"No, I just..." Luo Wei hesitated, then decided there was nothing wrong with talking about it. "I adopted two kids. Wanted to train them as knights. Today they threw a fit about going adventuring in Gelu City. Total headache."

  There weren't many children at Star Luo Residence. Hol immediately guessed who she meant. "Miss Luo Wei, you're talking about Rosie and Roman?"

  Luo Wei nodded. "That's them."

  "If I may be frank," Hol said tactfully, "you've protected them too well. If you want them to become knights, better to let them see more of the world."

  Luo Wei frowned. "One's only seven, the other's only nine. What do kids that young know? Going to a battlefield is suicide."

  "Already seven and still young?" Theodore bared his teeth. "When I was seven, my mother threw me into a whirlpool sea beast's stomach. I fought for my life!"

  Laura added: "I was five when my parents were killed. Hid in the Magic Beast Mountains for ages. Almost got eaten."

  Sebastian: "Eight when my clan was massacred by the Church. Seventeen Doom Clan members—only I escaped. No food on the frozen plains, so I ran to Exile City's arena. Survived as a gladiator."

  Gladys: "Two. Pulled sleds. Seven. Became human."

  Hessel: "Before seven, the old man abandoned me. Cave had nothing but gold coins. Starved every day."

  "I also starved every day." Theodore rubbed his shrunken stomach sadly. "Never ate my fill."

  Hessel: "That's because you eat too much."

  After everyone finished, Hol said: "You see? By comparison, Rosie and Roman really aren't that young. Miss Luo Wei, perhaps you could try letting go."

  Luo Wei kind of regretted asking them. Different eras, different thinking. They had no idea what it was like dealing with rebellious children.

  Plus, none of them were ordinary people. Their experiences weren't typical. No way to compare them to Roman and Rosie.

  "I'll think about it." She said calmly, already rejecting their advice internally.

  Soon the second dance ended. The foodies in the Death Penalty Squad were still fixated on desserts and wouldn't leave. Luo Wei excused herself first and headed for the exit.

  Jane, who'd just finished dancing, saw her and hurried over, lifting her skirt. "Luo Wei, you're leaving? I haven't even seen you dance tonight!"

  "I don't really like dancing." Luo Wei said. "So I'm heading back. Have fun."

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  "Ah." Jane looked disappointed. "I wanted to chat, and you're already leaving."

  "We can talk tomorrow. We have class together every day."

  "Well... you're right, but..." Jane's eyes darted around before she leaned close. "Luo Wei, can you tell me who made your dress?"

  "Please, Luo Wei, I won't sleep tonight without an answer." Jane grabbed her arm and wheedled. "Tell me~ A dress like this must be super hard to order. I need to be first!"

  "You're impossible." Luo Wei said indulgently. "Fine. Hawkins Shop sent it to me."

  "I knew it was Hawkins Shop!" Jane made an "I guessed it" face. "Their owner is amazing. I just got their Aurora Shawl, and now they've made such a beautiful dress!"

  "Right?" Luo Wei spread her hands. "The owner's incredibly shrewd. Sending me this dress—got me to advertise for free."

  Jane was almost crying with envy. "Such a gorgeous dress must be super expensive. Even if they didn't give it to me, just letting me wear it once, I'd advertise for free!"

  Luo Wei: "I think you should ask. Hawkins Shop just started this service. Maybe they'll send you one too?"

  "How is that possible?" Jane said dejectedly. "Merchants only care about profit. I'm not some beauty or celebrity. Don't have much spending money. Why would they give me one?"

  "How will you know if you don't try?" Luo Wei encouraged. "I've only told you so far. If you're first to ask, you'll definitely get one!"

  "Really?" Jane was swayed. Even knowing there wasn't much hope, she was eager to try. "Then I'll go right after class tomorrow!"

  Luo Wei thought: Remember—tomorrow after class, get a message to Barton Hawkins first. Have him give her a backdoor deal.

  The two chatted briefly. Jane still had dances, so Luo Wei waved goodbye and left.

  Outside, the sky had gone completely dark. Wall lamps only lit the area around the main chapel. Beyond that—pitch black.

  To save lamp oil, Siria Magic Academy had no streetlights. Students wandering at night brought their own lanterns.

  Luo Wei hadn't brought one. She pulled out her wand and lit a small flame for light.

  After walking a bit, footsteps followed. She looked back and saw a tall, graceful figure.

  "Senior Calansis?"

  Hessel quickened her pace. "It's me."

  Luo Wei: "Heading back to Rose Castle?"

  Hessel shook her head. "Luo Wei, is that undead really still at the academy?"

  "I'm one hundred percent certain." Luo Wei said confidently. "I saw him here not long ago."

  "But I did what you said last night. Waited all night. He didn't come out." Hessel couldn't help doubting. "Could he have left?"

  "Where would he go if he left?" Luo Wei looked toward the chapel rooftop. "Maybe he went somewhere else in the academy last night. Sometimes he stays at the advanced division's chapel."

  Hessel's expression grew serious. "I searched all the chapels last night. Even went to the boys' dorm castle. Still didn't find him."

  Searching so many places without finding him—definitely strange.

  Luo Wei thought for a moment, then said quietly: "If he didn't leave, someone's hiding him. Perhaps we should talk to Headmaster Morrison."

  Hessel looked at her sharply. "Talk to Headmaster Morrison?"

  "Yes. He's the headmaster. Knows more about what happens here than anyone, doesn't he?"

  Luo Wei bent down, lifted her skirt, and untied the wooden box strapped to her calf. Inside was flower tea she'd prepared for the headmaster to sample.

  "I was going to see him anyway. I met with Alfried behind the academy's back. Need to give him an explanation. We can go together now."

  She rewrapped the silk ribbon around her leg, picked up the box, and stood. Seeing Hessel motionless, she asked curiously: "Senior, don't you want to go?"

  "No, I want to go." Hessel stared at her skirt. "I was just thinking—your dress hides things so well. Can it be made into a killing weapon?"

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