''Hey, honey.''

''A weird nickname came up again... what's the matter, Au?''

''Do you know what day is today?''

''Eh? It's not August... so not your birthday... our anniversary is not yet...''

''It's your birthday!''

''Oh.''

''You always wanted a new hat, right? I commission one for you.''

''This is quite nice...''

''Right? I oversaw the crafting myself!''

''Thanks, Au. I'll treasure it.''

----------------------------------------

''...''

''Do you like it, honey?''

Staring at the piece of cloth on the table, Kierra's eyes turned cold. She was briefly excited as August apparently brought her a present, but this...

''...Let's break up.''

As soon as Kierra said that with an emotionless voice, even the wizard crew couldn't help but shudder. August herself, however, stubbornly clung to the archwizard, acting as though nothing was wrong.

''Muh...''

''...''

''Ugh...!''

''Stop grunting. You look like a child.''

''This child is hungry for attention, so spoil me, mama~!''

Kierra's eyes quickly turned to a grim color, completely losing their luster as she looked at the disgraceful image of her lover. As if seriously nudging her for some measly head pats and rubs, August curled up on the sofa, pressing her face against Kierra's stomach.

Although August made it look like nothing, the others in the room couldn't help but break out in cold sweat. It was utter disappointment that was reflected in the archwizard's eyes. They were her disciples, so how could they not be upset at that?

Mixed with fear was, of course, jealousy. August was too shameless and proactive in her moves that they wouldn't be able to share intimate moments with Kierra at all!

Their initial impression of August was that she was a fierce wolf, but now she seemed more like a fox!

Yu Chen, in particular, gritted her teeth.

''What is wrong with you...'' Kierra sighed, stroking the smooth, light blue hair that resembled the sky.

''I'm bored.''

Suddenly, the Sword Empress turned her head upward, putting Kierra's hand over her mouth, and said.

Indeed, it had been close to a week since August began to live in this place. In that timeframe, she was taken on numerous trips around the vicinity, yet, unlike Kierra, she didn't have much interest in scenery and such, so she quickly became bored.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

''If you're bored, teach Chen some moves.'' Kierra sighed.

''Why would I teach my rival?''

Clicking her tongue at the shameless Sword Empress, Kierra got closer to the person's ear.

''If you do it, I will wear the present for you tonight.'' She whispered.

In an instant, August sprung up, cleared her throat, and assumed a serious appearance.

''Ahem. More disciples are always welcome.''

'''' ... ''''

(꒪⌓꒪)(꒪⌓꒪)(꒪⌓꒪)

Unexpectedly, Yu Chen got herself an enlightening lesson the following afternoon. Her swordsmanship skills rose rapidly in the span of just a few hours, yet she couldn't help but feel bitter.

She felt like she was selling her crush for it!

In the end, Kierra had to soothe the woman again a while after that.

''Hah...''

Right when Kierra thought everything would be peaceful, August nagged her once more.

''I'm still bored.'' The Sword Empress said with a deadpan.

''...What do you want to do?''

''Hm... travel, maybe? With you.''

''Travel...''

Now that Kierra thought about it, she hadn't had a chance to explore this realm until now properly. Before, she had to constantly fight a terrifying demon called 'laziness,' after all.

Imagining herself quietly admiring the exotic beauty of another civilization got the archwizard's heart thumped. Buried in the midst of people, letting the wind guide her through the continent...

It was too attractive.

''Alright.''

As soon as she decided that, she notified her crew about her plan. Surprisingly, it was August who asked if anybody wanted to follow the couple.

With every one of them shouting a profound 'yes,' the trip was bound to be lively... except it wasn't. As it was, Mie Xieren would need to come back to her sect for work soon, so she promised to catch up with them later in the trip. Tian Yun was the sect leader, so she couldn't be away for long, either.

For Qinling Peak, which was full of young girls, it would be unmanageable if both Yu Chen, the peak's master, and Bai Qing, the eldest martial sister, were to be absent. So, it was decided through a round of rock-paper-scissors that Yu Chen would need to stay.

With her purple eyes full of despair, Yu Chen stared intently at Kang Shuren, who had no responsibility and thus was confidently following Kierra.

In the end, there were only four people accompanying each other.

And it just happened to be two young women and two of the most formidable entities in the world.

Sitting inside a carriage, Bai Qing and Kang Shuren couldn't help but feel nervous. Usually, they would have one of the three 'elders' to take on communicating with Kierra and August, but here, they only had each other.

To avoid pulling unwanted attention, White Lotus prepared a relatively normal-sized carriage as well, so the distance between them was unnaturally short.

''So... we're going to Hanam this time,'' August spoke. ''What's there?''

Rightfully, the question was directed at the two young women.

''Erm... that is where the Immortal League is located, Miss August.'' Bai Qing replied.

''Immortal League?'' August raised her eyebrow.

''It is something similar to the Linoel Federation.'' Kierra chimed in.

Linoel was the name of the continent on which Kierra used to live. At this comparison, August let out an understanding 'Ah~' before leaning on the archwizard's shoulder, seemingly losing interest.

''Is there a reason the sect leader told us to go there?'' Kang Shuren turned to Bai Qing.

''Ah... it was too sudden, so she didn't tell me either.'' Bai Qing smiled awkwardly. ''But I think she wants us to see the upcoming Dragons and Phoenixes Gathering.''

''Oh, that.''

''That sounds like nonsense again,'' August interjected absentmindedly. ''You guys really love overly pretentious stuff, don't you?''

''Ahahah...'' Bai Qing scratched her cheek, finding no word to refute.

''Explain.''

''Eh?''

''I said explain.''

Swallowing a hot breath, Bai Qing diligently recited the information about this event.

''In essence, it is a gathering of the most promising stars in this generation. There should be a friendly tournament following the meeting as well.''

At this, both Kierra and August perked up.

''Didn't they do that a while ago?'' The archwizard asked, stroking her lover's hair.

''It's different this time, Master Kierra.'' Bai Qing shook her head. ''This tournament is exclusive to the strongest geniuses, whereas the Sprout Tournament was merely for 'talents' of immortal sects.''

In reality, there were groups that held power aside from immortal sects. Noble clans and governments—such were also thriving in this world.

This meant that even more talents would be present and, thus, more potential disciples for Kierra to snatch.

'I see...'

Suddenly, she thought the usually oblivious Tian Yun was quite clever today, not knowing that the White Lotus had no idea about any of this—she simply wanted the specialty snack of the region, which Bai Qing would buy for her later.

Nevertheless, the carriage continued, and it would take a while before they reached Hanam.