So… Why Is There a Dress?

The 118th batch of student uniforms at Zhanhun Military Academy—Ye Lan’s batch—was styled as “formal wear,” with a blue-and-white color theme.

Almost every military academy had a team dedicated to designing uniforms for students.

The academy’s requirements for uniforms focused on two points: “practicality” and “aesthetic appeal.”

“Practicality” meant the uniform had to function in most combat environments, including frontal combat and covert operations.

Frontal combat required sufficient firepower and protection, so the uniform contained hidden layers for weapons and armor plates.

Covert operations required stealth, so after upgrading with nano-elastic fibers, the uniform could provide optical camouflage.

“Aesthetic appeal” ensured that students could wear the uniform in any setting, whether on the battlefield or in ceremonial halls.

Designers had to consider color coordination, style, and student preferences to make the uniform appealing.

For most freshmen, the most impressive feature of the uniform was its bulletproof capability.

Bulletproofing sounded practical, but Ye Lan scoffed at the idea.

Even using 100% pure nano-elastic fibers, the uniform could only stop bullets under 20mm caliber.

Against hyper-velocity rounds from electromagnetic railguns, the effective caliber would reduce further, possibly below 10mm.

Moreover, blunt-impact explosives would still transmit significant force through the thin fabric, leaving bones broken, organs damaged, and lives lost.

Of course, Ye Lan didn’t think the uniform was entirely useless.

Nano-elastic fibers were highly wear-resistant, self-repairing, and self-cleaning, solving many daily nuisances.

For the first semester, this uniform would be his best physical armor.

Still, as armor, Ye Lan’s evaluation was “unsatisfactory.”

“This is heavy… Is there more than one outfit?” Ye Lan wondered as he lifted the uniform box, sensing a discrepancy from his memory.

Usually, one uniform sufficed, but multiple outfits could be had with enough points, even with different styles or color themes.

Ye Lan glanced at the name on the box.

It did say “Ye Lan,” so he hadn’t grabbed the wrong box.

He opened it, shaking out each piece of clothing.

First was a male uniform, similar to a suit, primarily light blue and white.

This was the first uniform Ye Lan remembered from Zhanhun Academy.

Next was a gray-black suit, similar in style to the one Su Li Xiao wore.

Judging from the fabric texture, it used nano-elastic fibers, making it expensive.

Ye Lan realized this suit wasn’t bought by a poor version of himself—only one explanation remained: Su Li Xiao had bought it for him.

He chuckled bitterly, muttering, “This girl… Did she get it from the student council?”

As the freshman representative, she would surely join the student council, and with her ability, becoming president wouldn’t be difficult.

Ye Lan carefully put the suit in the wardrobe.

He knew Su Li Xiao’s intention: she hoped one day they would stand side by side.

The last piece of clothing remained in the box.

When Ye Lan lifted it, his eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

It was a female uniform.

Looking further, he saw hair ties, skirts, white and black stockings—everything was prepared.

Judging by the size, it seemed the female uniform would surprisingly fit him.

A note fell from the uniform.

He picked it up.

It read: “Do you like my gift? Finding something that fits you wasn’t easy! ヾ(≧O≦)〃”

It was Su Li Xiao’s handwriting.

Ye Lan’s mouth twitched.

He didn’t remember this from his previous life—what kind of variable was this?

He took a deep breath to calm himself.

At that moment, steady footsteps approached Room 403.

It felt like a cold bucket of water had been dumped on him.

He hurriedly returned the female uniform to the box, hiding it in the back of the wardrobe.

The footsteps stopped at the door, and the automatic lock started turning.

Ye Lan suddenly unleashed unprecedented organizational skills.

In almost no time, he made the bed, folded the blanket neatly, placed items on the desk, stored unnecessary items in his suitcase, and locked away all clothes in the wardrobe—including the female uniform.

He acted as if it had never existed.

After stowing the suitcase on top of the wardrobe, Ye Lan’s task was complete.

At the doorway, a tall man stood frozen in confusion.

About two meters tall, he glanced at the tidy room, then at Ye Lan, then at the door number to confirm he hadn’t entered the wrong dorm.

“403… that’s right…” the man scratched his head.

Then he seemed to realize something, pointing at Ye Lan: “You… you’re… that… that?”

He had a roommate but wasn’t clear on the details.

Ye Lan stepped forward, extending a hand: “Hello, I’m Ye Lan. I look forward to living with you.”

“Uh, yes, likewise. I’m Raymond Carniel…”

Raymond initially moved in a daze, shaking Ye Lan’s hand.

“Wait!” He suddenly recalled Ye Lan’s name and exclaimed, “You’re Ye Lan?”

Their hands froze mid-air.

Raymond stammered: “You… you’re that…”

“The coward? The deserter?”

Ye Lan completed the insult that had preceded him.

His first impression might have been bad, but he knew Raymond’s honest nature.

It was better to speak the truth upfront.

“Ah… sorry…”

Raymond scratched his head awkwardly.

Looking at Ye Lan’s perfectly organized bed and room, he realized Ye Lan was not as the rumors said.

One could tell a person’s character by their demeanor and habits.

Ye Lan clearly did not belong to the negative type.

Seeing is believing.

Raymond, now seeing Ye Lan in person, couldn’t help but suspect a plot behind the rumors.

“Raymond, I’m your roommate from now on. Please take care of me.”

Ye Lan’s words pulled Raymond back to the present.

Seeing Ye Lan’s clear yet spirited eyes, he realized the rumors were false.

“No, no… I shouldn’t have believed those rumors. Hello, Ye Lan. I look forward to living with you.”