Academy Gossip [Happy National Day, Everyone!]

Li Mo checked again. Anna's hair really was floating...

Li Mo found it incredible.

Back when he had learned the introductory ritual, it had taken him three or four days.

He had even strictly controlled his diet, adjusted his sleep schedule, bathed and changed clothes, stacking every buff he could before he finally caught the faintest sensation.

That was already talent seen only once in a century in Mondel Town.

But Anna?

From sitting cross-legged to closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she had taken no more than a minute in total.

Was that right?

Li Mo fell into thought.

Just then, Anna slowly opened her eyes.

The ritual stopped, and her floating hair gently settled onto her shoulders.

Anna looked at Li Mo, a little anxious. "Young master, was that all right? Does that count as getting started?"

Li Mo said, "Uh... yes, that was all right. It counts as getting started."

Only then did Anna relax a little. "Young master, I know I don't have much talent. Compared with the genius you once displayed in mysticism, what I just did must have looked terribly clumsy and not worth mentioning at all. But please don't worry, young master. I'll work twice as hard at practicing from now on!"

Li Mo said, "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm."

Anna continued earnestly, "Then what should I do next, young master?"

"There's no rush. Just train that basic ritual for now. Practice whenever you have time each day, and we'll see how things stand after a week."

"All right, I'll do my best!"

With that, she immediately closed her eyes, intending to start training...

But just a second later, she remembered something and stood up. "Oh, right, young master, Wayne is here. He's waiting for you in the hall downstairs."

Wayne was Li Mo's best friend in Mondel Town.

Their relationship could probably be summed up in one sentence: a friendship between gentlemen was indeed as plain as water, while a pair of rogues were all warm and fuzzy.

Wayne came from a middle-class family in town. His father ran a clock and watch shop.

He was an interesting fellow who valued appearing respectable above all else when he was out in public.

No matter how hot the weather, he always wore formal clothes and carried a cane.

He placed particular emphasis on gentlemanly conduct, tipping his hat in greeting and choosing his words with painstaking care. He wouldn't allow a speck of mud on his leather shoes.

Only in front of Li Mo did he occasionally show his true colors and speak without any restraint.

Wayne had presumably heard that Li Mo had suddenly fainted in the carriage and had come especially to visit him today.

"Come on, let's go down and see him."

Li Mo stood up, and Anna immediately came over to straighten his clothes. Then the two of them left the study together.

Downstairs.

His father was speaking quietly with Wayne.

When he saw Li Mo coming down, his father immediately stepped forward. "Son, are you all right? You gave me such a fright last night. How are you feeling today?"

"I'm fine now, Father."

Wayne said worriedly, "You rascal, I heard from the town doctor that you fainted again..."

"I'm really fine."

Li Mo walked over and sat down on the sofa, while Anna went to prepare tea for their guest.

Once Wayne and his father had also sat down, Li Mo asked, "Wayne, how have things been at school lately?"

"Same as ever. The entrance exams are coming up, and everyone's studying like mad. The library's packed every day... except for that bastard Matthew, of course."

Wayne clicked his tongue and said indignantly:

"Ever since he found out you were expelled from Wellington Academy, that guy's been bringing it up in class all the time. Every time, he puts on this heartbroken act, saying how sorry he feels for you and how the fall of a genius is a loss for the town. Anyone can see he's secretly delighted! The sight of him gloating makes me want to smash an ink bottle in his face."

When it came to Matthew, Li Mo was at a loss for words too.

The reason for their grudge was incredibly childish...

Matthew was the son of another factory owner in town.

Mr. Green, who lived next door, had a rather pretty daughter.

Back when Li Mo was thriving in Mondel Town and being hailed as a genius, Mr. Green had naturally gotten ideas. He wanted to introduce his daughter to Li Mo and bring the two families together.

Matthew, meanwhile, had long harbored a secret crush on Mr. Green's daughter.

One thing led to another, and Matthew took a dislike to Li Mo, becoming full of hostility toward him.

Li Mo really had nothing to say about the matter.

First of all, neither he nor the girl had any feelings for the other whatsoever.

It was only because both sets of parents had ideas of their own that they kept forcing the two of them to go out for afternoon tea together.

How awkward was it?

The girl herself was socially anxious and rather introverted.

The two of them would sit across from each other in the town café without saying a word.

Often, they would close their eyes and open them again, and the whole afternoon would have passed...

The atmosphere was painfully awkward.

Yet Matthew insisted this was ironclad proof that the two were secretly developing feelings for each other, and thought it was all terribly romantic...

Li Mo was genuinely out of options.

He couldn't understand how Matthew's brain was wired, and he couldn't be bothered to explain.

Hearing Wayne's words, his father frowned.

"This is going too far. Should I pay Matthew's father a visit and speak to him about it in person? We can't let that boy go around ruining your reputation at school."

"There's no need, Father. It's not important."

As for Li Mo, he had a mountain of things on his plate right now.

His main quest was to observe this world, then write papers and advance the theoretical framework of the era.

He even had two side quests:

He had to guide Sarah in improving the steam engine at the spinning mill and advance the Industrial Revolution.

He also had to study and decipher mysticism, and investigate the secrets of that symbol and the Scarlet Moon.

Where would he find time to think about romance? This was ridiculous.

Li Mo looked at Wayne and said, "I'm more interested in Professor Bryce than that boring fellow. What's he been busy with lately?"

Wayne shrugged. "Same as ever, busy with his astronomy research. He shuts himself in the observatory on the top floor all day, tinkering with that enormous brass telescope of his. Even when he comes to teach, he's always in a hurry to come and go. He doesn't seem interested in anything except the paths of celestial bodies."

Li Mo nodded.

Professor Bryce was an important factor in his decision to return to school.

"Is the professor still looking for an assistant?" Li Mo asked.

"He is, but you know how ridiculously high Professor Bryce's standards are. He doesn't care about family background, only mathematical ability. So far, he hasn't found an assistant he likes. Oh, right..."

Wayne seemed to remember something. He set down his teacup and added, "I remember Matthew tried out a few days ago. He paid a tutor to cram with him for half a month, and I heard he only just missed the mark on the test. Professor Bryce still threw him out in the end."

After hearing that, Li Mo had a plan in mind.

He turned to Anna, who was standing nearby, and asked, "What day is it today?"

"Monday, young master," Anna answered.

Li Mo thought for a moment, then stood up. "Then let's go back to school. We'll go back to class, and while I'm there, I want to try and see if I can become his assistant."

The other three people in the hall froze at his words.

His father, Li En, was the first to recover. "Son, your health has only just begun to improve, and after what happened last night, how about... resting at home for a few more weeks? We can talk about the exams next year."

Anna agreed. "Yes, young master, your health comes first. The master is right. Going back now would be too much for you. If you want to read, I can go to the town library and borrow the materials for you."

Wayne sat dumbfounded on the sofa, a trace of emotion in his eyes. After a while, he said, "Brother... I know what you mean. You're doing all this for me, aren't you?"

Li Mo said, "?"

Wayne said, "I know you want to help me get back at Matthew. He went to all that trouble and couldn't become the assistant, so you want to drag yourself there while you're still sick and pass the test to slap him in the face, right? I understand how much thought you've put into this, but you really don't have to. You should focus on getting healthy first. Someone like Matthew isn't worth risking your health over!"

Li Mo said, "..."

After a moment's silence, he answered them one by one:

"Dad, don't worry. I know how my body is doing, and Anna will take care of me."

"Anna, go change and bring the books."

"Wayne, stop flattering yourself. Let's go."

Ignoring the three of them, Li Mo set off at once.

In this year of 1861, where steam and mystery intertwined, his time was precious.

The stars and machinery were still waiting for him to decipher them.

Returning to school and securing Professor Bryce's telescope was the next step.