“Um... excuse me, are you a teacher at the academy?”
An unfamiliar female voice came from beside him. Li Yuan turned his head and saw a girl wearing a first-year uniform looking up at him. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes held a hint of hesitation.
“No, I’m just here to visit.”
“I see.” The girl’s eyes lit up. “Then, are you here alone? If you don’t mind, I could show you around. The academy is very large, and it’s easy to get lost on your first visit.”
As she spoke, her two companions behind her were desperately stifling their laughter, with one even giving her a thumbs-up.
Li Yuan smiled and shook his head. “Thank you for the kind offer, but I already have an appointment. I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”
The girl’s disappointment was visible to the naked eye, but she still nodded politely before being pulled away by her companions. From a distance, their hushed conversation could still be heard—“I told you not to go up there and embarrass yourself!” “But he’s really handsome!” “That’s still no reason to just walk up and talk to him!”
Li Yuan smiled helplessly and continued walking forward.
However, that was only the beginning.
Over the next half hour, he was approached four more times. Some asked for his name directly, some pretended to ask for directions but clearly just wanted to chat, and one bold girl even thrust a paper-folded flower into his hand before turning and running away. There was even a second-year boy responsible for guiding tourists who glanced at him several times, hesitating for a long while but never quite finding the courage to speak...
By the time he reached the vicinity of the martial arts arena, he felt an unprecedented sense of exhaustion.
“The women of this world... are truly enthusiastic.”
He muttered to himself. He wasn't displeased, just a bit overwhelmed. Back on the Kyushu Continent, he hadn't lacked admirers—after all, a cultivator who achieved the Mahayana stage in a hundred years was far too conspicuous—but the female cultivators there were mostly reserved. At most, they would steal a few glances at him during Dao Discourse Assemblies; they never approached him as directly as the people here.
Strolling along, he eventually found himself at the martial arts arena.
It was a massive circular building with greyish-white stone walls that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. The top was open-air, and several flags of different colors fluttered in the wind. The entrance was crowded with people, many of whom were surging in the same direction.
Li Yuan naturally followed the crowd inside. It was the same logic as getting off a train and preparing to leave the station—just follow the largest group of people.
The interior was even more spacious than he had imagined. In the center was a martial arts platform paved with smooth stone slabs, surrounded by tiers of stepped seating that extended upward. He estimated it could easily accommodate several thousand people. By now, the stands were already filled with many spectators, including students, tourists, and well-dressed nobles.
He scanned the area and, instead of squeezing toward the front, found a spot to stand at the edge of the very back row. The view from here was good, allowing him to see the entire platform, and with the wall behind him, it was impossible for anyone to approach him from that direction.
There were about fifteen minutes left before the start of the matches.
The VIP stand was particularly eye-catching. Two rows of chairs covered in red velvet were arranged on the platform, and in the center sat an old man in the chair with the highest back.
That was the old king of the Kingdom of Kajinson—his actual age was likely close to seventy. However, he looked to be in good spirits, his back straight as he wore a deep blue formal suit embroidered with the golden royal emblem. He was currently leaning over to speak with someone beside him.
To his left and right sat several elegantly dressed men and women. Judging by their attire and seating, they were likely the highest-ranking nobles in the kingdom. Two faces among them caught Li Yuan’s attention.
They were a middle-aged couple sitting to the king’s right.
The man appeared to be in his forties, with meticulously combed short blonde hair and facial features that were sixty to seventy percent similar to Setis’s, especially the eyes. He wore a deep grey ducal formal suit, and the emblem on his chest bore the Sebas family crest—a soaring eagle. He sat upright with a serious expression, but his fingers were constantly tapping lightly on the armrest.
The woman looked younger, also with blonde hair tied into an exquisite bun, possessing a gentle temperament. Her gaze frequently drifted toward the entrance of the martial arts platform before pulling back, only to drift there again moments later.
Li Yuan was certain these two were likely Setis’s parents—the Duke and Duchess Sebas.
His guess was soon confirmed.
The Duchess gently tugged on her husband’s sleeve and asked in a low voice, “When does she come out?”
“It’s still early. Her exhibition match is the second one.”
The Duke’s answer was brief, but there was no trace of impatience in his tone. His eyes, too, had never left the entrance.
“I wonder how her preparations are going.”
“You know our daughter’s temperament. Even if she wasn't particularly willing, once she agrees to something, she’ll definitely prepare more thoroughly than anyone else.”
The Duke paused for a moment before adding in a voice only the two of them could hear, “That child has been like that since she was little. She has to be the best at everything, and no one can talk her out of it.”
The Duchess sighed softly and said nothing more, though her hand gripping her fan tightened slightly.
The Duke looked at his wife’s profile, his lips moving as if to speak, but he ultimately didn't voice the thought in his mind.
If anyone dared to hurt his daughter on that stage, no matter which family they were from, he would make sure they learned a very painful lesson.
Of course, such thoughts could only be kept to himself.
Duke Sebas withdrew his gaze and resumed his steady, composed expression.
Li Yuan took all of this in, the corners of his mouth curving upward slightly. This Lord Duke was actually quite similar to Setis—tough on the outside, but with plenty of inner turmoil.
He scanned the other seats on the VIP stand.
Hogg had not appeared, which wasn't surprising; given his status and personality, he likely had no interest in such occasions. Napa hadn't come either, probably because the matters regarding the Blood Moon Cult hadn't been fully resolved yet. He had heard that the cult had been excessively active lately, causing a lot of trouble for the higher-ups... and it was said that many people had died.
Speaking of which, he wondered how things were progressing on Napa’s end.
Li Yuan set the thought aside for the moment and returned his gaze to the platform.
At that moment, the old king stood up from his seat.
The noisy sounds in the arena gradually subsided as everyone’s eyes focused on the silver-haired figure.
The old king cleared his throat, and his voice spread clearly throughout the arena via amplification magic.
“Guests from afar, teachers and students of the Royal Magic and Martial Arts Academy—”
He did not speak quickly, but every word carried weight.
“The quinquennial anniversary celebration is the most important day for this academy and a grand event for the entire kingdom. Here, you will see the kingdom’s most outstanding young people display their talent and hard work.”
At this point, the old king paused, his gaze sweeping over the students in the stands.
“I am proud of you.”
Applause broke out—not particularly boisterous, but very orderly.
“I won’t say anything more. I believe the upcoming matches will be far more exciting than any speech.”
This line drew a wave of good-natured laughter.
“Therefore, I declare—the 137th Anniversary Exhibition Matches of the Royal Magic and Martial Arts Academy have officially begun!”
Applause rang out again, much louder than before.
The old king sat back down, and a middle-aged man in a black referee uniform stepped forward on the host platform nearby.
His voice was even more concise than the king’s.
“First match: Third-year Magic Division versus Third-year Martial Arts Division, single combat—will the contestants please enter the arena.”
As soon as the words fell, the entrances on both sides of the platform opened simultaneously. Two lines of young people wearing different colored uniforms filed out, stopping in the center of the field to bow to each other.
The atmosphere in the audience seats instantly heated up. Li Yuan felt a bit of regret at not seeing Setis among them.
He wasn't sure which match she was in... he had forgotten to ask earlier. But since he was here, he might as well watch. It was a good opportunity to learn more about the cultivation system and power levels of this world through these matches.
Rate on N.U.
