Chapter 10 The Forgotten Past

For the subsequent class break, nothing out of the ordinary transpired.

While Xie Shenhong’s return to school certainly provided ample fodder for discussion, it wasn’t a matter that commanded ceaseless attention.

Moreover, with Lyte acting as his steadfast protector, Xie Shenhong remained undisturbed by any harassment throughout the entire afternoon.

“It’s time we left, Shenhong,” Lyte announced, approaching him.

“Isn’t school dismissed already?”

Xie Shenhong paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

At Sifang Academy, the period following the lunch break was dedicated to elective courses, during which students would select various magical disciplines to pursue, aligning with their individual aptitudes and strengths.

Consequently, at this particular hour, only special admission students specializing in theoretical studies, such as Xie Shenhong, typically found themselves with spare time—or rather, everyone else usually immersed themselves in research within the laboratories, leaving him uniquely idle.

“I’ve already requested leave.”

“Then let’s go.”

Xie Shenhong rose without hesitation, then followed Lyte out of the classroom.

After a short walk, however, he, intimately familiar with the school’s layout, couldn’t help but furrow his brow in confusion.

“Wait a moment,” he interjected, “You can’t possibly intend for me to go into battle wearing *this*, can you?”

Through diligent practice, Xie Shenhong had eventually mastered the art of coordinating his own outfits and styling his hair.

Today, for instance, acknowledging the lingering warmth of September, he had opted for a bob haircut and a refreshingly cute ensemble: a sailor-collared white shirt paired with a pleated mini-skirt.

This particular attire, it must be said, was extraordinarily prone to accidental exposure with any significant movement.

While it was true that he now indulged in cross-dressing, his formative years had been spent under Duanmu Yun’s tutelage, receiving a strict lady’s education.

Having internalized those lessons, he found it utterly impossible to engage in actions devoid of all modesty.

During one particularly extreme period, his elegant demeanor had earned him the undisputed moniker of “Crimson Princess” within the academy.

“Rest assured,” Lyte replied, “it won’t have a significant impact.”

“In other words, you genuinely intend for me to engage in combat,” Xie Shenhong sighed, a note of exasperation in his voice. “And here I foolishly believed you might have devised a clever solution.”

“There’s no alternative,” Lyte admitted candidly. “Academically, you’ve already surpassed everyone in your grade; continuing down that path would inevitably leave you unfulfilled.

The Duanmu family, moreover, lacks neither wealth nor status, so a breakthrough in combat is truly the only viable option.”

Xie Shenhong, in truth, wouldn’t have minded pursuing a career in trade and commerce.

After all, everything he currently utilized belonged to the Duanmu family; if he could start from nothing and amass enough wealth to sustain an entire kingdom, it would undoubtedly aid Duanmu Yun.

Regrettably, the disparity in military strength between the kingdom and the empire was simply too vast to be bridged by economic power or logistical support, let alone the even more formidable demonic forces that lay ahead.

To even contemplate engaging in commerce, one first had to secure their own survival.

“But I am devoid of magical ability,” he pointed out.

“I am aware,” Lyte affirmed, “which is precisely why I’ve brought you to this place.”

Lyte halted his steps before a formidable armory.

As his gaze fell upon the nameplate beside the armory door, a heavy sensation settled in Xie Shenhong’s chest.

“Student Council exclusive use…” he murmured, “Did Qinglong Ge suggest this to you?”

Dongfang Qinglong, the Student Council President of the high school division and heir to the Dongfang family, had been the one who looked after Xie Shenhong most attentively within the academy.

Even now, if he were willing, that dynamic would remain unaltered.

“Don’t be so quick to refuse,” Lyte interjected hastily. “I specifically requested this from the President.

Even if his good intentions are genuinely involved, I don’t believe rejecting the kindness of others truly equates to self-reliance.”

“I know,” Xie Shenhong replied.

Despite his words, for a fleeting moment just now, Xie Shenhong had indeed contemplated fleeing.

After all—

“Don’t overthink the goodwill, as if you can’t repay it all,” Lyte continued. “Even if you’re reluctant to accept, those who genuinely wish to help you will still do so.

Since you can’t refuse, my advice is simply not to let it go to waste.”

Having finished his explanation, Lyte turned his head, only to find Xie Shenhong glaring intensely at him, which caused him to momentarily freeze in surprise.

“I… I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?”

“No,” Xie Shenhong retorted irritably. “Who told you such things?”

“My personal experience,” Lyte replied.

“Heh.”

Xie Shenhong, however, found it utterly impossible to believe that the self-serving, utterly shameless imperial prince could have ever accumulated such profound experiences.

“Let’s not dwell on this any further; we should go inside.” Lyte, seemingly unconcerned with Xie Shenhong’s belief, noted that the latter’s initial reluctance had faded.

He promptly produced his identification card and swiped it, granting them access through the large door.

Though dubbed an armory, it was, in essence, a sealed chamber roughly the size of a forty-person classroom, its interior adorned with a dazzling array of diverse enchanted weaponry, including some of the most advanced products currently available on the market.

Indeed, over the past five years, enchanted weaponry had undergone rapid advancements.

Magic-guided weapons augmented by magic stones were no longer a rarity, and their marketing slogan proudly proclaimed, “Even those devoid of magic can wield them.”

Yet, advertisements were ultimately just that—advertisements.

For instance, the formidable Storm Greatsword resting on the table, if its magic stone wasn’t continuously activated with magical energy, Xie Shenhong would find it utterly impossible to even lift.

Maintaining continuous activation would deplete any quantity of magic stones in short order.

Furthermore, the innate magical energy within the human body functioned much like the flint in a lighter; without it, one couldn’t even ignite a flame.

“Come, take a look at these.”

Lyte, clearly not envisioning the seemingly delicate Xie Shenhong wielding conventional armaments, led him directly to the deepest recesses of the armory, stopping before a meticulously arranged row of weapons displayed on a table.

‘As expected, it’s these items…’

Xie Shenhong gazed at the array of weapons, his heart remaining largely unperturbed.

Enchanted firearms.

These were low-tier enchanted weapons, mass-produced after the demonic invasion with the specific purpose of enabling commoners and militiamen, despite their limited individual strength, to effectively combat lower-ranking demons.

Their designs largely mirrored the rifled firearms of 19th-century Earth, yet their primary driving force was magical energy.

Featuring a dual magic stone configuration, pulling the trigger would activate a smaller magic stone for “ignition,” which, in turn, would power the magical inscription etched within the core magic stone, ultimately unleashing magical projectiles with the potency of a Bronze-tier spell.

Indeed, the destructive capability of enchanted firearms was remarkably low; nevertheless, these had constituted Xie Shenhong’s primary weapons in his previous life.

Even if, in this current life, he gained access to enchanted firearms three years earlier, it would not alter the fundamental truth that he would still be utterly overwhelmed by Gold-tier adversaries.

Consequently, this degree of assistance could only be described as marginally better than nothing at all.

Considering, however, that Lyte remained unaware of his ability to foresee the future, Xie Shenhong understood that his proper course of action was to display a grateful smile, allowing Lyte to revel in the satisfaction of having helped him.

He could then, completely unburdened by guilt, turn on Lyte in a week’s time—

“This is far too weak,” Lyte declared.

After a quick glance at the instruction manual laid out nearby, Lyte’s brow furrowed in a frown.

“How can you say that?” Xie Shenhong exclaimed, genuinely surprised. “To enable those without magical ability to unleash Bronze-tier magical projectiles without any personal cost… that is an utterly remarkable invention!”

While Lyte’s reaction had taken Xie Shenhong somewhat by surprise, it did not deter him from adhering to his original plan of feigning profound delight.

“No, this is far from sufficient,” Lyte stated, a note of guilt in his voice. “I apologize; I spoke with such certainty, yet the outcome is merely a weapon of this caliber…”

Xie Shenhong couldn’t help but press a hand to his forehead.

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, big brother, could you please just cooperate a little?’ he thought. ‘I’m already past caring, so why are you still wallowing in sorrow all by yourself?’

‘Seriously, stop making such a distressed face! Anyone who didn’t know better would think *you* were the one devoid of magic!’

Xie Shenhong found himself growing increasingly exasperated.

Not only was he being pitied by his enemy, but this display also threatened to destabilize a heart that had long since resigned itself to reality.

Just as Xie Shenhong resolved to once again accept his fate, a phone rang.

It was Lyte’s mobile phone.

Recognizing the caller’s name, Lyte promptly answered.

A short while later, he ended the call and, from a corner of the table, retrieved an unassuming box.

He opened it.

Revealed within were two identical pistols.

They possessed the distinctive silhouette of a Desert Eagle, yet their barrels were coated in a vibrant, flame-like red.

Both vivid and sharp.

They resembled a pair of crimson falcons, wings outstretched, gazing disdainfully upon the azure firmament.

“Shenhong, have you ever heard of the ‘Crimson Eagles’?”