[Ku Tong's Glasses-Side-Profile Persona]

School ended in a blink. He Wei and I parted ways at the gate. We’d been tight since middle school, but our homes lay in opposite directions—no walking together. Yet as I passed that familiar alley, over ten motorcycles blocked my path. Several sped behind me, cutting off retreat.

No need to guess: Yuan Ba had come calling.

The gorilla still wore his skin-tight tee, a snarling blue dragon tattoo coiled around his thick right arm. He glared at me, murder in his eyes. "Think signing a life-or-death pact then hiding for days makes me forget? You brat."

Good thing today’s me was reborn. I smirked inwardly, face calm. "What, another one-on-one like last time?"

"Oh? Got guts, punk."

Yuan Ba swung off his bike. A flick of his wrist sent his gangsters backing away, leaving us alone in the circle. Yuan Kui sat on a bike’s rear seat nearby, arm still in a cast, eyes burning with hate.

In those ten seconds, I’d already whispered *Stonehide Skin* under my breath and settled into stance. "I practice the Iron Shirt of ancient martial arts. Last time, I lost due to a training mishap. Now healed—I’ll let you strike first three times."

"What?!" Fury flared in Yuan Ba’s eyes. "Fine. Next year today’s your death anniversary!"

Yuan Kui suddenly called out, "Bro, be careful! This kid’s tough—I punched him before like hitting stone slabs!"

"Stone slabs? My Long-Armed Ape strength shatters five stacked bricks. Stone slabs? I’ll pulverize them!"

Yuan Ba lunged. His fist hadn’t landed yet, but the gale-force punch hit like a winter gale—making me doubt my magic for a split second. No time to dodge anyway.

*CRACK.* His fist slammed into my nosebridge. Momentum sent me stumbling back, crashing to the ground. I winced, rubbing my throbbing nose. Yuan Ba staggered backward too, staring in shock. His punching hand glowed red-hot, a trace of blood seeping through.

Wait—something was off. His shock wasn’t just from his injured fist. His eyes locked onto something else… *My glasses had fallen off!* His gaze grew stranger by the second, creeping me out. I snatched up my glasses, jammed them on, and bolted.

The gangsters moved to block me—but Yuan Ba roared, "Stand down! NOW!"

His authority was absolute. They scattered, letting me escape.

"Bro! Why let him run?!" Yuan Kui fumed. When I’d fallen, Yuan Ba’s bulk had hidden my face from the others.

Yuan Ba didn’t answer. He studied his bleeding knuckles, then stared after my fleeing figure, a slow, intrigued smile spreading.

---

I finally pulled my head out of my jacket after sprinting home. In the bathroom mirror, I peeled off the Skin Mask. Stunning. Flawless porcelain skin. Bright, lively eyes. My messy chin-length hair now framed a face radiating playful charm.

I’d seen it before—but still, it stole my breath. Even TV idols couldn’t match this perfection. Trouble was, Yuan Ba had clearly spotted the mask. This was bad.

Yet days passed in eerie calm. No one at school knew my secret. Yuan Kui’s broken fingers were already forgotten. Ordinary life had returned.

---

After class today, I chatted with He Wei—the "Hippo"—in the back row. He looked wilted, eyes glued to Xu Wanrou’s empty seat. "Ku, be real. Do I stand zero chance with the goddess all through high school?"

*Zero chance even after college,* I thought. Xu Wanrou had grades, connections—she’d marry some polished elite. Not nobodies like us. But I patted his shoulder. "Hippo, you’re a diamond in the rough. Ace exams, shed the weight, become a handsome guy—your shot’s wide open!"

He actually beamed. "My parents say I’ll be handsome when thin! Just too busy with Gaokao prep now. After exams, I’ll diet hard… then confess!"

*Sigh. Your parents were comforting you. You actually believed them?*

Hippo suddenly sniffed. "Ku, you wearing perfume lately?"

"Perfume? I’m a guy."

"But you smell amazing. Better than the girls."

"Get lost." I edged away.

"Seriously, Ku—after your injury, you changed. Skin’s suddenly porcelain-white. Face shape’s different. We’ve been buddies since middle school. Others might miss it, but not me."

Hippo was my brother—but I’d never tell him about magic. His loose lips might get me dissected by some government lab. I played dumb. "Studying too hard, Hippo? I look pale from being sick. No plastic surgery. You’re seeing things."

"Then why are you shorter?"

That stung. Two months ago, I’d been 171cm—barely clearing the "acceptable height" line. Now? 168cm after returning from that other world. "My old shoes had thick soles. These canvas ones are comfy. I’m still growing anyway."

Hippo frowned but lacked proof. He switched topics. "You really don’t have a crush?"

"No!" I lied smoothly.

"Seriously? We’re seventeen! Hormones raging!"

"High school’s for studying. I won’t let romance disappoint my parents or teachers." I sounded so righteous, he gave up.

I lied.

As a healthy seventeen-year-old guy who’d played gal games, of course I had a crush. Chen Jiayi. Petite, doll-faced, sitting in the front row. Every time I glanced at the blackboard, my eyes drifted to her swaying ponytail—like golden wheat fields in October’s breeze, soothing my soul.

Beauty’s subjective. Xu Wanrou was class queen, but girls like Chen Jiayi—the sweet, approachable type—were my taste. Easier to chase, maybe. Just a fantasy though. No courage to confess. This secret stayed buried.

During break today, Chen Jiayi chatted intimately with the girl beside her, giggling behind her hand. My heart fluttered. *What if I get closer?* Wait—that spellbook mentioned *Eavesdropping Magic*. Wind elements could carry distant voices to my ears. *Why not try?*

After whispering the incantation, classroom noise exploded like a bomb, rattling my eardrums. Gritting my teeth, I filtered the chaos for her voice:

"Jiayi, still meeting your boyfriend after school?"

"Shh! It’s a secret!"

"Come on—we’re sisters!"

"But if teachers find out…" She sighed. "I wanted to study, but he insisted on shopping. So clingy. I can’t say no."

"Heh—he’s crazy about you."

"N-no he’s not…"

*Ah… Jiayi’s voice is still so soft and sweet. A true soft-spoken girl. Just hearing it makes me happy. Magic really is amazing!*

Wait—what did she just say?

*Boyfriend?!*