Chapter 4: Good Morning

“It’s simple. I had my attendant do it for me.”

“There’s that trick.”

Ailundun nodded.

The move wasn’t particularly clever, but it fit Li An’s character.

“By the way, one last question.”

Ailundun lifted his head, his smile as warm as a spring breeze.

“Do you want to join my team?”

“Huh?”

Li An stood frozen.

She had no idea how Ailundun had gotten to that point.

“Are you sick?”

The air was silent for two seconds before she finally opened her mouth slowly, wondering if Ailundun had some kind of brain issue.

“I’ve already applied to join a fourth-year team. Why would I possibly join you? Especially since you’re just an ordinary Magic Engineer.”

“I see…”

Ailundun lowered his head again.

For some reason.

Watching Ailundun make that familiar gesture.

This time, Li An’s sense of unease grew even stronger.

“So what?”

Her expression turned cold as she glared at Ailundun.

“Then I’ll probably first tell the Academy News Agency about this interesting little incident and let them broadcast it. Having an attendant take classes for you is cheating and can affect graduation. And you know, the people controlling public opinion at the Academy News Agency are all idle folks desperate for entertainment. Once they get curious about you, they’ll dig into you from various channels. When they find out you’re actually far behind your sister, Luofulei, in both exam results and actual class performance… it should be quite amusing.”

Ailundun paused, then continued with a smile.

“Then, as a member of the Lei-yadon Family, your sister is actually much more outstanding than you. But why are you the only one getting favor? That’s something that will make people chuckle.”

“More and more people will seek the truth. Once everyone discovers you’re just an ordinary student with a hollow reputation, do you think any powerful team will still want you?”

“Your sister will become the new target for recruitment, taking your place. After that, the news will reach the Lei-yadon Family. As a famous noble in the Royal Capital, no family ignores its honor. In the end, if things go badly, it could even turn into a conflict between family factions.”

“Are you kidding me?”

Li An’s eyes widened as she stared at Ailundun, her pupils filled with deep confusion.

She didn’t understand.

Just skipping one day of class, such a trivial matter.

How could it, in his words.

In the future, turn into a catalyst that would trigger conflict within the Lei-yadon Family, even splitting internal factions.

She now seriously suspected.

That Ailundun wasn’t brain-damaged—he was a journalism major.

“No. I just hope you’ll join my team. A team made up entirely of new students, helping each other, all clearing Secret Realms together amicably. And if I can help team members along the way, even better.”

Ailundun’s tone was calm.

“I never knew you could be this kind-hearted usually.”

Li An snorted coldly, arms crossed over her chest, her chin slightly raised.

“That’s because you don’t know me well enough yet. I don’t like conflict; I only like resolving it.”

Ailundun chuckled.

“A team? What kind of good team could you possibly create?”

“Barring any surprises, this team will become the top group at the Weierdun Empire Academy in the future, the pillar for conquering the world’s Secret Realms.”

Ailundun proudly puffed out his chest.

“This is the promise of a Magic Engineer.”

He wasn’t lying.

The main force just wasn’t him—he only had to slack off in the back.

That was also one of his grand, magnificent dreams for the future.

As long as his teammates were strong enough, they could speedrun everything with him.

“I’d love to see how ridiculous your team is, but unfortunately, I’ve already applied to join the team I want, and they’ve agreed. I can join anytime I want.”

Li An puffed out her cheeks, a hint of mockery in her tone.

“In any case, do you want to prove yourself?”

“Prove what?”

Li An was momentarily taken aback.

“Prove that you’re actually studying high-level magic on your own in the dormitory, not just slacking off.”

“…”

Li An laughed again.

She’d lost count of how many times Ailundun had annoyed her into laughter.

Her jet-black hair swayed with the rise and fall of her chest.

“I don’t need to. Why should I prove myself? Even if you’re a student council patrol proxy, skipping class is skipping class. Nothing to be afraid of.”

Li An let out a short laugh, lifting her chin arrogantly, finding Ailundun’s reasoning ridiculous.

“Well then, see you tomorrow, Miss Li An.”

Ailundun gave a regretful smile.

With that, he waved at Li An, turned around, and walked straight toward the staircase without any hesitation.

Until Ailundun’s figure disappeared around the stairway, Li An’s lips still held a trace of mockery.

See you tomorrow?

Ha.

He didn’t seriously think she’d come to class tomorrow, did he?

She turned and went back to her bedroom, collapsing onto the soft, plush bed, her jet-black hair spilling across the sheets like a waterfall.

Having been disturbed by Ailundun like this, she was in a terrible mood now.

Originally, she thought Ailundun was here to provide her with some amusement.

She wanted to hear how this dumb kid got abandoned by Luofulei, then mock him mercilessly.

But instead, he’d come to catch her for class.

Things were completely different from what she’d expected—she was the one being mocked instead.

It irritated her.

As for Ailundun’s words, she wasn’t going to pay them any mind!

Not only would she skip class tomorrow, but she wouldn’t go for the whole week!

She’d deliberately go against Ailundun.

Thinking that, her mood improved a bit.

But then, remembering Ailundun’s words about Luofulei.

Her mood soured again.

Luofulei stronger than her… Ha, how was that possible?

Time passed slowly.

Outside, the sky gradually darkened, and the light in the bedroom dimmed.

After another long while.

A single, resentful voice finally cut through the long-silent bedroom.

“Damn it.”

The next morning.

Sage Institute.

Classroom 317.

It was early, and only a few scattered figures sat together in the classroom.

The morning breeze of the Weierdun Empire Academy carried a hint of chill, the golden-orange light adding a softness to the classroom.

Li An Lei-yadon paused outside the door, her chin lifted, dressed in the Weierdun Empire Academy uniform.

This was the first time she’d worn such ordinary clothes… no style at all.

She felt a slight displeasure.

She hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped into the classroom.

Several pairs of eyes immediately landed on her, curious about this new face.

She ignored them, walking up with her chin raised proudly, her jet-black hair streaming behind her like a wild young lady.

Yes.

She’d already figured it out yesterday.

After all, that idiot Ailundun was a student of the Magitech Institute—he wouldn’t show up in the Sage Institute classroom.

So he wouldn’t know she came to class.

That was enough.

“Hmph.”

Thinking that, her mood recovered somewhat.

She couldn’t help humming softly.

She passed several rows of steps, went up, found a seat in the back, and sat down.

Her long black hair cascaded onto the seat.

Then, a voice came from very close, from the seat to her right.

Hearing that familiar tone.

Her good mood for the day instantly evaporated.

“Good morning, Miss Li An.”

Ailundun smiled and greeted her.

He noticed that as Li An walked in, no one had bothered to greet her.

He thought that wasn’t good.

“…”

Li An was silent for a moment.

Then, she bit her lip, her cheeks unconsciously burning.

But she acted quickly, brushing a strand of hair to cover the flushed side of her face.