Liette stared at the library before her. If Interle and Luris hadn’t insisted repeatedly, she truly couldn’t imagine that lazy guy being in such a place.

Central Library barely functioned as a library anymore—it was practically synonymous with the Realm of Magic now. Liette swallowed hard, ignoring the surrounding stares as she pushed the door open.

Inside, the spacious hall held only Ward, absorbed in a book. Liette knew little about him—just that he was young yet powerful, loved reading, and held a hollow position as librarian among the higher-ups.

"Mr. Wode, hello."

Liette approached to greet him. Ward adjusted his glasses and looked up.

"Oh, you’re… ah, Teacher Liette, right?"

"Huh? Mr. Wode knows me?"

*How does every high-up know a nobody like me?!*

Ward glanced aside at Liette’s shocked expression.

"Teacher Liette, you’re quite famous here. Like when you destroyed the training ground… or wildly flung spells in classrooms… or chased students shouting threats…"

"Stop! Don’t—don’t say more. I get it."

Liette cut him off desperately. *Those brats… every memory stings.*

"Alright, Teacher Liette. What brings you here?"

Ward didn’t press further, though he’d guessed her purpose.

"Uh… where’s *that guy*?"

"Yan Yi? He should be on the third floor."

"Class C section? Fits him. Excuse me, Mr. Wode—I need to find him."

Liette bowed and headed deeper. After flashing her teacher ID, the light barrier vanished.

Ward adjusted his glasses again. Instead of resuming his book, he stood and walked toward the barrier.

*Guess I’ll have to help her after all.*

As Liette walked, she scanned the library’s layout. *I barely came here as a student… but it’s so quiet. I get why Ward chose this.*

Approaching the third-floor barrier, it dissipated. Her first sight: books. Not on shelves—piled everywhere, on floors and desks. Amidst the stacks by the window sat a crimson-coated youth, reading intently.

He turned pages thoughtfully, brow furrowing occasionally, nodding at times. The boy blended seamlessly with the sea of books, radiating serene harmony.

Liette rubbed her eyes. One phrase looped in her mind:

*What the actual hell?!*

One was tranquil; the other chaotic. One focused, thirsting for knowledge; the other lazy, drooling through naps.

*So… WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!*

Once wasn’t enough to express her shock. *Are my lectures really less interesting than a book?!* His messy red hair remained, yet now it felt… oddly fitting.

Liette gripped the number plate in her pocket—No. 1. Symbol of Central Magic Academy’s strongest contestant. Burdened with winning the Five Academies Grand Competition.

She’d never believed Yan Yi fit that role.

Yet watching him now… for the first time, she felt this plate belonged to him.

*Wait! What makes that brat deserve this aura?! It’s a facade! Even if he’s strong, his personality’s awful!*

Liette took deep breaths, steeling herself to hand over the plate and leave quickly.

"Yan—"

Suddenly, in the floor’s peaceful silence, she found her voice stuck. She couldn’t shatter this harmony.

A gentle tap landed on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Ward smiling. He nodded; she nodded back. *Even Mr. Wode can’t bear to disturb him…*

Then Ward’s next move shattered her worldview again.

He flicked a finger at the wall. Stone threads emerged, clearing books between them and Yan Yi. In a blink, a massive cube detached from the structure.

Liette watched, bewildered. Ward stepped forward—right hand hurling the cube straight at Yan Yi.

The boulder smashed desk and boy through the window. Glass shattered. Three objects plummeted.

Wind rushed in, tousling their hair. Ward dusted his hands. Liette stood frozen, mind blank.

*WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED?!*

"Mr.—Mr. Wode! What did you DO?! Yan Yi?!" she yelled.

Ward remained calm. "To make him listen."

"*What?*"

Mid-air, Yan Yi felt the earth’s pull and the wind’s whisper. He closed his book, watching the third floor recede.

"Why am I falling out? Eh, whatever."

He tucked the book under his arm, tapped his left shoulder. A bone chain shot out, anchoring the broken window frame. A flick of his wrist—and he soared back up.

Two heavy thuds echoed below as Yan Yi landed perfectly on the third floor.

Before him stood a stunned Liette and Ward tidying books.

"Mr. Wode, I haven’t finished those—don’t clean yet. And Teacher Liette… what’s up?"

Yan Yi acted like he hadn’t just been launched through a window. Remembering how he’d once fallen from a castle roof unharmed, Liette realized: *This really is him.*

"Yan Yi… right?"

"Why the doubt?"

Yan Yi sighed. He gestured for Liette to sit, then called to Ward fixing the window:

"Mr. Wode! Tea? For my teacher."

Both Ward and Liette twitched. *He’s a guest ordering the host around?!*

"Get it yourself!" Ward snapped.

"Tch. Lazy."

A prominent "#" appeared on Ward’s forehead. The newly repaired window shattered with a loud crash. Liette sweated. *Yep. Definitely Yan Yi.*

Yan Yi vanished. Moments later, he returned via stairs, carrying a teapot and three cups.

Seated together, Yan Yi poured tea. Liette sipped—rich fragrance flooded her senses.

"Delicious."

Ward savored it too. Only Yan Yi remained neutral, though a hint of pride flickered.

"Of course. I made it."

"*Huh?*"

Liette stared at tea, then Yan Yi. *This doesn’t compute. Since when can Yan Yi—*

"You’re thinking something rude, Teacher."

"Uh…"

"Anyway," Yan Yi set down his cup, expression shifting instantly. "I haven’t caused trouble, okay?"

Liette sighed at this ready-to-bolt troublemaker. *Typical Yan Yi.* She tossed him the No. 1 plate. He caught it, examining it blankly.

"Teacher… what’s this?"

"*Hah?*"

Liette shot Ward a glare. He sipped tea, gazing out the broken window. "Such fine tea…"

*You recommended him but told him NOTHING?!*

Dread coiled in Liette’s gut. She explained the plate and the Five Academies Grand Competition. Yan Yi merely nodded, smiling faintly.

"Ahh. So Mr. Wode secured me the No. 1 spot? Trying to make me enemies? Haha… *thanks*."

The gratitude made Ward’s spine chill.

"Eh, whatever. Teacher, just tell whoever reaches the library first I’ll hand over No. 1. I don’t want this hassle."

Liette forced a bitter smile. *Predictable. So Yan Yi.*

"Wait, Yan Yi—you *must* compete! Or I—uh—I won’t make you anything!" Ward blurted under Yan Yi’s "*kind*" gaze. Liette blinked. *Is that… a threat?*

Yan Yi intensified the pressure. Ward’s expression turned grim: *Debts must be paid.* Neither yielded. Sparks nearly flew—until Yan Yi sighed.

"Fine. Just a registration. By the way, Teacher—what’s No. 2’s rating?"

"Class B peak."

*Weaker than my disciple. Central Academy really is doomed.* Yan Yi stood, snatched a stack of books from a shelf, and strode to the stairs.

*If I can’t dodge it, I’ll minimize trouble.*

"To make things easier… I’ll head to the fifth floor."

He vanished through the fourth-floor barrier in a blur.

Fifth floor. Class A section. No eligible Class A students existed in the academy…

Liette and Ward exchanged glances, deadpanning in unison:

"Shameless."