Those Who Don’t Burn Are Cowards

Adrian Drake pouted, "Wasn't I the one who asked for tutoring? I'm the real protagonist here! Isn't it weird if the main character just leaves?"

Sean Shaw glanced at him but said nothing.

Adrian grinned, "Hey! Little Five, today Mia Quinn told us something—want to hear it?"

"What is it?"

"Haha, it's about a handkerchief—"

"Adrian!" Lucia Lu hurriedly cut him off. "It's just childish talk—let's not bring it up!"

"Senior Sister, why so fierce?" Adrian teased, meaningfully. "Whoa! Why's your face all red?"

Lucia bit her lip and stood up. "I'm heading out! I'm tired!"

She packed up her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone into her Storage Pouch and hurried out, practically fleeing.

Sean glanced at the door, then at Adrian, his expression darkening.

The one who should've left stayed, and the one who shouldn't have left did...

...

Lucia only realized after stepping outside that she'd run off without even thanking Sean.

She started heading toward her own quarters.

Their residential area had plenty of Spirit Trees.

The Spirit Trees grew thick and lush, creating a quiet forest.

She hadn't gone far when she suddenly sensed something off.

A flash of light flickered through the pitch-dark woods.

It was faint, gone in an instant.

But it looked just like a Divine Race distress signal.

Lucia concealed herself and flew into the woods.

Deep in the thick Spirit Tree forest, she really did spot three people.

One was Princess Quinn Xiao.

One was Jenna Summers.

And the last was Mia Quinn.

Quinn and Jenna had Mia trapped between them, held in place by a spell.

"What are you two planning?" Mia glared at them.

Quinn reached out and slapped Mia's cheek—an insult more than an actual hit. "Mia Quinn, I haven't even gone to Clearwind Gorge to settle things with you, and you really dared come to Drake Abyss?"

Mia fired back, "Why wouldn't I dare come? You think I'm scared of you?"

Quinn sneered, "You should be!"

Mia snapped, "Scared of you? Not a chance! What do you want? Spit it out!"

"No need to get worked up!" Quinn said. "I just want to ask you a couple questions. If you answer honestly, nothing will happen to you."

"What questions?" Mia asked.

"You all went to Clearwind Gorge today, right?"

"Yeah!"

"Did the Sigil Sect disciples give Lucia Lu and Adrian Drake something?" Quinn pressed.

Mia raised her brows. "Why should I tell you? The more you want to know, the less I'm saying!"

"If you don't talk..." Quinn tightened her spell. "I'll burn you to ashes!"

"Go on, burn me! If you don't, you're a coward!"

Mia might be young, but she wasn't one to back down. Even though Quinn's spell made her miserable, she refused to show weakness.

"Mia Quinn, you don't actually think we won't dare, do you?" Jenna added. "It's late at night—if we kill you, no one will ever know how you died!"

"Go ahead, try me!" Mia suddenly lunged forward, almost nose-to-nose with Jenna. "Last time you nearly burned me alive! Trying again, huh? Fine! Bring it! I want to see if you really have the guts!"

Jenna's eyes flashed coldly as she gathered spiritual power in her hand. "Are you going to talk or not? If you don't, I'll—ah!"

Suddenly Jenna cried out, her arm dropping limp as if broken.

Lucia Lu appeared, Entwined Heart flute in hand, flying over to shield Mia and break the spell holding her.

Quinn's face changed; she exchanged a look with Jenna.

"Princess, Divine Lady Jenna," Lucia called out. "If you want answers, ask me directly. Why bully a child?"