Chapter 19

Chapter 19

With an air of resigned familiarity, Yan Yan switched from his bored expression to a warm smile as he answered Zhong Si's question, "Greetings, everyone. I'm Yan Yan, a senior at Artemis Academy and responsible for guiding you on the campus tour."

He extended his hand, and the red-clad female sentinel, curling her red lips, gave him a gentle handshake, her gaze briefly flitting towards Lin Fu: "Hello, I'm Milton Su, the representative student participant from Hui Lion Academy."

The representative from the Royal Military Academy followed suit, shaking hands with Yan Yan: "Senior at the Royal Military Academy, Luo Lin."

After exchanging handshakes and introductions with the four student representatives, Milton Su's attention was entirely captivated by Lin Fu's face.

A decorative thin sword hung at her waist, her fingertips resting on the hilt as she tilted her chin at Lin Fu: "You're the guide?"

Her tone was nonchalant, carrying a hint of frivolity.

Immediately, low snickers emanated from behind her, subdued out of respect for the first meeting, but the deliberately hushed laughter became all the more conspicuous.

The smile on Yan Yan's face faded in an instant: "This is Lin Fu, a junior responsible for accompanying us, and this is his classmate, Zhong Si."

Milton Su had no intention of letting the subject drop just like that.

Her bright red fingertips rested thoughtfully on her alabaster chin for a couple of seconds: "Lin Fu? Are you the waste from the Lin family who was tested to have no psychic power a couple of years ago?"

Luo Lin smiled and responded while walking by her side, “Yes, that’s him.”

Having said that, he rebuked Lin Fu, “You shamelessly infiltrate a military academy brimming with sentinels, and now you can’t even open your mouth, becoming a mute who can’t even call out ‘cousin’!?”

Lin Fu forced a smile, “Sorry, I don’t know you.”

This was the truth; he really didn’t know Luo Lin.

The original host’s memories were fragmented like dregs, and he was lucky to remember a few significant events, let alone a scarcely seen cousin from some corner.

Yet Luo Lin was infuriated by his words, his eyes widening instantly, about to lash out at Lin Fu.

Before he could speak, Milton Su, seemingly fond of Lin Fu, interjected with a compliment, “It was clever and brave of you to think of joining a military academy. You seem to be treated quite well here, aren’t you?”

Lin Fu nodded politely, deciding to steer them back on topic, “Thank you for the compliment. Our academy is indeed excellent, boasting the largest campus in the costly capital star, and it’s the only one with a General as the principal. The view at the entrance is lovely, and perhaps you’ll find the interior even more satisfactory?”

“Right, cousin? Did you grow up on the capital star? You must have visited our academy, haven’t you?”

His use of "cousin" was uncertain, and his gaze toward Luo Lin was full of scrutiny.

Luo Lin’s mind buzzed as if it had exploded.

Each of the five major military academies had its merits, but only the Royal Military Academy, in an effort to limit the royal family's power, was presided over by a mere Captain, a laughingstock among the other four principals, with much less campus area than Artemis Military Academy.

The Royal Military Academy was funded by the royal family, with funds passing through countless hands. Not every academy’s principal could personally finance it, nor did every principal have the backing of a family that monopolized a third of the empire's energy industry.

Lin Fu was a hair’s breadth away from slapping him in the face.

“Pfft. Let's go,” chuckled Milton Su, her eyes narrowing with growing curiosity as she observed Lin Fu.

Seeing this, the others remained silent, leaving Luo Lin and the people from the Royal Military Academy in awkwardness.

Seizing the moment, Yan Yan led them further inside.

Zhong Si edged closer to Lin Fu, not daring to get too near, and whispered, “Is that Luo Lin really your cousin? A blood cousin?”

Lin Fu replied earnestly, “I don’t remember; I truly don’t know this person.”

Those eavesdropping at his side all snickered in unison, “Tsk.”

Luo Lin truly made a fool of himself this time.

The group took a detour, winding their way around the campus, inevitably passing by the training grounds where students of Artemis Military Academy were having a lesson.

Luo Lin, in an attempt to salvage his dignity, fixated on the training students, mentally noting their mistakes, ready to criticize them shortly.

Lin Fu’s words had rattled him, significantly impairing his ability to compose himself, with at least half of his internal calculations manifesting on his face.

Yan Yan, observing the students on the training field, commented, “They’re performing quite well.”

Luo Lin immediately scoffed, “You call this good performance? Has the standard of Artemis Military Academy fallen this low? It’s one of the top five military academies; how can you settle for mediocrity?”

Lin Fu, tapping on his holographic computer, read aloud, “According to statistical data, 70% of this year's applicants to the capital star's military academies have chosen Artemis Military Academy as their first preference. Its selection rate has surpassed that of the Royal Military Academy by a factor of two, outperforming other military schools on the capital star, with only Hui Lion Military Academy matching its popularity.”

He was about to continue reading, “Among the graduates of the top five military academies, Artemis Military Academy…”

Luo Lin: “…”

Luo Lin: “Shut up!”

Lin Fu, as if struck by a thought, queried, “Cousin, doesn’t your military academy rely on statistical data?”

He tilted his head in confusion, “Without data, do your evaluations sway with the heart?”

His face lit up with realization, “I see, what you hold as the best in your heart, becomes the strongest.”

Luo Lin’s face gradually reddened, his emotional turmoil intensifying, looking as though he was about to lash out physically any second.

Yan Yan coughed, calmly clarifying, “You’re mistaken, Luo. They are this year's freshmen.”

This explanation only added to Luo Lin’s embarrassment.

And just like that, his accumulating rage was diffused, with the attention of others swiftly diverted.

Lin Fu, with head lowered, switched off his holographic computer, modestly concealing his achievements.

Zhong Si, initially agitated by Luo Lin, had been restraining himself not to cause trouble for the academy. He hadn’t expected Yan Yan and Lin Fu’s tandem act to turn Luo Lin into a laughingstock in a matter of a few words.

He followed Lin Fu in a daze, puzzled as to why he had no part in this seamless collaboration.

As the two orchestrated their responses, the other military academies enjoyed the show, with no intention of speaking up for him.

The Royal Military Academy's pride was pricked, and someone murmured in a low voice, “Just a mere guide, who should stay in the back, mingling daily amongst a bunch of sentinels. How lowly.”

“Exactly, who knows how many have…”

These words were extremely distasteful, and Yan Yan’s face collapsed in an instant.

It was at this moment that Lin Fu spoke up, “No need to rush into a fight. I’m registered for the competition. In three days, we’ll know on the field. But cousin, is this the kind of spirit your school fosters?”

His face bore an indifferent expression, “I might not take offense to verbal garbage, but other guides might not be as forgiving. If this is how the Royal Military Academy treats its guides…”

“The Royal Military Academy, belonging to the royal household, naturally holds itself in high esteem. That’s what you fail to understand,” a man's teasing voice rang out from behind, prompting everyone to turn around in unison.

At the fork in the road behind them, Cheng Jiu appeared with his aide, accompanied by several officers, as well as Principal Karl, who looked unsurprised. He was smiling broadly at them.