Chapter 5
The subsequent courses went smoothly, and I didn't encounter a situation like Miki's again.
I slowly opened my phone and glanced at it. There was still something wrong: I had been called by my counselor.
This afternoon's classes ended at 3:20 PM, and my counselor sent me a message at 3:15 PM, asking me to come to her office at 3:30 PM. That was all.
I thought about it and concluded that I hadn't offended her; then I wondered what else she could have wanted from me.
I have no memory of the counselor. If it weren't for the nickname on my phone, I probably would have mistaken it for spam. I scrolled through the class group chat and found the announcement she posted, which listed the location of her office.
I haven't really taken a good look at the scenery on campus.
Qinghe's gaze swept indifferently over the crowd. Most were huddled together, a jumble of heads, while others were individuals hurrying to and fro, heading straight for the administration building or club activity rooms. Some were pulling suitcases; on Thursday afternoons, they usually didn't have classes on Fridays, so they chose to rush home.
The chilly autumn wind breathed on me, and the calendar at home turned to October. In this still mild season, I suddenly felt breathless.
It was not suffocation, not despair, not palpitations, not pain, and not some accident or disease that caused it to point directly at my trachea due to a bone twist.
I couldn't help but wonder if this was a real-world translation of what "Miki" had told me. Although "she" hadn't threatened me, the book did describe the resistance and annihilation of one's personal spiritual world. The former would turn you into an ordinary person, which would lead you to quit this profession. The latter would make you lose something, but that something varies from person to person. Some people lose a leg; some lose an eye; some can't speak; some can't taste. These things can happen at any time to those who were once proud of it or loved it.
"It" refers to "spirit" or "the gift of life," and sometimes both.
I rubbed my neck; it felt much better under the pressure. Actually, I was still convinced that this was not a sign that my misfortune was about to end, because in the countless times "Miki" approached, I knew that "she" was trying to make my neck, wrist, or ankle, or perhaps "it" as I had described, encompass everything. "She" was trying to make me only listen to "her" and no longer have my own thoughts and will.
She is indeed very powerful, that much is undeniable. If she were to use that power to build this society, I would applaud her gratefully and praise her without reservation; of course, this would not make me submit to her.
I touched the mark on my finger; it was a pale golden brand, like the line between "her" eyebrows and the upturn at the corner of her eye. This mark was engraved with countless obscure and incomprehensible inscriptions, which alone could envelop me, shrinking me into a cocoon.
Fortunately, there was no danger. I couldn't detect whether these patterns contained the legendary curse or resentment; I could only sense a warmth like the sun through the faint light. If "she" and Miki were truly of the same clan, then Miki would likely know relevant information and have access to related books.
Now that things have come to this, I can't help but laugh. The stern face I'd been maintaining has softened with my relaxed attitude, and it's hard to imagine what I'm really like right now.
While I was still daydreaming after class, when the teacher tapped me on the back of the head during class, and when I first had to reluctantly face "Miyagi" because I couldn't avoid it, "she" unknowingly accepted my seed with her soul. That newborn seed, yet to sprout, would have the veins of branches and leaves etched into "her" soul, never to be removed unless it grew into a seed again. Furthermore, it would wander around following the direction of spiritual energy when "she" used her power, so that leaf would land on "her" arm, neck, or even face, emerald green or bluish-green, and attracting vines that wanted to stay with "her" forever.
Unfortunately, I am not capable enough. Against a strong opponent, this seed can probably only have an effect for about ten minutes.
Since I can avenge Miki, I have no regrets.
I had no intention of using it for anything bad, and discovering it was also unintentional. First, the catnip that the twins loved to smell suddenly grew wildly overnight near me. Then, the flowers I was tending all nodded gently when I approached. The oranges that I had personally witnessed going moldy in the refrigerator came back to life. Each of these situations was unusual.
I've only lost the memory of what happened to me, not the ability to live or the experience to decide what to do next. I searched online and found relevant research reports, and finally concluded that this is most likely because I possess something related to "life".
Although I didn't perform well in the "Basic Teaching of Mystic Healing II" course, and could even be considered a drag on the class, I did learn and try to apply everything the teacher taught.
One of my learning outcomes is planting seeds in other people's souls.
By the time I thought of this, I had already arrived at the counselor's office. Before knocking, I glanced at my phone—3:28 PM—and then patted my face, suppressing my smile.
"Teacher, is there something you need from me?"
When my counselor saw me, she smiled and said, "Qinghe, how have you been lately? Have you been feeling a lot of academic pressure since the start of the semester?"
Actually, I haven't felt any pressure yet, because I have no idea how difficult the final exams were in previous years. I nodded: "It's alright."
"It's alright, that's good." She breathed a sigh of relief, whether it was from relaxation or indifference, "Students your age need a lot of attention to their mental state. Boys are fine, just ask them, but for girls, you have to start by looking into their daily lives."
She told me these things.
I don't know the point, nor do I care about her attitude towards students. Few people would evoke such a negative feeling in me on the first meeting, and as a teacher, she shouldn't have spoken like that.
Does she have some reason that forces her to remain this way?
I didn't respond, and she continued, "There's a national competition preliminary round coming up soon. Prepare for it and try to win an award." As she spoke, she handed me a stack of documents. "If possible, I suggest you participate with Tachibana Miki."
She didn't give a reason, and I hoped it was because working with Tachibana Miki would be more efficient, but I still had to guess: Tachibana Miki comes from a good family, and she thought I needed help. At the same time, I didn't understand the point of handing me the documents if she treated me this way.
And, is it possible that even national competitions can be rigged here?
The office windows were wide open, and the rustling of leaves in the cool breeze could be heard. It was located on the second floor. I could smell the scent of withered leaves and earth in the wind.
I didn't look at the document. She seemed genuinely kind to me and cared about every student, yet she neither respected my abilities nor cared whether Tachibana Miki had her own brilliance; she just kept showering me with what she considered valuable. I couldn't figure out the connection. She waved her hand at me: "Take it back and look at it. You won't finish reading it in a short time. You can use it to brainstorm with Tachibana Miki how to proceed."
"Okay, teacher. Thank you for your help."
I left the office.
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