The next morning, Yue Wu and Jeanne D’Arc departed simultaneously. Their paths, however, diverged. Yue Wu was bound for Fiore Academy to register, while Jeanne D’Arc headed to the Mercenary Guild.
She, along with Luoge East and others, had decided to establish a mercenary group. Though Jeanne D’Arc already led an adventure party, this new venture wouldn’t create a conflict, as they had previously consulted Yue Wu, who readily supported their initiative.
As for Xiao Qing, she remained steadfastly by Yue Wu’s side, trailing him wherever he went. This constant companionship, however, often proved quite troublesome for Yue Wu.
He still recalled the time Xiao Qing had followed him right into the bathroom. It had taken him three exasperating hours of persuasion to convince her to wait just outside the door.
“Haaah~”
Nestled in Yue Wu’s embrace, Xiao Qing let out a soft yawn. It was the first time she had ever displayed such a gesture.
“Are you very sleepy? Then get some rest for a while.”
Upon hearing Yue Wu’s gentle words, Xiao Qing promptly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
‘Honestly, this isn’t so bad, having a daughter of sorts,’ Yue Wu mused.
Over their past two weeks together, his affection for Xiao Qing had steadily deepened. He even felt as though he were raising his own child; though unmarried in reality, Xiao Qing evoked the same feelings he remembered from his own parents’ care.
After inquiring with several people for directions, Yue Wu spent an hour locating Fiore Academy. Its entrance teemed with people, mostly parents accompanying their children for registration tests.
Fiore Academy was renowned across the O Continent, yet it held little prestige within the game itself. This was because players bypassed formal schooling, directly seeking out their respective class instructors. Consequently, in the game, academies merely served as hubs for accepting daily quests.
Fiore Academy was situated in the hundred-li outskirts, just beyond Sachsen City’s eastern gate. In a border city such as Sachsen, academies were scarce, and those present were invariably branch campuses of larger institutions. Fiore Academy was no exception, its main campus nestled near the Empire.
Nevertheless, the Sachsen City branch boasted an exceptional environment and impeccable construction. From outside, one could discern exquisite, towering buildings within, the tallest being a grand spire that housed the academy’s library. The campus provided comprehensive facilities for students and faculty alike, including teaching blocks, dormitories, dining halls, training grounds, dueling arenas, and research buildings.
“It’s quite decent.”
Yue Wu nodded silently to himself.
“More than just decent? This is a renowned academy across the entire O Continent!”
Coincidentally, a middle-aged man standing beside Yue Wu overheard his quiet remark.
“Is that so?”
Yue Wu offered the man a polite smile.
“Indeed. Are you here to register for the entrance examination as well?”
Seeing Yue Wu’s youthful appearance, the man naturally assumed he was another applicant.
“Ah, no, I’m actually here to apply as a teacher.”
Yue Wu gently corrected the man.
“You? A teacher? You’re surely jesting!”
The man clearly found it hard to believe.
“Is there any need for me to joke? Staying home was simply too dull, so I decided to venture out and look for work.”
Yue Wu explained his rather unconventional predicament.
“You’re truly a fascinating character. Are you here to put on a performance?”
The man suddenly burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by Yue Wu’s words.
“Take care.”
Yue Wu had no intention of elaborating further with the man. He was, in fact, there to become a teacher, a commitment he had made to Lucifer Kentest.
“Hello there, beautiful. I’m here to apply for a teaching position.”
Finally, Yue Wu’s turn arrived, and he was greeted by a female mage clad in a crimson robe.
“You? A teacher?”
The female mage meticulously scrutinized the man before her, who was cradling a baby girl, her expression a mix of doubt and disbelief.
“Yes, that’s right. Is something the matter? Is there something wrong with me?”
Noticing the female mage’s prolonged gaze, Yue Wu instinctively thought something might be on his face and began to lightly pat his cheeks.
“No, nothing at all. If you are indeed here to apply for a teaching position, please proceed inside and seek out Mentor Hukelent. He will guide you through the instructor assessment.”
The female mage gestured towards a large door behind her, where a burly man stood, his eyes closed as he gazed upwards.
“Oh, thank you, beautiful.”
Yue Wu calmly walked through the large door, approaching Hukelent. He then reached out and gently poked the man.
“What is it! What do you want!”
Hukelent’s voice boomed with astonishing volume, akin to a colossal loudspeaker.
“Mmm~”
Ironically, Xiao Qing, who had slept through the general commotion outside, was startled awake by Hukelent’s deafening roar.
“I want to be a teacher.”
Noticing Xiao Qing had awakened, Yue Wu gently stroked her head as he addressed Hukelent.
“You, brat? Then follow me!”
Hukelent turned abruptly and strode away. Yue Wu quickly fell in behind him, while Xiao Qing, nestled in his arms, peered curiously at her surroundings.
“Bruno, we have someone here for the instructor assessment.”
Yue Wu followed Hukelent to the training ground, where two other individuals were also preparing for their instructor evaluations. Both appeared considerably older than Yue Wu, likely in their late thirties.
“I understand.”
Bruno, a senior mentor dispatched from Fiore’s main campus, was responsible for conducting the assessments for all new instructor applicants.
“Excellent. So, it’s just the three of you, correct?”
Bruno, wasting no unnecessary words, cut directly to the core of the matter.
“Your assessment is quite straightforward: simply endure my attacks for five minutes, and you will pass.”
“And what if one were to defeat you instead?”
Yue Wu suddenly raised his hand, posing the unexpected question.
“Heh heh, this newcomer is quite amusing. That is, if you’re capable of such a feat.”
Bruno’s tone carried a clear hint of disdain towards Yue Wu.
“Lastly, do any of you have anything further to say?”
“If not, then let us begin.”
With those words, Bruno immediately drew his staff, preparing to unleash a Fourth-Tier magic: Hurricane Tornado.
However, just as Bruno readied his spell and the other two applicants braced themselves for defense, Yue Wu, still cradling Xiao Qing, began to calmly walk closer to Bruno.
“Hey! Kid, are you out of your mind?!”
Witnessing Yue Wu’s seemingly suicidal approach towards Bruno, the two other applicants couldn’t help but shout in alarm.
“Quick, get out of the way!”
Bruno’s magic was now fully prepared and materialized, surging directly towards Yue Wu, who stood at the forefront.
“Kid, dodge quickly!”
Yet, the instant the words left their lips, utter bewilderment seized them. Not only the two applicants, but Bruno himself was stunned into disbelief; none of them could have ever conceived of what unfolded next.
The Fourth-Tier magic, Hurricane Tornado, had simply vanished?
It hadn’t vanished; rather, Yue Wu had simply crushed it into non-existence with his bare hand.
“What’s wrong? If you don’t launch your second attack soon, I’ll be forced to make a move myself.”
Yue Wu had closed the distance, now standing incredibly close to Bruno, his gaze fixed upon him.
“How is that possible?!”
Bruno utterly refused to believe his own eyes. His magic, which he had clearly cast and seen take form, had simply disappeared in the blink of an eye.
*Thwack!*
Seeing that Bruno showed no inclination to initiate a second attack, Yue Wu swiftly raised his fist and landed a direct blow squarely on Bruno’s face.
“Ugh!”
Bruno’s nose immediately gushed with blood from the impact.
“You! You dare strike me?!”
Bruno was absolutely livid. To be punched and left with a bleeding nose was nothing short of an utter insult to his esteemed image.
“Didn’t you just imply that I could strike you?”
Without another word, Yue Wu raised his hand once more, landing another powerful punch directly into Bruno’s stomach.
“Puwah!”
Bruno collapsed to the ground, his body contorted as if he were a shrimp freshly boiled.
“Did I pass the assessment?”
Yue Wu crouched down, casually poking Bruno a few times with his finger.
The two men standing behind Yue Wu were utterly terrified by his display of power. They unconsciously gulped, silently marking Yue Wu as an exceptionally dangerous individual not to be provoked.