"Lin Yunyi, when did you Awaken?"
Gu's voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed her shock.
Lin Yunyi tilted her head, pretending to think. "Just yesterday. Woke up, came straight here to register."
"What?!"
Gu and Han Teacher exchanged stunned glances.
From ordinary to Bronze Three-Star in a single day?
This wasn't just a genius—they were looking at a prodigy.
It took them a moment to recover.
"I see…" Gu finally said, exhaling slowly. "As a Class 1 student, you're entitled to one free Ability Potion per month."
She opened a secure cabinet and handed Lin Yunyi a crimson vial.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Lin Yunyi accepted it with a smile, already wondering if Fluorescent would level up after drinking it.
Gu continued, "Let me formally introduce myself. I'm Gu Ruohan, homeroom teacher of Class 1. Gold Two-Star, fire-element Ability user."
Lin Yunyi nodded politely but didn't dwell on it. Her attention was on the potion.
After stashing it away, she followed Gu into the classroom.
Class 1 — Tianhuan Academy
Gu led Lin Yunyi to the front of the room.
"Classmates, we have a new addition to our Class 1 family! Let's give her a warm welcome!"
Lin Yunyi, now in her academy uniform, stepped onto the podium.
Gasps and whispers erupted.
"Holy cow, she's gorgeous!"
"Bro, I think I'm in love. Tell School Beauty Luo I'm done simping!"
"Think twice, man!"
Amid the chaos, Lin Yunyi spotted a familiar face.
Bai Yuechen.
Of course he was in Class 1. As the Bai Family's heir and a lightning-element prodigy, it made perfect sense.
"Introduce yourself," Gu prompted.
Lin Yunyi smiled. "Hi everyone, I'm Lin Yunyi. Summoning-element Ability user. If you ever need help, feel free to find me. Prices are negotiable—but more than price, I care if the task is interesting."
The classroom exploded.
"She said we can ask for help!"
"Dude, why are you taking off your pants?! That's not the kind of help she meant!"
"No more pretending—I'm Lin Yunyi's loyal dog!"
"Lin Goddess, do you need a summoned beast? I volunteer!"
Lin Yunyi's arrival caused a stir.
But one person remained calm—Bai Yuechen.
Their eyes met.
"Lin Yunyi…" he murmured, studying her. Something about her felt familiar.
Was I recognized?
Lin Yunyi didn't dwell on it. She took a window seat as instructed.
Gu explained that the first month was for mastering their abilities and absorbing foundational knowledge. After that, the freshman competition would be held.
Top three winners could choose a D-Rank Spiritual Artifact.
"Freshman competition, huh?" Lin Yunyi mused. Not urgent. Rent came first.
5 PM — Academy Gate
School ended. Lin Yunyi rejected every flirtatious advance and stood outside, watching traffic roll by.
She was brainstorming ways to earn 4,000 yuan fast.
Then—
A familiar figure appeared.
Huang Na.
Lin Yunyi sighed, ready to walk away.
But Huang Na froze—then collapsed.
"Li… Lin Yunyi?!"
Lin Yunyi blinked. Huang Na was… afraid?
"You're scared of me?" Lin Yunyi's interest piqued.
"You… what do you want?" Huang Na stammered, eyes wide.
The memory of Firefly's one-punch knockout was still fresh.
"Looks like you recognized me." Lin Yunyi's lips curled into a wicked smile.
"Good. That makes things easier. Let me ask you something—how much do you know about 'Shadow'?"
"Sha… Shadow?" Huang Na swallowed hard. "You mean the assassin group from the banquet?"
"That's right. Answer me, and I'll forget everything that happened before."
"I… I'll tell you! Just don't come after me again!"
"Deal."
Lin Yunyi's smile was sweet—but chilling.
"I don't know much," Huang Na said, voice trembling. "Just that they're an assassin organization. If you pay enough, they'll do anything."
"Keep going."
"O-other than that, I swear I don't know! I'm just a regular student—I wouldn't dare get involved with them!"
Lin Yunyi nodded thoughtfully.
So Shadow worked for money.
Could I join them? Take commissions? Make serious cash?
"Do you know how to contact them?"
Huang Na panicked. "W-what are you planning?"
"Don't worry about that. Just answer."
"…Some underground bars have informants. That's all I know."
Lin Yunyi's eyes gleamed.
Underground bars. That's my next stop.