His fist was only inches from Yu Lin’s face as Yu Lin began to lift her legs up.

“Senior Nie Fu!” a high pitch voice screamed out. He stopped and so did Yu Lin. They turned to see Wei standing there with a frown on her face.

“Xi-x-xiao Wei!” Nie Fu let go of Yu Lin. Wei stomped up and stood in between them with another male student following her. The male student was of the ape tribe, his face wrinkled like one. He as wearing a yellow scarf.

“Please stop! I don’t want to cause the new student any more problems!” she pouted.

“But Xiao Wei, because of him you’ve lost your daily allowance to send to your family!” Nie Fu looked past her at Yu Lin. “If only he wasn’t here the-”

“Please stop! It’s not his fault. My skills are still incompetent.”

“But Xiao We-”

“If you keep doing this I’m going to get angry at you!” Wei glared at him. Nie Fu stopped speaking as he looked away. Wei turned around and bowed her head. “Sorry for the inconvenience Yu Lin. I will make sure this doesn’t happen again.” she apologized. After that she stood straight up and walked away with the ape following her. Yu Lin just stood there watching her.

“Xiao Wei,” Nie Fu yelled before turning back at Yu Lin, “I give you a month to leave or else…” he pointed his thumb towards his neck and brought it from one side to the next. After that he headed towards the direction Wei was walking. Yu Lin sat back down and everyone else in the cafeteria went back to their own business.

“Aiishh… you got yourself a lot of trouble going on already huh Yu Lin? First the annoying twins, and then Senior Nie Fu… it’s going to be tough for you to live here.” Kumamono said as Yu Lin ate her food. She cocked her head as the taste was different to when she was eating it before. ‘This…’ she bit her lip as she figured it out. She swallowed.

“Who are they?” Yu Lin asked. Kumamono smiled.

“You’re finally curious?” she winked at her. “Then let me tell you what this insightful Higurashi Kumamono knows. First, the two girls from earlier, Shu Zi and Mi Yu are friends with Wei. Shu Zi and Mi Yu are also called the twins because they are always together, and their personalities are horrible. It makes me wonder sometimes why Wei is even friends with them… anyways, everyone in the whole Medicinal Studies know how Wei is because of her beauty and background. Most of them even pities her.” Kumamono nodded her head. Yu Lin looked up at her as she finished her food.

“Why?” she asked. Kumamono smiled and then cleared her throat.

“Her family is, according to what I have heard, extremely poor. She is the oldest of her family and her mother is severely sick. She sends the five silvers she gets each month to her family. Due to this other students also help pitch in because they like her, but she doesn’t accept their money. She is nice, responsible, and doesn’t have anyone who hates her here… well except for some girls who are jealous of her.”

“Who was that man next to her?”

“The man? Ohh… you’re talking about that ape? His name is Sarutoki Saruto. He’s basically like her servant kind of, except his section is higher.”

“Then, what about that square faced giant?”

“Puhahaha!” Kumamono laughed. “Hahaha! It’s the first time I’ve heard anyone called Senior Nie Fu a square faced giant.” she held onto her stomach. Sanji and Su Me next to her also slightly chuckled. “Anyways,” Kumamono said as she calmed down, “Senior Nie Fu is in love with Wei. He will do anything to help her. You better watch out too. Senior Nie Fu may be in the same major as us, but his physique is like those from the Martial Arts major. He’s also very good at fighting. Some people from the Martial Arts major are scared of him.” Kumamono warned.

“But, why do I not see anyone above the red section eating here?”

“Ah… it’s cause they are special. The top three sections of any majors get their own special little dining area, and also their rooms are upgraded. They also get the better library and baths. If you enter the Orange section, then you won’t be rooming next to me anymore.” Kumamono had a conflicted expression on her face.

“Then… how do I go into town?” Yu Lin asked.

“That… you have to at least be in the Orange section, or have someone in Yellow or White section to bring you out with them. We aren’t allowed to leave otherwise.” Kumamono pouted. Yu Lin thought for a second before nodding her head. She picked up her tray.

“Thank you miss Higurashi.” Yu Lin gave Kumamono a quick bow as she headed towards the place where all the dirty dishes were located.

“Just call me Kuma.” Kumamono yelled behind her as she picked up her tray, but Yu Lin ignored her.

-

Yu Lin was in the library as she skimmed through a couple books. Kumamono and the others had returned to their dorm room for the rest of the day. She tried to look for new ones to read, but she was already up to date with everything. She let out a small sigh as she started to head back. She was stopped by a handsome young man with long black hair tied up in a pony tail. She looked up to see an orange scarf before realizing it was Chang Su, the class president.

“You… let’s talk for a second.” he whispered. The students around them who were studying suddenly looked up at the two of them. Yu Lin cocked her head.

“I don’t want to.” she replied as she started to walk past him.

“You will regret it.” he heard him call behind her. She continued walking on before she felt his hand on her shoulder. She brushed him off and his lips were right next to her ear. “Be careful of Hong Wei, new student.” he whispered before walking past her. Yu Lin made no expression as she watched his tall elegant figure stroll out of the room.

Her eyes danced as the ends of her lips wanted to curl up, but they stayed in the straight line they were in. She walked out of the library to see Wei standing there. Wei’s pink eye traveled to meet her and she smiled before bowing.

“Hello Yu Lin.” she said before standing up straight. Yu Lin only bowed her head. Wei’s lips pressed together before she looked up and smiled nervously. She lifted up a small bundle. “This,” she started, “I wanted to apologize for earlier. Since I only know how to cook all I could give you was this.” Yu Lin stared at the bundle and she could smell the sweet smell of honey. She took the bundle of her hand.

“Thank you.” she bowed to Wei. Wei smiled at her before bowing again.

“No, thank you for accepting my apology. See you tomorrow at class then.” she then turned on her heels and started to walk away. Yu Lin watched her curvaceous figure grow smaller down the hall before she turned the corner into another area. Yu Lin unwrapped the bundle to see flower shaped snacks sitting on a plate. She popped one into her mouth before heading back to her room.

--

Two months passed by quickly as Yu Lin excelled in her class. Despite this, rumors started to spread due to Shu Zhi and Mi Yu and her new name was White Spotted Witch, despite her gender being known as a male. There were crazy stories of how she manipulated people to enter the school, and others how she slept her way through. Most of the sections started to avoid her or talk about her endlessly.

Yu Lin paid it no mind, in fact she liked it even better as no one approached her. The only people left talking to her were Kumamono, Sanji, and Su Me. Out of boredom Yu Lin even started to tutor them for one copper per day which they graciously accepted. Even Sanji and Su Me didn’t complain as the three of them began to rise on the ranking board.

Students were required to take a test monthly to moderate their ranks and the past month the three of them benefited from Yu Lin’s tutoring. Yu Lin also received snacks every night that seemed to be from Wei as they looked and tasted exactly like the ones Wei gave her. She didn’t mind as she ate them every night after bathing in her room. Chang Su also glanced at her occasionally as if he was watching out for her, but she paid him no attention.

“Thank you Yu Lin! If you weren’t here then I would probably not have went up by a rank! Did you see the look on Shu Zhi’s face when I passed her?! Hahahaha!” Kumamono laughed. Yu Lin only yawned. Just as they were about to turn the corner to their rooms, they were stopped by Nie Fu. Nie Fu narrowed his eyes at Yu Lin.

“Senior Nie Fu!” the other three quickly said as they bowed. Yu Lin just stood there and looked at him as he huffed and puffed.

“Follow me.” he said through clenched teeth. Yu Lin’s lips stayed in a straight line but her eyes were dancing as she followed him.

“Yu Lin!” Kumamono yelled however Yu Lin just held up a hand. Kumamono frowned but didn’t try to stop her as the three of them followed her.

They reached a gate that led to the three higher section’s dorm room. Yu Lin followed behind Nie Fu, but Kumamono and the others were stopped by the guards. Kumamono looked worried however she didn’t protest. Sanji and Su Me only opened a book and began reading.

Nie Fu and Yu Lin stood in a big courtyard as other students watched around them. Yu Lin yawned and stretched as Nie Fu continued to glare at her.

“I thought you would come after a month like what you said, but you made me wait an extra month. What happened? Did you get scared?” Yu Lin provoked him. Nie Fu clenched his fist.

“You better shut up. I’m going to make you leave for good soon.” he smirked. Yu Lin licked her lips as she smiled internally.

“Yo giant.” she said.

“What did you just ca-”

“Let me take you up on your offer. If you win then I will leave for good, and if I win then you will have to obey me and call me master for the rest of your life.”

“It’s too late for that now.” Nie Fu hissed.

“No. Think about it. Even if you severely injure me, if I don’t want to leave then my name is still going to be the highest ranked. And because I’m also into Medicinal Studies, the most it would take for me to recover is a month. By then I can still take the test and be ranked first place. Plus, you will just be known as someone who bullied a younger classman. Do you want that?”

“Then I will just kill you instead!”

“Killing is prohibited here. If you kill me then you will have to leave too, and you won’t ever get to see Hong Wei anymore. Besides… you do know where students who murder go right?” Yu Lin raised an eyebrow. Nie Fu face was red with fury.

“Fine!” he screamed. “If I win, you better get the hell out of here and never come back. If you win… and I mean, if you win, then I will obey you and call you master for the rest of my life!” Nie Fu glared at her. Yu Lin thought for a second and nodded.

“So what are the rules then for this duel?” she asked. Nie Fu grinned as he cracked his knuckles.

“It’s simple. Whoever gets the other person’s scarf off first wins, but whatever goes on in between… goes on. Do you understand what I mean?” he smirked.

“Deal.” Yu Lin agreed.

“But,” Nie Fu’s eyes showed that he was already victorious, “you can’t use magic. Besides it wouldn’t be fair because I can’t use magic. You understand right?” he smiled. Yu Lin wanted to laugh. If he could even get Yu Lin to use magic then Yu Lin would have called him master for the rest of her life.

“Deal.” Yu Lin nodded. The students around them only shook their heads as they thought Yu Lin stood no chance, yet none of them felt any sympathy for Yu Lin because they have heard the rumors. Nie Fu smiled an evil glint in his eyes.

“Then, let’s get started!” he screamed as he started to run towards Yu Lin. Yu Lin watched him come as the ends of her lips only slightly twitched.

-

A light brown hair and eyed male started to head towards the courtyard with another female who was plumper on the stomach and had black hair and purple eyes.

“What is that Su Nie Fu doing causing all this damn trouble?!” the female yelled.

“Calm down Yang Yang.” the male said.

“Don’t tell me to calm down Po Leng Zhuang! I refuse to calm down! This little brat is always running off and starting trouble instead of participating in the projects he was suppose to!” Yang Yang yelled. Their blue cloaks were stained with dirt and their white scarves had a dab of dirt here and there. “I’m going to teach that little freaking pig a lesson today!” Yang Yang yelled as they turned the corner.

“Yang Yang…” Leng Zhuang wanted to say something, but nothing could come out. He was also tired of Nie Fu’s antics. The two of them reached the courtyard and they froze in spot. Their eyes widened as they saw Nie Fu on the ground holding onto his bruised fist, his arms shaking. Everyone around them had their mouths opened in disbelief. There was a footprint on his chest as tears trailed down his face as he cried. The two of them ran up to him and bent down.

“What’s wrong?” Leng Zhuang asked. Nie Fu kept crying.

“My hand… my hand… ahhhh!” he couldn’t stop. Yang Yang picked up his hand to see that his knuckles and fingers were broken.

“Wha… what happened?” Yang Yang was speechless.

“It… it… it was her!” Nie Fu cried out. Leng Zhuang and Yang Yang looked up to see what seems to look like a short male student standing there. Leng Zhuang’s eyes widened as he saw the student’s skin color, and the white spot on her face. She held a white scarf up in the air, contrasting with the red one around her neck. He stood up.

“Du… Yu… Lin?” his voice was barely audible. He stared into her red eyes that seemed dead as she had no expression on her face.