Chapter 3

Chapter 3

At this moment, everyone present realized that Ludwig's expression was far from pleasant.

Neither his reckless high-speed flight above the school nor his offense of mistaking Ludwig for a girl could exempt Li Qingzhi from the situation he had found himself in.

As Ludwig sternly asked for Li Qingzhi's name, the shift in the atmosphere from the Chief's demeanor change was palpable. The giggling girls no longer dared to glance in Ludwig's direction, while the gentle long-haired girl displayed a hint of concern. Bruce, standing next to Li Qingzhi, gasped in dismay:

It's over, this new student is going to be disciplined by the Academy's Chief on his very first day!

Yet, while everyone in the audience was growing anxious, Li Qingzhi, the one at the center of it all, didn't seem to be as tense.

Caught off guard by the seemingly proud and aloof Western youth, Li Qingzhi, when asked for his name, appeared not to sense the impending calamity. It was as if this were nothing more than an ordinary exchange of greetings and names. As he lifted his eyes to meet Ludwig's gaze, he flashed a polite smile and began his introduction.

"Hello there, I'm Li Qingzhi. What about you?"

Aside from his generally cheerful disposition, Li Qingzhi's inclination to greet them at this moment was largely influenced by Senior Sister Qing Lian's advice. She had mentioned that while Westerners might appear more intimidating, they were generally warm and friendly. Thus, he need only smile and initiate greetings; taking the initiative, he was told, would gradually help him assimilate into their culture.

Yet, after Li Qingzhi finished introducing himself, the blond Chief before him showed no intention of reciprocating with his own name.

Ludwig's icy gaze slowly traced over the face of the black-haired youth, finally settling on the beautiful, deer-like eyes that held a hint of confusion.

"Li Qingzhi, you have violated school regulations by flying at high speed above the campus."

The blond Chief's indifferent tone shattered Li Qingzhi's initial conjectures. At this moment, he had finally processed the fact that Ludwig was not a woman.

For Li Qingzhi had just noticed the girls from the student council standing behind Ludwig. After seeing genuine Western girls, she had to admit that Ludwig did appear more masculine and was notably taller.

Most importantly, Ludwig had spoken a few words to him, and his voice didn't sound like that of a girl's at all.

Having been ignored in his greeting and reminded of his breach of school rules, Li Qingzhi couldn't help but feel a touch of embarrassment. Adding to that, his mistake of identifying Ludwig as a girl, Qingzhi subconsciously apologized:

"Sorry, I just..."

However, before he could finish, Ludwig's voice interrupted, accompanied by a letter with red-gilded edges: "Flying at supersonic speed over the school grounds on your first day – this is your warning."

Ludwig then cast a glance down at Li Qingzhi, "This time, it's only a warning. Next time, there will be consequences."

The blond valedictorian's expression appeared calm, but his tone was anything but light.

"To the Easterners, be more cautious in your actions," Ludwig advised, before he led the remaining members of the student council back to the gate for further scrutiny.

As the figures of the student council members receded into the distance, Bruce exhaled a sigh of relief. "Goodness, that was terrifying!"

He hadn't anticipated Ludwig to be as cold and stern as rumored, nor did he expect to witness the top student enforcing discipline on the very first day of school. Li Qingzhi must have felt incredibly embarrassed, being reprimanded right after arriving.

With this thought in mind, Bruce, having caught his breath, instinctively turned to Li Qingzhi and reassured her, "It's alright, it's just a warning letter, not a substantial punishment."

Contrary to his expectations, Li Qingzhi remained notably composed. The black-haired youth showed no signs of anger or embarrassment. Instead, he meticulously examined the gilt-edged warning letter in his hand, his curious demeanor suggesting he had come across some sort of treasure.

Observing the warning letter in his hand, Li Qingzhi remarked, "These characters are peculiar. They seem to be like drawings." The Language Charm had caused the message on the letter to manifest in Chinese characters that Li Qingzhi could comprehend, yet he found himself intrigued by the original script.

How could his focus be on that? What a carefree person, Bruce mused to himself. Then he continued, "Let's verify your admission documents first. If we don't hurry, we might be late."

Shortly thereafter, the two of them, one sheathing their sword and the other putting away their broom, stood before the school gates to present their admission certificates.

Unlike Bruce, who held the broom in his left hand, Li Qingzhi promptly sheathed his Chengying Sword back onto his back and began filling out the form. The slightly shimmering blade of Chengying concealed its sharpness for the time being.

With only one hand available to fill in the form, Bruce couldn't help but feel envious of Li Qingzhi's seamless actions as he observed them, "Your broom is so convenient. You can put it away anytime, anywhere."

Li Qingzhi, who was neatly writing his information in Chinese on the form, chuckled softly upon hearing Bruce's remark, "This isn't a broom, it's my sword."

Bruce encountered another unfamiliar term, "A sword?"

The Student Council members standing in front of them were all attentively observing Li Qingzhi at this moment. After all, he was the one who had caused the commotion above the academy just moments ago, and he had dared to provoke the top student on his very first day. It was impossible not to pay attention.

Among them, Mei Mi, the short-haired girl with a more lively personality, couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She turned to whisper to the long-haired girl, Catherine, "Catherine, I've figured it out. This must be the Eastern exchange student that the headmaster mentioned. Look at the way he writes and the luggage he has. Didn't they say he wasn't supposed to arrive until three days later?"

Catherine had also noticed this earlier and couldn't help but whisper, "That must be it. His flying tool is very unique, and he's incredibly fast, so that's why he arrived so much earlier."

After pondering for a few seconds, Mei Mi suddenly frowned as if she had just remembered something. "Oh no, I recall the Headmaster specifically asking me to look out for this exchange student on the first day of school. But the Chief just gave him a warning letter. What should I do?"

Catherine was taken aback by this. "Is that so... But it's already given, and you know that the Chief never retracts warnings or punishments once they're issued..."

Mei Mi was now slightly frantic. "I know! But I still have to follow the Headmaster's instructions and take this exchange student to the office later. If the Headmaster finds out about the warning letter, they'll definitely ask me why, oh no!"

Catherine gently reassured her, "It's alright, it's just a warning letter. Thankfully, the Chief didn't give him any further punishment. Just explain the situation to the Headmaster later."

Mei Mi thought about it and calmed down a bit. Nodding, she couldn't help but curiously observe the Easterner filling out the form before her.

Before long, Li Qingzhi and Bruce's applications were reviewed, and watching them leave, Mei Mi started whispering to the other Student Union members nearby.

Ludwig, as the Chief of the Student Union, didn't join their conversation. Instead, he watched Li Qingzhi and his companion disappear into the distance, a hint of irritation flickering in his usually cold and indifferent gaze.

Noticing this, Mei Mi couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle softly. She then whispered,

"For the first time, I've seen the President react so strongly on the first day of school."

"Today's shift is anything but dull. It's such a pity Judith isn't here to witness this."

"That Easterner managed to keep the Chief's face dark until now. Looks like the new semester will be full of amusement!"

"Speaking of which, what on earth was that gadget the Easterner used? How could they fly while standing?"

Catherine watched Mei Mi's animated chatter with a smile, shaking her head and gesturing for silence. "Enough, let's not let the Chief hear you."

Meanwhile, Ludwig, on the other side, seemed oblivious to Mei Mi and Catherine's conversation. He merely frowned as he examined the freshly received form in his hand.

Mei Mi stepped forward, adopting a more respectful tone than before. "Chief, the Headmaster asked me to escort the exchange student to his office once they arrived. May I leave now?"

As she spoke, Mei Mi noticed that Ludwig was currently studying the personal information form just filled out by Li Qingzhi.

After a few seconds, Ludwig responded coolly, "Understood. Go ahead."

Thirty minutes later.

...

Having caught up with Li Qingzhi, Mei Mi successfully escorted him to Headmaster Augustus's office. Prior to entering, the sociable girl bombarded the Eastern exchange student with curious questions. Satisfied after finally unraveling the mystery behind Li Qingzhi's mode of flight, Mei Mi retreated from the office with a sense of accomplishment, ensuring her timely return to her duties and avoiding any questions from the headmaster about the warning letter – a two-fold success.

However, Mei Mi was not expecting to encounter the Chief, who should have been at the school gate, just a short distance away. Startled, she stammered, "C-Chief, why are you here? Not because of me, I hope?" Stepping into attention, Mei Mi quickly defended herself, "I just finished my escort duty and was about to go back to my post. No slacking off!"

Ludwig didn't comment much, indicating that his visit was not for supervision: "I see. Carry on then."

With that, he continued on his way forward.

Curiosity piqued, Mei Mi turned her head to see that Ludwig was indeed heading in the direction of the Headmaster's office.

At this moment, inside the principal's office.

Augustus cast a glance at the Eastern child before him. Upon recognizing the familiar traditional indigo Taoist robe, a warm smile involuntarily graced his features.

"Are you Li Qingzhi?"

Headmaster Augusta, like Elder Ling Yuan and the others, also sported a white beard, though his was far more voluminous, draping across his entire chin.

Just as Li Qingzhi was about to greet the headmaster, the elderly man chuckled, "You resemble Ling Shen when he was young."

Headmaster Augusta's lighthearted remark eased the atmosphere between them. Li Qingzhi couldn't help but smile in return, "I was adopted by my master and grew up by his side. Perhaps that's why we share some similarities."

Augusta nodded, "Your master was like you back then, dressed in a Taoist robe with pitch-black hair and eyes. Among the warriors who came from other territories, he left the strongest first impression on me. I wondered why someone could have hair and eyes as black as ink."

"After getting to know him slightly better, during one of our rests, I shared this thought with him. Surprisingly, he confessed that he couldn't understand why someone's hair could be curly and yellow, resembling a little golden retriever! That led to a friendly scuffle between us."

"But now," Augusta's laughter caused his whiskers to quiver, "our hair is as white as snow."

It seemed Headmaster Augusta and Master Ling Shen had a deep bond. After chatting for a while, Augusta said to him,

"Your master has informed me about your situation. You'll be living on campus. Don't worry, the environment here is excellent, and the dormitories are top-notch."

"I've arranged the best room for you. It was initially designed for two noble students, but since most nobles reside at home, you can enjoy that luxurious room all by yourself. The noble student who previously occupied it won't be returning."

"Also, here's your magic card, preloaded with the local currency needed for your expenses throughout the semester."

"Here, you don't need to be overly stressed about your studies. The main purpose is to experience a different culture. Don't worry, I'll look out for you," Principal Augusta spoke with a warm smile, appearing quite approachable.

At that moment, outside the principal's office, Ludwig, who was just about to knock, accidentally overheard the conversation between the principal and Li Qingzhi.

Huh.

Realizing something from their words, Ludwig's lips curled into a slightly disdainful smile:

So he's an Eastern student with connections, no wonder he's so bold and unconcerned.

However, the conversation inside the room suddenly turned to a matter concerning him.

Principal Augusta's voice suddenly hesitated, "Why do you have a warning letter in your hand?"

It turned out that Li Qingzhi had been holding the warning letter openly in his palm, waiting to confront the principal about Ludwig's actions.

Huh, a cunning Easterner, Ludwig thought, his gaze turning colder. It doesn't matter, even if you do this, I won't revoke the warning, nor will I alter the fact that you made a mistake.

Ludwig, whose impression of Li Qingzhi had thoroughly soured, was already reaching out to knock on the door, ready to bravely face whatever lay ahead without fear.

However, in the next second, Li Qingzhi's unexpected words rang out.

"Oh, this warning letter is actually due to my ignorance of the school rules. I was flying my sword too fast today and accidentally bumped into someone, so it's rightfully mine and not delivered in error."

Ludwig hesitated for an instant, then paused his knocking hand, seemingly unsure if he could believe what Li Qingzhi was saying.

Headmaster Augustus's voice sounded again, "I see. On your first day, it's understandable that you're unaware of the rules. But why do you still have it? You can just discard it or, if you prefer, leave it here now, and I'll take care of it for you."

Li Qingzhi's voice held a hint of amusement. "No, I plan on keeping it. After all, it's the first item I've received since arriving here, and it holds great sentimental value. Plus, it's quite lovely, so I don't want to throw it away."

Principal Augustus chuckled, seemingly amused that this Eastern child found the warning letter to be a delightful gift. "Very well, keep it then."

"It must be from Ludwig, right? He is strict, but he's also exceptional. You'll see him often around the academy. Remember to abide by the rules when you're in his presence; otherwise, it won't be pleasant."

Ludwig, upon hearing his name, paused for a moment before Li Qingzhi's voice continued.

The youth's clear and melodious voice, tinged with a smile, bore no trace of the recent punishment or any negative emotions. His tone was light and cheerful, as if discussing something joyous:

"Yes, I can sense his greatness, and he wasn't overly strict. He just did what was expected of him."

"I even accidentally bumped into him. With the Chengying Sword moving so swiftly, the impact must have been painful, yet he didn't utter a word of complaint nor punish me. He simply gave me a warning letter."

The blond teenager, having inadvertently overheard Li Qingzhi's earnest words, was momentarily taken aback, losing control of his composure for a split second: "...”

A minute later.

After a pleasant conversation with the principal, Li Qingzhi left the office with his own magic card in hand.

Yet, in that very instant the door opened, Li Qingzhi found himself face to face with the same cold-faced blond youth he had encountered earlier that morning.

After locking eyes for two seconds, Li Qingzhi, gazed upon by those sapphire irises, blinked, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and confusion.

How peculiar, why is he staring at me like that?

It wasn't long before the handsome young man with striking blond hair suddenly let out a soft chuckle, his eyes betraying an emotion that was depths too deep to fathom.

"If you enjoy them, I'll send more in the future."

Noticing the hint of amusement in Ludwig's eyes, Li Qingzhi was initially taken aback. As a thought involuntarily crossed his mind, he let out an embarrassed "Ah" and asked, "Gift... what gift?"

The blond teenager, who was originally exceptionally handsome and beautiful, suddenly changed his cold demeanor and showed a faint smile towards him. He also warmly said that he would keep giving him things. This left Li Qingzhi, who had always been more sincere and straightforward, feeling somewhat confused:

Why has he suddenly become so kind to me? I feel quite embarrassed, actually.

Yet, Ludwig quickly wiped the smile off his face, returning to his usual indifferent demeanor as if he had never laughed at all.

"I'm referring to the warning letter. What did you think it was?"

The word "warning" in the letter was underscored with extra emphasis. With that, the blond valedictorian turned and entered the headmaster's office, leaving behind a cold aura that seemed to negate the smile he had just worn.

Only Li Qingzhi was left standing there, utterly perplexed: Huh? ??

Meanwhile, in a spot beyond his view, Ludwig's lips curled into a subtle smile as he turned around, the image of the black-haired youth's final look of astonishment lingering in his mind, inexplicably lifting his spirits.

Fool.

Unaware of the prank that's been played on them.