Auditing Student

Time passed quickly, and the morning magic class concluded. Melinda closed the textbook on the podium, announced, "Class dismissed," and walked out with her books.

As she exited the classroom, she approached Chen Cheng with a smile and said, "I'm sorry, that was just a little joke. But if you'd like, I can speak to Baron Kekebor about it. I'm sure he'll agree to my request."

It was only then that Chen Cheng understood what Melinda meant. He repeatedly shook his head, indicating it wasn't necessary.

At the same time, he was secretly astonished by Melinda's status. This beautiful and kind teacher was definitely more than just a teacher; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to genuinely claim she could have Baron Kekebor release him so easily.

After his days of interacting with Kekebor Town and the Baron's mansion, Chen Cheng was acutely aware of the power of class distinctions in this world.

Regardless of how strong you were, if you lacked a certain social standing, you still had to show respect to nobles.

Even if you could bully these minor nobles with your strength, the noble system in this world was exceptionally robust.

If you offended even the smallest among them, and the news spread, the entire noble class would henceforth consider you an enemy.

Initially, Chen Cheng dismissed this information as mere rumors, but he later realized it was the truth.

These nobles controlled the most prosperous central continent not because of their strength, but because of their extraordinary unity within their class.

Otherwise, the world would be ruled by sects established by super-powered individuals relying on their strength, not by a state system formed by a coalition of nobles.

In that case, his dream of restoring his nation wouldn't require Samlet to rally troops; he could have simply seized a mountain and re-established his sect based on Samlet's immense power.

Chen Cheng would only come to understand these principles much later.

Melinda smiled and gently patted his head. She then continued, "I saw you listening intently to my lecture from outside earlier. Are you very interested in magic? If you wish to study magic, I can apply for an auditing position for you at the Academy."

This time, Chen Cheng was truly perplexed by Melinda's intentions. This was only their second meeting, and frankly, given his current overt identity, he should be considered their enemy. Why would Melinda want him to engage with magic?

Chen Cheng didn't hold back and directly asked Melinda, "Teacher Melinda, I'm a savage. You civilized people hunt us savages; shouldn't we be enemies? For instance, you shouldn't be opening up advanced technologies like magic to me, right? You should have a technological blockade against us."

Chen Cheng's "technological blockade" theory momentarily stunned Melinda. Then, she looked at him with a hint of excitement and said, "You're so clever. I never expected you to put the prohibition of magic dissemination so plainly and understandably. But it doesn't matter for you, and I'll be your guarantor. I trust you won't cause any trouble for your older sister, will you?"

With that, Melinda gave Chen Cheng a playful smile and then continued on her own, "Then it's settled. The next class is Isabel's magic observation class. You can attend and audit alongside your little master.

Remember not to be late."

Melinda patted Chen Cheng's head and left with a smile.

Not long after Melinda departed, Fini approached Chen Cheng with a hint of jealousy. She waved her small hand in front of his eyes and said with a touch of pique, "Stop looking. Melinda's already gone far away. Besides, Teacher Melinda's eyesight has deteriorated from years of studying magic, so she can't see your deep gaze right now."

Amidst Fini's jealous voice, Chen Cheng snapped back to reality. He then understood why Melinda had to get so close to examine the wound on his face; she was actually nearsighted.

Thinking of this, Chen Cheng curiously asked, "Since Teacher Melinda is a magician, why doesn't she use magic to heal her eyes?"

"I don't know about that either. I heard that Teacher Melinda's eyes are cursed by the God of Magic, and ordinary healing magic doesn't do much for them.

Alright, enough about Teacher Melinda. The next class is the magic observation class. Where are you going to hang out later?"

Fini had seen Melinda talking to Chen Cheng earlier and hadn't approached them, so she was unaware that Melinda had arranged for Chen Cheng to become an auditor.

However, Chen Cheng was currently preoccupied with thoughts about Melinda's eyes. When Fini asked, he blurted out without hesitation, "Sister Melinda said she'd apply for an auditing seat for me at the Academy, so I'll be attending the next class with you."

Chen Cheng had no idea how earth-shattering his unintentional remark was. The students playing and frolicking in the hallway all stopped and turned to look at Chen Cheng, followed by a flurry of whispers.

"I didn't expect Teacher Melinda to be like this. No wonder her eyes have never healed."

"Don't say that, be careful Count might make things difficult for your father."

It was at this moment that Chen Cheng realized he had spoken out of turn again. However, considering he was going to attend the class anyway, and everyone would find out sooner or later, he decided not to dwell on it.

Fini, standing beside him, went from shock to pouting indignantly at Chen Cheng, "Get down."

Chen Cheng saw Fini's puffed-up expression and knew the little loli was angry, though he didn't understand why.

Still, he didn't care about his status as a fallen prince and immediately crouched down in front of Fini.

Fini then hopped onto Chen Cheng's back, having him carry her, and pointed the way to the magic observation class.

Shortly after the two of them left, Coles, who had been watching Chen Cheng, sneered at his burly companion and headed towards the Academy Principal's office.

"A lowly slave actually wants to attend classes with us. I'll report this to the Principal and see how this lowly wretch can stay in the Academy. Once he's out, I'll definitely skin him alive."

Inside the Huidun Academy Principal's office, Melinda was handing a request form to the Principal. The white-haired old Principal opposite her accepted the form with a smile and began to read it.

"Melinda, how are your eyes lately? Do you need your old teacher to concoct some more magic potions for you?"

"Teacher, I've been looking through magic texts recently and found a new healing potion for the eyes. Perhaps it will help yours," Principal Adolf said nonchalantly while flipping through the request form Melinda had given him.

Melinda shook her head, resigned.

"Teacher Adolf, forget the magic potions. They won't do much for my eyes, and they'll cost you a lot of your savings. That's your financial security for you and your wife in the future.

Besides, I'm only a little nearsighted. It doesn't affect my research into magic too much. I can still read magic books and teach those young ones."

Adolf sighed. After reading the entire application, he looked at Melinda gravely.

"Do you know who you're applying to? This could seriously damage your reputation in the kingdom and the magic world from now on."

Melinda gave a bitter smile.

"It doesn't matter. My eyes, cursed by the God of Magic, have already spread my name throughout the kingdom and the magic world.

Even without this, my identity has already brought me immense shame.

And I believe the God of Magic is willing to spread his knowledge to everyone living in the magical world."

Adolf sighed and nodded. Finally, he stamped his principal's seal on the application. Melinda thanked him, happy for Chen Cheng, and left the principal's office.

As she walked out, she saw Coles, who had come to lodge a complaint. When Coles saw Melinda, he knew she was serious. His plan had failed before it even began.

Melinda, having just fulfilled her promise to someone, was in a good mood. Seeing Coles approach, she asked a few concerned questions as a teacher. While Coles gave a fake smile and said it was nothing, she hummed a tune and walked towards her office.

Coles sighed and was about to leave, but then he thought of something. His dejected face brightened, and he left with the large man beside him.

Huidun Academy occupied a vast area. While it couldn't compare to the higher academies in the Royal Capital, it was not inferior to provincial academies. All sorts of teaching equipment were readily available.

Chen Cheng carried Fini to the magic practice classroom. Soon, Fini's magic observation teacher arrived.

She was a sharp and capable teacher with short hair and a neat appearance, dressed in a tight-fitting combat uniform.

From the whispers among the noble students, Chen Cheng learned that this magic observation teacher, named Isabel, was formerly a warrior in the Royal Guard.

And judging by her heroic demeanor, her entire right lower leg had been amputated. She was now fitted with a magic prosthetic. It was precisely because of this that she had retired from the Royal Guard at such a young age.