Another girl sat quietly to one side.
That girl was indescribably beautiful.
Her silver-white hair cascaded like a waterfall, shimmering with a faint luster.
Her exquisite features looked as if they had been carved by the hands of a god.
Her pale gold eyes were clear, yet they carried a certain aloof coldness.
She wore a white and gold court dress with intricate patterns embroidered on the hem.
Celestia Aurelian, the Seventh Princess of the Empire.
She had been brilliant since childhood and was chosen as a God-blessed by the Radiant God at the age of twelve.
She was known as the Pearl of the Empire.
The Radiant God.
The moment that term appeared in his mind, Lin Hong sensed an air of fluctuation that filled him with loathing.
Fragmented images flashed by!
His body and spirit had been ruthlessly ground down under divine power — that feeling was etched into his very soul!
Even though ten years had passed, he still could not forget.
He instantly clenched his fists, his expression turning cold.
He nearly failed to suppress the killing intent in his heart.
This was a grudge paid in blood.
Over ten years ago, beyond the continent and within the starry sky, he had encountered a group of gods who tried to kill him when he first arrived in this universe.
He had nearly been completely destroyed, with only a wisp of his soul escaping to recover until now.
Among the gods who had besieged him was a radiant figure whose aura shared the same source as this girl.
However, in just an instant, Lin Hong’s face returned to a calm state, and he reined in all his emotions.
Regardless, there was no rush.
Since he had luckily survived, the roles of hunter and prey would eventually flip.
He would lie low, recover with all his might, and grow stronger.
When the time was ripe, he wouldn’t let a single one of those who participated in the ambush go.
He would cut them all down!
“Sister, Your Highness,” Lin Hong said, greeting them neutrally.
He then walked forward without restraint and sat down in a chair in front of the desk.
In Evan’s memories, his relationship with his sister was actually very strained.
They had once had a massive argument that created a rift, making them little more than strangers who happened to share blood.
So, Lin Hong was quite curious about why she had summoned Evan.
He couldn’t find any clues in the memories.
Lovella Wayne finished signing a document and set down her quill.
Her gaze landed on Lin Hong.
It was very cool and carried a sense of pressure.
“I heard you were looking for me, Sister. Is there something you need?”
Lin Hong looked back at her calmly.
Upon hearing this, the coldness on Lovella’s face vanished, replaced by helplessness and a hint of irritation.
She spoke.
“Evan, why are you still in the mansion at this hour? Isn’t there a magic theory assessment at the academy today? Why didn’t you go? You even troubled Her Highness to come here personally out of concern.”
‘An assessment? What assessment?’
Lin Hong was startled and searched through Evan’s memories.
It turned out that besides being the son of a duke, Evan was also a student in the primary division of the Imperial Capital Academy.
Today was indeed the day for the magic theory assessment.
‘Could it be because of me?’
Lin Hong realized that Evan’s memories only lasted until he fell asleep last night.
Approximately fifteen minutes ago, he had abruptly taken over Evan’s body.
What had happened in between?
Where did Evan’s soul go?
It had vanished without a trace, which was why he had passively replaced the boy.
“Answer my question, Evan.”
Lovella’s voice had taken on a hint of impatience.
“I forgot.”
Lin Hong snapped back to his senses and immediately threw out a universally applicable excuse.
After all, according to the memories, the original Evan hadn’t planned on attending the assessment anyway.
He was lazy by nature.
His talent for cultivation — whether it was magic or combat aura — was mediocre, or even pathetic.
He had once received a Double E-rank result in a test, which was the lowest possible grade.
However, Evan had taken it in stride and accepted the fact.
He had truly let himself go, frequently skipping classes and missing assessments.
Therefore, Lin Hong gave his answer quite confidently, not worrying at all about being exposed.
Hearing these words, Lovella’s beautiful eyebrows knit together, and her lips thinned into a line.
Her fingers tapped twice on the desk, as if she were suppressing an emotion.
Ultimately, she said nothing.
She simply took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, her frustration turning into a helpless sigh.
“Forget it,” she said, her voice laced with exhaustion.
“You may go.”
Lin Hong stood up immediately, nodding to the two girls.
He couldn’t wait to leave.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
After saying that, he turned and left, not wanting to stay for another second.
He detested being around that jinx who radiated the aura of light.
He was afraid his killing intent would become uncontrollable if he stayed too long.
At the same time, he wanted to immediately investigate that spiritual imprint in the mental sea.
It might contain clues about the whereabouts of Evan’s soul.
Was it related to that great war over ten years ago?
Regardless, he was desperate to know.
This might involve his own blood feud; how could he ignore it?
Furthermore, if Evan wasn’t dead, Lin Hong had to find a way to get him back.
This kind of situation was meant for the original owner to handle.
Lin Hong walked straight out, closed the door, and retraced his steps.
“Young Master Evan, please wait a moment.”
Suddenly, a voice called out.
It was cool and pleasant, stopping him in his tracks.
Lin Hong paused, clicking his tongue inwardly.
He slowly turned around, putting on the lazy expression that Evan usually wore.
Celestia had followed him out at some point and was walking toward him elegantly.
A holy, radiant fluctuation became clearly perceptible as she drew closer.
Lin Hong’s fingertips subconsciously rubbed together as he suppressed the urge to instantly crush that light.
“Does Your Highness have business with me?” his tone was flat.
Celestia spoke, her voice cold.
“Young Master Evan Wayne, this is already the fourth time you have missed the magic theory assessment this academic year.”
“The academy has its rules, Young Master Evan. As a member of the Student Union, I must remind you.”
“If you miss tomorrow morning’s combat assessment as well, then according to academy regulations, you will face expulsion. At that time, even if Duke Wayne personally intercedes, it will change nothing, because this is His Majesty’s—”
Lin Hong let the words go in one ear and out the other as he searched Evan’s memories.
It seemed there was such a thing.
Three absences led to a warning, and four led to… he couldn’t remember.
Evan himself hadn’t cared at all.
As for being kicked out or expelled?
Lin Hong almost wanted to laugh.
He was an outsider from another domain who already had a blood feud with the gods of this world.
Sooner or later, they would clash, and he would likely become an enemy to the entire world.
Why would he care about this?
But on second thought…
For the past ten years, he had been resting within Evan’s body.
Although the boy had never realized it, Lin Hong felt he owed him a debt of gratitude.
‘Should I take the fall for him?’
After all, expulsion sounded rather serious.
Since he had mysteriously taken over the boy’s body, helping him out could be considered a small way to repay the favor.
Lin Hong hesitated, many thoughts flashing through his mind.
Right then.
The spiritual imprint that had been silent in the body’s mind suddenly stirred, sending out a piece of information!
Lin Hong’s expression froze for a moment before he regained his composure and spoke.
“Your Highness’s lecture is correct. I am deeply ashamed. I will definitely participate in tomorrow’s assessment on time and give it my all. I will not bring shame to the Wayne family.”
Hearing this, a look of clear surprise flashed in Celestia’s beautiful eyes.
She obviously hadn’t expected the youth before her to respond this way.
In her understanding, Evan Wayne was a fellow who would give even his own sister a cold shoulder.
He was lazy by nature, lonely, and eccentric.
Her words just now were mostly because she couldn’t stand seeing her good friend so exhausted and worried over such matters, so she had chased after him to say a few more words. she hadn’t expected it to actually do anything.
And yet, this guy was actually taking the initiative to say he would participate in the assessment?
Celestia’s expression became somewhat subtle.
She stared at Lin Hong for several seconds, seemingly trying to judge if he was just brushing her off.
But Lin Hong’s expression was very open and sincere, looking every bit like a prodigal son who had turned over a new leaf.
Eventually, Celestia nodded slightly, her voice a bit gentler than before.
“It is best that Young Master Evan thinks this way.”
She paused, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly into a polite smile.
“Then I shall take my leave. I look forward to your performance tomorrow.”
With that, she turned and left, her skirt swaying gently as she quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Lin Hong watched the girl’s back vanish, and his expression turned strange.
The spiritual imprint was alive?!
It had just sent him a message!
[Kill the cultist appearing in tomorrow’s assessment. Reward: Destiny Value +50]