Playful Scuffles, The Start of the School Year

"Alright."

Qin Yuan finished preparing the ingredients and stood up, looking back.

Mu Ning Xue stood there like a proud snow lotus, her high-waisted, tight-fitting snow-white dress perfectly showcasing her figure.

What drew more attention wasn't just her alluring body, but her stunning, snow-silver, middle-parted long hair.

She was like a fairy of ice and snow, seated in the mortal world, transcendentally beautiful and untouchable.

"You've gotten more beautiful." Qin Yuan praised her generously after watching her for a while.

Mu Ning Xue didn't reply, but the corner of her mouth curved into a slight smile.

Everyone, regardless of gender, likes to hear compliments.

Although Mu Ning Xue was aloof, she was also a proud girl who wished to be praised, especially by Qin Yuan.

She adjusted the grill, then walked past him, their eyes meeting.

"What's your Innate Spirit Seed called?" Mu Ning Xue asked.

She had already received word from the Mu family that Qin Yuan was an ice element mage with an Innate Spirit Seed, just like her.

"Extreme Cold."

Qin Yuan didn't hide it and replied with a smile.

"How many times amplification?"

"1.5 times."

"What are its effects?"

"..."

Qin Yuan paused for a moment, then stepped forward, cupping Mu Ning Xue's delicate face. He teased, "Compared to me, you seem more interested in my magic."

"Sigh, it seems after not seeing each other for so long, our feelings have faded after all."

He put on a sad act towards the end.

"Stop pinching me."

Mu Ning Xue slapped away Qin Yuan's "devil's claws."

She was no longer the spoiled and mischievous little princess she once was; she was now an aloof and tsundere eldest princess.

Qin Yuan couldn't tease her without her consent. Now, only she could tease Qin Yuan.

However, Qin Yuan could see right through Mu Ning Xue's thoughts.

"Oh, but I will pinch."

Qin Yuan smirked and continued his mischief.

Because of his presence, Mu Ning Xue was slightly different from her portrayal in the original story.

To outsiders, she remained a cold, ice-mountain goddess, quiet and reserved, rarely initiating conversations.

To Qin Yuan, however, she was mostly pretending to be cold; in essence, she was a tsundere.

"You!" A blush crept onto Mu Ning Xue's face, her eyes filled with shy anger. The star track in her hand was about to form. "Ice Vine..."

She intended to freeze Qin Yuan slightly as a lesson.

Unfortunately.

Clack.

The seventh star seed suddenly fractured due to Mu Ning Xue's emotions, breaking the star track.

"You... went too far!"

Mu Ning Xue became even more flustered and angry.

This was because Qin Yuan had directly cupped her face with both hands, kneading it like a porcelain doll.

Her magic failed, so Mu Ning Xue could only try to push Qin Yuan away with her hands, but her strength was like a child's compared to Qin Yuan.

Mu Ning Xue was being teased... awkwardly, her face flushed crimson.

After a long while.

"Brother Qin Yuan, Ning Xue, it's getting late~" Ye Xin Xia's voice chimed in softly.

Her bright, lively eyes stared directly at the two playfully bickering, showing both happiness and envy.

Ye Xin Xia had spoken.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore." Qin Yuan finally released Mu Ning Xue's face.

"Hmph!"

Mu Ning Xue took a step back and lightly kicked Qin Yuan's leg, venting her frustration.

Qin Yuan didn't mind. He walked up to Ye Xin Xia, reached out, and gently patted her head, saying dotingly, "I know you're hungry. I'll start grilling right away."

"Okay~"

Ye Xin Xia responded with enjoyment.

"Xin Xia, Qin Yuan always bullies us. Stay away from him," Mu Ning Xue stepped forward, pushing Ye Xin Xia aside to chat.

That's right, she planned to 'isolate' Qin Yuan for half an hour.

"Oh."

Ye Xin Xia nodded on the surface, but her gaze still drifted to Qin Yuan from time to time.

Her best friend was great, but... that was Brother Qin Yuan.

And so, while the two girls chatted, their peripheral vision intentionally or unintentionally glancing his way, Qin Yuan completed the 'feat' of barbecuing.

The sun clocked out, and the moon clocked in.

"Phew, phew, phew~"

A cool evening breeze blew, bringing a refreshing chill.

Under the moonlight, Qin Yuan, Ye Xin Xia, and Mu Ning Xue sat around the faint glow of the charcoal fire, holding barbecue skewers.

"How's Imperial Capital Academy? Are you used to studying there? Have you made any friends?"

Qin Yuan asked three questions in a row.

Mu Ning Xue's eyes were calm as she replied with a hint of pride, "I'm not telling you."

"Not telling?" Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow, then said indifferently, "Then forget it. I was just asking casually, putting on a show."

Mu Ning Xue: "..."

"What did you say?" Mu Ning Xue's eyebrows shot up, her voice turning 'icy'.

"I said you're beautiful."

"...You clearly said 'just putting on a show'."

"Hey, you heard that, didn't you?"

"Qin Yuan, go to hell!" Mu Ning Xue got up immediately, furious, and stomped hard on Qin Yuan's foot.

"Heh heh."

Qin Yuan smiled faintly and also stood up, dodging left and right.

Seeing this, Mu Ning Xue became both angry and anxious, chasing Qin Yuan and stomping at him, occasionally throwing a punch at his chest.

Ye Xin Xia, sitting on the grass, watched the scene quietly. Every time they were alone like this, Qin Yuan would make Mu Ning Xue's cool demeanor completely disappear.

Watching the two of them chase and play, Ye Xin Xia unconsciously smiled, as if returning to her childhood.

After a long bout of play.

Mu Ning Xue sat down triumphantly. Though she appeared cool and composed, her slightly upturned, proud little face betrayed her.

"Make some room," Qin Yuan walked between the two girls and said with a smile.

"Okay."

"Hmph."

Although Ye Xin Xia and Mu Ning Xue reacted differently, their bodies shifted to the sides.

Qin Yuan unceremoniously lay down between the two girls.

"Seriously though, how's Imperial Capital Academy? Have you made any friends?" Qin Yuan asked again.

"The academy's teaching is alright. Friends... no," Mu Ning Xue replied.

"I see," Qin Yuan mused for a moment. "Imperial Capital Academy is famous for being a gathering place for aristocratic family disciples. There's constant scheming and plotting there every day, so making friends is as difficult as ascending to heaven."

As soon as he said this.

Mu Ning Xue didn't refute him but nodded in agreement.

While every academy had its share of scheming, the situation at Imperial Capital Academy was even more exaggerated. Sometimes, an insignificant matter could be blown up into something incredibly complex.

"What about you? Will you go to an academy after graduation?" Mu Ning Xue asked.

"Of course."

"Which academy?"

"Mingzhu."

Hearing Qin Yuan's answer, neither Mu Ning Xue nor Ye Xin Xia was surprised.

This was because Qin Yuer was in Magic City.

They knew Qin Yuer. Although she only had a few shots during the World Academy competition, each one left a significant impression.

"Qin Yuan, if possible, I'd like to ask Sister Yuer for guidance on Ice Element magic."

Mu Ning Xue said.

She greatly admired Qin Yuer's understanding of Ice Element magic. As an Ice Element mage herself, her comprehension of ice was far inferior to Qin Yuer's.

"In a while," Qin Yuan nodded slightly and smiled. "Sister Yuer is quite busy these days and doesn't have much free time."

Qin Yuer was currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Archmage level. It was a critical moment, and she absolutely could not be disturbed.