Chapter 230: the True Face of the Moon Queen (2)

The Moon Queen had assumed it would be incredibly challenging to help her disciple overcome these mental barriers and had even prepared herself for a long, arduous process.

It was for this reason that she had personally come to visit her, intending to guide her through this critical phase.

Yet to her amazement, Sistine had already surpassed her expectations.

Had she overcome it so quickly?

When Sistine finally stopped her practice, she noticed her master leaning against the doorframe, quietly watching—who knew for how long.

A flash of delight lit up Sistine’s face, and she broke into a radiant smile tinged with reliance.

"Master? When did you get here? Are you here to see me?"

The Moon Queen’s expression softened, and she opened her arms.

Without hesitation, Sistine stepped forward, snuggling into her embrace.

“I came to check on you and help you break through to the No-Self State, but it seems my trip was unnecessary.”

The Moon Queen’s voice was warm, filled with pride and relief.

"Congratulations on achieving the No-Self State."

Her emotions were complex. She had worried that Sistine might have been adversely affected by her previous battle, but it seemed her concerns were unwarranted.

Not only had Sistine not been hindered, but she had even progressed.

Still, there were things that needed addressing.

"I heard from Diana that there was an incident when you led the freshmen to raid the goblin nest?"

Hearing her master mention this, Sistine lowered her head in shame.

"It was my lack of skill—I failed to protect the junior students who accompanied me."

The Moon Queen gently patted Sistine on the shoulder.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Unforeseen accidents like that aren’t your fault."

“On that note, I heard you were helped by a boy named Shia during the battle?”

"Him..."

The mention of Shia brought his image to Sistine’s mind, and a soft smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

The Moon Queen had only casually brought him up, as he had been the subject of much praise from her close friend recently.

Few people managed to earn her friend’s admiration.

But watching Sistine’s reaction now, the Moon Queen’s sharp instincts caught on to something deeper.

She suddenly remembered the favor she had asked of her friend.

Her friend had mentioned having a way to help with her disciple’s troubles.

“Did this breakthrough of yours also have something to do with him?”

The Moon Queen’s voice carried a teasing undertone. Sistine’s ears turned red as she instinctively wanted to deny it.

It was as if her most secret feelings had been laid bare.

But before she could speak, her master’s words sank in.

Her experiences with Shia replayed vividly in her mind.

Though she was reluctant to revisit the memories of that night, she clearly remembered the image of him feeding her.

The Moon Queen had been probing, but her words had unintentionally hit the mark.

A thoughtful expression appeared in Sistine’s eyes.

Seeing this reaction, the Moon Queen’s suspicions were confirmed.

Her curiosity about Shia deepened further.

A young man admired by her closest friend, who had even managed to change her disciple’s long-held disdain for men, was certainly intriguing.

“He’s... different from the others.”

Sistine recalled the moments she had shared with Shia—her initial embarrassment, the little details that made her feel safe and warm—and couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

Her entire demeanor softened, suffused with a sense of warmth and peace.

“I’d like to meet him.”

The Moon Queen said this while observing her disciple closely.

Sistine, remembering that night three days ago, blushed deeply.

After what had happened, was she really going to face him again?

---

When Shia saw the elegant, gentle woman before him, he was taken aback.

Her oval face had soft, delicate contours, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling like rippling water. Her features were bright and charming.

Her slightly voluptuous figure exuded a warm, maternal aura.

“Master, this is my junior, Shia.”

Shia looked at the Moon Queen in surprise.

To carry the title of Sword Saint, he had expected a domineering, mature beauty—but instead, she was a serene, refined woman radiating kindness.

And yet, she was utterly unlike Sistine.

Though they were master and disciple, their temperaments couldn’t be more different.

Sistine, despite her ice-cold exterior, was surprisingly easygoing and gullible.

But the Moon Queen, while gentle and poised, carried...

“So, you’re Shia?”

The Moon Queen’s voice was soft and kind.

But as soon as Shia nodded, her demeanor shifted.

Her once-gentle gaze sharpened instantly, radiating an overwhelming majesty.

An oppressive sword aura swept through the space, like a tidal wave, suffocating and inescapable.

Her sky-blue hair swayed slightly under the pressure, and with a flick of her sword, its tip hovered at Shia’s throat.

He was locked in place.

The sense of danger was precise, suffocating. A single misstep, and the sword would pierce his neck.

Despite the imminent threat, Shia remained calm, his expression serene.

A sword without killing intent was nothing to fear.

Though unbothered himself, Sistine, watching this unfold, couldn’t stay seated any longer.

The protective Sistine quickly stepped between Shia and her master, her gaze carrying a hint of reproach as she looked at the Moon Queen.

"Master, what are you doing to him?"

Her voice carried a trace of indignation, almost like a pout.

Shia was a good person—how could her master immediately move to attack him? That was simply unreasonable!

The Moon Queen’s gaze fell on her disciple. Seeing her tense and protective demeanor, realization dawned almost instantly.

The meaningful look in her master’s eyes made Sistine’s ears flush a light red as she seemed to grasp what was being implied.

The Moon Queen retracted her sword aura and formally introduced herself to Shia.

"Young one, I am the Moon Queen, Sistine’s master."

Though her identity was already clear before she spoke, Shia respectfully nodded.

"I’ve heard Diana sing your praises often," the Moon Queen continued. "Now that I’ve seen you myself, you do seem worthy of the compliments."

Her approving gaze lingered on Shia, her expression softening as she made her decision.

She took Sistine’s hand and placed it gently in Shia’s.

"I’ll leave this child in your care from now on. She’s endured much hardship over the years, far more than enough."

She patted their clasped hands lightly, her beautiful, gentle eyes meeting Shia’s with a deeper meaning that seemed to pierce through him.

Then, with an elegant turn, she left gracefully, leaving the two of them standing there, caught in each other’s presence.