Sunlight dappled through the gauze curtains, casting mottled spots of light across the room from the shadows of trees.
Mu Lin squinted, frowning slightly. She rolled over, pulling the blanket tighter around herself and burrowing reluctantly back into the soft bedding.
Her consciousness rose like surfacing from deep water. Vivid images of entangled bodies flashed in her mind; with a jolt, Mu Lin sat bolt upright, face flaming red.
She didn't know when she had returned to her own room. She wore a light white gauze nightgown; her body had been carefully cleaned, her chestnut hair smoothed and loose, still carrying a faint trace of fragrance.
Aside from her racing heart, there was no obvious discomfort—no lingering marks of their lovemaking. It felt almost like an erotic dream. Except…
She climbed out of bed and stood before the full-length dressing mirror. The girl reflected there was nearly unrecognizable.
Her features were gentle and refined—not stunning, but elegantly pretty. Flawless skin, soft chestnut hair falling in waves; even her height seemed to have increased slightly. In the luxurious lace-trimmed gauze nightgown, she looked every inch a noble young lady—save for still being a little too thin.
Below her collarbone, over her chest, the crimson curse seal bloomed like a seductive flower against pale skin.
Mu Lin touched the mark in a daze. Thinking of Noyes, an involuntary sweet smile curved her lips.
"Awake?" The cool voice startled her. Noyes stood in the doorway, holding a set of black uniform garments.
Their newly changed relationship left Mu Lin momentarily unsure how to face the man with whom she had become intimately joined. Her heart fluttered wildly; after some flustered fumbling, she managed what she hoped was a dignified smile. "Good morning, Noyes."
Noyes glanced at the blazing midday sun outside and said nothing more. The bonding had been unexpected, but what was done was done—the path ahead remained.
"You were unconscious for two days," he said, placing the black dress on the bed and meeting her eyes directly. "Since you've rested enough, there are things I need to make clear."
His overly serious expression made Mu Lin straighten instinctively.
Noyes's gaze settled on the blood-red mark at her chest. "You already know about the curse seal. The bonding ritual is complete—from now on, you are my familiar."
He spoke the words like a formal declaration of marriage in a brisk, businesslike tone. Mu Lin's face flushed; she closed her eyes, lips curving upward despite herself.
"Next, you need to understand my position," the silver-haired priest continued, far less relaxed than she. "I am a high-ranking high priest of the Cis Holy See and always accept the most difficult, most dangerous missions. With your current strength, following me would be extremely perilous.
"Starting today, you will attend classes during the day to learn basic combat skills for witches. In the evenings, I will give you special training. You must raise your power quickly—otherwise, when we face truly strong monsters, the only thing awaiting you is death."
Words like "combat" and "monsters" left Mu Lin dazed. Though she had some prior understanding of an enforcer witch's duties, facing reality still felt unreal.
Seeing her struggle to absorb it, Noyes softened slightly. "I'll teach you everything as we go. Change into your uniform and get something to eat. The days ahead will be hard—prepare yourself mentally."
Mu Lin nodded. No matter what came, knowing Noyes would be beside her brought considerable comfort. They were bound now—the most special existence to each other.
"Noyes…" Gathering her courage, the girl looked straight into his eyes. "Is there… anything else you want to say to me?"
Noyes looked puzzled; he believed he had covered everything necessary. Seeing her expectant expression only confused him more as he searched his mind for anything overlooked…
"You can do it."
Mu Lin inwardly facepalmed.
Unlike the strictly ranked, uniform attire of the priests, a witch's status in the Holy See derived from her bonded priest's rank, so dress regulations were far less rigid.
Most witches wore black gowns resembling nun's habits, prominently marked with the Holy See's cross. Those who loved fashion often modified their uniforms to personal taste, and the Church rarely minded.
Mu Lin's uniform was relatively simple—more fitted than standard nun garb, with lace edging the black skirt hem and a metal cross pin at the collar.
Clutching several textbooks, she took a deep breath at the classroom door and pushed it open.
It was break time; witches in similar uniforms chatted idly in small groups like ordinary students.
"Hello," she said to a short-haired girl with bandaged head sitting nearest.
The room fell instantly silent. Every head turned; all eyes fixed on her. The air froze in an atmosphere far from friendly, making Mu Lin's skin prickle.
She hadn't done anything wrong, had she? Her appearance was utterly ordinary—nothing to draw such attention. Were newcomers always scrutinized this intensely?
"Um… hi, everyone," she tried again.
Some examined her briefly before turning away; no one responded.
In the suffocating silence, Mu Lin edged carefully to the back row, choosing the least conspicuous empty seat and setting down her books.
"Hey? You're sitting there?" The bespectacled girl beside her looked panicked.
Mu Lin blinked, giving a questioning glance. "Is that all right?"
"It's not forbidden…" The girl scratched her head awkwardly. "I just thought you'd be… less low-key than this."
"You know me?" Mu Lin asked, surprised.
"Probably no one here doesn't know you—High Priest Noyes's new familiar. You're famous." Gossip sparkled in the girl's eyes. "Everyone was guessing what kind of familiar he'd finally choose. And then… well, it was certainly earth-shattering."
"Earth-shattering?" Mu Lin racked her brain for anything she'd done to deserve the phrase. During the bonding ritual, just as she was about to bond with a stranger, searing pain had exploded in her head—chaotic memories flooding in, agonizing and unclear—then she had heard Noyes's voice…
"I'm Nina," the girl said with a smile, extending her bandaged hand.
Mu Lin shook it. Nina had a baby face; smiling revealed two adorable dimples.
The door opened again. A refined, slender-limbed girl with porcelain skin entered. A bandage circled her swan-like neck; softly curling white hair made her resemble an elegant crystal doll.
The crystal-like girl said nothing, walking straight to a window seat a few rows ahead and propping her chin to stare outside.
Mu Lin recognized her—the girl from the dormitory that night. Remembering the lewd scene, she momentarily froze.
"Eugenia rarely speaks; don't mind her," Nina said familiarly, already introducing classmates. "The one with the long braid is Evelina, the short-haired one is Rebecca…"
The Cis Divine Academy comprised separate priest and witch divisions. Because priests and witches used different magic systems, veteran priests and witches taught their respective students.
A witch class held about twenty to thirty students—mostly beautiful young women. New witches, after recruitment by the Church, first trained here before graduating as official enforcer witches.
Mu Lin memorized names while scanning her future classmates, noticing many wore bandages. "By the way… why is everyone injured?"
"You did it."
"Eh?!" Mu Lin shot to her feet in shock, drawing another wave of unfriendly stares.
"You don't remember?" Nina asked curiously, peering into her eyes.
Mu Lin shook her head frantically. No wonder the looks when she entered. "What exactly did I do?" she asked cautiously.
"Nothing too terrible," Nina said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Just wrecked the sanctum, destroyed the garden, injured nearly half the people here, and publicly stole their idol."
Just? Mu Lin's heart sank. Her days at the academy were clearly not going to be pleasant.