Chapter 46: Now an “Old Peach Bun” Forum Member

“Ma—Master… Li Xian!”

The moment Li Xian returned, Sara, who had been waiting in the alley for quite some time, immediately dashed out and hurried to his side.

After Li Xian broke in through the window, she had been intently watching that spot the entire time, and naturally, she had faintly heard the sounds of a fight, which left her somewhat uneasy.

Only when she saw Li Xian come out did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She didn’t ask any questions, but habitually grabbed the hem of his clothes.

“Let’s go back.” Li Xian patted Sara’s head, glanced once more at the desolate tavern before them, and then turned to leave with her.

***

By evening, Li Xian returned to the inn and paid another day’s rent.

This might very well be the last day he had to pay rent.

Back in his familiar room, he lay on the bed, but his mood was heavy.

It was naturally related to what had happened earlier that day.

From that young girl, he had sensed a weight—a burden beneath her almost mechanical smile that he couldn’t easily shake off.

And the coffee shop issue…

Without a suitable location, it simply couldn’t get off the ground.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Li Xian slowly drifted into sleep, wrapped in a faint sense of fatigue.

***

The morning of the third day arrived, the day of the second-round examination.

So early on, Li Xian dragged Sara out of bed and took her to the inn’s dining area.

As he settled down, he noticed the young duo walking and chatting nearby.

“Did you hear? At the exam two days ago, there were two geniuses whose Elemental Affinity reached Excellent Grade!”

“What a pity we left early and didn’t get to see it ourselves. I heard one of them even had dual attributes at Excellent Grade!”

“They say the two are together—a boy and a girl. Tsk tsk…” Light, dressed as a mage, said as he shook his head, an unmistakable tone of envy radiating from him.

“Maybe we’ll see them today?” Vick said, carrying his food and sitting down, his face a mix of curiosity and challenge.

Both of them had Excellent Grade Elemental Affinities and could be counted among the geniuses, but compared to Excellent Grade, they seemed dull and lackluster.

Vick was eager to see what these so-called Excellent Grade geniuses looked like and how they surpassed him.

Unconsciously, he looked up ahead and immediately spotted Sara struggling with her food—and naturally, Li Xian standing beside her, now looking back at them.

Li Xian smiled at them, a smile that only made Vick feel more displeased.

Light, noticing Vick’s odd expression, followed his gaze and also saw Li Xian and Sara.

After finishing his meal, Light approached the two, his expression clearly displeased, and his annoyance was clearly directed at Li Xian.

“By the way, did Miss Sara attend the Imperial Magic Academy exam?”

This matter was important to him; otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered coming over.

“Eh?” Sara, still immersed in her breakfast, suddenly heard her name called and looked up.

Seeing the somewhat familiar face before her, she glanced at Li Xian first before hesitantly nodding.

“Oh?” Light raised an eyebrow.

“How was the result?”

Miss Sara should have Excellent Grade Elemental Affinity, right?

Otherwise, how could she be a mid-level warrior at such a young age?

As for the Excellent Grade above that… Light had thought about it.

After all, the young girl before him was clearly younger than him by several years but already stronger.

It was plausible she could be an Excellent Grade.

But the rumors said what?

The two geniuses with Excellent Grade Elemental Affinity were a pair—a boy and a girl.

There was a boy and girl here as well, but to say that coward was also an Excellent Grade genius?

Even if Light swallowed Vick whole, he wouldn’t believe it!

“Uh… well…” Sara stammered, “I think… It went okay.”

“So Miss Sara is going to the exam again today?” Light suddenly perked up.

“Yeah.” Sara nodded.

“Perfect timing—we’re going too. How about joining us, Miss Sara?”

As he spoke, Light glanced at Li Xian, as if certain Li Xian wouldn’t be participating.

Li Xian was truly exasperated.

Although he knew they probably misunderstood something, he didn’t feel like explaining.

But seriously, is it okay to just offer your face to get hit like this?

“Uh? Well…” Sara looked over at Li Xian again, confused, clearly unsure how to answer.

“Then let’s go together.” Li Xian said with a casual smile.

When someone offers their face, how can you not hit it?

His words stunned Light and Vick.

What did he mean?

Light hadn’t actually expected it to happen; he just wanted to mock that coward.

But he actually agreed?

Could it be…

“Anyway, I’m taking Sara to the exam. Since we’re going the same way, might as well go together. I was worried about running into trouble on the road, so this puts my mind at ease.”

However, Li Xian’s words immediately put them at ease again.

Well, he was just a coward; how could he possibly have the qualifications to take today’s exam?

He probably didn’t even know Miss Sara’s true strength.

But at the same time, their anger only grew.

Look at what he said.

‘Look at his useless appearance. How could he be worthy of Miss Sara? And yet she was so devoted to him… It was an outrage against heaven and earth!’

While they were speaking, Sara resumed eating her breakfast with full focus.

Once the girl had finally filled her stomach, the four of them left the inn together and set off.

“By the way, Miss Sara, where do you plan to stay afterward? The inn? Or the Academy?” On the way, Light couldn’t help but ask.

“Probably the Academy. No dorm fees, and the environment is much better than an ordinary inn…” Vick added, their voices now in sync.

Their thoughts were simple: That pretty boy definitely couldn’t live in the Academy.

If Miss Sara lived there, she’d inevitably stay far away from him.

Over time, seeing their excellence, would she still look at a useless pretty boy like him?

That would be their chance.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Light smiled smugly.

Just a pretty boy—how could he compare to someone with Elemental Affinity at the very top of Excellent Grade like himself?

Li Xian, roughly guessing what they were thinking, just shrugged indifferently, unwilling to pay them any mind.

Heh, now an “Old Peach Bun” forum member…