Who hid My Corpse!

Tonight, just tonight!

So when the sky turned dark, and all students from the Three Colleges were rushing to the auditorium to attend the opening ceremony, Tupac also immediately headed toward the Forbidden Forest, unnoticed by anyone.

Tupac was somewhat impatient.

Because he also worried that Hewinia wouldn't show up for the rendezvous, he unconsciously hastened his steps, the only sounds in the forest aside from the wind being the "rustle" of his footsteps crushing dry branches and leaves.

He had reached the place where he was to meet Hewinia as quickly as possible.

And then, as he had hoped, he saw Hewinia.

Hewinia was still wearing the same black robe from the day, standing quietly under the moonlight, the beauty of the stillness and allure combined made Tupac momentarily lose his focus.

Until Hewinia, laughing lightly, said, "Good evening, Mr. Tupac."

That chilly voice snapped Tupac out of his reverie, and he straightened his clothes with a smile, walking towards Hewinia, "Good evening, Miss Hewinia, have you been waiting long?"

"Yes," said Hewinia leisurely, "ever since I learned Miss Orenna had ascended to the Golden Rank, I couldn't wait another moment."

Tupac paused, "It seems you already knew?"

"Of course," Hewinia said with a smile, "Miss Orenna is my best friend, she told me immediately."

"I see."

"Yes," Hewinia sighed softly, "It seems that our yet to officially begin collaboration will have to end here, which is rather regrettable."

Tupac feigned ignorance, "Why would you think that, Miss Hewinia?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Hewinia replied, "Miss Orenna is Mr. Phinis's younger sister, with her around, naturally, there's no need for me; I'll just have to turn to Mr. Daniel."

"No, no, no, Miss Hewinia, it's not that dire," Tupac chuckled, "It's true that Orenna has become a Golden Note, but that doesn't mean you need to leave."

"I don't understand what you mean, Mr. Tupac. An Orchestra doesn't need two of the same note."

"Indeed, but why assume it's you who must leave?" Tupac said, "Why can't it be Orenna who leaves? Even if Orenna is Phinis's sister, she is just one Golden Note, but you are two."

Hewinia tilted her head, asking adorably, "I am two?"

"Yes," Tupac pronounced the words he had prepared, smiling, "and there's me, Miss Hewinia, I'm on your side. If I insist on having your Seven Notes instead of Orenna's, then Phinis will have to compromise, right?"

Hewinia was quite surprised, "That does seem like there's no problem… but why would you go to such lengths to help me?"

"Do I even need to say?" Tupac spread his arms and slowly walked toward Hewinia, saying very casually, "I think it should be quite obvious."

Hewinia seemed to understand something and chuckled, "I see, Mr. Tupac, you are quite direct."

"To me, beating around the bush would be a sign of disrespect for such a beautiful lady."

"I see," Hewinia nodded slightly, "Then I really should thank you for your kindness. However, I think your approach is also a bit indirect. I see a more direct method."

"A more direct method?"

"Yes," Hewinia looked at Tupac meaningfully, "What do you think about giving me your body directly?"

Give you my body?

When he heard this, Tupac couldn't help but pause, wondering if Hewinia was being more direct than him.

Could there really be such a good deal?

Tupac almost instinctively wanted to agree, especially when faced with Hewinia's seductive eyes; he simply couldn't find a reason to refuse.

Only...

He felt something was not quite right.

In those beautiful yet enticing eyes, Tupac seemed to read another message.

A... dangerous message.

"Crack."

When Tupac's boots crushed another dry branch in the snow, a sense of indescribable fear surged up.

His previously unprepared body immediately retreated swiftly, as if struck by lightning.

But it was still a bit too late, the thorny Magic Vine grew violently from the crushed dry branches and quickly climbed up Tupac's thigh, viciously biting into his flesh.

"Ah!"

Tupac let out a hysterical scream but was successful in breaking free from the vine's grasp.

He then sharply raised his head, staring intently at Hewinia: "What are you doing?!"

"Hmm? Didn't I just say?"

At that moment, Hewinia had already pulled out the Magic Wand hidden up her sleeve, pointing it at Tupac.

Simultaneously, the fireworks of the last day of the Seven Notes·Syllable shot up into the sky, illuminating the night and Hewinia's pupils.

"Mr. Tupac, please give me your body... to be precise, your note."

...

Within the Third Academy auditorium.

"You seem a bit distracted, Phinis," said an elder's voice, awakening Phinis from his deep thoughts, "as the bell-ringer of the festival, you should be more focused right now."

Phinis came back to his senses, looked at the elder, and then respectfully bowed, "Sorry, Chancellor, I've indeed been somewhat distracted."