As soon as the two entered Holy Eton Academy, they drew sidelong glances from many students.
Lyn’s black hair, handsome features, and dark eyes flecked with crimson—along with Xing Luo beside him, her silver hair gleaming—were impossible to ignore.
Especially after recognizing Lyn, gazes pierced them with mixed emotions: coldness, wariness, disdain, disgust… Not a single look held friendliness.
Xing Luo sensed those stares too.
“Master, why are they looking at us like this?”
“Because I am a Belmond.”
Lyn was used to it.
The name Belmond alone made these students both envious and fearful; to them, it meant a demonic legacy.
He and Beryl were among the few Belmonds who studied outside.
Not to mention, before his enrollment, his sister had spent a year here, leaving a notorious reputation.
Now his younger brother had enrolled—a failure stuck below the third tier. It was only natural that hidden emotions surfaced.
Besides, on the carriage ride here, Lyn had passed time reading web novels about overpowered protagonists to gather sin points for envy and greed. He’d seen countless scenes where the MC was targeted. These people merely staring, without attacking, was far more peaceful.
Most importantly, being stared at had benefits.
Lyn lifted his chin slightly, returning their gazes with a haughty sniff. Instantly, the system chimed:
Arrogance +1!
They’re back. All of them.
My sin points collectors.
But the “Arrogance +1” only appeared once, surprising Lyn. He scanned the area and realized the academy was emptier than usual. Normally, he’d collect over two points easily.
Lyn didn’t dwell on it. Seeing Xing Luo’s half-confused expression, he ruffled her hair and led her deeper inside.
Holy Eton Academy catered to nobles, its grounds exquisitely elegant. Lush, neatly trimmed lawns stretched everywhere. Flocks of pure white birds rested on the grass or preened at the pristine fountain pools.
Wide paths paved with white and red pebble-like stones led to ancient buildings. To Lyn, they resembled medieval structures from his past life, housing solemn halls like those of the Church.
These buildings held deep histories—some for ordinary classes, others for supernatural ones. But Lyn had learned nearly all he could. He no longer needed to waste time on lessons.
After all, he’d spent almost three years here and was nearing graduation.
Since it was Xing Luo’s first visit, Lyn showed her around.
Walking shaded paths, cherry blossom petals in snowy white fluttered around them. A gentle breeze sent them swirling like fresh snow, carrying a refreshing fragrance.
Some landed on Xing Luo’s hat. Lyn plucked one off and waved it before her, offering it.
Xing Luo stared at him with wide eyes, then suddenly—
*Munch.*
She gobbled the petal and sucked his finger into her mouth.
“You little rascal…” Lyn sighed, half-amused. “That’s not food.”
Xing Luo blinked, licked her lips as if savoring it. “Not food? But it tasted good.”
Helplessly, Lyn pinched her cheek. Xing Luo giggled, “Hehe,” and hugged his arm. They strolled past the main buildings until Lyn stopped before the academy’s most important structure—the best-preserved and tallest tower.
A white round tower, smooth as ivory, spiraled upward with intricate patterns. It narrowed toward the top.
This was the Sage Tower, once as famed as the Divine Grace Tower in the Imperial Capital.
Now, it held only ancient history and solemn depth, no longer radiating glory. Holy Eton Academy hadn’t produced a true sage in far too long.
Both the Dawnstar Trial slots Lyn sought and advanced Meditation Techniques were tied to this tower.
But entry required solitude. Lyn needed someone to watch Xing Luo first.
He had few friends; only one junior here could help.
Lyn hadn’t contacted her earlier. He knew she spent most time in the Potion lab, especially during experiment hours. He and Xing Luo had wandered deliberately, waiting for that period to end.
He didn’t want to disrupt her plans.
After circling the academy and judging the time right, Lyn took out his communication crystal and messaged his reliable junior.
At that moment, in a dim room within the academy’s Potion lab area—
A slender yet voluptuous girl struggled to place a basket of Potions on a lab table. She wore the academy’s uniform short skirt. Her skin was pure as fresh snow, her face lovely and delicate. Her silky cherry-blossom pink hair seemed to tint the air around her with a bewitching hue, like a bud about to bloom.
Yet this beauty appeared shy; her captivating eyes held traces of fragility and timidity.
But as she gazed at the basket of purplish-red Potions, pink bubbles fizzing endlessly, her pupils—reminiscent of peach blossom marks—flickered with unusual light.
“With these Potions… it’s enough,” she murmured softly. Her fair cheeks flushed as if drunk.
Suddenly, a vibration startled her. She trembled but quickly pulled out the communication crystal linked only to her senior.
“Great… Senior Lyn has returned to the academy?” she whispered, gripping the crystal tightly. Her watery gaze drifted to the pile of Potions on the table.
