The seemingly gentle and refined Cui Yunfan did not appear to have any combat ability, for he did not even carry a firearm—only a slender decorative sword hanging at his waist.
A sword like that, ornate but fragile, was nothing more than an ornament in this age of weapons that could level cities.
Cui Yunfan lingered on the balcony for a while, then returned to his fourth-floor room.
Inside, several freshmen were sitting stiffly on the sofa.
When they saw Cui Yunfan return, they immediately straightened their backs, not daring to breathe too loudly.
After all, meeting someone with such weight among the student body right after entering school was no small pressure.
But Cui Yunfan paid them no mind.
He sat back at his simple desk, twirling an electronic pen absentmindedly.
Although a gentle smile still lingered on his face, the blue of his eyes could not hide the boredom in his heart.
Being assigned to “LPB” was, to him, like using a cannon to swat a mosquito.
“Wings of Falan” was already overwhelmingly powerful; few in the event could stand against them.
Recruiting freshmen hardly warranted the presence of their second-in-command.
What’s more, none of the recruits under their protection had shown any promise so far.
“Sigh—” Cui Yunfan let out a long sigh.
He only wished the “LPB” would end quickly.
His sigh, however, startled the nervous freshmen, who thought he was dissatisfied with them.
Noticing their tension, Cui Yunfan said warmly, “You don’t need to be so tense. Our Wings of Falan will ensure your safety. Tomorrow we’ll escort you to the academy headquarters.”
Even if he was truly disappointed with this batch, he could not let it show. Face-saving gestures still mattered.
Crash!
A bullet suddenly shattered the window glass, leaving a hole in Cui Yunfan’s desk.
“Help!”
“There’s a sniper!”
The freshmen, already on edge, panicked and bolted downstairs in terror.
That, in truth, was the normal reaction of rookies who had never faced combat. After being tormented by upperclassmen, they were like startled birds.
Cui Yunfan, however, showed no change in expression.
He calmly looked in the sniper’s direction and said into his comms: “Number 5.”
“Understood.”
A streak of light shot out from a window of the building, vanishing into the night.
“How impatient.” Cui Yunfan muttered.
He had deliberately left enemy scouts lingering nearby, but the enemy had grown restless too quickly.
The electronic pen spun dexterously in his fingers—a sign of his absent-mindedness.
He found this battle dull and tedious, yet it would have to drag on for another full day.
Just then, a patrol voice came over the comms: “Second Seat, sir, a freshman requests to see you.”
Already weary of anything involving freshmen, Cui Yunfan said, “If it’s not urgent, don’t report it to me.”
The patrol replied awkwardly, “Uh… but she said her equipment is in the basement.”
“Equipment? Oh, that equipment!”
The pen froze in Cui Yunfan’s hand.
After a moment’s hesitation, his eyes lit up.
He stood abruptly, a hint of excitement in his voice: “Bring her to me… no, I’ll go down myself.”
He knew of the equipment case in the basement—and what was inside.
It made him curious: why would this freshman choose such equipment?
That curiosity was one reason he still lingered here to command.
…
From his vantage point, Ye Lan had been watching everything unfold at the Wings of Falan stronghold.
He saw Su Lixiao at the front entrance, blocked by two guards.
Given the fortress-like defenses, sneaking in would have been too risky.
Appearing openly at the gate was the safer choice.
Though it was unlikely the Wings of Falan would open fire on a freshman, Ye Lan’s finger was already on the trigger.
If there was the slightest sign of conflict, he would shoot without hesitation—he would not allow Su Lixiao to be wronged.
“But why is that guy coming out?”
Ye Lan soon noticed the figure descending the stairs—Cui Yunfan himself.
The man was personally receiving Su Lixiao.
A moment’s thought told Ye Lan why: the equipment box held two lightsabers, no ranged weapon.
That was not the choice of an ordinary freshman—it meant she had confidence in close combat, very likely an ability user.
And any ability user, even a freshman, was a prize any club would eagerly recruit.
“Sharp eyes,” Ye Lan mused with a grin, propping up his chin.
“Whether you can recruit her though—that’s another question.”
…
When Cui Yunfan first laid eyes on Su Lixiao, he felt a flash of astonishment.
In this era, physical appearance was no longer a measure—every human was attractive.
Only temperament mattered.
Though dressed plainly, Su Lixiao radiated an edge that told him she was no ordinary girl.
Lowering himself far more than usual, Cui Yunfan greeted politely: “Hello, I am Cui Yunfan, Second Seat of the Wings of Falan.”
“…”
Su Lixiao immediately stepped back, her eyes sharp with suspicion.
At once Cui Yunfan understood—this girl had seen through his genteel façade and sensed the hidden blades behind his smile.
This was merely a “friendly” probe on first meeting, but on a true battlefield, he knew he would already have been beheaded.
Not simple. Not simple at all.
His hand unconsciously tightened on the hilt of his sword.
It was an eccentric hobby of his, clinging to such a weapon—but he knew what must come next.
Cui Yunfan extended an invitation: “I hear the equipment in the basement is yours. Please, follow me.”
“Second Seat, sir…” the patrol guards grew anxious.
This errand was far beneath him; it should have been theirs.
We can handle this!
But one glance at the cold gleam in Cui Yunfan’s eyes, and they swallowed their protest.
Guided by him, Su Lixiao descended into the basement.
The lights there flickered weakly, threatening to go out at any moment.
Beyond the dim corridor stretched darkness, like a beast ready to devour intruders.
Humans had always feared the dark—even in the space age.
Cui Yunfan, too, disliked venturing into it.
He stopped, pointing toward a rusted iron door at the corridor’s end: “Your equipment is behind that door.”
He remained where he was.
Su Lixiao glanced at him, then walked past, opened the door, and stepped inside.
If anyone who knew Cui Yunfan well were present, they would not recognize him at this moment.
The always composed and elegant strategist now trembled with excitement, eyes flashing with battle lust.
He had already drawn his ornate sword, taking a ready stance as he waited for the door to open again.
Cui Yunfan knew the girl would not refuse his challenge.
…