Chapter 6: Is This… Really Me?
“Little Sister Bai, have you met the old geezer before?” Sasha asked, noticing Xu Bai staring after Lugner’s retreating figure.
“…No,” Xu Bai shook her head. For her current self, it would be unusual to have met the former commander of the Saint Noyes Garrison Knights.
“But I feel like you’re very interested in him.” There was a hint of jealousy in Sasha’s tone.
“He’s very capable,” Xu Bai replied, her tone neutral.
“The old geezer… he is indeed very capable.” Sasha nodded in rare agreement.
“When… when did the old gentleman arrive at Vikarn Port?” Xu Bai asked, lowering her head to conceal her expression.
“I’m not sure… When I arrived at Vikarn Port a few months ago, he seemed to have been here for a long time.” Sasha thought for a moment, then added with a touch of resentment, “You really are interested in him.”
“A few months ago?” Xu Bai looked up slightly at the darkening sky, her thoughts drifting.
“Yes, about seven or eight months ago,” Sasha confirmed.
Seven or eight months ago was precisely when the Abyssal War had officially ended. Even Xu Bai, deep within the Bewildering Forest, had heard the news.
The commander had already been in Vikarn Port at that time…
“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about this!” Sasha, oblivious to the melancholy in Xu Bai’s hooded expression, took her hand and led her deeper into the alley. “Little Sister Bai, let’s find a secluded corner…”
“Huh?” Xu Bai immediately pulled her hand back, wary. “Miss Sasha, what are you going to do?”
For some reason, looking at Sasha’s excited and expectant face, Xu Bai had a bad feeling.
And Sasha’s words sounded strangely… like something a kidnapper would say?
“To teach you how to use the rune!” Sasha pointed at the rune clutched in Xu Bai’s hand, her face brimming with barely contained excitement, her eyes narrowed into slits, unclear whether she was looking at the rune or Xu Bai.
“No, there’s no need,” Xu Bai lowered her head, avoiding Sasha’s overly enthusiastic gaze. “If it’s used like a normal rune, I know how.”
“It’s a little different.” Sasha was still reluctant to give up, but Xu Bai’s resistance seemed to surprise her. “Actually, it’s a special illusion rune. Although it can’t really change you back, it can at least change your appearance…”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Xu Bai’s face.
She had expected as much. It was too good to be true to find a rune that could undo this “cursed appearance” so easily.
Xu Bai had searched almost everywhere outside the North Empire, but found no solution.
Of course, even if it only changed her outward appearance, it would still be much better than her current situation.
“Just inject your psychic energy into the rune and visualize your previous appearance in your mind.”
Sasha reluctantly peered under Xu Bai’s hood, wanting one last glimpse of that breathtakingly beautiful face. “It’s a shame. I might not see it again after this. Such a lovely little thing…”
“Thank you, Miss Sasha.” Xu Bai carefully put the rune away and bowed sincerely, ensuring Sasha didn’t get another look at her face.
She then adjusted her hood and turned to leave.
“Eh… Don’t go, Little Sister Bai,” Sasha hurried forward, blocking her path. “Just use it here. It won’t take long.”
Xu Bai paused, shaking her head slightly.
“No, I’m sorry, Miss Sasha. I can’t do that.”
If she returned to her original form, she wouldn’t be a silver-haired girl, but the ordinary-looking young man from a year ago.
Besides some embarrassing personal reasons, it would be troublesome if others knew that the current “her” had transformed from a “him.”
“But…” Sasha’s expression turned troubled. “This rune has a time limit. If you don’t use it soon, it will lose its effectiveness completely. You have to use it as soon as possible for the full effect.”
Xu Bai’s eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.
“…How much time is left?”
“I’m not sure,” Sasha shrugged helplessly. “And I only have this last rune left. It’s very precious.”
Xu Bai frowned, picking up the rune.
Sure enough, she could sense the energy within slowly dissipating, but she couldn’t tell when it would disappear completely.
Unbeknownst to Xu Bai, a mischievous glint flickered in Sasha’s eyes, and a few psychic circuits flashed on her hand behind her back.
“…Alright,” Xu Bai sighed, her voice subdued. “But, Miss Sasha, no matter what I look like afterward, please don’t be surprised, and don’t tell anyone.”
Transforming from a human into another race was already unbelievable. Changing gender as well would only attract unwanted attention and endless trouble.
Xu Bai hated trouble.
“Mm-hmm.” Sasha nodded vigorously, then looked at Xu Bai expectantly. “What kind of little girl will you be?”
Xu Bai noticed Sasha’s excitement and anticipation, but inwardly sighed for her.
“It’s a shame. The real me is just a boring, ordinary knight.”
Without further hesitation, Xu Bai finally lowered her hood, her silky silver hair cascading down, almost touching the ground.
Beneath the silver hair was an exquisitely perfect face, every detail a testament to beauty.
But the terrifying, dark-gold vertical pupils added a chilling touch to her ethereal beauty.
“Little Sister Bai… Bai,” Sasha narrowed her eyes, concealing her gaze. “Who… who are you really?”
Xu Bai picked up the rune, her psychic circuits connecting with it, and slowly closed her eyes.
Even after a year, she still clearly remembered her original appearance.
A lonely young man standing on the city wall, surrounded by the corpses of his comrades, the enemy closing in.
“Everyone, perhaps… it’s time I returned…”
The shimmering silver faded, the long hair shortening.
The pale skin gradually regained a healthy glow, and as her eyes slowly opened, the dark-gold vertical pupils transformed into black irises.
“Miss Sasha, do you see?” Xu Bai looked at Sasha calmly, her voice soft. “This is the real me.”
“Wow, you’re still very cute!”
“Um… Um?!”
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