The name “Lian” was already a familiar one among the younger generation of the Empire.
As the most renowned new genius to emerge from Crescent Moon Academy in recent years, his very appearance was enough to stir up conversation.
In that instant, all eyes shifted past Rhea, focusing instead on the quietly seated boy not far from her side.
Called by name, Lian calmly took off his slightly oversized travel cloak and stood up.
He had neatly trimmed black hair, a well-proportioned and upright figure, and healthy light wheat-colored skin that made him radiate vitality.
His features did not possess the striking handsomeness of Rhea, but were regular and pleasing to the eye; between his brows shone the exuberant spirit unique to youth. Combined, it formed a kind of understated, increasingly attractive good looks.
Yize secretly nodded to himself—this was the standard template for a game protagonist: sunny, handsome, and full of potential. No wonder he was so favored by noble young ladies.
He noticed that, at the very moment Lian rose to his feet, many of the girls present had their eyes light up.
But then, why was Rhea’s attitude toward him so cold, even tinged with a faint, nearly imperceptible impatience?
Yize thought for a moment and suddenly “understood.”
Rhea’s outward identity was currently that of a male—the “young master” of the Alseth family. Because of this disguise, even if she harbored any feelings for Lian, she would not dare reveal the slightest trace.
Seeing Lian become the center of attention, admired by so many girls, she would inevitably feel sour. Thinking further of the rumors he’d heard before—about Rhea voluntarily forfeiting during the magic assessment, and that her mindset seemed to be troubled… Yize felt he’d found the root of it all. Under the multiple pressures of family expectations, gender disguise, and burgeoning feelings, it would be stranger if her mindset were stable.
Just as he was feeling clever about his own “insight,” his gaze unconsciously drifted back to Rhea—only to meet her eyes, staring right back at him.
Those eyes were as cold as ever, but this time even sharper than usual, clearly radiating displeasure.
Yize: “???”
He was full of confusion. Had he offended her somehow?
Wasn’t she supposed to be troubled over Lian? Why was she staring at him instead?
At this moment, Lian faced the crowd, his face bearing a gentle and composed smile. He spoke slowly and unhurriedly: “Hello, everyone. I’m Lian, disciple of Dean Alan of Crescent Moon Academy, and the direct junior student of Senior Rhea.”
He deliberately emphasized the words “Senior,” his tone respectful. “Currently, I am a Third-Rank Mage, and I also train in some martial arts. I have dabbled in alchemy, magic arrays, forging, and the like, but do not have any particular mastery of a single magical attribute.”
No particular mastery?
To those in the know, these words were as good as announcing that he had considerable skill in all elemental magics.
As expected of the original protagonist—his skill tree was impressively broad. This must be due to the game mechanics requiring players to dabble in all the support skills. Yize grumbled inwardly.
After hearing Lian’s self-introduction, Rog pushed up his glasses, his eyes gleaming with interest. “So you’re the rumored genius who excels at both magic and martial arts. Seeing you today, you certainly have an extraordinary bearing. I hadn’t realized you were also knowledgeable in alchemy—I look forward to discussing and exchanging ideas with you in the future.”
Sara also gave him a look of curiosity, her tone sincerely full of praise and expectation: “Such outstanding talent, it’s truly astonishing. I look forward to watching your growth.”
She suddenly changed the topic, her smile bright as she looked to her own group. “Come to think of it, you’re around the same age as my two junior brothers, and your magic ranks are close as well. In the next inter-academy magic assessment, you might have the chance to compete against each other.”
The moment she said this, all eyes in the room swept between Yize, Luke, and Lian.
Luke was fine, after all, he had the record of single-handedly slaying a D-class magic beast.
But Yize… he had just admitted himself that he was only a Second-Rank Mage.
In magic cultivation, the difference between each rank was as vast as a chasm.
What’s more, Lian was a monster proficient in multiple schools of magic and martial arts.
Yize only felt his scalp tingle. If Sara actually knew his true strength, it would be one thing; but if she didn’t, wasn’t this just putting him on the spot?
Was she trying to motivate him this way? This kind of “motivation” was more than he could handle.
In the end, only Rhea had yet to give her formal introduction.
As everyone’s eyes turned to her, Yize clearly sensed that many of the girls’ gazes burned even hotter than when they’d looked at Lian—almost to the point of being utterly unrestrained.
It couldn’t be helped; Rhea’s looks and that uniquely cold, sharp aura were simply overwhelming.
Yize even thought to himself that if he were an ignorant girl, he’d probably find it hard not to be attracted to such a “handsome young man.”
Rhea seemed utterly oblivious to the fervent stares around her. She simply raised her eyes slightly, and with that distinctive, low and cold voice, uttered two words:
“Rhea.”
That was all—nothing more.
Yet, just the mention of that name was enough.
The future heir of the Alseth family, the “brother” of Angelica, that Seventh-Rank Grand Mage—her very name was a golden calling card in the Empire’s noble circles.
After a brief silence, the hall instead erupted with enthusiastic cheers, especially from the noble young ladies whose eyes were so passionate they could melt ice.
Rog, quick on the uptake, grabbed Elusha, who was almost about to press herself up against Rhea, pulling her back and whispering a reminder: “Junior, mind your manners. You’re Teacher Yukino’s disciple, at least act with some decorum.”
Elusha puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction. “Senior, if boys and girls aren’t supposed to touch, why are you pulling me? It’s so rare for me to meet Lord Rhea even once!”
The long round of self-introductions finally ended, and the atmosphere of the banquet grew lively once again.
Yize could actually handle his liquor, but he couldn’t resist Luke’s excitement. It was a rare chance, and Luke insisted on drinking with him.
After a few glasses, Emma also came over with her wine cup. Her cheeks were flushed, whether from the alcohol or excitement it was hard to tell. “Junior Yize, these past few days… it’s really all thanks to you.” Her tone was heartfelt.
Yize hurriedly clinked glasses with her and drained his drink. Just as he put down the cup, Sara came over again with a bright smile, completely immersed in the role of a “caring senior.” “Come, Yize, it’s my fault for not looking after you these years. Let this glass be my apology.”
Yize: “…”
He couldn’t refuse, and could only brace himself for another glass.
After downing several kinds of different liquor, Yize felt his throat becoming increasingly dry. He subconsciously muttered, “Water… Where’s the water?”
His voice wasn’t loud, and in the noisy room, not many noticed.
However, just as he finished speaking, a fair, slender hand with distinct knuckles appeared before him, holding out a cup of water.
Parched, Yize took it without a thought and drank it all in one go.
Setting down the cup, he belatedly noticed that the atmosphere around him had changed.
The previously noisy hall seemed to quiet down a little. Almost everyone still conscious had their eyes fixed right on him.
Even Luke and Emma beside him were looking at him with expressions that mixed shock and disbelief.
Yize blinked in confusion, following everyone’s gaze to its source—only to see that the one who had handed him the water was none other than Rhea, who sat diagonally across from him!
No way. Rhea had actually offered him water?
There was quite a distance between them, but Rhea had only needed to lean forward and stretch out her hand to easily hand the cup to him.
At that moment, Rhea’s face was still expressionless, her gaze resting on Yize.
Seeing Yize staring at her in shock, Rhea remained calm, and even took the initiative to ask, “Do you want more?”
“Do you want more?”
Yize: “……”
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