Small Trouble

Exiting the office, Li Qi walked toward the Teaching Building.

Bolent's matter was just an interlude for him. Whatever Bolent planned to do, Li Qi's priority now was to handle his own affairs.

Studying, delving deeper into this world's magical theories, finding a way to survive steadily and live better in a safe rear area—these were Li Qi's current goals.

Following the day's lessons step by step, Li Qi seemed to return to his usual routine.

But whether it was because Li Qi had terrible luck today or because he had hit a Mercury Retrograde Day, when evening classes ended and he was about to head to dinner, he ran into trouble near the Mess Hall.

To be precise, it wasn't Li Qi who encountered trouble.

It was his teammate, Sean.

He and another Blonde-haired Youth were being surrounded by several people, and a conflict seemed about to break out.

Leaving Sean aside for now, Li Qi recognized the Blonde-haired Youth.

The last guy to pass in this assessment—Li Qi remembered his name was... Andrew, right?

He seemed to be of noble birth, usually keeping to himself with no friends.

Li Qi had no idea why he was hanging out with Sean today.

"Will turning a blind eye to my companions lower my standing with the higher-ups..."

Watching the scene that looked ready to erupt into a fight, Li Qi muttered to himself.

He glanced around. Many students had gathered nearby, but none intended to step in and help; instead, they stood around watching the show.

This world's Military Academy had only been established recently, and many rules were still incomplete.

Perhaps in some people's eyes, soldiers should have grit. Fighting among themselves at school was fine as long as no one was seriously injured or killed.

So no one intervened.

Li Qi even spotted a teacher among the onlookers.

Seeing the teacher acting like a spectator, Li Qi knew he wouldn't step in unless the fight had nearly run its course.

Li Qi could choose to ignore it, but with so many watching, if someone accused him of being cold-blooded... it might affect his future post assignments.

Thinking this, Li Qi sighed.

"Sigh, no choice."

Whatever profession you are, you do what it demands.

In the Music World, Li Qi was a singer, a star, so he gave his best in that role.

In the Gambler World, it was the same—otherwise, with an ability that didn't even qualify as T2, Li Qi could never have become one of the Gambling Kings.

Now that Li Qi was a soldier, he naturally had to do what a soldier should do.

Protecting companions... that should be something a soldier does... right?

Li Qi wasn't sure, but regardless, he couldn't just watch his roommate get bullied.

Stepping out of the crowd, Li Qi walked up to them under everyone's gaze.

The surrounding crowd fell silent as Li Qi emerged, and even those about to start fighting all stopped to look at him.

During his time at the school, Li Qi rarely stirred up trouble, but his fame was unexpectedly high.

No other reason.

He was the only one who had come down from the battlefield and still wore a First-Class Combat Medal.

The others were either high-ranking officials or posthumously awarded after death.

Only Li Qi—young, with a high Military Rank and a combat medal.

Even nobles had to think twice; no one dared to provoke Li Qi.

So when Li Qi appeared now, those who knew him and those who didn't all quieted down. After all, even if they didn't recognize Li Qi, they would recognize the medal pinned to the Front of his Chest.

Approaching the center of the commotion, Li Qi saw that those about to fight at the Mess Hall entrance were all from his own class.

His brow furrowed immediately.

He looked at Sean, who was standing with the Blonde-haired Youth Andrew, and said calmly:

"Are you all gathered here to make a spectacle of yourselves?"

The group opposite said nothing.

"Li... Warrant Officer Li Qi..."

Sean started to say something.

From among those surrounding Sean and Andrew, a young man with short golden hair stepped forward.

He said coldly to Li Qi:

"Li Qi Grat, you'd better not meddle in Idle Matters."

Li Qi's eyes narrowed slightly. He observed the student who had stepped forward, his gaze lingering briefly on the other's shoulder, and said:

"Sergeant Beru, I didn't quite catch what you said just now. Could you repeat that?"

The young man named Beru did not observe Li Qi's current mood.

When Li Qi finished speaking, he said without hesitation:

"I said, don't meddle in idle matters, Li Qi! Or we'll beat you up too!"

That was what Beru said.

And then—

Bang!!

Li Qi moved in an instant.

Mana flowed through his feet, and Li Qi charged toward Beru like the wind.

In no more than a second, Li Qi was already in front of Beru.

Beru's pupils contracted at the sight, as if he hadn't expected the other to strike at him. He was about to raise his hands to defend, but soon felt a sharp pain in his shin, and his body buckled toward the ground.

Before he could even let out a scream, his body lost balance, and he fell face-first to the floor.

Li Qi pressed one leg against his spine, held Beru's head down with one hand, forcing it into intimate contact with the ground, and twisted Beru's right hand with the other, nearly to the point of breaking it.

"Aaaaaah—!!!"

Only then did Beru scream.

"Beru!?"

Seeing their companion fall, the others nearby immediately stepped forward to help him, but Li Qi merely twisted the right hand he was holding a little harder, then looked up at them and said:

"If you want his hand broken, go ahead."

Everyone stopped in their tracks, not daring to take another step.

"Aaaah!! Damn it!! Damn it—!! Li Qi!! I #@￥@... aaaaah!!!!"

Beru, pinned under Li Qi, let out cries of pain and a string of curses, but before the curses could go far, they were instantly replaced by screams of agony.

Li Qi suppressed him with strength far surpassing Beru's.

Not only was his right hand applying force, but the knee pressing on Beru's spine was also exerting pressure.

At the same time, he said:

"Sergeant Beru, by military rank, I am a Warrant Officer and you are a Sergeant. By strength, I am Strategic Rank and you are only Third Rank... no, an Advanced Mage Master. So—"

Crack—

The spot where Li Qi pressed on the other's body let out a sound that made one's teeth ache.

Beru's eyes went wide this time, barely able to let out even a scream. His face flushed red, as if his head might explode the next second.

Only then did Li Qi finish his sentence:

"—Who gave you the courage to provoke me? Hm, Sergeant Beru?"

"Li... Warrant Officer Li Qi, you... you should let him go. If this continues... his spine will break!"

One of Beru's companions, unable to bear it, quickly stepped forward to plead for Beru.

Li Qi glanced at him without a word, then turned his gaze to his roommate Sean.

Sean, having been looked at by Li Qi, had no idea what was going on.

But Andrew beside him seemed to understand something. He gently nudged Sean and jerked his chin toward the pinned Beru.

Sean finally caught on and quickly said:

"Li Qi... Warrant Officer, please spare him!"

"Hmph."

Hearing Sean's plea, Li Qi finally released his hold on Beru and stood up.

Beru's companions immediately rushed over to help him up after Li Qi rose.

Li Qi swept his gaze over these people and said:

"Next time, I'd better not see you fighting among yourselves. Otherwise..."

Li Qi didn't finish, but everyone understood the implication in his words.

Unable to win in a fight and outranked by Li Qi, once it was clear Li Qi intended to protect Sean and Andrew, this group of 'Losers' Alliance' slunk away with Beru, quickly disappearing from sight.

Seeing there was no more entertainment, the onlookers also dispersed.

The observing teacher hadn't said a word the entire time. After confirming Li Qi had the situation under control, he didn't even show himself—he simply turned and left.

Li Qi was a little speechless at this irresponsible teacher, then turned his gaze to Sean:

"What happened?"

Andrew was about to explain: "It's because of me..."

"I wasn't asking you."

Li Qi's gaze shifted over, and Andrew immediately fell silent.

After staring at Andrew for a moment, Li Qi looked back at Sean.

"Speak."

Sean gave a bitter smile.

"...Warrant Officer Li Qi, it's late. Let's go eat first. I'll tell you over the meal."