Chapter 18: Effort Falls Short of Talent

The events of the past few days left Lyr feeling a bit dazed.

It felt like a dream, yet everything that had occurred was undeniably real.

After reviewing the student roster and files today, certain thoughts continued to linger in Lyr’s mind.

Having spoken with Luoduan about the strange remarks that girl had made earlier, he felt he finally knew who she was referring to as a traitor.

He also understood why there had been such a tense atmosphere between her and Yilu.

While his thoughts were drifting, he heard a slight commotion coming from the direction of the Swordsmanship Arena.

This sparked some memories for Lyr.

Back when he was a student at the Academy, that had been his favorite place to visit.

In the words of others, it was the only place where he could vent his excess energy.

Lyr’s assigned Swordsmanship Course was taught there.

Today was the first day, and since there were no scheduled classes, Lyr had quite a bit of free time.

Just as he was about to look away, he saw a figure emerging from the crowd in that direction, looking somewhat disheveled.

Lyr looked closer to confirm and realized he hadn’t been mistaken—it was Yilu.

Compared to earlier that morning, she was now covered in dust and grime.

One of her arms hung limp, and she was forced to clutch it with her other hand.

With a pained expression, she bared her teeth like a feral cat, and her voice sounded much the same.

“What are you looking at? Get lost!”

She roared at the onlookers gathered nearby.

It wasn’t a show of dominance, but rather the struggle of someone backed into a corner, using ferocity to mask her pathetic state.

The people nearby flinched at her shout and quickly dispersed, making sure not to block Yilu’s path.

‘It’s like this again.’

Lyr thought.

This wasn’t the first time he had seen her like this.

Her stubborn nature meant that even in an embarrassing or disadvantageous situation, she would still act with teeth and claws bared.

If she actually had real claws, she might have looked a bit cute.

Watching her leave, Lyr hesitated for a moment, prepared to follow her.

However, several people walked out of the arena right behind Yilu, causing Lyr to stop in his tracks.

Leading them was the girl who had asked those strange questions that morning.

Lyr looked at Yilu’s receding figure and then at the smug expression on the girl’s face.

Recalling the previous conflict between Yilu and her, Lyr could roughly guess what had happened inside.

After a brief pause, Lyr didn’t follow Yilu.

Instead, he walked toward the other group.

Stopping in front of the girl and her companions, Lyr said, “Beiyao Tazhi, Miss Beiyao, right?”

“Hmm?”

Beiyao was surprised, both by Lyr’s sudden appearance and the fact that he knew her name.

After her initial shock, she feigned a dignified air and bowed slightly toward Lyr, performing the etiquette expected of a lady.

“I didn’t expect you to find my name so quickly. I’m honored.”

Lyr took a deep breath, unimpressed by her performance.

Etiquette Class was a mandatory course for noble ladies at the Academy, but the girl in front of him was being far too theatrical.

“May I ask why you are looking for me?”

Beiyao asked with a friendly smile.

“Could it be that you’re interested in what I mentioned this morning?”

She was referring to her questions about whether Lyr was engaged.

Lyr didn’t take the bait.

He said sternly, “I don’t care what conflicts exist between your family and the Starting Bud family. Those are matters for the adults, and it’s not your place to interfere yet. It would be best for you to know when to stop.”

Beiyao froze.

She hadn’t expected Lyr to come here for this reason.

“Instructor Lyr, I don’t quite understand what you mean. If there is a problem, please speak plainly.”

Lyr was growing impatient.

He preferred talking to people who were direct, rather than those who dealt in probes and evasions.

“Whether or not Berspin committed treason is not for us to decide. Until His Majesty reaches a verdict, everything is merely speculation on your part. Using it to mock the Starting Bud family is not a very honorable thing to do.”

Hearing Lyr directly mention the name of Yilu’s older brother, Beiyao couldn’t hide her surprise, though she quickly masked her expression.

“From the sound of it, is Instructor Lyr very close to that person?”

“Just like the question you asked this morning, that is not something you need to know.”

Lyr turned around, having no desire to continue the conversation.

“Even if Berspin is exactly as you say, His Majesty will handle the punishment. It won’t necessarily involve Yilu. Know when to stop.”

Lyr repeated his warning one last time.

However, whether or not she would be involved was something even he couldn’t say for sure.

Without waiting for Beiyao to respond, Lyr walked away on his own.

Behind him, Beiyao watched his back.

Her dignified and friendly facade vanished instantly, replaced by a look of malice.

She gritted her teeth in fury.

“House Geno… don’t think I can’t do anything to you. Don’t get too arrogant.”

***

Although Lyr had been forced to promise Tif that he would return as soon as his business at the Academy was finished, after seeing that scene, he felt it was necessary to check on how that girl was doing.

Meanwhile, Yilu stumbled back to the dormitory.

Her disheveled appearance drew the attention of many people along the way.

But she had no energy to care about that now.

She only wanted to get back to her room as quickly as possible to hide from those stares.

Once she reached her room, Yilu didn’t even have the strength to collapse onto her bed.

She slumped against the side of her desk.

“Damn it… how can that girl be so strong?”

Despite her resentment, she had to admit that Beiyao was much more skilled than her in both swordsmanship and magic.

That was the reason the girl dared to provoke her so relentlessly.

Earlier that morning, when Beiyao had brought up her family and brother, it had quickly ignited Yilu’s rage.

After a brief confrontation, Beiyao had proposed a deal: if Yilu could defeat her, Beiyao would take back her words and apologize to the entire Starting Bud family.

Whether it was a trap or not, Yilu had naturally accepted.

But the result was not what she had hoped for.

She had lost, and she had lost completely.

Even though Yilu tried her hardest to prove that she didn’t need her family or any so-called protection, she could never restrain herself when she heard others insulting her family.

That kind of insult didn’t just mock her current situation and her family.

It suggested that everything they had built was worthless and not worth a second glance.

Her competitive nature simply could not allow that.

However, even now, Yilu still couldn’t prove anything.

‘I’ve clearly worked so hard, but why is it still like this?’

Yilu wanted to slam her fist against the floor, but the pain in her arm robbed her of her strength, making the gesture feel weak and futile.

She never considered herself more hardworking than others, but as long as something could be done, she gave it her absolute all.

In the end, that exhaustive effort, coupled with her lack of talent, simply couldn’t compare to others.

Her current state was the best proof of that.

As for those insults, Yilu no longer had the strength to refute them.