Zheng Qing had intended to refuse Su Shijun's gift.
But the string of beads was simply too beautiful, and the magical fluctuations flowing through them felt incredibly soothing. Just holding it in his hand made his heart feel light and refreshed; it was hard to imagine how pleasant it would feel to wear it all day.
These Archwizards really knew how to play with magic.
Of course, Zheng Qing remained cautiously trusting of Su Shijun's description of it as "a little more powerful." He planned to find time to test it, lest he repeat the incident where he had severely injured Sephrano with his talisman gun.
These thoughts flashed through the young wizard's mind. He had hesitated for only a few seconds before the witch behind the desk used a single sentence to block his intention of returning the gift.
"If you wear out these beads, you can come to me for a new set." Su Shijun pulled a lollipop from her drawer, brought it to her lips, and gave it a lick, glancing at him. "But if you lose them, or hide them away because you don't dare wear them... do you remember how I punished you last time?"
Crunch.
She bit the candy to pieces.
Zheng Qing quietly swallowed. In truth, the moment he heard the word "punishment," he instantly recalled what had happened when he came to this office last Monday.
Su Shijun had been eating a lollipop then, too.
No, she had been eating a candy figurine then—but although it was the figurine she had crushed, Zheng Qing had felt as though she had swallowed him whole, skin and bones alike.
Just that fragment of memory made Zheng Qing feel as though smoke was rising from his head again.
"Oh, and you talked with your shadow