“Then can I?”
At that moment, a voice suddenly came from the crowd.
Ye Lan turned toward the source and was surprised to see it was Yatherin.
He had not expected this trouble-averse blonde girl to actively seek trouble.
“We, E Class, agree to face D Class in the Year-Level Battle!”
At the same time, a rough voice sounded behind Ye Lan.
Turning in disbelief, he saw it was Raymond and Shi Jiansheng, followed by the rest of E Class.
“How did you all come?”
Ye Lan had never imagined that E Class would arrive at this moment.
How did they know what was happening on the second floor?
“Of course, it’s thanks to my cleverness.”
Yatherin proudly showed Ye Lan a small device in her hand—a miniature camera.
Ye Lan paused, then asked, “So… you deliberately let yourself get caught?”
“Uh… no, that was a mistake.”
Yatherin awkwardly turned her head to hide her expression.
Although Ye Lan was thrilled to see E Class arrive, there was no need to drag the whole class into this.
Just as Ye Lan was about to speak, a hand patted his right shoulder.
He turned and saw it was Shi Jiansheng, E Class’s class leader.
“Class leader…” Ye Lan was surprised.
Counting both his past and present lives, this was the first time Shi Jiansheng had patted him on the shoulder—he had accepted Ye Lan as one of his own.
Such a change in attitude made Ye Lan slightly uneasy.
He pondered for a moment, then asked Yatherin: “Wait, did that camera record everything?”
“Hehe…”
Yatherin tucked the camera into her pocket and slipped away, giving Ye Lan no chance to make her delete the footage.
“Sorry, Ye Lan.”
A broad hand rested on Ye Lan’s left shoulder—it was Raymond.
Raymond apologized: “We didn’t arrive sooner, and you suffered unfairly.”
Ye Lan said, “For someone like me, this kind of thing…”
“Enough, you don’t have to say that. It was bound to happen eventually.”
Shi Jiansheng, as class leader, knew how to interact with people. He understood Ye Lan was trying to shoulder the blame himself.
But it wasn’t that simple—D Class and E Class’s conflict was not just one person’s anger.
“We’ve long disliked D Class.”
“Yeah! D Class isn’t much better academically and only bullies E Class.”
“They always make things difficult for us—it’s a problem.”
“Shouldn’t we just openly give them a good beating?”
The E Class students shouted in unison, venting long-held resentment.
Ye Lan looked at them with a complicated expression.
Rationally, he didn’t want to drag the entire class into trouble—he wasn’t prepared with a complete plan.
But Shi Jiansheng was right: it was only a matter of time.
How many things in the world wait until perfectly prepared before being done?
Ye Lan chose to respect the choice of E Class.
Even if their decision was impulsive and reckless, that was the nature of youth, wasn’t it?
“Thank you.”
“Thank what? We’re all one class.”
Raymond patted Ye Lan’s shoulder and gave a thumbs-up: “That slap was satisfying, though.”
“Uh…” Ye Lan was slightly embarrassed.
The Kendo Club and the Master did not interfere with E Class reuniting with Ye Lan—they faithfully carried out their roles as witnesses and supervisors.
After the noise subsided, the Master addressed John Edmond, D Class’s leader, who was still on the ground:
“D Class leader, will you accept this challenge issued by E Class?”
“Hmph! I’ll make you see—E Class is still E Class.”
John Edmond glared fiercely at every E Class member, especially Ye Lan, before standing and walking to Shi Jiansheng.
He extended his hand: “D Class accepts this challenge. During FSVM, we will beat you until you’re unrecognizable.”
“Hah! Only if you have the ability. We’ll see.”
Shi Jiansheng scoffed, but extended his hand, shaking John Edmond’s—signifying the duel was agreed.
Almost immediately, both flung their hands aside with disdain.
“The contract is set. The duel is confirmed.”
The Master returned to the Kendo Club, representing all members:
“We will supervise both classes before FSVM, preventing any rule violations.”
The Master’s icy tone and the Kendo Club members’ sharp gazes sent chills through E and D Class students.
Usually, handshakes between class leaders were purely formal—there were no binding rules.
This time was different.
The Kendo Club, truly neutral, would enforce certain duel rules strictly.
Until FSVM, neither class could sabotage the other, nor interfere during training.
This was an absolute advantage for E Class.
“Let’s go!”
John Edmond ordered his group, exiting the cafeteria without looking back.
Today had gone from a chance to bully E Class to a full-on FSVM confrontation.
“Damn E Class!”
He muttered under his breath, but a senior who had restrained him heard.
The senior scowled, about to draw his sword, but a slender hand stopped him.
“Master?” he asked in confusion.
“Everything has cause and effect. This is between the two classes—we should not intervene.”
“…Understood.”
The senior released the sword, breathing deeply to calm himself.
Ye Lan had already noticed this senior’s support for E Class.
He had even used killing intent to “calm” John Edmond—a subtle aid to Ye Lan.
He now understood why: this senior was also from E Class, but 3rd-year E Class—Zeming Cangnan, class leader and 10th seat of the Kendo Club.
It was remarkable that such a decadent E Class could produce someone like him.
Ye Lan had to properly thank the Kendo Club.
Without their intervention, he would have been forced into submission.
He stepped before the Master, clasped his fists, and bowed: “Thank you for your help, Master.”
“Simply standing up for the weak.”
The Master gently shook her head, dismissing the gratitude.
“Ye Lan, we should prepare now.”
Shi Jiansheng called him—he needed to lead E Class to a meeting and report to the homeroom teacher, Gongsun Shen.
But Ye Lan still wanted to ask the Master a few things.
The silver-haired, fox-eared Master gave him a faint sense of familiarity.
He couldn’t place why.
“You not going to follow them?”
Ye Lan paused, then sighed.
He bowed to the Master: “Then, Master, I take my leave.”
Turning toward E Class, he walked away.
The Master watched him go—the fox mask hid her expression, but her fox ears drooped slightly.
Suddenly, Ye Lan turned and called from afar:
“Will we meet again?”
The Master’s fox ears perked at once, but after a long pause, she answered:
“Fate is predestined. Who knows what the future holds?”
Ye Lan’s heart skipped a beat.
Was this a casual remark or a deliberate hint?
If the Master spoke like this, he would have to be careful—best not to engage too much.
A wise man may falter; Ye Lan knew he was in such a position.
He gave a final bow from afar and hurried downstairs.
On the way down, cheers erupted behind him.
“Today! Our Kendo Club gathers on the second floor—thanks to our new Master!”
The aged voice was loud, attracting curiosity from the first-floor diners.
Due to the angle, they couldn’t see the scene above.
“My incompetence caused trouble today. I should apologize first.”
“Master, you are humble—you’ve shown us old bones a new perspective. From now on, this galaxy will be your era.”
“We should apologize for troubling you. I’ll start with three cups.”
“Hey! I’ll drink four!”
“You old man, you’re only a few years older than me—acting like a youngster?”
“Hahaha~”
The white-haired elders showed no signs of age—their energy spread to the younger students, enlivening the second floor.
Ye Lan felt utterly embarrassed.
The Kendo Club elders, despite their age, retained a playful heart.
Ye Lan realized he shouldn’t be mentally so old.
[Ding! You have received a message!]
Ye Lan reached the cafeteria entrance and a holographic window popped up:
[E Class Internal Channel:
Cutting Knife: 8:00 PM, meet at the “Street Corner Tea Shop” on Fifth Avenue.
Roughneck: Got it.
Corn: Received!
…]
Ye Lan squinted.
Shi Jiansheng’s efficiency was impressive—the meeting place was set.
[Salty Fish: Got it.]
Ye Lan closed the window, his fists already clenched.
Whether E Class would become heroes resisting fate or losers crushed by it all depended on FSVM—the Year-Level Battle.