Chapter 23: Sophie's Enthusiasm

Ice Zhiye landed on the balcony.

Sophie said, "It's really impressive, you have a good grasp of both wind and ice magic. Although you didn't use two advanced spells, your air stepping technique was excellent and well-controlled."

"Then, can I become a mid-level magician now?" Ice Zhiye held the green gemstone badge in his hand and shook it.

"Alright, consider you one." Sophie smiled, "Anyway, this badge is yours now, but to become a high-level magician, you still need to work hard."

Ice Zhiye grinned widely.

Sophie glanced at the magic clock in the dormitory: "It's already 11:40, almost time for lunch. Come to my place for a meal."

"Ah..."

Sophie lived in a single apartment not far from the school. Although the school could arrange accommodation for teachers, they could choose to live outside based on personal preference.

Since it was a single apartment, it was naturally for a single person. Ice Zhiye didn't see anyone else in her home. Sophie prepared some drinks and let him wander around, while she went to the kitchen to cook.

The room wasn't very large, with one bedroom and one living room. Several bookshelves in the living room were filled with books. Ice Zhiye looked through them one by one and picked up a book titled "The Development of Magic and the Transformation of World History" and started reading it slowly.

Sophie brought the dishes to the table in the living room one by one. Seeing him engrossed in the book, she didn't disturb him. After a while, when all the dishes were ready, she called out, "Come and eat. We have spaghetti, steak, soup, and some desserts. It's a simple meal, I hope you like it."

Ice Zhiye sniffed, "Ah, it smells so good. My stomach has been growling for a while. I won't be shy, Sister Sophie."

"Feel free, just like at home. No need to be so formal." Sophie was happy to see him eating hungrily with his knife and fork.

Ice Zhiye quickly finished his portion. Sophie then gave him her steak, and he smiled awkwardly, then started eating it greedily.

Sophie took the book Ice Zhiye had been reading and asked, "Do you like history?"

"Yes," Ice Zhiye replied.

"City of Wind." This was the page Ice Zhiye was reading. Sophie smiled, "Only those who study the evolution of ancient magic like this kind of book. Only specialized scholars read it. Can you understand it?"

Ice Zhiye shook his head, "I just like the stories inside. Sister Sophie, I have a question. Why are you so nice to me?"

"Maybe because you're cute." Sophie smiled.

'Knock knock knock' Someone knocked on the door.

Sophie went to the peephole and opened the door, "Why are you here?"

"I came to see you and improve your diet."

The voice belonged to a man, and Ice Zhiye looked up to see it was the teacher from that day, Dewey Hap.

Hap's round, chubby face looked very cute when he smiled, "Oh, you have a guest. Did you bring your boyfriend for a meal?"

"Nonsense, your mouth is still as itchy as ever." Sophie pushed his fat body, "Come in and sit down. What did you bring?"

"Lobster, crabs, and some other things." Hap put the things he was carrying on the table and leaned in close to Ice Zhiye, "Little guy, Ice Zhiye, right? We've met before, remember?"

"Yes, t... teacher."

"Hey, don't scare him, he can't even eat properly." Sophie brought another set of cutlery and tapped him.

Hap poured the packed food into bowls, "I knew you'd just make do. You didn't even prepare something nice for a guest. Little guy, don't be shy. You got first place, I'm so happy."

After Sophie finished, she sat down, "Why are you happy about him getting first place?"

"What do you think? Christian is already one of the largest nobles in the empire, and their grandson is so talented. The old man must be overjoyed. This time, this kid and Bimoye got first place together, it's a good way to challenge those families and show them that the world isn't just about them."

Sophie said while eating, "That's a typical resentment towards the nobles. Their family producing talented people is also a glory for the empire. If you're jealous, just marry your current girlfriend and have a child."

"Don't talk about it, that's long gone." Hap said, "I'm not jealous of them. I'm just happy that someone can stand on the same level as those five major families. Hey, kid, you look good in this outfit, much better than the day of the exam."

Ice Zhiye said timidly, "Teacher, this... this is a gift from Sister Sophie."

"Sister Sophie?" Hap turned to look at Sophie, then said to him, "You call her sister, why do you call me teacher? No, you can't call me teacher."

"U... Uncle." Ice Zhiye said.

Sophie laughed, "Uncle? Why do you call her sister and me uncle? Are you biased towards women and against men?"

"That's enough, he's just a child. What are you fussing about?" Sophie said, "You're over thirty, stop acting young."

"You..." Hap was so angry he couldn't speak, and could only bury his head in his food.

After the meal, while Sophie was clearing the dishes, Hap said to Ice Zhiye with a serious face, "Do you know why I have the title 'The One Who Sits on the Same Throne as the Devil'? Call me brother, or I'll crush you into pieces."

Ice Zhiye looked at him fearfully for a while before saying, "Fat brother."

Hap hit his head on the table, "Why can't you ever say what I want to hear?"

"Because you're annoying." Sophie said.

Hap argued, "How am I annoying? Forget it, let's not talk about it. But you, bringing a man to your home for a meal, this is the first time ever! Besides us few and your grandfather, no one else has ever been in your home, and it's a man you've only known for a few days. This is a historic day."

Sophie's face turned serious, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll throw you out."

"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more." Hap said, "I came here for a reason."

"What is it?"

Hap glanced at Ice Zhiye, pulled Sophie into the bedroom, and whispered a few words in her ear.

"Really?" Sophie looked at him.

Hap said, "Yes, not everyone knows about this. The dean only entrusted this matter to us few, as we have more experience in this area."

Sophie nodded, "Alright, I didn't expect this to happen."

Ice Zhiye sighed in relief in the living room, put the book back on the shelf, and waited. Soon, Sophie and Hap finished their private conversation, "Ice Zhiye, I'll take you back to the school."

"Ah, no need, I'm not a child. If you and Uncle... Brother have something to do, just go ahead. I can go back by myself."

"What do you call me, uncle, teacher, or brother? What should I be called?" Hap sighed.

Sophie laughed, "We have nothing to do. Hap, if you have something to do, go ahead. I'll take him back to the school."

Hap shook his head, "Alright. Sophie, if you're too enthusiastic, he'll feel uncomfortable."

"Are you asking for a beating?" Sophie kicked him out the door.

Ice Zhiye was a new student, and his afternoon classes were already scheduled. He had to go to certain classrooms to learn about the school's situation, rules, schedules, and teaching methods. But what he really cared about was the huge blue crystal tower standing in the center of the school.

Since his last attempt to steal from the Blue Crystal Tower failed, its defenses had been significantly enhanced. Before entering the school, Ice Zhiye had tried to observe the area and sneak in a few times, but he always had to give up.

The first day passed without him realizing it.

The next morning at 7:00, the first class began. Ice Zhiye had enrolled as a magician, specializing in ice magic. According to the schedule, his first class was in the ice magic practice room.

Following the map, he found the third-level ice magic practice room for apprentice magicians, and he was assigned to 'Apprentice Magician Ice 307 Class'.

The classroom was almost full, with only one seat left in the third row, which was naturally his. Everyone in the classroom watched him walk in. They didn't know Ice Zhiye, but they knew he must be a new student. A new student being directly placed in the third-level apprentice magician class must be an outstanding student.

Ice Zhiye didn't mind their gazes, but he decided to act shy and walked in with his head down.

Each class had a fixed number of 30 students, divided into 6 groups of 5 rows. Ice Zhiye was seated in the third group, third row, in the middle. The girl sitting next to him introduced herself.

"New here, right? Hi, I'm Donna Boya. I'll be your desk mate from now on."

Ice Zhiye noticed that the students around him were all smiling at him. He shook her hand and said, "Hi..." Before he could finish, he felt a chill, and ice crystals quickly spread up his arm, freezing his hand.

Donna pulled her hand back and laughed with the others, "You're just a little brother. Don't let them bully you."

Most of the students in the class were around 15 years old, the age when most people graduate from the apprentice magic class. Ice Zhiye, being shorter, naturally looked younger. Even sitting down, he was half a head shorter than Donna Boya.

Ice Zhiye slowly gathered his magic power and used fire elements to melt the ice on his hand. He didn't get angry about this and dried his sleeve, waiting for the teacher to arrive.

Donna, seeing his serious face, thought he was angry, "Hey, it was just a joke, don't be mad. We're all learning ice magic, let's practice together sometime."

"No, I'm not angry," Ice Zhiye looked around and noticed that Bimoye wasn't in the classroom when he entered.

Donna laughed, "What's your name? You haven't told us yet."

"Ice, my name is Ice. Just call me Ice." Ice Zhiye didn't know what would happen if he revealed his real name, though he didn't really care, he disliked trouble.