As soon as Lan Ruo rushed home from the academy, he saw a man sitting on the sofa.
The man had short, choppy black hair and a cold, stern face. His tall, imposing frame was still clad in a slightly-too-tight combat uniform that outlined the smooth, powerful lines of his muscles.
"Brother! What brings you back today? Are you staying for a few days this time?"
The man was applying medicine to a wound on his arm and wrapping it with a white bandage. Hearing Lan Ruo's voice, he looked toward the door. "Just came back to see you. I'm leaving tomorrow. How was your entrance exam?"
"I passed the tests! My score was great—I ranked 139th and got into the Combat Department." Lan Ruo quickly swapped his shoes for slippers, entered the house, and began clearing the clutter off the table.
"I know. You've always wanted to go there."
