Chapter 12 – First Day in School

'Finally going to school, I missed the first three days,' Glottis mused as he passed through the gate. With his chest puffed like a peacock, he strolled there and enjoyed the greetings of everyone who saw him. He was one of the only three students in school to be allowed to enter the school grounds with their cars, a benefit he earned after his father made a fat donation.

"Hey, it's good to see you, Young Master Glottis," someone said.

"Welcome back to school, Young Master," another added.

The greetings kept coming, and since Glottis was in a good mood, he graced some of them with a nod of his head. He got up almost on time this morning, and he joined class only five minutes late.

In the class, the teacher was just busy yelling at two students. "This is not the place for friends, you come to school to study, not chat! You, go take a seat on the other side of the classroom!" he separated two friends who kept talking. Just as the student got up with a downcast expression, the door opened.

"Why are you- Oh, it's you, Young Master Glottis! I have been worried those days seeing you didn't show up since school started, please have a seat."

The teacher was about to yell when he saw someone at the door, but his tone took a turn for the better when he saw the newcomer. With a bright smile and a voice that screamed "Please let me lick your ass," he paused the lesson until Glottis settled in.

Glottis did not feel pressured by everyone waiting for him to sit down; he first observed the class, looking for the hottest girl before choosing his seat.

"Mr. Likaz, I want to sit next to Sheela, but that seat is taken. What should I do?" Glottis smiled at the girl who did her best to return the same while cursing her bad luck in her mind. They weren't in the same class last year, and she didn't expect to see him there.

"That's…" the teacher looked at the boy sitting next to Sheela, unsure if he should promote harassment in public.

"I met her recently and we got along well, so I'd be most comfortable if I could sit by her side. I hope it's not too much of a bother…" Glottis explained.

"Oh, I see. Of course, Young Master, friends should stick together, and it can help make the lesson more fun if you have a friend by your side," Likaz nodded enthusiastically. "Jake, go sit somewhere else and give Young Master Glottis your seat," his stern manners contrasted with his behavior a moment ago.

"Yes, Mr. Likaz. Please have my seat, Young Master," Jake forced out a smile and looked at Sheela with a hint of sadness. Just a few days ago he felt lucky to be placed next to one of the best belles, yet now he had to give up his spot.

"Thank you, Jack," Glottis got his name wrong, but the poor boy did not dare correct him.

"Class, today we're delving into one of our world's most cherished classics, 'The Qi of Her.' This novel isn't just a tale of love; it's a journey through the intricacies of Qi cultivation as it intertwines with the human heart. The story masterfully portrays how Qi, the vital energy that flows through us, can influence and be influenced by our deepest emotions…" Mr. Likaz started his lesson.

"Hey Sheela, I knew you were hot the moment I saw how you wiggle your ass as you walk. do you want to hit the Moonpath club with me later?" Glottis asked his neighbor.

"Ah, I.. thank you? I don't go to clubs, Young Master, I apologize. Why don't you take Zoey? She has been staring at you since you entered." She stuttered at first due to the weird compliment, but soon managed to gather herself enough to come up with a reply.

"Zoey?" Glottis turned and saw the stripper from the other day, "Oh, her, I'm afraid I can't take her due to technical reasons. How about I take you instead?"

"Young Master, I don't like being caught in the crossfire between you and Mike. How about asking me again when you two resolve your dispute?" Sheela's brain was working hard to find a solution satisfying both sides. By pitting them against one another, she'd get a break from both, and at least one would give up on her.

"Now, let's consider the novel's protagonists, Liang and Mei. Their romance is not just a meeting of hearts but also a convergence of their Qi. Notice how the author uses Qi as a metaphor for their emotional and spiritual connection. When Liang's Qi is turbulent, it's not just a reflection of his internal struggle, but it also mirrors the chaos in their relationship…" Glottis would admire Likaz's ability to pretend he didn't ruin his class if he stopped for a moment and gave it some thought.

"I will get rid of him soon," Glottis bragged.

"Are you going to fight him again?" the woman raised an eyebrow. She saw the result twice; once Glottis begged for mercy on the ground and the other time his friends pulled him to the car like a bag of potatoes and escaped.

"Ah, I mean, maybe, soon…" Glottis mumbled. He was proud of his new cultivation stage, but then he recalled Mike was a stage higher.

"One of the most poignant scenes is when Mei, through her profound understanding of Qi cultivation, helps to heal Liang's fragmented spirit. This moment highlights a key theme of the novel - that true connection extends beyond the physical realm, reaching into the depths of our energy and soul.

Remember, 'The Qi of Her' isn't merely a love story. It's a narrative that weaves the principles of Qi cultivation into the fabric of human experience, teaching us that our energies are deeply connected to our emotions and relationships.

Now, let's analyze how the author depicts the stages of Qi cultivation as parallel to the stages of their relationship. Pay attention to how each phase in their cultivation journey symbolizes a significant step in their evolving love story..."

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In another class, another student got to school for the first time. Mike was released from the hospital earlier that morning, and he decided to check up on his little sister before going to school.

"Heyyy, Titania, have you been well?" He smiled when he saw the girl was already up.

"Big Brother! I was worried about you!" She walked slowly and gave him a gentle hug. Mike's face darkened for a moment when he saw how painful even walking was for her.

Titania was 17 years old, and she wasn't Mike's real sister. She was the daughter of a neighbor couple who died as collateral damage of a fight between cultivators. Titania was only 6 at the time and had no other relatives. His father couldn't watch the little girl suffer and took her in.

However, when she turned nine, she developed a strange condition. She'd shiver from the cold at night even during the summer, and if one touched her during a full-moon night with their eyes closed, they'd believe they touched a big ice sculpture rather than a human being.

"How did you manage while I was away?" Mike asked her while holding her cheeks in his palms.

"Miss Rosemary came to check up on me before and after work every day. Besides, I'm not a little girl, I can at least make myself tea and food," Titania smiled and pulled the edges of Mike's lips, "so you don't have to make such a worried face for me, I'm fine. I'd be happier if you smiled."

"How can I not be worried for my little sister when I know she is suffering?" Mike asked but forced out a smile to encourage her anyway, "I will make sure to thank Miss Rosemary when I see her today," he promised.

"I have been such a burden on you for years, I'm filled with guilt when I see I even ruin your mood every day," Titania confessed and buried her face in Mike's chest.

"Don't be silly, you are not a burden on me. Your supportive nature and kindness make my world brighter. I will find a cure for your condition eventually, I guarantee it. When I get to the Golden Core stage, I will ask my master to see if she can do anything. She is very powerful, she might know something."

"Okay… please don't push yourself too hard," Titania smiled and kissed his cheek. "Don't forget you have school today, Miss Rosemary will be angry if you are late after ditching school for three days."

"Oh, right! I didn't ditch school, I was injured! Wait here, I will quickly prepare my bag and go."

"No need, I even made you lunch, it's in your bag. Have a good day, Mike."

"Thank you, you are a lifesaver!" Mike cheered and gave her a quick kiss on her forehead before leaving the house.