A Master at Captivating Hearts (5K)

He Wei Ni Ya smelled blood.

She approached the two school workers discreetly, the soft sound of her footsteps on the snow being drowned out by their conversation, which they did not deliberately lower.

"How could this be? That thing should be extinct by now."

"I don't know, I haven't seen it for many years either."

"Should we continue searching?"

"... It's going to be very difficult. With this amount of bleeding, is there any chance of survival?"

"It seems we need to report this to our superiors."

"Yes, after all, the Grand Ceremony is coming up soon, and what would happen at a time like this... what is that?!"

They finally sensed someone approaching, and scrutinizing gazes swept over them instantly, while the staffs in their hands glowed faintly.

He Wei Ni Ya immediately stood still obediently. "It's me. I just came to see what you're doing."

The two school workers breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the person who came was He Wei Ni Ya.

Thanks to her naive, clumsy, and often late persona as a silly young lady, He Wei Ni Ya, as a Gold-ranked individual, is often able to interact with various school janitors.

In addition, her deliberately presented harmless personality enabled her to maintain a very good relationship with most of the school staff.

After all, how could anyone dislike a girl who is above them in status and talent, has such outstanding looks, yet is still very friendly and can get along with everyone?

"Be careful, He Wei Ni Ya." The light on the staff went out, and the school janitor said to He Wei Ni Ya as he put the staff away, "Your furtive footsteps just now made us think it was something troublesome."

"Something troublesome?" He Wei Ni Ya looked puzzled. "What could be troublesome?"

The two school workers exchanged glances.

If it were other students, they would simply wave them away, since the matter hadn't been fully investigated yet.

But since it's He Wei Ni Ya...

"Tsk, take a look." One of the fatter school janitors stepped aside. "But I must remind you, be prepared."

"You should have said that first before moving aside," another skinny school janitor said, rubbing his forehead. "What's the point of reminding me after you've moved aside?"

"Ah, I forgot... You should have reminded me sooner. You know I always act faster than I think."

He Wei Ni Ya no longer cared about the conversation between the two school workers, because she had already seen the snow pit covered in blood that the two school workers were hiding behind.

He Wei Ni Ya's eyes widened little by little, and her face turned pale. "This is..."

"Alright, He Wei Ni Ya." As if anticipating He Wei Ni Ya's reaction, the skinny school janitor immediately raised his hand in a reassuring gesture. "I know you're surprised, but please don't make a sound, lest you cause panic."

He then pointed behind He Wei Ni Ya.

He Wei Ni Ya understood what he meant.

They were only a few hundred meters away from the teaching building. If He Wei Ni Ya cried out, countless people would immediately notice them. So He Wei Ni Ya wisely covered her mouth, but her eyes were still full of fear.

"Alright, alright, don't worry." The two school workers were quite satisfied with He Wei Ni Ya's reaction, and then they immediately comforted He Wei Ni Ya, "It was just an accident."

"Unexpected?"

"Yeah." The chubby school janitor shrugged. "You know, this used to happen often... well, at least occasionally, a decade or two ago."

The fat school janitor moved aside again.

"Look."

He pointed to the snow pit, and He Wei Ni Ya looked in the direction he pointed and saw a trail that looked like a tail.

It was a series of messy footprints, clearly not human, with bloodstains in the center.

"What is this?" He Wei Ni Ya was even more stunned.

"It should be called the Snowthorn Beast," the skinny school janitor said, pointing to the snow-covered forest behind him. "It's a very ferocious beast that used to live in the Forbidden Forest. It would occasionally come out and ambush students, which was very troublesome."

"Like this," the fat school janitor pointed to the snow pit at his feet and the long trail, "After the ambush, they dragged it into the forest."

Drag it into the forest?

He Wei Ni Ya's expression turned pale instantly, as if she had imagined such a scene, and she even began to stammer, "... But I've never heard of it before."

"Like I just said, they last appeared more than a decade ago," the fat school janitor said. "Let alone the students who come and go every four years, the last time they appeared, neither of us had even started working there yet. Now, apart from some professors, I doubt anyone knows that thing exists."

Hearing what the chubby school janitor said, He Wei Ni Ya's face turned even paler. "So no one has been doing anything about it?"

"How could that be?" the skinny school janitor said. "If no one had been in charge, would you not have heard of this thing? More than ten years ago, the Three Great Academies joined forces to organize a cleanup operation. Hundreds of musicians went deep into the Forbidden Forest and killed thousands of Snowthorn Beasts. We haven't seen this thing since then. To be honest, if it weren't for this incident, I would have thought that thing was extinct."

"Then... will we organize a cleanup operation this time too?" He Wei Ni Ya asked.

The skinny and fat school janitors exchanged another glance.

"He Wei Ni Ya," the skinny school janitor said, "Don't go into the Forbidden Forest during this time, understand?"

He Wei Ni Ya's mouth gaped slightly. "W-what do you mean? The academy isn't planning on eradicating them?"

"I can only say...it's very difficult," the fat school janitor said. "The Forbidden Forest is just too big. Searching it would take a lot of manpower and resources, so the academy has always turned a blind eye to that beast. If it hadn't caused such a big commotion more than ten years ago, the academy wouldn't have made the decision to eradicate it."

"But hasn't this caused quite a stir now?" He Wei Ni Ya looked at the snow pit on the ground, recalling the information the two school janitors had told her yesterday. "Is this the person who suffered the accident the senior student Pei La, the one you were looking for yesterday, the one with the Silver Tier Third Note? She's already..."

"He Wei Ni Ya," the thin school janitor said earnestly, "Ten years ago, a Gold-ranked person suffered a calamity, and... you should know what day it will be soon."

He Wei Ni Ya paused for a moment, then seemed to remember something and whispered, "The Grand Ceremony."

"Yes, the Grand Ceremony." The thin janitor nodded. "For the academy, this is the most important event; all other work will take a backseat to it. Of course, we will report this incident to our superiors, and the academy will certainly post a notice, but..."

"A complete eradication is unlikely," the fat school worker said. "The academy won't allocate manpower at a time like this. At most, they'll ask us to increase patrols, but as you know, the Forbidden Forest is just too vast."

"So, He Wei Ni Ya ..." the skinny school janitor reminded her again, "Don't go near the Forbidden Forest during this time."

"I... understand." He Wei Ni Ya lowered her head, glancing once more at the blood-stained snow pit. "Then, Pei La ..."

The skinny school janitor stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder. "Alright, go back to class."

This action says it all; even the seemingly simple-minded He Wei Ni Ya can understand it.

So, under the gaze of the two school workers, He Wei Ni Ya's eyes instantly dimmed, and she looked very pitiful, making the two school workers feel a little sorry for her.

But they had no other choice but to offer words of comfort again.

"Alright, He Wei Ni Ya. Don't think about it so much," the skinny school janitor said. "The Grand Ceremony is coming soon, that's your stage. Don't let these irrelevant things get to you, okay?"

He Wei Ni Ya nodded obediently.

"Go back quickly," the fat school janitor said. "Don't worry, we'll report it immediately. Once the notice is posted, there won't be any more casualties."

"Good."

He Wei Ni Ya nodded again, then turned and left.

But he would pause every two steps, look back, and seem somewhat hesitant.

When she was about ten meters away, she finally made up her mind and ran back. She stammered to the two school workers, "Ru, if I get caught, can you please not just give up on me? I, I will definitely struggle and try to hold on until you arrive, so... of course, Ru, if you really can't save me, then forget it."

The two school workers clearly did not expect He Wei Ni Ya to say such a thing.

Seeing He Wei Ni Ya's frightened and nervous eyes, like those of a startled rabbit, they all smiled in unison.

"Don't worry, if it's He Wei Ni Ya, we'll find you even if we have to chase you into the forest."

"Yes, if it's He Wei Ni Ya."

Hearing this, He Wei Ni Ya showed a relieved expression, bowed deeply to the two of them, and then left satisfied.

But in the instant she turned around, all those emotions in her eyes vanished, leaving only indifference.

It was as if he had become a completely different person in an instant.

The two school janitors were clearly unaware of this change.

However, some people still saw it.

"That's interesting," Bai Wei's voice echoed in her mind. "Do you think they'll come to rescue you when that time really comes?"

He Wei Ni Ya glanced down at the fingers of her left hand without saying a word.

Bai Wei continued talking to himself.

"Hmm... Thinking about it carefully, it's still possible. For them, a proud young woman lowering herself to ask them for help is enough to make them do more. Although they might not chase you to the ends of the earth as they say, it's very possible that they would walk a few dozen or a hundred meters more. That way, even if such a thing really happens, the chances of survival will increase a bit."

"And you don't have to pay any real price, just a few expressions and a few sweet words."

"Such a bewitching method is so powerful, it's really too powerful."

"Perhaps you are more suited to be an evil god than I am?"

He Wei Ni Ya sensed the undisguised mockery in Bai Wei's words, but her expression remained unchanged.

Until Bai Wei's next words rang out.

"However, is that mark really, as they say, that it was dragged back to the Forbidden Forest after a sneak attack?"

"Don't you think that mark is a bit too messy?"

He Wei Ni Ya's body stiffened.

In an instant, memories from a year ago flooded back.

A girl covered in blood was desperately crawling through a mud pit, leaving a trail of mud and blood behind her.

She stepped on the tail and slowly approached the girl.

The girl sensed something, turned around abruptly, and pleaded in a desperate, tearful voice, "No, please don't kill me. I've given you my voice, I'm useless to you now... Please, don't kill me, I'll never bother you again, please..."

She, also covered in blood, walked up expressionlessly.

After a while, the girl became completely still.

She grabbed the girl's ankle and followed the path the girl had crawled along, slowly making her way back.

As a result, the mark became even more messy.

It's exactly the same as the one in the snow.

He Wei Ni Ya suddenly opened her eyes, and the dark and oppressive memories transformed once again into the pure white reality before her.

She heard Bai Wei's meaningful voice again. "Hmm? What are you... thinking about?"

It was still that slightly teasing tone, but this time He Wei Ni Ya couldn't remain unmoved as before. She took several deep breaths to gradually calm her somewhat chaotic breathing and emotions.

He Wei Ni Ya said calmly, "There's nothing there."

Without waiting for Bai Wei's response, she quickly returned to the teaching building.

The noise and bustle of the teaching building greatly relieved her negative emotions, making her feel that even breathing became easier.

Before she could take two steps, a weak voice sounded behind her again, "Um, He Wei Ni Ya..."

He Wei Ni Ya naturally recognized it as Auger's voice, but she didn't turn around immediately. Instead, she paused for a moment, readjusted her expression and demeanor to focus on Auger before turning around.

"Auger?" She looked at the suddenly appearing Auger with slight surprise. "You've been waiting for me all this time... Ah, I'm so sorry, it was all because of me that you were scolded by Professor Ariana."

He Wei Ni Ya clasped her hands together and held them above her head, looking pitiful.

"I'm so sorry, can you forgive me? I'm willing to do anything!"

He Wei Ni Ya's words made Auger's face turn red again, and he subconsciously took two steps back, his eyes involuntarily shifting downwards, as if he dared not look directly at the sun and dared not meet He Wei Ni Ya's gaze.

"No, no, no, senior... I mean, He Wei Ni Ya, it has nothing to do with you, it's my own problem." Auger had obviously just changed his clothes and then ran out again, he was covered in sweat. "I just wanted to ask you if you still want to read this book."

Auger handed He Wei Ni Ya the ancient book she had been reading in class.

"Professor Ariana's next class on Theory of Musical Rhythm's is in two days, so..."

He Wei Ni Ya understood what Auger meant.

Unlike He Wei Ni Ya, Auger was only at the Bronze Tier. Bronze Tier students don't have many courses to choose from, unlike He Wei Ni Ya, who is at the Gold rank and can choose any course she wants.

The only course that Auger and He Wei Ni Ya could have shared was "Theory of Musical Rhythm".

So, to prevent He Wei Ni Ya from not being able to read the book he had borrowed before the next class, Auger chose to lend the book to He Wei Ni Ya directly.

But in reality, this was a very risky move.

Because if He Wei Ni Ya loses the book, the responsibility will fall on Auger, who registered the book for loan.

The value of this ancient book is definitely beyond what Auger can afford to compensate for.

But Auger seemed to have no concerns about this at all, and didn't even mention it to He Wei Ni Ya.

"Oh, I almost forgot." He Wei Ni Ya took the ancient book, clasped her hands together again, and made an exaggerated gesture of gratitude. "Thank you, thank you so much! You've been a great help. Don't worry, I'll definitely return the book to you properly the day after tomorrow!"

"Well, it wasn't a big favor."

Auger lowered his head, nervously clutching the hem of his clothes, as if he still had something to say to He Wei Ni Ya.

He Wei Ni Ya noticed as well. "What's wrong?"

"No, nothing," Auger stammered. "I, I just wanted to ask, you've already lit up the notes, so, so your orchestra..."

He was speaking when a deep, resounding bell rang out, instantly drowning out his voice.

This is the bell ringing as the next class is about to begin.

"Ugh, class again?" He Wei Ni Ya sighed softly. "Damn it, we haven't even had much rest yet... So what do you want to say?"

"Uh... no, that's all." The bell's tolling interrupted Auger's hard-won courage. He shook his head repeatedly and said, "I should go back to the library now. See you the day after tomorrow, He Wei Ni Ya."

After saying that, he hurriedly turned around, wanting to leave quickly, but was stopped by He Wei Ni Ya: "Hey."

Auger turned around instinctively, and He Wei Ni Ya gently tapped his forehead with a book.

"Why are you walking so fast?" He Wei Ni Ya said. "I still have something to say."

"...ah?"

"Don't go near the Forbidden Forest lately, understand?" He Wei Ni Ya said very seriously. "Monsters have been appearing in the Forbidden Forest recently and will attack people nearby, so you absolutely must not go near the Forbidden Forest, do you understand?"

"A monster?" Auger covered his forehead, somewhat bewildered, unsure whether it was because He Wei Ni Ya had hit him on the forehead or for some other reason.

"Oh, I forgot what kind of monster it was, but there will be a notice later anyway." At this moment, the second bell rang, urging everyone who hadn't entered the classroom yet, so He Wei Ni Ya could only run towards the classroom while turning back to the dazed Auger and saying, "Anyway, don't go into the Forbidden Forest! Understand?! I'll definitely be angry if you get hurt!"

Auger stared blankly as He Wei Ni Ya's figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

After a long while, he rubbed his head and murmured softly.

"Yes, I understand."

However, He Wei Ni Ya's expression vanished once again after she turned the corner.

"That's why I say," Bai Wei's voice rang out lazily, "You are the real master of bewitching people."