Adolf stood frozen in place. "You're already strong enough. Someone with A+ Rank strength like you is extremely rare across the entire Arcana Continent."
"No, I'm not strong enough yet," Vicky said firmly. "I must become the second powerhouse like Sky Qi."
"But you know, even I can't surpass him," Adolf replied with a bitter smile, shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter. I don't need to surpass him; I just need to match him."
"But... alright, I'll try."
"I want this academy to start admissions early, regardless of gender," she paused. "I need sparring partners."
"Fine. I'll personally host the ceremony tomorrow," Adolf sighed helplessly. He truly couldn't win against his granddaughter. Those new students were doomed. The academy had over a dozen A Rank students, yet they still paled beside her. This recruitment was merely to hone her skills. Poor newcomers. A silent prayer for them.
...
Sky Qi thought sleeping on the streets wasn't so bad. But chilly gusts forced him to cast fire magic for warmth. To block ambushes, he set a magical barrier. No blanket covered him. Dust and leaves coated his face, leaving him grimy at dawn. He summoned water, dousing his head to wash away grime. Then his body flared with heat, evaporating every drop instantly. Much fresher! He stretched, realizing he had nothing to do.
A sudden gale slammed into him, making him stumble.
Huh? Magical ripples? More fluctuations surged, distant spells weaving a magical symphony. That wind spell was fierce. Different elemental magics hummed, even faint sword energy tingled. But no colliding spells, no shockwaves—just practice casting.
A magic assessment? Impossible. The map showed only Cassius Academy nearby, barely a kilometer from his spot. Weren't admissions next week? No other explanation fit. He checked the map again. Cassius Academy lay north. The ripples came from the north.
So... early admissions?
Holy shit! Heaven helps me! Sky Qi cast a gale spell underfoot, launching himself three meters high before landing lightly. Inside the academy, no more street-sleeping. But rumors said boys had zero rights at Cassius, while girls got perks.
He hesitated. If he entered as a boy and slept on the field, wasn't that just like the streets? Sky Qi scratched his head awkwardly. To escape this, he'd have to swallow his pride.
He decided: cross-dress.
Yes, you read right—he'd cross-dress. People always questioned his gender. No disguise changed what the mirror showed: stunningly beautiful. Why not try it? Enjoy academy perks. He felt a flicker of excitement.
Wait. He slapped his forehead, calming down. First, no money for women's clothes. Second, the mask might expose him. The headmaster was a monster nearly as strong as his former self.
Sky Qi withdrew the mask's magic, removed the Unicorn Mage Mask, and strode toward the blacksmith's shop.
Lin Xiarri had once crafted magical automatons—all female models. Naturally, he owned piles of women's clothes. Later, the Alliance banned such creations, ending his career.
"Holy shit, you're back?" Lin Xiarri gaped at Sky Qi by the door curtain. "I won't lend you a cent. You still owe me."
"Not for money this time," Sky Qi muttered gloomily. "Your mask's faulty. It promised to hide my aura, but that dragon last night sniffed me out instantly."
"Pfft. I told you—it's not a Divine Artifact. How could it fully mask you? Dragons smell hundreds of times better than humans," Lin Xiarri spat.
He froze abruptly. "Wait—what? A dragon found you last night?"
"Yeah, whatever. I need to borrow something."
"Borrow again? Is my place a junkyard?"
"I want to borrow women's clothes!" Sky Qi ignored him.
"Tch, that stuff..." Lin Xiarri's eyes widened in shock. "Holy shit—women's clothes? You've never had a partner or sisters!"
Ah. Lin Xiarri nodded, finally understanding. Cassius Academy started early admissions today. He'd told Sky Qi its headmaster, Adolf, could break the collar's seal. And with boys having no rights there, someone like Sky Qi—hating to lose—would swallow his pride and cross-dress!
"Bro, you finally listened!" Lin Xiarri cried tears of joy. "I said it—a face like yours is wasted without cross-dressing." He flashed a thumbs-up with a sly grin. "Go for it! I believe you'll outshine the Empire's idols after this!"
Uh, that doesn't sound like a compliment... Sky Qi facepalmed at his unhinged friend, insults dying on his tongue. What was it like having such a shameless buddy?
Over a year ago, Lin Xiarri had insisted Sky Qi was perfect for cross-dressing—just grow his hair longer, and no one would recognize him. Back then, Sky Qi's reply was a slap to his face.
