Genshin Impact: Joining the Genius Society

Chapter 398: Chapter 398: Kamisato Ayaka, Discouraged by Kitsune Saiguu

"So... is he really your master?"

Now that she could finally communicate with Jingliu, Raiden Ei immediately asked the question that had been bothering her the most.

"Of course not."

"I merely said, ’In any field, the more accomplished person can be considered the teacher,’ and he immediately took a mile after being given an inch."

Naturally, Jingliu had no intention of acknowledging Su Ran as her master.

She hadn’t actually learned anything from him.

There was no reason to call him Master.

"...I see."

Ei let out a sigh of relief.

She’d honestly begun to think Su Ran had been pretending the whole time.

To possess swordsmanship of that caliber while acting so clueless...

"Then why are your sword styles so similar?"

That was the second question on Ei’s mind.

"He learned it from me."

The answer nearly made Ei’s brain shut down again.

There were certainly cases of students surpassing their teachers.

But Jingliu was a swordswoman she herself acknowledged as an equal—a powerhouse from beyond the stars.

How had Su Ran surpassed her?

...And he really had no shame.

She’d only made a polite remark about "the accomplished being the teacher," yet he’d immediately claimed the title.

It fit Ei’s impression of Su Ran perfectly.

"How long did it take him?"

The more Jingliu thought about it, the more depressed she became.

"Only five minutes."

"He mastered my swordsmanship in five minutes..."

"...and even improved upon it."

That was the part Jingliu found hardest to accept.

It made the one who taught him seem utterly incompetent.

"..."

Ei’s thoughts became even more tangled.

She shouldn’t have asked.

Not asking had already been painful enough.

Now that she knew...it hurt even more.

Wasn’t she just asking for emotional damage?

"It seems I’m not the only one whose confidence has been shattered."

Seeing Ei wearing the same expression of existential doubt, Jingliu finally felt a little better.

"Right now, he’s using your swordsmanship to flirt with little girls."

"And that doesn’t bother you at all?"

Realizing she’d become the one being laughed at,

Ei immediately counterattacked.

"What he chooses to do is his business."

"Why should it concern me?"

Jingliu answered indifferently.

Ei’s counterattack accomplished absolutely nothing.

She felt a little unwilling.

Not only had she failed to shake Jingliu, it instead made her look like the one with the narrower mind.

Despite Jingliu looking much younger than herself.

Jingliu, meanwhile, sensed a trace of hostility.

"Lord Su Ran..."

"May I learn swordsmanship from you?"

After receiving the Synesthesia Beacon,

Ayaka finally voiced the request she’d been holding back.

"Of course."

"You’re also a one-handed swordswoman."

"You use ice."

"You have white hair."

"You wear blue-and-black clothes."

"If you want to learn, I’d be happy to teach you."

After all, Ayaka and Jingliu shared quite a few similarities.

There were a surprising number of overlapping traits.

So Su Ran was perfectly willing to teach her.

"Then what about me, Benefactor?"

Kitsune Saiguu hurried over as well.

She wasn’t particularly interested in swordsmanship.

But using sword lessons as an excuse to spend more time with Su Ran?

Now that interested her.

She had only just been brought back to life, yet she’d hardly had any opportunities to be with her benefactor.

That felt like such a waste.

"If you want to learn, that’s fine too."

"My swordsmanship is open to anyone who wishes to learn."

"...As long as they’re beautiful girls."

Considering that being a teacher sounded troublesome,

Su Ran decided to add a restriction.

No teaching men.

No teaching ugly people.

From afar, Jingliu, with her excellent hearing, heard every word.

Her expression darkened.

"Oh?"

"So in Benefactor’s eyes..."

"I’m considered a beautiful girl too?"

Kitsune Saiguu had always been extremely confident in her appearance.

Her age, however, wasn’t something she could fake.

And since Su Ran was the one who resurrected her, he obviously knew exactly how old she was.

"Hmm..."

"You feel more like a mature beauty than a young girl."

"In that case, I’ll loosen the requirements."

"As long as you’re beautiful, I’ll teach you."

After giving Kitsune Saiguu another careful look, Su Ran decided "beautiful woman"

fit her better than "beautiful girl."

She really was another version of Yae Miko.

Just...far less mischievous.

"A mature beauty?"

"I’ll gladly take that."

Stretching lazily,

Kitsune Saiguu subtly showed off her figure right in front of both Ayaka and Su Ran.

Even beneath the thick shrine maiden robes, her nearly perfect physique couldn’t be concealed.

One glance alone left Ayaka feeling utterly defeated.

The difference... wasn’t small at all.

"...It’s okay."

"I’ll grow eventually."

Ayaka could only comfort herself quietly.

She simply hadn’t fully matured yet.

Given enough time, she definitely wouldn’t lose to Kitsune Saiguu.

Then she remembered what Su Ran had just said to her.

She couldn’t help glancing toward Jingliu in the distance.

When I get home...

I’ll change into looser clothes.

If I end up like Miss Jingliu... that would be bad.

Realizing she already shared quite a few similarities with Jingliu,

Ayaka immediately resolved to change her style of dress, determined not to follow Jingliu’s path.

Meanwhile, still chatting with Ei, Jingliu suddenly felt another inexplicable wave of hostility.

She instinctively looked toward Su Ran’s group, found nothing unusual, and quietly withdrew her gaze.

"If Saiguu really wants me to notice..."

"Why not try dressing more like Yae Miko?"

Su Ran had immediately seen through the white fox’s intentions.

"My, how straightforward."

"I thought I’d have to put in a little more effort before winning Benefactor’s favor."

"But if it’s mutual attraction..."

"...then there’s nothing to worry about."

As a mature fox spirit— and Yae Miko’s predecessor—

Kitsune Saiguu wasn’t someone who became shy so easily.

If she weren’t worried about being viewed as indecent, she would’ve gone looking for Su Ran last night

to "complete the relationship."

She’d heard none of the others had made a move yet.

But since Su Ran had already said as much, tonight would work just fine.

Being the first one to eat the crab—what a wonderful opportunity.

She’d originally thought that reviving so much later than Raiden Makoto meant she’d already missed her chance.

Who would’ve guessed everyone else was so conservative?

Even Yae Miko was.

Compared to such an open-minded Kitsune Saiguu, the far more reserved Kamisato Ayaka was completely at a loss.

There was no way she could ever be as bold as Saiguu.

So she could only stand there, anxiously staring, listening to their conversation.

Did they really have to say things like that right in front of me...?

"Ayaka."

"It’s alright."

"You’re wonderful just the way you are."

"I like you very much."

Su Ran gently patted Ayaka’s shoulder in consolation.

His expression was sincere.

He truly meant it.

"Hehe..."

"But I absolutely refuse to stop here!"

Standing where she was,

Ayaka silently made a vow.

No matter what...she absolutely could not lose to Kitsune Saiguu.

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