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n“We’re back. We’re finally back on the city surface. It feels like it has been years since I’ve been back here.”

nAurora could not help the smile that stretch across her face at Rita’s words. The currently-elder female seemed to be teary-eyed to see the upper surface of the city.

nAs good as Rocx academy was, it was still limited in resources due to its location.

nIt would take time for that place to get as fresh and worthy as the planned city around the tower was.

n“Rita, don’t wander off on your own. We are not here for sightseeing. Let’s buy our tickets before we are recognized.”

nAurora pulled the bigger hand holding her own and she tugged Rita toward the bus stand.

nWhile enjoying oneself was all good, Aurora was worried that someone would recognize her in her younger body.

nAnd if someone did recognize her, they would call the tower immediately. Aurora was not sure if she would be able to fight the tower in her current form.

nAs for Rita? She was nowhere near a goddess level right now.

n“Aurora, just relax. You’re a kid right now. There is no way you will get recognized in your current form.”

nRita was right. There was no way in hell that someone would look at Aurora and think of her as the same person who caused so many problems to the tower.

nMaybe something good did come out of her temporary curse.

n“You’re right. Still, we should hurry up and get out of the tower radius. It will take us a day to get to the northern republic.”

n“Fine. You’re a killjoy even as a kid.”

nAurora only smiled back at Rita to hide her real feelings.

nShe did not know why but Aurora could feel that something would happen before they reached the northern republic.

n“Ticket for two to the northern republic.”

nThe man at the counter did not even look up when he handed Rita her ticket. He seemed eager to go home and rest.

nThis lack of attention was fortunate for Aurora and Rita. It reduced their chances of getting found out while out here.

nIt was not until the air was seated in the train that Aurora breathed a sigh of relief. So far so good.

n“See, I told you nothing would happen. You were just worrying for nothing.”

nAurora was inclined to believe Rita more after the lack of action. Maybe it was an indication that everything was going to be alright for now.

n“Maybe you were right. Maybe I was worried for nothing.”

nMaybe the lack of sleep was finally catching up to Aurora now.

nSystem warning. The user Alexander is nearby.

nThe warning came too late.

nOne second Aurora was walking around as if nothing happened, the next second she felt her body collide with something solid in front of her.

n“Aurora, you alright? You did not get hurt by the collision? Right?”

nRita sounded worried but Aurora was more concerned about the silent arrival of Alexander.

n“Oh, it’s you again. How did you manage to get yourself so small? Even your magic feels negligible. I wouldn’t have recognized you if not for the system.”

nDouble **. Alexander had not only managed to run into Aurora, but he also recognized her.

nEverything Aurora had done till now to remain hidden felt like a joke.

n“Huh? Are you sure you are talking to us, mister? I think you made a mistake just now. You see, this girl here is my younger sister and…”

n“Lying to me won’t help you out. I can help you get out of this town undetected.”

n“And why would you do that for us?”

nAurora decided to break her vow of silence. There was no use in staying quiet now. It was more than obvious that she had been found out.

nThe man sounded confused before understanding slammed in his eyes.

n“I’m thinking of taking your offer. And for that, I need to make sure you remain unharmed. So I will help you out for now.”

nAurora felt her eyes widen at the confession. She had made this offer initially as a joke.

nBut Alexander seemed serious about taking Aurora up on her offer. This was a weird twist of fate.

n“Are you trying to trick us? What offer could Aurora have made?…”

nAurora stopped Rita from finishing her sentence.

n“I understand. I can see that you are serious about that offer. In that case, help us out and I’ll send a letter of recommendation for you at the Rocx Academy.”

n“Consider it done.”

nAlexander did not look worried about his ability to get the pair out. And Aurora was not particularly worried about his betrayal.

nAlexander’s aura of corruption was as good as gone.

nIt was clear to Aurora that he had benefited a great deal from this system’s support but she did have the heart to look his file over.

n“Are you sure we can trust him? He’s from the tower.”

nRita had a legitimate reason to sound worried. Aurora had not expected to end up in this situation as well.

nBut surprisingly enough, Aurora was not worried about anything regarding Alexander. Somehow, his arrival elevated some of Aurora’s worry.

nBut the heavy feeling inside her had not disappeared yet. She still felt like something big would happen.

n“I don’t think we have anything to worry about from Alexander’s side. I have a system tracking his every move. He won’t be able to betray us.”

nAurora decided to reveal her trump card.

n“Ohhh. So that’s why you were confident in him. Then I guess we can trust him.”

nAurora nodded before she decided to look up.

nAnd her eyes instantly met a familiar pair. As soon as that happened, Aurora ducked her head and pulled Rita’s hand.

n“We need to get going. We will be in trouble if we stay here any longer.”

nAurora had a sudden realization of why she was having this bad feeling.

nOut of everyone whom Aurora could have met her eyes with, why did it have to be Lady Mei?

nAnd she was not alone. Aurora had also caught the sight of the tower master with her.

nThis was a combination of Aurora’s nightmare. If those two joined hands then Aurora was sure something troublesome would happen soon.

nBut that was the tower’s headache. Aurora could just wash her hands off this topic.

n“What happened? Did you spot someone you recognized? Hey, stop pulling.”

nDespite her complaints, Rita’s aura looked happy at being bossed around.

nAurora had no time to correct Rita’s behavior. Not if she wanted to get away from the nightmare following behind her.

n“Hey, kid. Wait right there. You are not allowed to leave this place.”

nShit. Aurora had been spotted and it seemed as if Lady Mei was heading toward her.

nThe only stroke of good luck Aurora seemed to have was that the tower master looked as surprised as her to see Lady Mei headed their way.

n“What are you doing? Start moving now.”

nAurora’s pulling had turned into a full-force struggle now.

nThankfully, Rita realized the situation. And she finally started cooperating a little too late.

nThe people around them made it difficult for Aurora and Rita to move. They tastefully blocked their way.

nThe pair couldn’t risk hurting the crown in their struggle to get away from Lady Mei either.

nThere would be no choice for them but to meet the goddess.

n“Hey, come this way. Hurry up.”

nBut not all hope had abandoned the pair. After all, they had someone from the tower on their side as well.

nPeople gave way in confusion as Alexander coaxed them to step aside.

nSince Lady Mei had never specified to whom she was ordered not to move, the crowd became confused.

nAlexander used this confusion to lead Aurora and Rita out of the way.

n“Let’s get going now. I booked our tickets for the northern republic. You were headed there, right?”

n“How did you know where…”

nRita started the question before realizing that the terminal they had met Alexander belonged to the northern republic.

nIt was a well-educated guess to think of that place as the destination.

n“Thank you for the tickets. I suppose you will be accompanying us?”

nAurora would not mind having Alexander with them to help out.

nSometimes, having someone affiliated with the tower cleared out a lot of obstacles for you.

nAnd Alexander seemed bright enough to keep himself out of trouble.

n“I might as well accompany you. If Lady Mei spotted me and reported me back then I would be in big trouble with my father. I’ll rather take my chances with you.”

nAurora nodded in agreement. But she also needed to draw the line.

n“You can come along. But don’t act too familiar with us for now. I don’t want rumors to spread that we’re affiliated with her tower.”

n“Don’t worry. I’ll be discreet while under operation. And besides, I will not remain as a tower official for long.”

nThat was true. Once Alexander left the tower things would become clear about Rocx academy’s affiliations.

nBut it was just better not to poke the ashes and cause a potential fire.

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