Ye Xu lightly touched his neck and pulled out a small cube with a special magitech stone embedded on top. This item had the property of storing mana.
He remembered it was a simple, single-use magitech tool called a “messaging box.”
When activated, it released the stored mana in a specific frequency, creating vivid visual effects to display text and images.
Since it could only be used once, it was often employed for transmitting and preserving confidential information.
Ye Xu couldn’t recall when this messaging box had ended up in his storage item.
Thinking about it now, it was probably slipped in secretly by Lady Nal and the others while they were helping pack his luggage.
“Buzz~”
As Ye Xu activated it, a string of text materialized in the air before quickly fading away.
After reading the message, Ye Xu’s brows furrowed slightly.
The stored information was straightforward.
In essence, it was extremely difficult for House Nal alone to completely conceal Ye Xu’s whereabouts.
Of course, that was to be expected.
According to their agreement, under normal circumstances, Ye Xu was supposed to seek out Simar to fulfill his promise at least ten years later.
By then, Simar was confident he could at least rise to the rank of marquis.
But right now, that clearly wasn’t possible.
To honor his agreement with Ye Xu, Simar and the others had no choice but to collaborate with certain trustworthy parties.
That cutting-edge Magitech Knight had also been provided through channels from one of those partners.
Ye Xu admitted that only now learning about this came as a surprise.
But upon reflection, while unexpected, it made sense.
Even if they had told him directly, he wouldn’t have said much about it.
Since he trusted them, he wouldn’t suspect they meant him harm, and he believed in their judgment of people.
But…
Was it really necessary for them to go this far?
Flipping the messaging box over and examining the runes on the back, Ye Xu felt puzzled.
Its effect was simple too—it would automatically glow and heat up at a specific time to remind the holder of its presence.
Considering Simar’s personality and why he hadn’t chosen to inform Ye Xu in person before enrollment, Ye Xu couldn’t shake a strange sense of déjà vu.
—It was almost as if Simar thought that if Ye Xu knew about this in advance and the potential consequences, he would immediately settle old scores with him.
[Mother, up there…]
The Night God interrupted Ye Xu’s thoughts once more, directing his gaze toward the raised platform inside the grand hall.
The principal and the others had already ascended the platform, preparing to give their speeches.
But before the speeches began, as was customary, they introduced the major investor who had contributed to the academy this academic year and invited her onstage to express gratitude.
The next moment, a slender and striking figure in a female student uniform stepped out from behind and approached the front of the platform.
In that instant, a flicker of surprise crossed Ye Xu’s otherwise calm eyes.
The young woman on the platform had radiant golden hair and a pair of clear, sky-blue eyes.
Her proud expression and confident demeanor, paired with the small crown-shaped hair accessory atop her head, all proclaimed her identity without question.
Her self-introduction fully confirmed it.
“Hello, future classmates.”
“I am the princess of the Elze Kingdom,”
“Isisra Selan…”
The Elze Kingdom—a powerful nation comparable to the Ross Kingdom.
However, unlike the Ross Kingdom, where half its borders abutted the Endless Mountain Range,
even though it too was a border nation, only about 20% of the Elze Kingdom’s borders neared the frontier.
Moreover, it backed onto a vast inland sea, with thriving maritime trade, controlling a vital transportation hub for exchanges and commerce between the frontier and inland human nations.
Though its overall military strength was slightly inferior, in commerce and other areas, it undoubtedly far surpassed the Ross Kingdom.
And Isisra Selan was the only daughter of the current king—the sole princess, the undisputed next queen in line, wielding power and status beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Of course, Ye Xu would never show such shock over a mere princess.
What shocked him was that face.
Back then, the “little golden furball” who had worn that face had shared some rather unpleasant memories with him.
At the time, he and Navila were still in the border regions, searching for support for the rebel forces.
It was then that they rescued this haughty yet delicate little golden furball who had been ambushed in the wild.
Yet that girl showed no awareness of being the one saved.
Arrogant, rude, lacking the basic respect one should have for others, and constantly demanding that Ye Xu serve as her attendant.
So it didn’t take long for Ye Xu to start giving her the cold shoulder, until over a month later, when her family finally sent people to retrieve her.
Having endured that girl for a full month, Ye Xu naturally received a massive sum as compensation—providing the very first startup funds for the rebel army right after parting with Simar and the others. All things considered, it wasn’t a loss.
Compared to that little brat from back then, the current Isisra was vastly different.
She remained proud, but it stemmed more from the confidence born of deep foundations.
Composed and reserved, yet unable to conceal a dazzling brilliance like that of exquisite jewels—simply standing there made her seem like the center of the world.
If not for the fact that her facial features hadn’t changed much and her height had only grown from just over 1.4 meters to barely 1.5 meters,
Ye Xu probably never would have imagined that the little golden furball possessed such an exalted identity.
Most importantly…
Throughout her entire speech, that girl’s gaze remained fixed intently on him below the platform—the heat and intensity in those eyes made Ye Xu feel as if he were about to be set ablaze.
In just a single moment, Ye Xu understood exactly who Simar had meant by their “partner.”
“Ahem.”
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable under that stare, Ye Xu couldn’t help but recall how he had cold-shouldered and ignored the little golden furball…
No, Isisra.
Ye Xu held no lingering bias about what happened back then—after all, that huge payout was more than enough to soothe any resentment.
With that compensation, there was naturally no grudge between him and Isisra.
But now, the tables had turned.
He was the one under someone else’s roof, while Isisra had bestowed a favor upon him—now he owed her.
Ye Xu was certain that Isisra’s target was none other than himself.
Though he had no idea what her intentions were in coming here now.
Noble children were required to attend school, but that rule didn’t apply to royalty.
Given the little golden furball’s… no, given Isisra’s personality back then, she probably planned to take advantage of his current downfall to properly humiliate him at the academy, getting revenge for that old slight…
Right?
—If possible, Ye Xu hoped her goal really was just that simple.
“Excuse me, classmate.”
Ye Xu tapped the arm of the student beside him—who was excitedly blocking the way, thrilled that their year had such an outstanding crown heir like Isisra.
Then, under the puzzled gaze of the other, Ye Xu turned and headed out of the grand hall, intending to get some fresh air.
What he didn’t know was that those burning eyes followed him the entire time, until his figure completely vanished through the doorway.
[Um, Moth…]
Never mind.
The Night God had wanted to warn his clumsy mother, but after a moment’s thought, he decided against it.
If he mishandled a woman like that, she might actually end up becoming another “mother.” And if she ever found out he had meddled, he’d probably face retribution through pillow talk.
Personal matters like this were best left for Mother to handle herself.
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