Alger didn't notice that Xu Ling's gaze had shifted slightly downwards. When he saw her come out, he smiled and nodded, introducing himself: "Hello, Xu Ling, I am Alger, the bishop of Bishop Miller."
No wonder!
Xu Ling thought to herself, then blinked in confusion, "What brings you here?"
That's what they said, but the person remained standing inside the door, showing no intention of leaving.
Alger clearly sensed Xu Ling's unwelcomeness, but unfortunately, no matter how unwelcoming she was, it was to no avail.
“That’s right,” he said with a forced smile, “Bishop Miller will be leaving the academy in a couple of days to travel—”
Hearing this, Xu Ling was still completely clueless. She didn't understand what business it had of her that a complete stranger like Miller was leaving the academy to travel. Why was he telling her?!
Just as she was feeling confused, Alger clearly uttered the unfinished second half of the sentence, "So, Xu Ling, take some time these next few days to pack your clothes. You're going with the bishop."
Xu Ling: ······
Did she hear that right?
Is she leaving too?
The question is, should I go with Miller?! Together?!
"Why?!" A mixture of astonishment, shock, and complete surprise flashed across Xu Ling's face. She could hardly contain herself. "Why should I go? Why?! Even if I were to go, I'm Teacher Ceci's student. Shouldn't I go with Teacher Ceci?"
Yes! She's Cersei's student, so shouldn't Cersei be in charge of her?
What started as a casual remark came to Xu Ling's attention as she spoke, and she realized it made perfect sense. As a result, she calmed down.
When she spoke again, the panic she had shown earlier was gone, and her speech became much slower and more deliberate. "Alright, Bishop Alger, even if I absolutely have to go with Bishop Miller, shouldn't I ask Teacher Cecily's opinion beforehand?"
She seemed to be asking a sincere question, but only Xu Ling herself knew the truth: based on her understanding of her teacher, Cecilia was already angry enough that she couldn't stop her from going to church classes last time because she "had to" do so.
This time... if the other party had gone so far as to ask her to go out with a complete stranger without any prior notice, she was sure that Cecilia's wrath would have shown the person who made the suggestion what was truly terrifying!
Although Xu Ling didn't show it on her face, she was still very confident.
But to everyone's surprise, after hearing her question, Alger just smiled noncommittally.
Xu Ling: ? ? ? ? What does this mean? Is he provoking me?
Thinking this, she couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly, a hint of displeasure flowing between her eyebrows.
Although Xu Ling's emotional changes were not very obvious, Alger, who was almost at the top of his ability to read people when he was with Miller, could not hide her expressions at all.
However, Alger didn't take it to heart. He pretended not to see Xu Ling's displeasure and answered her question in a calm voice: "We have already informed Teacher Sersi in advance, and we only told you after obtaining her consent."
Xu Ling: ······
She doesn't believe it! No matter what you say, she won't believe it!
How could the teacher...?
No, impossible...right?
“Alright,” Alger continued speaking just as Xu Ling was lost in her own doubts, giving her no time to think.
"My task is complete. I hope Xu Ling can prepare in advance for the next few days."
After saying that, he nodded slightly to Xu Ling, indicating, "Please stay."
Then, he turned and left with a flourish.
He... he just left like that?
Xu Ling was taken aback, and for a moment, she wanted to call out to him.
Even as Alger's figure was about to disappear from her sight, she only subconsciously opened her mouth but did not utter a sound.
Once Alger's figure was completely out of sight, and even if she tried to chase after him, she couldn't catch up at all, Xu Ling lowered her head in frustration.
Forget it! Going to Alger is probably pointless; she should talk to her teacher for advice instead.
...Surely—her teacher wouldn't agree as Alger suggested, would he?
The lingering uncertainty in her heart wouldn't go away, and Xu Ling couldn't help but sigh. Then, to put her mind at ease, or perhaps to give up hope, she decided to go and ask Cecily for clarification.
After turning around and greeting Fei'er, Xu Ling left the dormitory. Once outside, her destination was clear, and she walked forward almost without hesitation.
After all, finding her teacher was quite simple; adhering to witch tradition, she could roughly determine where Cersei was right now...
Xu Ling walked through the somewhat empty teaching area. It was already late, and there were almost no students left in the area. Taking advantage of the lingering glow of the setting sun, she stepped into the planting area that the academy had specially set aside for students.
At that time, it had only been a short time since the start of the school term. The planting area was full of seedlings that the students had just planted a few days ago. Many plants were still in the budding stage and had not yet grown to a lush stage, which made the planting area look particularly desolate.
Xu Ling's attention wasn't on that at all, so she casually glanced around to make sure she was going in the right direction, then fixed her gaze and immediately took a step.
Xu Ling walked deeper into the planting area, and after turning a corner, she walked a long way ahead.
The deeper one goes into the planting area, the fewer flat, divided planting plots become visible to the naked eye, while tall, sturdy giant trees gradually increase in number.
It was already late when Xu Ling went out, so soon her surroundings were enveloped in night. At this time, her surroundings had changed drastically—only scattered, quickly divided planting areas remained, with lush trees standing side by side. Looking into the distance, under the cover of night, a low house surrounded by a fence appeared vaguely in front of her.
Upon seeing the low house, Xu Ling quickly took a few steps forward. When she was about a meter away, she slowed down and tiptoed to observe inside the fence before approaching it without hesitation.
Although the dim light obscured many things, Xu Ling could still see everything clearly thanks to her excellent eyesight.
After confirming that Cersei was not inside the fence, Xu Ling reached out and pushed open the fence gate, walking towards the low house without hesitation.
"Teacher?" Instead of opening the door as casually as before, Xu Ling stopped at the entrance of the low house, then slightly bent her index finger and knocked. "Are you there?"
Silence reigned all around, and no one answered.
However, Xu Ling did not give up and leave, but waited quietly at the door.
Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long. It seemed like only a moment had passed when a lazy voice came from inside the house: "Come in."
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