This little villain is truly a workaholic, always finding ways to make trouble for others, much more dedicated than I ever was.
Lin Yue looked at the person in front of him and simply couldn’t imagine how this guy would later have a change of heart and start writing novels.
“Charles? Have you been assigned to a group already, and still have time to chat over here?”
Upon seeing someone she disliked approach, Airella from the same class instantly adopted an aloof, wary attitude, frowning as she spoke.
“Oh my, Miss Airella, you’re so distant. After all, we are classmates, aren’t we?”
He turned his head to look at Mapel, whose eyes darted away, planning to grab her hand for a kiss on the back.
But as soon as he reached out, Mapel immediately hid behind Lin Yue, whispering quietly to him, “He saw me without my glasses before, and he’s been pestering me ever since, asking me to have dinner with him…”
Seeing Mapel hide behind Lin Yue, Charles’s displeasure was practically overflowing from his eyes, clearly waiting for an explanation from Lin Yue.
Looking at the two girls on either side, both instantly on guard, Lin Yue felt a headache coming on.
You all crowd in front of me for protection—are you trying to get me killed faster…?
If I get even a little targeted by Charles’s family in my current state, I might just vanish from this world.
But seeing the overbearing Charles before him and the two girls at his sides, he knew things wouldn’t end peacefully this time.
“Charles, I don’t mean to interfere in your affairs, but if the lady isn’t willing, pestering her like that is just undignified.”
Upon hearing this, the flames of anger inside Charles only grew stronger.
“Heh, you think you’re any better than me? Haven’t you done plenty of undignified things yourself?”
What’s that got to do with me?
I just transmigrated here and can’t even reload my save.
The two girls instantly shot Lin Yue skeptical glances, making him feel awkward and uneasy.
I’m helping you both out, so stop looking at me with those mistrustful eyes.
Just as Lin Yue was about to say something, a familiar spatial fluctuation rippled out from the center of the field.
It was Liya.
The instructor at the center, seeing that almost everyone had gathered, began announcing the rules: three days, teams of two, everyone has a token, and anyone whose token is taken or who falls unconscious is eliminated.
Additionally, the ordinary class member who collects the most tokens will earn a spot in the elite class and the right to have a custom wand made by the Academy.
If an elite class member claims first place, they only receive the right to a custom wand.
Notably, one elite class student’s token is worth two ordinary class tokens—greater risks, greater rewards.
On top of that, all students must deactivate three energy crystals to break the magic barrier.
If the barrier is not deactivated, the entire group fails and the rewards are void.
After explaining the rules, the instructor introduced Liya, who was floating midair: “This is Honorary Professor Avelina, Sixth-Tier Archmage Miss Liya. She will be responsible for your safety during this exercise.”
Upon hearing the title of Sixth-Tier Archmage, the crowd erupted.
“A Sixth-Tier mage? This is the first time I’ve ever seen one…”
“She looks so young. Is it really that impressive?”
“What do you know? Ancient monsters always like to look youthful. She probably used some disguise spell to look like that…”
Lin Yue looked at the ever-cold Liya, a hint of relief appearing in his smile.
She’s still the same as ever, even in a crowd.
“So that’s Liya, huh? So she’s in charge of this exam,” Airella mused to herself, seemingly forgetting about the fuming Charles beside her.
As the trio’s attention was drawn elsewhere—and as Charles felt a strong, dangerous gaze, akin to the pressure of a Sixth-Tier mage, locking onto him for some unknown reason—he could only snarl out a threat:
“Lin Yue, I’ll remember this. I hope you don’t get eliminated too soon during the test…”
With that, he turned and left, heading off to find Isabella.
“It’s about time,” Lin Yue muttered as the crowd began to buzz with activity, knowing it was time to disperse.
“Miss Airella.”
A calm and dignified voice called out.
The three turned and found Isabella, whom they hadn’t seen in a long time.
“We should get ready as well. I hope we can make it far,” Isabella said.
Airella, seeing her teammate had come for her, turned back to Lin Yue and reminded him, “Ah, right, we’re off then. Lin Yue, don’t get eliminated too quickly!”
I’m not that unlucky, am I…
“Well, I should go too…”
Mapel nodded to Lin Yue, then turned to find her own teammate.
If I can’t get Allen to awaken this time, there’s going to be real trouble.
If the protagonist doesn’t even have his core growth path, then my plan to cling to his thigh and coast to the end is ruined.
“Mr. Lin Yue.”
Suddenly, Isabella, who was about to leave, looked Lin Yue straight in the eye and said, “Good luck.”
Almost forgot, I have a little history with this lady.
She’s just not as flamboyant as her sister, so it never really came up…
“Thank you.”
With that, Lin Yue went off to meet Allen and prepare his own plans.
…
The two walked together in silence.
Allen looked at Lin Yue, who seemed deep in thought, and took the initiative to ask, “Lin Yue, do you have any plans?”
Hearing the protagonist’s question, Lin Yue instinctively glanced at Allen and said, “Let’s just hide for a few days. Once everyone else is worn out from fighting, we can come out. No one will care about our team.”
Smart—waiting and only fighting the last remaining team.
Lowest risk, lowest cost.
“But… isn’t our chance of getting first place really low that way?”
This strategy was too uncertain.
If their small team failed to win, opportunities to enter the elite class would become much rarer.
Allen couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.
“I still want to try, even if it’s like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.”
Allen said resolutely.
“Don’t you want to try, Lin Yue?”
“I’ve actually been watching you these days. Your reputation isn’t great, but I think there must be something worthwhile about you.”
“And I don’t think you’re like what others say. You can’t be satisfied being seen as useless.”
Lin Yue fell silent for a moment as he listened to Allen.
“Why do you think I’m that kind of person?”
Allen, hearing Lin Yue’s emotionless tone, lowered his head and said, “I don’t really know. It’s just a feeling, and…”
“I was there that day when you helped Mapel. You don’t seem like a spoiled rich kid. Instead… you seem more like someone burdened by responsibility.”
So he saw that, huh…
Protagonist is protagonist.
His ability to attract companions is maxed out.
“Why do you want to get into the elite class so badly?”
Lin Yue asked Allen.
Allen thought for a moment, then sighed, “It’s not really a noble reason. I just want to stand by Lillian’s side, protect her, and become a man who can stand on his own.”
Of course I know.
After all… I was you once.
Lin Yue looked at Allen.
He really hasn’t changed—so upright and sincere.
“Don’t get me wrong, I just didn’t want to make trouble that day.”
Lin Yue tried to distance himself.
Back to the exam.
“Besides, I don’t intend to avoid battle completely. I just don’t want to waste too much energy making things easier for others. Our combat strength is too weak right now.”
Lin Yue knew what the real answer to this test was.
The three energy crystals are very far apart.
If students don’t cooperate and just fight each other, even teams of two won’t be able to break the magic barrier.
Once time’s up, it’s all for nothing.
So Lin Yue just needs to wait until everyone else is worn out, then defeat the weakest remaining teams and negotiate with the King of Gu for first place.
For elite class members, first place is just a title.
Things like custom wands don’t matter to rich kids.
“I’ve been working hard at training, so you don’t have to worry about me. I won’t drag you down…”
Lin Yue was about to say something when a wall of earth suddenly appeared in front of him.
He hurriedly pushed Allen aside and fired a wind bullet at the ground to retreat.
“Looks like plans can’t keep up with changes.”
Faced with the two aggressive opponents before him, Lin Yue had no choice but to fight.
Judging by the tokens, they’re from the ordinary class.
Should be an easy win.
Just as Lin Yue was about to act, Allen, who had just gotten up, sent a wind blade to slice through the earth wall, forcing the attackers to retreat.
“Allen…”
Allen brushed the dust off himself and stood in front of Lin Yue.
“I told you, I won’t hold you back.”
Looking at Allen’s back, Lin Yue couldn’t help but recall the game CG of him stepping forward to take the final blow from the Demon God.
Is that so…
The protagonist is the protagonist, after all.
Lin Yue smiled with satisfaction.
Seems like, even without cheats, he can find his own path.
As long as… Lillian is still here.