Chapter 6

"Are you that resentful of me?"

The clear, melodious child's voice suddenly echoed in the room, startling Yang Xi. He looked around and shouted, "Who? Who's playing tricks, come out!"

Suddenly, the surrounding space shattered like a mirror, and Yang Xi found himself in a dark world. In front of him stood an incredibly cute little girl. Strangely, in this dark world, where there was no light, he could clearly see the little girl.

Her large, sparkling eyes radiated wisdom, as if they could speak. Her slender fingers, with distinct joints, brushed the black hair that fell like seaweed over her shoulders. Her delicate, perfect face seemed to be blessed by the heavens. She touched her pink, moist lips, half-closed her eyes, and despite her innocent and carefree appearance, she gave off a sense of holiness and solemnity, making one want to bow in reverence.

"The appearance of Akasha undeniably disrupted your ordinary life, but it also added a rare and precious color to your life, didn't it?" The little girl lectured Yang Xi in a tone that didn't match her youthful appearance, and Yang Xi couldn't refute her.

"You're right, but the deeper the love, the deeper the pain!"

"Because of the current pain, do you want to deny the happiness you once had?"

Yang Xi was taken aback, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Indeed, there was nothing to resent. Eternal happiness doesn't exist in this world. If the price of happiness is pain, then I will struggle in this pain, and cherish those happy memories in my heart, preserving them forever...

At this moment, his heart was completely at peace. Although the wounds in his heart couldn't be erased, he no longer resented anyone.

If I can't keep happiness, I can't blame others; I can only blame myself for not having the ability to keep it by my side.

"Hey, who are you?"

"Hmph, you're really impolite. You can call me Little Girl, Little Sister, or Great Deity, but don't call me 'Hey,' okay?"

"Uh~ I'm sorry, I was impolite."

For such a mysterious and powerful being, Yang Xi felt it was better to go along with her.

"Hmph, since you sincerely apologize, I'll be merciful and tell you. I have many names. Some call me God, some call me Hongjun, and some call me Gaia, but I like being called the Way of Heaven the most."

With each name the little girl mentioned, Yang Xi was shocked, then more shocked, and finally completely stunned.

Damn, I just cursed the heavens, and now the Way of Heaven has caught me. These days, so many people curse the heavens, and whenever the main character is a bit unhappy, they curse the heavens to please the audience. Why did it have to be me who got caught? The Way of Heaven is too petty!

Throughout the entire conversation, Yang Xi never doubted the little girl's words. After all, she had brought him to this dark space without anyone noticing and was so familiar with Akasha's story that there was no reason to lie.

He had heard that God is a girl, Gaia is a little girl, and he never imagined that the venerable Hongjun would be... Well, this is just the difference in culture. Different cultures have different names for the Way of Heaven. Could this be the so-called Trinity?

Yang Xi's reaction pleased the little girl. She smiled smugly and delivered a message that filled Yang Xi with immense joy.

"The great way of fifty, forty-nine are manifested by the heavens, and all beings have a sliver of hope. Akasha bears a significant mission, sacrificing herself to feed the demon, and has done a great service to her world. As a reward, I granted her a wish before she sealed herself. Now that her wish has been fulfilled, she has returned to her original world. Since we have met, it is a sign of fate, and I can give you a chance to make a wish. However, in exchange, you must help me with something, something within your capabilities."

"Okay!" With this opportunity, he could find Akasha, no matter where she was, and fulfill his promise.

"I want to be with the one I love forever."

When Yang Xi stated his wish, the little girl smiled enigmatically, "The contract is sealed."

Then, the dark space suddenly emitted a blinding white light. Yang Xi went temporarily blind, and when his vision returned, he found himself on a cliff by a strange, blood-red sea, wearing a green jacket and brown pants, with a black bag in his hand.

"What is this?"

In the face of this sudden situation, Yang Xi calmly opened the bag to check its contents.

No need to guess; even his toes could tell he had been transported to another world, and that a little girl had sent him here to fulfill his wish, just like how Akasha was thrown onto the street. As for the wish, the little girl didn't grant it directly but gave him some help to achieve it on his own, making it more meaningful.

Easily obtained things are not cherished, that's the idea.

As for the task he had to help the little girl with, let's call it a "mission." He had no idea what it was, but when she needed him, she would naturally notify him. After all, as the Way of Heaven, it wouldn't be a big deal for her.

The bag contained a bank card, an ID card, and an admission notice, nothing more.

"Tsk, really stingy." But thinking of Akasha standing helplessly on the street with nothing, Yang Xi felt a bit better. Compared to her, the Way of Heaven had been considerate to him, after all, he was just a recently graduated ordinary high school student with no special abilities. Even though he didn't know how much money was in the bank card, it was better than having nothing, at least he wouldn't have to worry about starving or becoming a beggar.

"Yanghai Academy? Could this be...?!"

He carefully examined the beautifully framed yellow admission notice and was startled.

Being a regular anime fan, he naturally knew about Yanghai Academy and was anxious about his upcoming life.

"Huh? Something's not right. If this is the world of 'Cross and Vampire,' then isn't Akasha...?"

Akasha Bradly, at the mention of this name, Yang Xi recalled some details. "Could it be? Well, let's take it one step at a time."

'Cross and Vampire' started airing in 2008, and the manga began in 2004, so it had been quite a while. Yang Xi's memory of the plot was hazy, and he only remembered the main characters. This was why he didn't immediately connect Akasha's name to the anime.

Because, in the manga, Akasha Bradly only appeared in the memories of a few people and was never mentioned in the anime.

Walking through the eerie, terrifying forest, even after meeting the Way of Heaven, Yang Xi was still nervous. Especially when the crows on the dead branches cawed, he felt a chill and shivered.

Suddenly, he heard rapid footsteps approaching, and he quickly hid behind a tree.

Closer, even closer!

Sensing the person was nearby, Yang Xi couldn't help but peek out and saw a boy wearing the same uniform as him. From the boy's panicked expression, it seemed he was also startled by the strange environment.

It's not that I'm a coward; everyone is the same.

Sharing the fear, Yang Xi suddenly felt less afraid and stepped out to greet the boy.

"Hey, classmate, hello."

In the relatively quiet environment, the sudden voice made the already nervous boy scream. When he saw that the person was a peer wearing the same uniform, he calmed down, though still a bit uneasy.

"Um... hello, my name is Aono Tsukune, I'm a new student at Yanghai Academy, please take care of me."

Aono Tsukune? Looks like I have good luck.

Realizing the story was just beginning, Yang Xi decided to build a good relationship with this protagonist. If anything happened, it would be good to have him in front, after all, he had the protagonist's aura and was like a cockroach that couldn't be killed.

"My name is Yang Xi, I'm also a new student this year, please take care of me."

They shook hands, and thus they got to know each other. They walked together, chatting and laughing.

After a while, a strange sound approached, and Aono Tsukune's face showed fear again. Yang Xi's eyes sparkled, as if he was expecting something.

Suddenly, he turned around and saw only a bat flying around. Aono Tsukune sighed in relief and was about to continue walking when a powerful force hit him from behind, making him fall flat on his face.

Yang Xi, who was watching coldly, saw a bicycle coming down a small hill and hitting Aono Tsukune. The rider, unable to stop, flew up and landed in Yang Xi's arms, the impact almost knocking the breath out of him.

"Damn, my body can't take this!"

"Ah, sorry, I'm a bit anemic and got dizzy."

The rider, who was unharmed, sat up and apologized, which made Yang Xi, who was annoyed by the unexpected misfortune, freeze.

She was a beautiful, cute girl with pink, flowing hair and green, gem-like eyes. Of course, for Yang Xi, who already knew her identity, her beauty alone didn't make him stare. What truly stunned him was how much she resembled someone.

"Akasha?"

Yes, she looked so much like Akasha Bradly. If it weren't for the different hair and eye colors, they could have been twins. Of course, Akasha was more mature in both demeanor and figure, as this girl was only about fifteen or sixteen years old.

"Ah? Do you know me?"

Yang Xi, in a daze, had unintentionally said the name, which made the girl freeze. She remained on top of him, not getting up or asking if he was hurt.

"No, it's the first time I've seen you."

Regaining his senses, Yang Xi quickly denied it.

Although she didn't understand why he denied it, the girl didn't think she had misheard and didn't press further.

Sitting on Yang Xi, she smiled and introduced herself, "Hello, my name is Akasaka Moka, please take care of me."

PS: Akasaka in Japanese is pronounced the same as Akasha.

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