Chapter 75: Close the doors, you get in bed first
Ossen City, the Babylon Academy of Magic and Force.
Han Shuo ate breakfast and first bought a set of new clothes, arriving at the academy later in the morning. He went to the library first and surreptitiously put back the two books of โThe Foundations of Necromancyโ and โA Magical Dictionaryโ that he had asked Jack to steal before. He then walked to Fannyโs lab.
The doors to the lab were open and Fanny was wearing black robes trimmed with gold, wearing a set of black framed glasses and holding a magic staff in her left hand. She held a pen in her right and was drawing some magical patterns on the pedestal in the center, explaining something with her speech.
Next to her, Fitch had put on the appearance of conscientious listening, but his eyes often travelled over Fannyโs face. Fanny had lost a few traces of her charming beauty with glasses on, but gained solemness and the beauty of intellectuality. In Han Shuoโs eyes, her beauty wasnโt diminished at all, and he rather stared soulfully at her, mesmerized.
Fanny delivered a string of words then lifted her head to look at Fitch, who was busy staring off into space. She frowned, โFitch, do you understand?โ
Fitch suddenly woke up from his musings and nodded, smiling, โMaster Fanny, you were very clear, I understand.โ
When Fanny lifted her head to look at Fitch, she happened to see Han Shuo standing in front of the door. Han Shuo was now a bit taller than Fitch, and his body was muscular and well defined due to continuous training and fighting. He stood there with his spine straight, like a javelin, without the slightest bit of the usual, frail external appearance that mages usually possessed.
Fanny first blinked, a bit astonished by Han Shuoโs unnoticed changes, but when Fanny also saw Han Shuo staring at her, mesmerized, her heart gave a leap and her face blushed red as well. Her right hand tightened on the pen and almost snapped the pen in two.
Whatโs wrong with me? Fanny said to herself and involuntarily took a deep breath, seeming to pout as she glared at Han Shuo. She lifted her head to call out, โLong time no see Bryan. Youโve disappeared for a month after last timeโs training. Where have you been skulking around for so long that you only remembered to return now?โ
Han Shuoโs mentality immediately returned to normal after hearing Fannyโs words. He laughed lightly, not waiting for her to greet him and strode purposefully into the room. He responded, โLast timeโs outing in the Dark Forest made me realize the many deficiencies ย in my abilities. Thatโs why I borrowed a magic book and did some remedial studying on the foundational knowledge of magic. Iโve come to Master Fanny with some questions because Iโve encountered many difficulties.โ
โHuh. Who would believe you?! Youโre always so mysterious.โ Fanny rolled her eyes at Han Shuo, obviously not believing his words. She turned her head to look at Fitch, suddenly feeling that his presence was irritating, for some inexplicable reason. She instructed, โFitch, I have a few more matters to discuss privately with Bryan. Since you understood my explanation, you can go back and practice well.โ
Fitch started. He hadnโt seem to think that Fanny would want him to leave because of Han Shuoโs appearance. He blanked for a while, then finally viciously glared at Han Shuo, saying lowly, โErrand slaves will always be errand slaves. Itโs not like youโve become a real student just because you put on the uniform.โ
Fitch finally left after saying this. A smile was constantly apparent on Han Shuoโs face, completely oblivious to Fitchโs low mutterings. Han Shuo knew this was because of Fannyโs attitude towards Fitch that caused Fitch to carry a grudge, but until Fitch took action to express his hatred, Han Shuo couldnโt be bothered to spend an ounce of strength on him.
โGo and close the door tightly!โ Fanny put down the pen and raked Han Shuo with her gaze, instructing in an imposing manner as soon as Fitch had left.
Close the doors? Han Shuoโs heart jumped, gazing upon Fanny with a deep and meaningful look. He displayed a trace of an odd smile, hastily got up, and hastened to say, โAlright alright, Iโll go close the doors.โ
When Han Shuo had jubilantly and gleefully closed the doors to the lab, Fanny raked Han Shuo with another gaze and continued instructing, โGet on the bed first!โ
Nodding his head like a chicken pecking corn, Han Shuo didnโt even bother saying much this time and directly shucked off his shoes, falling directly backwards on the white bed. He proudly crossed his legs and smiled, โMaster Fanny, you come over as well!โ
Fanny watched Han Shuo with an amused expression as her mouth closed with an audible click. โCome, close your eyes first.โ
He had never been so docile as Han Shuo obediently closed his eyes, thinking dirty thoughts. A depraved smile blossomed on his face.
โAh!โ
A painful howl emitted from Han Shuoโs mouth. He suddenly felt that a large surge of mental strength had invaded his mind, completely startlingly Han Shuo from his beautiful dreams.
When Han Shuo saw that Fanny was gazing at him with a small smile, he asked with a hint of anger in his voice, โMaster Fanny, what are you doing?โ
โExamining your body! Didnโt I say last time that youโre the subject of my experiments, and that I would use the school facilities to conduct a thorough examination on you when we returned to the school, like Iโve just done? What did you think I wanted to do with you after closing the doors and make you lie on the bed?โ Fanny spoke with a face full of seriousness and glared at Han Shuo, but even with glasses on, they couldnโt hide the proud smile in her eyes, one that was proud of successfully executing her scheme.
The Han Shuo of now was not the Han Shuo of before, he immediately discerned the joy in Fannyโs eye with one glance. He sat up with a wry smile and said, โForget it, donโt examine me in the future. These things canโt be explained by rational logic. If you truly turn me into an idiot by intruding my mind that way, my life will be over.โ
Fanny vaguely creased her brow in thought upon hearing Han Shuoโs words and sighed involuntarily after a bit of contemplation. She smiled, โForget it then. Iโm willing to lose an experimental subject, but not a talented student.โ
Seeing that Fanny was letting him off the hook so easily, Han Shuo heaved a huge sigh of relief and immediately thanked Fanny sincerely. He then took out the book of โBeginner Magics of Necromancyโ and started asking Fanny all the parts he didnโt understand.
Upon seeing Han Shuo withdraw the โBeginner Magics of Necromancyโ from his space ring, and then seeing that many parts of the book had been highlighted and noted by Han Shuo, Fanny immediately looked askance at Han Shuo. She exclaimed lightly, โYouโre already reading this book? Have you grasped all the magics that magic apprentices should know? Umโฆ and youโve taken a lot of notes. Looks like you really didnโt slack off during this monthโฆ Iโve thought wrongly of you.โ
โOf course Iโve already grasped the magics that magic apprentices should know!โ Han Shuo smiled.
He thought for a moment and released the โAgony of the Soulโ magic in front of Fanny. Fanny immediately said, โOh my goodness! Bryan, youโre too amazing. You actually have enough mental strength to release the โAgony of the Soulโ magic. This means that your mental strength has truly reached the level of a novice mage. Youโre a genius, a true genius!โ
Han Shuo wasnโt sure if he was a genius or not, but he knew that his mental strength could only improve so rapidly due to that odd, green, round ball. He still hadnโt figured out what this green, round ball was, but he was absolutely sure that it had something to do with the cemetery of death.
After a string of surprised exclamations from Fanny, Han Shuo started seriously asking Fanny all his questions about magical knowledge that he didnโt know. As an adept mage, Fannyโs constant homework had always been to teach students how to understand magic and was very familiar with this foundational knowledge. She went out of her way to resolve all of Han Shuoโs difficult questions.
During the process, the two were quite close to each other and Han Shou could smell the fragrance wafting off of Fannyโs body. Their gazes would interlock during explanations and have a sense of mutual admiration due to shared enlightenment. Fanny didnโt feel distaste at Han Shuo being so close to her, and would actually clap his shoulder as she complimented him whenever he clearly understood one of her explanations.
Time passed unknowingly in Fannyโs lab. The two of them had conversed for several hours, yet Fanny wasnโt the slightest bit impatient. She seemed rather delighted and would never be bored because she had met a good student.
It wasnโt until when the bells started ringing that Fanny came to herself with a shock. When she recovered her senses, she said lightly, โOh no, I almost forgot that I still needed to preside over class at the training fields later this afternoon. Bryan, your comprehension abilities are very high. Looks like youโve chosen the right path in learning necromancy magic, but letโs stop here for today, Iโm going to the training fields to teach my class, do you want to come with me?โ
Shaking his head, Han Shuo smiled, โIโd rather not. Iโve already thoroughly grasped some of the lower level magics. Iโve understood from you today many of the things that I didnโt previously understand, and need some time to carefully think about them. I wonโt be going to the training fields.โ
Nodding, Fanny didnโt press further and hastily cleaned up the lab. She picked up a book, adjusted her collar, and said, โThat works too. You can come find meet with me in private in the next couple of days and Iโll help you go over the areas that you donโt understand. Oh. right. Lisa seems to have been very worried that you were gone for so long. She asked me where you went?โ
โHeh heh, I havenโt been up to much. Please tell her not to worry. Iโll be going now, and will come disturb you quite often in the next few days. Thank you in advance, Master Fanny.โ Han Shuo said carelessly and left before Fanny left her lab. He thought for a bit, avoided the crowded areas, and started walking outside the Academy.
After leaving the Academy, Han Shuo circled past two roads very carefully, finally making his way towards Phoebeโs residence.
Han Shuo vaguely felt that he was in a bad place after the assassination at the Boozt Merchant Guild. Not only had he offended Grover, but it was likely that even Phoebe held a grudge against him, but for the black gold ore, Han Shuo had to grit his teeth and come find Phoebe again. He only hoped that the past ten or so days had been enough to calm her temper.
The same old butler answered the door again, with Fabian coming by shortly after Han Shuo had walked in because heโd heard the news. He still wore a faint smile when he saw Han Shuo, saying, โBryan, how come you have time to swing by today?โ
Smiling wryly, Han Shuo shook his head and sighed, โDonโt mention it. I helped your young miss assassinate Darnell and Yuna in the Boozt Merchant Guild last time, but somehow offended your Miss Phoebe. Not only did I receive no compensation, but she actually beat me up. Terribly unlucky!โ
โOh? Although Miss Phoebe comes from a wealthy family, she isnโt the type to throw a tantrum without cause. What happened between you and Miss Phoebe? After she came back in the dead of the night that day, she spent the next couple of days being angry. I happened to overhear her curse you as despicable, shameless, and disgusting. I truly donโt understand what could have happened for her to be in such a terrible mood!โ Fabian looked at Han Shuo with confusion, saying slowly as he seemed deep in thought.
His face wry, Han Shuo sighed lowly once again. โForget it, letโs not mention those things again. I have to find her again for my materials. Is Miss Phoebe home right now?โ
โApologies, the miss is out and temporarily not available, but I think sheโll return shortly, so if youโre not in a hurry, you can wait here a bit.โ
โAlright, then Iโll wait for her for a bit.โ
Indeed, Han Shuoโs ear caught the sound of someone knocking at the door from far away after waiting for a short while. As his heart started to agitate with unease, he privately weighed up what he should say to Phoebe when he saw her later.
Just as Han Shuoโs brow was deeply furrowed in thought, a manโs voice sounded lightly. โEh, youโre Bryan, what are you doing here?โ
Han Shuo started and immediately lifted his head, realizing that the warrior Lawrence, who had spent five gold coins to hire him as a human target last time in the warriorโs academy, was standing at the door with Phoebe.
โSenior brother Lawrence, you know him?โ Outside the door, Phoebe looked at Lawrence, astonished, as she asked in surprise.
โOf course, heโs Bryan, the errand boy from our Academy!โ Lawrence answered matter-of-factly.
โErrand boy?โ Phoebe and Fabian both exclaimed at the same time. Phoebe measured up Han Shuo with an odd look as she asked Lawrence, โSenior brother, your Babylon Academy of Magic and Force is the most renowned school throughout the Empire. Why would such a despicable, shameless, and disgusting person be present?โ
Lawrence started upon hearing these words and shrugged his shoulders at Han Shuo, smiling at Phoebe, โLittle junior sister, how did Bryan offend you? I rather admire his tenacious and unyielding personality.โ
Han Shuoโs face was wry as he sat there without a word, drinking tea with a lowered head, one sip after another. He privately reflected that he was in quite the pickle. He hadnโt thought that Lawrence would be Phoebeโs senior brother. Now that his identity had been revealed, if Phoebe wanted to pursue previous events, it would be troublesome for even him to avoid this.
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