A knock echoed from outside again. Charlotte assumed it was her junior, but to her surprise, it was Elina!

Angelia and Reese paused their practice, looking at Elina with confusion. Entering the small courtyard, Elina went straight to the point, addressing Angelia first: "Hello, I am a teacher from the 'Hikikomori Magic and Martial Arts Academy.' My name is Elina, and I sincerely hope you will join our academy for advanced studies!" She then proceeded to list several preferential conditions.

Angelia remained silent; more accurately, she hadn't processed it yet, finding it hard to believe that Elina was a teacher, and one from the Hikikomori Magic and Martial Arts Academy at that! Elina didn't give up; she had prepared herself mentally before coming and was determined to recruit this girl into their academy by any means necessary!

Elina had personally witnessed Angelia's talent and strength. Such a talent absolutely could not fall into the hands of the Diligan Magic and Martial Arts Academy; moreover, her younger brother seemed quite taken with this girl.

After a round of persuasion, appealing to both emotion and reason, Angelia finally agreed, but only on one condition: she could not guarantee the exact date of her enrollment. The reason for this condition was her desire to complete her current training under Zhong Shenxiu before commencing her studies elsewhere.

Elina agreed readily but stipulated that Angelia must not enroll in any other academy during this interim period. Having secured Angelia, Elina then shifted her gaze to Reese, who was still momentarily stunned.

"Would you also like to come to our academy for advanced study?" Elina suddenly asked. An invisible battle had begun.

This was a contest of foresight and decisive action! Although Elina didn't know Reese's exact strength, she knew that anyone practicing under Zhong Shenxiu couldn't be all that bad!

Of course, her female intuition also played a role in this decision! Future events would prove this decision to be both astute and brilliant!

Reese looked at Elina with disbelief, questioning, "Me?" He even began to wonder if he had misheard. How could a prestigious city academy like the Hikikomori Magic and Martial Arts Academy possibly recruit someone like him?

He had heard that only top students attended, yet his own strength was so mediocre, having only recently reached the rank of High Swordsman! Elina seemed to sense Reese's doubt and quickly provided him with a gradual, step-by-step explanation, finally convincing him that she was serious.

"Well? What is your decision?" Elina asked Reese.

Reese appeared somewhat hesitant. Although he very much wanted to attend the Hikikomori Magic and Martial Arts Academy alongside Angelia, he felt an even stronger desire to continue following Zhong Shenxiu.

Ever since being with him, Reese had noticed his mind becoming sharper, his strength increasing, and even his appetite improving! However, another problem arose: would Zhong Shenxiu always allow him to stay?

That seemed rather unreliable! Still, even if the chance was slim, Reese wanted to try; at the very least, he should convey his thoughts!

Seeing Reese's indecision, Elina seized the moment, launching into another flurry of persuasion and enticement. Overwhelmed, Reese finally nodded in agreement, though his condition was similar to Angelia's: he couldn't guarantee his attendance but promised not to join any other institution.

At this point, Elina's trip was not in vain; she had secured at least two "potential clients." Yet, she did not take her leave immediately; instead, she swept her gaze over Charlotte with a look of distinct avarice! Charlotte grew uncomfortable under her scrutiny and finally broke the silence, asking, "Teacher Elina, is there something wrong with me?" Elina shook her head but did not answer, continuing to stare!

Charlotte felt helpless to stop her and tried to console herself: Let her look, it makes no difference, what you have, I have too! After a brief silence, Elina finally spoke: "Commander Charlotte, you don't look very old, do you?" Charlotte blinked, trying to decipher Elina's intentions.

She even entertained the slightly absurd thought: Surely she's not planning on playing matchmaker for me? A tiny bead of sweat traced down her temple!

Elina smiled faintly, unperturbed by Charlotte's silence, and then said something that surprised them all: "Commander Charlotte, have you considered taking classes at our academy as well?" \n Charlotte was taken aback. I graduated years ago, and she wants me to attend classes?

Reese and Angelia were equally baffled by Elina's proposition, trying to fathom what was going on in this woman's mind. Elina smiled again, unconcerned by their expressions, and began to "earnestly persuade" Charlotte.

Ugh, this woman is definitely insane! It was fortunate that Charlotte's subordinates weren't present; otherwise, hearing that Elina was trying to poach their commander would surely have led to a confrontation!

Charlotte awkwardly tried to decline on all sides. While she could return for further study, she didn't wish to, and even if she considered it later, the Hikikomori Magic and Martial Arts Academy would not be her choice.

It was merely considered a major academy within this city; countless academies within the 'Winter Moon Empire' were far larger and more famous—the academy Charlotte herself graduated from was at least ten times superior! Seeing Charlotte's defenses as impenetrable as bronze walls, Elina realized further persistence would be fruitless and abandoned her plan to convince Charlotte to join their academy!

After discussing a few other matters, Elina took her leave. Perhaps some might ask why she didn't wait longer to try and recruit Zhong Shenxiu and Robin?

Elina had considered this question, but she deemed those two youngsters far too dangerous. While their strength was terrifyingly potent, they were truly a double-edged sword: as much benefit as they could bring, they could bring equal harm.

Recruiting these two children into the academy would undoubtedly mean inviting two time bombs! Furthermore, based on Makoxin’s recent account, these two dared to strike the Disciplinary Director, which only deepened Elina's unease!

Therefore, she would not consider recruiting Zhong Shenxiu and Robin for the time being! There was also an underlying reason: Elina was genuinely somewhat afraid of the two children!

. Time flew by like a white colt crossing a crack in a wall!

The date for the "Academy Ranking Tournament" was drawing closer, and 'Gulu City' was welcoming its annual peak in visitor numbers. During these days, nothing occurred that Charlotte and her group would have wished to avoid.

Zhong Shenxiu and Robin remained unaware of the arrival of the Stasi family, and thus, no friction had arisen! Strangely enough, the Stasi family had not reappeared since that last encounter; perhaps they had left or gone into hiding!

Meanwhile, the "recruitment battle" between Elina and the Diligan Magic and Martial Arts Academy had finally concluded. The final outcome was: Elina held the advantage in terms of "quality," while the teachers from the Diligan Magic and Martial Arts Academy achieved victory in "quantity"!

Both sides could be considered to have achieved a stalemate, evenly matched! Enough talk; the day for the most grand event in 'Gulu City'—the Academy Ranking Tournament—had finally arrived!

The first morning of the competition featured no official matches, only the opening ceremony, draw selection, and similar procedures. Despite this, the spectator stands were completely full.

The atmosphere was extraordinarily electric, a scene truly worthy of: drums pounding, firecrackers blazing; red flags waving, humanity surging like a tide! Just as the midday session concluded, before the crowds had fully dispersed, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly called out to Angelia.

"Girl, I need you to do something for me!" Zhong Shenxiu stated abruptly. Angelia looked up at Zhong Shenxiu, trying to discern a clue from his expression.

"Go and fetch that old man Gandalf for me!" Zhong Shenxiu said, his voice devoid of emotion. No one could guess what he was thinking at that moment.

What? Angelia's bright eyes snapped open, and her heart pounded a little faster.

To be honest, she felt a pang of sympathy for Gandalf's predicament and wondered what Zhong Shenxiu intended to do to him this time. "You aren't going?" Zhong Shenxiu looked up at Angelia.

Angelia flinched, then scurried off sheepishly. Zhong Shenxiu's words held more weight for her than any imperial decree!

Gandalf was currently conversing with the leaders of several other academies when he caught sight of Angelia approaching with a strange expression. Due to the large crowd, he couldn't spot Zhong Shenxiu and Robin!

To be frank, Gandalf held a favorable impression of Angelia, especially since she had shown him considerable kindness in the past, for which he was grateful. He quickly excused himself from the leaders and walked over to where Angelia stood.

Angelia stammered, somewhat reluctant to speak. "Student Angelia, what is wrong?

Is there some difficulty I can help you with?" Gandalf asked with a smile. "Um..." Angelia knew she had committed to the task and couldn't back out now.

She subtly gestured with her chin toward the direction of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, then managed, "He wants to see you." Though spoken simply, when Gandalf glimpsed Zhong Shenxiu's figure, he instantly understood! Because he understood, his body stiffened slightly.

He inwardly lamented: Heavens above, what divine spirit have I angered, that I must now encounter this little ancestor again? Despite his deep reluctance, Gandalf dared not refuse, having already experienced Zhong Shenxiu's methods and possessing an almost irresistible fear of him!

When the two arrived before Zhong Shenxiu, surprisingly to Angelia, she and Robin were left behind while Zhong Shenxiu led Gandalf away to another location. Where were they going?

Angelia truly could not figure it out, but luckily, not much time passed before Zhong Shenxiu and Gandalf returned! What baffled Angelia greatly was that Gandalf now wore an expression of sheer excitement, his mouth stretched wide in delight!

What on earth had happened?