The next morning, at the Academy Restaurant.
As usual, the Let's Eat Trio gathered in the northern corner of the restaurant.
"Sliuu~!"
After taking a sip of porridge, Feng Qi looked up at Mu Qing and Lin Ran. Thinking of their tragic fates in the future, he could not help but feel deeply moved.
"Brother Qi, why do I feel like you're looking at me strangely? Is something wrong?" With his mouth stuffed full of food, Lin Ran looked up at Feng Qi in confusion, copying his habit of eating in large bites.
"Yesterday, I asked a master to read your fortune. Guess what he said?"
Lin Ran: ???
"The fortune-teller said you have a calamity in your fate. It will leave you suffering for the rest of your life, but there is a way to resolve it."
"How?" Lin Ran asked curiously.
"Give up the stubborn dream in your heart and accept the path chosen by your talent."
"Brother Qi, I don't understand. Can you explain it in a way carbon-based lifeforms can understand?"
"What is your greatest talent? Why were you admitted early to the Tiger Soul Research Institute?" Feng Qi continued guiding him patiently.
"Naturally, because of my accomplishments in spell research."
"Exactly. That is the path chosen by your talent. Now let me ask you, what is your dream?"
"My dream is to make achievements in cultivation method research, become a master in the field of Cultivation Method Studies, and be remembered by future generations... Hm?" At that point, Lin Ran suddenly understood what Feng Qi was trying to say and immediately said in a low voice:
"Brother Qi, I've never believed in fate. I only believe that my fate is in my own hands, not Heaven's."
Feng Qi: ...
"Your own dream will get you killed sooner or later!" Realizing that Lin Ran still refused to listen, Feng Qi could not help glaring at him.
"To die for my dream, I would have no regrets. A real man should burn himself up in pursuit of his dreams and pour out his passion until the day he dies."
Then you would regret it amid the curses of the world, go gray overnight, cry every day, spend the rest of your life in repentance, and finally die in despair.
Do you not have even the slightest self-awareness?
Looking at Lin Ran's confident expression, Feng Qi could not help mocking him inwardly.
"By the way, I have something to tell you. I'll be leaving Star City Academy for a while soon."
"Where are you going?" Lin Ran stopped eating.
Mu Qing, who sat across from him, also looked up at that moment. Her puffed cheeks stopped chewing as she gazed curiously at Feng Qi.
"I forgot to tell you, but I'm actually only seventeen. My assignment in coming to Star City Academy was to observe and study, so I'll be returning to my school in three days to handle some graduation matters."
Lin Ran's eyes immediately widened when he heard this. He had always thought Feng Qi was a senior at Star City Academy, never expecting him to be a year younger. Thinking of this, he promptly asked:
"Are you coming back? You aren't going to apply to another academy, are you? I still want to learn Cultivation Method Studies from you. You can't leave."
Although Mu Qing did not say anything, she also turned her gaze toward Feng Qi and waited for his answer.
Feng Qi was her first friend, and the only person who had ever brought her warmth. Hearing that Feng Qi was leaving, she suddenly felt reluctant to part with him, though she did not show it on her face.
"Aren't you an exchange student from Winter Academy? Whether I'm at Star City Academy or not, won't you have to go back eventually?" Faced with the question, Feng Qi looked at Lin Ran somewhat speechlessly.
"I'm a genius. Geniuses have privileges. Besides, I've already been admitted early to the Tiger Soul Research Institute. There isn't much left for me to learn at Winter Academy, so I can stay wherever I want. I'll just graduate as a Winter Academy graduate."
"What about you? You still haven't answered me. Are you coming back or not? If you're not, tell me which academy you're going to. Then I'll go find you as an exchange student."
"You can go wherever you want? Just like that?" Feng Qi asked in astonishment.
"Of course. Before coming to Star City Academy, I had planned to study at Galaxy Academy. Their Cultivation Method Studies program is more specialized than Star City Academy's. But my teacher had me come to Star City Academy first to help him show off in front of an old friend, so here I am."
"I originally planned to stay here for a month before going to Galaxy Academy, but now I don't think there's any need. I think I've already found someone to learn from and catch up to." As he spoke, Lin Ran gave Feng Qi a knowing look.
"You really have found someone who can save you. I'll guide you toward healthy growth." Feng Qi could not help sighing when he heard that.
Previously, he had worried that Lin Ran, as an exchange student from Winter Academy, would eventually return there. Without Feng Qi keeping an eye on him, Lin Ran would probably still walk down the same old path.
Now that he knew Lin Ran could remain here, the worry in his heart dissipated.
Thinking of this, he smiled and said:
"Don't worry. I'll only be gone for a few days. Once I've handled my graduation matters, I'll come back. Actually, Star City Academy has already granted me guaranteed admission without an exam. The acceptance letter will probably be delivered to my school around graduation."
After saying that, he silently added, Who told me I can't rest easy with you two troublemakers around?
"Hehe, we'll wait for you." Hearing Feng Qi say he would return, a smile immediately appeared on Lin Ran's face.
Mu Qing also lowered her head again and began eating in large bites. For some reason, she suddenly had a great appetite.
After breakfast, before leaving, Feng Qi took a silver-white harmonica from his pocket and handed it to Mu Qing.
"Senior, this is for you."
Seeing the harmonica in Feng Qi's hand, Mu Qing looked startled and somewhat at a loss.
She had grown used to being isolated and rejected. Feng Qi becoming her friend had already made her very happy, yet she had never expected him to remember that her harmonica had broken and buy her a new one.
"I can't accept this." Mu Qing shook her head.
"I bought it for you. It's just a gift between friends, so take it." As he spoke, Feng Qi held the silver-white harmonica out to Mu Qing. Seeing that she was still hesitating, he shoved it into her hand.
Looking at Mu Qing, who seemed at a loss, he did not say anything more. He then pulled Lin Ran away, leaving her no chance to return it.
Holding the silver-white harmonica and watching Feng Qi and Lin Ran's departing backs, Mu Qing's eyes grew moist. She abruptly lowered her head, as if afraid someone would see her vulnerable side.
On the way from the restaurant to the library, Lin Ran looked at Feng Qi teasingly and said:
"Brother Qi, if it's a gift between friends, why didn't I get one?"
After saying that, Lin Ran's inner actor took over, and he suddenly put on a dejected expression.
"I understand now. In the face of love, friendship is utterly worthless."
"Who said you didn't get one? I prepared something for you long ago. I'll give it to you later."
After hearing that, Lin Ran was briefly stunned before asking curiously:
"Brother Qi, can you give me a hint about what it is?"
"The Galaxy Research Institute's newly released Advanced Spell Theory 9 Revised Edition Complete Collection. It's three volumes, each as thick as a brick—upper, middle, and lower. So, are you happy?"
Lin Ran: ...
Before you continue