When Robin spoke those tearful words, everyone in the class, including Instructor Nastar, froze completely where they stood.

Master? She actually called that little boy "Master"??

The crowd stared blankly at Robin, even starting to doubt if they had misheard.

Robin seemed to sense their confusion and repeated herself, her voice firm: "I want to sit next to my Master!" She adopted an expression that clearly warned: If anyone dares separate us, they will regret it.

"You... you said he's your Master?" Nastar’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Robin looked directly at Nastar, offering no verbal reply to the question. Yet, her expression seemed to convey: Is that not allowed?

This time, Nastar shifted her gaze to Mako-shin, remembering that Mako-shin had just informed her that these two children were the son and daughter of a distant relative, asking her to look after them well.

But now, where did this "Master" title come from?

Mako-shin’s mouth twitched violently twice. She hadn't anticipated Robin saying something like that, especially not in front of so many people. Faced with Nastar’s scrutinizing stare, she couldn't conjure a plausible excuse at the moment, so she chose to pretend she hadn't seen anything!

Fortunately, Nastar was too embarrassed to press the issue in front of the classmates, allowing Mako-shin a temporary reprieve.

Seeing that Robin’s expression allowed for no room for negotiation, coupled with Mako-shin’s presence, Nastar finally conceded and rearranged the seating so Robin could sit beside Zhong Shenxiu.

Once everything was settled, neither Zhong Shenxiu nor Robin said anything, proceeding directly to their assigned seats. Because they were the two shortest in the entire class, their seats were located right at the very front!

"Alright, students, please continue with your self-study! The first lesson today will be taught by Teacher Mako-shin!" Nastar announced with a smile.

"Class, get your textbooks ready!" Mako-shin added, also smiling.

The reason she was taking the first lesson was actually at her own request; she wanted to make a good first impression on Zhong Shenxiu and Robin.

After Nastar and Mako-shin left the classroom—there was no supervision during morning self-study—the students did not dutifully continue studying. Instead, they immediately gathered around the topic of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, reigniting their discussions!

Some began speculating about the real ages of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin. Others debated how the two managed to integrate into this class. In short, all sorts of theories were flying around!

Luckily, morning self-study was traditionally a time for free expression; as long as the students didn't wander too far from their desks, the class monitor and the student cadres generally wouldn't interfere with their chatter.

Facing the noisy room, Zhong Shenxiu remained perfectly calm. At this moment, he was deep in thought, strategizing how to absorb the knowledge he desired.

Before he realized it, the bell signaling the end of morning self-study rang, abruptly breaking his train of thought.

As self-study ended, some students could no longer contain themselves and began gravitating toward Zhong Shenxiu and Robin's area.

"Little brother, how old are you?"

"Little sister, is he really your Master? What exactly is your relationship?"

Questions bombarded them one after another, covering nearly every aspect of daily life.

Zhong Shenxiu found their "enthusiasm" unbearable. He shot a meaningful look toward Robin, and the pair immediately stood up, signaling their intent to step outside for some air.

However, the onlookers were completely oblivious to their desire for space, remaining clustered in a circle, unwilling to disperse.

"Move aside!" Robin stated coldly. As long as her Master was displeased, she wouldn't tolerate anything!

The surrounding students froze, somewhat at a loss for what to do.

"Everyone, stop crowding them!" Just then, Monica’s voice cut through. Her intention was to help Zhong Shenxiu and Robin escape the pressure, though ironically, she was actually providing an escape route for the gawkers!

Monica apparently still held some influence within the class. Although highly reluctant, the students gradually began to scatter.

Robin said no more, following Zhong Shenxiu out of the classroom.

Watching their retreating backs, Monica actually smiled. There was no profound meaning behind her smile; she simply found it incredible that she would be classmates with Zhong Shenxiu and Robin.

About fifteen minutes later, the preparatory bell for class rang, and students who had gone out began returning to their seats.

Monica kept glancing toward the doorway, but neither Zhong Shenxiu nor Robin appeared.

About three minutes later, the official class bell rang, yet still, the pair hadn't entered.

The other students also noticed this strange absence, but since class had officially started, they couldn't openly discuss it as they had during self-study. They were forced to lock their curiosity away for the time being.

At that moment, Mako-shin walked in, beaming, clutching her teaching materials!

"Stand!" the class monitor, Sam, called out.

"Good morning, Teacher!" the entire class greeted in unison. The sight was rather bizarre—a test of patience...

"Good morning, students!"

Mako-shin was about to motion for them to sit down when she caught sight of Zhong Shenxiu and...

"Where are our two new students?" Mako-shin asked, a slight tension in her voice. She had worked hard to secure a place for Zhong Shenxiu at this academy; if he simply walked away without a word, how could she uphold the solemn promise she had made?

"Those two haven't returned since they went out!" Monica reported truthfully. She, too, was wondering where the pair had gone!

"Does anyone else know anything?" Mako-shin pressed again.

"Maybe they went to the restroom?" joked one of the more playful students.

"Maybe they got lost in the Academy?" suggested a girl.

This last idea was actually quite plausible. At the Dubray Magic and Martial Arts Academy, many buildings looked identical, and the campus was vast. It was easy for first-timers to become disoriented, especially since Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were just children; getting lost would be understandable!

Mako-shin leaned toward agreeing with the girl’s assessment. She couldn't fathom Zhong Shenxiu skipping class on his very first day, so she quickly said, "Is there anyone willing to go look for them?"

Monica was about to raise her hand, but Sam beat her to it.

"Teacher, I'll go!" Sam, as the class leader, proved quite responsible in this crucial moment.

Mako-shin nodded, saying to Sam, "Thank you for your trouble..."

Before she could finish, the classroom door opened, revealing Zhong Shenxiu and Robin slowly strolling back in.

Faced with the astonished gaze of the entire class, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin said nothing, walking directly to their seats and sitting down.

Incredibly arrogant!

"Alright, Student Sam, you don't need to go anymore!" Although Mako-shin's words sounded pointless, she was actually using them to mask her own awkwardness. Anyone would feel frustrated watching late students walk in so openly, without even bothering to glance at the teacher.

Once everyone was settled, Mako-shin studiously avoided asking Zhong Shenxiu the reason for his tardiness and began the official lesson!

"Students, please turn to page in your textbooks," Mako-shin said with a smile, though her eyes kept flicking toward Zhong Shenxiu and Robin.

Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were relatively cooperative, opening their books just like the other students.

"Before we start the new material, let's review what we covered yesterday!" Mako-shin continued.

Zhong Shenxiu maintained his placid expression, showing no apparent reaction. However, the moment Mako-shin officially began lecturing, Zhong Shenxiu’s small face immediately darkened.

"Students, yesterday we learned a new magic incantation, the Water Wave Screen. Do you recall how many segments we divided it into? That's right, three segments. By trimming the beginning and the end—students must master segmenting; it will help you memorize the incantation faster and more accurately..." Mako-shin lectured with great passion, unaware that Zhong Shenxiu was close to losing control!

Zhong Shenxiu was speechless. If they wanted to learn magic, fine, but inventing ways to break down spell incantations into segments! How could she even come up with that? Why didn't she assign a "Central Theme" to the magical incantation?

Or perhaps why not extract a few 'words' from the spell and have the students discuss how exquisitely precise the usage of those specific words was, and why they were irreplaceable?

"Students, now let’s recite the Water Wave Screen incantation together. Those who have memorized it can close their books and recite it from memory!" Mako-shin’s voice chimed in again.

Zhong Shenxiu could endure it no longer. He would rather spend time in the library reading than listen to such an infantile lesson; it was sheer torment!

Zhong Shenxiu and Robin stood up with a sharp swish, packed their books without a word, and headed for the classroom door.

Because the departure was so sudden, Mako-shin didn't react quickly enough to stop them. By the time she did react, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin had already closed the door behind them.

In that moment, Mako-shin wasn't the only one stunned; every student in the class froze, completely bewildered by what had just happened!

"Students, please review the material yourselves for now!" Mako-shin finally snapped out of her stupor, placing her textbook on the podium and running after them.

The remaining students exchanged nervous glances, still trying to process the bizarre event!

When Mako-shin caught up, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin hadn't gone far, as they were maintaining their usual unhurried pace.

"Wait... wait a moment!" Mako-shin blocked their path. "Where are you two going?"

Zhong Shenxiu raised an eyebrow, glanced at her, and retorted, "Do we need to report our destination to you?"

If this were any other student, Mako-shin would have firmly asserted, "Of course you do." But facing Zhong Shenxiu, she faltered, only managing to sputter after a long pause, "Well, you at least have to tell me why you aren't attending class?"

"Do you really want to know the reason?" Zhong Shenxiu offered a sinister smile.

Mako-shin was not Angelia; thus, she had no idea what that smile from Zhong Shenxiu portended.