The afternoon classes passed under the blazing sun. Diane spread open her textbook, meticulously filling it with notes. The shadows of trees outside crept onto the pages, forming a contrast of green on one side and sunlight on the other.
As she copied from the blackboard, she noticed how the classroom light split into two distinct halves from the podium.
Pretending not to be deliberate, she stole a glance at a certain figure, then returned to listening to the lecture, only to space out again. Biting the cap of her pen, she unknowingly waited for the two halves of the light to merge once more.
Since Logan had returned from their trip to Napa, Diane's attitude toward him had shifted. It was subtle and gradual. However, Logan could still sense it. Especially after returning from Japan, in those moments when she tried to get close, he instinctively kept a certain distance. At this age, girls naturally hesitated, afraid to take the first step.
The restless season carried the nostalgia of student days, ponytails were a symbol of innocence, and studying was of utmost importance.
Diane believed that there was still plenty of time. Romance was something that would make one blush just from eye contact, so she simply remained optimistic, earnestly jotting down notes and tackling practice exercises.
…
The fourth period in the afternoon at Fresno High School was somewhat humane, as it was reserved for self-study. However, the level of 'humanity' varied depending on the grade, so Logan naturally didn't feel the benefit.
But exceptions existed. After the third class, Logan left the classroom, walked through the corridors connecting the school buildings, and arrived at a secluded empty classroom on the sixth floor.
Olivia had sent someone to fetch him. By now, Logan was used to such requests. Last semester, she often pulled him aside under the pretext of club activities. He wasn't surprised anymore, and it gave him an excuse to skip a class.
Upon entering, he saw a slender silhouette seated by the window. Olivia was engrossed in a book, her pale fingers twirling a lock of jet-black hair, revealing a focused profile and delicate earlobes. Hearing the door, she lifted her gaze, her eyes locking onto him.
"Senior." Olivia greeted. For a moment, his vision seemed to brighten. She was no longer in a school uniform. In the plain academic setting, she stood out in a cool off-shoulder white blouse and denim shorts. The curve of her collarbone was effortlessly elegant.
"You're here." Olivia nodded and stood up, stepping out of the shadow where she had been sitting. The sunlight poured over her, accentuating her figure and features. Her chest and fair thighs exuded an alluring charm, so much so that Logan had to look away.
His gaze landed on the book in her hands. It wasn't the kind of literary masterpiece that would fit the picturesque scene… just a manga.
Olivia noticed his glance and subtly lifted her chin, then stepped closer.
Logan found a seat and sat down, and then asked, "What are you reading?"
Ever since Olivia had helped him with the arrangements for Sumika in Japan, Logan had owed her a great favor. Upon returning, his attitude toward her had noticeably shifted.
Given everything she had done, she had already gone above and beyond, and Logan wasn't ungrateful and he reciprocated in kind.
It was to the point where Olivia had even learned about his 'special circumstances'.
As a result, she had developed a habit of reading Manga. Logan wasn't surprised. His question was more about making small talk and easing into the conversation.
"Nothing much, just a Shoujo Manga." Olivia replied, sitting beside him.
"Is that so?" A faint fragrance reached him as Logan glanced at the book. It was incredibly... white.
Something clicked in his mind, and he asked, "Speaking of which, why are you here again? You're already in college. What kind of university has such lax rules... And how do you manage to get in and out of the school so freely? Don't the security guards stop you?"
She had started her university life this semester, and all he knew was that she had gotten into a prestigious school in New York, nothing more.
Olivia crossed her legs and shook her head with an exasperated look, as if she were dealing with someone hopelessly clueless: "Sigh... First of all, I got into a top-tier university, one that you probably won't be able to get into in this lifetime."
Logan was annoyed.
"As for why I can come and go from the school so easily..." Olivia smiled faintly. "My dad is..."
"Alright, stop right there." Logan raised a hand to cut her off. He almost forgot, and the memories he didn't want to relive surged up. This scene felt oddly familiar, like he had asked a similarly stupid question before. No way was he going to let her finish that infuriating normie declaration.
"Just tell me why you're here." Logan's tone was laced with resentment as he glanced around.
This remodeled empty classroom was filled with cabinets and equipment. It used to be the activity room for Olivia's travel club. It had been running for quite a while, but after she graduated, its popularity faded. Now, some of the cabinets contained various documents, while others were stuffed with random, out-of-place Manga.
Before Olivia left, Logan had already told her everything he could. He really had no clue why she was looking for him today.
"There is something important." Olivia, for once, held back from showing off. She looked at Logan seriously and said, "Logan, I think I can sense Chakra now."
That sounded like big news.
But Logan showed no reaction, "Oh, that so? I understand."
Even Olivia, who was usually calm and composed, couldn't hide her excitement. But now, she was completely deflated, "Hey, that's all you have to say?"
"What else is there to say?" Yu Logan glanced at her, sighed, and mockingly cupped his hands, "Alright then, I wish you rapid cultivation, swift breakthroughs, and an early attainment of the Dao."
Given Olivia's personality, there was no way she wouldn't have asked Logan about how to nurture the 'energy' within the human body after returning from Japan.
Logan had looked at her conditions, the restrictions he had mentioned before, and didn't pay much attention when he explained. The results were exactly as expected.
'Even after rushing and struggling for a year, she had only just begun to perceive Chakra. And considering how sluggish Chakra was in the modern world... well, hopefully, she'd at least be able to form a fireball in this lifetime.'
To Olivia, this was a monumental event. She had even considered formally taking Logan as her master back then. Fortunately, Logan had swiftly shut that down.
Still, while they were in school, she had constantly reported her 'training progress' to him, and he had long grown tired of hearing about it. Now that she had finally made the tiniest bit of progress, neither the result nor the effort involved was enough to surprise him.
In the end, their conversation concluded with Olivia feeling discouraged. Logan offered a few words of consolation and some half-hearted advice, but after just a couple of sentences, she was already fired up again with her over-the-top determination.