Pulled along by Zhou Jiuyu’s hand, Akizuki Airi stumbled into the center of the dance floor. The crowd watched them with surprised murmurs.

“Let’s just… call it off. I’ll still pay you later… This is so embarrassing…”

Under the weight of so many skeptical or hostile stares, Akizuki Airi shrank back slightly.

“You’re not usually like this. Show some spirit, you little mesugaki. Relax—just follow my lead.”

Zhou Jiuyu held her hand. Though he clearly knew zero dance steps, the moment he shifted gently to the music, every motion felt instinctive—as if carved into muscle memory. Flawless. Elegant.

“Who’s a mesugaki?!” Akizuki Airi muttered, but steeled herself and moved with him.

Eyes shut, she braced for the stumble, the humiliation.

Yet when she opened them—disbelief flickered in her gaze. She hadn’t fallen. Her body flowed with his rhythm, steps graceful, skirt swaying softly.

But she couldn’t dance! What was happening?

“Why…?”

She looked up. Zhou Jiuyu met her with a calm, faint smile. Her pupils trembled. For the first time, she felt utterly safe.

She pushed aside doubt, eyes locked only on him, dancing as one.

“So beautiful…”

“So elegant…”

Freshmen nearby whispered in awe.

On the floor, Akizuki Airi and Zhou Jiuyu outshone everyone—Jing Yuansheng’s pair, even the arrogant Tong Qin.

A strange illusion settled over the crowd: these two didn’t belong here. Their looks, their flawless steps—they operated on another tier entirely. Like a top-tier player casually dominating a newbie zone.

“Simou, didn’t you train in dance? Why does… Akizuki seem better?” Jing Yuansheng hesitated.

“I… I don’t know. Maybe she trained too…” Lu Simo’s face paled.

Being told she was inferior to another girl—by her own boyfriend—stung. But after soothing him all afternoon, she dared not flare up.

*That’s why I can’t stand her. Too pretty. Befriend someone prettier, and your boyfriend’s heart might just wander.*

Jing Yuansheng’s glare at Zhou Jiuyu burned with jealousy.

He’d accept Zhou danced better—but why was *his* partner so much more stunning?

Lu Simo was pretty enough—class-level.

But Akizuki Airi? Doll-like features, graceful curves—she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with goddesses like Tong Qin.

“Never thought a freshman prettier than Tong Qin existed. Total legal loli, right?”

“And her dancing… hard to describe, but it’s got *charm*.”

“Honestly, smoother than the Tong siblings. Not a single misstep.”

“…”

Whispers spread. Tong Qin’s expression darkened; her steps faltered.

No one was watching her anymore.

“Shut off the music.” Tong Qin halted, glancing coldly at her brother.

Tong Yu hesitated—then bowed under her icy stare and rushed to cut the sound.

Silence fell, broken only by the sharp click of her heels.

She stopped before Zhou Jiuyu. “I said it clearly: anyone dancing with this blonde today is my enemy. Bold of you to be her partner.”

“Is Tianhai Academy your private estate? Who I dance with is none of your business,” Akizuki Airi shot back, arms crossed with a huff.

“My grandfather is Tianhai’s top sponsor. Calling it ‘ours’ isn’t wrong,” Tong Qin replied coolly.

“Remove our names from the roster? You’d strip our right to be here.”

“Check City Four’s mayor online. My grandfather’s surname is Tong.”

“Leaning on family power? His strength isn’t yours.”

“Me? Just a fourth-tier fire-type ability. Nothing special.”

Flames erupted in her palms, radiating fourth-tier Spirit Energy.

Akizuki Airi went pale. Background aside—*power* decided everything here. Talent? Beauty? Meaningless.

This world bowed to strength.

“Don’t stand here.”

Zhou Jiuyu yanked her back several steps.

“Running? Where do you think—?!”

*Splash!*

A torrent of liquid drenched Tong Qin from above. Makeup smeared. Hair clung to her face. Her gown soaked through—she stood dripping, a drenched mess.

The flames in her hands? Extinguished instantly.

“WHO DID THAT?!” Tong Qin roared, Spirit Energy flaring wildly.

“Water?” Zhou Jiuyu chuckled softly. “Who said it was water? What if… it’s gasoline?”

The scent shifted.

Blind with rage, she reignited her flames—

*WHOOSH!*

Her entire body erupted in fire.

“AAAAH—!”

She shrieked, scrambling to suppress the blaze. But gasoline-fed flames had already scorched her skin, shredded her gown.

She looked like a ragged street beggar. Where was the freshman queen now?

“Gasoline?! How?!” Her voice cracked with fury and confusion.

*Zhou Jiuyu. It had to be him.*

Her demeanor shifted—deadly serious. Fourth-tier Spirit Energy pressure made nearby freshmen flinch. She locked eyes with Zhou Jiuyu, voice glacial:

“Believe me? I could kill you here today… and still walk the freshman ceremony stage days later. Unscathed. As the student representative.”