Chapter 37 - A Close Call
Lianyi rages internally at Instructor Hue stepping out of line. She takes deep breaths in an attempt to suppress her toiling aura from going astray. Despite her efforts, Lianyi's internal aura continues to rage out of control. She punctures the meat of her palm with her nails, hoping that the pain will help her clear her mind. Before she could open her mouth to respond, an unexpected voice chimes in.
"We should follow Instructor Lianyi's suggestion. I'm growing fond of my group."
Lianyi doesn't know much about Instructor Sun aside from him being an acquaintance of her uncle Yi, Yuyu's guardian, and favored by the Headmaster. Based on her limited interactions with Sun, she had initially pegged him as a reserved individual who tends to avoid getting involved in matters like this. She's grateful that her judgment is wrong. Taking advantage of his interference, Lianyi takes a deep breath before exhaling. Having successfully regained control of her internal aura, Lianyi smiles at the new Academy instructor. Her gaze breaks away from Sun, observing instead the odd combination of students in his group.
Why would Headmaster Mo assign so many important students to a new instructor? Why is he so fa-
Her thoughts are interrupted by the little girl standing beside Sun. One by one, Lianyi watches as her two brightest students, along with descendents of some of the greatest families and sects, step up to support their instructor. A soft smile forms on her face, washing away any memory of her recent rage, as she listens to their unexpected comradery.
Lianyi glances back at the little girl who set off the volley of positive words. She recalls the day she first met Yuyu. A tiny bundle of joy. She recalls watching the joy fade with each subsequent class. Lianyi remembers how she felt as she watched the cruel reality, the difference in status and family, take its toll on Yuyu. That depressing and heart wrenching feeling made her wonder everyday why her uncle insisted that she become an instructor for the Academy. Seeing the same bright smile once again on Yuyu's face, and the friends around her, Lianyi finally understands why.
I understand now, uncle Yi.
"Students, that's very sweet of you to say about your friends." As if on cue to ruin her blissful moment, Instructor Hue opens his mouth yet again. "But it's disrespectful to speak, unless spoken to, while the adults are talking."
Lianyi watches as the instructor kneels, bringing himself to meet Yuyu's eyes. She watches as Instructor Hue extends his hand towards the little girl's shoulder, thinking nothing of it. Just as his hand reaches out, Lianyi feels her heart freeze. An indescribable pressure sets her on high alert, preventing her from being able to draw breath.
"Instructor Hue!" Dan yells as his perception of time returns to normal. He heaves heavy breaths, thanking the Heavens for helping him as nudges the little girl back behind him. He takes a deep breath before continuing. "Yuyu is only seven years old. She did not mean any disrespect. If anything, it was me who encouraged the others to act in such a manner. Please, direct your displeasure at me!"
Although he was speaking to Instructor Hue, Dan's eyes stayed fixated on Sun's finger the entire time. As the finger relaxes back into a resting curl, Dan breathes a sigh of relief.
Lianyi gasps for air as the unbearable pressure disappears. In that fleeting moment, feeling as if she was standing at the divide between life and death, Lianyi realizes that she had felt this feeling once before. Her mind begins to connect the dots as she stares at the new instructor.
"S-stu-" Lianyi stops upon hearing herself stutter. She takes a deep breath, collecting herself before turning to face the students in the middle of the lobby. "Students, return to your groups. Instructors, please be mindful of the itinerary. Return to your suites at an appropriate time. The students will need proper rest for tomorrow's excursion."
As she speaks, Lianyi glances at the instructors on the other side of the lobby, noting their lacking reaction to the terrifying pressure.
"Thank you, Instructor Lianyi!" The students bow towards her again before making their way back to their instructors in an orderly manner.
The student standing behind Sun watches as the lobby grows emptier as each group departs. Although they were patient, they couldn't help but raise a brow towards their instructor's unmoving figure. Instructor Hue's students stand at the other end of the lobby, doing the same towards their instructor.
"Student Dan apologizes once again for our disrespectful behavior!" Dan exclaims as he bows his head towards Instructor Hue.
Without waiting for a response, Dan grabs Yuyu's hand and turns to make his way towards the exit. Chunhua, sensing a hint of tension in the room, decides to follow Dan's lead. The students in Sun's group, with the exception of Wei, bows towards the unresponsive instructor before running to catch up with Dan.
"Instructor Sun!" Dan, seeing his instructor unmoved from his spot, calls out. "Yuyu mentioned that she wants to visit the Alchemist Association. We should make haste while the night is still young."
"Eh? Yuyu didn't s-" Dan quickly covers the little girl's mouth before she could finish her sentence.
Sun breaks his glare away from Instructor Hue, turning to look at his students standing in front of the exit. The crimson glow in his eyes fades as he gazes at their expressions. He smiles, nodding slightly at Dan before turning to follow them. After a few steps, Sun pauses.
"Come, Wei." He calls out to the student behind him. "Your friends are waiting."
Although it was faint, Wei was standing close enough to sense the same terrifying disturbance that Instructor Lianyi, Dan, and Chunhua felt. Instructor Sun's voice pulls him out of his daze. He takes one last look at Instructor Hue's trembling hand and sweaty forehead before turning to catch up to his group. As he makes his way towards the exit, Wei catches Dan's sharp eyes pointing at Instructor Hue. Wei recognizes those eyes as he had seen the same eyes directed at him on the day of their little scuffle. A cold sweat rolls down his neck as Wei realizes that Dan had actually saved him from committing a catastrophic mistake.
Once Sun and his students leave the Resting Crane Tree, Instructor Hue heaves as a wave of air rushes into his empty chest. Sweat rolls past his brow as he stares blankly at the floor before him. After a moment of collecting himself, Instruct Hue pushes himself off the ground. He turns towards the attendant of the Resting Crane Tree in charge of receiving the Academy who had been watching from the corner of the lobby. The two lock eyes for a split moment. The attendant breaks the uncomfortable eye contact as he bows at Instructor Hue, making his presence scarce.