yourself lucky that she didn't take it to heart." Othecilis tossed her hair and smiled coldly.

Louis looked at Annabelle in surprise.

Annabelle rubbed her forehead—Fine, I was at fault too.

Pausing for a moment, Othecilis crossed her legs, narrowed her eyes to appraise Louis, and said with a deadpan expression, "But you should understand what the consequences would be if Ying Ling found out about this? With her pride, she would definitely break up with you! And I wouldn't have anywhere to show my face either..."

Louis rubbed his face in remorse. I'm tainted, I rolled around in bed with a lizard... and it seemed she even forced me later on...

Then Louis's expression turned a bit strange. If Othecilis said she had nowhere to show her face, that made complete sense. After all, he was her knight and her student. If word of this got out, neither he nor his teacher would have anywhere to show their faces.

As for Ying Ling... didn't she say just last night that her friend should wash up well and then do a few more foxes?

Surely she wouldn't react the way Othecilis described, right?

"I won't hold what happened last night against you anymore." Seeing how remorseful Louis appeared, Othecilis sighed and softly added, "I've thought a lot about it and decided not to tell Ying Ling about the foolish thing you did last night for now. I'll give you a second chance."

Louis was slightly stunned. He couldn't help feeling that something was a bit off.

He cast a puzzled look at Annabelle: [What on earth did you tell Othecilis?]

Annabelle glared fiercely at Louis—Big brother, don't look at me! I heard it loud and clear, this has nothing to do with me! The princess explained to me this morning about what happened between the two of you last night! Don't you dare talk nonsense, or I'll kill you!

"But!" Othecilis suddenly said with a fierce expression, "If you ever offend me again, I will tell Ying Ling what happened last night. I'll let her know what you did yesterday evening and what kind of person you really are!"

With that, Othecilis shot Louis a look that meant *you'd better watch your step*. Then, she let out a cold huff, raised her proud head, and left with the fierce dragon guarding her—she even hooked her arm through Annabelle's, heavily implying, *Annabelle and I are good friends now, and I'm introducing her to you.*

Louis nodded blankly—Teacher, please don't introduce this good friend of yours to me anymore; she's not a decent person.

Right before stepping out the door, Annabelle turned around and glared fiercely at Louis.

[If you dare breathe a single word about last night, I'll make you pay! Also, stay away from my girlfriend from now on, or I'll kill you!]

Louis fell into deep contemplation.

Is your definition of 'kill' proper or improper?

...

Asking for recommendation votes.

Some people asked about Louis's transformation issue. In essence, it's polymorph magic, and he can transform into anything. Because he was wearing the Sea Monster Snake Robe that could transform into various outfits, along with the Hydra Wand, when he transformed, he counted as a Sea Monster Snake with dragon bloodlines. His appearance was that of a deep-sea evil dragon, complete with horns and fins, making him look quite ferocious and bizarre.

Yesterday's chapter actually included that description (seen through Annabelle's perspective, where she felt it looked ferocious and bizarre), but it seemed I accidentally deleted and edited it out later. Fearing it might trigger censorship, I simply left it out.