Chapter 9: Finally meets

The early morning air was crisp and cool as Shun Lee completed his morning run, circling around the EastSea Park with rhythmic breaths. The light of dawn was just breaking over the horizon, casting a soft, golden glow across the greenery. After finishing his laps, he went to a nearby bench, his chest heaving slightly as he exhaled warm breath into the chilly air. Pulling out a bottle of water from his backpack, Shun Lee took a long sip and enjoyed the peaceful silence.

As Shun Lee sat on the bench, savoring the morning tranquility and sipping his water, he couldn't help but remember the odd scene from the day before. The cafeteria had been buzzing with energy, students coming and going as he and his roommates waited in line. But then they'd noticed something intriguing: 'the protagonist,' the one Shun had heard whispers about, sitting along with someone and tearing through a veritable mountain of food with impressive speed and determination.

Wang Jinxi, the taller and more boisterous of Shun's roommates, had elbowed him, snickering. "Look at that guy! It's like he's been starved for a week! I didn't know humans could eat that much," he whispered with a chuckle.

Zhang Yanxi, the quieter but sharp-witted one, had chimed in dryly, "Maybe he's practicing some secret martial technique, like the Art of Last meal of the dying ghost," which sent them both into muffled laughter.

Yet, Shun Lee just watched in mild awe to the scene infront of him though a smirk tugged at his lips too. The protagonist was completely focus towards his entirely on his meal, each bite looking like it was being devoured with both purpose and pleasure. It wasn't just the sheer amount of food—it was the way he ate, as if every grain of rice and every morsel was somehow essential. The scene was a strange mixture of seriousness and comedy, with the cafeteria echoing his rapid chewing sounds amid his roommates' barely concealed chuckles.

But something about the protagonist held Shun's gaze longer than he expected.' So, that's him,' he thought, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the boy's every move. In his previous life, Shun had read plenty of stories about such figures—the ones destined to be heroes, to rise above everyone else in their world. They had their strengths and weaknesses, their friendships and rivalries, and they inevitably drew people in, whether as allies or rivals. Shun felt a flicker of curiosity but quickly reminded himself that he had no intention of meddling in someone else's story. It's better to stay on the sidelines and enjoy the show, just as he'd decided before.

"Shun!" Wang Jinxi's voice had snapped him back to reality, as his roommates pulled him forward in line. He shook his head, dismissing the lingering thoughts and joining them in a lighthearted discussion about the food choices that day.

Back in the present, the breeze in the EastSea Park was refreshing, carrying the faint scent of dew-kissed grass. Shun took a deep breath and decided to focus on his sandwich, grateful for the post-run snack. He let out a contented sigh, relaxing against the bench as he unwrapped it.

But before he could take a bite, his attention was drawn to a figure standing a few meters away. She held a map in her hands and looked around with a hint of confusion, like a traveler in an unfamiliar land. Shun observed her silently for a moment—her long, blackish-purple hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, swaying lightly with the breeze. Her face was delicate, with a natural grace, and her violet eyes held an intensity that seemed almost out of place with her otherwise gentle appearance. She wasn't strikingly beautiful, but her presence was oddly captivating.

Just as he was about to return to his sandwich, her gaze shifted, landing directly on him. Their eyes met, and for a heartbeat, Shun froze. There was a piercing quality to her look, as if she could see right through him. He quickly averted his gaze, feeling a warmth rise to his cheeks that he hadn't expected.

He coughed awkwardly, trying to act casual as he fumbled with the sandwich, pretending he hadn't been staring. 'Get it together, Shun,' he thought, mentally chastising himself. But his attempt at composure didn't last long. A cold, clear voice broke the silence.

"Excuse me," she said, her tone calm and direct.

Shun looked up, surprised to find that she had moved closer and was now standing right beside him, her eyes focused intently on him. The coldness in her stare made him feel both uneasy and intrigued.

"Uh… how can I help you?" he asked awkwardly, his voice wavering slightly. There was something about her presence that made him unusually self-conscious.

She held up the map and asked, "Can you tell me where EastSea Academy is?"

Shun blinked, caught off guard by the question. "EastSea Academy? Why are you looking for it?"

The girl's expression didn't change as she replied coolly, "I'm planning to enter the academy."

Shun's eyes widened in surprise. "But… the registration period is over. They aren't accepting new students anymore."

For the first time, a flicker of surprise crossed her face, though it was quickly masked. She tilted her head slightly, regarding him with an unreadable expression. "Are you certain?"

Shun nodded slowly. "Yeah, I just started classes here yesterday, and they made it pretty clear during orientation that admissions were closed."

The girl seemed to contemplate his words for a moment, her gaze shifting slightly as she considered the information. Shun could tell she was disappointed, though her expression remained mostly neutral.

"Are you a new student as well?" she asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," Shun replied, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Just started yesterday. I… I got a bit lost on my first day too, actually." He chuckled awkwardly, hoping to lighten the mood.

She gave a barely perceptible nod. "I see."

Feeling a bit courageous by the small exchange, Shun hesitated but finally spoke up. "If you really want to join EastSea Academy, maybe you could talk to the administration. They might make an exception for you… though I can't say for sure." He shrugged, unsure if his suggestion would be of any help.

The girl's expression softened slightly, though her eyes remained guarded. "Thank you," she said simply.

Shun smiled a little, trying to shake off his nervousness. "Well… do you wanna go together?"

The girl thought for a moment before nodding her head and sat besides him.

The girl had remained quiet throughout his meal although her expression unreadable. Shun had tried to lighten the silence earlier by offering her the second sandwich, but her polite, slightly cold refusal made him feel a bit self-conscious. Now, he was left awkwardly munching in silence, attempting to speed through the meal without looking too flustered.

At one point, he'd stuffed too big of a bite into his mouth, and his cheeks puffed out in a way that he knew must look ridiculous. As he tried to chew through it, he glanced over and caught her stealing a quick glance, though she looked away just as quickly, pretending to survey the park. Great impression, he thought wryly, swallowing the last bite and downing some water to regain his composure.

Finally finished, he tossed the wrappers in a nearby trash can and took a deep breath. Turning toward her, he forced a friendly smile. "Alright, shall we?" he asked, reaching out his hand in a gesture he hoped would seem casual. She blinked at his outstretched hand, hesitating just long enough for Shun to feel self-conscious. Quickly, he pulled his hand back with a sheepish chuckle. "Uh, I mean—let's head out before we're late."

The girl nodded, standing up to follow him without a word. Shun noticed her gaze on him as they walked, but every time he glanced her way, she would look away, acting as if she were simply observing the scenery.

They made their way to the academy in near silence, though Shun's mind raced with half-formed questions and a touch of awkwardness. This girl sure is hard to read, he thought, sneaking another sidelong glance at her. He found himself curious about why she wanted to join EastSea Academy so late in the term, but her chilly responses earlier kept him from asking outright.

As they approached the academy gates, Shun's attention was pulled to the large field just beyond them. Students were already running laps, their uniforms blurring as they pushed through their morning drills. The sight made Shun's stomach flip—he hadn't realized class had already started. A pang of anxiety shot through him. Late again… seriously?

Shun forced a nervous grin, trying to keep his voice steady. "Looks like... we're a bit late," he muttered, scratching the back of his head. He could already hear yesterday's teacher, Ye Yinglou, reminding him—no, scolding him—not to be late again. Shun stifled a groan, glancing toward the girl who still stood beside him, watching the students on the field.

She looked at him, her expression as calm and collected as ever, though Shun thought he saw a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. For a split second, he wanted to laugh; it was like they were in two entirely different worlds—she, composed and graceful, and him, panicked and scrambling to make a decent impression.

He let out a breath, steadying himself. "Let's hurry," he said, more to himself than her, as he motioned to jogged toward the school building, the girl following closely behind him. 'With any luck,' he thought, they'd slip in without drawing too much silence only to be called out.

Just as Shun Lee was about to walk towards the building, a deep voice cut through the air. He froze, groaning inwardly. 'Of course. My luck just keeps getting better,' he thought sarcastically. Turning around with a forced smile, he came face-to-face with someone who instantly commanded his full attention.

The man standing before them was a towering figure, at least 1.9 meters tall, with a lean, almost lanky frame that only added to his imposing presence. He wore white trousers that emphasized his long legs, and his face was a study in sharp, calculated lines. His eyes, a piercing shade of yellow, seemed to burn with an unnatural intensity, made all the more eerie by his swept-back blue hair. Though his expression was calm, an unmistakable chill radiated from his gaze, making Shun feel as though the temperature had dropped several degrees.

'Who is this guy?' Shun thought, fighting the urge to step back. He could sense the aura of power surrounding this man, almost as if his very presence was meant to freeze anyone who dared to get too close. 'Isn't this supposed to be the worst class? Why is someone this intimidating our teacher? Or is it because of the protagonist… "plot armor"?'

The teacher, whose presence alone silenced the students around him, raised an eyebrow at the two of them. His voice was as icy as his gaze, broke the silence. "Your name and reason for being late."

Snapping out of his daze, Shun quickly composed himself and gave a respectful nod. "Shun Lee, Class One. I went for a morning run and, um, happened to meet this young lady." He gestured to the girl beside him. "She wants to join the academy, sir."

Wu Zhangkong's cold gaze shifted to Gu Yue, assessing her silently for a moment. His eyes seemed to narrow as he studied her, his face as unreadable as ever.

Gu Yue held his gaze, unbothered by his scrutiny. "I'm Gu Yue," she stated firmly. "I came here specifically to enroll in EastSea Academy."

The teacher's expression didn't change, but a flicker of interest flashed in his eyes. "A late student, now? Interesting." He turned his attention to the girl, evaluating her silently before finally speaking. "My name is Wu Zhangkong, the homeroom teacher of class 5. If you wish to join EastSea Academy, I'll allow it—under one condition."

Gu Yue, who had been standing quietly beside Shun, met Wu Zhangkong's cold gaze without flinching. Her voice was calm, her expression resolute. "What's the condition?"

Wu Zhangkong crossed his arms, his stance conveying a quiet authority. "Defeat one of our students in a duel. His name is Xie Xie."

Shun's eyes widened at the mention of her name.' Gu Yue?' he thought, heart pounding. No way… That's quite eerily the same name as the heroine in the original story. He glanced at her with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. 'Could it be a coincidence? Or had he just stumbled into something far bigger than he'd realized?'

As if sensing his gaze, Gu Yue turned to look at him briefly before focusing back on Wu Zhangkong, her expression unchanging. "Understood," she replied, her voice steady, undeterred by the challenge.

Wu Zhangkong nodded, his cold gaze lingering on both of them for a moment longer. "Then, follow me." Without another word, he turned and began leading them toward the training grounds, leaving Shun to trail after him with a mixture of excitement and nerves. 'Might as well watch the show since I'm already here.'

As they started to walk, Shun glanced over at Gu Yue, giving her a small, supportive smile. "Good luck out there," he said quietly.

She looked over, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks. But luck won't be necessary."

Shun felt a bit dazed for a moment since it was the first time that Gu Yue talked to him normally and much less smile so he didn't expect a reply at all when he quietly spoke at her.

'Well, I'm already late so why not be a bit later to go to class.' Shun thought, taking a deep breath as he walked alongside Gu Yue, looks like my new school life just got a lot more interesting.