Ever since the "orientation clarification," Emma's mindset had shifted. She was no longer merely the "victim" of Fox Lian's beauty, but had evolved into its "guardian"—one armed with sharp claws.
When the White Tiger heir once again slung an arm around Fox Lian's shoulder, calling him "brother," Emma "happened" to pass by, holding a cup of freshly mixed ice-spirit juice. With a perfectly timed "slip," she spilled it directly onto the tiger's paw resting on Fox Lian. "Oh dear, sorry," Emma said flatly, her gaze colder than polar ice. "My hand slipped." The heir winced from the chill, but seeing Emma's expression—promising the next spill would be on his face—he withdrew his hand, never daring to touch Fox Lian again.
When the Azure Luan musician tried to stop Fox Lian in the garden to play him a new song, Emma appeared with a thick stack of rune notes. "Fox Lian," she ignored the musician entirely, shoving the notes into his arms. "I need help with this space-folding derivation. Right now." She dragged him away, leaving the musician clutching his instrument, face pale and flushed.
Her most decisive strike was against the Kirin law captain. During an academy expedition, the captain reached to inspect Fox Lian's storage pouch. Emma spoke up, voice clear: "Captain, according to Academy Safety Code Article 137, unless in emergencies, inspectors must use spirit-scanning rather than direct contact, to avoid unnecessary conflicts or… misunderstandings." She recited the rule word for word, gaze steady. The captain froze, a blush creeping under his bronze skin. He withdrew his hand, used spirit-scan instead, muttered "No issues," and hurried off awkwardly.
Fox Lian, standing behind Emma, watched her cut down rivals with icy precision. His violet eyes brimmed with laughter. His tail snuck forward, brushing her fingers. "My goddess," he whispered teasingly, "so fierce." Emma glared back, ears reddening. "Only because you attract too many bees and butterflies!" Yet she still caught his tail tip, fingers stroking the soft fur unconsciously. Fox Lian leaned close, delighted. "Then tonight, I'll groom the fierce goddess's hair as compensation?" Emma blushed deeper, pinching his tail tip. "Shut up!"
Behind a tree, Gu Liang and Cangming were spying. Gu Liang: "Tch, Emma's like a mother dragon guarding her cub." Cangming (nodding seriously): "Impressive. Want to learn?" Gu Liang (tail flicking): "Hmph, I don't need to!"
Emma's guarding was effective, but Fox Lian's beauty was undeniable. New students and visitors still fell for his face and fluff. One day, a visiting elf exchange student saw him and immediately sang a hymn in Elvish, offering a leaf of the life tree as a token of affection.
Emma was about to intervene, but Fox Lian gently held her hand back. He stepped forward, shielding her, and spoke fluent Elvish: "Thank you for your praise. But my heart and my tail already belong to someone."
He turned, placing his fluffy silver tail into Emma's open palm. Then, facing the stunned elf and the crowd of eavesdroppers, he smiled: "She's strict. She won't let me accept gifts from others."
Emma: "!!!"
Gasps and muffled laughter rippled around them.
Emma stared at the warm, soft tail in her hand, then at Fox Lian's mischievous, tender smile. Her cheeks flamed red—she wanted to vanish into the floor. This scheming fox! He did it on purpose!
But…
Emma squeezed the fluff in her palm, watching the elf retreat in defeat. Her lips curved upward despite herself. It felt… not bad at all.