Perhaps many people had heard the names Andrelara Long, Ci Jincheng, and Fegler Knight, but few actually knew what the three of them looked like. Alun's family had founded two Star Alliance electronic publications, and he had memorized the faces of many famous people. So when he saw the three beside Xilin, he recognized them at once—and didn't know how to react.
Alun hadn't received any word that the three would be coming to Seven Luminaries Academy. He'd always thought Kangman and Pride, the Twin Stars of Qiyao, were the brightest stars of this year's class. But today had truly stunned him. When all three looked his way, Alun suddenly felt nervous. The usually outgoing, easygoing Alun actually felt nervous for once!
Years ago, Alun's father had pointed out the three people in Star of Tomorrow and told him, "These three will absolutely be at the top of the business world, the military, and the Academic World one day." Alun didn't know why his father held them in such high regard. He'd never said anything like that even when the Twin Stars of Qiyao appeared, but Alun had absolute faith in his father's judgment.
Fortunately, Alun was experienced and quickly regained his composure.
"Xilin... These three are... your roommates? A pleasure to meet you all. I've heard so much about you." Alun screamed inwardly, Good heavens, Xilin's roommates are these three big shots!
"You know them already? Then I won't introduce them."
"I do, I do. It's an honor to have you here."
Alun led the way, thinking that he'd need to change the plan and add a few more expensive dishes. He had to make sure these three were satisfied.
But reality didn't go along with Alun's wishes. As they approached the Carefree Hall, they heard a group of people inside chatting and laughing.
"Who's that kid Alun gone downstairs to meet?" asked a voice, arrogant and impatient.
"I know that guy. Met him on the Transport Aircraft." Xilin had heard this voice on the Transport Aircraft.
Then came a woman's giggle, dripping with disdain. "He's just some guy who lives in a four-person room and eats in the public cafeteria." It was one of the three girls.
Another burst of laughter followed, with all sorts of remarks.
Alun's vision went dark, and he nearly collapsed. Damn it, I should've known better than to invite them! And why didn't they close the door? If you're going to talk behind someone's back, at least shut the door first. No, forget it—you shouldn't talk behind their backs at all!
Clearly, all four of them had heard every word.
Before Xilin could say anything, Long started complaining. "Well, looks like someone doesn't want us here. Seems like everyone in there is a big shot." Long wouldn't spare Alun's feelings; he said whatever came to mind.
Alun didn't even have time to cry. His thoughts raced as he tried to figure out how to placate them. Of the people who'd just been laughing, one young man shot to his feet as though his backside were on fire. His face flushed, and he stammered, "M-Mr. Long..."
He'd once seen Long when he'd gone with his father to a business meeting. Even his father had been careful about what he said in Long's presence. Who was he to act carelessly in front of him?
Nobody there was stupid. Seeing their companion react that way, they immediately fell silent and stopped joking around.
Long didn't even glance at the man who'd stood up. The sofas were full, so he pulled over a chair and sat down. The other three sat beside him, creating a strange scene: a dozen or so people sat on plush, luxurious sofas, while the four of them sat on chairs. They seemed to be sitting casually, but their presence was so imposing that the people on the sofas felt they couldn't even raise their heads. It was as if there were nails in the cushions, making them shift uneasily.
Pride's arrival broke the strange silence. One of his bodyguards came in first and glanced around. He froze when he saw the four with Xilin, especially when he spotted Knight. The bodyguard was clearly surprised, but also relieved. He'd worried things might get rowdy and have a bad influence on the young master. But with Knight here, there was nothing to worry about.
"The little brat's here too?" Knight jeered.
At the sound of Knight's voice, Pride—who'd entered with his chin raised, looking down on everyone and not sparing them a glance—bristled like a cat with its tail stepped on. "Knight, what are you doing here?!"
"If a little brat like you can come, why can't I?"
"Hmph!" Pride turned his head away, dragged over a chair, and sat down beside them. He couldn't stand Knight, but he didn't want to look at the people on the sofas, either.
Now even an idiot could tell that the people sitting on the chairs were not to be trifled with. Otherwise, why would Pride give them the time of day? The people on the sofas had all sorts of thoughts, but not one of them said a word. The girls' looks toward Xilin had changed, too.
Xilin sat to the side, cracking sunflower seeds as he watched the show. This is interesting. I'll tell Dias and the others about it later.
After sitting down, Pride looked curiously at Ci Jincheng and Long. He'd seen Xilin on the Transport Aircraft, so he ignored him.
"These are my roommates: Xilin, Ci Jincheng, and Long." Knight gave a brief introduction, then turned to the three of them. "This little brat is Pride." He gave only his name and said nothing else.
Pride was annoyed at Knight calling him "little brat," but only huffed in displeasure. If anyone else called him that, he'd definitely lose his temper. But he'd challenged Knight last time and lost again, so he had no choice but to put up with it.
Pride gritted his teeth. One day, I'll settle the score and beat this guy so badly he won't know his own face!
"I can't believe you're living in a four-person room," Pride sneered.
Knight spread his hands. "What can I do? I'm broke. I have to eat in the public cafeteria and live in the four-person room nobody else picked. Today, we only got brought up here because Xilin's friend happened to run into us. And it seems we're not welcome."
Alun was drenched in cold sweat. This is a misunderstanding! I swear on my life I didn't think that, and I wouldn't dare!
Alun didn't know what to say anymore. All four had strange temperaments, and he couldn't figure out what they were thinking. He could only look to Xilin for help.
Catching Alun's silent plea, Xilin put down the sunflower seeds. "I'm hungry. Alun, bring out the food."
"Of course. We'll start with a few dishes. Just order whatever you like." As if freed from a burden, Alun hurriedly handed over several menus.
In the end, at one end of the enormous rectangular table, five people sat on chairs and ate heartily. At the other, people sat on the sofas, tense and nervous, careful in every movement and dripping with cold sweat.
All in all, the meal had a strange atmosphere.
Knight was the type to eat fast and get it over with. Pride hadn't finished one bowl when Knight had already polished off three. The other three weren't slow, either. Once they'd finished eating, the four took their leave. Pride ate more slowly, but with Knight and the others gone, he had no interest in eating with the rest. He pushed his bowl away and left.
Whatever the others said after they'd left, the four of them didn't care. They returned to their dorm, got settled, and then slept soundly.
Early the next morning, Knight woke Xilin up. After they'd chosen their classes, they headed to the Training Room set up in the Teaching Zone to spar. According to the rules, students had two days to choose their classes after registering. Each dorm room had a terminal for doing so, and they used that to pick their courses. The four of them finished choosing their classes over breakfast.
Long's household robot had made breakfast, and it was pretty good. All four of them left their breakfast ingredients in the kitchen and programmed the robot, so they could get up and eat breakfast right away each morning.
After breakfast, the four rode Long's hovercar to the Training Room in the Teaching Zone. The one in their dorm was too small and could only be used for simple training. For an unrestricted sparring match, they needed the Training Room in the Teaching Zone, which had plenty of space and a variety of training modes.
Not many people were using the Training Rooms today. Xilin used Ci Jincheng's Orange Card to book an available medium-sized room, since the three of them only had Red Cards, which let them book small rooms. Normally, a small room would be enough for a one-on-one match, but Knight thought it was too cramped, so they chose a medium-sized one.
Only the four of them were in the medium-sized Training Room. Ci Jincheng and Long watched from the observation area while Xilin and Knight warmed up inside. They'd just eaten breakfast, so they took some time to digest. They'd left their jackets in the observation area, so they wouldn't get caught in the crossfire.
"Ready?" Knight asked.
"Ready. Let's start."
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