“Um... hello.” The girl with light pink hair poked the brown-haired girl beside her, looking awkward and nervous. “Are you alright...?”
“I was just too tired and fell asleep. My apologies.” Li Yue rubbed her eyes and surveyed her surroundings. In the far distance, a small speck of light flickered—a ship on fire, standing out clearly against the dark night.
“We are students from Karl Romon Academy. We were out on a night patrol mission and happened to come across you all,” said a student wearing an armband as he approached. He looked quite formal, his tone serious.
“Ah, I was a passenger. Here is my ticket.” A faint glow flashed from Li Yue’s hand as a ticket appeared. “How far is this from the academy?”
The trainees exchanged glances. They all noticed the ring on Li Yue’s finger, crafted with the academy’s distinct technique. This seemed to confirm that she wasn't an ordinary person, and there were already signs of others on the ship having their wounds healed by flesh restoration.
A doctor skilled in healing, they all thought in unison.
“By carriage, it’s about two hours. If we use a teleportation array, it’ll be even faster.”
“I see... hold on.” Li Yue rummaged through her ring and found an acceptance letter Clo had given her at some point. It bore the principal’s personal signature.
“Um... the new term hasn't started yet; the academy is still on break,” the pink-haired girl with twin tails chimed in as she leaned closer. “But coming early is good too. The academy provides initial subsidies so freshmen can live relatively worry-free for the first few months.”
“Irene, you were heading back to the academy anyway. Why don't you take this junior student back with you?”
“Calling her 'junior' already? You sure know how to put on airs.” The pink-haired girl gave the lead male student an elbow to the ribs. She tried to take Li Yue’s hand, but Li Yue dodged with a speed that was a mere blur.
She avoids physical contact... what a shy junior.
“Thank you for the trouble.” Li Yue bowed slightly, her heart unruffled. This student team seemed well-organized—some went to pursue the attacking pirates while others stayed to heal the wounded and stand guard. Their division of labor was decent; their only real weakness was their lack of strength.
The girl named Irene summoned a carriage with a flash of light. Li Yue stepped inside, and Irene followed. They were heading to the nearest array to teleport directly back to the academy.
The Summoning Department... that’s rare. I haven't really encountered a Great Mage of this branch before, unless you count that magic user from the Royal Court who was a half-step Calamity and summoned wraiths.
“What’s your name?” Irene asked, looking at the silent Li Yue. She thought the girl might be nervous, even though she sensed very little mana fluctuation from her.
Did she fall asleep from exhaustion after healing the wounded? Even though she seems cold, she must be a warm-hearted lady deep down.
“Li Yue.” Li Yue paused, wondering if she should add more to her introduction. “I used to be a demon hunter for a while.”
“You’ve fought blood demons?!” Irene looked exceptionally excited, her voice trembling slightly.
“Yes... they were quite... troublesome opponents...” Li Yue thought back. To her past self from long ago, blood demons were indeed tricky foes.
“I’ve heard they are terrifying creatures, completely different from the magic beasts raised at the academy.”
“After all, those things are human. They tend to cause psychological discomfort,” Li Yue said, resting her head on her hand. she patiently carried on the conversation, though she was starting to feel sleepy again.
“I read about it in books. It’s so scary. The power of 'Death' is truly horrifying and terrifying,” Irene said, shivering.
The power of Death... is horrifying and terrifying?
Li Yue blinked. Girl, you shouldn't say things like that... I’m sitting right across from you...
Unsure of how to respond, Li Yue simply nodded in agreement.
After a while, the swaying of the carriage came to a stop. The girl opened the door and stepped down first, offering a hand to help Li Yue. Li Yue simply leaped down and closed the carriage door behind her.
Irene took out a bottle of special leaves and drew an array on the ground. A faint, ethereal glow emanated as a gentle breeze blew, arranging the leaves into a pattern that formed the array.
A teleportation spell... where does it lead?
A surge of light erupted, and a faint, deep purple glow gradually brightened. The array of fallen leaves took shape; it was indeed a teleportation spell.
“Normally, setting up a teleportation spell is very troublesome. Only special items or high-priority individuals can enter the academy’s outer ring through an array. Fortunately, Professor Merlin optimized the method. He was an ancient professor; we’ve only heard of his name,” Irene explained. She didn't notice the corner of Li Yue’s mouth twitch at the mention of Merlin. Li Yue was reminded of those cards.
That is a very prominent contribution. Why did someone like that end up as a street magician? How strange...
She stepped inside, preparing to teleport with the girl. A flash of light occurred, and the girl’s figure vanished the moment the leaves swirled up. Li Yue stood stunned, seemingly left behind in the same spot.
Oh no... I think I’m too strong... It didn't take me...
Li Yue stood in a daze for a moment before activating Death Abyss. Sensing the girl’s location, she appeared beside her in an instant. She had covered dozens of kilometers in a heartbeat.
That was close...
Not far away, a streak of light flashed through the air. The magic array in the sky seemed to have been triggered, and specks of light began falling from the firmament.
“How is this possible? How could an outsider break in? Didn't we come through the official procedure?”
“Um...” Li Yue’s lip twitched. Her red vertical pupils scanned the surroundings. Multiple auras were closing in, and one of them felt somewhat powerful.
“Halt! Who goes there?!” A shout pierced the silent night.
Streaks of light appeared around them. Li Yue wondered if there was a way to prove her identity.
If I call Clo over now, will it work...? I feel like she’d laugh at me for a long time...
As Li Yue was thinking, she felt the powerful aura drawing closer. She looked up toward that direction and saw many students bowing in respect.
“Ah, good evening, Professor Stephenson.”
Rate on N.U.
