The planetary governor’s mansion on Casares and Almeyth Academy, though located within the same city, were not particularly close to one another. If one were to take the most common means of transport in Casares—the swift dragon-drawn carriages—it would likely take at least two to three hours to reach the destination.
However, having lived in the Empire for over half a year, Zhang Wen already knew that across the entire Empire, the most popular form of transportation was not actually horse-drawn carriages, but rather a kind of mechanical vehicle somewhat similar in appearance to Earth’s automobiles. In this Empire, where technological development had taken a completely different path from Earth’s, these “cars” were not powered by gasoline, but instead, like other Imperial technology, relied primarily on psychic energy as their core power source.
At the location where engines would be installed on Earth’s cars, these vehicles instead carried a set of devices designed to store and convert psychic energy. Whenever these “cars” ran out of energy, it was enough for several psychics to simply channel their psychic energy into the vehicle, much like refueling, and it could resume operation. Therefore, these psychic-powered vehicles also had a very vivid name—”Psychomobiles.”
Of course, maintaining these Psychomobiles, which ran on psychic energy rather than gasoline, was no easy task either. The storage chamber could hold psychic energy roughly equivalent to that of a sixth-tier psychic. Yet even fully charged, the vehicle could only travel about three to four hundred kilometers. Thus, each Psychomobile required at least three sixth-tier psychics constantly following along to ensure its continued operation. The cost of hiring three full-time sixth-tier psychics was a staggering expense—even for nobles of moderate means.
It’s therefore no surprise that in the remote province of Casares, the streets were still filled with the most primitive dragon-drawn carriages rather than the Psychomobiles so popular in the Imperial capital.
However, although few nobles in Casares could afford a private vehicle, many still preferred to travel by Psychomobile. Thus, several families in Casares operated businesses akin to taxi services. Naturally, running such a business required the support of hundreds of high-level psychics. The only place in Casares where so many high-tier psychics could be found was its sole metropolis—Temos City, the planetary capital.
Since there were those running taxi businesses, it was only natural that someone would not forget the area around Almeyth Academy, where nobles and the wealthy gathered. Near the Academy, many Psychomobiles were always parked, waiting for passengers. It didn’t take long for Zhang Wen and Amelis to find a vehicle and climb aboard. About forty minutes later, the two had already arrived outside the governor’s mansion.
When Zhang Wen and Amelis arrived, most of the guests invited to the governor’s banquet had already arrived. On the square beside the governor’s mansion, luxurious dragon-drawn carriages of all kinds were nearly packed together. Additionally, several elaborately decorated Psychomobiles, clearly the work of master craftsmen, were proudly parked in a large designated area reserved especially for them.
Those qualified to drive private Psychomobiles were almost exclusively high-tier psychics of sixth level or above. They gathered together, looking down arrogantly on the drivers of the horse-drawn carriages around them. Even Zhang Wen and Amelis, who had just stepped out of a “taxi,” received a few disdainful glances. It wasn’t until one of them recognized the Almeyth Academy instructor’s uniform on Zhang Wen that their attitudes finally cooled.
“Phooey! Pretentious show-offs! What do they think they are?” Amelis muttered angrily before following Zhang Wen toward the governor’s mansion.
“Please show your invitations.” At the entrance to the governor’s mansion, two fully armed guards blocked their path.
“Here!” Amelis impatiently handed two cards to one of the guards.
“Hmm…” The guard, assigned to such an important banquet, naturally wasn’t a clueless fool. Upon seeing the uniforms worn by Zhang Wen and Amelis, as well as the invitations they presented, he immediately realized that these two were genuine guests.
Still, whether out of curiosity or something else, he casually glanced over the invitations. However, the moment his eyes fell on the titles written on them, the guard couldn’t help but freeze.
Although the Governor’s Palace of Cassares and the Almicus Academy are located in the same city, the distance between them is not particularly short. If one were to take the most common mode of transportation in Cassares—the swift dragon carriage—it would likely take no less than two to three hours to reach the destination.
However, after more than half a year in the Empire, Zhang Wen had come to understand that the most popular mode of transportation across the Empire was not the carriage, but a mechanical vehicle that resembled the cars on Earth. In the Empire, where technological development diverged completely from Earth, their “cars” were not powered by gasoline. Instead, like other technologies in the Empire, their core energy source was psychic power!
In the place where Earth cars would have an engine, these “cars” were equipped with a device that stored and converted psychic energy. Whenever these “cars” ran out of energy, a few psychics would simply recharge them with psychic power, much like refueling. Thus, the Empire’s “cars” had a fitting name—Psychic Cars.
Of course, maintaining these Psychic Cars, which ran on psychic power rather than gasoline, was no easy task. The psychic storage chamber could hold an amount of energy roughly equivalent to the total psychic power of a sixth-tier psychic. And even when fully charged, the car could only travel about three to four hundred kilometers. Therefore, every Psychic Car had to be accompanied by at least three sixth-tier psychics to ensure its proper operation. The cost of hiring three sixth-tier psychics for full-time work was a significant expense, even for moderately wealthy nobles!
This explains why the streets of the remote planet Cassares were filled with primitive swift dragon carriages rather than the Empire’s popular Psychic Cars.
However, although there were few nobles in Cassares who could afford private cars, there were many who were willing to ride Psychic Cars when traveling. As a result, several families in Cassares operated businesses similar to taxis. Of course, running such a business required the support of hundreds of high-tier psychics, which was nearly impossible without them. The only place in Cassares where such a large number of high-tier psychics could be found was its sole major city—the capital, Temiso City.
Since there were people operating taxi services, it was only natural that they wouldn’t forget the Almicus Academy, where nobles and wealthy individuals gathered. Near the academy, there were always several Psychic Cars waiting for hire. Zhang Wen and Amelie hadn’t been out for long before they found a car and got in. About forty minutes later, they arrived outside the Governor’s Palace.
By the time Zhang Wen and Amelie arrived, most of the guests invited to the Governor’s Palace banquet had already arrived. The square next to the Governor’s Palace was almost filled with various luxurious swift dragon carriages. Additionally, several ornately decorated Psychic Cars, clearly the work of renowned craftsmen, were parked conspicuously in a large area designated specifically for them.
Those who had the privilege of driving private Psychic Cars were almost exclusively high-tier psychics of the sixth tier or above. They gathered together, casting arrogant, condescending glances at the carriage drivers around them. Even Zhang Wen and Amelie, who had just stepped out of a “taxi,” received a few of these disdainful looks. It wasn’t until one of them recognized the Almicus Academy teacher’s uniform Zhang Wen was wearing that they finally restrained themselves.
“Ugh! Pretentious jerks! Who do they think they are?” Amelie spat out angrily before following Zhang Wen toward the Governor’s Palace.
“Please show your invitations,” two fully armed guards at the entrance of the Governor’s Palace stopped them.
“Here!” Amelie impatiently pulled out two cards and handed them to one of the guards.
“Hmm…” The guard, who had been stationed at the entrance of the Governor’s Palace for such an important banquet, was no fool. Seeing the uniforms Zhang Wen and Amelie were wearing, along with the invitations they presented, he knew they were genuine guests.
However, whether out of curiosity or something else, he casually glanced at the invitations. But the moment his eyes fell on the titles written on the invitations, the guard couldn’t help but freeze.
“Is there a problem?” Zhang Wen敏锐地察觉到了守卫神态的变化，他身后的另外几名客人也因为守卫的迟疑露出了几分不耐烦的模样。
“No… no, there’s no problem,” the guard’s expression suddenly turned awkward, and he quickly swiped the two invitations through the psychic scanner next to him.
“Beep! Welcome, Zhang Wen, representative of the Almicus Academy Physical Arts Department. Welcome, Amelie, representative of the Almicus Academy Physical Arts Department,” the psychic scanner announced Zhang Wen and Amelie’s positions and names.
Most of the time, the scanner’s voice, which wasn’t particularly loud, would likely go unnoticed. But just at this moment, the guests behind Zhang Wen happened to be paying attention to the guard with the strange expression. As a result, every word the scanner uttered fell into their ears.
Almost the instant they heard the announcement, the guests behind Zhang Wen froze. Then, their gazes focused on Zhang Wen and Amelie, and their expressions became extremely peculiar.
“Representatives of the Almicus Academy Physical Arts Department? Why are they here?”
“What the hell! The Physical Arts Department of Almicus Academy hasn’t attended the Governor’s pre-tournament banquet in years! What are they doing here?”
“Exactly! Haven’t they embarrassed themselves enough?”
“Hmph! I think these two are just desperate for fame! There’s going to be quite a show at tonight’s banquet!”
Before long, the guests behind Zhang Wen and Amelie began whispering among themselves. And they didn’t even bother to lower their voices in front of Zhang Wen and Amelie. Not only did Zhang Wen, with his keen senses, clearly hear their conversation, but even Amelie could vaguely guess their meaning from the snippets she caught.
Zhang Wen noticed that Amelie’s face had turned pale. “Teacher Zhang,” the young girl looked up at Zhang Wen,不知所措. She clearly hadn’t expected that her efforts to attend the Governor’s banquet would result in such a negative outcome.
Zhang Wen didn’t say anything, simply pulling Amelie into the Governor’s Palace. As they walked through the garden corridor leading to the main banquet hall, he leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Don’t be nervous. It’s more interesting if they think that way! If they don’t look down on us, how can we become heroes when we defeat the Thymis Academy? Every time we win against them, it’ll be like slapping them in the face. I’m really looking forward to the expressions on their faces then.”
“Pfft!” Amelie was amused by the scene Zhang Wen described. The young girl couldn’t help but laugh, her charming demeanor making Zhang Wen忍不住又在她屁股上用力拍了一记. Amelie gave Zhang Wen a flirtatious glance, no longer paying attention to the whispers around them, and walked side by side with him through the garden corridor.
At the end of the corridor was the Governor’s residence, a grand building resembling a medieval castle. According to the information Zhang Wen had read at the Almicus Academy, its design was the work of a renowned architect from Calades three hundred years ago.
This castle-like residence had three main halls and twenty-seven rooms of various sizes. Under normal circumstances, only the side entrance and the right third of the rooms were opened for the Governor’s living and working quarters. Only during important meetings or banquets like tonight would the castle light up its most magnificent main hall to host guests.
By the time Zhang Wen and Amelie entered the Governor’s Palace, there were already forty to fifty guests inside. However, in the vast main hall of the Governor’s Palace, even if another forty or fifty people arrived, it wouldn’t feel the least bit crowded.
“Teacher Zhang?” The first person to spot and recognize Zhang Wen in the hall was Linoya, who had just parted ways with him at the arena not long ago. When she saw Zhang Wen and Amelie, she couldn’t help but show a hint of surprise.
As soon as Linoya showed her surprise, the other representatives of the Almicus Academy Psychic Arts Department standing with her naturally followed her gaze. Thus, they too were surprised to see the two from the Physical Arts Department.
“Zhang Wen?!” Although Zhang Wen’s invitation had been personally delivered to him by Carlet, even she showed the same surprise as everyone else when she saw him actually appear in the banquet hall.
After a moment of stunned silence, Carlet quickly excused herself from the other members of the Psychic Arts Department and strode over to Zhang Wen. In her haste, Carlet tripped halfway and collided with Amelie.
“Ouch!” The two beauties in Almicus Academy uniforms exclaimed as they fell together. Zhang Wen instinctively reached out to steady them. But once the three of them regained their balance, Zhang Wen realized that Carlet and Amelie’s faces—one pure and the other娇艳—were pressed close together, their lips just half a foot away from his cheek, creating an extremely暧昧 scene.
The two girls also noticed the situation they were in at about the same time as Zhang Wen. Amelie carelessly winked at Zhang Wen with a smile, while Carlet’s pure face flushed with embarrassment.
However, the strong-willed Carlet refused to admit she was shy. She quickly let go of Amelie, coughed awkwardly, straightened her clothes, and deliberately looked at Zhang Wen with a serious expression, asking, “Teacher Zhang, why are you here?”
It must be admitted that in Zhang Wen’s two lifetimes, Carlet was the girl with the most pleasant voice he had ever met. Even when she was angry or deliberately trying to sound serious, the serene and柔美的 tone of her voice could still触动听者的心弦.
“Oh? Why can’t I be here? You personally delivered this invitation to my home,” Zhang Wen teased Carlet with a smile.
“It’s true that I delivered the invitation to you, but… but… the Physical Arts Department of Almicus Academy hasn’t attended the Governor’s banquet in many, many years! Didn’t you know that?” Carlet was so flustered that she even forgot to be polite, directly questioning Zhang Wen and Amelie.
“I’ve only been at the academy for half a year, how could I know about these things?” Zhang Wen shrugged indifferently. He had always looked down on the traditions of the Almicus Academy Physical Arts Department. What was there to respect about traditions set by perpetual losers and fools?
“I… I didn’t know either,” Amelie blushed as she said this. She was originally a student of the Psychic Arts Department, and her relationships at the academy weren’t particularly good, so no one had specifically told her about the Physical Arts Department’s customs.
As for Zacks and Cloud, when they saw how excited Amelie was about attending the banquet that morning, even if they wanted to stop her, they probably wouldn’t have had the heart to say anything.
“Anyway, regardless of the reason, you two should leave quickly!” Carlet nervously glanced toward the entrance of the hall and then毫不犹豫地想将两人送出去。
However, just as Carlet grabbed Zhang Wen’s arm, the main door behind them was pushed open. Then, the three of them heard a阴测测的男声从门外传来：”Oh! Isn’t this Miss Carlet? Hehe, I never thought the angelic Governor’s daughter would也有坠入凡尘的时候. But the banquet is about to start, where are you planning to take your boyfriend?”
As the unfamiliar voice rang out, Zhang Wen finally turned around. Standing before him was a man Zhang Wen had never seen before. He appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a well-built physique and silver hair, dressed in a neat uniform. From the style of the uniform, Zhang Wen could tell he was undoubtedly an Imperial soldier. However, the color of his uniform and the徽章 on his chest were something Zhang Wen had never seen before.
Moreover, the most striking thing about this strange soldier was the smile that never left his face. Although he was quite handsome, his smile gave Zhang Wen a very uncomfortable feeling—and Zhang Wen was certain he wasn’t the only one who felt this way. In fact, anyone who saw his smile would likely first think of one word—smiling tiger.
“Captain Remiu, you’re mistaken. He’s one of my teachers at the academy, not the kind of relationship you’re imagining,” Carlet clearly felt the pressure in the other’s smile, and her response to his joke was quite serious, not even showing the usual shyness one might expect in such a situation.
“Oh, I see. So, where are you planning to take your teacher at a time like this?” The so-called “Captain Remiu,” the smiling tiger, asked again.
“N-no… There’s no problem at all.” The guard’s expression suddenly turned awkward. He quickly swiped the two invitations through the psychic energy scanner at his side.
“Beep! Welcome, Instructor Zhang Wen, representative of the Physical Arts Department at Almeyth Academy. Welcome, Student Amelis, representative of the Physical Arts Department at Almeyth Academy.” The psychic scanner announced Zhang Wen’s and Amelis’s names and titles in a voice that wasn’t particularly loud.
Under most circumstances, the scanner’s relatively quiet voice probably wouldn’t attract anyone’s attention. But at this very moment, the guests behind Zhang Wen happened to be watching the guard with curious expressions. As a result, every word from the scanner was clearly heard by them.
Almost the moment they heard those titles, the guests behind Zhang Wen all froze. Then, their gazes turned toward Zhang Wen and Amelis, and their expressions became unusually strange.
“Representatives of the Physical Arts Department at Almeyth Academy? What are they doing here?”
“This is ridiculous! The Physical Arts Department at Almeyth Academy hasn’t attended the governor’s pre-tournament banquet in years! What are they here for?”
“Exactly! Haven’t they embarrassed themselves enough already?”
“Hmph! I bet these two just want to seek attention! Tonight’s banquet is going to be quite entertaining!”
Before long, the guests behind Zhang Wen and Amelis had begun whispering among themselves. Moreover, they didn’t even bother to lower their voices in front of Zhang Wen and Amelis. Zhang Wen, with his keen senses, clearly heard their conversation, and even Amelis could roughly guess their meaning from the snippets she caught.
Zhang Wen saw Amelis’s face suddenly turn pale. “Teacher Zhang,” the young beauty looked up at him helplessly. Obviously, she hadn’t expected that going to great lengths to attend the governor’s banquet would result in such a backlash.
Without saying a word, Zhang Wen simply pulled Amelis into the governor’s mansion. As they walked along the garden corridor leading to the banquet hall, he smiled beside her ear and said, “Don’t be nervous. The more they think that way, the more interesting it gets! If they underestimate us and believe it’s only natural that we beat Thamus Academy, how can we be the heroes? Every time we defeat Thamus Academy, it’ll be like slapping them in the face. I’m really looking forward to seeing their expressions then.”
Although the Governor’s Mansion of Casares and the Almythius Academy are located in the same city, they are not particularly close to each other. If one were to take the most common mode of transportation in Casares—the swift dragon carriage—it would likely take more than two or three hours to reach the destination. However, after spending over half a year in the Empire, Zhang Wen had come to realize that the most popular mode of transportation across the Empire was not the carriage, but a mechanical vehicle that resembled the cars on Earth. In the Empire, where technological development diverged completely from Earth, their “cars” were not powered by gasoline but, like other technologies in the Empire, relied on psychic energy as their core power source.
In the Empire, where Earth’s cars would have engines, these “cars” were equipped with a device that stored and converted psychic energy. When these “cars” ran out of energy, a few psychics would simply recharge them by infusing psychic energy, much like refueling. Thus, the Empire’s “cars” were aptly named—Psychic Cars. Of course, maintaining these Psychic Cars, which ran on psychic energy rather than gasoline, was no easy task. The psychic energy storage chamber could hold an amount equivalent to the total psychic energy of a sixth-tier psychic. However, even when fully charged, the car could only travel about three to four hundred kilometers. Therefore, each Psychic Car had to be accompanied by at least three sixth-tier psychics to ensure its smooth operation. The cost of hiring three sixth-tier psychics for full-time work was a significant expense, even for moderately wealthy nobles.
This explains why the streets of the remote Casares planet were filled with primitive swift dragon carriages rather than the Empire’s popular Psychic Cars. However, while few nobles in Casares could afford private cars, many were willing to ride Psychic Cars when going out. As a result, several families in Casares operated businesses similar to taxis. Of course, running such a business required the backing of hundreds of high-level psychics, which was nearly impossible to achieve. The only place in Casares with enough high-tier psychics was its sole major city—the capital, Temiso City.
Given that someone was running a taxi business, it was only natural that they wouldn’t forget the Almythius Academy, where nobles and the wealthy gathered. Near the academy, there were always several Psychic Cars waiting for hire. Zhang Wen and Amelie didn’t have to wait long before finding a car and hopping in. About forty minutes later, they arrived at the Governor’s Mansion.
By the time Zhang Wen and Amelie arrived, most of the guests invited to the Governor’s Mansion banquet had already arrived. The square next to the mansion was almost filled with various luxurious swift dragon carriages. Additionally, several exquisitely decorated Psychic Cars, clearly the work of renowned craftsmen, were proudly parked in a large area designated specifically for them.
Those who had the privilege of driving private Psychic Cars were almost all high-tier psychics of the sixth tier or above. They gathered together, casting arrogant and disdainful glances at the carriage drivers around them. Even Zhang Wen and Amelie, who had just stepped out of a “taxi,” received a few of these haughty looks. It wasn’t until one of them recognized the Almythius Academy teacher’s uniform that Zhang Wen was wearing that they finally toned down their arrogance.
“Ugh! Pretentious jerks! What a bunch of nonsense!” Amelie spat out angrily before following Zhang Wen toward the Governor’s Mansion.
“Please show your invitations,” two fully armed guards at the mansion’s entrance stopped them.
“Here!” Amelie impatiently pulled out two cards and handed them to one of the guards.
“Hmm…” The guard, who was stationed at the entrance during such an important banquet, was no fool. Seeing the uniforms Zhang Wen and Amelie were wearing, along with the invitations they presented, he knew they were genuine guests.
However, whether out of curiosity or something else, he casually glanced at the invitations. But as soon as his eyes landed on the titles on the invitations, the guard couldn’t help but freeze.
“Is there a problem?” Zhang Wen keenly noticed the change in the guard’s demeanor. The other guests behind him also showed signs of impatience due to the guard’s hesitation.
“No… no, there’s no problem,” the guard’s expression turned awkward as he quickly swiped the two invitations through the psychic energy detector next to him.
“Beep! Welcome, Zhang Wen, representative of the Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department. Welcome, Amelie, representative of the Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department,” the psychic energy detector announced their positions and names.
Most of the time, the detector’s not-so-loud voice would go unnoticed, but just at that moment, the guests behind Zhang Wen happened to be paying attention to the guard with the strange expression. As a result, every word the detector spoke fell into their ears.
Almost instantly upon hearing the announcement, the guests behind Zhang Wen froze. Then, their gazes turned to Zhang Wen and Amelie, their expressions becoming extremely peculiar.
“Representatives of the Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department? Why are they here?”
“What the hell! The Physical Arts Department of Almythius Academy has never attended the Governor’s pre-tournament banquet before! What are they doing here?”
“Exactly! Haven’t they embarrassed themselves enough already?”
“Hmph! I think these two are just desperate for fame! There’s going to be quite a show at tonight’s banquet!”
Before long, the guests behind Zhang Wen and Amelie began whispering among themselves. Moreover, they didn’t even bother to lower their voices in front of Zhang Wen and Amelie. Not only did Zhang Wen, with his sharp senses, clearly hear their conversation, but Amelie could also vaguely guess their meaning from the snippets she caught.
Zhang Wen noticed that Amelie’s face had turned pale. “Mr. Zhang,” the young girl looked up at Zhang Wen, clearly at a loss. She hadn’t expected that her efforts to attend the Governor’s banquet would result in such a backlash.
Zhang Wen didn’t say a word, simply pulling Amelie into the Governor’s Mansion. As they walked through the garden corridor leading to the banquet hall, he whispered in her ear, “Don’t be nervous. It’s more fun if they think that way! If they don’t underestimate us and think it’s only natural for us to beat the Themis Academy, how can we become heroes? Every time we win against Themis, it’ll be like slapping them in the face. I’m really looking forward to the expressions on their faces then.”
“Pfft!” Amelie couldn’t help but laugh at the scene Zhang Wen described. Her charming smile made Zhang Wen couldn’t resist giving her a playful slap on the butt. Amelie shot him a flirtatious glance, ignoring the gossip around them, and walked side by side with him through the garden corridor.
At the end of the corridor was the Governor’s Mansion, a grand building resembling a medieval castle. According to the information Zhang Wen had read at the Almythius Academy, its design was the work of a famous architect from Calades three hundred years ago.
The castle mansion had three main halls and twenty-seven rooms of various sizes. Normally, only the side entrance and the right third of the rooms were open, serving as the Governor’s residence and office. Only during important meetings or banquets like tonight would the castle light up its most magnificent main hall as the venue for entertaining guests.
By the time Zhang Wen and Amelie entered the Governor’s Mansion, there were already forty to fifty guests inside. However, in the vast main hall of the mansion, even if another forty or fifty people arrived, it wouldn’t feel the least bit crowded.
“Mr. Zhang?” The first person to spot and recognize Zhang Wen in the hall was Linoya, who had just parted ways with him at the arena not long ago. When she saw Zhang Wen and Amelie, she couldn’t help but show a look of surprise.
As soon as Linoya showed her surprise, the representatives of the Almythius Academy’s Psychic Arts Department standing with her naturally turned their gazes in the direction she was looking. Thus, they also saw the two from the Physical Arts Department with astonishment.
“Zhang Wen?!” Although Zhang Wen’s invitation had been personally delivered to him by Carlet, even she showed the same surprise as everyone else when she saw him actually appear in the banquet hall.
After a moment of stunned silence, Carlet quickly excused herself from the Psychic Arts Department representatives and strode over to Zhang Wen. In her haste, Carlet tripped halfway and ended up colliding with Amelie.
“Ouch!” The two beauties in Almythius Academy uniforms cried out as they fell together. Zhang Wen instinctively reached out to steady them. But once the three of them stood up, Zhang Wen realized that Carlet and Amelie’s faces—one pure and the other charming—were pressed close together, their lips and his cheek only half a foot apart, creating an incredibly暧昧 scene.
The two girls noticed their situation almost at the same time as Zhang Wen. Amelie nonchalantly winked at Zhang Wen with a playful smile, while Carlet’s pure face flushed with embarrassment.
However, the strong-willed Carlet refused to admit she was shy. She quickly let go of Amelie, coughed awkwardly, straightened her clothes, and deliberately looked at Zhang Wen with a serious expression, asking, “Mr. Zhang, why are you here?”
It must be admitted that in Zhang Wen’s two lifetimes, Carlet was the girl with the most pleasant voice he had ever met. Even when she was angry or deliberately speaking in a serious tone, the serene and gentle quality of her voice could still touch the listener’s heartstrings.
“Oh? Why can’t I be here? You personally delivered the invitation to my house,” Zhang Wen teased, looking at Carlet with a smirk.
“It’s true that I delivered the invitation to you, but… but… the Physical Arts Department of Almythius Academy hasn’t attended the Governor’s banquet for many, many years! Didn’t you know that?” Carlet, now too flustered for polite conversation, directly questioned Zhang Wen and Amelie.
“I’ve only been at the school for half a year, how could I know about these things?” Zhang Wen shrugged indifferently. He had always held the traditions of the Almythius Academy’s Physical Arts Department in contempt. What was there to value in traditions set by perpetual losers and fools?
“I… I didn’t know either,” Amelie said, blushing slightly. She was originally a student of the Psychic Arts Department, and her social circle at the school wasn’t particularly wide, so no one had specifically told her about the Physical Arts Department’s customs.
As for Zacks and Cloud, when they saw how excited Amelie was about attending the banquet that morning, even if they wanted to stop her, they probably wouldn’t have had the heart to say anything.
“Anyway, no matter what, you two should leave quickly!” Carlet nervously glanced toward the hall’s exit and then decisively tried to usher them out.
However, just as Carlet grabbed Zhang Wen’s arm, the main door behind them was pushed open. Then, the three of them heard a sinister male voice from outside: “Oh! Isn’t this Miss Carlet? Hehe, I never thought the angelic Governor’s daughter would have a moment of falling to earth. But the banquet is about to start, where are you planning to take your boyfriend?”
As the unfamiliar voice rang out, Zhang Wen finally turned around. Standing before him was a man Zhang Wen had never seen before. He appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a well-built physique and silver hair, dressed in a neat uniform. From the uniform’s style, Zhang Wen could tell he was undoubtedly an Imperial soldier. However, the color of his uniform and the emblem on his chest were something Zhang Wen had never seen before.
Moreover, the most striking thing about this peculiar soldier was the smile that never left his face. Although he was quite handsome, his smile gave Zhang Wen an uncomfortable feeling—and Zhang Wen was certain he wasn’t the only one who felt this way. In fact, anyone who saw that smile would likely first think of one word—smiling tiger.
“Captain Remiu, you’ve misunderstood. He’s one of my teachers at the academy, not the kind of relationship you’re imagining,” Carlet clearly felt the pressure in the other’s smile and responded to his joke with a serious expression, not even showing the usual shyness in such situations.
“Oh, I see. Then, at this time, where are you planning to take your teacher?” The so-called “Captain Remiu,” the smiling tiger, asked again.
At the corridor’s end stood the governor’s mansion—a grand structure resembling a medieval castle. According to the information Zhang Wen had read at Almeyth Academy, its design was the work of a renowned architect from Karades three hundred years ago.
This castle mansion had three grand halls and twenty-seven rooms of various sizes. Normally, only the side entrance and the rightmost third of the rooms were opened, serving as the governor’s residence and office. Only during important meetings or grand occasions like tonight’s banquet would the castle illuminate its most magnificent central hall for entertaining guests.
When Zhang Wen and Amelis entered the governor’s mansion, there were already forty to fifty guests inside. However, even with another forty or fifty people added, the vast central hall of the governor’s mansion would still not feel the slightest bit crowded.
“Teacher Zhang Wen?” The first person to spot and recognize Zhang Wen inside the hall was none other than Linoah, who had only just parted ways with him at the arena. Upon seeing Zhang Wen and Amelis, she couldn’t help but show a trace of astonishment.
As Linoah displayed her surprise, the representatives from Almeyth Academy’s Psychic Arts Department, who stood beside her, naturally turned their gazes toward the direction she was looking. Thus, they too were astonished to see the two representatives from the Physical Arts Department.
“Zhang Wen?!” Although Zhang Wen’s invitation had been personally delivered by Carite, when she saw him actually appear in the banquet hall, she was just as surprised as everyone else.
After a moment of shock, Carite quickly excused herself from the Psychic Arts representatives and hurried toward Zhang Wen. In her haste, she tripped slightly halfway and stumbled right into Amelis.
“Ouch!” The two beautiful young women in Almeyth Academy uniforms cried out as they fell together. Instinctively, Zhang Wen reached out to support them. However, after the three of them steadied themselves, Zhang Wen realized that Carite and Amelis’s faces—one purely beautiful, the other seductively charming—were now tightly pressed together, their lips barely half a foot from his cheek. The scene was as awkward as it could possibly be.
The two girls noticed their situation almost simultaneously with Zhang Wen. Amelis simply grinned and winked playfully at Zhang Wen, while Carite’s delicate face flushed deeply with embarrassment.
However, the strong-willed Carite refused to admit her shyness. She quickly let go of her hands that had been supporting Amelis, then deliberately coughed and straightened her clothes, pretending to be serious as she looked at Zhang Wen and asked, “Teacher Zhang, how come you’re here?”
It had to be admitted that among all the girls Zhang Wen had met in both his lifetimes, Carite had the most beautiful voice. Even when she was angry or deliberately adopting a stern tone, the gentle and melodious quality of her voice still touched the hearts of those who listened.
“Oh? Why shouldn’t I be here? You personally delivered the invitation to my home.” Zhang Wen replied with a teasing smile, looking at Carite.
“I did give you the invitation, yes, but… but… the governor’s banquet invitation to Almeyth Academy has not been attended by the Physical Arts Department for many, many years! Don’t you know this?” At this point, Carite didn’t even have time for polite formalities and directly questioned Zhang Wen and Amelis.
“I’ve only been at the school for half a year. How could I possibly know all that?” Zhang Wen shrugged indifferently. As far as the traditions of Almeyth Academy’s Physical Arts Department were concerned, Zhang Wen had always held them in contempt. What significance could traditions set by weaklings and failures who always lost have?
“I… I didn’t know either,” Amelis said with some embarrassment as she spoke. She was originally a student from the Psychic Arts Department, and since her popularity at school wasn’t particularly high, naturally no one had taken the time to inform her about the Physical Arts Department’s customs.
As for Zack and Cloud, seeing how delighted Amelis had been about attending the banquet in the morning, they probably wouldn’t have had the heart to stop her even if they had wanted to.
“In any case, no matter what, you two should leave quickly!” Carite anxiously glanced toward the hall entrance and immediately tried to usher the two out.
However, just as Carite grabbed Zhang Wen’s arm, the main doors behind the three of them were pushed open. Then, from outside, they heard a cold male voice: “Oh! Isn’t this Miss Carite? Hehe, truly unexpected. Who would have thought the angelic governor’s daughter would stoop so low? But the reception is about to begin. Where are you planning to take your boyfriend?”
As the unfamiliar voice sounded, Zhang Wen finally turned around as well. Standing before him was a strange man he had never seen before. The man was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a quite athletic build and a head of silver hair, dressed neatly in a uniform. From the style of the uniform, Zhang Wen could tell he was definitely an Imperial soldier. However, the color of his uniform and the insignia on his chest were completely unfamiliar to Zhang Wen.
Additionally, the most noticeable thing about this strange soldier was the smile constantly on his face. Although his appearance was quite handsome, his smile gave Zhang Wen an uncomfortable feeling—and Zhang Wen was certain that he wasn’t the only one who felt this way. In fact, anyone who saw his smile would probably think of the same phrase first—“a smiling tiger with hidden claws.”
“Captain Reimau, you’ve misunderstood. He’s one of my instructors at the academy. We’re not in the kind of relationship you’re implying,” Carite clearly felt the pressure behind his smile. In responding to his joke, her expression was quite serious—she didn’t even display the usual shyness that would normally accompany such a situation.
“Oh, I see. Then, at a time like this, where exactly were you planning to take your instructor?” The smiling tiger known as “Captain Reimau” asked again.
“This… I didn’t really plan on taking him anywhere. I just wanted to talk to him about something privately,” Carlet replied awkwardly, naturally unable to say in front of the smiling tiger that she actually wanted Zhang Wen gone. She gave Raimu a few evasive answers, her face flushed with embarrassment. However, lying in front of both Zhang Wen and the ever-observant Amylis was difficult for the usually strict and self-disciplined governor’s daughter, and she blushed deeply, her pretty face reddening with discomfort.
“Hehe, I see. Then I won’t interrupt your private conversation,” Raimu said with a meaningful glance at Zhang Wen, smiling as he walked away from the trio.
“Who is that guy?” Amylis stuck out her tongue in curiosity after waiting until the smiling tiger was far away, asking Carlet, “I’ve never seen his uniform or badge before!”
“Well, of course not,” Carlet sighed, her expression of frustration making her angelic face look so adorable that one couldn’t help but want to pinch her cheeks—it was a far cry from her usual authoritative presence as the student council president at the academy!
“Woah!” Amylis was momentarily stunned by Carlet’s sudden “cuteness overload.”
“…He’s a squad leader of the Imperial Hawks. You two have heard of the Imperial Hawks before, right?” Carlet continued explaining to the two without noticing Amylis’s expression.
“Oh yes, yes! The Hawks are a secret unit directly under the Emperor. Even in books, they only mention their names and achievements, never revealing other details. No wonder we’ve never seen them before,” Amylis finally snapped back to reality, nodding at Carlet and responding eagerly.
“That’s right. The one you just saw is Raimu, the squad leader of the second division of the Imperial Hawks, known by the nickname ‘The Emperor’s Fang.'”
“I see! But speaking of that, what’s a squad leader of the Hawks doing here in Casares instead of protecting the Emperor in the capital?”
Carlet hesitated briefly before lightly coughing and reluctantly continuing, “Well, I was planning to announce this at the banquet anyway, so I might as well tell you now. The Imperial Hawks have come to Casares to find a school suitable for Princess Sophia to attend.”
“Princess Sophia?” Amylis raised her eyebrows in confusion.
“Exactly,” Carlet nodded, quickly recounting to Amylis and Zhang Wen the information Governor Temisso had given her.
“…So that’s the general idea. The outcome of our upcoming match against Thamis Academy will probably determine which school Princess Sophia will attend. Also, the capital has actually sent more than just Raimu as an observer. There’s another squad leader named Mula. He’ll probably show up at the banquet today too.”
“Oh! Oh! Two squad leaders from the Imperial Hawks! Princess Sophia really does have a lot of clout!” Amylis murmured in admiration.
“She is the Emperor’s favorite younger sister, after all!” Carlet shrugged.
“Alright, I think we should head inside now. Staying here won’t do us any good,” Zhang Wen interjected with a smile, interrupting the two girls’ chatter. “People from Thamis Academy are coming,” he whispered to the two girls.
Just moments ago, Zhang Wen had caught sight of four more people emerging from the labyrinthine garden corridor of the governor’s mansion. Though none of them were in uniform, Zhang Wen quickly noticed that the person standing on the far left of the group was a physical education instructor from Thamis Academy he had seen earlier at the arena. The identity of this group was thus clear—they were undoubtedly the archrivals of Almishas Academy, the representatives of Thamis Academy.
“Eh?” Carlet and Amylis quickly noticed the approaching Thamis Academy group heading toward the main entrance.
Sighing cutely, Carlet looked on as the Thamis Academy representatives arrived.
In fact, Carlet’s earlier insistence on getting Zhang Wen and Amylis to leave the banquet had been for their own good. As the banquet host, she had known from the start that representatives from Thamis Academy would be attending. And these pre-competition banquets were often like a “preliminary battlefield” before the actual match.
It wasn’t hard to imagine that if the Thamis Academy representatives discovered that Almishas Academy’s physical education department was present at the banquet, they wouldn’t miss the chance to pick on such an easy target. Deep down, Carlet didn’t want either Zhang Wen or Amylis to be embarrassed.
But now, it was too late for Carlet to send Zhang Wen and Amylis away. Before the arrival of Thamis Academy’s delegation, she could have asked them to leave because it was customary for the physical education department not to attend pre-competition banquets. Back when Almishas Academy’s physical education department was strong, they had already established this tradition. Following tradition, the opposing side wouldn’t have had any objections. But if she tried to send Zhang Wen and his companions away now, it would be tantamount to showing weakness in front of Thamis Academy. That would be even more embarrassing than letting them face the opposition at the banquet! Naturally, Carlet would not, and could not, do that.
“God, please help us,” Carlet silently prayed, hoping that the representatives from Thamis Academy wouldn’t take the opportunity to embarrass Zhang Wen and Amylis.
Just as Zhang Wen and Amylis were preparing to return to the main hall, the four representatives from Thamis Academy had already entered through the front door. Upon entering, they happened to be walking directly toward Zhang Wen and Amylis’s group. As a result, the three of them met face-to-face with the Thamis Academy delegation.
“Oh no… the worst-case scenario,” Carlet silently lamented in her heart.
However, to Carlet’s complete surprise, perhaps her prayers had actually worked. As the Thamis Academy representatives passed by Zhang Wen and Amylis, their gazes merely glanced briefly at the two before silently walking away. Even the girl in the middle of the four, who had rare aquamarine-colored long hair, only left Zhang Wen and Amylis with a thought-provoking back view, not even revealing her face.
“Eh? What’s going on?” Carlet felt relieved but even more puzzled. Thamis Academy and Almishas Academy had been rivals for so many years that they certainly could recognize the uniforms of Almishas’ physical education department. Letting such a great opportunity to humiliate Almishas slip by so easily before the competition was completely against Thamis Academy’s usual behavior!
“Plotting something! Definitely plotting something!” Carlet muttered to herself as she returned to the banquet hall with Zhang Wen and Amylis.
As soon as the two pretty young girls entered the banquet hall, they were quickly pulled aside by several eager young men for conversation. Meanwhile, Zhang Wen’s gaze curiously lingered on the girl who had only left him with her back view.
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