Everyone's eyes turned toward them.
A girl with her hair tied in a ponytail and her jacket knotted around her waist shouted sternly, "What do you think you're doing?"
"Doesn't the school rulebook say you can't use violence against other students?"
It was Karuizawa Kei.
After realizing that three people were following Xia Mu, terrible memories began echoing in her mind.
She didn't want Xia Mu to become the next her, so she'd followed them.
"Why are you sticking your nose into other people's business, you woman?" Sudo Ken raised his fist. "Then I'll teach you a lesson first!"
At the sight of his raised fist, Karuizawa Kei's legs went weak, and countless scenes flashed through her mind.
Still, she refused to back down. Raising her phone, she said, "I'm already recording. If you dare lay a hand on anyone, I'll give the video to Chabashira-sensei!"
The moment they heard about the video, Yamauchi and Kanji instantly lost their nerve.
"Tch, what a drag!"
Sudo Ken spat on the ground and stormed off, clearly displeased. "Don't think I'm letting you off, kid. Watch your back. As soon as I get the chance, I'll beat you to a pulp."
Kanji and Yamauchi also threw out a few threats before following him.
"Phew..." Only after the group had left did Karuizawa Kei let out a slight breath of relief. She swayed and braced herself against the wall.
If they'd stayed a little longer, she really would have collapsed onto the ground.
Seeing Xia Mu walk toward her with an expressionless face, Karuizawa Kei assumed she'd been frightened. She planted her hands on her hips, looking very proud of herself. "No need to thank me. I can't stand bullying on campus."
"Heh..."
Xia Mu's mouth twitched, his face full of exasperation. "I really 'thank you' for that!"
With that, he slung his jacket over his shoulder and left the alley.
"Hey, what's with that attitude? I just saved you! Is that how you treat me?"
Karuizawa Kei stamped her foot in annoyance. She hadn't expected him to be so rude after she'd helped him out of kindness. "If they pick on you again, I won't help you next time!"
"That'd be for the best." Xia Mu waved a hand as he gradually disappeared from Karuizawa Kei's sight.
"Honestly..." Karuizawa Kei pressed her lips together.
Still, she understood. People who were bullied often became sensitive and insecure, not wanting anyone to see how weak and helpless they were.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, she noticed that one patch of concrete on the ground had been dented several centimeters deep.
That was...the shape of a footprint?!
Who could be strong enough to do that?
That afternoon, Xia Mu met up with the chubby guy as usual.
But he wasn't as excited as he'd been on his first day at school. Instead, he seemed a little down.
Xia Mu asked him what was wrong, but he wouldn't say.
And unlike the day before, he didn't act like a pervert, greeting every female student they passed.
He only started to perk up when they reached the arcade, where he and Xia Mu played a fighting game against each other.
Xia Mu sensed something was off, but since the chubby guy didn't bring it up, he didn't press him.
It was time to let him grow up a little.
After parting ways with Zhu Xincheng, Xia Mu headed to the library.
He had a few new ideas and wanted to test them out.
The school library was huge. On the left was a glass wall facing the rising sun. The first floor had a reading area, while the book stacks were on the second-floor loft to the right.
Li Mu went to fetch the textbooks they usually needed for class, such as Japanese and English, then came downstairs and sat by a window.
He opened a book and quickly skimmed it from beginning to end.
Then he raised his head and focused on the system.
[Obtained Skill: First-Year Japanese (Beginner)]
"So skills can be learned from books, too?"
He'd thought that if he could learn by watching videos, then reading books might work the same way.
It seemed he'd been right.
With a thought, Xia Mu spent a Skill Point on Japanese.
[Spent 1 Skill Point. First-Year Japanese skill mastered.]
"Can one Skill Point really max it out?"
Xia Mu was a little surprised, but when he thought about it, it made sense.
If someone focused on memorizing a book, a year would be more than enough.
He didn't invest any more points. There was no need to upgrade this kind of academic knowledge into some modified version.
It wasn't as if he planned to become a big shot who devoted his life to academic research.
He closed his eyes and flipped through the memories in his mind. He could recall any piece of knowledge from the book at will.
"Looks like the next three years will be easy." Xia Mu turned his attention to the rest of the textbooks.
There were seven subjects in total. He only needed to spend six more Skill Points to master everything taught in the first year.
He had plenty of Skill Points left anyway, so he might as well study it all.
And so, a strange sight unfolded in the library.
The other students sat quietly reading, taking several minutes to get through a single page, while Xia Mu flipped through books at lightning speed.
[First-Year English skill mastered]
[First-Year History skill mastered]
[First-Year Chemistry skill mastered]
"Clap." Xia Mu set down the last textbook and took a deep breath.
Having so many new memories appear all at once left his head feeling a little sore.
"Um, classmate, you should take your time and focus when you read."
"If you're this impatient, you won't get anything out of it."
A clear, melodious voice came from behind Xia Mu. A figure in white leaned over to look at him, smiling with perfect politeness.
She wore a school uniform. The ends of her white hair were dyed apricot red, and two black ribbons were tied in it.
As she leaned forward, her long hair swayed, and a faint scent of jasmine drifted from her.
But Xia Mu's gaze was fixed on her delicate legs.
Most people wore black or white stockings, but she was different. She wore gray ones.
That only made her more eye-catching.
"No, I put the books down because I've already finished studying them." Xia Mu leaned back slightly and explained.
"Oh?"
Light shimmered in Shiina's bright eyes. Curious, she leaned closer. "You can remember everything just by flipping through the pages?"
Xia Mu edged back a little. "That's right."
Shiina blinked repeatedly. "Classmate, why do you keep moving away?"
"Then why do you keep leaning closer? I'm afraid of women," Xia Mu shot back.
"Mm..."
Shiina lightly bit her index finger and decided not to argue with him about that.
She picked up the history textbook from the table and waved it in her hand. "Then how about I quiz you?"
It was obvious she didn't believe Xia Mu.
"Not interested."
Xia Mu shook his head and started gathering his books so he could leave.
"No!"
Shiina grabbed Xia Mu by the wrist, insisting, "You said you've finished studying them, but I don't believe you."
"Unless you let me quiz you, I absolutely won't let you leave."
She loved books to an extraordinary degree.
Xia Mu looked up at Shiina's shining, determined eyes and sighed helplessly. "All right, go ahead."
"Okay."
Shiina let go of Xia Mu's wrist and opened the book at random. "What's on page 145?"
She'd chosen a page from the middle, since people tended to forget the material there.
"It's about the Taika Reforms." To her surprise, Xia Mu got it right.
Maybe it was a coincidence?
Shiina wasn't convinced. She flipped to several more pages, but each time, Xia Mu answered the instant she asked a question.
He could even recite the content backward, as though he'd studied it thoroughly. It didn't seem like an act.
"That's amazing!!"
Shiina looked astonished. "You really remembered everything!"
So Xia Mu hadn't been joking.
"I'm sorry. I thought you'd done that because you didn't want to read." She apologized sincerely.
"It's fine. Can I leave now?" Xia Mu pointed toward the door. "I'm hungry. I'm going to get dinner."
"Ah..."
Shiina still seemed reluctant to let him go. She had so many more questions for him.
"Let me treat you! I did take up your time, after all." Shiina clasped her hands behind her back and smiled warmly.
Her voice was always so soft, like a gentle whisper in your ear. It had a kind of irresistible magic.
"Sure."
Xia Mu agreed. "Since you're a beauty, I'll make an exception."
"Eh?"
At Xia Mu's sudden compliment, Shiina's cheeks turned faintly red. Shyly, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you..."
They returned the books to the shelves.
Then they walked out of the library side by side and headed for Gourmet City on the shopping street.
"My name's Shiina Hiyori. You can just call me Shiina."
"Xia Mu."
"Xia Mu, I know a place that serves really delicious mapo tofu. I'll take you there!"
"It's Chinese food!"
Shiina Hiyori excitedly led Xia Mu into a packed restaurant, and they found a table.
Xia Mu set his schoolbag on the cushioned seat. "I know. I'm from Huaxia."
"Huh?"
"Wow, are all students from Huaxia this impressive?"
"Yeah. I definitely want to visit Huaxia someday!"
Shiina had a great sense of how to flatter someone and make them feel good.
Xia Mu's first impression of her was that she was a gentle, adorable girl.
While they waited for the food, Shiina took a book from her schoolbag and handed it to Xia Mu. "Xia Mu, you memorize things so quickly. Could you show me how you do it?"
Xia Mu had planned to come up with an excuse, but seeing how serious Shiina looked, he couldn't help feeling like teasing her. "Sure."
He took the book and laid it flat on the table, then suddenly became solemn. "Watch closely. I'll only show you once."
"Mm-hmm!"
Shiina nodded emphatically, staring at him with rapt attention.
"Ho!"
Xia Mu's expression grew more serious than ever. He waved both hands in the air, muttering, "Knowledge, come into my mind. Knowledge, come into my mind."
Then he scooped at the book as if gathering water, drawing the knowledge out of it as though it were some sacred relic, and slapped it against his forehead.
"Whoo!"
Xia Mu let out a long breath and struck a pose as if he'd finished channeling his energy. "There, I've memorized it all!"
"Ah, th-that fast?"
"You didn't even open the book! Are you serious?"
Shiina looked at him as if he were taking her for a fool.
"If you don't believe me, quiz me." Xia Mu sounded completely confident.
"Ah, I-I believe you..." Shiina swallowed. "I've heard that in Huaxia there's this, um..."
"Some kind of ritual, like summoning an immortal, that can grant you all sorts of miraculous abilities."
Xia Mu nodded slightly and pushed the book back toward Shiina. "Want to try it?"
"Me?"
"Can I do it too?" Shiina clenched her hands, looking a little nervous.
"Of course. I'll help you from behind the scenes." Xia Mu nodded and coaxed her. "Come on, Shiina. Give it a try..."
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