Then Lin Xiarri reached out to him again.

Sky Qi asked as if he hadn’t seen it, “Is this a Divine Artifact?”

“Self-forged—a pseudo-Divine Artifact. It has decent effects, but it’s far weaker than a true mask-type Divine Artifact.” He kept winking at Sky Qi, waving his hand right before him.

Though not genuine, it was sufficient. He nodded in satisfaction.

True Divine Artifacts were immensely powerful. Take the Soulsever Sacred Sword William stole—its slash could shatter heaven and earth. He’d reached the continent’s peak partly thanks to that Divine Artifact.

But now, the Soulsever Sacred Sword was gone.

Sky Qi waved impatiently. “Stop waving it in my face. When did I ever owe you money? I’ll pay you back fully next time.”

Lin Xiarri nodded contentedly. “Also, here’s a scarf for you.”

“What is this thing?”

“Just a scarf that won’t burn or soak. Did you plan to walk around with a collar?”

“Hmph, thanks. I could claim it’s decorative if asked.”

“Do you think anyone’s dumb enough to believe a permanent collar is jewelry?”

“With your godlike skills—you’re every faction’s prized asset—why run a blacksmith shop?” Sky Qi pulled back the curtain. Sunset light bathed his face as he asked without turning.

“Hmph, didn’t you once have unmatched power? You defeated the Infernal Dragon. You could’ve built your own legion.” He paused, voice firming. “You could’ve founded a nation. Why didn’t you?”

Sky Qi froze, then chuckled lightly. “Haha, we really are two peas in a pod.”

He waved, dropped the curtain, and left the shop.

Their banter seemed mocking. But both knew this was their chosen life. Not everyone craves luxury as an emperor. Not everyone wants battlefield glory as a feared general.

Some dreams are simple and ordinary. Yet pursuing your desired life brings no regrets.

For everyone has their own path.

Hoping for a good start, Sky Qi walked away into the sunset, hands behind his head.

Suddenly, his expression shifted. A grave problem struck him.

Damn it—did I forget dinner money? Shit, I need to borrow two gold coins from that stingy guy.

Sky Qi turned and yanked the curtain open again.

Lin Xiarri, squatting on a stool counting coins, jumped. “What the hell? Why back already?”

Sky Qi rubbed his hands. “Hehe, you know—cash is tight lately.”

Lin Xiarri frowned. “You owe me money and want to borrow more? Are you insane?”

Sky Qi’s face hardened. “I’ve had a rough time. No travel funds left. Lend me two gold coins for food.”

After much pleading, he got the coins. Now, they were his entire fortune.

He could picture his home looted clean by those bastards. His strength wasn’t restored. Fighting A Rank foes with B Rank power was suicide.

A single rank gap meant over tenfold strength difference.

But what now? Eat dirt? Without these three negative buffs, he wouldn’t be this desperate.

He gently donned the Unicorn Mage Mask. A trace of magic flowed in. His face shifted like a Peking Opera master’s, transforming fluidly.

It settled into a delicate, boy-next-door face—not stunning, but warmly familiar. His gentle, confident smile radiated hidden allure no woman could resist.

Lin Xiarri mentioned one person could unlock the remaining magic arrays: Adolf, headmaster of the Alliance’s top school, Cassius Academy.

“The old headmaster?” Sky Qi muttered. “Guess I’ll have to sneak in as a student.”

He’d heard Cassius Academy trained elite students. Admissions were strict, with monthly recruitments and few passing. Dubbed the “Flower Academy,” seventy percent of its students were girls.

It produced countless heroines. Boys held very low status there.

Finding that headmaster wouldn’t be easy, damn it. Masked, he was now an unknown nobody. Recruitment day was next week.

Plenty of time to relax.

Sky Qi studied his map intently, oblivious to the figure ahead.

He had to memorize this area. Getting lost again would leave him scrambling like a headless chicken. He wasn’t the invincible Sky Qi anymore. With B Rank strength, offending a noble could get him killed on the streets.

Thud! His body jolted against something soft.

“Ow, sorry!” Sky Qi stumbled back, rubbing his head. He looked up slowly.

A sixteen-year-old girl with pink twin tails glared at him. Her angelic face and fresh fragrance filled the air. “Watch where you walk, okay?”

Sky Qi felt his inner Sea of Magic receding. His scant stored strength drained away.

Damn it! He forced a smile. “Yes, I will. Very sorry.”

He spun and fled, magic surging to his feet. A thin layer of wind energy boosted his speed.

Shit—such close contact, yet no joy. Closer proximity meant faster strength loss. He’d definitely bumped into another beautiful girl.

He shook his head with a bitter smile, sitting alone on a street bench. Avoiding pretty girls forever was impossible. At this rate, he might never enter Cassius Academy.