Chapter 51: Yi Laisi’s Secret

Today formal classes begin…’

Mann walked along the road to school, his mind continually assessing the current situation.

Father was still in the Royal Capital. It would be some time before he returned to the territory.

And there was still no news from the territory, though that was already the best news possible.

The Griffin Mercenary Corps stationed in Matthews Territory had also been quiet. Could it be that he had been overthinking things and misjudged Kris?

‘I still feel his motives aren’t pure… I hope my instincts are wrong…’

‘As for the Heretic God Sect, they stole the Elf Race’s treasure, acquired so many magical weapons, and even deployed a Divine Emissary… even a fool could tell these bastards are planning something big in this city.’

‘Right, I need to deal with those lunatics first.’

Lost in thought, he stepped through the school gate. But just then, a crowd rushed up and surrounded him.

Aside from Yi Laisi, all the teachers who had conducted the new student tests yesterday were there. The rest were mostly students from his year or a few years above him.

“You’re Mann Matthews, right? How about considering studying under me?”

“Ridiculous! What benefits would he get from you? With his strong physique, he should come to my side instead!”

The teachers bickered back and forth, showing no signs of backing down.

“So this is the newcomer who tied with that top-ranked student? Truly exceptional.”

“He’s got good looks too, fine features… Ever thought about marrying into a family?”

Faced with the crowd’s sudden enthusiasm, Mann felt a bit overwhelmed.

If he had known this would happen today, he would never have made that scene yesterday no matter what.

Seeing more and more people gathering, Mann just wanted to escape quickly. But he clearly underestimated them. Dodging and weaving, he was eventually forced into a corner, trembling.

It wasn’t until an elderly woman arrived that the commotion began to subside.

“All this noise—aren’t you afraid of making a spectacle?”

With her arrival, everyone fell silent and wisely made a path.

The moment he saw her, Mann froze.

Principal Fei Si? She actually came? And… her mana reserves are terrifying, almost on par with Sophien!

“You’re Mann?”

She walked straight over.

“I’ve heard quite a bit of buzz about you around the school lately.”

She gave Mann a quick once-over and nodded in satisfaction.

“Not bad. If you have no weaknesses in the magical department, you’d be perfect. You’re a good prospect.”

“Um… so did you come to see me personally because there’s something you want me to do?”

Not understanding the situation, Mann could only probe carefully.

“You misunderstand.”

The old woman said flatly.

“Yesterday, your teacher Yi Laisi gave up teaching you. So as compensation, today you can choose any class to join. This is a privilege only offered to outstanding students like you. Choose wisely, alright?”

“Any class?”

‘So that’s why so many people surrounded me today!’

‘But why did Yi Laisi kick me out for no reason? I didn’t offend her, did I?’

Mann looked around. Every teacher whose gaze he met was frantically signaling him.

After a long pause, he finally spoke quietly. “Then I’ll choose Teacher Yi Laisi.”

He hadn’t done anything wrong, yet he was treated like this. There was no way he could swallow that.

‘Hmph, I’ll see what she has to say for herself!’

Setting his mind, Mann announced his choice.

“Oh? Interesting. Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

At these words, the surrounding teachers looked disappointed but had no choice.

“Alright, all of you, disperse.”

“As for you…”

After sending everyone away, she turned to Mann. “Go back to class for now.”

Soon after, Mann returned to Yi Laisi’s classroom. But there wasn’t a single student inside, and she was lying listlessly on the podium, unsure if she was asleep.

“Hey! Teacher Yi Laisi?”

The familiar voice made her body jolt in fright. She turned around and saw that it really was Mann.

“You… what are you doing here? Aren’t you no longer in this class?”

“Too bad. I told the principal I wanted to stay with you.”

Mann said as he slowly approached. Their distance grew closer.

“…You… don’t come over!”

Yi Laisi reacted exactly like the other day. She raised her wand at him, looking as if facing a great enemy.

Though the motion, combined with her oversized hat, looked rather ridiculous.

“So, care to explain, Teacher Yi Laisi? Your reason for this?”

“You… you still acknowledge me as your teacher?”

“That depends on what you have to say.”

Mann stood his ground like a needle against a thread, not giving an inch. Even if she tried to change the subject, it wouldn’t work. He was determined to figure out what was going on in this woman’s head today.

“In… in any case, step back first…”

“Oh? Like this?”

Mann took a symbolic few steps back.

Then, he felt a violent gust of wind blow toward him, and the classroom door slammed shut in an instant.

Seeing her attack succeed, Yi Laisi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Now he’ll back off, won’t he?”

“Sorry to disappoint you… I’m afraid you’ll be let down.”

The voice suddenly came from behind her. Before she could react, Mann grabbed her head and pinned her down firmly.

“I just wanted an explanation. Why does it have to be like this? I really don’t get you…”

“Let go… of me!”

No matter how hard she struggled, Mann’s hand remained unmoving.

“How can I talk if you’re like this?”

‘Hey, she’s got a point!’

“Then you have to promise you won’t suddenly attack me!”

“I… promise.”

Mann gradually released his force, and Yi Laisi slowly sat up.

But just as Mann’s hand hadn’t fully withdrawn, she grabbed it and bit down hard.

This sudden action gave Mann quite a fright.

“Hey! That hurts!… Are you a dog? And you already forgot your promise?”

Mann struggled with all his might and finally broke free.

Looking at his reddened hand from the bite, he kept blowing on it.

“At first I thought I just hated your eerie aura, but now I’m sure. What I hate most is your frivolity!”

“Hey hey! That’s going too far. What’s so eerie about my aura?”

Before he finished, Mann realized something was wrong. Normally, the Evil God Aura on him shouldn’t be detectable.

“How can you sense that aura? How do you do it?”

Seeing Mann suddenly turn serious, Yi Laisi involuntarily swallowed.

“Wh… what? I’m naturally sensitive to auras. Is there a problem?”

‘Sensitive to auras… Demihuman Race? Or Elf Race?’

‘But why isn’t this mentioned in the Original Novel? And if she’s a demihuman, how could Sophien take her into her party?’

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about…?”

Mann didn’t waste any more words. In an instant, he appeared in front of Yi Laisi and brushed aside her hair.

A long, pointed ear poked out from where he had parted her hair.

“Just as I thought…”

Yi Laisi’s face turned bright red instantly. But quickly realizing what had happened, she channeled her mana and pushed Mann away.

As her hair fell back, the ear retracted on its own.

“Since you’ve seen it… I have no choice but to kill you here…”

“Before that, how about hearing me out before you decide?”

Facing her murderous intent, Mann spoke calmly.

“If my guess is right, you came out this time to look for the Armor of Time, didn’t you?”