Chapter 72

The situation was far more serious than Ji Ran had imagined. The next day, someone came to find him.

It was a tall, slender man wearing glasses, who looked somewhat refined. However, the long sword at his side, which clearly emitted magical fluctuations, indicated that this guy's sword skills were also extraordinary.

The man's face was almost congealed with arrogance, looking down at Ji Ran with a condescending air.

"Are you Ji Ran, who scored full marks in the sword skills test? My mentor wants to see you." The way he spoke was like a eunuch delivering a message to the emperor, with a deformed arrogance and a hint of jealousy.

Ji Ran was on his way back to the dormitory for dinner after school. Seeing this guy, he rolled his eyes. "Who is your mentor?"

That guy clearly did not expect Ji Ran to be so impolite, and his face immediately darkened. "My mentor is the school's sword skills professor, Master Alexander!"

Professor Alexander? Ji Ran had indeed heard of him. After all, as a student in the sword skills class, he knew a bit about the sword masters in the academy, even if he had never met them.

This Alexander and Lawrence were both sword masters in the academy, but their reputations were vastly different. Narrow-minded, vengeful, jealous, cold, and harsh... the only highlight was his strength.

Compared to Lawrence, Alexander was not as strict about taking disciples. As long as someone could provide him with benefits, he almost accepted everyone. Of course, the benefits that could catch his eye were not many, and becoming his disciple would require a significant price.

After accepting something, Alexander would not just ignore it, as it would greatly affect his reputation. Therefore, among his disciples, there were a few genuine outstanding ones, and the others at least received his protection.

Even if he wanted to take a master, Ji Ran would not choose someone like Alexander, let alone when he had no intention of taking a master at all.

"What does Professor Alexander want with me? I have a tight schedule recently. If it's not something important, could I visit when I have free time?" Ji Ran did not want to confront Professor Alexander directly, after all, he was a powerful figure who could stand on equal footing with Professor Lawrence...

Although he would not casually harm people in the Azure Wind for the sake of his reputation, he could easily make things difficult for him.

"…Professor Alexander is giving you face by seeing you, and you dare to be evasive? Do you know how many students would jump at the chance to see Professor Alexander?" The guy, who looked like a eunuch and had a somewhat effeminate appearance, pushed his glasses up, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

"Uh… I'm just an ordinary student. I never thought I would have any connection with Professor Alexander. Now that he has suddenly found me, I am naturally a bit nervous. If you don't tell me his intentions, please have my class mentor give me the order… otherwise, I dare not act rashly."

Ji Ran's words seemed to be a show of weakness, but combined with his calm expression, it made people want to punch him in the face.

Clearly, the guy opposite him had the same thought but forcibly suppressed it.

"I am the nineteenth disciple of Professor Alexander, Hein, a third-year student. My mentor wants to see you to ask if you are interested in becoming his disciple, his twenty-third disciple."

As expected. After listening to David's words yesterday, Ji Ran knew that someone was already eyeing him. It was within expectation that Alexander would send someone to find him. With twenty-two disciples, Alexander would not mind having one more nominal disciple… especially one who could bring him a gold-level sword skill.

"If that's the case, then forget it. Please help me decline, Senior Hein. I came to the Azure Wind to learn knowledge and do not have the intention of taking a master for now. Of course, if Professor Alexander needs my help with something, I will do my best within my capabilities."

Ji Ran was not stingy with his flattery. Refusing the offer would likely anger the other party. At this moment, saying something nice would not completely dispel the other's resentment, but it would at least make them a bit more cautious, right?

However, Hein did not hide his anger. "It is your good fortune that Professor Alexander has noticed you, and you dare to refuse? You should know that Professor Alexander is a gold-level strongman. If you anger him…"

His words were filled with undisguised threats.

Ji Ran was a bit puzzled. Logically, if Alexander wanted to take him as a disciple, it was because he valued his gold-level sword skill. However, since he wanted to take him as a disciple to obtain the gold-level sword skill, it meant he did not want to use force but rather wanted to exchange his protection for it. But Hein's behavior was too strange.

Although his words suggested he wanted Ji Ran to see the wisdom in becoming Alexander's disciple, the tone he used would make anyone with a bit of backbone refuse. In this situation, the possibility of things going wrong was too high.

This guy… did he not want Ji Ran to become Alexander's disciple? Ji Ran narrowed his eyes.

This possibility was not only possible but also very likely. Becoming a disciple of a gold-level swordsman was indeed something to boast about, but if the gold-level swordsman had too many disciples, the attention on each disciple would naturally be diluted. Reducing competitors and gaining more resources was a normal choice for an ordinary person.

Ha, this guy probably took on this task on his own initiative, aiming to provoke him. If he could get Ji Ran to say a few harsh words to Alexander, it would be even better… He could then go back and exaggerate these words to Alexander, making Ji Ran the bad guy.

However, if he refused Alexander's offer, it should be a good thing for him. So, what was the purpose of the final threat? Why not just walk away?

"I believe Professor Alexander would not take my refusal to heart… He has so many disciples, and I am just an ordinary person, so it doesn't matter." Ji Ran shrugged. What could he do now? He couldn't agree just because he was afraid, right?

Moreover, even if he agreed, there was no guarantee the other party would let him off. What if he said something about Ji Ran having no backbone?

Ji Ran vaguely realized that this guy's goal was not only to prevent him from taking a master but also to cause him trouble. Although he did not know why, it seemed that things would not end well.

The result of the appraisal skill was a question mark, indicating that Hein's level was definitely above level 4. A level 5 swordsman, and even a disciple of a sword master…

The situation was a bit serious… Ji Ran glanced around.

There were other people around. Although not many, a fair number of students were gathered. The old dormitory was in a remote area, but he was still on the road, so he inevitably encountered other students. Hein stopping him and the unusual situation naturally drew a crowd.

In a place Ji Ran could not see, Ody was watching him from a distance, his eyes full of satisfaction.

Ha, so what if you scored full marks in the sword skills test? When you face a disciple of a sword master, you still have to back down, right? With level 2 strength, you can barely handle a level 3, let alone a level 5 swordsman.

"Your idea is good, but unfortunately, we can't let Anya see this guy's current state." Beside him, Douglas was also watching the scene with a smile.

"We can't let Miss Anya come over; otherwise, with her personality, she would definitely stand up for Ji Ran. Then, there would be no fight."

Ody explained. As a strategist, he had to consider all aspects.

"Also, I have arranged for someone to attract the attention of the student council, so no one will come to cause trouble here in the short term. As long as Hein can follow your plan, Douglas, and successfully provoke and defeat Ji Ran, this matter will be considered a success."

Ody's face showed a sinister smile. He had racked his brains for this plan. He had to make Ji Ran lose face here!

It was impossible to expect Hein to kill Ji Ran. Hein was not a fool and would not get too deeply involved in someone else's affairs. As long as he could humiliate Ji Ran on the spot, the goal would be achieved!

Indeed, Hein was acting so aggressively because he had been asked by Douglas.

Although Hein was a disciple of Professor Alexander, he was not particularly favored. To become Alexander's disciple, he had consumed a lot of resources—without any gains, he would be at a loss.

In his situation, it was natural to have connections with someone like Douglas from a powerful family. This time, Douglas had asked him to prevent Ji Ran from becoming Alexander's disciple and to humiliate him, and he had paid a significant price. Given Hein's current situation, he had no reason to refuse.

Reducing a competitor and gaining benefits, why not? A level 2 kid, so what if he scored full marks in the sword skills test? So what if he has a gold-level sword skill? With his level 5 strength, why should he be afraid?

Therefore, he started by provoking Ji Ran and did not let up even when Ji Ran indicated he did not want to take a master.

Ji Ran, on the other hand, did not want to endure it any longer.

What kind of people dared to step on him like this… This effeminate guy, relying on his higher level, was so arrogant and looking for trouble. If he continued to endure, would more people come to step on him in the future?

Therefore, his attitude toward Hein was not the slightest bit submissive.

"Ha, what a big mouth. It seems you don't respect Professor Alexander? He is willing to take you as a disciple, and you dare to refuse, thinking that your strength can ignore a gold-level sword master?" Hein looked at Ji Ran, a cold smile on his effeminate face.

Ji Ran looked at this eunuch-like guy and sighed helplessly. "No matter what I say, you can twist it. It seems you are not going to let me off, right? Then why are you still rambling? Are you showing off your castrated duck voice?"

Since he was not going to endure it anymore, he had to scold this kind of person thoroughly!