Chapter 793: 793
As the zither music rang out once more, the Ice-Scaled Purple Crystal Python began to narrow its eyes. Its body started to sway in larger arcs than before, suggesting that it would require a longer bout of concerted playing before it would fall asleep again.
After some contemplation, Qin Sisi began to attempt to channel her inner magical power into her fingertips.
This magical energy could protect her fingers and infuse the music she produced with greater spirituality, potentially enhancing the effects of the lullaby.
The Magic Source in her lower abdomen started to rotate slowly. It was as if a patch of lush greenery was swaying in the breeze. The vibrant magic it birthed began to gather around Qin Sisi’s right fingertips.
Soon, the slender tips of her fingers were emitting a faint greenish glow, corresponding with a clear and pleasant melody from the Half Moon Zither. A blissful expression appeared on the python’s face.
Qin Sisi, however, was so immersed in her music that she failed to immediately notice the changes within herself.
After a while, she suddenly realized that she had been playing for quite some time. She quickly looked up to check the python, and saw it curled up, its head resting on its body. The python’s eyes were completely closed, and it was absolutely still, seemingly deeply asleep.
Overjoyed, and cautious as ever, she continued playing softly and performed the lullaby two more times before finally stopping.
Thanks to the protection of her magic, her fingers weren’t damaged too much this time around. She chose not to heal them, focusing instead on observing the python’s reaction, and calculating its sleep duration in the absence of music.
After exactly five minutes, the python moved slightly with a blink of its eyes.
For an instant, Qin Sisi noticed something about the python’s eyes that didn’t seem quite right, but she didn’t have time to reflect further. Instantly, she picked up the Half Moon Zither and started playing again.
There were several times when Qin Sisi felt as if she just sat there, falling asleep, letting her fingers autonomously play the music.
But when she was clear-headed, she was delighted. After a long night of effort, she seemed to have gained a new understanding of music.
As dawn was drawing near, she put the python back to sleep once more. She then slowly stopped playing, counting each second as they passed.
The moment Wen Xuan didn’t hear any zither music as he walked down the steps, he tensed up instantly. He hurried over, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw Qin Sisi sitting there without a scratch.
Then he noticed the soundly sleeping python, and began to calculate the time as well.
After a short while, Qin Sisi cheered, "We did it! It’s been ten minutes already."
Her joyous cheer startled the python, which opened its eyes abruptly and glared at Qin Sisi, the one responsible for disturbing its sleep.
With a smile on his face, Wen Xuan came forth to stroke the python’s head. He presented a white paper bag to Qin Sisi and placed a basket next to the python, pulling out a fresh fish.
The python seemed to understand that it was feeding time and retreated slightly.
With a swift flick of Wen Xuan’s wrist, the fish flew in an elegant arc and was promptly gobbled up by the python.
Watching the python eat with an animalistic enthusiasm, Qin Sisi found her own stomach growling.
She opened the bag that Wen Xuan handed her, finding a pasty similar to cake and some strips of roasted meat.
The tantalizing aroma immediately whetted her appetite, and she started to eat heartily.
Seeing her enjoy her meal, Wen Xuan silently placed a water bottle next to her. Muttering a "thank you", Qin Sisi helped herself to a drink.
After filling herself, she thanked Wen Xuan again.
Wen Xuan smiled: "Actually, I should be the one thanking you."
"Thanking me for what?" Surprise flashed in Qin Sisi’s eyes. They had just met, and she couldn’t figure out any reason that he would owe her anything.
A shadow flitted across Wen Xuan’s face before he answered: "If Ye You hadn’t arranged for you to enter Heaven Academy, I might have been disheartened and left Heavenly Magic God’s Castle."
"Discouraged? Why?" Qin Sisi was startled. How could anyone be discouraged to learn in Heavenly Magic God’s Castle?
In her world, a student would only be encouraged to leave the school if they had made a major mistake. Wen Xuan, however, did not seem like the kind who could have done such a thing.
He sighed before explaining: "For the first year in Heavenly Magic God’s Castle, magic practices are free. If a student’s Magic Level is elevated within a year, they can continue their practice for free. If they are upgrading their Magic Level, the school will give them two years of free practice time.
However, if they stay at a rank for a year without improvement, or at a high-tier level for two years without promotion, they will have to pay high tuition fees for the next year.
If there is no advancement at all in their Magic Level for five consecutive years, it means that the student has no significant future in magic. Hence, Heavenly Magic God’s Castle will suggest that they leave the course."
Qin Sisi looked at the heaviness in Wen Xuan’s eyes and asked carefully: "What is your Magic Level now, Senior Wen Xuan?"
With a bitter smile, Wen Xuan replied: "I am an Intermediate Magic Instructor, and I have been at this rank and tier for three years now. The Meilan family has paid my tuition fees several times. If I don’t make progress this year, my family will not continue to pay.
So, my aunt, Teacher Yirou, kept me by her side, taught me carefully, hoping that I could get promoted as soon as possible.
Luckily, she met you and Lord Ye You. Lord Ye You convinced the teachers of Heaven Academy to start the next term of Celestial Class in advance because of you. The Celestial Class originally only accepted high-level magic teachers, but because your rank is not high enough, the admission requirement was lowered. My aunt managed to secure an opportunity for me, so we will be classmates from now on."
"That’s great!" Qin Sisi felt delighted upon hearing Wen Xuan’s words. She had been a little apprehensive about her future academic journey. Having a familiar face as a classmate set her mind at ease.
After a moment of thought, she said to Wen Xuan: "Heaven Academy, as the highest level academy in the Heavenly Magic God’s Castle, must have outstanding teachers. I believe that you will definitely improve your Magic Level."
"Thanks for your good wishes." Wen Xuan replied with a hearty laugh. He picked out the last fish from the basket and threw it towards the python, which swallowed it up without missing a beat.
