Rui arched an eyebrow. “Are you bribing me to go with you?”
Yiran replied without missing a beat. “No, I’m cheering you up, silly. Friends don’t have to bribe friends.” He smiled.
We really are friends, Rui thought. She smiled back. “In that case, make it a whole pint.”
Located behind the Simulator building, the north field was close to the edge of the campus and less well-lit. It was dark by the time they arrived after Rui demolished her pint of ice cream. She could see the twinkling stars, wisps of clouds, and the serene face of the waxing moon. The night breeze from the sea over Xingshan Mountain brought the subtle scent of snow and a hint of something more. Something that refreshed her senses. She faced the mountain range, thinking about what had happened there.
“Do you feel it too?” Yiran asked quietly next to her. She nodded, and he said, “Ash told me the mountain was sacred.”
The birthplace of Exorcism.Rui suddenly wished Song Wei had told her more. What had it been like all those years ago? Who were the founders of Exorcism and the original secret society? Rui realized there was so much she didn’t know.
“We’re here!” a husky voice called out.
Rui turned.
Mai, Ada, and Teshin were strolling over.
“I heard you’re too shy to demonstrate your spiritual weapon in front of everyone, so it’s just us tonight,” Mai said to Yiran.
Rui shot a puzzled look at Yiran, but he didn’t notice. Spiritual weapon? Was this the surprise he was talking about? She knew he’d made friends with Tesha Mak and she was helping him train on the side. But how was it possible for him to have a spiritual weapon when it wasRui’smagic that he was using? The only spiritual weapon he could match with was her dual swords.
“Always good to get a boost of confidence from my most ardent fans before I unleash my greatness on the locals,” Yiran quipped.
“Whoo-hoo,” Teshin said monotonously, pretending to wave imaginary pom-poms in the air. “Hang on, Tesha and I need a favor from all of you.” They pulled out several small velvet pouches from their backpack and distributed them.
“What’s this?” Rui asked, flipping the pouch. Tiny coins rolled out onto her palm. They shimmered with a faint crimson light.
“Qi bombs,” Teshin replied. “Tesha’s new incendiary weapon. Could you test it and give her feedback?”
Ada was rolling one between her fingers. “They look more like qi pennies.”
“Sure, we’ll test it,” Rui said, stuffing the velvet pouch into her pocket.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Mai grumbled at Yiran, pulling her coat tighter. “I’m freezing. Quick, show us.”
“Patience is a virtue.” Yiran smirked. He removed a slinky glove from his pocket. The material shone under the field lights. It looked metallic, but light and malleable like silk.
“Aglove?” Mai exclaimed. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone having a glove for a spiritual weapon.”
“Technically, it isn’t a spiritual weapon,” Teshin revealed.
“What do you mean—” Rui asked.
“True,” Yiran said at the same time, “but it allows me to dothis.”
He stuck his hand out and channeled.
A large, glowing crimson circle appeared in front of them, the size of a truck.
“A defensive shield this big?” Ada gushed. “That’s upper-level magic.”
Mai let out a low whistle. “Well done, er shaoye.”
Rui stared at Yiran’s shield, a confusing mix of emotions rioting in her. It washermagic that was doing this, her magic that was impressing her peers.
Seemingly unaware of Rui’s feelings, Yiran kept on grinning. He didn’t seem to mind Mai’s use of the honorific either.
“This shield is stronger than the ones cast from talismans because itdoesn’t need a secondary diversion of magic,” Teshin said. “And guess what? He can make even bigger ones.”
