Chapter 8: Morning of a New Day

After reluctantly driving away the sleepiness, I got out of bed with messy and fluffy hair. The vivid dream from earlier was treated as a beautiful dream of the night and left behind without any attachment.

"Hmm?" As I picked up my toothbrush, the fragrance of food wafted by. Oh, how skillful! The culinary skills of Qin Yin are even better than mine. At home, the Lin family couple is often not around, and Wenxin's cooking is completely a deadly weapon. Therefore, I have been in charge of meals in the household for a long time, until I gradually distanced myself from the kitchen when I entered The Chishin Academy's dormitory. Although I may be rusty in terms of cooking, I consider myself top-notch when it comes to taste.

After quickly finishing my brushing, as I arrived in the dining hall, Qin Yin was wearing a white apron, elegantly arranging the food on the table. In an instant, he noticed me.

"Do you... do you want to have breakfast together?" he asked.

"You made two portions, how can I refuse?" I walked out with a smile. Who doesn't like a free breakfast?

Qin Yin gently pulled out a chair for me to sit and then, with a gentle gaze, arranged the breakfast as if he was a wife. Huh? "Wife"? The emergence of this unpleasant feeling gave me a chill.

We sat facing each other, and I carefully tasted the steaming food in front of me, savoring it slowly...

"Oh! This is really delicious!" The texture and taste of the breakfast Qin Yin made perfectly matched its tempting aroma and appearance. The taste was beyond words, but if I had to describe it, it would be a feeling of infatuation that makes one want to linger. How many years has it been since I had such a delicacy?

As I was indulging in the food, Qin Yin seemed hesitant for a moment. After biting his lips, he finally spoke up, "Um... what did you want to say last night?"

"Huh? Last night... oh! I wanted to ask if you were interested in becoming my research subject." I didn't even want to stop eating while speaking.

"A research subject?" At first, he seemed nervous, but his excitement grew when he heard the last four words.

"What's wrong with you? It's just being a research subject. Do you have any issues? I thought you were excited last night, so I assumed you would agree."

"It's not that I don't want to, it's just... I didn't expect... I thought it was..." Qin Yin's face showed a hint of embarrassment. "What you said last night could easily be misunderstood."

"Misunderstood? What is there to misunderstand? It's just that the research topic is difficult to bring up."

"Huh? Is there a research topic that is so difficult to bring up?"

I put down my utensils and pondered for a few seconds. After all, if Qin Yin was going to be my research subject, it was necessary for him to know the purpose and dangers of my research. Besides, I am not an unscrupulous researcher.

"The topic of my research is..." I spoke gently, and even through my glasses, one could clearly see my sincere eyes. "The coexistence and fusion of light and darkness."

"What? Light and darkness? You mean Light Magic and Dark Magic?"

"That's right."

"Are you crazy? That is explicitly prohibited by the Empire. It is illegal, and Light Magic and Dark Magic are universally recognized as completely opposing Magic. There is no possibility of coexistence or fusion."

"Yes, I know that. But those are just rumors in the country and society. Almost all records have been sealed off by the Empire. Has anyone truly confirmed it? Previous research failures only confirmed that the possibility of coexistence and fusion is very low."

"But..."

"Moreover, I can't control myself. I feel like there's a voice urging me to research it every moment. No matter what, I believe I can succeed and significantly reduce the danger."

"You must be aware that both gods and demons cannot learn Magic of the opposite attributes. However, the Five Elements Magic can nurture and restrain each other, coexisting in a mixture. Since light and darkness can both nourish and restrain each other, it's just like the alternation of day and night, with sunlight and the dark shadows coexisting. And in the realm of gods and demons, there exists a special presence. Although I don't know why, I believe they are an independent race, but they also originate from gods and demons – Angel and Fallen Angel. Angels were originally divine beings but fell from grace to become Fallen Angels, belonging to the demonic race. Their Light Magic transformed into Dark Magic, which is enough evidence to show the transformative power between light and darkness. The reason past experiments were prohibited was due to researchers exploding or becoming demons. However, I believe it was caused by energy imbalance.""Balance? It's easy for you to say that now, but what does it take to achieve a balance, and how do you maintain it?"

"You're right, that's a big challenge in research. If I'm not mistaken, the relationship between light and dark is different from the relationship between the five elements. The promotion of the five elements only enhances the activity of the attribute Magic, while the relationship between light and dark is a true mutual generation. From light comes darkness, and from darkness comes light. As for maintenance, heh, I have a way."

"Well, you make a fair point. But how do you mitigate the dangers involved?"

"Don't you understand? The transformation I'm talking about is done by converting your original source of Magic power. You can think of it as simulating attributes. Its nature is the same as true light and dark Magic, but they share the same source. Do you think brothers would fight under normal circumstances? Only something big would provoke them and cause a loss of control."

"That's all just speculation on your part. Do you have any evidence?"

"No, that's why I came to you! However, previous research results were all based on a research manuscript that mentioned using both light and dark Magic in the past. They were not from the same source, but when they are integrated, things change. Rejection and self-destruction can be eliminated, and the demonic transformation depends on the person's heart."

Qin Yin looked at me blankly, wondering how an ordinary and unremarkable person like me came up with such a research that violated the law.

"I'll consider it, but don't get your hopes up too much!"

"I'm happy that you're considering it! Oh? We're late, let's go." I subconsciously checked the time and realized that class would start in fifteen minutes.

"Wait, take this with you."

"What is it?"

"It's the lunch box I made, you can have the extra."

"Then just make two from now on." I said as I rushed out the door.

With fifteen minutes of sprinting, following the elegant bell chimes, I rushed into the classroom. Finally, there were no accidents, and I made it safely.

"~~~~~" I hadn't caught my breath yet when I felt a cold gaze coming from my left side. Without thinking, I knew it was Lilith, the blue-haired little girl.

Why was that little girl so concerned about such a trivial matter? She had a sullen look on her face all day.

At the same time, another gentle gaze projected towards me, as soft as the spring sunshine. Since the day I met Xiao Yao, she had always been gentle and cute, giving others a healing feeling. Truly deserving of being a student studying Water Magic and Holy Magic.

But when I saw Yao, I couldn't help but think of her twin sister, Qiong, who had the opposite personality. I felt fortunate that I wasn't in the same class as Qiong this year. You see, Qiong has a sister complex and an excessive desire to protect Yao. She saw me as a pervert, no, a perverted sheep, and didn't like me at all. Her disdainful and cold gaze made me feel very uncomfortable. When our eyes met, it was as if I could see flashes of lightning in her eyes, which heightened the sense of inferiority in us weak people. Thunder properties are harmful!

I remember Qiong from before, she had a fiery personality and a sister complex, but her resistance and rejection towards me weren't as strong as they are now. At most, she just disliked the way I looked weak. But one day in middle school, she suddenly changed. She started ignoring me when I spoke to her, and she would get inexplicably angry when I got close to Yao, pulling her away with unease. It was as if I were some kidnapper of little girls.

"Yang! Xiao Yang, the teacher is calling you!"

"Huh?" Yao's soft voice brought me back from my thoughts.

"Qin Yang!"

"Yes, Teacher." I didn't think about anything and promptly stood up.

"Continue where you left off."

"Uh~~~"

"On page eight, fourth paragraph." Yao wrote down this line where I could see.

"..." Following Yao's prompt, I began reciting.

"Phew! Finally finished the morning's compulsory courses. It's so boring! The elective courses in the afternoon are heaven." After the last class in the morning, I lazily climbed onto the desk and sighed.

Like most academies in the empire, Chishin Academy had compulsory courses in the morning, such as culture and Magic theory, while the afternoon consisted of elective courses. Since the number of students in each elective course varied, ranging from hundreds to a few, or even just a handful, the compulsory and elective courses were held in different classrooms. After lunch break, we had to go to a different building for the electives.

By the way, I am in the research department, and in front of others, I wouldn't dare do any illegal research. Generally, I study the application of Magic arrays or summoning Magic arrays in more detail. At most, I am a low-level summoner.However, the primary concern now is about lunch. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Qin Yin's lunch is like. Judging from her cooking in the morning, it shouldn't be bad!

"Xiaoyang, do you remember what you said before the school ceremony?" Just as I was about to take out the lunchbox Qin Yin gave me, Yao mysteriously appeared in front of me.

"Um..." Is she really going to make me her little brother? Although it would save me a lot of trouble having Yao looking out for me, it doesn't feel quite right.

"Hey! A person should keep their promises. Don't you boys always talk about how important it is to keep your word?"

"It's not that, it's just..."

"Just what?" Yao's eyes suddenly filled with tears.

"Don't be like this... um... okay, I'll listen to you." I couldn't resist a girl's tears.

"Do you really mean that?"

"I mean it. As long as it's within my capabilities."

"Well... it's actually not that difficult. You just have to have lunch with me every day at noon."

"What's so difficult about that? We used to eat together often before, didn't we?"

"It's different. This time it's every day, every day, and just the two of us."

"Is it really that simple?"

"It's... it's that simple. Are you willing?" Why is Yao blushing? Is she feeling hot?

"I'm willing. Eating alone is boring anyway. Let's go to the cafeteria."

"No, let's go to the rooftop."

"The rooftop?"

When we arrived at the rooftop, there were already groups of students eating there. Most of them were couples, and Yao and I looked like a girl boss bringing her little brother to the rooftop pretending to be a couple. That's probably how it looked!

"Let's go over there!" Yao pointed to a slightly secluded bench and sat down. She took out a big package from inside, though I didn't see it just now.

Yao took out two lunchboxes from inside and handed one to me, saying, "This is for you, Xiaoyang."

"I'm sorry, Yao. I already have a lunchbox." I took out the exquisite lunchbox Qin Yin gave me.

Yao stared blankly at my lunchbox, unable to react for a moment.

"Snap!" The moment I opened the lunchbox, I was shocked. Qin Yin's cooking skills were already very good, and her appearance was delicate and attractive, but that wasn't enough to surprise me. I was overwhelmed by the heart-shaped arrangement of the dishes.

Qin Yin is observant and careful, but was it necessary to include this heart-shaped arrangement? If someone saw it, it would easily lead to misunderstandings. I couldn't help but criticize Qin Yin's birth.

"Ah..." I turned my head and saw Yao with a sad expression on her face, tears rolling down her eyes. She looked like a little girl whose favorite teddy bear had been taken away. However, her eyes were fixed on the heart-shaped arrangement in my lunchbox. Indeed, this heart-shaped arrangement was a troublemaker.

"Yao, don't misunderstand!" I said hastily.

"Xiaoyang, where did your lunchbox come from? You have to tell me honestly."

"This... "

"Don't lie to me. That was made by you, and I know you very well. You definitely didn't come up with something like this."

"Don't make wild guesses, okay? This is..."

"Could it be that a girl gave it to you? Hmm, the more I look at it, the more it seems like the work of a girl. When did Xiaoyang become so charming?" She observed my lunchbox carefully. "Could it be that you have a girlfriend now! What... what should I do..." Yao quickly covered her mouth.

"What do you mean, Yao? Don't make random guesses and assumptions. This was given to me by my roommate. It's probably just a prank." I explained in one breath, not giving Yao a chance to interrupt. God knows what I would say if I continued.

"Roommate? Prank?" Yao looked at me as if she had seen a ghost.

"Yes, my roommate, Qin Yin. He's ridiculously handsome, but he's quite feminine sometimes. I even see him as a girl."

"Qin Yin, the new student council member, right?"

"Yeah! He and Qiong are both experts with magic weapons, but he belongs to the Light Element."

"Sigh! Boys are better. I wonder who's stronger, him or my sister."

"Hard to say. Well, why don't they have a match and see who's stronger?"

"But you said he's feminine. Is he that kind of person?"

"That kind of person? What kind of person?""It's... It's the thing between Nan and Nan. Otherwise, why would he randomly give you a heart-shaped pendant? Is he trying to turn you into someone like him?"

"How... How could that be? I'm strong. But as for his intentions, I can't say for certain!"

After a brief silence, Yao raised a question, "Xiao Yang, can I taste it?"

"Sure!" I picked up a piece of stir-fried beef and held it to Yao's mouth.

"Is it... Is it just eating like this?" Yao seemed a bit nervous.

"Is there a problem?" I asked in confusion.

"N-No, there isn't."

Yao slowly opened his mouth, took the beef inside, and added another bite with the chopsticks. Why did he add another bite? I don't know.

"Is it delicious?"

"Mmmhmm!"

I picked up my chopsticks and continued with my lunch while Yao blushed and murmured, "Is this an indirect Kiss?"

"What's the matter? I heard you clearly."

"It's nothing. You can continue!" Yao's face turned even redder.

In the evening, I continued my research project while Qin Yin went to bed early without responding to my request. But the fact that he considered it was already good enough. He usually doesn't make decisions easily. During this time, I need to improve and be prepared.