Firefly Journey

"Great! Can you teach me a trick or two?"

Looking at Lin Yuanran, who had returned calmly, Faye Marley said, half teasingly and half sincerely.

Lin Yuanran looked puzzled, not knowing what he was talking about, while Hauglis and the others next to him had already started laughing. Even Mirashu, who wore black-rimmed glasses and looked very refined, couldn't help but chuckle.

The restless Crown Prince of Great Chu suddenly said, "You're quite capable, buddy, to actually win over the princess of the Kingdom of Tilo. She's known for being unapproachable."

I really got a cold shoulder back then.

Lu Jianming not only talked, but also started to act. He moved closer to Lin Yuanran, gave him a thumbs up, and showed no noble demeanor whatsoever. He was more like a spectator who had won a cricket fight at a market and was shouting excitedly.

Sabrina said coldly, "That's because you're shameless. Why don't you dare to spout nonsense in front of Fengling?"

When the wind chimes were mentioned, Lü Jianming became more reserved. When they were young, the wind chimes were fine; they had the demeanor of a noble lady and were always polite to everyone.

Later, as she grew older, her talents emerged, and her personality became eccentric as well. Using the same tactics on her as on other girls? Perhaps she's had too much of a good life and wants a beating.

Lu Jianming said, "Let alone the wind chimes, even in front of you, Class Monitor, I would never dare to be presumptuous."

He was desperate because he could only complain to one person and couldn't fight back.

Lin Yuanran asked, "Didn't she just enroll this year? Did you know each other before?"

Lu Jianming explained, "On the surface, the Kingdom of Delos is a partner of the Duchy, but to put it bluntly, it's just a dog kept by the Duchy, which can be slaughtered whenever it wants."

To demonstrate their loyalty, the Kingdom of Delos sent its princess to the duchy as a hostage. Now that she has reached the required age, she has been granted special permission to study at the academy.

No wonder, Lin Yuanran thought, but why does it sound so strange coming from you? Come to think of it, isn't the State of Chu exactly the same...

His unspoken criticism was abruptly uttered, and Favi said, "Fine, fine, if the Kingdom of Delos is a dog, then aren't you a noble among dogs?"

Lu Jianming, unfazed by the awkwardness, snorted coldly and raised his head, saying, "What level is the Kingdom of Tilo? How can it compare to my Great Chu? My Chu Kingdom and the Duchy are in a cooperative relationship. Debasa is aggressive and is already showing signs of surpassing the Duchy. If the Duchy doesn't find allies, what's the difference between that and waiting to die?"

Lu Jianming has been in the Duchy for many years, but he has not acted like a hostage at all. His arrogant and domineering behavior has angered many people, and many have complained to the Duchy, but in the end, nothing came of it.

It is evident that as long as Lü Jianming doesn't go too far, the Papacy and the Duchy will turn a blind eye. However, Claudia is different. From childhood to adulthood, she has been well-behaved and dares not cause trouble. She is so low-key that many people in the noble circles of Yicheng do not even know her.

The reason why the two men, both hostages, received such drastically different treatments was naturally due to the vast difference in the strength of their respective countries.

The Kingdom of Delos was weak and geographically sandwiched between the Empire and the Duchy, making it vulnerable on both sides. The Debasa Empire had long intended to conquer it, and the Duchy certainly could not watch it perish. After several rounds of aid, the people's hearts gravitated towards the Duchy.

The Debasa Empire was far too cruel, never showing mercy. Small countries either submitted or perished; alliances were not accepted.

The Kingdom of Delos had long been embroiled in the Debasa Empire's invasions, and the two countries were now locked in a blood feud. Fortunately, the Duchy's support brought the war to a halt.

As the king grows old and a new generation of royalty gradually takes control of power, the empire will inevitably make a comeback amidst political turmoil. At that time, a fierce battle is bound to occur, and that day will eventually come, it's just a matter of time.

Sabrina, who had some knowledge of national affairs, remained noncommittal. Lu Jianming had the right to be arrogant. The battle at the foot of Kolumbutz Mountain had severely damaged the Chu Kingdom, but the foundation of a strong nation remained. After several years of recuperation, the country's strength was actually not weak.

This is what Lü Jianming relies on.

Sabrina said, "Today was mainly to welcome the new students. Now that we've achieved our goal, please feel free to do as you please. I'm going downstairs."

As the second in line to the Broan family, Sabrina also needs to socialize, and this welcome party is a good opportunity.

As she was walking downstairs, Mirashu pushed up her glasses, and a furry creature suddenly jumped out and tugged at her clothes with its paw.

“How about I do the first dance?” Mirashu said with a smile.

Sabrina readily accepted, picking up the furry, dog-like creature and saying, "Okay."

"Tch, boring! Anyone want to dance with me?!" Paninger exclaimed excitedly.

The crowd looked at each other, but remained silent.

This guy has absolutely no dancing skills; he's just jumping around aimlessly to join in the fun. Joining her? He'd probably become a laughingstock among the younger students.

Seeing this, Lin Yuanran probably understood, so he joined everyone in becoming silent lambs.

Lu Jianming said, "I'll go down and see if there are any pretty female students I haven't seen before, you know what I mean..."

"We don't understand!" Fway chuckled. So you're just trying to slip away?

Seeing their silence, Paninger immediately became displeased. "What, are you all being wronged by me? I'm just as good-looking as anyone else, you know!"

"I'm going back to my dorm," Hauglis said, and then simply walked away.

Lin Yuanran thought for a moment and said, "I'm going back too. I need to pack my luggage, and it wouldn't be good to disturb Mr. Blair if it gets too late."

Paninger frowned and said, "That old man doesn't come out of the library for more than half a month, so you probably won't see him easily."

"We still need to go take a look first; there's too much stuff." After dancing with that scheming princess from the Kingdom of Delos, Lin Yuanran was exhausted and had no time for another dance.

"Okay... then there's only... Hey! Baboon, why are you running away!"

At this moment, Allen stepped forward: "Perhaps you can start as a beginner, and I can teach you."

"Armored Turtle" Upton breathed a sigh of relief and secretly gave Allen a thumbs up. Dude, without you, the class would fall apart!

“Alright then.” With that, Paninger headed toward the center of the auditorium, with Allen following closely behind.

Lin Yuanran grabbed a snack from the table and slipped away, intending to go back. He had already met his new classmates, and now he just had to wait for classes to officially begin in a week.

Cassius is really easygoing; he attends class entirely based on his mood.

Back in his assigned dormitory, Lin Yuanran fumbled to open the door and then turned on the light. The moment the light came on, he almost died.

On the bed opposite him sat a hunched old man completely wrapped in a black robe; it was none other than the librarian, Blair.

"You...you're back?" Lin Yuanran greeted him dryly.

“Hmm, come back and change your clothes,” Blair said, closing the book he had been holding.

"Why aren't the lights on?" Lin Yuanran asked curiously. "Have you... already finished changing them?"

“For the dead, darkness equals peace of mind. We can see anything in the night, even the smallest speck of dust.” Blair said like an old charlatan, “Under the light, not all evil is exposed.”

Lin Yuanran didn't know what to say.

Blair added, "I'm all changed and I'm going to the library now. If you need anything, come find me at the library. You'll be responsible for all the cleaning during your stay."

“No problem…” Lin Yuanran said, then thought to himself, “You must have a lot of black robes, so what’s the difference between this and not changing them at all?”

After giving a few instructions, Blair left the room, and Lin Yuanran began to pack his things.