Chapter 76

Hearing this, Hein left first but didn't go far before he saw Odi and Douglas in a corner.

"Hein, I didn't expect that you would be pushed to such an extent by that kid..." Douglas looked at Hein with a half-smile.

"Damn it, that guy's sword skills are too bizarre! But in the end, I would definitely win!" Hein's face was ashen. Being outmaneuvered by a second-rank swordsman and even getting injured by him, his explanation was weak and unconvincing.

"I know you would win, but the fact is that the matter ended before you could. Since my request wasn't completed, I can't give you what we agreed on beforehand." Douglas frowned, then quickly smiled again.

"… This is also due to your intelligence failure! If you had told me earlier that Ji Ran's sword skills were so bizarre..." Hein's expression worsened.

"Even so, he's only a second-rank swordsman. For a fifth-rank swordsman like you to not defeat him after so long is hard to justify. This isn't me breaking the agreement... I think you should think about how to explain this to Professor Alexander." Douglas glanced at Hein, a smile lingering on his lips, then turned and left with Odi.

"Douglas! Damn it... I'll remember this!" Hein gritted his teeth, watching Douglas's back.

"Ji Ran! You damn guy, I won't let you off..." He turned and glared at the student council office building with resentment, took a deep breath, and walked toward his teacher's residence.

"Who would have thought that Hein couldn't handle that kid and even let him show off. Now, it's even harder to deal with him." Odi was full of frustration.

"Admittedly, that kid's strength was indeed beyond my expectations... If Hein had a bit more time, defeating him wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, within the Azure Wind, there isn't much time to waste." Douglas's face was expressionless, and Odi couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"What should we do next? Hein is quite skilled, but he couldn't defeat him. Should we find an even more powerful expert?" Odi asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Sixth-rank experts aren't easy to hire. The sixth-rank experts in the academy are hard to persuade to provoke that kid. After all, there aren't many shameless people like Hein... But actually, that kid isn't invincible." Douglas's face showed a mysterious smile.

"Regardless, Hein helped us force out the kid's true strength. As long as we limit his movement and speed, suppressing or even defeating him in the early stages isn't impossible. If there's another chance, I might take action myself..." Douglas's smile grew, leaving Odi puzzled.

"If you take action yourself, what if..." Odi's expression was cautious.

"Defeating him after he becomes famous will better demonstrate my strength! Even Anya is insignificant. I will defeat him and make people know that I, Douglas, am stronger than any genius!" Douglas looked into the distance, his imposing aura surging.

Odi remained silent, only flattering him: "Yes, Young Master Douglas's strength far surpasses Hein's, and defeating Ji Ran is no problem..."

If Ji Ran were here, he would surely comment sarcastically—what about the woman? You gave up so quickly? Then why are you still fighting me? Are you just bored?

Ji Ran, of course, didn't know Douglas's thoughts. He had missed a history class and was considering whether to attend a geography class.

Actually, after attending the class, he found that the world history of this academy was quite different from what he had imagined. Most of the history lessons focused on major events of certain eras, analyzing their historical significance, and even introducing political views. But what Ji Ran wanted wasn't this!

To find hidden treasures or dungeons from background stories, he only needed the events, locations, processes, and outcomes. Those grand and lofty things were of little use to him.

Therefore, his interest in history classes waned. But to pass the exams, he still needed to attend. Usually, he spent more time in the library, which better suited his goals.

The academy's library wasn't as mysterious as those in the novels he had read; it was similar to the library he had used in college. The only difference was that some of the books were related to sword skills and magic, but they were mostly overviews, with almost nothing that could be practiced, only for reference.

The historical books Ji Ran wanted to read weren't too many. Reading a bit each day, he could finish them in no time. Missing a class or two occasionally wasn't a problem.

Since the Azure Wind had no attendance system, as long as you passed the final exams, you could skip classes for the entire year.

Since he missed one class, Ji Ran decided not to attend the next one. He returned to his dorm, got something to eat, and treated his injuries.

His injuries weren't severe, but they were internal, making them harder to treat with conventional methods. As for alchemical potions, even nobles wouldn't use them unless necessary—using them would drain one's potential, useful only in emergencies.

However, his cooking skills included many dishes that could treat internal injuries. For example, the beef jerky in his magic pocket had a good effect... but eating the same thing all the time could get boring.

Back in the dorm, he took out various ingredients and prepared to make a chicken stew with mushrooms. In his original world, he was from the northeast, where stewed dishes were more common.

He often replenished his ingredients, which didn't cost much at the market. The materials that gave food magical effects were slightly more expensive—after the fines and compensation, his funds were a bit tight, so he needed to save a bit.

"Hey, Ji Ran, you didn't go to class? I heard you're famous now!" Roy suddenly appeared as he was busy.

"I got injured and felt unwell, so I didn't go. What about you? Skipping class too?" Ji Ran and Roy were quite familiar now... it was impossible not to be, with someone coming to freeload on breakfast every day.

"Of course not, I'm a good student. I have no classes in the afternoon and nowhere to go, so I decided to come back and sleep. Wow, it smells good. What are you cooking?" Roy sniffed and came closer.

Ji Ran always found Roy mysterious. The appraisal skill showed a question mark, indicating Roy's level was far beyond his—yet Roy acted like an ordinary person, choosing courses unrelated to combat.

Ji Ran didn't underestimate him but also didn't overvalue him—after all, they were just ordinary friends, and Roy posed no threat to him.

"It's a dish from my hometown. If you don't mind, you can join me." Ji Ran smiled. The chicken stew had special properties, but eating it once wouldn't make a difference—healthy people wouldn't feel any effects. Other effects were gradual and wouldn't be immediately noticeable.

"Since you're inviting me so sincerely, I won't be shy. This isn't part of breakfast, you know, I'm a poor guy." Roy immediately found a chair and sat down, watching Ji Ran cook.

"By the way, the person you defeated is Professor Alexander's disciple. Aren't you afraid that Professor Alexander will be angry? After all, he's a gold-rank sword master..." Roy suddenly asked.

"… So what? Should I just let him humiliate me? Not to mention whether a gold-rank master would force someone to be his disciple, I wouldn't accept Hein's attitude anyway." Ji Ran didn't look up. It seemed Roy had learned about the recent events through his channels.

The Azure Wind wasn't small, but the speed of information spread was terrifying.

"Besides, I didn't defeat him, I just didn't lose. His strength is still above mine." Ji Ran added.

"Regardless, you're in the spotlight now. Maybe someone will admire you and move into the old dorm, or even a pretty girl..." Roy laughed, his words light and playful.

"… Don't dream. There are many famous people in the academy, like the student council president and Reinhardt. Why would any girl with good eyesight come here?" Ji Ran replied coolly.

"Ah... you have a point. Indeed, poor students shouldn't expect girls... You're lucky, coming in with one already. A happy man..." Roy leaned back in his chair, sighing.

Ji Ran smiled but said nothing. Lydia had become more outgoing, but her dependence on him hadn't decreased. It was a secretly satisfying feeling.

"… Speaking of which, Ji Ran, what is your purpose for entering the academy?" Roy suddenly asked.

Ji Ran was taken aback, thought for a moment, and looked up: "It's simple. To learn more knowledge, understand this world better, and find a way to control my own destiny."

Hearing this, Roy was surprised but quickly smiled.

"Great ambition, better than those who just want a good future or to become stronger. If I had such a grand goal, it would be great..." Roy looked up, as if gazing into the distance.

"Never mind, enjoy your college life. But for you, it might be troublesome. According to my information, many people have heard that you defeated Hein and are very interested in you... A second-rank swordsman defeating a fifth-rank swordsman, you won't be bored for long..."

Ji Ran rolled his eyes: "I'd rather be bored... Do the students of the Azure Wind have nothing to do but fight all day?"

Roy laughed and jumped off the stool: "Many people wish to live as excitingly as you, don't be ungrateful. But from my perspective, it's better for you to be idle, so I can eat more of your cooking. Hey! That chicken leg, give it to me, give it to me..."

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