Chapter 66

Oudi actually didn't know Ji Ran's true strength, after all, the two had never faced off directly. He had only seen that Ji Ran's sword skill level was only at level two during the sword skill exam.

What does a full score in the sword skill exam represent? It merely indicates that his sword skills are superb. The academy's exams are determined based on the strength of each candidate, and in reality, a very high level doesn't necessarily guarantee a good score. That Ji Ran probably relied on his relatively high sword skill level, right?

A gold-level sword skill, if mastered slightly better, could indeed achieve a full score in the exam.

But this doesn't mean he can defeat a silver-level opponent. In this world, the level of combat aura is a very important matter... The gap in combat aura that can be offset by technique is very limited.

But that Ji Ran, with only level two strength, actually defeated two level threes and one level four!

This is unscientific!

"Forgive me for being frank, but I don't think that Ji Ran is so powerful. If he could defeat a level three swordsman, I believe that, and I did remind you at the time. But a level four swordsman... I really don't know how he lost." At this moment, Oudi naturally couldn't say that he had misjudged.

Douglas looked at the three people in front of him, their noses bruised and faces swollen, and sighed, waving his hand to dismiss them. The three people fled in relief.

"Henry is an impatient level four swordsman, his real strength is just a bit better than a level three. To say he is at the silver level is indeed a bit of a stretch. I didn't expect that Ji Ran would be so strong." Douglas also admitted that he had underestimated Ji Ran. After all, with only level two, it's too easy to look down on him.

"Sir Douglas, I think that now, if we want Ji Ran to leave Miss Anya, just relying on these small-scale covert actions might not be enough." Oudi continued to offer suggestions. Although he was now at level three, as a bodyguard, he was clearly not enough—just look at those three unfortunate fellows. So, as a nobleman's son, being a strategist is much better than being a bodyguard.

"…So what do you suggest?" Douglas was also deep in thought.

"Find a powerful opponent to crush his confidence in one go. It's not necessary to directly injure him; as long as his defeat is known to everyone, he will leave Miss Anya out of shame." Oudi's eyes twinkled as he thought of a plan.

After hearing this, Douglas pondered for a moment: "That's not a bad idea..."

The next day, while Ji Ran and Lydia were having breakfast, he briefly mentioned the attack.

"The incident was probably aimed at me, and it has nothing to do with you. But if those people lose their reason, we can't rule out the possibility that they might come after you. So, be careful for a while, don't go to places with few people, and try to stay with your classmates."

Ji Ran patted Lydia's head.

Lydia sipped her soup in small bites, thought for a moment, and suddenly looked up: "So, Brother Ji Ran is fighting over a girl with others?" The little girl's focus was completely different from what Ji Ran had expected...

Ji Ran was a bit embarrassed: "It's not like that. Didn't I tell you? That girl just wanted to challenge me to a sword duel, and it was the one who has a crush on her who caused trouble..."

"If the one who has a crush on her sees you as a threat, then your relationship must be closer than that of ordinary classmates, right?" Lydia, unusually, didn't let up, her big eyes staring intently at Ji Ran.

"…No, it's not like that. It's just that Anya rarely interacts with other male classmates, and her sudden appearance in front of me probably made the admirer feel threatened..." Ji Ran lacked confidence. In fact, even he didn't know why he felt guilty.

After looking at Ji Ran for a while, making him feel uncomfortable, Lydia finally smiled: "Actually, it's nothing. Brother Ji Ran should find a girlfriend. Don't worry, I won't be angry."

Hearing Lydia's words, Ji Ran should have felt relieved, but for some reason, a sense of danger lingered in his heart.

"Ha ha, no way, I'm fully focused on my studies right now..." Under the sense of danger, Ji Ran instinctively chose a vague response.

Today's classes were alchemy and history and geography.

Ji Ran had already decided to make the two magical treasures first, so he thought he could try his hand at the alchemy class.

According to the course, today's alchemy class should have entered the experimental stage. That is, based on the theories taught in the previous days, everyone would try to create a finished product today.

Of course, a product that can be made in one class won't be of high quality. The old professor was looking at the students' thinking and creativity. The operational aspects were also a focus, and if the simplest quality alchemy product couldn't be completed, it would be better to change courses early to avoid failing the final exam.

In fact, none of the students who chose the alchemy course had no foundation.

As the saying goes, the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts, and this is also true in this world. And alchemy, even for those who can afford martial arts, might not be affordable.

There's no way around it. The so-called rich martial arts, or martial arts practice (including magic in this world), require sufficient nutrition for the body and some external conditions, such as alchemy potions. But alchemy is about spending money to gain proficiency.

Each experiment requires a large amount of materials, and these materials are almost never cheap. And even if you spend the materials, you might not get a finished product—any small difference in quantity or quality could ruin the experiment.

People who are not particularly wealthy or exceptionally talented wouldn't dare to touch alchemy.

Of course, if you have an alchemy lineage, it's different. An alchemy lineage can save you a lot of detours and significantly reduce your failure rate. While it's uncertain whether you can become a high-level alchemist, at least it can make a person with some talent become an alchemist.

Those who can enter Azure Wind and choose the alchemy course must have no alchemy lineage. But they must have some talent and be valued by their families or certain forces, which is why they were sent to Azure Wind.

Self-taught geniuses in the field of alchemy are almost non-existent.

Thus, the students who entered Azure Wind and chose the alchemy course naturally had a solid foundation. The worst of them could at least independently complete the creation of a magic item.

They were naturally very confident about such experimental courses.

During these two weeks of classes, various small circles had already formed among the alchemy students.

Not just this class, but other courses and even the class itself, had circles. It's impossible for everyone to get along perfectly; there are always varying degrees of closeness.

Ji Ran didn't join any circle. He just wanted to quietly get the knowledge he needed and then leave the school—the sky outside was much broader.

So, in this alchemy class, he naturally stood alone, watching the other students chat enthusiastically.

"Ah, East, you should be the top in this experiment, right?" A thin guy was flattering a young man who was looking up with a bit of arrogance.

The young man called East slightly shook his head but couldn't hide the pride on his face: "Alchemy is a skill that requires both talent and luck. At our stage, no one can guarantee they will be the top. I just have a bit more experience."

This sounded humble, but the actual arrogance was almost overflowing.

The people around him also played along: "East, you don't have to be so modest. Whether it's talent or experience, you are the strongest among us. Your score in this experiment will definitely be better than the others!"

The experimental course is also graded, and for the students, it's like a small exam.

"Where, where, everyone is great. We are all talented and supported, so we will all get good scores. Only those who don't know their limits and signed up for the alchemy course will probably be in trouble this time..."

The students around him laughed in agreement. East was considered the best in this alchemy class. With good talent and strong family support, his pride was justified.

There were indeed a few students in this course who had no support but signed up for the alchemy course out of passion. These students generally performed poorly in the course—there was no way they could compare to the future alchemists who had already spent countless gold coins and accumulated considerable experience.

When forming small circles, East and his group naturally couldn't help but mock these students to highlight themselves.

Ji Ran was also categorized as one of those "talented but unsupported and overconfident guys." Of course, Ji Ran didn't get indignant and red-faced like the other students; he just smiled faintly.

Fighting for a moment's anger wouldn't do any good. They were enjoying themselves, so why should he interrupt them?

Soon, Professor Sergei arrived in the classroom, accompanied by a school staff member carrying a large box. Clearly, it contained the experimental materials.

The alchemy course is also very expensive. The first set of materials is free, but if the experiment fails, the next one will have to be purchased at market price. Of course, you don't have to buy it, but if you fail the exam, don't blame the school for being unreasonable.

"Today's experiment, I'm sure you've all prepared for a long time. Don't be too nervous, it's just the first experiment, and failure is nothing. Alchemy is a discipline learned from failure. What you learn from failure is what you need to focus on..." The old professor, being old, tended to ramble. The high-achieving students, led by East, already showed signs of impatience but didn't dare to speak up.

An alchemy master, an alchemy professor—these two identities were not to be trifled with.