Three months flew by in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Ming Yi had gradually settled into the steady rhythm of campus life. Honestly, it wasn’t all that different from what he’d imagined.

Every morning, he’d wake up, deliver breakfast to Dandan, then head to class with Xiao Chengcheng. Under Teacher Moran’s guidance, he trained his physique and practiced using the Corruption Artifact. Along the way, he’d catch Xiao Chengcheng and Bai Ming bickering, or hear Ning Si’s dramatic wails after barely jogging a few steps—it was oddly cheerful.

At noon, he’d rest or drill with the Corruption Artifact in the training room. In the afternoon, he’d sit with Thousand on the lawn, sharing cake and stories, or sip tea at the student council office while handling trivial, almost pointless tasks.

Evenings meant dinner and chats with Dandan before heading to bed.

This simple, predictable routine slowly became habit. The initial unease and disorientation of arriving in another world quietly faded. Ming Yi had begun to truly cherish this rare slice of campus peace.

——

——

“Culture Festival?”

“Yeah,” Chu Tong sighed helplessly, sliding a document before Ming Yi and Xiao Chengcheng. “Who knows why Lady Miriam suddenly had a whim to ‘enrich campus life’…”

“I’d bet she’s been reading too much Japanese manga lately,” Xiao Chengcheng mused, stroking her chin.

Ming Yi silently agreed.

Chu Tong let out an exasperated sigh. “Honestly, Lady Miriam acts like a little girl—impulsive one moment, gone the next. This is really putting the student council in a bind.”

“True. I’ve zero experience organizing something like this,” Xiao Chengcheng rubbed her temples. “And our Third Generation Division only has around fifty students. What event could we even pull off?”

“I heard the Resident Division is joining too,” Chu Tong added.

*Jointly?* A spark flickered in Ming Yi’s mind.

Until now, the fifty-four newcomers of the Third Generation Division and the vastly larger Resident Division barely crossed paths. They knew almost nothing of each other—only school uniforms distinguished them at mealtimes, with zero real interaction.

This Culture Festival might just be the chance to bridge that gap.

“Hey…” Ming Yi raised a hand. “What if we team up with the Resident Division and hold a joint competition…?”

Xiao Chengcheng’s eyes lit up. “Yes! What should we compete in?”

“What to compete in…” Ming Yi hesitated.

Both sides kept polite distance, yet subtle tension lingered. Too fierce a contest might ignite conflict; too mild, and no one would care. The real challenge was designing something fun yet low-risk.

“…Chess?” Chu Tong suggested.

*No way. Way too high a barrier. Impossible for mass participation.*

“…LOL?” Xiao Chengcheng offered.

*Are you trolling?! Go find me a “Tencent” in this world to host it!*

Realizing he couldn’t rely on them, Ming Yi buried himself in thought.

Best approach: pick a safe base activity—like running—and add controlled obstacles or events. Hard to cheat, low conflict risk…

“Wait,” Chu Tong cut in abruptly. “Are we overcomplicating this? Maybe a straightforward, fair competition between Residents and Third Gen could actually ease tensions. Isn’t there a saying—‘it’s through clashing that bonds are forged’?”

“But the risks…” Ming Yi frowned. “If something goes wrong, we can’t shoulder that responsibility.”

Xiao Chengcheng slammed her palm down. “Then let’s face them head-on in a fair fight!”

*Since when did you get so fired up?! Did you even think this through?!*

“But—”

“I’m student council president. My call stands!” Xiao Chengcheng declared firmly.

*Sigh. You clever little thing,* Ming Yi thought wryly, tilting his head back.

——

——

With the broad direction set, planning moved quickly.

They settled on a squad-based battle royale inside a sealed maze: eighteen teams of three from each division (fifty-four students total), randomly scattered. Teams from opposing sides could engage using Corruption Artifacts. Victory went to the side with survivors remaining.

*Flawed on every level,* Ming Yi mused calmly. *Residents likely stronger. Maze construction costly. Fights could turn dangerous… No way Division Head Miriam approves.*

“Sounds perfect! A wonderful plan,” Miriam nodded.

*You’ve got to be kidding me. Did you even read it?!*

“Exactly! Students should be vibrant, energetic, bursting with passion!” Miriam’s eyes gleamed with nostalgia.

*Definitely manga-brain. Why is everyone catching Xiao Chengcheng’s recklessness lately?!*

“But… Lady Miriam, the maze budget is—”

“The academy covers it.”

“…And student safety risks—”

“I’ll supervise onsite with teachers.”

“…But—”

“Plus, the academy will award the winners. The standout team gets a special bonus.”

“…”

*Enough. I surrender.*

Ming Yi felt Miriam’s resolve solidify. Arguing further was pointless.

“Finalize details with the Resident Division’s student council,” Miriam waved dismissively. “Make it big. Make it great. Don’t disappoint me.”

——

——

The Resident Division’s student council president was Mike—a tall, broad-shouldered Black man.

“No issue from our side,” Mike said, expression oddly stiff. “But our division is larger, students trained longer… Even pulling fifty-four first-years might feel… unfair?”

“How about we field fewer teams?”

Before Ming Yi could speak, Xiao Chengcheng flared up. “Hah?! Are you looking down on us?!”

“Uh—I didn’t mean—”

“Then compete fairly and squarely! We’ll prove the Third Generation Division isn’t weak!”

Mike forced an awkward smile. “Then… I look forward to a thrilling match.”

Ming Yi facepalmed, one hand on his brow, the other hiding his eyes.

*Forget it. Nothing matters anymore. I’m done. I can’t be bothered.*