## 178. The Missing Lilith
==============================
Lilith was definitely missing.
After checking Lin Nan’s current state, Li Na discovered that Lilith’s soul had completely evaporated from Lin Nan’s body. Poof! Gone!
But even without the soul, the “inheritance” was still intact. Lin Nan was still at risk of transforming into Lilith’s form thanks to that heap of alternate world memories and could still unlock new magic.
But the big question was, where did that witch go?
“Could it be that she’s completely kicked the bucket?” Lin Nan sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, hands resting on her thighs, legs squeezed tightly together. “Like, soul-flying-away kind of dead?”
“Impossible! The last time I checked, her soul was quite strong; it just hasn’t woken up yet…”
“So she just looks at my body and runs away?”
“Even if she doesn’t like your body, she should at least like the magic inside it.” Li Na shook her head. “Maybe her consciousness just woke up and she’s wandering in a daze?”
Sleepwalking? Great!
So, why on earth was this happening?
Both Lin Nan and Li Na were puzzled, and the pressing issue was that Lilith had skedaddled off—who knows where she’d end up. The scenes from the first chapter of this book could easily end up happening to someone else, and that person could tragically be possessed by Lilith.
Just the thought of someone becoming her scapegoat made Lin Nan’s face break into an involuntary grin.
But when Li Na turned to look at her, Lin Nan hurriedly switched her expression to a three-second moment of mourning for Lilith.
“It’s fine, you head back for now. I’ll try to find her.” Li Na sighed heavily. “How many times have I told you to come find me when you’re ready to unlock the third magic? Look at the mess you’ve made now!”
Who knew unlocking the third magic meant being used as a casting tool? You always treat me like a lab rat and now this is my fault?
Lin Nan couldn’t be bothered to bicker back. She knew if she won the argument, her life could be at stake!
After turning into a girl, Lin Nan wasn’t too keen on going outside. She thought about buying some breakfast on her way back to the dormitory, but the moment she sensed someone paying attention to her, her cheeks turned crimson, and she hurriedly looked down, pretending to be engrossed in her phone while bolting away.
After she finally adapted to her feminine appearance, she still couldn’t get used to being the center of attention.
By the time she returned to the dorm at ten in the morning, Chen Yao was already awake but still lounging in bed playing with his phone. He peeked over when he heard Lin Nan enter.
“Is Cola acting weird today?”
“Weird how?”
“It keeps making these gurgling noises. No idea what it’s on about.” Chen Yao complained. “Can’t even enjoy my weekend sleep because of it.”
Lin Nan finally glanced over at Cola, who was squatting on her seat and continuing its odd vocalizations, occasionally nibbling on its own tail and letting out an “Awooo!”
Cola’s sudden bizarre behavior made Lin Nan suspect the cat might be sick, but do cat illnesses even manifest in their mental state?
Could it be a skin disease?
She walked over and scooped up Cola, planning to check it out. But Cola let out a yowl and promptly launched itself out of her arms, landing face-first on the ground, rolling over, and then scuttling across to the corner.
It used to love Lin Nan’s hugs.
Is something really wrong?
Squatting down, Lin Nan observed the seemingly spooked Cola from a distance.
“I heard cats can see things people can’t.” Chen Yao suddenly chimed in.
Meaning there might be ghosts in the dorm?
And then Lin Nan thought about Lilith.
Could it be that Lilith’s soul was still lurking around the dorm? Is that why Cola was acting so weird?
A chill ran down Lin Nan’s spine as she suddenly felt a sinister gaze on her, as if it was poised to dive into her body and take control.
Lin Nan turned to give Chen Yao a hard glare. “Don’t say nonsensical stuff! There are no ghosts!”
Even as she dismissed the idea, Lin Nan felt a little uneasy.
If Lilith was truly lurking around, waiting for a chance to hijack her body, then the dorm was the most dangerous place for her to be.
But if she ran, wouldn’t Lilith just follow her?
Although Lin Nan had magic at her disposal, she couldn’t see souls or anything. In fact, she still didn’t fully understand what magic energy even was and had never felt the magic within her.
But since Lilith hadn’t made her move the night before, it probably meant that there was something off with that witch too, right?
With that thought, Lin Nan felt a bit better and wandered over to the balcony to check on the duvet cover she had washed last night.
It was totally dry.
The sun was blazing today; the bedding had only been out for a few hours and was already thoroughly dried.
Time for a purification spell to ensure it didn’t leak again.
The underwear she’d replaced this morning was still in need of a wash, and living in a boys’ dorm, those bl**d-stained items could only be hidden away. If a roommate saw them, she’d have no idea how to explain.
Chen Yao got off the bed, heading to the balcony with his toiletries. Glancing at Lin Nan as she gathered her duvet cover, he asked, “Why does it smell like bl**d in your room?”
“Does it?” Lin Nan feigned ignorance.
“I’ve noticed it since last night. Today, it’s pretty much gone.” Chen Yao teased, “You didn’t, like, have a little accident, did you?”
“……”
“But that seems unlikely…” Chen Yao scratched his head, knowing Lin Nan wasn’t due for her monthly visit yet.
To gather the bedding, Lin Nan positioned herself at the far end of the balcony. But as she finished and turned around, she saw Chen Yao had taken up all the space, leaving no room for her to pass.
The balcony was small to begin with; two people could normally fit, but the washing sink took up half the space, making the other areas crowded.
“Could you move over a bit?”
Once upon a time, Lin Nan would have squeezed by without hesitation, but now she couldn’t stand the thought of any physical contact.
“Uh-huh.” Chen Yao straightened up, making a slight gap.
“I mean, move over to the door side…”
“Why are you being so picky?” Chen Yao rolled his eyes, but when he looked up and caught a glimpse of Lin Nan’s beautiful girl glare, it suddenly hit him: this wasn’t his familiar buddy anymore.
She was now a hot girl. Gotcha.
That stare was like a flirtatious wink; it was making his knees weak.
Chen Yao swiftly stepped aside, allowing Lin Nan, arms full of bedding, to pass.
However, just as Lin Nan entered the dorm through the back door, she was greeted by Cola launching itself at her with a loud “Awooo!”
Holy moly!
Lin Nan stumbled back a couple of steps, stepping squarely on Chen Yao’s toes. With a lurch, her body lost balance and crashed backward.
Oof, that was soft; didn’t hurt at all.
Her head bumped against Chen Yao’s sturdy chest, and before she could register what was happening, she found herself enveloped in his arms as he stumbled backward, ultimately crashing against the railing.
She dazedly looked up at Chen Yao, who was grimacing in pain, and sheepishly asked, “You alright?”
“My foot hurts, my back hurts, ahhh…” Chen Yao grumbled, barely able to focus on the girl in his arms. “What is that crazy cat doing?!”
