Chapter 55 (2/2)

Snowflakes scattered. The snow that fell onto the lake, now backed by the curtain of night, was like white petals. Illuminated by the lights from the nearby boats, they formed a beautiful scene.

Passing through the forest covered in white frost, Zhu Minglang walked toward his residence courtyard. For some unknown reason, he felt a bad premonition, especially after his conversation with Fang Niannian at the bridgehead…

Arriving at the gates, the residence courtyard was even quieter than he had imagined. Perhaps everyone was hiding in their houses due to the cold weather and snow.

Would there be so many senseless people in this world?

Zhu Minglang pushed the courtyard gates open and returned to his house to sleep. The last casting he had done today nearly drained him dry of his spirit force. He needed to rest well for a few days. Fortunately, he could spend his time going to classes and learning.

The Academy was great, like a paradise. He didn’t need to worry about the troubles of the mortal world.

—–

Used to waking up early, Zhu Minglang didn’t stay in bed despite the cold weather. After visiting the baby dragon, he went to class, carrying his books.

Coincidentally, today was the monthly lesson. It was free, and compulsory.

Entering the lecture hall, the classroom was already filled with people. There were students who had already become Dragon Tamers, and also students who were still lingering in front of their Dragon Gate. The lesson today was pretty important to both types of students.

After finding himself a seat, Zhu Minglang was just about to flip his book regarding Great Forest Dragons open to read, when a few dozen people around him suddenly stood up.

Zhu Minglang thought the teacher had arrived and subconsciously stood up as well, preparing to greet the lecturer. However, he discovered those people’s gazes were all fixated on him, staring, as if an inescapable trap was laid here, waiting for him to get caught in.

“So you’re Zhu Minglang?!” a fair and handsome young master wearing a ferret fur coat interrogated him first.

Zhu Minglang looked at this person, vaguely remembering seeing him somewhere before.

Thinking back carefully, it seemed to be that young master who was lamenting for Li Yunzi back at the library. Zhu Minglang remembered this young master didn’t speak indecently like the other students, but was sighing in pity. He was most likely an admirer of the Valkyrie.

The problem was, why did he look like he was judging him, and it seemed many of the others had similar ideas!

Did they know he was sure to come to this lecture today?

Zhu Minglang swept his gaze around, discovering that many of the residence mates he rarely spoke to were also present, avoiding his gaze.

It was no wonder their residence courtyard was so quiet last night. They had planned to catch him here today!

Zhu Minglang had originally thought the atmosphere in the Academy wouldn’t be as aggressive as outside. It turned out that it was the same here!

“Are you Zhu Minglang or not? You don’t even dare to admit this?” the ferret-wearing, fair and handsome young master asked again.

“That’s me. I wonder why all you seniors are gathered here?” Zhu Minglang replied.

“You still have the cheek to ask us. Are you that Wutu vagrant!?” someone behind the fair and handsome young master demanded angrily.

“That is certainly a baseless rumor,” Zhu Minglang immediately answered.

The fair and handsome young master sized up Zhu Minglang closely, thinking this man was indeed nothing extraordinary.

“Since it’s just a rumor, how do you clarify yourself?” The young master seemed to be the most highly regarded person among the group. When he spoke, no one else interfered.

“The truth is, we felt familiarity with each other at first sight and fell in love. Whatever the dungeon rumor is, it’s just someone being jealous of our relationship and unwilling to see the beauty being in love with another, and thus they thought of such a vicious way to bring me down and humiliate her,” Zhu Minglang told the group righteously.

“Li Yunzi felt a sense of familiarity with you at first sight? You?” The fair and handsome young master still showed hints of manners earlier, but after hearing Zhu Minglang say that, he immediately showed his disgust and disdain for him.

“Right, it’s nothing more than an extremely normal man and woman relationship, but some people with ulterior motives spread rumors to such an extent. I’m afraid there are many rumors added in by the enemy cities to tarnish the image of our Ancestral Dragon City State’s Valkyrie. Of course, they also wanted to uglify me in the process. I think the people who spread the rumor are either spies from enemy cities, or Li Yunzi’s twisted admirers,” Zhu Minglang continued, his tone carrying hints of righteous indignation.

“Stop spouting nonsense. Why would the crown princess take a fancy to you?!” the male students clamored, unwilling to accept this.

“Things like love can’t be explained. Actually, I don’t understand why I’d fall for her, either. Loving someone doesn’t require a reason,” Zhu Minglang said with the melancholy of a poet.

He held his book up with one hand, gazing deeply at the winter plums outside the windows, as if he was a real poet. He would sigh in joy, smile in reminiscence, mumble to himself lost in thoughts…

The gazes of the people around him changed, especially the fair and handsome young master. His eyes were shining with a demonic light!

They had never seen such a shameless person before!

‘Actually I don’t understand why I’d fall for her’?!

Were those the words spoken by a human!?

The Valkyrie’s reputation wasn’t only due to her unparalleled wisdom and courage, but moreso her beauty that rivalled fairies of the heavenly palace. Those who had seen her before would all sigh in admiration for her astonishing beauty.

Why would a nameless guy like him need to use all his brain juice to think why he’d fall in love with her?

They were all men!

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Translator’s Notes:

1: It literally means snowflakes floating, north wind blowing. I know it fits the season and all, but I’m positive the author is referencing the popular meme.