Although the process had been a bit rough, they had still passed the assessment and successfully enrolled.
However, Ning Rongrong remained slightly puzzled.
Her confusion centered on Lin Xian and Zhu Zhuqing—the same two who had just invited her to eat spicy rabbit heads.
As a support-type Spirit Master, she had stayed at the rear during the battle, so the pressure on her wasn't particularly great. Even when the fight ended, she still had twenty to thirty percent of her spirit power left.
Yet Zhu Zhuqing, who had been fighting on the front lines, and Lin Xian, who had been controlling the battlefield, both looked in even better condition than she was.
It felt like the two of them…
…had been holding back.
Or rather, they hadn't taken the assessment seriously at all.
They hadn't even used much of their strength.
This immediately piqued the curiosity of the little witch from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Zhu Zhuqing had the highest spirit power among them—how could she perform so "poorly"?
But that didn't matter for now. They would be together for a long time. She could observe them slowly.
After Zhao Wuji left, he instructed Dai Mubai to assign dormitories.
Although the dorms were old and cramped, the academy had plenty of space, so there were quite a few houses available.
"There are three girls—three to a room."
"For the boys, two in one room, and three in another."
As he spoke, Dai Mubai turned to Lin Xian.
"As the senior among you, I should take care of the newcomers. So I've decided to share a room with Lin Xian—to build some camaraderie."
By the end, his tone had clearly turned strained, as if he were gritting his teeth.
Heh.
Just wait until you're in my hands.
Lin Xian glanced at the dorms and immediately shook his head.
"Forget it. These dorms are too rundown—I'm not used to living like this. I see there are other houses nearby. Can I stay alone?"
He clicked his tongue. He wasn't afraid of Dai Mubai—but who would willingly share a room with another guy?
Besides, he had Yuehai Cottage. There was no need to stay in such a shabby place.
Everything inside was fully furnished, and Zhu Zhuqing had even decorated it nicely.
Compared to that, this place was practically unlivable.
Ning Rongrong immediately agreed.
"These dorms are way too broken. I want a single room too! I can even pay to build one!"
She waved her hand and stepped forward.
If Lin Xian hadn't spoken first, she might have followed the academy's arrangements to make a good impression.
But now that someone else had taken the lead, things were different.
Zhu Zhuqing also spoke calmly,
"Me too."
Tang San and Xiao Wu didn't voice any objections, clearly following the group's lead.
Dai Mubai's first reaction was anger.
These newcomers were too arrogant—they didn't listen to him at all. Why couldn't they be more like Fatty and Oscar?
But then he thought about it.
If everyone had their own room… wouldn't he have more chances to approach Zhu Zhuqing?
He still needed to figure out the secret behind her Spirit mutation.
And everything started with her.
After weighing the pros and cons, he nodded.
"Fine. Pick whichever room you like. This whole row is available."
Lin Xian chose a place near a small river. The air there was fresher, though it was a bit more secluded.
Nearby, bamboo grew around two small houses.
Zhu Zhuqing chose one.
After some thought, Ning Rongrong picked the other.
Tang San and Xiao Wu weren't picky. They chose rooms close to each other.
"Since you've all chosen, go tidy up. Tomorrow morning, a bell will ring—everyone must gather. The Dean will be speaking, so don't be late."
Since Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were heading in the same direction, they walked together.
Having shared a meal earlier, they didn't feel like strangers anymore.
"Zhuqing, can I call you that?"
"Of course."
"Do you need help cleaning your room?"
"No need. I'm not planning to stay there."
"Huh?"
Ning Rongrong blinked, confused.
"Why?"
Zhu Zhuqing casually pointed toward Lin Xian's house.
Ning Rongrong instantly understood.
That made sense. She had already noticed the two of them earlier—they stuck close together like a young couple.
The more mysterious they seemed, the more curious she became.
"Then… can I leave some of my things in your room? It feels a bit small."
"Of course. Put them anywhere. I'm just using it for show."
"Great!"
Things were peaceful on their side.
On the other side, the atmosphere was far more tense.
Just as Lin Xian reached his door, Dai Mubai followed closely behind.
"Oh? What is it? Returning the 6,500 gold coins you owe me?"
Dai Mubai froze, instantly reminded that the person in front of him was his creditor.
"Don't think being classmates means I'll waive the debt. Even brothers settle accounts clearly. You wouldn't go back on your word, right?"
…
Dai Mubai felt humiliated.
His dignity was being ground into the dirt.
"You only won because of underhanded tricks. Otherwise, how could I have lost so easily?"
Lin Xian laughed.
"Are you joking? Was our bet ever fair to begin with? If I offered 10,000 gold coins for your life, would you accept?"
As he spoke, his gaze turned cold.
"If you nod now, I'll return all 10,000 gold coins immediately."
Facing that pressure, Dai Mubai swallowed, but didn't back down.
"Don't worry. I've gathered the money—I'll return it now."
Paying it back meant a heavy loss.
His savings were basically gone. His lavish lifestyle would have to stop.
If he had known, he would've paid it all at once. Now it cost him an extra 1,500 gold coins—what a terrible miscalculation.
He never expected to run into Lin Xian again at Shrek Academy.
"I've returned the money as promised. But there's something you should understand…"
(Author's Note)
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