163: He's So Gentle, I'm Seriously Done

Just then, she received another message.

"Oh my? Isn't this junior Lioz? It's really not easy for you to finally catch up these past few days."

"You are—ah, a third-year student in the Enforcement Team, good morning. I must say, it really took me a lot of time to catch up on the courses. Our first-year curriculum is really troublesome."

Lioz? Dia Lan was slightly taken aback.

How did that guy end up here?

She quickened her pace, shifted her position according to the sound, and immediately walked towards that direction.

"Hey, who isn't? We've all been through first grade. We couldn't solve advanced calculus and linear algebra, and the only way to learn them was by doing practice problems. In political class, we had to write papers and reports every day and be told to firmly uphold materialism. And then there's foreign languages. Ugh, it's really disgusting. Translation magic doesn't cost money, so why do we have to learn foreign languages?"

The senior student and Lioz had a good relationship. Lioz didn't seem very competitive, but she was kind, pretty, and could easily win people over with just a few nice words.

The two chatted for a while, and precisely because of their good relationship, the senior reminded them, "By the way, I heard that you're going to fight Dia Lan? What's going on?"

"It's nothing big. She's planning to ask me to be her partner so we can practice together and get to know each other. If she's satisfied, I can get 20 Credits."

Li Aoz didn't hide it either; such behavior is not uncommon in schools.

"Tsk tsk, these Credits aren't easy to get." The senior shook his head. "Do you know why that ' Golden Princess ' Dia Lan has the title ' Golden Princess '?"

"I don't know, I haven't paid attention to it." Li Aoz shook his head. He was busy working, studying, and leveling up his alternate accounts to earn in- Diamonds every day. He had no time to care about other people's gossip.

"Hey, I can tell from you that you never pay attention to interpersonal relationships. Let me tell you, people who don't value interpersonal relationships will suffer sooner or later. Don't think that just because we study professional skills and theoretical knowledge, magic is useless in the real world. In terms of skills, everyone is pretty much the same—connections, drinking culture, and reading between the lines are your guarantee for a smooth career."

The senior student boasted about his life experiences before getting to the main topic:

"Golden Princess is not a refined term—our Crystal Civilization has never used such a vulgar term as 'princess.' When we talk about princesses, we usually mean those who work in shady places—uh, respectable workers, you know what I mean?"

"I understand." Li Aoz nodded.

"The Golden Princess is a rumor—you know, there aren't many beings who possess both the bloodlines of a true dragon and a Titan, and even fewer who have survived to this day. Many of them were probably captured by the Magic Aristocratic Family in their childhood to have their genes modified."

The senior student teased, "However, not only does Dia Lan remain free, but she can also afford the high cost of university—before she enrolled, she didn't know magic, and exams also cost money. Guess how such a beautiful and charming girl could support herself?"

"In addition, because of her eccentric and withdrawn personality, someone conducted a search and discovered that the girl had been living in a very low-class, very cheap hotel for three years..."

"By the way, that hotel is a well-known cheap trading place in the area. The Dragon Blood Titan looks noble and aloof, but who knows how many people have tasted the real dragon behind the scenes."

"...I think this can only be considered a rumor." Li Aoz's lips twitched.

"Anyway, don't get too close to that girl. She was ostracized by her advisor before. Be careful, or you might not even be able to find a workshop to intern in. Without a workshop internship, you won't be able to graduate."

The senior student said earnestly, "Being with someone with a bad reputation and scandals will ruin your reputation. Although you are so handsome and good-looking that you won't have trouble finding a partner, it will definitely affect how the real rich kids in our school view you. Even the professors will look down on you. Lioz, you should think it over carefully."

"Hmm... okay, thanks for reminding me." Li Aoz shrugged. "Anyway, the decision isn't mine to make. If she thinks I didn't perform well, I won't earn those 20 Credits..."

"Hey, just so you get the gist of it. Not everyone is worth associating with." The senior patted Li Aoz the shoulder. "I'm off to class, let's go out for drinks sometime. Oh, by the way, weren't you two supposed to have a match? Just let her win on purpose, Dia Lan definitely won't want to bother you anymore."

"Well."

Li Aoz brushed it off and continued walking towards the library. Today, Lucite said he would show them his alchemical skills, and he had to go and support his good friend Hobbes.

He stopped after walking a few steps, his gaze falling on the fork in the road ahead.

Diya Lan Alexandra Juejin, with one hand on her hip, head slightly bowed, stood sideways like a statue of a Goddess in front of Li Aoz.

"Yo, good morning." Li Aoz greeted him instinctively. "I've already arranged the venue for the afternoon's match, Arena 12— "

"I shouldn't have had any illusions about you."

"Dia Lan suddenly said."

"Huh? What did you say?" Li Aoz scratched his head blankly, then realized what he meant. "Oh, you overheard my conversation with my senior, right? It was just teasing, don't take it to heart—"

"Sorry."

Dia Lan turned to face Li Aoz, and said in his usual cold tone:

"I apologize for the reputational damage I have caused you, and you can distance yourself from this matter."

Li Aoz blinked.

Although his head wasn't real, he suddenly felt that Dia Lan's head wasn't working very well either.

He's not the same smart guy with an IQ of only 6 anymore; you can tell that out at a glance.

"What do you mean by this? Admitting defeat outright is tantamount to telling others: Ah, I, Dia Lan, am the so-called 'princess,' and wouldn't that be an indirect admission of those rumors?"

Li Aoz was puzzled.

"Compared to my reputation—is it possible that your reputation has been damaged more severely?"

reputation?

Dia Lan shook his head.

The doctor told himself that having a mission was enough.

"My reputation is of no importance whatsoever."

Dia Lan looked at Li Aoz and said:

"You're an efficient person too, Lioz. I'll find a partner myself, or maybe I'll switch to another professor's workshop..."

"Insignificant?"

Li Aoz raised an eyebrow.

"I am meaningful... right?"

This tone and wording made it hard for him not to think of Yawen·Hesksin.

"What kind of attitude is that?"

Having a Ya Wen at home is bad enough, but she's so insecure she's afraid to even see people. And then there's this kind of person at school—it's really troublesome.

"I just feel that you shouldn't let my sake jeopardize your future—"

"What? You look down on me Li Aoz, or what?"

Li Aoz's temper flared up immediately.

A few days ago, he unleashed Aoneng, resurrected Nomi, and returned the Natural Ignition. His posture was incredibly dashing and handsome. Although Li Aoz didn't say it outright, he secretly felt that he was really amazing.

To Li Aoz, Dia Lan's words sounded completely sarcastic and sarcastic.

Now someone is telling him, "You can't do it. You'll ruin your future because of me. Waaah, you'll embarrass yourself. Don't blame me for this."

"Forget the afternoon." Li Aoz clenched his fist and grinned. "Let's go, let's have a match right now."

Li Aoz's usual approach to dealing with this kind of person is to give them a beating.

Thinking nonsense, huh? I'll give you two punches to wake you up. Let's see if you'll still be thinking nonsense then!

There aren't that many people with "jade syndrome" in the world. Straight-talking Li Aoz said: It's just that they're too full and deserve a beating. One punch will do the trick.

He can't bear to hit Ya Wen, but he can't bear to hit you, a tough-skinned Dragon Titan?

"If you want to."

Dia Lan's gaze was somewhat complicated.

Her frank advice seemed to have the opposite effect.

Lioz did not back down because of these things, but instead wanted to actively help himself.

Despite having already been advised by others and then personally comforted by himself, Lioz, under immense pressure and even bearing the burden of negative evaluations, continued to help himself.

Moreover, he had no intention of holding back; instead, he faced himself seriously and gave it his all.

For an opponent, giving your all when facing an enemy is a sign of respect.

Lioz.

"...Thanks."

He really is a special person.