154 The Beautiful Life of the Academy’s Disgrace 2 (2/2)

”Support your *ss!” Ye Qingxuan rolled his eyes. ”Go ask the Professor if he supports you.”

Charles shrugged and glanced toward the library. He froze when he did not see the figure behind the window. ”Where did he go?”

Ye Qingxuan pursed his lips. Lying on the sofa, his nostrils to the sky, he forced out, ”The school board!”

”The qualifications audit again?” Charles furrowed his brows. ”Aren’t they tired by now?”

”Who knows?” Ye Qingxuan said lightly. ”Maybe they’re bored. Anyway, it’s not the first time they’ve made things hard for us.”

”They’re not just making things hard for us. They act like we’re lice in their hair and the disgrace of the academy. They’d love it if they could kick us out.” Charles shrugged. ”But don’t worry. Professor is retired from the military. The school board can’t do anything to him without Principal Maxwell’s permission. They can just reduce our budget and insult us.

”Budget thief, unaccomplished and useless, weird clowns…the money we get every year is less than the other schools’ cafeteria allowance! They just can’t get over the fact that we don’t kiss their *sses.”

”What a group of idiots.”

”Yeah, a group of idiots.” Charles nodded. He picked up the juice and clinked glasses with Ye Qingxuan. Downing the drink, he felt much better. But his eyes grew curious after he gazed around. ”Where are they?”

”Who?” Ye Qingxuan asked.

”The challengers,” Charles said. ”Didn’t they swarm over like flies when they heard that you showed up again? I thought they wouldn’t give up until they took the concertmaster title from you. How come only a girl came to challenge you today?”

”Oh, those people.” Ye Qingxuan squinted his eyes as he enjoyed the sun. ”There was probably a dozen challengers today.”

”Huh? Where are they? How come I don’t see any of them?”

Ye Qingxuan grinned. ”They all lost.” Under the blazing sun, the youth hummed Bolero’s melody and the faint water vapor around his fingertips transformed into thread that extended in all directions.

With a snap of the finger, the aether began to ripple vaguely. Before them, various lost figures emerged from the shadowy forest. The ones that were bent on beating the disgrace of the academy and restoring the glory of pure blood now looked bedraggled and travel-worn.

Their pristine school uniforms and gold-lined jackets were torn by the thorns and branches. Their faces were covered in cobwebs and dust and their eyes were terrified. This was a forest that they would never be able walk out of. They were like insects stuck in an endless loop. They would walk down the paths that seemed to be familiar and follow every branch, but would never be able to find the way out. They were lost in utter darkness.

Even the afternoon sunlight became eerie after filtering through the dense treetops. The only sounds in the silence was the cold wind and soft writhing of insects and snakes. Some of the students were roaring something, but their voices were unclear. Others were running, finally collapsing after using all their strength. Confused and dazed, they were like bugs thrown into a glass box. They could flap their wings as hard as they could, but would not be able to find help. All twelve of them were trapped in a forest of only a few dozen square meters. They could not perceive that they often brushed shoulders with each other. Manipulated by the youth, they were like puppets stuck in a maze.

Charles’s eyes brightened. ”Rhythm level?”

”Yeah.” The seemingly tired youth on the couch squinted as he enjoyed the sun and focused on controlling the enchantment at the same time. ”I told the Professor that I reached the Rhythm level this morning and asked if there was anything I could practice with. He gave me the control of the nearby Requiem enchantment. It’s kind of hard but good for practice.”

Charles rubbed his hands together and got closer. ”Is it fun?”

”Yeah.” Ye Qingxuan nodded.

”Let me play with it!” Charles fluttered his lashes.

The youth rolled his eyes. ”You just want to go to the girls’ shower house.”

”…I can’t believe you think I’m like that. You break my heart!”

”You have a heart?”

”Of course!” Charles puffed up his chest and stated, ”Touch it if you don’t believe me. Feel my beating heart! Can you feel my absolute sincerity?”

Ye Qingxuan felt the urge to hit him again.

”Ah, whatever.” Charles shook his head, sighing. ”Remember to come to the basement tonight.”

”Huh?”

”I finished modifying the skeleton. If you have time, come try out your new clothes.”