C18 Discussion!

The door swung open once more, drawing the immediate attention of the three individuals inside the room. An awkward silence hung in the air.

A girl stood at the threshold—it was Zhong Qing, Fatty's girlfriend. Inside the classroom, Lin Yih and Nuo Juann were seated close together, with Nuo Juann's arms wrapped around Lin Yih's hand, their closeness unmistakable.

Zhong Qing blinked, breaking the tension with a suggestion, "Maybe I should step out for a bit? You two can carry on, right?"

"Uh, it's not what it looks like..." Lin Yih stammered, feeling as if he were caught in a massive sting operation, wishing the earth would swallow him whole.

Nuo Juann, on the other hand, appeared much more at ease. "Oh, there's no need! Zhong Qing, you're here early! Come, have a seat," she said, releasing Lin Yih and rising to greet her friend.

...

"Master! The exploration team has returned," announced a soldier clad in armor, kneeling in a room that exuded a sense of solemnity.

The man he addressed was of average looks, dressed casually, and seated with an air of authority. Zhong Wuyan paused in his writing at the news.

"Bring them here," he commanded.

"Yes, sir." The armored soldier bowed his head and withdrew.

Shortly after, a man and a woman entered the room.

"Master!" they greeted in unison.

Zhong Wuyan nodded, setting aside his brush and looking up. "Rise."

They stood obediently. "What's the situation?"

The young man in green armor spoke first, "The details are unclear, but the spirit beasts in the Red Leaf Forest have grown increasingly agitated."

"And yet, those in the north show no signs of movement," the woman added.

Zhong Wuyan's brow furrowed at the troubling news. "Do we need to alert the others?"

"No need. Those old timers are likely better informed than I am," Zhong Wuyan replied, returning to his writing. "You're dismissed for now."

"Yes, sir."

As they turned to leave, Zhong Wuyan halted them, "Wait! Mo Li, keep leading the exploration team. Monitor those spirit beasts closely."

"Yes!"

"And Snow Treading, take charge of the patrol team. Keep a vigilant eye on everyone within the city."

"Yes!"

"Very well, you may go."

"Yes, sir!"

Once alone, Zhong Wuyan gazed out the window, lost in thought. "Such a fickle season... All I desire is a tranquil retirement, yet these jesters insist on disrupting my peace..."

...

Elsewhere, at the same moment, two figures cloaked in black robes sat in dispute.

"What's the meaning of this, old ghost Nuo?" The taller of the two stood abruptly.

The other followed suit, placing a calming hand on his companion's shoulder. "Brother Dingtian, please, no anger..."

"Humph!" Lin Dingtian was clearly not appeased.

"Listen to my excuse... No, I misspoke, hear me out," Nuo Shicheng hastily corrected himself, seeing Lin Dingtian's stern expression.

"Brother Dingtian, try to understand. We're stretched thin everywhere. We simply can't spare anyone else."

"Nonsense! Isn't that young upstart from Jingcheng always so full of bluster? Wasn't he supposed to be enough on his own? Why does he cower when it truly matters?"

Lin Dingtian's anger unleashed a fierce energy, scattering the room's contents.

"Wow, Brother Dingtian, you've grown stronger," Nuo Shicheng observed, astonished by the display of power.

Lin Dingtian remained silent, his expression grave.

"It's not all bad," Nuo Shicheng ventured, producing a box from his robes.

Their eyes locked onto the contents as the box opened, and Lin Dingtian's demeanor softened.

"See? It's not a total loss," Nuo Shicheng concluded, tucking the box away.

Lin Dingtian sighed, his stance softening. "They're heroes, yet they can't find peace in their twilight years."

Nuo Shicheng fell silent, not daring to respond.

Lin Dingtian continued, "Those fools! It was the same back then, and now, history repeats itself." He cast his gaze toward Jingcheng. "Though no one speaks of the past, I remember... I was a coward, and it haunts me. I'd have given anything for that general... Do you understand?"

"Dingtian..."

"Enough about that, I've got to get going." Lin Dingtian grabbed the mask from the table and headed for the door.

"Oh, and don't forget to apply for a few for me too. This time... I refuse to be a coward again!"

With those words, Lin Dingtian departed, mask in place.

"Dingtian..."

Nuo Shicheng stood frozen, staring at the empty space for a long while...

...

Back in the classroom.

Hai Dafu, the hefty guy, gazed at the indecipherable text on the blackboard and yawned out of sheer boredom.

"Yih, I'm dying of boredom here!"

Lin Yih was the picture of focus, seated at his desk, attentively listening to the lecture and jotting down notes, not bothering to look back as he responded.

"This is all material for the exam, and we're only two months out from test day."

The exam consisted of four parts: the written, the physical, the practical, and the optional Pet Beast assessment.

The first three were mandatory, while the optional Pet Beast assessment was just that—optional. Yet, for most top-tier schools, it was a critical component.

"Ugh! My head's pounding! Enough already!"

Fatty clutched his head, visibly frustrated.

He couldn't retain any of it. What was he to do? This was proving to be a real challenge for him, the fat guy.

Lin Yih cast a sympathetic glance at the still-frustrated Fatty and offered some reassurance, "Don't worry. You can always take the optional Pet Beast exam. Though it's unlikely that many prestigious schools will take you, you could still try for a military academy. Serving your country, possibly making the ultimate sacrifice—it's got a certain appeal to it."

"You mean the Confederate States Army?" Fatty's eyes sparkled with sudden interest.

Before Lin Yih could reply, the chair in front of Fatty was pushed up against his desk.

"Hey, hey! Fatty, what nonsense are you dreaming up now?"

Chiming in was Zhong Qin, equally bored but not because the material was challenging. To her, it was too elementary, and she couldn't be bothered with it.

Lin Yih nodded in agreement, "The Confederate States Army is always on the front lines, stationed along the border. I've heard that the bare minimum to enlist is Gold rank strength. If you go, you'll likely end up as just cannon fodder..."