Chapter Twenty-Three: The Private Physician

"Blackfeather, you ate someone else's food, and now you want to bathe in their house..." Ling Xiaolei's patience with him was nearly at its breaking point.

"Wonderful..." Blackfeather was completely immersed in the pleasure of soaking in the hot spring.

"Please don't mind him—he's always like this," Ling Xiaolei said with a wry smile. "Oh, I forgot to introduce us. I'm Ling Xiaolei, and he's Blackfeather. We're both in Class A, so we'll be classmates from now on."

"Mm, mm... It's nice to meet you both." Shen Zhaiguo didn't mention that she had been deeply impressed by Blackfeather's battle against the demons in the sky on the day of the invasion.

"When will you be able to attend class?"

"Well... I'll have to ask the doctor first."

"Alright, let's get to the point..." A sly gleam flashed in Ling Xiaolei's eyes as she deftly picked up paper and pen.

"The point...?" Shen Zhaiguo was momentarily confused.

"May I ask where you encountered the demons that day? Did they just appear on the street out of nowhere? Could you tell me the details of the battle with the demons?" Ling Xiaolei's questions fired off in rapid succession, her pen racing across the paper.

"Uh... I'm not sure myself... I was in a nearby shop when I heard a thunderous crash, and when I ran over to see..."

"Could you bring me the fruit platter I left out earlier?" Blackfeather called from the bath.

"No!" Ling Xiaolei ignored him, continuing to question Shen Zhaiguo about the events of that day.

As Shen Zhaiguo answered, she looked at Ling Xiaolei, envy welling up inside her, and cautiously asked, "Ling... you and Blackfeather have known each other for a while, haven't you? Are you good friends?"

"Well... sort of. We realized we knew each other when it was already too late. But in the future, there's a chance we could part ways."

Before long, Blackfeather emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, wiping water droplets from his hair as he made his way to the fruit platter. As he passed the door, a gentle knock sounded and a soft voice inquired, "My little princess, are you asleep?"

Blackfeather opened the door impatiently. "Wrong person," he said, and closed it again.

Ling Xiaolei and Shen Zhaiguo were stunned for two seconds, then Ling Xiaolei growled, "Idiot, do you really think bathing here makes this your house? When someone knocks, at least check if they're looking for the princess!"

Blackfeather shrugged. "Doesn't seem important. Just looked like someone passing by." He opened the door again, revealing Bai Shengye outside, still frozen in shock.

"See? Nothing important. Is there something? No? Then..." He closed the door.

"You, you, you—" Bai Shengye pushed the door open and pointed at Blackfeather. "Where did you come from?"

"Bai Shengye?!" Ling Xiaolei was astonished, inwardly sighing, "Enemies always cross paths."

"And who are you? Why are you here?" Blackfeather retorted.

Bai Shengye brushed back his silver hair. "I'm the princess's private physician during her time at the Academy, so of course I'm here."

"Pri—" Ling Xiaolei turned to Shen Zhaiguo. "How could you have him as your private doctor?"

"Because I was seriously injured that day, and he brought me back. Uncle Shenmu said he's an excellent doctor... so I..."

"Ah," Blackfeather said, "so he's a doctor, not a boyfriend. What's with the attitude?"

"You're the one with attitude! This is the princess's residence! And you—dressed so indecently... Ah, my poor eyes..." Bai Shengye shielded his eyes with slender fingers, pointing at Blackfeather's towel.

"As if you're a gentleman," Ling Xiaolei exposed him at just the right moment.

"Out, out! Or I'll call the guards!" Bai Shengye threatened.

Ling Xiaolei jumped off Shen Zhaiguo's bed. "It's getting late, I've finished my interview, and won't disturb the princess any longer. We'll see you in the classroom once you're healed!" She tugged at Blackfeather's arm and headed for the window. "Let's go."

Blackfeather munched on a fruit salad as he was dragged away.

"So you actually climbed in through the window!"

Bai Shengye ground his teeth in fury. After Blackfeather and Ling Xiaolei slipped out the window and landed safely, Bai Shengye gathered up Blackfeather's scattered clothes and tossed them out after him.

Blackfeather had barely regained his balance when his clothes rained down on him, piece by piece. The guards, seeing people jumping out of windows, immediately descended into chaos, rushing from the main entrance. Ling Xiaolei fled quickly, snapping a photo of Blackfeather below with her camera. "Do you think this could make the headlines?"

Listening to the commotion below as the guards chased after Blackfeather, Shen Zhaiguo couldn't help but laugh. "The people of Holy City really are amusing..."

Years later, Blackfeather would still remember that sunny morning, when Shen Zhaiguo first entered the classroom. Perhaps it would be a memory he could never forget.

"Hello everyone, my name is Shen Zhaiguo, I'm from the Divine Dragon Clan, and I'm twelve years old."

She stood obediently at the podium, her large black eyes sparkling with innocence, the fiery red skirt accentuating her delicate face, making her look like a newly bloomed lotus.

The spirit rabbit peeked out from her shoulder, twitching its ears curiously at the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Shen Zhaiguo is the youngest student we've ever admitted since the Academy began recruiting. Please take care of her!" Teacher Shi Fangcheng announced, motioning for her to take her seat.

Shen Zhaiguo bounced energetically to Blackfeather's desk—she always moved with such lively vigor. Blackfeather glanced at her during her introduction, then lowered his head and continued to sleep soundly at his desk, as if nothing could wake him, not even an earthquake or thunder.

It wasn't until the lunch bell rang that Blackfeather stretched and rose from his seat. Seeing Shen Zhaiguo, he realized he had a new desk mate. The girl blushed shyly, quickly scooting over to make room for him.

"Oh, you're here," Blackfeather mumbled sleepily. He yawned, ruffled his hair, and the dark circles under his eyes seemed even deeper.

"Um... Blackfeather, I just arrived in Holy City and don't have many friends. Could I train with you?"

She touched her fingers together, looking pitiful, her big eyes blinking, her voice gentle and sweet.

"Training, huh..." Blackfeather glanced at the classroom door, noticing Ling Xiaolei about to sneak off with her books. He immediately stood and said, "Just follow the school's curriculum for magic training. If you have questions, ask Yi Xin—he knows everything and is very helpful."

With that, Blackfeather slipped out the door, draping his arm over Ling Xiaolei's shoulder to catch her before she escaped, whispering, "Meet at the usual place tonight, but I'll be late—my father wants Yi Xin and me home for dinner."