The Infatuated Female Student

Chapter 43: The Infatuated Female Students

Lorist found his villa wasn't big enough. The small attic was now the bedroom for the two children, and one of the two guest rooms on the second floor was occupied by Bordefinger, leaving one empty. Of the two servant rooms on the first floor, one was occupied by Keli and the other by Ready. This meant only the empty guest room on the second floor could accommodate Sertkamp and Pat.

Lorist planned to tidy up the warehouse on the first floor and convert it into guest rooms. Along with the room upstairs, this would give Sertkamp and Pat their own spaces. However, when Lorist revealed his plan, it drew strange looks from Sertkamp and Pat, and they strongly objected.

Sertkamp's point was that his young master seemed mistaken. He was merely the young master's servant and attendant, not a guest. All he needed was a place to put a bed so he could sleep. He was supposed to follow the young master and be at his beck and call. For someone of his status, it would be a laughingstock among other lords and nobles if the young master let him stay in a guest room upstairs. It had never been heard of for a noble to let their servant live on the same floor. In fact, the small space under the stairs was just enough to fit a bed, or even without a bed, some blankets would suffice for him to curl up in.

Pat also refused to stay in the guest room upstairs, citing the same reason as Sertkamp: it was inappropriate for his status. He was only the young master's bodyguard and could stand guard outside the young master's bedroom door, but he couldn't live on the same floor as the young master.

Lorist's egalitarian mindset from his past life and the custom of warmly hosting distant friends and relatives made him forget that he was now living in Galintea, a world of lords and nobles. Coupled with the strong commercial atmosphere of Molent City, Lorist often forgot his quasi-noble status, hence his attempt to treat Sertkamp and Pat as guests was rejected by them. They still adhered to their duties as servants and subordinates, reminding Lorist of the difference in status between them.

Lorist was a bit troubled, but Ready offered a suggestion that delighted him: "Let's do this. The seven or eight-meter-long flower bed next to the stable, against the rock wall, is large enough to build two double-story wooden cabins. Go contact Aunt Scarlett at the management office and have her send people to start construction as soon as possible. Once the houses are built, you and Pat can choose two rooms to live in. Your room will be given to Sertkamp."

"Understood." Ready went to find Aunt Scarlett.

"Young master, there's no need to spend money on us. Just a place for us to squeeze in is fine," Sertkamp advised.

"Heh heh," Lorist chuckled. "Your young master isn't short on a little money like this. Since you'll be following me from now on, I need to make proper arrangements for you. This is also a matter of the Norton family's dignity. As for your treatment, it will be the same as Ready's for now: two gold Fudes per month. And Pat, I'll get you equipped; you don't need to worry about it yourself."

"Thank you, young master," Pat said without being polite.

"Young master, isn't this too much?" Sertkamp asked, a little flustered. Two gold Fudes were equivalent to six Imperial gold coins, or sixty Imperial silver coins, whereas he only received five Imperial silver coins per month in his family's territory. How many times was that increase?

Lorist waved his hand dismissively. "You deserve it. However, you'll have to endure some hardship next. Pat, I see your Battle Qi is already Black Iron Three-Star. Strive to reach Silver Rank within two or three months. Sertkamp, you haven't practiced your Bronze Battle Qi in a long time, have you?"

Sertkamp put on a pained expression. "Young master, I don't know why, but I always forget the circulation route for the Battle Qi Great Bloodline Circulation. I awakened Battle Qi inexplicably in the first place. It's not that I don't want to practice, but I really can't remember it. My father always said I wasn't cut out for Battle Qi and that awakening it was a waste."

People like Pat, Bordefinger, and Sertkamp, who were from the former Krissen Empire, all practiced the Military Battle Qi of the Krissen Empire. This was a foundational Battle Qi that could be cultivated to the peak of Silver Rank. Any attribute could be practiced, but it was much more complex than ordinary Basic Battle Qi, and the physical requirements for awakening it were higher.

When Bordefinger brought his two children to Molent City, it was partly because he was attracted by the Forde Commercial Alliance's slogans of freedom, justice, and equality, and he wanted to provide his children with a peaceful and happy living environment. On the other hand, he had already cultivated his Military Battle Qi to the peak of Silver Rank and could not advance further. He wanted to earn substantial rewards through his own efforts, such as taking on mercenary missions, and save enough money in a few years to purchase high-level Battle Qi Manuals from the market to advance to Gold Rank.

In Molent City, Bordefinger still had a chance to buy high-level Battle Qi Manuals from the market. If he were in the former Krissen Empire, these high-level Battle Qi Manuals would be exclusive family treasures of the nobles. Unless Bordefinger served a noble for over ten years or performed great deeds, he would only then possibly be rewarded with high-level Battle Qi Manuals. This was also why Bordefinger, after recovering from his injuries, left his two children with Lorist and went off to take on missions day and night.

Lorist smiled and said, "It's fine. I have a simpler Battle Qi Great Bloodline Circulation route here that's easy to remember. If you work hard for two or three years, reaching Black Iron Rank shouldn't be a problem."

Lorist was referring to the Basic Battle Qi that the students in the Battle Qi Enlightenment Class were currently practicing. This was indeed the simplest Battle Qi Great Bloodline Circulation route currently available, most suitable for students who had just awakened Battle Qi.

Sertkamp frowned and agreed with a pained expression.

Lorist looked at him sternly and said, "Sertkamp, your young master doesn't keep useless people. If you don't reach Black Iron Rank, I won't let you stay by my side. From now on, I'll test you every three months. If your Bronze Battle Qi shows no progress, your salary will be deducted. If it remains the same after the salary is deducted, you'll have to leave, understand?"

"Yes, young master. I will definitely cultivate diligently," Sertkamp promised.

"As for Pat, you'll stay by my side for now to familiarize yourself with the surroundings of Dawnlight Academy. Once the wooden cabins are ready and you move in, you'll train with Ready. When I have time, I'll create a training outline for you to improve your strength."

"Understood, young master." Pat agreed to everything Lorist said.

"You two should stop calling me 'young master.' Call me Locke from now on; it'll be more familiar," Lorist said.

"Understood, Young Master Locke," Sertkamp and Pat replied in unison.

Early in the morning, Lorist was exercising in the courtyard as usual. Shiward was doing a set of exercises specifically designed for him by Lorist, which would greatly improve his physical fitness and build a solid foundation. Alisha was still asleep and hadn't woken up. Ready also had his own training methods, but the eight basic swordsmanship stances were indispensable. Lorist had Pat and Sertkamp practice them as well.

By the time they were done with their exercises, the construction workers arrived with their carts, tools, and materials. Yesterday, Ready had brought back a foreman. This ruddy-faced foreman listened to Lorist's requirements and carefully measured the actual area. He said building two double-story wooden cabins was simple and quick, and it would take about six or seven days to complete everything, as the materials were readily available and could simply be assembled. However, the materials plus labor would cost about seventeen or eighteen gold Fudes.

Lorist had only one word: "Build."

After breakfast made by Keli, Lorist left Ready at home to supervise and instructed him to keep an eye on Alisha and Shiward. Then, Lorist took Sertkamp and Pat towards the academy. They soon arrived at the place where President Peterson's precious son was undergoing his weight loss and training.

Damn it, I knew it. It's like this again. Lorist cursed inwardly...

Lorist said, "Excuse me, please make way, I'm an instructor," while expressionlessly ignoring the white eyes thrown at him from all directions. He used his sword sheath to push aside the female students who were provocatively dressed and acting flirtatiously in front of him, finally struggling through this blockade formed by all the infatuated female students of Dawnlight Academy and reaching the instructors and assistants of the Battle Qi teaching group.

"Young master, there are so many beautiful women here, they've surrounded the small plaza. There must be a thousand of them," said Pat, who was following behind Lorist. He had never seen so many young, beautiful women before. Squeezing through the crowd of pretty girls had made him blush uncontrollably.

Lorist replied with annoyance, "All the female students of Dawnlight Academy who think they're somewhat attractive and are infatuated are gathered here. If not a thousand, then at least eight hundred."

Yuri walked over. The commoner students in his class had all awakened their Battle Qi and were given a holiday after familiarizing themselves with its circulation. They would return next semester to learn basic knowledge about the applications of Battle Qi. However, that was simple; they just needed to arrange classes according to the number of students and assign instructors. Due to the serious situation here, which also affected everyone's bonuses and benefits, the three thousand gold Fudes promised by President Peterson shone brightly. Therefore, except for the instructors responsible for the last few dozen students, all other instructors and assistants who could have been resting were voluntarily working overtime here.

Currently, over thirty instructors and assistants were fawning over one student, Peterson Dorset House, setting a new record for the instructor-to-student ratio at Dawnlight Academy. However, this was unavoidable. The instructors and assistants had to not only supervise the training of this former fatty but also prevent the infatuated female students from harassing the young master of the Peterson family, the future head of the Peterson family.

Yes, the female students surrounding the small plaza were all here for this young master Peterson. Many of them harbored the same dream: to get to know this young master, then fall in love, and eventually enter the Peterson family as the young madam, enjoying delicacies, fine clothes, and endless wealth and glory... The thought alone made them giddy and unable to stand still. Those dreaming this were mostly female students from ordinary families.

On the other side of the plaza were noblewomen in elegant attire. Whether it was because of young master Peterson's handsome and well-built physique, or because they fancied the Peterson family's influence, or because of the earnest expectations of their elders to form an alliance with the Peterson family, they too gathered by the small plaza, looking for opportunities to get acquainted with young master Peterson. The only difference between them and the female students surrounding Lorist was that they were more or less accompanied by guards.

Damn it, I never expected losing weight would turn him into a fitness champion, Lorist lamented.

Indeed, not only Lorist but all the instructors and assistants who had seen the fat man who gasped for breath with every step were surprised. After a hellish weight loss journey, young master Peterson, having shed more than half his weight and excess fat, now had a remarkably well-built physique.

Young Master Peterson was originally about 1.90 meters tall, ten centimeters taller than Lorist, but his obesity had made people overlook his height. Now, after successfully losing weight, he appeared tall and slender. Under the threat of the whip, he had continuously undergone various physical training, which had resulted in a body full of well-defined muscles. His back was broad, his waist narrow, and his muscles bulged, forming an enviable inverted triangle shape. Especially the deltoids on his arms, which appeared exceptionally strong and powerful. His skin, exposed to the sun for extended periods, had a healthy bronze hue. As sweat flowed during his exercises, it glistened.

If young master Peterson were still covered in fat, even if the female students in the academy knew his family background, they wouldn't have much interest. No woman wanted to be with a pile of fat. But young master Peterson had succeeded in losing weight. A few female students who occasionally passed by this secluded small plaza were surprised to find a handsome and well-built boy exercising there. They immediately gathered and watched for the entire morning.

The instructors and assistants didn't mind; having beautiful women around was always pleasant. So, amidst the casual chatter of the beauties, young master Peterson's identity and family background were revealed.

Wow, so this big boy constantly exercising in the field is actually the future head of the Peterson family, one of the seven giants of the Commercial Alliance! He's so sunny, so cute, and so well-built and handsome... Oh, he looked at me, and he even smiled! I can't take it anymore, I'm going to faint... And so, the first batch of infatuated female students appeared.

Word spread like wildfire. Soon, most of the female students in the academy knew the news. Those who aspired to marry into wealth and considered themselves somewhat attractive meticulously dressed themselves and appeared around the small plaza, spontaneously cheering for the exercising young master Peterson. No matter how the instructors and assistants explained to them that young master Peterson was doing weight loss exercises and not secretly training for a competition, these infatuated girls ignored them. Our prince, the handsome young master Peterson, needs to lose weight? That's utter nonsense! Look at his physique, compare it to yours. I think you're the one who needs to lose weight! The infatuated girls pointed at the instructors' small bellies and mocked them.

Listen to the praises coming from behind. It was unbearable for any man. "Oh my god, he's the epitome of manhood, the prince charming of my dreams..." "Look at his physique, his muscles, so strong and powerful, I really want to throw myself into his arms and enjoy his affection... Oh, I'm drunk..." This one was already eager to embrace him.

There were even more exaggerated remarks: "Heavens, he's simply the incarnation of the Sun God... His smile is so charming, his gaze so deep, his body is filled with power. It seems with a raise of his hand or a stomp of his foot, mountains will collapse and rivers will dry up..."

Hey, hey, hey, sister. Are you sure you're writing a hymn? That muscular guy is actually a rookie who hasn't awakened his Battle Qi yet!

"How's the situation?" Lorist asked.

Yuri gave a wry smile. "It's like this every day. Even the instructors and assistants are getting fed up. Why are there so many idiots for women at the academy?"

"You ask me, who am I supposed to ask? Looks like we'll have to have Fatty Shi send the enforcement team over to maintain order. Also, while ensuring young Master Peterson's training quality, we need to maintain safety and security, and not let anyone with ill intentions find an opportunity," Lorist said with some worry.

"Huh?" Lorist saw young Master Peterson, who was on a long run in the distance, stop and talk to a girl holding a parasol nearby.

"Who is that?" Lorist asked Yuri. "And why did young Master Peterson stop? Why is the accompanying instructor trying to persuade him? Where's the whip?"

"That's the daughter of the Grand Duke of the Morrosang Duchy, a princess. It's said she has some indirect family ties to the Peterson family. She heard young Master Peterson was training here and comes to visit him every day."

"As for the whip..." Yuri spread his hands. "It's in this box on the ground. Who dares use it now! Last time, an assistant tried to scare young Master Peterson for slacking off, and he was almost torn to shreds by these women nearby. So now, we can only persuade him with kind words and dare not discipline him physically."

"Yuri, take Sertkamp to the grand hall. Have him sit in front of the route diagram for the Basic Battle Qi Great Bloodline Circulation and memorize it. Then, have him practice Battle Qi in front of the diagram for an hour. This guy awakened Battle Qi but can't remember the circulation route; it's a complete waste of a good body. I'll handle things here," Lorist said. He then picked up the whip from the box and walked towards young Master Peterson, with Pat hurrying to follow behind him.

Young Master Peterson was having a very pleasant conversation with the beautiful princess, who was related to him, completely ignoring the accompanying instructor's advice that he still had ten laps of his long run to complete. Suddenly, he heard the long-lost and familiar sound of a whip in the air, followed by a sharp pain in his back. He turned his head and saw that it was the head instructor Locke, whom he regarded as a demon, standing behind him with a whip. He was so startled that he covered his head and cowered on the ground, not daring to move.

The noise of the entire venue suddenly converged at this moment. The small plaza was filled only with the sound of the whip cracking and Lorist's roar: "Still daring to slack off! Still daring to disobey the instructor! Your morning physical training will be doubled, and your lunch portion will be halved. If this happens again, you'll go hungry for three days, understand? If you understand, get up and keep running!"

After whipping the bodybuilding champion a dozen times and making him continue running, Lorist hadn't even caught his breath when he heard angry curses erupt from all around. He looked around and saw the infatuated women by the small plaza were glaring at him with murderous intent, clearly intending to tear him to pieces.

"Crack! Crack! Crack!" The crisp and loud sound of the whip cracking echoed through the air, followed by Lorist's dark and clear voice reaching everyone's ears: "If you women continue to disrupt our normal teaching order, don't blame me for being impolite. One whip across the face will guarantee complete disfigurement, and the Peterson family will hold your families responsible. Who wants to step forward and try?"

Lorist whipped the ground, leaving a crack nearly half a foot deep.

The infatuated women crowding the front suddenly came to their senses. Seeing the whip mark on the ground, they showed fear and began to retreat.

If it were just breaking limbs, these infatuated women wouldn't be afraid; they might even be happy to show themselves to the prince of their hearts. But Lorist was talking about disfigurement. These infatuated women had to think twice. They couldn't possibly show a disfigured face, could they...

"How dare you treat my Brother Hous like this!" The beautiful princess finally snapped out of her shock, pointing at Lorist and angrily scolding him. Then she ordered the guards behind her, "Seize him and whip him severely."

Four Silver Rank guards behind her lunged forward fiercely. In the first encounter, the two guards who rushed forward the fastest fell at Lorist's feet. The one who was hit lighter was half-crouched on the ground, dry-heaving and unable to vomit, his expression extremely pained. The one who was hit harder was twitching uncontrollably and had lost consciousness. The remaining two Silver Rank guards were stunned and dared not advance. Then they recognized Lorist.

"Your Highness, he is Black Iron Locke."

"It's precisely because he's Black Iron that I sent you! Can't four Silver Ranks handle him? Oh, what happened to those two?" The princess finally noticed the two Silver Rank guards lying on the ground.

"Your Highness, Black Iron Locke is invincible among Silver Ranks. We are no match for him," the responding guard said with a wry smile. His princess, aside from dressing up, pursuing fashion, and attending parties, cared about nothing else. She probably hadn't heard of the legend of Black Iron Locke. It was better for him to state plainly that they were not his opponents.

"Hmph..." Since her Silver Rank guards clearly stated they were no match for this detestable instructor, the princess didn't press the issue. She just glared fiercely at Lorist, snorted, and turned away with an arrogant expression. The two Silver Rank guards bowed their heads briefly in greeting, then helped up the two on the ground and quickly followed her away.

Lorist returned to the instructor group, watching young Master Peterson continue his long run while deep in thought, completely ignoring the curses directed at him by the infatuated female students around them.

"What are you thinking about?" Instructor Marlin approached.

"With so many infatuated women watching young Master Peterson, if we moved the training to the indoor training hall and charged admission for these women to watch, wouldn't we make a fortune from ticket sales?" Lorist replied.

The instructors and assistants nearby were all dumbfounded