In truth, everyone possessed some degree of magical talent—or rather, what people called "magical affinity" was simply how well one resonated with the world’s ambient magic.

This was merely one factor determining magical prowess. Every person had at least a trace of affinity with magic.

Zero affinity simply didn’t exist.

Yet it was equally true that some individuals’ affinity was pitifully low.

Take Zhang Yemiao, for instance. Her affinity with every elemental magic hovered around five or six percent. Put simply, her mana absorption efficiency was over ten times weaker than Zou Moan’s, whose affinity scores hit eighty. Consequently, Zou Moan expended far less mana casting the same spell.

Her magical talent was plain for all to see.

Unlike Zou Moan’s uniformly high elemental affinities—or Zhang Yemiao’s uniformly low ones—Wang Qi’s magic affinity was lopsided. His affinity with "Dark" element was exceptionally high, radiating protagonist vibes that seriously annoyed Zhang Yemiao.

Fortunately, this world held little prejudice against Dark magic. Though the church they’d just visited favored Light, Dark was indispensable. They’d also learned not every city’s church worshipped the Light Deity—some served Deities of Darkness.

"If you enroll in our academy, you’ll qualify for the Imperial Genius Scholarship," the tester said, gazing at Zou Moan with clear admiration. High affinity in one element was common; high affinity across all elements marked a true genius.

No one here believed mastering multiple elements scattered one’s focus. Lifespans were long enough to unravel magic’s mysteries. Each additional affinity meant another possibility—and another choice.

Thus, Zou Moan, worthy of the "genius" title, would receive financial aid if she joined the magic academy.

Zou Moan watched Wang Qi and Zhang Yemiao with conflicted eyes. She was tempted.

"You two may also enroll," the tester added carefully, "though regarding tuition fees..." The academy had its rules. Full waivers for all three were impossible, even for a prodigy like Zou Moan.

Both shook their heads. Despite Wang Qi’s promising Dark affinity, he seemed utterly uninterested in academies.

In the end, they left a visibly reluctant Zou Moan behind, promising to visit her later before departing the magic academy.

Now, only Wang Qi and Zhang Yemiao remained.

Wang Qi turned to her. "Dorm Leader, it’s decision time. What’s your plan?" The truth was, she hadn’t chosen to stay with Li Pingtian or Zou Moan.

Zhang Yemiao tugged his sleeve, her voice barely a whisper: "I already told you... Don’t. Don’t leave me behind."

Her uniquely soft voice sent ripples through Wang Qi’s heart. He shook his head, banishing the strange thoughts. "I’m serious. Your Mastery of Objects would be highly valued at a smithy. You don’t need to stick with me."

"No," Zhang Yemiao countered firmly. "Divine Art Mastery and magic affinity—those are innate talents. They let Zou Moan and Li Pingtian fit into churches or academies naturally. But my Mastery of Objects? It’s... unnatural. Unpresentable."

"Crafting items with a single tap? Does that make sense? Yet if I hide this ability, how can I ever be valued or accepted?" She met his eyes earnestly. "I’ve thought hard about this. If, as you said, your role is to help us three survive the early weak phase... then what’s *my* purpose?"

Wang Qi froze. He hadn’t considered that.

"I’m just a tool," she continued quietly. "My talent screams it—I exist to forge gear for you all. But this world is complete. I don’t know why we were summoned here, but after entering the city, I’m certain: I’m unnecessary. They can obtain everything they need without me."

Wang Qi fell silent. Finally, he asked, "So... you’re dispensable too?"

"I’m dispensable."

Zhang Yemiao lifted her gaze to his taller frame, knowing her words had left him speechless.

Just as she’d expected, Wang Qi scratched his head, offering an awkward smile. "Then... two dispensable characters should travel together, right?"

Zhang Yemiao beamed what she thought was a cute smile—only to earn Wang Qi’s disdainful glance. Her makeup, reapplied after their academy visit, didn’t suit her as well as her natural face.

They found a decent-looking inn—far from luxurious.

"Two rooms—" Wang Qi began.

"One!" Zhang Yemiao cut in sharply, shooting him a glare. Though less stunning than before, she was still attractive.

*Making a girl request a shared room?* The innkeeper eyed Wang Qi oddly for a long moment.

"One silver coin for the double room."

Zhang Yemiao slapped a gold coin on the counter.

The innkeeper’s second odd look made Wang Qi want to vanish.

Thankfully, business sense prevailed. "Second room on the left upstairs. Keep the key safe."

*How clueless can you be?*

They climbed to their room.

Then—

"This is a double room?"

Zhang Yemiao sighed in relief and flopped onto the bed, ignoring Wang Qi’s dumbfounded expression. "Can’t you see how big this bed is? Obviously a double."

"Seriously?!" Wang Qi sputtered.

A faint, enigmatic smile touched Zhang Yemiao’s lips. She rose, opened her spatial storage, and pulled out a water jug to wash her face.

Her true beauty reappeared before Wang Qi.

The tension seemed to melt from her. She bounced slightly on the bed. "Wang Qi! Come here, little brother. Keep this old man company while he sleeps."

She lay down and began slowly unfastening the armor plates on her legs, right before his eyes.

"Dorm Leader, you’re shameless."

Unfazed, Wang Qi walked to the window. Below lay streets utterly unlike Earth’s—bustling with carriages and unfamiliar lights. He’d told himself countless times this wasn’t home, yet seeing it still felt unreal.

"Aww~ Qi-gege~ Come here~ I’m so lonely~" Zhang Yemiao teased without restraint. With Zou Moan and Li Pingtian gone, why not unwind?

Wang Qi’s temple throbbed. He itched to punch her—but that lovely face stopped him cold.

"Stop fooling around, Dorm Leader. We need a plan. Surviving here won’t be easy."

Zhang Yemiao sat up instantly, all playfulness gone. "First, we earn money. We can’t stay in inns forever."

"A place to live—agreed," Wang Qi nodded. "But buying property in the city? Unlikely."

"Right. We’re weak. Practically undocumented too. Even if this world’s census isn’t strict, settling in the city would be messy." She frowned. "But we saw no villages on the way here. That doesn’t make sense. Cities alone can’t sustain this world. Villages must exist."

Wang Qi agreed. "Wait here. I’ll chat with the innkeeper—gather some intel."

"You’ll be okay?"

"Don’t underestimate me, Dorm Leader."

He left.

Alone, Zhang Yemiao’s calm shattered within minutes. *What if he abandons me? What if I’m left all alone in this world?*

A crushing wave of loneliness crashed over her—she’d always feared being left behind.

She bolted out, peering through the second-floor railing. Seeing Wang Qi chatting with the innkeeper, she exhaled shakily and retreated to the room, cheeks burning with shame.

She rolled across the large double bed. *Why did I lose my cool like that?* she scolded herself.

Then another thought struck: *What if Wang Qi attacks me tonight?* Daytime rationality faded in darkness—hormones shifted, judgment weakened...

Her gaze locked onto the wide bed. Her heart hammered. *Why did I save coins by booking one room?!*

Panic surged. *He won’t do anything. We slept together on the plains—I even hugged him! Nothing happened.*

But the old saying rang true: *The more you dwell, the more you dread.*

Zhang Yemiao was a nervous wreck. Her fingers twisted her hair—tightening, releasing, twisting again.

*Creak!*

The door swung open. Zhang Yemiao leapt up. "You’re back!"

Wang Qi blinked at her reaction. "Yeah... what’s wrong?"

"N-nothing! You just startled me."

"Huh..."

Nothing had happened—but Wang Qi noticed her flushed face, her fingers nervously coiling her hair, her eyes darting away. *Is she... actually tempting? Or is that just my imagination?*

He took a slow breath to steady himself. "I found out something important!"