After five days of intense labor, Yan Yi only got one night’s rest before setting off at dawn on the sixth day.

One downside of living in such a remote place? Just getting out required a long trek.

Listening to his aunt’s reminder—*"Remember to come home. Don’t go wild out there!"*—Yan Yi nodded with a smile, pocketed the ten silver coins the villagers had gifted him, and left.

Ten silver coins was actually generous. Enough to cover his carriage fare, lodging, and meals for at least five days.

But with Yan Yi’s pace, reaching Central City three hundred *li* away wouldn’t take long. So he chose to stroll leisurely, spending his first night in a small town fifty *li* out.

The town felt like an ancient Western settlement. Yan Yi imagined grand cities must be filled with castle-like structures. He realized he was poor now—even though a night’s food and lodging cost barely over one silver coin, he’d be broke by the time he reached the academy. Tuition was low, but he wouldn’t even stay long enough to pay it.

*"Do I really need to find part-time work the moment I arrive?"*

He couldn’t blame the villagers. They barely scraped by themselves; scraping together ten silver coins was already kind. The last villager to leave—Inkyu—hadn’t even gone to Central Magic Academy. She’d just wandered off on her own adventure.

Other slots from Ink Village rarely got used. Those who left usually returned within a year or two.

The academy did offer jobs to struggling students—that’s why Central Magic Academy had so few servants.

Yan Yi sighed inwardly. He was clearly walking deeper into trouble, and it felt utterly absurd to be suckered into this mess.

The next morning—the final day—he *had* to reach the academy and register. Failure meant disqualification. He’d considered arriving late anyway, but his aunt’s warning—*"If you come back without a student ID, don’t bother stepping through this door!"*—had sealed his fate. Yan Yi inwardly wept rivers.

*"Auntie… do you really think a zero-talent like me will even get a student ID?"*

Grief wouldn’t fill his stomach. Yan Yi quickened his pace, snatching wild game for breakfast. By noon, Central City was less than twenty *li* away.

He slowed down, stepping from the forest onto the road. Might as well stroll the rest of the way. Along this stretch, carriages of all kinds rumbled past—likely fellow students rushing to register.

Within ten *li*, buildings dotted the roadside. Among them were small inns for travelers.

Just as Yan Yi wondered whether to grab a symbolic meal, an elderly man in a butler’s uniform approached. White-haired and bearded, he looked gentle—but Yan Yi sensed his strength far surpassed the bandit leader’s. By a wide margin.

"Young man, a moment please? My young mistress wishes to ask you something."

"Can’t. I’m leaving. Goodbye!"

Yan Yi turned on his heel. Less trouble was better. He wasn’t even hungry.

The butler froze, speechless. *This kid doesn’t follow the script. What kind of commoner is he?*

Then the butler casually struck Yan Yi’s weak spot, as if by accident:

"Kids these days… never listen to the end. I’ll have to find someone else for this job."

Though spoken softly, Yan Yi caught every word. *Job*. Paid work.

In a blink, Yan Yi stood before the butler, startling him so badly he nearly stumbled back into a combat stance.

"Elder sir," Yan Yi said smoothly, "perhaps I *should* hear it out. I can still make it to the academy later."

The butler eyed him strangely. For a split second, he’d seen dollar signs in Yan Yi’s eyes. He cleared his throat.

"Ahem. This way, then."

They entered a roadside inn, heading straight to a private room on the second floor. Its window overlooked the path Yan Yi had just walked.

Inside sat a girl with ocean-blue twin tails.

"Young Mistress, I’ve brought him."

The butler bowed slightly, then stationed himself by the door.

The girl nodded, sizing up Yan Yi. Part of him had come out of sheer curiosity—this "plot convenience" reeked of trouble.

He studied her back: twin tails like deep water, porcelain skin, delicate features, and striking golden eyes. Far prettier than any girl he’d met. Her pure white dress radiated nobility.

But appearances didn’t sway Yan Yi. That hairstyle, though… *Classic tsundere?*

The girl sighed. "Grandpa Bai, he’s too weak. Let’s find someone else."

The butler had already scanned Yan Yi’s mana. Found nothing. He doubted this youth could hide his power from him—which meant he was pathetically weak. He opened his mouth to agree—

"About that job," Yan Yi cut in. "What’s the pay?"

The girl blinked. His first words to her were about money? Intrigued, she asked:

"You’re heading to the academy too, right? Want to go together?"

Yan Yi frowned. *Why would a noble lady ask me? What’s her angle?*

"Why?"

"Because no one’s carrying my luggage."

Her calm reply made Yan Yi’s eye twitch. *That’s it?!*

"You know only enrolled students can enter the academy grounds. I’d have to haul heavy bags alone for ages. I planned to hire help after arriving, but Central has no freshman escorts. What if I couldn’t find anyone? How embarrassing. Then I saw you—a new student—outside the window."

Central Magic Academy, like others, only had a registration desk. But other academies recruited elites and nobles who brought servants. Central forbade that. Its motto: *"Once magic claims you, no one stands above another."*

So nobles forced to attend Central hired help discreetly.

Still puzzled, Yan Yi asked:

"Why not choose another academy, Young Mistress? Your strength is solid—about Mo Ping’s level."

"Noble protocols are such a hassle."

*Wow. That’s… an excuse.*

The butler sighed inwardly. His young mistress despised high-society events—that’s why she’d fled to Central.

Yan Yi hated the idea of being a servant. Too unpredictable. Not like steady work.

"I’ll carry your luggage," he offered. "My payment? A ride in your carriage."

He’d ditch her the moment they arrived. Janitorial work sounded easier.

"Deal!" She clapped her hands, delighted. "I’m Luris. Luris Aite."

"Yan Yi. Your name suits you, Young Mistress Luris—just as beautiful as you are."

Yan Yi didn’t hesitate. Compliment first. Sure enough, Luris blushed crimson.

"D-don’t think flattery makes your job easier!" she stammered. "Grandpa Bai, order him a meal. He’ll need strength to carry my things!"

Yan Yi smiled inwardly. *Tsundere. Easy. Just keep praising her.*

The butler nodded and left. Luris’s blush faded.

"Your name’s odd," she said. "How’d you get it?"

"Oh. My master raised me. He only knew my surname. When naming me, he took the ‘Yan’ from my surname and tried ‘Yan Yan’… didn’t like it. Then ‘Yan Yanyan’… still no. Just as he was about to try ‘Yan Yanyanyan,’ my mistress gave him a good thrashing. She merged the last two ‘Yan’ characters into my name."

Yan Yi had facepalmed when he first heard that story. His name was ridiculously random.

"Your master sounds… interesting," Luris giggled. She truly was lovely when she smiled. Yan Yi almost complimented her again—but the butler returned.

They ate together. Yan Yi realized Luris genuinely hated nobility. Her manners weren’t crude, but she ate without aristocratic fuss. He glanced at the butler, who gave a helpless shrug.

Watching them, Yan Yi wondered: *Are all nobles who choose Central… this weird?*