Dual S-Rank, Casual Stroll

Fast, too fast!

Qin Yuan's magic release was seamless, executed with the practiced ease of an extremely seasoned mage.

"S!"

The three examiners snapped back to reality and quickly scored him, unanimously awarding the highest mark.

As Qin Yuan's score was displayed, the arena erupted into thunderous clamor.

"Holy crap, Dual S-Rank!"

"What the hell, is there even room for the rest of us? Having insane Star Power is one thing, but his magic release is this ridiculous too!"

"Wahhh, I've been struggling to control just six stars for so long, and Qin Yuan can already release magic smoothly!"

The students buzzed with discussion.

None was more excited than Xue Musheng. As Qin Yuan's homeroom teacher, the more outstanding Qin Yuan was, the brighter his own 'future' became.

Seeing the envy on the other homeroom teachers' faces, Xue Musheng couldn't help lifting his chin, brimming with pride.

"Didn't embarrass Yuer. Not bad." Tang Yue propped her chin on her hand, a full smile fixed on the dashing figure.

Months of getting along.

She had grown quite fond of Qin Yuan. Not only was he humorous, but he also constantly found creative ways to compliment her beauty—always sticking to the honest truth.

Say what you will, Qin Yuan really did give her a different kind of feeling.

Taking him as a sworn little brother wasn't a bad idea.

When there's work, little brother handles it. When there's no work, handle little brother.

On the field.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Qin Yuan slowly walked off the stage.

Returning to his class's formation, he instantly became the most eye-catching presence.

"So this is what it feels like to show off. Not bad." Qin Yuan muttered to himself.

After keeping a low profile for so long, occasionally stepping into the spotlight did offer a different kind of experience.

Consider this flex a little spice added to an otherwise mundane routine.

"He Yu!"

At that moment, the examiner called out loudly.

He Yu was a timid, somewhat nervous little girl. She walked onto the stage with a pounding heart, looking extremely tense.

It was understandable, really. Qin Yuan had set the bar absurdly high right from the start, so it was hard for anyone following up not to feel the pressure.

In the end, with the comfort of the examiners and teachers, He Yu gradually relaxed and completed her assessment smoothly.

"Hm?"

Qin Yuan seemed to sense something and looked up. On the main platform, a pair of cold, beautiful eyes were fixed on him.

Beside her stood a middle-aged man with a familiar face—Mu Zhuoyun.

Seeing Qin Yuan look over, Mu Zhuoyun nodded in acknowledgment and offered a rather warm, friendly smile.

"..."

Qin Yuan paused for a moment, then returned a polite smile.

When he looked back, Mu Ning Xue, who had been beside Mu Zhuoyun, was already gone.

"Teacher Xue, I'm going to the restroom."

Qin Yuan walked over to Xue Musheng and said.

"Mm." Xue Musheng didn't suspect a thing and replied with a smile, "Go ahead."

In principle, during the assessment, neither students nor teachers were allowed to leave without permission.

But Qin Yuan was now the school's 'treasured gem.' A little harmless 'privilege' was no big deal.

With Xue Musheng's approval, Qin Yuan slipped away quietly.

Though it caught some people's attention, no one said much about it.

"Where's that kid off to?"

Tang Yue looked puzzled.

She instinctively glanced toward the main platform and noticed that Mu Ning Xue, the Mu family's young miss, was also gone.

Now she understood.

"That little lecher, can't even wait a moment before rushing off."

"Running off to rendezvous with another girl—does he really not care about Yuer at all?"

Tang Yue muttered a complaint.

Judging by his expression, it was hard to tell whether he was standing up for Qin Yuer or had some other reason.

Under the banyan tree.

Two figures walked shoulder to shoulder along a path covered in pebbles. The man was handsome, the woman beautiful—they looked like a perfect pair of golden boy and jade girl.

"Leaving just like that? Aren't you afraid the teacher will come after you?"

Mu Ning Xue asked.

"Then should I stay?"

Qin Yuan smiled lightly at the corner of his mouth, countering.

"Up to you." Mu Ning Xue lifted her chin, a bit tsundere. "Anyway, I just wanted to see what Tianlan Magic High School is like."

"Heh, tough talk."

Qin Yuan wasn't annoyed. He casually took Mu Ning Xue's left hand, as if it were second nature.

The moment they touched, Mu Ning Xue's body stiffened slightly, but quickly recovered.

She stopped walking, neither angry nor resisting, just quietly watching Qin Yuan.

"Let's go. Let me show this poor little thing who never went to magic high school what it's really like." Qin Yuan teased.

As expected.

That line made Mu Ning Xue's pretty face darken.

Never went to magic high school?

She went straight to a magic academy, got it?

"Oh ho, still not convinced." Qin Yuan looked at her expression and laughed. "Just say it—did you go to magic high school or not?"

Mu Ning Xue: "..."

She shouldn't have come.

This Qin Yuan spent all day trying to annoy her!

"Wander around by yourself!" Mu Ning Xue shook her hand in anger, trying to break free.

But Qin Yuan's grip was astonishingly strong.

Her hand was locked in his, impossible to pull away.

"Almost eighteen, and still acting like a little princess?" Qin Yuan kept teasing.

Mu Ning Xue's beautiful eyes grew colder.

"Mad?"

"..."

Mu Ning Xue said nothing, but that proud little expression said it all.

"Heh."

Qin Yuan chuckled, then reached out and pinched her soft cheek, his voice gentle. "Forever the little princess. Let's go, I'll show you the scenery outside the castle."

At those words.

Mu Ning Xue's delicate body trembled slightly. Her cheeks flushed as she shot Qin Yuan an embarrassed, angry glare.

But she didn't resist.

Clearly, being treated as his 'little princess' was something she secretly enjoyed.

Only in front of Qin Yuan would she act like this. With anyone else—even Mu Zhuoyun—she never would.

Because she knew Qin Yuan would indulge her.

Of course, she wouldn't go overboard. A little willfulness now and then was enough.

"This is the teaching building. We have class here usually. Probably not much different from the academy..."

"This is the library. Unlike the formality in middle school, it's actually open here..."

"Ahead is the cafeteria. The food's decent, but of course, my cooking is better..."

"..."

The two strolled through the campus like an ordinary young couple.

Qin Yuan briefly introduced the facilities and atmosphere of the magic high school, filling in Mu Ning Xue's 'blank understanding' of it.

Mu Ning Xue started off quiet, then gradually took the initiative to talk. Sometimes, hearing Qin Yuan's humor, she couldn't help but smile.

Being with Qin Yuan felt easy. The weight on her shoulders lightened.

After they finished touring the entire magic high school, they returned to the bench under the banyan tree and sat down to chat.

"Have you already broken through to mid-level mage?" Qin Yuan asked.

"No." Mu Ning Xue shook her head lightly, her voice a bit cool. "Elementary Level Three. Still a ways from mid-level."

"That's still impressive. Not many people become mid-level mages before eighteen."

Qin Yuan smiled.