Chapter 510
Chapter 57: Rumors of Teacher-Student Romance
“Oh, I had a bit of wine with Miss Xue Nuo yesterday and got a little tired, so I came back early. I really apologize for missing the party.” Roy smoothly delivered the lines he had rehearsed.
…Is that really the case?
Something feels a bit off.
After thinking it over, Xue Nuo noticed a crack in his story: “Suspicious. It can’t be as simple as you say, right?”
Roy’s expression stiffened.
“Truth. With my drinking capacity as an imperial citizen, how could I possibly just have a little? Thanks for keeping me company yesterday.” Xue Nuo sighed, her gaze softening in realization.
“Thanks for keeping me company yesterday.”
“…” Roy’s expression grew complex.
If not for the original text explicitly stating it, he would have doubted whether Xue Nuo was really an imperial citizen.
After sorting out his thoughts, Xue Nuo picked up her pen and began her work for the day.
Theoretically, extraordinary beings have a high alcohol tolerance, but they can get drunk sometimes too. Since Roy was drunk, it was only natural for him to head back early.
It’s a pity, though, he still owed her a party…
Lost in thought, however, the young boy suddenly laughed.
“Actually, it wasn’t that troublesome after all.”
“Rather, yesterday was quite fun. Thank you, Miss Xue Nuo, for accompanying me.”
The pen paused for a brief moment.
“…That’s good then.”
After this terse reply, neither teacher nor student spoke, and the room returned to its usual silence.
Yet, when the gentle breeze brushed by, the silver-haired girl slowly revealed a soft smile, like the first snow melting into the warm wind.
Looks like I’m still a qualified mentor.
——————————
With winter break upon us, two-thirds of the students had returned home, leaving only a few behind at the academy.
The once bustling cafeteria was now scattered with just a handful of people lazily chatting about their uneventful holiday routines.
One person stood up, seemingly aiming to spark a new topic: “Hey guys, did you hear? Roy’s got a new love interest!”
But that statement was met with a wave of sarcasm.
“So what?”
“Is it strange that the heir of the Ainbrad family has a new interest?”
“Are we talking about an elf descendant or the student council president? Jack’s news is really behind the times!”
The topic failed to take off, and the speaker became the source of amusement for everyone.
But he quickly slammed his hands on the table, silencing the crowd. “No, no, no, this time it’s different!”
“You wouldn’t believe who he’s with this time…”
Before he could finish, everyone’s attention was drawn to the entrance of the cafeteria, staring with their mouths agape.
For there, the black-haired boy and the silver-haired girl were walking side by side, revealing the answer.
“Miss Xue Nuo, why don’t you come eat in the cafeteria sometimes? There’s a dessert place nearby that’s pretty good.”
“Clarification. I have no objections to the dining location, but I personally don’t have a particular fondness for sweets… why are you laughing?”
“Uh, just thinking of something happy.”
As the two vanished from view, everyone finally came to their senses, exchanging glances as if they’d witnessed something unspeakable, their expressions full of terror.
Xue Nuo Andvelth, the “Ice Rose of the Winter Empire,” was also the head of the first-year department, causing both students and faculty to tremble at her icy demeanor!
Honestly, after spending a semester with Roy and going through so many big events, nothing he did should have surprised everyone anymore.
But this? This was too much?!
That was Xue Nuo!
With her stunning beauty and delicate figure, it’s impossible not to let one’s imagination wander.
But among the students, they didn’t dare to even think about it.
They say you shouldn’t poke a tiger. Just like seeing a cute kitten or puppy, you might want to pet it.
But if you come across a sharp-toothed wolf, would you dare to reach out?
Yet Roy dared to act!
Not only did he act, but he also teased her like he was playing with a puppy!
This guy is truly fearless!
Don’t let the fact that it’s only one teasing comment fool you; Xue Nuo’s response was equally measured. Regular students don’t dare to breathe in front of her; this was far beyond their imagination.
Meanwhile, teachers dining on the second floor saw a different scene.
“Miss Xue Nuo, the ice cream here is really good! How about blueberry flavor?”
“It’s fine, but I’ll be the one paying.”
“Uh, I told you it’s not a big deal…”
Since Saint’s Day, Xue Nuo hadn’t visited the Mage’s Guild nor mentioned anything about Roy.
But the eyes of the masses are sharp.
A group of teachers huddled together, all revealing motherly smiles.
The usually stingy Xue Nuo, who only ordered a glass of water at the bar, was actually acting like a little girl and loving sweet ice cream?
Whether she likes it or not isn’t important.
What matters is that she’s willing to accompany Roy to eat!
To them, Xue Nuo’s insistence on paying was purely the act of a girl just beginning to have feelings, a bit awkward, yet trying to show her intent!
The group of seasoned teachers was grinning like they were seeing their younger selves.
The mature female teachers were all smiles, leading the way: “Tsk, tsk, tsk, guess how far they’ve gone?”
“They’re not even holding hands; this is just the beginning!”
“Daring to accompany someone in the academy? That’s already a huge step for Xue Nuo!”
The mature woman smirked: “Ah~ it’s hard to say! Maybe Miss Xue Nuo is just pretending to be aloof in public, but privately she’s already…”
“You guys better not spread rumors!” Barbara butted in, her face flushed as she waved her hands, “We should just silently wish them well from the sidelines!”
Xue Nuo is cold-hearted, yet diligent in her work, with no aristocratic airs and never stabbing anyone in the back.
Compared to the students’ wariness, the teachers had a bit more experience. While they too had troubles with her ice-cold demeanor, they could see that she wasn’t a bad person.
Just as Barbara said, for colleagues, they’ll just wish her well—
Even though the school rules state that there shouldn’t be any inappropriate relationships between teachers and students, aside from Xue Nuo, not many take the rules seriously.
A lie told a thousand times won’t become the truth, but with careless phrases spoken and keen ears listening, it’s hard not to pass the chatter onto Winter.
And today was precisely that day.
Winter, holding the hand of a newly caught female student, walked into the cafeteria, only to see the black-haired boy and the silver-haired girl finishing their meal and walking away together.
Having known Xue Nuo for a while, Winter could see more than others.
There were no laughs or jokes, but he’d never seen the silver-haired girl show such emotion towards anyone outside of her family. It was as if the thousand-year-old frost covering her, like a jewel, was slowly melting, revealing the brilliance hidden beneath the snow.
“Didn’t expect Miss Xue Nuo would go for a student. Truly, teacher-student romances are unstoppable.”
The girl beside him casually remarked, her tone laced with curiosity and admiration.
Winter’s smile froze, his grip around the girl’s hand gradually trembling, veins visible on the back of his hand.
“Yeah, didn’t see that coming at all.”
