It was the day of Lu Ri. Zhong Shenxiu, Robin, and Keni were up early, wandering the streets without a set destination, just going wherever the road took them!

As expected of the "Capital City," Zhong Shenxiu actually encountered the legendary "Beastmen" here!

These "Beastmen" were distinctly different from ordinary humans. The most obvious difference, aside from their faces, was the thick hair growing on their arms and necks. Furthermore, their eyes differed greatly from humans; some were blue, others pale yellow. Their fingernails were also incredibly sharp, resembling miniature, keen blades.

To better familiarize himself with the area, Zhong Shenxiu purchased a local map.

After strolling for a while longer, they went to find Wayne and the others.

Zhong Shenxiu had no intention of continuing to coach Wayne and the group. Before the "Royal Tournament" commenced, he instructed everyone to focus on recuperation, ensuring their condition was optimal. Daily training intensity should not be excessive.

With the strength they possessed now, Wayne and the others had long surpassed the scope of mere "students." In the last two years, their progress had reached unimaginable heights for ordinary people!

In the "Capital City," there were five major academies: the "Guanyu Magic and Martial Arts Academy," the "Yamei Magic and Martial Arts Academy," the "Jilunsamo Magic and Martial Arts Academy," the "Juyi Magic and Martial Arts Academy," and the "Wuxing Magic and Martial Arts Academy!"

What the group planned to do today was visit these five academies in turn, especially the top-ranked "Guanyu Magic and Martial Arts Academy," which was hosting this year's "Royal Tournament!"

The distance between the academies was considerable; they likely wouldn't manage to see them all in one day. After a brief consideration, Zhong Shenxiu decided they should start by visiting the fifth-ranked "Wuxing Magic and Martial Arts Academy."

Cherie enthusiastically agreed with this suggestion because her brother attended that very academy. She was eager to give him a surprise!

The "Wuxing Magic and Martial Arts Academy" was an open institution; anyone was permitted to enter and tour. The academy's ability to maintain this openness was intrinsically linked to its formidable strength.

The "Wuxing Magic and Martial Arts Academy" had no fear of trouble-makers, as this was, after all, the capital of the "Winter Moon Empire," where few dared to cause wanton disturbances. Moreover, the academy's own security measures were excellent—outwardly relaxed but internally stringent.

Zhong Shenxiu's party entered with ease, encountering no resistance whatsoever.

The academy was vast, making it difficult to estimate how many times larger it was than the "Homebody Magic and Martial Arts Academy." It would likely take more than a day or two for Zhong Shenxiu and his group to explore the entire campus.

After walking for quite some time, they encountered many students coming and going, each possessing an extraordinary bearing. Finally, Zhong Shenxiu's group stopped at a pavilion.

"Keni-jie, can you wait for me here for a moment? I'm going to see my brother!" Cherie said to Keni with a slight air of coquetry.

"Mm, go ahead!" Keni was quite agreeable.

Cherie smiled, then skipped away joyfully.

Wayne and the others gazed at the frolicking students in the distance, unconsciously comparing it to their own student lives. Meanwhile, Gandalf and the rest stared blankly at the surrounding architecture, lost in thought. For a time, no one spoke much, and the pavilion settled into a quiet stillness!

After a while, Cherie rushed back, looking flustered.

"Cherie, why are you back so soon?" Keni inquired.

"Keni-jie, it seems my brother's class is currently having a friendly spar with another class. I wanted to invite you all to watch," Cherie said, slightly out of breath.

"Oh, is that so?" Keni smiled.

Zhong Shenxiu, standing nearby, seemed to have piqued his interest, asking, "Where is it?"

Cherie looked a bit embarrassed. "I forgot to ask. As soon as I heard my brother’s class was sparring with another, I ran right back here!"

In preparation for this year's "Royal Tournament," the students at the "Wuxing Magic and Martial Arts Academy" were highly motivated. Sparring matches between classes like this happened frequently, and the academy strongly encouraged them. It not only fostered competitive spirit among the students but also allowed them to gauge the students' current levels of strength at any time!

These class-versus-class spars were never without stakes. The losing side was required to spend money to buy prizes for the winning side!

It was precisely because of these stakes that the competition became so fierce!

When Zhong Shenxiu and his group arrived at the sparring site, the area was already encircled by a dense crowd, making it hard to push through.

The battle seemed to be nearing its end. As a cheer erupted, the surrounding crowd gradually dispersed.

Cherie's sharp eyes immediately spotted a somewhat disheveled Norwen!

"Second Brother!" Cherie waved her arms and called out.

With so many people and the chaotic atmosphere, Norwen couldn't hear Cherie's voice. Even if he had, he wouldn't have believed it was meant for him!

Cherie then managed to squeeze through the crowd, approaching Norwen, and playfully patted his back. "Second Brother, I've come to see you."

Norwen turned around, and upon seeing Cherie—

"Cherie? You... why are you here?"

Since Cherie had undergone secret training to prepare for the "Royal Tournament," she had rarely returned home. Moreover, she hadn't seen Norwen for over a year, which was why her sudden appearance startled him so much!

"You didn't expect this, did you!" Cherie giggled. Her expression immediately changed as she asked, "Second Brother, are you hurt?"

Norwen's face suddenly flushed red; he hadn't expected his current state of disarray to be witnessed by Cherie. He had indeed sustained a minor injury in the recent bout—one suffered after a tough fight against his opponent!

Without waiting for Norwen to reply, Cherie suddenly cast a Light-element Healing Spell. With astonishing speed, she healed the injuries on Norwen's body!

Norwen's eyes widened, and he stared at Cherie in disbelief. That healing spell just now was extraordinary, clearly different from the usual "Light-element Healing Spell." Both the speed and the effect were astonishing!

Norwen had witnessed Cherie's Light magic before, but never anything this miraculous. How could she have changed so much in just over a year? Was this really his sister?

"Second Brother, what's wrong? Does anything else still hurt?" Cherie asked, looking puzzled.

The healing spell she had just cast was taught to her by Zhong Shenxiu. In her estimation, it should have easily healed her brother's injuries, yet she was surprised to see Norwen frozen in a daze!

"Cherie, what magic was that you just cast? What level?" Norwen asked with a serious expression.

This was the first time he had personally experienced magic so wondrous. The profound sensation even seemed to restore his depleted stamina; he suddenly felt abnormally energetic, as if he had taken an adrenaline stimulant.

What frustrated him most was that Cherie only offered a mysterious smile before saying, "It's a secret. I can't tell you."

Ugh! Hiding things from your own brother? Why be so guarded?

Norwen was about to press the issue further, but an accidental glance caught sight of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin!

Although Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were not particularly tall, their position was slightly elevated, allowing Norwen to spot them easily!

Good heavens! Norwen almost cried out in shock!

He thought to himself: Why are these two kids at our academy? Am I seeing things?

"Hey, Norwen, who is this beautiful young lady standing next to you?" Several of Norwen's classmates crowded closer. They had been observing Cherie for quite some time, especially impressed by the Light magic she had just used!

They even wondered how much their combat strength would increase if they had a mage like her on their team during the "Royal Tournament!"

However, what intrigued them even more was how familiar this girl seemed with Norwen, and they noticed a slight resemblance. After some quick deduction, they realized she must be Norwen’s sister!

"Hello everyone, I am my brother's sister!" Cherie greeted them generously!

"Haha, you must be Cherie. Your brother often mentions you. If you hadn't said so, we might have thought you were Norwen's new girlfriend!"

New girlfriend? Cherie blinked, then turned to Norwen, asking curiously, "Brother, you have a girlfriend? Why haven't you ever mentioned her?"

Norwen had been deep in thought about Zhong Shenxiu and Robin but hadn't expected his mischievous friends to approach at this moment. Now, he had no mood for joking, but since Cherie asked, he couldn't avoid answering, so he brushed it off: "No, don't listen to their nonsense."

So, Cherie turned back to Norwen's classmates, her expression seeming to ask, 'Who should I believe?'

"We weren't clear just now. Your brother really doesn't have a girlfriend yet; it's just one-sided affection. He’s been pursuing her for over a year, but she still ignores him. Poor guy," one friend lamented.

Norwen’s face turned green with anger. This was the very topic he least wished to discuss, yet these shameless, treacherous friends had blurted it out without reservation. How could he maintain any authority in front of Cherie now? His reputation for this lifetime was ruined by their loose mouths!

"Oh?" Cherie’s interest was immediately piqued. "Brother, you have such a glorious history! Who is this person you’ve been chasing for over a year?"

"She’s the famous campus beauty of our academy, nicknamed the 'Ice Rose.' If you have any ability, you should help your brother out! We’re anxious seeing him repeatedly try and fail, but we can only stand by helplessly," the friends continued to make light of the situation.

"Ice Rose?" Cherie pondered for a moment. "That's a strange name. What does she look like?"

"Ah, speak of the devil and she shall appear... though I guess there was no Cao Cao in that era. Sigh, look!" One person pointed his hand toward the distance. "That’s our academy’s famous 'Ice Rose'!"

Following the direction of his finger, they indeed saw an ethereal and refined woman walking toward them!