This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

Lucia, despite her undead nature, bore the telltale signs of her transformation. Her skin was deathly pale, devoid of any color. Her movements exuded a cold and eerie presence. The deep blue hair that marked her siren heritage had faded into a mix of blue and white. Her legs, which once transformed into shimmering tails in seawater, could no longer do so.

Yet despite the deathly aura surrounding her, her gaze and smile were invigorating, uplifting the spirits of those around her.

When Rita entered the tavern, Lucia was chatting with the barkeep. Whatever the barkeep said made Lucia burst into laughter.

This image of Lucia was completely unlike what Rita had imagined. There was no despair, no melancholy, no guardedness toward the people around her. She wasn't the loving, gentle figure Rita had expected either.

Instead, Lucia was a force of life and energy, even in her undead form.

Lucia was surrounded by people of various races, all vying for her attention. Wherever the conversation turned, she became the center of it.

Rita chose not to disturb her. She found a seat in a corner, ordered ice cream for the invisible Nivalis, who hid between her and the wall, and waited patiently.

Eavesdropping on the conversation, Rita realized most of it consisted of amusing anecdotes about students and children, none of which interested her. Not wanting to waste time, she took out Hecipah's second notebook and began reading.

This notebook was thinner than the first but contained much more advanced material. As she read, Rita's ideas for a low-budget version of [Melting Time] became clearer. She started jotting down her thoughts in her own notebook, a habit she had developed after seeing even a genius like Hecipah keep meticulous notes.

As she wrote, she suddenly sensed Nivalis retreat into the pet space.

The next moment, a melodic voice resonated beside her, so beautiful it felt like a song:

"Are you Hecipah's student?"

Rita froze mid-sentence. She stood up immediately and greeted the speaker with respect. "Lady Lucia."

Lucia studied the minotaur in front of her for a few seconds before shaking her head. "This isn't your true appearance."

Lucia knew Hecipah wouldn't teach a minotaur. If she ever did, that persistent lovestruck minotaur who still pined for her would chase her down in the Dark City, demanding to know if she'd finally come to appreciate minotaur beauty. Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire

Rita didn't deny it, nor did she confirm her connection to Hecipah. The relationship was too significant to share casually. Only she, Hecipah, and Kayden knew about it, and she intended to keep it that way.

"I'm here to deliver something on behalf of Teacher Hecipah," she said, producing the three notebooks and offering them with both hands.

Lucia flipped through a few pages, then placed the notebooks on the table. She gestured with her hand, summoning a jellyfish-shaped phantom that quickly expanded to enclose their table.

"Sit. No one can see or hear us now."

Three bottles of juice appeared on the table. Lucia added, "This is from Yaran City, not something you'll find in Eternal Night Fortress. Drink."

Rita didn't quite understand the significance of Lucia's comment about the juice but grasped that she wasn't allowed to leave just yet. She also realized Lucia knew she'd brought a pet earlier but didn't press her to release Nivalis.

Rita didn't touch the juice. Instead, she said respectfully, "I'm only here to complete Teacher Hecipah's task. Now that you've received the notebooks, I should take my leave."

Lucia glanced at the open notebook in front of Rita. "Are you working on a low-level version of [Melting Time]?"

Rita's eyes lit up. She didn't miss the signal in Lucia's question. A chance to be guided by an epic-level alchemist was too precious to pass up!

After a moment of internal struggle, she sat back down, trying to suppress her excitement. "Yes. May I be so bold as to ask for your guidance?"

Lucia chuckled, amused by Rita's quick shift in demeanor. It reminded her of Hecipah.

Back when Hecipah was a child, she had acted similarly. At first, she was wary of Lucia, feigning disinterest in alchemy despite the strong scent of herbs clinging to her. She was so cold toward Lucia that she would hide from her during their free time.

One day, as Lucia was sunbathing on a swing in the backyard, she caught the scent of Hecipah's mistake. Without opening her eyes, she mused aloud, "Why does a beginner's healing potion start smelling bitter halfway through brewing?"

From the bushes came a hesitant, childish voice: "Why… does it?"

Lucia, suppressing laughter, replied, "The preparation of groundroot is flawed. Poor quality affects the potion. Try spraying it with calming flower juice and letting it sit for five minutes before use."

A long pause followed. Then, from the bushes: "Thank you."

Now, looking at this sharp-eyed, cautious minotaur, who had bristled defensively moments ago but immediately abandoned her vigilance at the prospect of learning, Lucia was certain.

There was no need to ask further. This was clearly Hecipah's student—the kind of student who could make even Hecipah take time out of her life to teach.

Lucia decided this was someone worth investing her time in.

For over an hour, she generously answered Rita's questions, even building a lesson around the herbs needed for [Melting Time]. Rita listened, utterly absorbed.

If Hecipah's teaching was like a college student tutoring for pocket money, then Lucia was a master educator.

For someone like Rita, still an alchemy novice, either teacher was more than adequate.

Initially, Rita had intended to ask a few questions and leave. But by the end, she couldn't bear to get up. When Lucia finally stopped, Rita realized how captivated she had been.

I let my guard down…

She had started out so wary she wouldn't even drink the juice, yet now, after one lesson, she found herself admiring Lucia. She even felt a sense of accomplishment whenever one of her naive questions made Lucia laugh.

In the end, she eagerly presented every potion she had ever brewed, seeking Lucia's feedback.

No matter how basic or clumsy her questions were, Lucia answered them patiently, expanding on related topics and teaching Rita how to think critically and identify core issues.

In just one lesson, Lucia had accomplished what would have taken Hecipah ten.