The weather today was absolutely splendid.
Sunlight streamed down from the sky, illuminating every corner of the Asterisk City. It wasn't too hot, giving off a warm and pleasant feeling that was perfect for going out and exploring.
Good weather had an incredible effect on people's moods. Therefore, after leaving the Redevelopment District, Sylvia had been humming a song softly the whole time. She walked along, glancing around as if she were a young girl enjoying a day out.
However, this young girl out on an excursion had a rather high Rank.
If the pedestrians bustling around her knew that the unassuming girl in their midst was the world-renowned Diva, it might turn this place into a battlefield.
A battlefield where people fought for space.
In contrast, Fang Li's mood was somewhat different from Sylvia's.
Not that Fang Li's mood was bad by any means.
In fact, Fang Li was currently in a state that would make any man in the world envy him to the point of madness.
The reason? Fang Li's hand was currently being held by Sylvia.
And they looked like a ordinary couple.
From an outsider's perspective, Fang Li and Sylvia seemed like a couple on a romantic date, didn't they?
Only Fang Li knew that although Sylvia appeared to be holding his hand the whole time, she was actually maintaining a subtle distance. It looked very intimate from the outside, but in reality, it was a bit like a smokescreen.
If it were Riko, she would have pressed her entire body against Fang Li's and buried his hand in her voluptuous chest.
However, in Sylvia's case, due to the delicate distance between them, there was no direct skin contact. Even the hand she held was separated by clothes, and there was no advantageous physical contact.
Therefore, Fang Li was somewhat puzzled.
At this moment, Fang Li couldn't help but speak up.
"I mean, if you don't really like it this way, why do we have to act so intimate?"
"Well, isn't it great like this?" Sylvia said as if it were a matter of course. "Before discussing serious matters, it's nice to bring each other closer like this, isn't it?"
Perhaps for this reason, Sylvia didn't immediately reveal the purpose of her visit. Instead, after finishing the song, she simply grabbed Fang Li's hand and led him to the commercial district.
"Or are you in a hurry?" Sylvia tilted her head and smiled at Fang Li. "As far as I know, since you entered Jie Long, you've been focusing on practice. Apart from training, you don't have any private affairs, right?"
"…I really don't know if I should say you have incredible connections or if you're just brazen," Fang Li sighed. "Are you telling me that you've checked up on me?"
"Not exactly," Sylvia replied candidly. "As the Student Council President of Queenvail Women's Academy, I naturally have some understanding of essential information, even if I didn't investigate. Just like you, you're a disciple of 'Banyuu Tenra,' you've also subdued Bo Xie, and you've already registered for the 'Phoenix Festa.' There are enough reasons for the covert agencies of other academies to investigate you. I only received the results, equivalent to receiving notifications."
"You even knew that I registered for the 'Phoenix Festa'?" Fang Li raised an eyebrow and asked directly. "In that case, is there no issue with you contacting me like this?"
"What's the problem?" Sylvia shrugged nonchalantly. "After all, I'm not participating in the 'Phoenix Festa.' I won't be your opponent."
"But there will definitely be students from your academy participating," Fang Li said. "Don't you want your academy to excel? Or does your academy allow its Student Council President to interact with opponents from other academies?"
"No big deal," Sylvia waved her hand dismissively. "Our academy doesn't place much importance on Festa rankings. There aren't that many students who genuinely want to excel."
This statement wasn't entirely untrue.
While the Festa was indeed a significant global event with great significance to the Integrated Enterprise Foundation, Queenvail Women's Academy focused on the development of acting careers.
They saw the Festa as a grand stage for showcasing their students' charisma, and it was even used as a talking point for rookie actresses making their official debut.
So, Queenvail Women's Academy doesn't place as much emphasis on Festa rankings as the other academies.
"Of course, it's not that we don't care at all; there are students who genuinely aim to excel in Festa," Sylvia said with confidence. "For example, me. I will participate in this season's 'Lindwurm Festa,' and this time, I'm determined to win the championship."
With Sylvia mentioning this, Fang Li recalled something.
"By the way, you were the runner-up in the previous 'Lindwurm Festa,' right?"
Fang Li shifted his gaze onto Sylvia, and his expression began to change subtly.
"Oh," Sylvia exclaimed in surprise, her voice filled with joy. "Your expression seems to say that you really want to have a match with me."
Indeed, that's what Fang Li was thinking.
"Since you were the runner-up in the 'Lindwurm Festa,' that means, in theory, you're the second strongest student in this city, right?" Fang Li wore a slightly provocative smile. "I'm curious to know just how strong you are."
Sylvia was not only a Strega (Witch) but also a Genestellar, and she had undergone extensive training. She excelled in close combat.
Fang Li had seen some of Sylvia's previous 'Lindwurm Festa' match videos. Therefore, he was certain that even within Jie Long, Sylvia's close combat abilities were extremely formidable.
Even with just close combat, she could easily reach Page One's Rank, perhaps even surpassing the Li siblings in strength.
Cecily was a Daoshi who was also skilled in close combat, so Sylvia's close combat abilities were likely on par or even superior to Cecily's.
Moreover, as a Strega (Witch), Sylvia held the highest Rank and her ability, 'Omnipotent,' allowed her to mimic all abilities except healing. Fang Li wasn't sure if he could defeat this Diva in battle.
It was possible that Sylvia was of the same Rank as Wu Xiaofei. This meant that even if she faced Fan Xinglu, Sylvia would have a fighting chance.
So, Fang Li was somewhat intrigued.
"On a personal note, I really hope you're not just interested in my combat abilities," Sylvia said with a wry smile, her expression somewhat playful. She leaned closer to Fang Li's face, smiling sweetly.
"Could it be that you can't be more curious about me?" she asked. "After all, I'm still a young girl, you know?"
The atmosphere between them was finally starting to become a bit ambiguous.
...
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