The Shrine Maiden Is a Gaming Expert
"Roccia told you that?" Xiao Ling asked.
"Yes, she said if she wants to know the details, she should contact you, the person in charge." Crimson Snow nodded with a smile.
"Would you like to come along, Crimson Snow?"
"Are you really going to invite me?" Crimson Snow teased, a rare occurrence for her. "If I show up, it might be a shock to that child rather than a pleasant surprise?"
Xiao Ling choked for a moment.
Crimson Snow was right. After all, she was the one who could give the corrupted Yaya PTSD with a single blow. Even Dania herself said that she was too strong.
"After all this time, she should be getting over it by now... probably?"
Dania: I can't get out of this, I just can't get out of this!
Crimson Snow chuckled softly as she looked at Xiao Ling Ling's uncertain expression.
"Just kidding, I just... don't really prepare birthday surprises for others." Crimson Snow then explained her real concern, "Besides, I don't really know that child's preferences, I only know that she likes sweets like Sister Yulu."
"Didn't you prepare a birthday present for Sister Yulu?"
"No," Crimson Snow gently shook her head, "It's more accurate to say she forgot her own birthday."
"From the day she became the Blazing Sakura Shrine Maiden, she carried the hopes of the Ashihara, tirelessly working to fulfill their wishes."
"Speaking of which, I wish I could have shared a dessert with Sister Yulu just once..."
Crimson Snow doesn't particularly like sweets, partly because she's genuinely not a fan of them, and partly because they remind her of someone she doesn't like.
"Oh dear, weren't we discussing Dania's birthday? How did we end up talking about such a heavy topic again?" Xiao Ling raised an eyebrow. "There's always tomorrow, Crimson Snow, let's focus on the present."
The topic shift was a bit abrupt, but Crimson Snow knew that the other person just didn't want her to be saddened by reminiscing about the past, so she accepted this concern with a slight smile.
"That's true."
So Xiao Ling and Crimson Snow continued their conversation about preparing a birthday surprise for Dania. After much persuasion, they finally got Crimson Snow to promise that she would make time for it.
And so, the two ran out of things to say, Crimson Snow continued folding paper.
As Xiao Ling watched her fold paper, something suddenly occurred to him.
"Speaking of Crimson Snow, I noticed that many of your origami pieces have blessings written on them. Did you write them?"
"No," Crimson Snow shook her head, "It's just that there are rumors on the forum that this place is a blessed land where wishes can be granted, so many students come here to leave their wishes."
"Your ability to grant wishes is still usable?"
"No," Crimson Snow denied, "But there are some things I can do."
Crimson Snow tapped the paper kite on the table with her finger. The kite swayed gently twice, then flapped its wings and flew away, circling the activity room before returning to her.
"Paper Shikigami, huh?" Xiao Ling exclaimed in amazement.
"Yes, these kinds of minor spells are not subject to the limitations of that power," Crimson Snow nodded.
Thinking about it, this kind of magic is harmless and easy to explain, so it's normal that she can use it. As for why her ability to Prevision was sealed, Xiao Ling thinks it was probably for Crimson Snow's peaceful life.
Just as the two were chatting, Crimson Snow's phone suddenly rang.
Crimson Snow took out her phone and opened it to see that it was Roccia.
Roccia: Want to play a couple of rounds?
Crimson Snow: Hmm.
Then Xiao Ling watched as the priestess opened the game, and a familiar "Timi" sound rang out.
Ling was shocked. jpg
"Crimson Snow actually plays this kind of game too?" Xiao Ling asked in surprise.
"Is it strange?" Crimson Snow looked at him and curled the corners of her lips.
"That's quite unexpected. Could it be that the principal dragged you into this?"
"Indeed, Roccia said she wanted to have more in common with the students here, so she's dabbled in everything from the games to the movies," Crimson Snow nodded.
"Perhaps because she found it a bit boring playing alone, she dragged me along. As for Professor Morning, she politely tried it a couple of times before saying it had no real benefit to her academic research, and then she never touched it again."
Xiao Ling agreed, after all, Principal Roccia had initially used the excuse of discussing the Septimont culture to get Morning into the Hill of Glory, but Morning never touched it again after realizing that the principal just wanted to find an opponent to spar with.
"Together?" Crimson Snow invited with a smile.
"Don't blame me if you get screwed over."
Xiao Ling quickly logged into the account, entered the room code, and entered the team interface.
"Oh dear, our Sea King has graced us with his presence." Roccia's slightly teasing voice rang out from the team interface.
"What do you mean, Principal? You're not really going to use this to hold a grudge against me for the rest of my life, are you?" Xiao Ling said speechlessly.
"It seems your reputation at school isn't very good?" Crimson Snow teased with a smile.
"My reputation is now on par with Guangdong's twin ponytails," Xiao Ling said helplessly, spreading her hands.
"Alright, alright, are you all ready? The principal needs to get ready to depart!" Roccia urged with a smile.
So, after the three of them were ready, Roccia started the first game.
To be honest, Xiao Ling thought that Crimson Snow and Roccia's gaming skills were truly... frightening.
Crimson Snow still had that relaxed and carefree expression, not much different from how she had been focused on Paper Shikigami just now. In fact, he felt that Crimson Snow could beat up the other person much more easily than she could Paper Shikigami.
(Could the shrine maiden really be a gaming expert?)
Roccia was the most active one in this three-person game. She would occasionally bring up some interesting things that happened at school, sometimes ask about the plans for Xiao Ling's birthday surprise, and sometimes pull Crimson Snow, who rarely spoke, into the conversation. It seemed that her mind was not on the game at all, but she still managed to play her matchup with a terrible record.
"I feel like I'm holding everyone back."
After destroying the enemy base, Xiao Ling arrived at the results screen. Good heavens, Crimson Snow and Roccia a top-tier jungler and a top-tier mid-laner, while he didn't even have a badge. He was just a free win.
"Actually, you played very well. In the previous games, Roccia and I had to carry the team for the whole match," Crimson Snow said with a smile, trying to comfort her.
"It's just a game, as long as you have fun. If it affects your mood, then you're putting the cart before the horse," Roccia's alluring voice came from the game interface. "Besides, just like Crimson Snow said, with you as our backbone, the game will be much easier."
"Then... shall we continue?" Xiao Ling asked, seeking their opinions.
Roccia and Crimson Snow both expressed no objection.
So the three-person team set off again, ready to give their next opponent a little crushing defeat.
"It's getting late, I have to go back. My daughters are still crying for milk at home."
After playing two or three more rounds, Xiao Ling checked the time and realized it was almost six o'clock.
"You don't seem bothered by this; it must be a sweet trouble for you," Crimson Snow said, hitting the nail on the head.
"I guess so, since they like my cooking," Xiao Ling nodded. "Then I'll be going now."
No need to see me out.
After saying goodbye to Fei Crimson Snow, Xiao Ling opened the door to the activity room and walked out.
After watching Xiao Ling leave, Crimson Snow turned her gaze to the playground outside the window.
The golden sunset shone on the area as always, and students left the playground in twos and threes with happy smiles. The once bustling playground gradually became empty; it was time to go home.
Crimson Snow smiled gently, then returned to her original spot and began folding yet another paper kite.