Outside the Examination Hall, a staircase several meters high towered, its steps crafted from mithril and gilded gold, a particularly pleasing sight.
A plaque beside the stairs recorded the glorious history of this school.
Arriving at the Central Square, along the way, many students were emerging from the Examination Hall’s main gate, their faces beaming with various expressions of joy.
They seemed relieved that in the final Real Combat Examination, they hadn’t encountered an exceptionally powerful examiner who would have embarrassed them.
Two exceptionally beautiful figures walked along the path on the right side, attracting many gazes and whispers along the way, causing even those candidates who had performed well in the exams to pause for a moment.
“The Princess is taking a walk with an unfamiliar gentleman.”
“It seems to be that same guy from last time. I wonder what the people from the Knight Institute would think if they saw this?”
“They’d definitely teach that guy a lesson. Damn, I’m so jealous…”
Someone couldn’t help but mutter softly.
“It seems to be Ailundun from the Magitech Institute…”
Someone recognized Ailundun’s face and figure, which were quite similar to what was shown in the Secret Realm.
As a prominent figure in the recent exams, quite a few people knew of Ailundun.
“Never mind then. Those who play with Magic Engineering Tools are all a bunch of silver coins…”
It seemed that ever since Ailundun entered the Weierdun Empire Academy,
the Magic Engineering department had left nothing but negative impressions on people.
It was unclear whether this was the inherent nature of Magic Engineering, Ailundun’s unique ability, or a combination of both, just happening to collide and produce such a unique reaction.
The two walked along the riverbank, attracting many curious glances along the way, to which Ailundun responded with smiles.
“After this, I wonder how your relationship with Miss Leisha is progressing?”
Ailundun asked with a smile.
“Relationship?!”
Isabella widened her eyes, not understanding why Ailundun was bringing this up.
“It’s… it’s just like that.”
Isabella stammered, her face slightly flushed, a mix of shyness and annoyance.
“Leisha is nice, but we’re not at that stage yet.”
Ailundun nodded.
Judging by Isabella’s expression, Leisha must have been doing quite well, able to make this princess so flustered.
If the relationship isn’t bad, then it’s good.
‘One step closer to my big prize.’
Successfully pairing up a couple of underdogs put him in a good mood.
Anyway, this had little to do with him.
He had already done his best to act contrary to the plot as much as possible.
“I wonder how the upcoming classes will be scheduled?”
Walking by the river, Ailundun asked curiously.
This question had been bothering him for a while.
“For the Magitech Institute, I’m not sure, but for the Sage Institute, we have to attend at least three days of core classes on magic casting per week. The remaining two days are for studying advanced magical theory for the future…”
Isabella thought for a moment before replying.
Three days of core classes and two days of theory for the Sage Institute.
No matter how the schedule is arranged, the basic curriculum must be completed within a week.
There’s no guarantee that core class teachers won’t steal time from theory classes, just like in his previous life.
Ailundun estimated.
Magic Engineers need to learn production and manufacturing; practical aspects definitely can’t be lacking.
They probably have more practical classes than theory, so core classes definitely wouldn’t be few.
“What about morning eights?”
Ailundun’s expression paused as he asked the question he was more concerned about.
“What’s a ‘morning eight’?”
Isabella was curious; she had never heard this term before.
“Uh, it’s classes that start at eight in the morning.”
“Probably one or two a week.”
Isabella recalled her elder brothers who also studied at the Weierdun Empire Academy.
Many of her brothers held important positions at the Academy, but they didn’t seem to wake up very early either.
“Phew, the Weierdun Empire Academy is an excellent institution.”
Ailundun felt relieved and let out a long sigh.
“Mhm.”
Isabella nodded again.
Although she didn’t know how Ailundun defined ‘excellent’ or how ‘morning eights’ were related to that word,
she was gradually getting used to Ailundun’s way of thinking.
“Then, do you know any ways to make money within the Academy, Your Highness Isabella…”
Ailundun smiled at Isabella.
He had, after all, come here without his family’s full knowledge.
Not being short of money now didn’t mean he wouldn’t be in the future.
Planning ahead was best, and the princess before him was clearly a good person to ask.
With the princess’s connections and knowledge, a casual pointer would be far better than him stumbling around blindly outside.
“Make money?”
Isabella was somewhat puzzled.
Ailundun had so many strange Magic Engineering Tools; he didn’t seem to be lacking money.
“If needed, you can take on some commissions from senior students within the Academy, though most are simple tasks. The rewards definitely won’t be too high, and you generally interact with people from your own institute. There aren’t that many people with such needs.”
“Of course, the main way is to register as a challenger of the corresponding rank. You can then challenge Secret Realms of the appropriate level, which often offer higher rewards…”
Isabella thought for a moment and explained to Ailundun.
“Is that so?”
Ailundun lowered his gaze.
It seemed that to make big money, he still had to tackle things like Secret Realms.
To successfully conquer these realms, he needed stronger Magic Engineering Tools.
To have stronger abilities or tools, the problem circled back to that again…
He needed to continuously reap big rewards from the Fate Roulette, meaning constantly changing the fates of those around him, completing a virtuous cycle.
In short, from the scope he could currently influence, the princess beside him was his startup capital.
Thinking this, he couldn’t help but look at Isabella with a fervent gaze.
Isabella had just turned her head when she noticed Ailundun looking at her with a peculiar expression.
“…What is it?”
Isabella stiffened, her body softening involuntarily, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension.
She didn’t know why she had this reaction.
It was like facing Leisha back then.
“Your Highness, is there anything you need help with at the Academy?”
Ailundun asked with a smile.
“You’re short on money?”
Isabella shook her head slightly and asked, puzzled.
Since earlier, Ailundun had been asking her about money.
“Creating Magic Engineering Tools requires spending a lot of gold coins. Making tools last time used up a good portion of my savings, so I really want to earn some money.”
“Ahem, if possible, I mean, I would like to receive some funding from you.”
Ailundun rested his chin on his hand, looking at Isabella with concern.
“I see…”
Isabella smiled.
She suddenly thought of something, and a hint of mischief entered her eyes as she looked at Ailundun.
“That’s fine.”
“Really? Thank you so much, Your Highness.”
Ailundun chuckled softly, his gaze toward Isabella unconsciously softening with a touch of gentleness, as if seeing an old friend he hadn’t met in years.
Isabella’s demeanor reminded him inexplicably of the princess from the game, who was consistently gentle and kind to both the people and her friends.
Consistently… heartbreaking.
“However…”
Isabella laughed softly, her voice clear as a silver bell.
Ailundun’s train of thought stopped abruptly as he looked at Isabella.
As everyone knows, what comes after the ‘but’ is usually the most important part.
“I hope you can help me make things clear to Leisha…”
Isabella’s eyes instantly brightened.
She placed her right hand over her chest, as if making a vow, her gaze toward Ailundun becoming incredibly serious.
“There’s no possibility for us. As the Princess of the Empire of Wen Er Dun, I have duties and missions I must bear. I… cannot afford to be willful.”
As she spoke, Isabella’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, as if uttering these words had drained all her strength.
Then, she lifted her head to look at Ailundun again, her eyes regaining their stubbornness and strength.
The sunlight shone on her, making her entire being appear dazzlingly radiant.
“Uh.”
Ailundun stared blankly at the princess, momentarily lost.
For some reason, he was unconsciously drawn to Isabella’s serious demeanor.
Seeing Isabella like this reminded him of his days as a marketing planner.
Writing proposals, making charts, selling CG… so many working days and nights were spent with Isabella by his side.
Thinking back, those times were indeed quite memorable.
Though it sounds… a bit silly.
But these words… sounded very much like something Isabella from the game would say.
That… “beloved daughter” who helped him sell CG.
“Hmm? Mr. Ailundun? Are you alright?”
Isabella called softly, trying to snap Ailundun out of it.
“It’s nothing.”
“Perhaps Miss Leisha… she just wants to protect you.”
Ailundun snapped out of his daze, thought for a moment, and replied with a serious smile.
“Huh?”
Isabella tilted her head in confusion.
“But I’ll deliver your message. You still have to give me the gold coins, though.”
Ailundun said with a smile.
He didn’t plan to waste energy looking for Leisha.
Because…
Leisha probably didn’t even know herself that she liked Isabella.
“I will. I am a princess, and a princess keeps her word…”
They walked all the way toward the Academy’s main gate, passing by the Magitech Institute building.
Isabella kept her head lowered the entire way, occasionally tucking a strand of hair behind her crystal-clear ear, the roots of her ears still faintly red, seemingly ashamed of what she had just said.
Too… bold.
She hadn’t expected herself to say such embarrassing words.
It was all Leisha’s fault, making her so flustered.
But thinking about what Ailundun had just said, she couldn’t help but lower her head in thought again, gripping the hem of her skirt tightly, her golden hair cascading down her back, her eyes filled with confusion.
And so… they walked through the Academy’s Examination Hall, the Sage Institute, the figures of many examinees gradually fading away, leaving only Ailundun and Isabella walking on their own.
Until Ailundun safely escorted Isabella back to her residence, golden rays of light shone from the east, accompanied by a strong wind blowing through, illuminating the entire campus.
A touch of warmth fell upon both of them.
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