Entrance Scene

After obtaining his spirit ring, Han Xing spent some time cultivating within Spirit Hall.

He did not head to Notting Academy until the school term began.

As expected, Han Xing soon encountered Tang San.

However, he did not witness the scene where Tang San and Old Jack were bullied by the gatekeeper.

By the time he first saw Tang San, he was already inside the classroom.

Because Han Xing was a member of Spirit Hall and a genius highly valued by the bishop, he naturally did not have to live in the dormitories like Tang San and the other work-study students when he arrived at Notting Academy.

Consequently, he had no opportunity to participate in the events Tang San experienced upon his arrival.

What a pity. If I could have seen that scene, I might have been able to scrape together some popularity points.

I'll just have to find another way to get some screen time.

Han Xing's gaze swept across the classroom, and he quickly locked onto another key character besides Tang San.

That's right, it was the living hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone—Xiao Wu.

"Hey, why are you staring at Big Sister Xiao Wu?"

Just as Han Xing was watching her, Xiao Wu suddenly turned around and said fiercely.

As a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, and a Soft Bone Rabbit at that—a species relatively weaker than others—Xiao Wu had a keen sense for the gazes of others.

"Are you looking for a fight?" Xiao Wu asked, sounding somewhat excited.

Han Xing did not answer, merely calculating in his heart.

If he challenged Xiao Wu to a fight just like this, would it attract the system's attention and earn him a chance for screen time?

"Hey, I'm talking to you!"

Xiao Wu did not have a good temper; seeing Han Xing look at her without speaking, she immediately began to interrogate him.

"Ding! Congratulations, you have gained one popularity point."

Just then, the system's notification sound suddenly rang in Han Xing's ears.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining your first popularity point. The anime video section is now open."

"The host can view the current plot progression through the video section and see the audience's comments."

"I hope the host will continue to work hard, gain more screen time, and reach ten popularity points as soon as possible to receive your first reward."

Listening to the system's voice, Han Xing curled his lips and agreed to Xiao Wu's challenge on the spot.

"You seem very confident in your strength. In that case, let's have a fight."

Sure enough, Tang San had just arrived at Notting Academy.

At a time like this, creating a conflict with him or those around him would be an opportunity to gain screen time.

Although Han Xing would likely appear as a villainous supporting character, as long as he could get screen time, nothing else mattered to him right now.

Only by appearing on screen could he have a chance to gain popularity.

"Fine, don't leave after school. See you at the training grounds."

Xiao Wu aggressively raised her fist, shook it in front of Han Xing, and threw down a harsh threat.

"I just hope you won't be too scared to show up when the time comes," Han Xing retorted with a harsh threat of his own.

As the two finished their exchange and returned to their seats, lines of comments began to appear in Han Xing's vision.

[Hahaha, that's so classic. "Don't leave after school"—isn't this just elementary school kids picking a fight?]

[Well, to be fair, Tang San and Xiao Wu are literally elementary schoolers right now.]

[But is the supporting cast in this anime really this well-made? The character model for someone just meant to trigger an initial conflict is actually this good?]

[Now that you mention it, I noticed that too.]

[Compared to Tang San, this extra's model looks even more refined. Could he be an important supporting character?]

[He's provoking the female lead right off the bat; how could he be an important supporting character?]

[Not necessarily. Don't many novels have scenes where characters become friends after a fight?]

[Maybe this guy will be subdued by Tang San at Notting Academy because of this conflict and become his loyal lackey later on.]

Amidst the chatter of the audience, Han Xing's first day at Notting Academy quickly passed.

As the bell rang for the end of the day, Xiao Wu immediately came to Han Xing and blocked his path.

"We had a deal—don't leave after school!"

"Either apologize, or come with me to the training grounds."

"Apologize?" Han Xing tilted his head, giving her a look as if she were an idiot.

"You!" Xiao Wu clenched her fists in annoyance.

At this moment, Tang San walked to Xiao Wu's side and reminded her.

"Xiao Wu, let's head to the training grounds first. If we break anything here, we'll have to pay for it."

After speaking, the two of them looked at Han Xing simultaneously.

"Rest assured, since I said we would have a match, I am not one to go back on my word."

Han Xing retorted, "On the contrary, you two were in such a rush to block the door, acting as if I were afraid of you."

Xiao Wu seemed to feel a bit guilty and turned her head away, but she quickly clenched her fists, put on a tough front, and snorted coldly.

"Isn't that just because we were afraid you'd run away?"

Hearing this, Han Xing did not bother to pay any more attention to this frolicking silly rabbit.

He silently packed up his textbooks, shouldered his schoolbag, and slowly walked toward the arena.

Throughout the process, Tang San and Xiao Wu followed right behind him, terrified that he might bolt.

"Xiao Chenyu, come over here and hold my bag."

Han Xing called out to a student nearby who was watching the commotion.

Xiao Chenyu was the very student from the original story who had wanted to make Xiao Wu his pet.

Xiao Chenyu was the son of the Notting City lord, and his father had always wanted to establish a connection with Spirit Hall.

Therefore, ever since Han Xing obtained his spirit ring, his father had intentionally or unintentionally brought Xiao Chenyu around to interact with Han Xing.

Regarding this, although Han Xing had no intention of forming a deep friendship, he did not mind being casual acquaintances.

After all, the status of being the Notting City lord's son was still somewhat useful to Han Xing.

At the very least, it could provide him with many conveniences in Notting City.

"Han Xing, are you really going to fight them?"

Xiao Chenyu caught the bag and looked at Tang San and Xiao Wu.

"It looks like they're ganging up on you? Do you need some help?"

"A bunch of work-study students, daring to bully us."

Hearing this, Han Xing waved his hand.

"I can handle it myself, and besides, they aren't doing a two-on-one."

His goal was to accumulate popularity, so clashing with the protagonist group was fine.

As the city lord's son, Xiao Chenyu generally knew how to conduct himself in most matters.

However, he still naturally carried an air of arrogance toward commoners. Small favors were one thing, but Han Xing did not want to get too entangled with him.

"Is that so? I think you people from Spirit Hall are just too reasonable."

"If it were me, I wouldn't care about all that nonsense; I'd just call my lackeys and beat them up first."

Xiao Chenyu's words were quite accommodating, perhaps because of the persona Han Xing had consistently projected in front of him.

Having grown up in an orphanage, Han Xing had been quietly establishing his own persona among those around him ever since his spirit awakening.

Being approachable to commoners and reasonable were the core of his persona.

Having interacted with him, Xiao Chenyu was clearly aware of what Han Xing liked to hear.

"What are you two muttering about over there?"

"Your name is Han Xing, right? Aren't you going to hurry up and get on stage?"

Xiao Wu stood on the training platform and beckoned to Han Xing.