This rank trial was ultimately forced to a halt after Lorin's magic.

Neither the Academy nor the Royal Knighthood on guard duty had expected such a sudden incident.

What embarrassed the Academy more was that they’d received earlier whispers about nobles hiring protectors for their students.

Before, it hadn’t been excessive, so they’d turned a blind eye.

But this time, it was too much—they felt utterly disregarded.

Another tricky issue loomed over everyone: Second Prince Lorin.

Setting aside why he’d appeared in the mountains without joining the trial, using Advanced Magic at his age was abnormal.

Nothing like it had ever been heard of in the Royal Capital.

Should he be called a genius? Yet in everyone’s memory, this Second Prince had never done anything remarkable.

But this time, all witnesses insisted Lorin had cast that magic.

At home, Lorin lay motionless on his bed. He’d been like this for two days.

His arm wounds and physical fatigue had mostly healed.

But mentally, he still felt a wave of exhaustion.

“Because you lack sufficient mental strength, using magic drains your energy,” the Bookkeeper’s voice echoed in his mind.

“Why didn’t you say it earlier?”

“I tried, but you didn’t seem to want me to then.”

Lorin slapped his forehead. He truly hadn’t had time to consider it.

“Your Highness, guests have arrived.”

“Guests? Who again?”

His mansion had been bustling nonstop these past days—Academy envoys, royal messengers, doctors. No peace.

“It’s Miss Xueyi and Miss Lilith. You see…” Lately, everyone went straight to his room.

“I’ll go down.” He couldn’t let two girls see him bedridden.

With maids’ help, he changed into loose clothes and walked downstairs.

In the living room, Xueyi and Lilith sat on a couch. The rift between them had softened after the last incident.

Lorin sat beside them without ceremony. Seeing them reignited his barely calmed frustration.

“Young ladies, why not hunt other monsters? Why provoke that thing?”

Lorin still couldn’t understand. At their pace, they’d have scored well. Now, everything was wasted.

Xueyi and Lilith scratched their heads awkwardly. They hadn’t expected that—but Lorin’s sudden appearance stunned them more.

“Forget it,” Lorin said. The matter was over. “What happened after?”

He rubbed his temples. His dazed state left him with hazy memories.

“I only remember lying with Xueyi.”

“Eh…” Xueyi’s cheeks flushed bright red. She waved her hands to stop him.

Lorin noticed the bracelet still on her wrist—shinier now, as if polished.

Lilith smiled. “The Academy canceled all trial results. They’ll reorganize and reschedule.”

“Makes sense,” Lorin sighed. The forest still looked like a flood zone from his magic.

“Many students had ranks reduced for hiring outsiders.”

Lorin hoped they wouldn’t blame him.

“What about you two?”

“Us?” They exchanged glances and smiled. “We protected others, so we weren’t punished.”

This incident was a blessing in disguise. Though their ranks hadn’t advanced, they’d gained trust from students and the Academy.

It especially helped Xueyi—earning most people’s goodwill.

The protagonist aura really is useful.

“By the way, the Academy’s been buzzing about you,” Lilith said.

“About me?” Lorin pointed at himself, caught off guard.

“Yes. Your magic made many think you’re a hidden genius.”

Even Lilith suspected it—that magic matched Advanced Magic from ancient texts.

Few at his age could wield it; calling him a genius wasn’t an exaggeration.

“Juniors and seniors keep asking if you’ve come,” Lilith added. Xueyi’s face darkened.

Since the incident, she’d sat beside Lorin—but visitors only asked about him, mostly girls.

“Wait!” Lorin raised a hand. This plot felt familiar—a hidden genius discovered, then rising to glory?

No, am I becoming the protagonist?

After his long silence, Xueyi asked, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Lorin said with a bitter smile. He hadn’t planned this direction.

“Oh oh oh.” Xueyi seemed unusually quiet today—strange to him.

“By the way,” Lilith nudged Xueyi’s arm, “Miss Xueyi came with something to tell you.”

“To me?” Lorin studied Xueyi’s fidgeting. Without Lilith, he’d think she’d been replaced.

“That… that… I…”

“Hmm?” Lorin didn’t understand.

“I…” Xueyi lifted her face, resolve building—then crumbling at his gaze. She stammered, “Will… will you come to the Academy tomorrow?”

“Probably.” His wounds were healed; he should show up.

“Then… at that place tomorrow, I have something to tell you.”

She stood and ran out without looking back.

Lorin stared blankly, then turned to Lilith in astonishment. “This…”

If not for her expression, he’d think she’d come to challenge him.

Lilith stood with a bitter smile. “She felt today wasn’t right. I should go too, Second Prince.”

This left Lorin utterly confused.

Outside, Lilith caught up to Xueyi. “Did you forget what to tell him?”

“I know,” Xueyi covered her face. She’d promised to speak after the trial.

“Then why—”

“But with you all there, I couldn’t say it!”

Servants constantly attended Lorin during his recovery.

Speaking in front of so many felt impossible.

“So you’ll wait until tomorrow?”

“Mhm mhm.” Xueyi nodded frantically.

Lilith sighed. She’d barely persuaded Xueyi to come—and now, it seemed hopeless.