“Student Wang Jie, what about you?” Teacher Moran looked toward Wang Jie, the oldest among them.

Wang Jie didn’t put on airs. He bit his fingertip, and blood slowly gathered into a long ruler.

“I think it’s called the ‘Ruler Without Distance.’ I’m not too sure what it does exactly, but I vaguely feel like it’s related to space.” Wang Jie frowned slightly.

Teacher Moran’s eyes flashed. “A spatial type? That’s a very rare and very powerful kind of Corruption Artifact. The head of our Liberation Syndicate’s European branch is an SS-rank Breaker with a spatial Corruption Artifact.”

The European branch? The place Senior went to? Ming Yi’s eyes showed a trace of remembrance. He wondered how she was doing over there.

A few drops of vivid red blood seeped from Chu Tong’s pale fingertips, then gradually turned into a giant brush almost as tall as she was.

“The name’s pretty cliché—‘Divine Brushwork.’ Its ability is unknown too. Maybe my body just isn’t strong enough yet.” Chu Tong’s tone stayed as flat as ever.

“My turn!” Yang Zijie had been itching to try it from the side the whole time. The moment it was his turn, he eagerly summoned his Corruption Artifact—a silver-shining revolver.

“‘Burst Revolver.’ Wherever the bullets hit seems to explode. It’s just that when I tested it before, the power was so small it was basically negligible.” Yang Zijie shrugged.

Xu Fan’s Corruption Artifact was a bracelet called “Spirit-Devouring Bangle.” Qiao Weiwei’s was a delicate little floral umbrella called “Falling Petals Umbrella.” Ning Si’s was a ring with two tiny bells hanging from it, called “Ring of Noncontention.”

Because Ming Yi’s Corruption Artifact was rather unusual, with neither a name nor a fixed form, it drew everyone’s curiosity at first. But the novelty only lasted a moment, and soon no one cared anymore.

It was simple. If it didn’t even have a name or an ability, then it was probably trash. Everyone understood that without saying it out loud.

After everyone had summoned their own Corruption Artifacts, Teacher Moran nodded thoughtfully and said, “Mm... each of your Corruption Artifacts is distinctive, and each has a lot of potential. We’ll stop here for today. I’ll go back and think things over, then tailor a teaching plan for each of you.”

“The afternoons are usually free time. If anyone still wants to practice, you can use the training room on the east side of the school building.”

“Alright, everyone. Class dismissed.”

—

—

After discussing it, Xiao Chengcheng and Ming Yi decided to pick someone from their own class to serve as the student council secretary.

“It’ll be one of the two, Chu Tong or Qiao Weiwei.” Xiao Chengcheng looked dead serious. “I do not want a student council with three grown dudes sitting together. If that happens, my work efficiency will absolutely drop to zero.”

Ming Yi sighed. At a time like this, with a request like that, what could he even say?

Still, even if Xiao Chengcheng hadn’t brought it up, Ming Yi had actually already chosen someone for the secretary position.

“Um, sorry, could I take a little of your time?” Ming Yi looked shy. “Student Chu Tong?”

Chu Tong looked up at him. Her cool and deep gaze made Ming Yi shiver. He thought to himself that this woman really did have the aura of an iceberg queen.

“Actually, back in the original world, I’d already heard your name before. You’re a really amazing painter, right? You even held exhibitions overseas.”

At last, Chu Tong’s brows moved a little. She said flatly, “Is that so.”

No, seriously—why were all the girls he’d met these past two days like this? Absolute conversation assassins. One word and the whole chat was dead.

But what else could he do? He had to force himself to keep going.

“Student Chu Tong, I was wondering what you think about working in our student council...?”

“It’s stupid.”

Great. Fantastic. He was done for.

Ming Yi fought down the urge to turn around and leave. He tried hard to stop the twitch at the corner of his eye and told himself to stay calm.

Beside him, Xiao Chengcheng looked like he was about to laugh so hard he couldn’t breathe. After Ming Yi shot him a vicious glare, he coughed twice and came over to smooth things out.

“Come on, Student Chu Tong, no need to reject it so fast. There are actually a lot of benefits to working in the student council...”

“For example?”

“For example—” Xiao Chengcheng’s eyes spun, “—the student council gets specially provided premium black tea from the school.” Then he added, “Oh, right. There’s also cake and desserts.”

At last, a trace of interest appeared on Chu Tong’s face.

Seeing that she was starting to waver, Xiao Chengcheng immediately pressed the advantage. “Actually, the student council secretary barely has any work. There are only about fifty of us, so what could even happen? As long as you join, you’ll get free premium tea every afternoon, plus tasty little desserts until you’re full!”

Then Xiao Chengcheng suddenly lowered his voice, like a devil whispering, “And in this world, no matter how much you eat... you won’t get fat.”

At that, Chu Tong’s body trembled sharply, and a light shot into her eyes. “Fine. I’ll join the student council.”

Xiao Chengcheng smiled knowingly.

If Ming Yi had to use one phrase to describe how he felt right now, it would be nothing less than sheer reverence.

In just a few words, Xiao Chengcheng had found the fatal weak point of a girl he’d never even met before. Even if Ming Yi trained for a few thousand more years, he still wouldn’t catch up. Impressive. Truly impressive.

“When are we going?” Chu Tong actually sounded a little impatient now.

“We can go right now.”

—

—

As they neared the corridor from last time, Ming Yi seemed to sense something and gradually slowed his steps.

“Um... Student Chu Tong, why don’t you go with Xiao Chengcheng first? I’ve got something to do. I’ll come find you in a bit.”

A puzzled look appeared on Chu Tong’s face, while Xiao Chengcheng nodded in instant understanding.

“Go on, then. Just don’t get too impatient and end up making things worse.”

What kind of unhealthy nonsense was this guy thinking now? Did he really think Ming Yi couldn’t tell? Ming Yi ignored him and ran straight out of the school building.

On that same lawn as last time, Ming Yi once again saw the girl named Thousand.

The girl was still sitting half-kneeling sideways on the grass. Hearing movement, she turned to look back.

“Yo!” Even with one previous encounter, the moment Ming Yi met her gaze again, his heart still started pounding wildly, and even breathing became a little difficult.

The girl thought for a moment, then said to him, “Hello.”

Ming Yi walked over to her step by step and sat down beside her. That short distance of just a few steps felt like it drained all the strength from his body.

Ming Yi didn’t rush to speak, and the girl didn’t speak either.

The two of them simply sat there quietly, like a couple enjoying a peaceful afternoon together.

That feeling of time slowing down was indescribably beautiful. Every second felt as long as a year or two. Even if the outside world had already changed beyond recognition, this place still felt like the first days of spring, warm and blooming.

After a long while, Ming Yi suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right. I’ve got something for you.”

“?” The girl tilted her head at him.

Ming Yi took a bag from his pocket and held it out to her. When she opened it, she found several small cakes in different flavors, along with some assorted desserts.

“You gave me a scarf last time. This is my return gift.” Ming Yi smiled. “Go on, eat.”

The girl picked up a small cake and stared at it for a moment. Then she opened her little mouth and bit off half of it.

“Mmh.” Ming Yi clearly saw her eyes brighten a little, and a happy expression appeared on her face.

Like a mass of white light, she stole all the color from the world in an instant.

After sneaking a few more glances, Ming Yi pulled back his gaze, lay down on the grass, and quietly enjoyed this rare peace and comfort.

The wind on a midsummer afternoon was like a tame lion. It looked fierce and steaming hot, but when it really blew across his body, it felt like a pet rubbing its soft fur against its owner in affection.

That faint feeling of his heartstrings being stirred made Ming Yi narrow his eyes in comfort, and little by little, he drifted off to sleep.

At some unknown point, when he opened his eyes again, the girl was blinking her clear, bright eyes at him.

“Mmh. How long was I asleep?” Ming Yi rubbed his eyes, still seeming not quite awake from that dreamlike gentleness.

“I don’t know... I have to go now,” the girl said softly.

The moment he heard that, Ming Yi snapped fully awake. He pushed himself up and looked at her. “Huh? You’re leaving?”

“Mm. Dad’s here to pick me up.”

Dad? Ming Yi thought for a moment. It was probably the teacher who had adopted her.

Just then, a familiar voice came from the distance. “Thousand, you’re still here... Huh?”

Ming Yi looked up, and in that instant, he froze too.

It was none other than Teacher Moran.