8: Chapter 8 Qin Xiaoxiao

Even if he was just the principal and had no power to interfere in conflicts between students, this big shot might not necessarily listen to his explanation!

Seeing the principal too terrified to speak, Lin Fan didn't force him to answer, but continued instead.

"You don't need to answer; I know what's going on."

"I can tell you clearly that Lin Duo is a rare magical genius. Once she awakens her element, I will take her as my disciple."

"But I currently have important matters to attend to, so I cannot contact her for the time being, nor can I publicly protect her."

"Therefore, I need you to look after her for me."

"During the time I am away, I don't want her to suffer any more grievances."

"Listen closely," Lin Fan's voice suddenly became sharp and fierce, "if she meets with even the slightest accident... your family, your school, and your little life—you can kiss them all goodbye!"

"Do you understand?"

Lin Fan's tone was bone-chillingly cold, carrying an unquestionable authority.

The principal nodded repeatedly in terror, nearly wetting his pants.

"Very well, I trust you know what to do."

Lin Fan nodded with satisfaction and turned to walk toward the corner of the office.

With his hands behind his back, he appeared to be pacing casually, but in reality, he was quietly approaching the spatial "door" that only he could see.

He didn't want to expose the secret of Void Walk.

He walked to the side of the door.

Lin Fan stepped inside without hesitation, instantly disappearing into the pure white space.

From the principal's perspective...

The mysterious person before him had simply circled the office once before vanishing into thin air!

Thud...

The principal's legs gave out, and he slumped onto the floor, gasping for breath.

That brief confrontation just now was more exhausting than a fierce battle; he felt as though he had aged several years.

"That girl Lin Duo... is actually a magical genius?"

The principal muttered to himself, his face full of conflict.

"But the students who bully her all have some background."

"If I protect Lin Duo, those parents will definitely come looking for trouble..."

"Trouble my ass!"

The principal slapped his thigh hard, his gaze instantly becoming determined.

"If those parents cause trouble, at most I lose my job."

"But if I provoke that big shot, I won't even know how I died!"

Between two evils, choose the lesser; even a fool knows how to choose!

The principal dared not delay any longer and scrambled out of the office on all fours.

...

Lin Fan quietly returned to that hidden corner.

He put his equipment back into the system space.

Only then did he head toward the academy.

His sister's matter was finally resolved satisfactorily.

He believed that with the principal's protection, no one would dare bully Lin Duo again.

After handling his sister's affairs, Lin Fan headed straight for Longwei Magic Academy.

He was certain that he would never again see his sister come home with new bruises and a filthy school uniform.

For students at ordinary schools, arriving at seven or eight in the morning was considered early.

But the rules of the magic academy were entirely different.

Even though Lin Fan left home very early, he still encountered many teachers and students on the way.

Naturally, those contemptuous gazes arrived as expected, falling upon him just as they always did.

But Lin Fan didn't care at all, merely giving a cold smile in his heart; sooner or later, he would make these people regret everything.

He first went to the library where he worked to sign in.

Since there was still time before class, Lin Fan simply grabbed a few books and leaned against the circulation desk to read.

This was considered an extra perk of working in the academy library.

In addition to his salary, he could borrow all books for free without going through any checkout procedures.

Lin Fan read until the bell rang for class.

He ignored the system prompts that kept popping up in his mind.

He packed up his things and headed toward the classroom.

He was currently in his fourth year and was about to graduate.

The classes mostly taught things like Magic Fusion, Elemental Characteristics, and combat tactics.

These were neither books related to magical beasts nor books on Mana Circulation, so the system wouldn't grant experience points.

Furthermore, these were lectures given by teachers, not active reading on his part.

After several classes, it was finally noon.

This was also their last theoretical class of the morning.

The upcoming courses were practical magic application and Star Pattern Construction training.

These used to be useless to the old Lin Fan.

After all, he couldn't even perform a decent spell.

Lin Fan felt that now was not the time to show off his talents.

If he exposed his strength now, he might be framed for using improper means to increase his cultivation.

He planned to return directly to the library after class.

Instead of listening to the teacher talk about things that were useless to him...

...it was more practical to earn system rewards by reading books.

The bell rang.

However, Teacher Teacher Xu Linjiao, who lectured on the characteristics and habits of magical beasts, signaled the students to remain calm.

She said there was an important announcement to make.

Lin Fan had already packed his bag.

At this moment, he could only patiently sit back in his seat.

"I'm sure you all know that next month is the Academy Rising Star Competition."

"To ensure fairness for all contestants, the academy has decided to no longer pre-assign participation slots. Instead, we will hold an internal selection trial, and the final winners will represent the academy in the Rising Star Competition."

"The selection trial will officially begin next week. All students are welcome to register, and the deadline is next Wednesday."

"Good luck to everyone."

After Teacher Teacher Xu Linjiao finished speaking, she packed her lesson plans and left the classroom, leaving behind a room full of students in an uproar.

As soon as the teacher left, the classroom immediately became noisy.

"We're the graduating class, so most of the contestants will definitely be from our class!"

"That's not necessarily true; the academy said anyone can sign up. I bet some loser will come to join the fun and waste everyone's time!"

They stared at Lin Fan without any attempt to hide it.

The mockery in their tone was practically overflowing.

Lin Fan ignored those gazes and stood up to walk straight to the library.

He had more important plans on his mind and no time to tangle with these idiots.

On the way to the library, Lin Fan bumped into someone.

"Hey! Lin Fan! Come over here!"

A cheerful female voice called out.

Immediately following that, a figure came skipping toward him.

"I bought some super delicious meatballs! The shop near my house had a special promotion, so I grabbed a ton. Quick, try some!"

How could Lin Fan forget this person?

In the anime and manga he'd seen in his past life, there was always a chubby, die-hard bro by the protagonist's side.

Except in his case, the die-hard brother had become a die-hard sister.

A chubby girl came bouncing toward him with quick, small steps.

Her large eyes sparkled, and each hand held three bags of snacks.

She ran up to Lin Fan and proudly shook the snacks in her hands.

The girl wore the Longwei Magic Academy uniform, with a deep blue cloak representing the water element draped over her shoulders.

She was Qin Xiaoxiao.

A name that was completely inconsistent with the person herself.

She was also Lin Fan's only friend in the academy.