Who hid My Corpse!

Hewinia's expression gradually revealed a longing, "Listening to you makes it seem like the Lord is right beside us."

"Of course," Ulysses said with a smile, "the Lord has always been by our side, and the melody is the bridge through which we communicate with the Lord."

After a long speech, Ulysses finally showed signs of fatigue.

If it weren't for Bai Wei repeatedly reminding Hewinia that Ulysses was a dangerous person, from all aspects, Ulysses would seem like a completely normal old man.

"That's enough for today," Ulysses said after catching his breath and easing his expression, adding gently, "You must be even busier now, after all, there's only a little more than a month left. It's a good thing that the Chapters have been decided, now strive for it. I'm really looking forward to your performance at the festival."

Ulysses was obviously giving a polite dismissal, and Hewinia wisely stood up to say goodbye.

As soon as she stepped out of the house, she saw Anita who had been waiting outside. The snow accumulating on her head and shoulders clearly indicated that she had been waiting for quite some time.

Hewinia immediately greeted her, "Sister Anita."

Anita nodded, "I'll walk you back."

"Okay~"

Hewinia then followed Anita on the small mountain path.

It had been like that for a while, ever since Ulysses started treating Hewinia like his own granddaughter, Hewinia naturally grew closer to Anita who had been looking after Ulysses, so she naturally started calling Anita 'sister.'

Anita didn't refuse and even escorted her from the dormitory to the cottage and back again every day.

Through these daily trips, Hewinia came to understand Anita more deeply.

"Sister Anita, I want to ask you a question," Hewinia spoke up.

Anita glanced at Hewinia, "You want to ask why I still haven't joined the Orchestra, right?"

"Yes," Hewinia nodded vigorously, "most of the Inner Song Orchestra's spots have been decided now, aren't you worried?"

"No need to worry," Anita said with a faint smile, "I won't miss the festival."

Seeing Anita was unwilling to talk further, Hewinia could only nod and kick at the snow under her feet while pretending to be indifferent and saying, "I see~"

Anita glanced at Hewinia's playful actions, then suddenly asked, "Hewinia, what's your relationship with Karen Chuke like?"

"Mr. Chuke?" Hewinia was visibly surprised by Anita's sudden mention of Karen, but was inwardly on alert, "We have a pretty decent relationship, I suppose."

"How decent?"

"Um," Hewinia tilted her head, "it's alright, I guess."

"I see."

Anita nodded as well and didn't say much more, continuing on the path.

...That's it?

Hewinia was puzzled, not understanding what Anita meant.

Just as she was about to ask, Anita walking ahead suddenly said, "You shouldn't mate with him."

Such a blunt statement made Hewinia freeze for a moment, and she slipped; if Anita hadn't caught her in time, she would have certainly had a solid fall.

"You, what are you talking about!" Hewinia was completely flustered.

"I'm quite serious," Anita said, "Do not mate with him, there's something wrong with his body."

Hewinia was about to say that there's no way she would do 'that' with him, but she stopped, realizing that Anita's emphasis was on the latter part of the sentence.

"You mean, his..."

"Yes," Anita confirmed, "those festering sores on his face are contagious. If you get too intimate with him, it's quite likely you could catch it."

Is that why you're warning me?

Hewinia said, "There's no way I would do 'that' with him anyway, but... are his sores really that serious? Can't the Taichu family cure it?"

"No," Anita shook her head, "they are curable, but he doesn't want it."

Hewinia was even more surprised, "Doesn't want it? Why not?"

"Because the condition for curing is that he would permanently lose his notes," Anita said calmly, "His festering sores are essentially the result of an abnormal transformation of his notes, so what's damaged are his notes. To heal, you'd have to destroy the entire pattern of notes, but he doesn't want to do that."

"...So it's like that?" Hewinia murmured, "Mr. Chuke really is pitiful then."

"Hehe... Pitiful?" Anita chuckled and shook her head, "You'll probably not think so soon enough."

You'll change your mind soon.

Hewinia was about to ask more, but Anita had already stopped walking because the path by the mountain had come to an end.

"Hewinia, under no circumstances should you become involved with him," Anita warned, looking intently at Hewinia. "Your note cannot be tainted by him, for you are to be an offering to the Lord; there must not be the slightest filth upon you."

It was the first time Anita had spoken to her with such grave seriousness in Hewinia's memory.

This caused her to unconsciously reply, "I understand."

Upon hearing this response, Anita nodded, said, "Come directly to me if there's trouble," then turned and left.

Hewinia watched Anita's retreating figure, lost in thought.

What prompted this sudden caution from Anita?

Why did she think Hewinia would get involved with Karen?

She said that Hewinia would soon stop thinking that way—what did that mean?

So why can't she make her meaning clear? Why yet another person of riddles?

Hewinia sighed softly to herself.

Then she glanced at the sky, and turning around, she made her way to the teaching building to attend today's rehearsal.

After arriving in the classroom, Hewinia noted that most people had already arrived; only Phinis had not yet come.

Because of Anita's warning, Hewinia specifically glanced at Karen.

Karen still sat in the corner as usual, silent; in fact, he had been remarkably untroublesome this past month, not at all the troublemaker Hewinia had originally imagined.

So why did Anita warn her?

Especially at this moment in time.

Hewinia began to contemplate again, and soon she sensed something was amiss.

It wasn't Karen that was amiss, but... Molly.

She turned to look at Molly, who was just sitting there, staring blankly at her seat, lost in thought.

This was even stranger.

Because usually, Molly would definitely be doting over her by now, since in the end, Hewinia had chosen a Chapters favorable to Molly, allowing her to stay in the Orchestra. So, Molly ought to be treating Hewinia like royalty, why the indifference today?

What was going on?

It was then that Phinis entered through the doorway.

Hewinia instinctively looked over and noticed Phinis's complexion... was also poor.

What on earth was happening?!

Hewinia felt that something significant had occurred all of a sudden, and yet she was completely unaware.

Fortunately, Phinis didn't intend to keep the last matter secret from her.

"Today's rehearsal is canceled," Phinis said directly to everyone, then turned to look at Hewinia, "Hewinia, come outside with me for a moment."

Hewinia knew something big was about to unfold and immediately followed him out.

As soon as she stepped outside, Phinis spoke bluntly.

"He's here."

Hewinia was taken aback, "He? Who?"

"Mm," Phinis's face darkened, "Last night, three Mountain Guards were killed."

Hewinia's mouth fell slightly open, "You mean..."

"Yes."

Phinis spoke slowly.

"That Cesar guy has entered the First Academy."

Hewinia was stunned.