Chapter 35 ~ So-called School Bullying?
“Hmm, it seems like I’ve grown a little taller again.” In front of the floor-length mirror, the gold-haired girl tiptoed. Leaning against the wall, she gestured to measure her height against the red-paint line marked on the wall.
Yup, she definitely grew a bit taller since a few days ago. It was a rather noticeable change, so much so that she could feel it without even comparing herself to the marks.
The most apparent growth, however, was undoubtedly the blindingly bright headlights adorning her chest. This had almost become Tillysha’s most direct method of observing her own development. If she touched them and they felt bigger than last time, her height must have increased as well.
“I really hope I grow up faster.” Looking into the mirror at the adorable little girl reflected back at her, Tillysha voiced her thoughts aloud, then promptly slapped her cheeks after a moment of realization.
What nonsense was she saying? Acting like a little girl? Was she losing herself in the role?
Gazing at the beautiful figure reflected in the mirror, her dazzling golden hair shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight, radiant like starlight.
In truth, Dillin was able to accept the transition of gender and race so swiftly mainly because he treated Tillysha as his ward.
During these days, watching the elven girl growing day by day, Dillin, having witnessed the entire process, felt it deeply.
It was akin to the feeling of an old dad watching his lovingly nurtured cabbage gradually grow into an adult under his care.
One couldn’t help but wonder what kind of dramatic changes would occur when Tillysha became a “Celestial Being.” Tillysha herself started to look forward to it.
In these recent days, apart from attending the necessary courses for Celestial Sons, Tillysha devoted the rest of her time to Celestial courses. And today was no exception.
After casting the Divine Analysis Technique on her reflection in the mirror, she checked her status bar. Two weeks remained for her transformation into a Celestial Being.
Just one month had started; only two weeks remained now, marking that the progress of the Newcomers’ Crown Cup had surpassed the halfway point.
The upcoming Newcomers’ Crown Cup caused Tillysha some concern because her transformation seemed to coincide with the event. Glancing at the calendar, it looked like she’d just finish her transformation and have to participate in the Crown Cup immediately afterward.
A Celestial Being only undergoes this transformation once in a lifetime. Regardless of whether she’s a late-stage Celestial like Tillysha or even a purely natural one, all Celestial Beings enter a “repression period” about a week before their transformation.
This is because, in the time leading up to the transformation, the body undergoes accelerated changes, making the Celestial’s mental state increasingly unstable. During this period, they accumulate transformative energy—a time when their emotions may become exceptionally irritable or profoundly depressed due to various factors.
Having studied the subject, Tillysha knew that the transformation process wouldn’t take much time, nor would it require any rituals. It was, in essence, a water-to-channel transition, needing no artificial intervention.
However, Tillysha felt a flutter of inner restlessness, unaware of its resemblance to “pre-delivery depression.” This anxiety affected her judgment, leading to unwarranted concerns.
Pushing aside her anxieties for the moment, Tillysha attended to her hair.
Since the moment she came into being, Tillysha had an innate understanding of several skills and habits: how to comb her hair, preserve it, proper etiquette for noble ladies, grooming and decorum, even the making of tea and pastries.
Tillysha also noticed the extreme level of cleanliness and obsessive-compulsive traits this body possessed. For example, before stepping out, her hair must be perfectly combed, free of a single flyaway, absolutely clean, neat, and symmetrical for her to give a satisfied nod. Next came tidying her clothes…
Each of these preparations took Tillysha more than half an hour, and if even one step was missed, she wouldn’t feel comfortable about stepping out. Even if she did, she’d feel as though a million ants were crawling over her body.
Inevitably, she’d return home, grumbling, only to tidy herself properly before venturing out once again.
These physical habits of the body made Tillysha quite miserable. Even drinking water had to be done like a highborn lady, legs crossed, holding her water cup like a delicate porcelain teacup, sipping daintily as if tasting the finest tea.
Dillin had no such refinements when drinking water; be it a roughly made wooden cup or a finely crafted white porcelain tea set, he would always gulp it down without much ado.
For him, drinking water or tea was merely to quench thirst, fulfilling a basic physiological need. It wasn’t a grand affair, so speed and efficiency were the optimal choices.
Tillysha had tried gulping water in her state, but all it got her was a fit of coughing.
Stowing her dilapidated notebook and worn-out ink pen into the old pouch, Tillysha stepped out of her dorm room.
Today’s destination was the Celestial School.
To be honest, Tillysha didn’t want to be a servant to those noble young ladies and gentlemen, but she had no choice. There were a few concepts she hadn’t understood and needed extra tutoring from her teacher.
And, as it turned out, today was no exception either.
After arriving at her seat, Tillysha expressionlessly removed the needle stuck to it, tossed the items in her desk drawer that were meant to tease her into the trash, and wiped off the ink-penned messages like “Ugly Duckling,” “Hideous Girl,” “Nasty b*stard,” and “Air Pollution Waste” written on her desk.
Before the class division, the seats were assigned, but Tillysha always chose the front-right seat, giving her classmates the perfect opportunity.
Once they were sure of her preference, the troublemakers never stopped their antics. They began with putting dead insects in her desk drawer, eventually escalating to sprinkling nails on her chair and writing offensive messages on the desk.
Those involved sneered in the shadows, and those not involved snickered as well, watching and waiting for the show, eager to see how this blonde “ugly duckling” would react.
What they found disappointing was that Tillysha showed no reaction at all. Her keen awareness prevented these pranks from affecting her. Each time she entered the classroom, she meticulously used a damp tissue to clean her seat, avoiding the trick of pricked needles altogether.
As for the other malicious acts, Tillysha dealt with them the same way: no reaction. She merely calmly cleaned the desk and drawers.
To those who initiated the bullying and the audience alike, Tillysha’s lack of reaction was thoroughly dull. These entertainment-seeking individuals weren’t interested in apathy. After all, what is the essence of teasing or bullying someone? Isn’t it for the sheer amusement of seeing the victim’s embarrassment? What’s the fun in tormenting a lifeless doll?
Tillysha’s responses—too calm and indifferent—bored everyone.
Meanwhile, Aileen quietly gripped her skirt hem beneath her seat.
