Chapter 35: Imperial Magic Academy

That night passed quietly.

Staying at a slightly more upscale inn really made a difference; it was much more comfortable than the previous places.

Li Xian slept soundly throughout the night.

But the only flaw was that the next morning didn’t start off well.

That foolish girl, Sara, somehow kicked off the quilt during the night.

Although before sleeping, Li Xian had insisted she wear her underwear, she seemed uncomfortable in the middle of the night.

Half-asleep, she tried to take it off but probably got too tired and fell asleep halfway through the task.

As a result, the small pink garment was hanging from one of her feet, and one hand seemed to be trying to pull off the cloth covering her chest but failed—her hand still resting there.

Her cherry-colored long hair was disheveled from sleep.

Her other slender arm had somehow stretched into Li Xian’s quilt, unable to grab her clothes, she held onto the blanket tightly instead.

Watching this, Li Xian felt both annoyed and helpless.

Seeing her so deeply asleep, Li Xian couldn’t help but reach out and gently scratch her nose.

“You were so determined last night, saying you’d wake me up this morning…” 

His gaze shifted downward, landing on the roughly palm-sized pattern on her flat, fair belly.

It wasn’t deep red or vivid, but rather a subtle marking that lent an unusual beauty to her otherwise slender frame, adding an alluring touch.

“Get up, stop sleeping…” After watching her for a few seconds, Li Xian averted his eyes, shook her gently, and woke her.

Although Li Xian was the host, it took considerable effort just to get this girl awake.

Seeing her dazed expression, unwilling to waste time, he had to fix her hair.

Of course, after straightening it, to bring her fully out of her half-dreamy state, a traditional method was unavoidable.

“Slap—!” The crisp sound of a palm striking soft flesh marked the end of this morning.

***
After freshening up, Li Xian opened the door and stepped out, only to see the two lemon-faced idiots from last night standing outside his room, staring this way.

Their rooms weren’t far apart, and the suggestive noises from earlier were hard to hide…

The two clearly saw Sara hiding behind Li Xian.

Having just been spanked and now under their gaze, her face flushed bright red, looking fresh and dewy from good sleep.

Their looks had long since moved past jealousy to something bordering on hostility, which made Li Xian feel a bit smug.

He pulled Sara closer, draped his arm around her shoulders, and headed out.

The inn had a dedicated dining area with a generous, varied breakfast, free for all guests.

Li Xian found a good spot with Sara, casually picked some appealing snacks, and started eating at leisure.

Not long after sitting down, he spotted the two blockheads again.

They grabbed some food too, then, as if by unspoken agreement, sat directly opposite him.

Sara looked a little scared, shrinking back and becoming careful with every bite, resembling a tiny hamster.

“Anything you want?” Li Xian looked at them calmly and asked.

“Hmph.” The one called Vick, the Warrior of the pair, snorted in obvious displeasure but didn’t act rashly.

After sitting, he switched to asking, “Since we’re meeting here… you’re here for the Imperial Magic Academy Entrance Examination as well?”

Though he said “you,” his eyes were clearly fixed on Sara, which left her flustered and fumbling to clutch Li Xian’s clothes.

“Imperial Magic Academy?” Li Xian raised an eyebrow.

Come to think of it, that was indeed the case.

It was the Empire’s highest institution and seemed to be recruiting recently.

The news had spread widely.

Even someone like him, who wasn’t interested at all, had heard of it.

After all, this was the Empire’s top academy.

Getting in basically meant never having to worry about the future.

Those who graduated smoothly would have bright prospects; the outstanding could become generals or join the Warriors Association or Mages Association.

Some even served in the Imperial Guard.

Many of the Empire’s legendary Six Great Ace Magicians had come from the Imperial Magic Academy.

Such a prestigious institution held its Entrance Examination once every three years, naturally stirring the entire Empire into a frenzy.

The Imperial Magic Academy was unquestionably the dream destination for all young people in the Empire.

Countless children had been training hard since they could remember, all for the chance to study there one day.

Yet Li Xian had zero interest.

What good was the highest academy if it meant suffering through boring classes every day?

He had no fondness for a dull, restricted life.

But clearly, the two were not interested in Li Xian.

In their minds, he was just a spineless nobody who couldn’t possibly enter the Imperial Magic Academy.

Sara, however, was different.

At her age, with such strength, getting into the Imperial Magic Academy was a sure thing.

Just showing up to register would guarantee admission.

Talents like her were even sought after by the academy itself, who would do their best to recruit her to study there.

Such a genius shouldn’t waste her life on a petty pretty boy like Li Xian.

Her future was destined for something far more brilliant.

“Sara, Miss Sara, you’re here for the Imperial Magic Academy Entrance Examination, right?” Vick stared at her so intensely she felt flustered and instinctively snuggled closer to Li Xian.

“I…” Sara was stunned, looking at Li Xian, unsure how to answer.

Li Xian was silent for a moment, gave her a reassuring stroke on the head, then turned back to the two and asked, “So… you two are here for that Entrance Examination too?”