Firefly Journey

Lin Yuanran had informed the landlord of his intention to cancel the lease several days in advance. The landlord was initially displeased, but after learning that he was going to study in St. Louis, the landlord's attitude completely changed, and he refunded the deposit on the spot.

The room lease expires in more than ten days, and the vacant days are non-refundable. Lin Yuanran doesn't care; as long as he moves out of this awful place, the loss is nothing.

After packing his luggage, Lin Yuanran carried the bags and packages to the middle of the enclosed courtyard, waiting for Sabrina's promised help.

He could hire a carriage himself, but that's not something he can easily give up like he can with the remaining rent. Private carriages are expensive, and he's reluctant to spend the money.

For Sabrina and the others, helping out was just a matter of course. Cassius had also given them instructions, and Lin Yuanran decided not to let them down.

In the courtyard, since it was a weekday and during working hours, there wasn't a long queue.

The familiar little girl sat in her original spot, washing clothes with a gloomy look in her eyes. Lin Yuanran just watched, thinking a lot, but there was nothing he could do to help.

Because he was about to leave the hotel, he decided to do something to calm his heart, which was being shaken by sympathy.

"Want some?" Lin Yuanran asked, holding up a piece of banana candy.

Since arriving in Yicheng, he has been keeping an eye out for these snacks, and he will buy them whenever he sees something he likes. Once he enrolls in school and has a proper mail receiving address, he will send them to the girl who lives far away on the other side of the Stormy Sea.

The little girl looked up, her dark brown pigtails swaying. After confirming that she didn't recognize the boy, she asked somewhat timidly, "Who are you?"

The hotel was a mixed bag, with guests from all over the country, and inevitably some filthy creatures among them. Her parents had always taught her not to trust strangers, and especially not to take their things without permission.

Lin Yuanran pointed upstairs and then to the pile of luggage: "A tenant who is about to move out. I've seen you many times. I'm not a bad person."

The little girl turned her head away, deciding to ignore him; it's always better to be careful.

Lin Yuanran smiled and shook her head, thinking to herself that her parents were quite something; if it weren't for their poverty, she would definitely be pampered by them.

Lin Yuanran moved closer but didn't bother the cautious girl any further. He grabbed a handful of banana candies and placed them on a stool not far from her—she wasn't tall and needed to climb up to hang clothes.

A screech fell from the sky. The guests of the ghost hotel had never seen anything like it before, and they all opened their windows to see what was going on.

Above the clouds, the figure of a winged monster appeared, circling overhead.

The flying car didn't land in the yard. A gentle breeze blew by, and Lin Yuanran's body floated up uncontrollably, along with his luggage.

“Good afternoon, Ario,” Fave Marley greeted with a smile.

Fengling and Sabrina were also in the car.

“Considering the potential disturbance to the neighbors, is it alright to bring you up here this way?” Sabrina said.

"No problem," Lin Yuanran said. "It's just... could you please let me know in advance next time so I can be mentally prepared? It's scary to suddenly fly up like that!"

"Haha..." Fei Wei came over and patted him on the shoulder, "Next time I'll be more careful and try to make sure you have a comfortable experience."

Fengling remained silent, arms crossed, gazing at the distant, layered sky. It was a clear, unobstructed blue, offering little scenery. It was unclear what she was looking at.

Lin Yuanran stole a glance at her, then looked away. The high-altitude carriage started moving, and the small shared hotel gradually became a black dot. In the hazy light, Lin Yuanran suddenly smiled. He saw the little girl move and put the candy into her pocket.

They say no, but their actions tell a different story.

"What are you laughing at?" Wind Chime turned around and asked.

Lin Yuanran briefly explained the situation, and Feng Ling said, "She must look a lot like that friend of yours from your hometown who looks like an elf."

“It doesn’t look like it at all…” Lin Yuanran said.

"Doesn't seem like it? If it doesn't seem like it, why do you have time to care about others?"

The implication is that you yourself don't seem to have gained a foothold in Yicheng either, and that you're not the same kind of person as her?

Lin Yuanran fell silent. Yes, what kind of person am I to pity others? I should mind my own business first…

Fway thought the two had argued, and tried to lighten the mood with a smile: "Alio, I heard from Wind Chime that you can cook. I'd like to see you cook sometime."

"Doesn't the academy have a cafeteria..." Lin Yuanran said blankly.

"Sometimes we cook for ourselves or eat out, the cafeteria food is so greasy!" said Fei Wei.

"Okay, I'll cook for you guys when I have the chance," Lin Yuanran said dazedly.

The winged beast pierced through the clouds and mist, flying for a while until the ground of the academy became faintly visible. After it came to a stop, the sky was gradually bathed in a golden hue. Dusk had arrived, and the sunset was infinitely beautiful.

"These parties are organized by the students themselves, and the college doesn't interfere. It's an unwritten rule. Most of the funding comes from the descendants of the seven great noble families."

As the four walked, Faye Marley, who was also a commoner like Lin Yuanran, introduced him to the customs of the academy.

St. Louis is the best academy for extraordinary talents in the Duchy, and undoubtedly the top choice for the children of the seven great ducal families. The idea that nurturing begins from a young age is prevalent, and within the academy itself, there is a glimpse of condensed politics.

The academy is divided into factions, with ordinary students supporting the children of the powerful and wealthy, creating a complex web of relationships that resembles a small society.

Every year during recruitment season, these factions would unite to hold a welcome party to compete for new students. Often after graduation, the new students would choose to work for the families that had taken care of them, with job assignments guaranteed.

“To be clear, I was not involved,” Wind Chime said.

“Me neither,” Sabrina echoed.

Lin Yuanran knew the reason without asking: with a pure teacher like Cassius, how could the students be snobbish?

With so many people in a large family, even if they don't do it, there will be collateral descendants who will, so it won't affect the family much. As long as their own cultivation level is high enough, they can learn something and become true powerhouses, so it doesn't matter if they are just handing over their responsibilities. After all, they still have the family name, and blood is thicker than water. When the family really needs them, can they just stand by and do nothing?

The welcome party was held in the school auditorium, a large space. As soon as the four of them entered, they attracted countless eyes, mostly on the two female students, and a few on Lin Yuanran.

They wanted to know who this new member of Class 29, a class full of nobles and geniuses, was that Cassius had personally chosen.

Seeing him now, I was somewhat disappointed. This young man seemed quite ordinary, with nothing particularly outstanding except for his striking long silver hair.

Class 29 was already a focal point in the college, so naturally they had their own designated spot for this gathering, where Paninger and the others had already arrived.

"Over here!" The lively dragon girl stood by the second-floor railing and waved to the four of them.

At the table behind her, there were familiar faces to Lin Yuanran, as well as unfamiliar ones, but the number of people was incorrect.

Lin Yuanran silently counted, and it seemed like he was missing one.

After Fengling and the others took their seats, class monitor Sabrina asked, "Where's Lü Jianming?"

"What else could he be doing but going to find pretty female students?" Hauglis muttered dejectedly. "He didn't even take me with him."