Rolyn rubbed his forehead, still red from Qian Jin’s flick, and shook his head as he watched the departing figure take the money pouch. He secretly wondered why Qian Jin, a promising warrior student with considerable skill, lacked any sense of warrior's honor or awareness. Others were fighting tooth and nail for rankings, yet this man showed no desire to compete at all.

Qian Jin hurried back to the dormitory, the coin purse heavy in his hand. Buying bedsheets had become his second priority; the most critical matter now was that strange hat. He absolutely couldn't let anyone discover its oddity—it was safest to keep it on him at all times.

Taking three steps as if they were two, Qian Jin moved with wind beneath his feet. He quickly reached the dormitory, finding a golden-haired girl standing at the door, gently tapping the wood panel.

“The class beauty? Christine?”

Qian Jin was surprised. Why would this aloof woman, the only one to break into the top ten of the grade-level warrior rankings, be standing at his door today?

His quick pace halted abruptly. Qian Jin hesitated, wondering if he should temporarily avoid the room. He hadn't forgotten the chaos that had gripped the school recently as students across all grades fiercely contended for the so-called Top Ten spots. This woman, currently ranked third among the first-year warriors after breaking into the top ten overall, had challenged him more than once, only for each challenge to end up being used by Qian Jin as... well, specialized paper for his bathroom needs.

Currently, the Oakleigh Academy of Magic and Warriors had entered a near-frenzied state over the coveted observation slots and participation slots. Anyone with even a sliver of strength was embroiled in this scramble for qualifications.

Seeing this female warrior student, who challenged everyone, suddenly at his doorstep, Qian Jin couldn't help but suspect she was here because of the observation and substitute participation slots. The Oakleigh administration had a rule: defeating anyone in the top ten of a grade automatically increased one's points.

Qian Jin, the warrior widely regarded as one of the top ten in the grade, was, in many eyes, a massive, mobile source of points!

“Better hide nearby and wait for this woman to leave.”

Qian Jin turned and tiptoed swiftly toward the corridor turn. Suddenly, the door to a nearby room slid open, and the departing warrior student shut it with a slight bang that drew Christine’s attention.

“Qian Jin.”

A clear voice, laced with a touch of martial spirit, echoed down the male dormitory corridor. Qian Jin pretended not to hear and sped up his departure.

“Qian Jin… Qian Jin… Qian Jin…”

Christine noticed that with every call, Qian Jin’s pace increased slightly, feigning deafness as he tried to leave.

“Trying to run?” Christine frowned, breaking into a light jog to pursue him. “Qian Jin, stop hiding. I know you heard me call.”

The sudden sound of a woman shouting in the quiet male dormitory caused the warriors in other rooms to open their doors and emerge. Soon, the corridor was lined with many male warrior students. Even with Qian Jin’s thick skin, he could only stop under the public gaze, turning back to face Christine as she caught up, looking helpless.

“Why are you running? Afraid I’ll eat you?”

Christine’s sapphire-blue eyes flashed with annoyance. Hands planted firmly on her slender waist, her fire-red fitted warrior uniform accentuated her not-yet-fully-developed chest, making it appear high and prominent. She immediately became the focus of every male gaze. Even at this age, her figure was leaning toward sultry; it was hard to imagine how devastatingly beautiful and sexy she would become in the future.

Qian Jin felt numerous envious and jealous glances from the other dorm rooms. He felt deeply annoyed, muttering inwardly: anyone interested can swap places with me; I wouldn't mind.

Christine strode toward Qian Jin, her tall frame lending an extra hint of allure as she moved. Many male warrior students couldn't help but swallow hard. If it weren't for her immense strength, and the fact that she had been enrolled for less than a year—not yet time for the next campus beauty election—the title of Oakleigh Academy’s Beauty might have changed hands already.

Leaning against the outer wall of the dormitory, Qian Jin looked at Christine, who held the titles of both class beauty and grade beauty. “What is it? If you’re looking for a duel, forget it. Don’t worry, I have no interest in fighting you for that trash substitute spot.”

Christine stopped directly in front of Qian Jin, her eyes flickering with incomprehension and doubt. For almost any first-year student at any Warrior or Magic Academy, participating in the Four Seas Heroes Assembly was a point of pride; even securing an observation spot earned envy. Why did this person look so completely uninterested? Moreover, he seemed to look down on even the substitute spot—did he only care about the main roster spot?

The main roster? Christine shook her head. Perhaps only the most outstanding geniuses from prestigious schools, or young warriors with deep-rooted warrior lineage families, or disciples of powerful mages, would have such opportunities.

Qian Jin worried about his hat. Looking at Christine’s rapidly changing pretty face, he asked, “Do you have something else?”

Christine snapped out of her reverie, sighing at Qian Jin’s apparent lack of fighting spirit expected of a warrior. “I’m not here to challenge you to a duel this time. Teacher Rodriguez is looking for you; he wants you to go see him now.”

“Teacher Rodriguez wants to see me?” Qian Jin felt a flicker of curiosity. Rodriguez always addressed people directly during class; there was no precedent for him seeking someone out privately. What was going on today?

Christine became even more curious at Qian Jin’s surprise. It seemed even the person involved, Qian Jin, didn’t know the reason behind Teacher Rodriguez’s proactive move, as the teacher never usually sought private conversations.

“I understand.” Qian Jin waved his hand and brushed past Christine, quickly heading back toward the dormitory. He secretly resolved to hide the hat under his bed before going to see Teacher Rodriguez.

Christine watched Qian Jin’s retreating back as he walked toward the dorm and called out loudly, “Teacher Rodriguez is still waiting for you.”

Qian Jin, still facing away from Christine, raised his hand high and waved. “Got it, I’ll be there shortly.”

“The teacher is looking for him?” Rolyn’s head peeked around the corner of the corridor, watching Qian Jin’s final silhouette before entering the dorm. He muttered softly in surprise, “Did the teacher hear the news so quickly?”

Christine casually asked Rolyn, who was nearby, “What news?”

“Oh? The class beauty?” Rolyn grinned, stepping closer, a look of immense pride plastered on his face as he spoke smugly, “You don’t know yet? Qian Jin just won an arm-wrestling match and took down Rudy! I bet Teacher Rodriguez is looking for him because of that!”

“Rudy? That brute Rudy?” C