Lianyi

At this moment, Bailing's mother, Lianyi, finally understood what had happened.

She shot Bailing a glare, but seeing her daughter's coquettish expression, Lianyi immediately lost her temper and revealed an indulgent look.

Lianyi turned to Gubo beside her. "You only ever care about academics, academics, academics. You never care about your own daughter at all."

"Uh?"

Gubo was somewhat bewildered.

As for this gentle, beautiful wife of his, whose mind was so meticulous—even though theirs was an old husband, young wife marriage—Gubo felt not merely affection for her, but heartfelt admiration.

Lianyi complained, "Bailing was scolded by you from the time she was little. If she had been a child from an ordinary family, she would have become insecure and withdrawn long ago. Luckily, our Bailing is naturally lively, or she would have ended up that way too. How can you, as her father, be so selfish? Now Bailing wants a little junior brother to ease the pressure in her heart, and you still say such things? I think this Reilo is quite good—steady and dependable. He's perfectly suited to be Bailing's little junior brother!"

After just a few sentences, Bailing stared dumbfoundedly at her mother. Did I really have all that going on?

Then Bailing reacted. Her round, bright eyes instantly turned pitiful as she threw herself into her mother's arms and sobbed, while secretly giving her mother a thumbs-up.

Uh?

Gubo stood there with his mouth open, staring at Lianyi.

He was known as hot-tempered and stubborn at the academy, but before Lianyi, it was as if he had met his natural nemesis. He simply could not get angry or remain obstinate.

Lianyi was not done yet. "Besides, since the academy entrusted this year's new students to you, they obviously intend to assess you. That Vice Dean is about to step down, and the dispute between Evolution's Profound Meaning and Alien Spirit Communication academics has reached a critical point. Haven't you thought about it?"

"Gasp!"

Hearing that the Vice Dean was about to retire, the old man jolted. He gritted his teeth and glanced at Reilo, adopting a thoughtful expression.

Still standing there blankly, Shatuo was being watched by Bailing, who had secretly turned her head toward him with pursed lips and knitted brows.

Though he did not understand exactly what was happening, out of instinctive affection for his little junior sister, Shatuo hesitated before timidly saying, "Mentor, if you do not have the time, I can do it for you. I can teach little junior brother some basic introductory academic knowledge. My foundational academic knowledge is fairly solid, so I will not delay his progress."

"You're only capable of teaching basic academic knowledge!"

Though Gubo's words were blunt and hurtful, Shatuo did not mind. Instead, he smiled bashfully, believing his mentor was praising his solid foundations.

It was clear that Shatuo sincerely respected this mentor of his.

Seeing Gubo relent, everyone smiled. Bailing raised her chin proudly. "Then I'll be responsible for teaching little junior brother advanced academic knowledge!"

"You? Learn your own lessons properly first!"

Gubo glared at Bailing, but his quirky, mischievous daughter made him laugh as well, easing the atmosphere in the hall.

Then Gubo's expression turned stern again, and the hall gradually fell quiet.

Gubo looked at Reilo, who was still standing at the entrance of the hall. Reilo did not dare meet his gaze, but encouraged by the warm, powerful arm on his shoulder, he saw Wushuang's supportive eyes and took a deep breath.

Reilo bravely lifted his head and looked Gubo straight in the eye, no longer retreating.

Gubo had intended to make Reilo back down in the face of difficulty, but upon seeing the determination in his eyes, he understood Reilo's resolve to study. Helplessly, he snorted. "Sit down first. The food's getting cold!"

No matter how slow Reilo was, he understood what Gubo meant. He hurriedly sat beside Bailing.

"Hehehehe."

Shatuo laughed, seemingly reminded of the time Gubo had accepted him as a disciple.

Lianyi reproached Gubo, "There, look how badly you frightened him!"

Then Lianyi leaned beside Reilo and said with a soft laugh, "He was just lucky back then. When he was serving as a class mentor, he took Wushuang as his disciple. Wushuang spoiled his temper too much, and now he thinks everyone can be as outstanding as Wushuang."

Lianyi added quietly, "When your second senior brother took his graduation assessment, he was among the top thirty outstanding students on the academy's Elite Rank. Yet this old stubborn man still complained about him all day, saying he had disgraced him by failing to surpass the other five great academies like your Senior Brother Wushuang had done back then, winning the academy its highest honor."

Naturally, she said this to comfort Reilo.

Reilo felt much better and could not help smiling slightly. He had also gained some understanding of this family's relationships.

Being criticized by his wife in front of his disciples made Gubo somewhat unable to save face. But when he thought of how outstanding the eldest disciple he had trained was, his embarrassment immediately turned to delight, and he could not help looking at Wushuang.

However, when he looked back at Reilo and compared him with Wushuang, he immediately began to regret agreeing just moments ago.

After thinking for a moment, Gubo looked at Reilo and sternly said, "You and Shatuo both come from commoner backgrounds and have no surnames. According to the academy's inheritance system, you may both add my surname, Gubo, after your names. But remember this: never casually reveal your surname outside and bring shame upon me. Understand?"

"I understand."

Reilo agreed.

Among the master-disciple relationships of the major Academies of Natural Sciences, there was a special custom: disciples took their mentor's given name as their surname. Thus, after becoming Gubo's disciple, Reilo became Reilo Gubo.

After all, for academy scholars, once they earned a degree, it was equivalent to receiving a noble title from the duchy's royal family. Though they received no fief, they still possessed certain special rights.

"For now, study basic introductory knowledge with your second senior brother. Once you become a qualified student, I'll arrange for you to join a teaching class. As for whether you can learn my Ancestral Cloning Academic, that will depend on your future performance."

"Tch!"

Hearing that her father had set so many conditions, clearly still dissatisfied with Reilo, Bailing immediately snapped, "Little junior brother, I already know all about that Ancestral Cloning Academic he researches. Once you finish the basics, I'll teach you. You won't need to beg him. Hmph!"

"You?"

Gubo laughed in exasperation.

Wushuang, however, said to Reilo, "Our mentor is one of the academy's foremost scholars in the field of Evolution's Profound Meaning, and he established the Ancestral Cloning Academic research laboratory. If he succeeds, its significance will be extraordinary—enough to earn him the degree of Royal Academician!"

Hearing his prized eldest disciple praise him so highly, Gubo looked smug and gave a pleased snort.

Wushuang continued, "But little junior brother, our mentor's research is not limited to Evolution's Profound Meaning. His achievements in Alchemy are equally remarkable! Just now, Mentor only said that his Ancestral Cloning Academic required an assessment. He never said anything about Alchemy knowledge!"

"Ah?"

Reilo looked surprised. After glancing at Wushuang, he turned to Gubo.

After being praised by Wushuang again and again, Gubo saw the eager look on Reilo's face and could not help becoming a little carried away. "Alchemy is merely a minor discipline. When I was young, I traveled through the Finland Duchy and learned some of it. You could say I have some accomplishments in it. If you're interested, once you've finished your basic introductory studies, I can teach you a little."

"Thank you, Mentor!"

Reilo said joyfully.

"Eat, eat!"

Gubo said no more and began eating heartily on his own.

Everyone ate the exquisite food carefully prepared by Madam Lianyi, praising it again and again.

Looking at the cheerful gathering in the hall and thinking that he would become one of them in the future, warmth filled Reilo's heart. Though Mentor Gubo was rigid and stern, with a sharp tongue, he had his own unique charm.

Respect one's teacher and uphold the Way; let the flame pass on!

From now on, I will study diligently. Through unceasing effort, I will earn Mentor's recognition and make him willingly pass his academic knowledge on to me!

Moved in his heart, Reilo accepted the caviar Madam Lianyi handed him. He pressed his lips together and silently made his vow.