Chapter 5: The Challenged Chief and an Unexpected Encounter

Starlight Moon Academy, the largest academy in the Blazefall Kingdom, was predominantly populated by the descendants of prominent noble families. Today, a momentous piece of news had swept through the school. Their Chief Senior Sister of the Academy had returned! To hold the title of Chief of Starlight Moon Academy, one not only had to be unrivaled among their peers but also to have made significant contributions to the institution. In the year since Yao Yueli was presumed dead on the battlefield, no one had surpassed her contributions to the academy. Thus, the position of Chief Senior Sister remained hers. The easiest path to claiming the Chief’s position now was to defeat Yao Yueli. Gudou Toutian, the sword prodigy of the Gudou family, was precisely that challenger. For these scions of noble houses, their usual pastime involved sipping tea, chatting idly, and spectating battles between powerful individuals. The impending clash between two such peerless geniuses instantly drew a massive crowd of students. Consequently, the academy buzzed with an unprecedented liveliness.

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“Hahaha… hahaha… why is this blasted school built so high up on a mountain? I’m so… so tired, I could die!”

Ahoge Dragon had followed Yao Yueli to this academy, which seemed to be perched among the clouds. Upon finally reaching the main gate, Ahoge Dragon, unconcerned by the dirt, plopped down onto the ground. She vowed that even if it killed her, she would never return to this accursed place again.

“A blasted academy? Stupid Ahoge, you’d best mind your tongue while you’re here. Be careful, or if the academy’s teachers and elders hear you, they’ll string you up on the gate!”

Yao Yueli frowned, knowing Starlight Moon Academy was immensely powerful; even the Queen of the Blazefall Kingdom had to treat its faculty with courtesy. Who dared speak of it in such a manner, like Ahoge Dragon?

“Hmph,” Ahoge Dragon scoffed, completely ignoring the warning. From what she had gathered, the most powerful queen in this entire nation was merely a six-star magical artifact wielder. Ahoge Dragon, on the other hand, possessed a staggering ten thousand stars of magical power! Though her control over it was nonexistent, it was still incredibly formidable. Once she grew a little older, wouldn’t she effortlessly take control of this entire country?

“Meow! Sister Yueli, you’re here. The Dean wants to see you; she asked me to tell you to go to her office!”

Hearing that distinct ‘meow,’ Ahoge Dragon immediately recognized the cat girl from yesterday.

“Why does the old Dean want me? I still have to deal with Gudou Toutian!”

Having subdued Ahoge Dragon on the bed yesterday, Yao Yueli’s strength had notably improved. She was just looking for Gudou Toutian to test her skills.

“The Dean specifically instructed that you find her first upon entering the academy; the matter with Gudou Toutian can wait.”

“Alright,” Yao Yueli nodded, realizing the Dean must truly have something important to discuss. She then glanced at Ahoge Dragon, who was still seated on the ground, feeling a headache brewing. Unable to take Ahoge Dragon to the Dean, she turned to Mao Yuxia.

“Xiaoxia, this is Ahoge. I’m going up to see the Dean. Please help me keep an eye on her here and make sure she doesn’t cause any trouble!”

She then warned Ahoge Dragon, “Did you hear me? You stay put and wait here until I return!”

“Got it! Got it!”

Ahoge Dragon waved a dismissive hand, stating that she was so exhausted, she wouldn’t move even if told to.

“Meow meow! Sister Yueli, I’ll definitely keep a good watch over her!”

Mao Yuxia said, approaching Ahoge Dragon and patting her head as if in greeting.

“Meow? Little Ahoge, your horns look just like a dragon’s!”

“Cough! Cough, cough, cough!”

Hearing this, Ahoge Dragon choked and coughed several times in fright, quickly trying to cover it up.

“Not a dragon! I’m a lizard. Haven’t you ever seen a mutated lizard before?”

She couldn’t afford not to conceal it! Exposing her dragon identity would mean being captured, flayed, and having her tendons pulled out!

“A lizard? Indeed, a rather ugly lizard. Yao Yueli, is this your pet? When did the illustrious Enchanted Clan, one of the four great families, become so impoverished that they can’t even afford a flying pet? Watching you two climb those stairs for so long was truly amusing!”

“Awoo~ Who’s this? So punchable!”

Calling her a lizard was one thing, but calling her ugly? He must have a death wish!

“Gudou Toutian, climbing these stairs daily is an exercise designed to train students’ endurance! For you to simply fly up here shows a blatant disregard for the academy’s rules!”

Yao Yueli gazed coldly at the newcomer. Gudou Toutian possessed flowing green hair, and his face appeared haggard, as if utterly drained. Yet, his eyes were exceptionally sharp as he leaned languidly against a gate pillar, cradling a sword. Hearing Yao Yueli’s words, he merely offered an indifferent smile, which, combined with his gloomy expression, made him appear rather sinister. He spoke nonchalantly:

“The academy’s rules can’t restrict me. Anyway, I’m about to defeat you and become the Chief of the Academy, so won’t I be the one calling the shots around here then?”

“Hmph! So you’re Gudou Toutian, huh? You look like a man with kidney deficiency!”

“You think you can defeat my big sister? Dream on! ‘Toutian’? I think you’re just LOL-ing at the sky!”

This scoundrel, Gudou Toutian, dared to call her ugly? She wouldn’t rest until she cursed him to death!

“Tsk.”

Gudou Toutian’s mouth twitched, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. In the next second, Ahoge Dragon’s vision blurred rapidly.

“Clang!”

The purple longsword in Yao Yueli’s hand collided with Gudou Toutian’s green longsword.

“Gudou Toutian, to attack an ordinary demidemon—how typical of you!”

This nation strictly forbade high-star magical artifact wielders from indiscriminately killing ordinary citizens.

“I’ve already told you, this academy can’t restrict me, and this country certainly can’t! But you…”

Suddenly, Gudou Toutian’s expression turned gleeful, and he let out a strangely amused laugh, his interest piqued.

“You’ve already broken through to a four-star magical artifact wielder, haven’t you? I’m even more eager for our battle now~”

“Do you need to see that old hag, the Dean, first? Fine, I’ll wait a little longer for you~”

“But don’t keep me waiting too long~ Hahaha~ Hahaha~ Four stars~ Defeating you will also allow me to break through to four stars~ Hahaha!”

With that, Gudou Toutian departed, his mad laughter echoing behind him. Yao Yueli watched his retreating figure, her heart filled with a complex mix of emotions. A year ago, Gudou Toutian had roamed the world with a carefree spirit, dedicating himself to the pursuit of the sword, leaving countless legends in his wake. How had he transformed into this state?

“Awoo~! He makes me so mad! Big Sister, you absolutely have to beat that kidney-deficient man into a pig’s head!”

Ahoge Dragon bared her fangs at Gudou Toutian’s retreating figure, looking ready to charge into a fight. Gudou Toutian had clearly intended to kill her just now! Her eyes, seemingly incredibly sharp, had caught a glimpse of Gudou Toutian’s sword almost touching her neck, even if only for an instant. Had Yao Yueli not intervened, her head would likely have already flown off! She would remember this grudge! Once she grew up, she would definitely stomp that kidney-deficient man to death!

“Stupid Ahoge!” Yao Yueli felt a throbbing headache, realizing she should never have brought Ahoge Dragon out. With her foul mouth, she was sure to get herself killed several times over!

“Hmph… I’m not stupid! You are!”

Ahoge Dragon puffed out her cheeks in displeasure.

“I don’t have time to argue with you! Stupid Ahoge, stay put! Xiaoxia, I’m entrusting her to you!”

Yao Yueli felt she had wasted too much time here. After giving Ahoge Dragon her orders, she strode into the academy.

“Little Ahoge, you’re truly audacious! But, you need to be more careful in the future. Words can bring disaster, and those people aren’t good; they kill without a second thought!”

Mao Yuxia saw that Ahoge Dragon seemed utterly oblivious. So, she approached to properly explain how one should act to survive longer in this cruel world.

“Hmph, he’s just a kidney-deficient man, isn’t he? Once I grow up, I’ll swat him dead with a single slap! Eh? Analysis successful?”

Ahoge Dragon blinked, possessing a skill called ‘Dragon’s Eye of Discernment’. She had just used it on the kidney-deficient man’s sword. It was also a silver-grade magical artifact. However, upon analysis, this silver-grade magical artifact surprisingly contained materials she could use for her own advancement! Ahoge Dragon’s eyes instantly brightened. She knew that if she wanted to level up quickly, she simply needed to consume rare treasures. But when she asked Yao Yueli for them, Yao Yueli had claimed they were too expensive and extremely rare! How could they be rare? Ahoge Dragon had just stumbled upon one so casually! And it was a pretty good item too! Ahoge Dragon then leaped up from the ground, determined to get her hands on that item!