Chapter 22: The Alchemy Academy (3)

“Ahem, all right, let’s officially begin the class. If you have any questions, just ask,” the homeroom teacher said after clearing his throat a few times.

The academies on this continent employed a rather unique teaching style. Perhaps influenced by the way magic and martial arts were taught, after covering the basics, students were generally left to explore and study on their own. Whenever questions arose, they’d bring them up in class for discussion.

Both martial arts and magic followed the principle of the master guiding you to the door, but progress depending on personal cultivation. Apart from imparting some foundational knowledge, instructors could do little else. The rest was up to the student, with teachers offering guidance along the way.

Some might wonder why, in that case, one wouldn’t simply seek out a master and practice alone. That was certainly an option, but how many great masters were there in the world? Even if you found one, at most you’d get guidance from one or two. The academy, however, was different. There were many masters to guide you, and peers to help you test your martial arts or magic.

When a teacher helped one student, their guidance often benefitted others as well. The questions raised in class enriched everyone, so even if you didn’t have a question yourself, the lesson was never wasted.

Occasionally, the teachers would also share some of their personal experiences.

So, as soon as the homeroom teacher announced that questions were welcome, a hand shot up.

“I, I…” one student immediately raised his hand.

But upon seeing which student it was, the teacher frowned and, with a hint of evasion, said, “Er, Ye Lang, let’s discuss your questions privately after class. For now, listen to your classmates.”

After enduring several disastrous lessons, no teacher dared attempt to answer Ye Lang’s questions in front of the whole class. Since his queries never seemed to help anyone else, they always arranged to discuss them in private—whether or not those discussions ever actually took place was another matter.

“Oh…” Ye Lang seemed used to this. He put his hand down, buried himself in a thick alchemy textbook, and listened in as his classmates’ questions were answered.

The morning slipped by in this manner. Apart from a short break, it was a steady cycle of questions and answers. As the bell rang, the theory lesson ended. After lunch, students were free to choose between self-study and practical courses.

That was how the academy structured its days: theory in the morning, the afternoons left open. Those keen on further study could continue with theory, while those wishing to put their knowledge to the test could head off for practical training.

After class, Ye Lang watched the homeroom teacher slip away without a word, as if fleeing for his life. Abandoning any thought of catching him for a private discussion, Ye Lang instead headed to the dining hall with Tiger Girl, still half-asleep, to join his sister for lunch.

Tiger Girl had little interest in alchemy. Whenever she accompanied her young master to his classes, she either napped or read martial arts books borrowed from the library.

Ye Lang had suggested she transfer to the martial arts academy, assuring her that the alchemy academy was safe and he could look after himself. There was no need for her to accompany him. But Tiger Girl had flatly refused; she was there for him, and if she went to the martial arts academy, her entire reason for being at the academy would be lost.

And besides, even if there were a reason, she would never leave her young master’s side—not for a single step.

As they approached the grand, ornately decorated dining hall, Tiger Girl became alert. This was the time of day when attacks were most likely to happen, the only real opportunity for anyone to approach the Thirteenth Young Master.

This wasn’t mere paranoia; incidents occurred daily. Most were intercepted by her or Ye Lanyu, but sometimes, by sheer bad luck, an attack would slip through. Fortunately, they were usually harmless pranks or attempts at humiliation.

To the Thirteenth Young Master, such slights were beneath notice. For Ye Lanyu, however, it was a different story—she would explode in anger, and those responsible would deeply regret it.

Cautiously shepherding the Thirteenth Young Master into the dining hall, Tiger Girl found them a table. All the tables were identical, with no special seating for guests of honor. This was a deliberate statement by the academy: within the Royal Academy, everyone had only one identity—a student. No matter how noble your background, all were treated equally.

Perhaps it was also a way to prevent disputes among the scions of powerful families over preferential treatment.

“Tiger Girl, I’m hungry. Go get some food,” the Thirteenth Young Master whined after a while.

“Wait a bit longer, let’s wait for Miss Lanyu. She should have been here by now,” Tiger Girl said, glancing uncertainly at the entrance.

She wasn’t willing to leave the Thirteenth Young Master alone to fetch food, fearing what might happen, nor did she dare take him with her—the way to the food counters was far too crowded.

So she waited for Ye Lanyu. With her there, Tiger Girl could relax. But today, for some reason, Ye Lanyu was running late.

After a few more minutes, Ye Lanyu finally arrived, her face dark with displeasure—clearly something had upset her. Not far behind her trailed a beautiful girl, about the same age as the Thirteenth Young Master. In stark contrast to Ye Lanyu, this girl was all smiles, radiating happiness.

It wasn’t hard to guess that whatever had happened, it involved both girls. Tiger Girl was certain of it—the new arrival was none other than her nominal mistress, the Seventh Princess of the Empire.

Since that birthday incident, the two had been at odds, squabbling constantly. When one was happy, the other was invariably annoyed, and vice versa.

Now Tiger Girl understood the delay—they’d run into each other, which explained everything.

“Stop following me! Leave my brother alone. Brother, don’t talk to her, or I’ll ignore you from now on!” Ye Lanyu sat down, shouting at the girl behind her, then turned to warn the Thirteenth Young Master.

“He doesn’t need your attention. All he needs is mine, right, Ye Lang?” the Seventh Princess replied cheerfully, taking a seat and directing a smile at Ye Lang.

The tension between the two girls was palpable. If the Thirteenth Young Master said the wrong thing, it would surely spark a battle—well, a minor one at least.

But the Thirteenth Young Master ignored them both, turning to Tiger Girl instead. “Tiger Girl, go get the food. I’m starving.”

“…”

——

Order a recommendation ticket! Tomorrow at midnight, I hope some night owls will lend a hand, hehe…