After recuperating for three more days, Feng Wen and I were finally discharged from the infirmary and returned to class. All our classmates looked at us with a mixture of awe and respect. I couldn't help but smile wryly; starting school and ending up in the infirmary wasn't exactly a good omen.
The morning classes covered basic material, which I quickly grasped after listening for a few minutes. However, to ensure I had a solid understanding, I listened attentively for the entire morning.
When noon arrived, Feng Wen, the Huo brothers, and I headed to the cafeteria to replenish our energy. The academy's cafeteria was enormous, capable of accommodating over a thousand people at once. Several counters offered meals at different price points, and we all opted for the mid-range meals. Given my large appetite, I bought two portions.
Facing the delicious food, I was ready to dig in when suddenly, there was a commotion behind me. Turning around with the others, I saw two beautiful girls entering, which explained the stir they caused. It seems the ancient saying "men are naturally drawn to beauty" was true after all.
One of the girls was Zixue, the one I had saved from under Heilong's hooves. The girl next to her was slightly taller, with long golden hair and a white dress that accentuated her beauty. Her fair skin, large alluring eyes, and more voluptuous figure compared to Zixue made her truly stunning—an angelic face with a devilish figure.
As soon as they entered the cafeteria, people scrambled to offer them seats, and some even brought their food over. Just then, Feng Yun squeezed in at our table, his eyes never leaving the two beauties. A look of infatuation flashed in his eyes as he whispered, "The eight campus beauties rarely come to the cafeteria, but today two of them showed up."
Feng Wen laughed, "You're practically a walking encyclopedia of the academy. Come on, give us the scoop."
Feng Yun, eager to show off his knowledge, began proudly, "The one with purple hair is Zi Xue, ranked sixth among the eight campus beauties. Lei Xiang here even saved her once. The other one is even more remarkable—Jin Lili, ranked fourth. Both of them are from noble families, and their stunning looks naturally make them the objects of most guys' affections. Usually, the eight campus beauties go home for meals, so it's rare to see them out like this."
Huo Xing suddenly exclaimed, "Look, Zi Xue is coming over! She must be coming to see me." He quickly struck a pose he thought was cool.
Indeed, Zi Xue was walking towards our table. She headed straight for me and, standing before me, said, "Thank you for saving me last time."
The Feng and Huo brothers instantly displayed looks of disappointment, their eyes filled with envy as they glanced at me. I looked up at the girl, who was a year older than me, and said coldly, "No need for thanks. Just don't go near Hei Long again. I can't guarantee you'll always have someone to save you."
Zi Xue's face turned bright red at my words. She stammered, "I'm sorry. I'll go now." She then turned and walked back to her table.
Immediately, I became the target of everyone's discontent. The Feng and Huo brothers all glared at me, clearly displeased with my attitude. Feng Yun exclaimed, "Lei Xiang, how could you treat a girl like that? She came to thank you sincerely, and you couldn't be a bit nicer?"
I shot him a cold look and replied, "What's wrong with my attitude? Should I pamper her? If you want to, go ahead. I don't care about the so-called academy beauties."
A clear, melodious voice suddenly spoke from behind me, "What's with the attitude? Apologize to Zi Xue. Don't you feel ashamed treating a girl like that?"
I frowned and turned towards the voice, realizing it was Jin Lili speaking. She looked furious, as if she was ready to confront me. Zi Xue was desperately trying to hold her back, repeatedly saying, "It's okay, it's okay. It's not his fault."
I snorted coldly and said, "With such a temper, be careful you don't damage your liver and get wrinkles. No one will want you then."
Jin Lili, who had always been treated like a princess both at home and in the academy, had never suffered such an insult. Her usually pale face turned a shade of green with anger as she shouted, "Who will teach him a lesson for me?"
Immediately, the cafeteria buzzed with excitement. Everyone seemed eager to step forward. Huo Xing said, "Lei Xiang, it's not that we don't want to help you, but you've angered everyone. We'll go find a teacher. Hold on until then." With that, the four of them ran off in a flash. I snorted inwardly—some friends they were, fleeing at the first sign of trouble. Truly, they had no loyalty.
I stood up abruptly. My tall stature, coupled with my resolute features, exuded an undeniable aura of dominance. I looked coldly at the boys surrounding me.
"Anyone who wants to die, come at me. Women are nothing but trouble."
My cool demeanor made Jin Lili hesitate, an unusual emotion stirring within her.
It was evident that most of those surrounding me were nobles, each one dressed in lavish attire. Warren, who had initially wanted to "teach me a lesson," was the first to charge at me. Sneering, he said, "This is the guy who insulted Junior Sister Zixue. Everyone, get him!" He threw a punch at me, even infused with a bit of battle energy. It seemed his three years at the academy hadn't been entirely wasted.
Seeing his arrogant demeanor filled me with a sense of disgust. I grabbed his fist and coldly said, "I don't know how you advanced to the third year, but today I'll teach you nobles, who only know how to bully others, a lesson."
My words immediately reduced the animosity many of the commoner students felt towards me. Normally, they had to endure bullying from these nobles, harboring resentment without being able to express it.
I twisted his arm forcefully and yanked it back. With a "crack," I dislocated Warren's right arm and followed up with a kick that sent him flying. He crashed into a wooden table, splintering it into pieces and lying in the debris, screaming in pain.
I hadn't expected a third-year student to be so weak, not even on par with Feng Yun and the others. What I didn't realize was that these nobles attended the academy mainly to earn a diploma, adding weight to their future careers in government. Few of them genuinely dedicated themselves to training; most relied on their family's power to act domineeringly within the academy.
The nobles, enraged by my attack on Warren, rushed at me together. Among them, only a few posed a real threat; most were mere novices, accustomed to bossing others around but lacking real combat skills.
Three of them, the ones who could actually challenge me, approached silently, their faces grim. Within moments, I was struck by three punches and two kicks. Although I wasn't seriously injured, their powerful blows left me feeling uncomfortable. Our battle sent tables and chairs flying, scattering debris all around.
The burliest of the three shouted, "You worthless nobles are a disgrace! Get out of the way and watch us deal with him."
The other nobles, relieved at this command, quickly retreated to the sidelines to spectate, leaving the three more formidable opponents to face me.
I channeled my Dark Force and Heavenly Thunder Armor to their peak states. Without the weaker nobles obstructing us, the three opponents roared and charged at me in unison. I immediately countered with my Thunderstorm Thirteen Punches.
While the Thunderstorm Thirteen Punches was an incredibly powerful technique on the battlefield, it proved less effective against these skilled fighters; they easily evaded my strikes.
Their coordination and skill were impressive. They moved with a synchronization that suggested years of training together, each attack seamlessly blending into the next. My punches and kicks found nothing but air, while their counterattacks landed more frequently than I liked.
I realized I needed to change my strategy. Pure strength and raw power wouldn't be enough to defeat these three. I took a step back, my eyes narrowing as I assessed their movements. They were strong, but they relied heavily on their coordinated attacks. If I could disrupt their rhythm, I might find an opening.
With renewed determination, I focused my energy, waiting for the right moment. As the next wave of attacks came, I dodged and parried, conserving my strength and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike back with precision.
The burliest noble threw a powerful punch, which I met head-on with my own. The impact forced him back three steps, but to my astonishment, he remained unharmed. He was the first to withstand one of my direct punches without injury. However, while I managed to repel him, I couldn't avoid the attacks from the other two, their fists and kicks landing on me relentlessly.
These opponents were truly formidable, living up to their status as senior students. As their continuous assaults battered me, I felt my blood and energy roiling inside. This was shaping up to be the toughest fight of my life.
It was clear they all belonged to the martial arts department, relying solely on their combat skills and battle aura. I struggled to fend off attacks from all sides, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth, but I remained steadfast, standing my ground and doing my best to parry their blows.
The leaner noble sneered, "Give up, kid. If you bow down and kowtow three times to us, we'll let you off." All three nobles burst into laughter, their derision ringing in my ears.
Ignoring their taunts, I focused on my defense, searching for a way to turn the tide of battle. I couldn't let their mockery or the pain deter me. My mind raced, analyzing their movements and seeking any pattern or weakness I could exploit.
The burly noble lunged at me again, and I braced myself for another clash. This time, instead of meeting his punch directly, I sidestepped at the last moment, letting his momentum carry him past me. In the same motion, I unleashed a swift, precise kick aimed at his knee, hoping to unbalance him.
Meanwhile, the other two advanced, their confidence palpable. I knew I had to act quickly, leveraging my agility and strategy rather than brute strength. As the leaner one closed in, I dropped to the ground and swept my leg out in a low, arcing kick, aiming to take out his legs and create some breathing room.
I could hear the murmurs and gasps from the onlookers, their attention riveted on our battle. Despite the pain and exhaustion, I felt a surge of determination. I wasn't just fighting for myself; I was standing up against their arrogance and proving that strength and skill mattered more than noble birth.
The fight raged on, each second feeling like an eternity. With every punch and kick, I pushed myself beyond my limits, fueled by the desire to emerge victorious and earn the respect of my peers.
The disparity in our strength was undeniable. Was I really going to lose to these despicable nobles? I considered using my berserk mode, but quickly dismissed the idea. If anyone recognized my true identity, it would be disastrous. Besides, I couldn't control myself when I went berserk. With a heavy heart, I decided to pretend to be a dark mage instead.
Biting my lip, I focused my mind and prepared to use dark magic for the first time. In a low voice, I chanted, "Great God of Darkness, with my soul as an offering and my life as a bridge, grant me your boundless power. Devour my enemies before me." I was casting my most potent dark attack spell, Dark Devourer. This spell had a highly corrosive effect; if it hit directly, it would continue to corrode the enemy until they perished.
A thick black mist emanated from my body, directed towards the three nobles. They were instantly struck with terror. "What is this?" they exclaimed, their voices shaking with fear.
Just as the three nobles were panicking, unsure of how to defend themselves, a commanding voice rang out, "Who dares to use such a vile spell? God of Light, grant me your power. With your holy radiance, cleanse the endless filth from this world. — Holy Light." A golden beam of light descended, enveloping the black mist of my Dark Devourer spell. The mist dissipated rapidly, like snow melting under the hot sun.
A powerful force surged towards me, and I felt an overwhelming pressure. The golden light washed over me, and I felt an inexplicable warmth and comfort. Then everything went black.
When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying in a comfortable bed in the infirmary. The pain from my injuries was gone, replaced by a lingering sense of warmth from the holy light. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw a figure standing beside the bed. It was the academy's chief healer, Master Li.
Master Li's stern face softened slightly as he saw me awake. "You're lucky," he said. "The Holy Light countered the dark magic you used, but it also drained you significantly. Rest here for a while before returning to your classes."
I nodded weakly, my mind racing with questions. Who had cast that powerful Holy Light spell? And what would the consequences be for using dark magic in front of everyone? For now, I had to focus on recovering my strength and planning my next steps.
When I woke up, I found myself in the infirmary. No, this shouldn't be the infirmary, the facilities are much better than the last time I stayed. It should be a high-level infirmary. It's all because of those two "campus flowers" causing trouble. I must stay away from them in the future. This battle made me realize that my skills are far from enough. Losing twice in a row, feeling powerless, is really uncomfortable. When these injuries heal, I must seize the time to practice, and I can't afford to cause trouble anymore.
I felt completely drained, unable to exert any strength, but strangely, I didn't feel any pain all over my body. I didn't expect that after coming to the Dragon God Empire, I would end up in the infirmary twice without learning any knowledge.
At this moment, a male doctor walked in, wearing a white coat. "You're awake," he said.
I nodded weakly and asked, "Doctor, how did I get here? Why can't I exert any strength?"
The doctor chuckled and checked my eyelids before replying, "Young man, this is the hospital affiliated with the Tian Du Academy. You were hit by the Vice Dean's holy light. It's lucky you're not dead. You're quite strong. You woke up so quickly. Rest well. There's no serious problem anymore. Your body will recover slowly. When you're better, the Vice Dean will want to talk to you. I'll leave now. A nurse will come to take care of you later."
After he left, I closed my eyes and began to contemplate the battle just now. I understood my shortcomings. Although I was strong, I lacked technique, coupled with lack of experience, which led to being defeated by those higher-grade students. I decided to practice more and improve my combat skills.
Shortly after, a nurse entered the room. She smiled and said, "You're awake. Let me measure your temperature and blood pressure." I nodded and allowed her to proceed.
Under the care of the nurse, I gradually felt some strength returning to my body. The Vice Dean would want to talk to me later, so I had to recover as soon as possible.
The Vice Dean wanting to talk to me, could it be that he's already discovered my identity? It's unlikely. I only used dark magic, and there are people on the continent who use similar dark magic. Besides, I have a human body after all, so I'm not so similar to the demons. Why would he want to talk to me then? Is it about the source of the magic? It's possible. Regardless, I have to get through this. I still want to continue studying at the Tian Du Academy.
A nurse approached, young and with a fair complexion, her eyes large and charming.
She kindly asked, "Feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
I shook my head.
With a gentle smile, she said, "Then I won't disturb your rest. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be by the door."
Suddenly, I remembered something. "Nurse, could you come here for a moment?" I called out.
The nurse hurried over, asking, "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
I replied, "I'm not feeling uncomfortable. I just... I want to go back to the academy."
She visibly hesitated and said, "Go back to the academy? What for? You should focus on recovering from your injuries first."
I shook my head and insisted, "No, I have something very important to attend to."
"What could be so important?" she asked.
With a scoff, I replied, "That's none of your business. All you need to know is that I need to go back to the academy."
The nurse furrowed her brow and said, "If you don't tell me why, I won't let you go back."
She seemed quite principled. I tried to muster my powers, but neither the Dark Demon Arts nor the Thunder Armor could be invoked. I was just like an ordinary person now. Feeling frustrated, I sighed and confessed, "Alright, I'll tell you. It's because my horse is at the academy, and I haven't fed it since I came here. It only eats the food I give it. If I don't go back soon, it might starve."
The nurse chuckled and said, "A horse that only eats food from one person? I find that hard to believe."
I pleaded, "It's true! Please, just let me go back."
The nurse pondered for a moment and said, "With your current condition, how are you going to go back? Alright, here's the deal. I'll go fetch a wheelchair, but you have to be quick. No delays."
The nurse was surprisingly accommodating. I quickly exclaimed, "Absolutely, once I've fed it, I'll come back with you immediately." Her flexibility made me feel a bit grateful.
I wasn't sure where she found the wheelchair, but she helped me into it and we set off. The hospital was very close to the academy, and soon we arrived. It was class time, so there weren't many people on the campus. With her assistance, we quickly made it to the stables. As we approached, I saw a small figure crouching there, arranging hay and feeding Black Dragon through the wooden fence. Strangely, Black Dragon seemed to be enjoying the food. It had become a traitor, eating food from someone else. But then again, I couldn't blame it. It must have been starving.
The nurse suppressed a smile and remarked, "That big, greedy horse couldn't be yours, could it?" There was a hint of mockery in her eyes. She actually called the majestic Black Dragon a "greedy horse," which was both amusing and annoying.
I didn't respond, instead, I just scowled and gestured for her to push me closer. As we got nearer, I realized it was actually Purple Snow who was feeding the horse. The sunlight was bright, and sweat dripped down her forehead as she worked diligently. Seeing her like this stirred something within me. With a cold tone, I demanded, "Who told you to feed my horse?"
Purple Snow was startled at first, but when she saw it was me, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on her face. She said, "Are you feeling better? I'm really sorry about what happened the other day. It's because of me that you got hurt. You've been in the hospital for days, and I was worried that your horse would go hungry, so I came to feed it. At first, it didn't want to eat, but I coaxed it for a while before it finally started."
Taking the hay from her hand, I fed it to Black Dragon. Black Dragon neighed happily when it saw me. The nurse commented, "It looks quite beautiful up close."
The nurse looked excitedly at Black Dragon and asked, "Can I touch it? Its fur is so shiny!"
Although I was tempted to refuse her, I couldn't shake this strange feeling in my heart. I grabbed Black Dragon's reins and whispered in its ear, allowing this lady to touch it; she means no harm. Then I nodded to the nurse.
The nurse happily stroked Black Dragon's head. Although Black Dragon didn't resist, there was a guarded look in its eyes...
Watching from the side, Purple Snow felt a pang of sadness. She turned away dejectedly, about to leave. Her petite figure seemed so lonely. Seeing her desolate appearance, I felt a twinge of guilt. "Wait," I called out to Purple Snow.
Turning back with a forced smile, Purple Snow asked, "Is there anything else? Since you're back, you don't need me to feed it anymore."
I looked deeply into her eyes and said, "Thank you for feeding Black Dragon."
Purple Snow seemed surprised by my change in attitude, and a look of pleasant surprise flickered in her eyes. She whispered softly, "It's okay. If it weren't for me, it wouldn't have gone hungry."
"Since you've already fed it, could you please help me feed it for a few more days? My injury hasn't fully healed yet, and I might have to stay in the hospital for a while longer."
"Black Dragon, this is also a friend. Don't be mean to her in the future." Hearing my words to Black Dragon, Purple Snow approached and tentatively reached out to pet Black Dragon a couple of times. Seeing her happy and excited expression, I felt a warm sensation in my heart.
Turning to the nurse, I said, "Let's go back."
Purple Snow bowed to the nurse and said, "Thank you for taking care of him."
The nurse smiled slightly and replied, "You really care about him. Don't worry, it's my duty to take care of him."
Seeing Purple Snow's concern, ripples of emotion stirred in my heart.
On the way back to the hospital, the nurse kept asking me about who Purple Snow was, even going as far as to inquire if she was my girlfriend.
I tried to dissuade her with a glare, but it was no use. Finally, I reluctantly told her, "She's a senior student, one year ahead of me. We only had one encounter when she almost got trampled by my horse, and I saved her."
"Why did she claim responsibility for your injury then?" the nurse persisted.
I replied with irritation, "Are all the nurses in this hospital this nosy about patients' personal lives?" She fell silent for a moment before silently pushing me back to the hospital.
Perhaps due to my injury, my heart softened, and seeing her helplessness, I decided to tell her the reason for my injury. After hearing the explanation, the nurse chuckled, "Looks like this Purple Snow girl really has feelings for you."
Furrowing my brow, I impatiently said, "Why are you so nosy? I just need some peace and quiet."
Finally, we returned to the hospital. I told her, "I need to rest now, please attend to your duties. I'll call for you if I need anything." With that, I closed my eyes, ignoring her. Finally, I could escape from this incessant buzzing fly.
So, I spent a whole 8 days in the hospital, until my skills were basically restored. During this time, the nurse came to keep me company every day and chat with me. Although I found her a bit annoying, it seemed like she was able to open up my heart, which had been closed off before. Gradually, I even began to look forward to our conversations.
After this period of recuperation, my injuries had completely healed, and it was time for me to return to the academy. Although I felt some reluctance to leave after spending time with the nurse, I knew it was time to move on.
On the day I was discharged, she escorted me all the way to the hospital's entrance, her eyes reddened as she asked, "Will you miss me?"
I nodded, but remained silent.
She then said, "My name is Kellan, remember to come and see me, okay?"
I sighed softly and replied, "My name is Ray, and perhaps if I have the time, I will come." With that, I left the hospital with a sense of longing and reluctance. I found that both Purple Snow and Kellan had left a deep impression on my heart. The beauty and gentleness of human women they displayed had gradually opened up the closed-off parts of my heart.
Upon returning to the classroom, I found that no one dared to speak to me. Since they ignored me, I decided not to pay attention to them either. I walked to my seat, and Fire beside me said, "Ray, you're better."
I nodded.
"Last time, I'm really sorry, but we did go to get reinforcements, and even managed to get the vice dean to come along," he said, unaware that it was the vice dean who had sent me to the hospital.
I smiled bitterly, "You're just making things worse. I was sent to the hospital by a Holy Light from the vice dean."
Fire grinned awkwardly and said, "Oh, I'm really sorry. But you did stand up for us commoners. Now, many first-year students idolize you."
I looked around and said, "I didn't notice that. They don't even greet me, let alone call me an idol."
Fire whispered, "You don't know. Ever since you fought those noble kids last time, they swore to get back at you. Maybe the students are afraid of being implicated by you, so they don't dare to talk to you."
Oh, now I understand. It seems those noble kids won't let me off easily, huh? Well, I won't let them off either.
At that moment, our homeroom teacher, Teacher Zhuang, walked in. She immediately spotted me and said, "Everyone, self-study for a while. Ray, come out for a moment."
It seems she's also concerned about the incident last time. I followed Mrs. Zhuang out. She took me to the corridor, her eyes showing a reproachful look. "You, you haven't been in school for long, yet you've already been to the infirmary and the hospital. I heard you used dark magic last time, but didn't you say you couldn't use magic?" I scratched my head, saying, "Because isn't dark magic considered evil on the continent? I was afraid of being misunderstood, so I didn't say anything. I only used it when I had no choice but to fight those aristocrats." Mrs. Zhuang sighed, "Well, it doesn't matter. You don't need to explain to me. Let's go see the vice principal. Do you know that since you started school, you've already been to the infirmary and the hospital? You've become a problem student in the eyes of other teachers." I stared into her eyes and asked, "What about you? Am I a problem student in your eyes?" Mrs. Zhuang blushed slightly, "Of course not. You're my student. How could I see you like that? Besides, these two times weren't your fault." I smiled faintly, "As long as you don't see me that way, let others say what they want. Let's go, I'll go see the vice principal with you."
Mrs. Zhuang said, "This is the first time I've seen you smile. Young people should always keep smiling, or they'll age quickly." Her words caught me off guard. Could it be that the way I am now is really not good?
Following Mrs. Zhuang, I arrived at the top floor of the teaching building, which was the office of the academy's leaders. She led me to a door and knocked, saying, "Vice Principal, are you there?"
A deep male voice from inside the room replied, "Come in."
We entered the spacious office, and behind the central desk sat an elderly wizard with white hair. Upon seeing us, he said, "Please, have a seat. You're the student who used dark magic last time, aren't you?"
Before I could respond, Mrs. Zhuang interjected, "Vice Principal, last time was a misunderstanding..."
The Vice Principal raised his hand to stop her and said, "That's enough, Mrs. Zhuang. You can go back to your class. I'll handle this."
Mrs. Zhuang stood up helplessly, but before leaving, she gave me a cautious look, for which I couldn't help but feel grateful.
After Mrs. Zhuang left, the Vice Principal gestured for me to answer his earlier question.
I nodded and said, "Yes, I did use dark magic last time."
The Vice Principal stared at me intently with his sharp eyes for a moment before speaking, "Do you know that dark magic is very dangerous? A misstep could lead to loss of life. If I hadn't arrived in time last time, who knows what chaos could have ensued."
I replied indignantly, "Last time, they outnumbered me and attacked me. If I hadn't used dark magic, I might have been seriously injured or even killed. I only used it to protect myself."
The Vice Principal chuckled and said, "You're quite bold. Actually, I know those noble students are used to bullying others in the academy, especially the commoner students. But the academy can't do much about it. However, in the future, if you get into fights with them, you're not allowed to use dark magic. Don't injure or kill them. Do you hear me? They do deserve some punishment, though."
I stared at him blankly. Was he actually encouraging me to fight?
He continued, "Your physique is quite strong, as there are very few people using dark magic nowadays. Last time in the cafeteria, I thought a spy from the Dark Clan had infiltrated the academy and was going to cause trouble. That's why I used such a large spell. You only ended up in the hospital for over ten days, which was beyond my expectations." Was he implying I should have been killed?
"Who did you learn your dark magic from?" Here it comes, he's getting to the point and questioning me.
I provided the prepared response I had in mind, "Once during an exploration in a valley, I accidentally stumbled upon a book of dark magic and learned from it. Practicing dark magic is very difficult, and that day in the cafeteria was the first time I used it. I had no idea it would have such serious consequences."
The Vice Principal didn't delve deeper. He said, "Alright, regardless of the reason, causing trouble in the academy is not acceptable. From your eyes, I can tell you're not a member of the Dark Clan. This incident serves as a good lesson. For now, you'll receive a warning. If you behave well within three months, the warning will be lifted. Additionally, as punishment, you'll be confined to facing the wall in the top floor of the library for three months. Do you have any objections?"
What objections could I possibly have? Would he even listen if I did? Besides, I can't attend classes anymore. When will I have the chance to secretly learn martial arts? I shook my head and said, "I have no objections. I'll comply with the academy's arrangements."
The Vice Principal smiled and said, "Actually, facing the wall isn't such a bad thing. You can freely browse through the books in the library, and three months of solitude will only benefit you. Plus, no one will disturb you there."
Upon hearing his words, I had a sudden realization. Was the Vice Principal helping me to avoid trouble? If I go face the wall, I won't have to deal with the provocations of the nobles, and it means I can smoothly remove the punishment just imposed on me. It seems this Vice Principal is quite shrewd.
I sincerely said, "Thank you, Vice Principal. I'll do my best to stay out of trouble from now on."
The Vice Principal and I shared a smile, and he whispered, "After your time facing the wall ends, if any nobles bother you, you don't need to show me face, but remember the request I just made. I forgot to mention, I also come from a commoner background."
His remark amused me. Crisis finally averted.
I asked, "When do I start facing the wall?"
He replied, "Right now. I'll take you to the library."
The library was located in the northwest part of the academy, a magnificent eight-story building. I followed the Vice Principal to the top floor. He instructed me, "From now on, you'll face the wall. There are a few things you need to remember: First, you're not allowed to go below the sixth floor; the upper three floors are off-limits to other students as well. Second, you must not damage the books on the upper three floors. Third, you must not damage anything in this library while practicing. I'll come to release you after three months. Someone will bring you food every day."
Before leaving, he added, "Never, under any circumstances, use dark magic in the academy again. If you have to use it, wait until you're on the battlefield. Do you understand? You can learn magic from other departments here. Good luck, young man."
I replied, "Thank you, Vice Principal. Oh, could you please inform the second-year student, Ziyue, and ask her to help me feed my horse for the next three months?"
"You still have a horse? Alright, I'll talk to her about it."
With that, the Vice Principal left, leaving me alone on the eighth floor of the library. Glancing around, I saw towering bookshelves, each reaching a height taller than a person. They were labeled and categorized. The floors were paved with marble, giving the library an ancient and solemn atmosphere. During the ascent, I noticed that the lower six floors had windows, while the upper floors were completely sealed, relying on magic crystals powered by ventilators for air circulation.
Being confined here isn't so bad after all. If I gather more information from this place, won't it help me achieve my mission's goals? It could also enhance my own abilities. Where should I start, though? Since the vice dean advised against using dark magic, I'll begin by learning other forms of magic.