Still, even if the academy wasn’t giving first-years any special care this time—no more deliberately lowered difficulty for the practical assessment—Vinny felt it wouldn’t affect him. He could adapt completely.

No matter how hard it got, it couldn’t possibly be harder than the last practical assessment he went on with Aesphyra, right??

That time, they’d run into Jiulixue—the future Demon King and one of the fate heroines. Could anything be more dangerous than that? If he hadn’t held leverage over Jiulixue, he and Aesphyra would’ve both died there.

So Vinny wasn’t all that nervous. After the written exams, he lived exactly the same as usual—played cards when he felt like it, took it easy when he felt like it. In his opinion, only the academic portion needed review and thorough preparation beforehand. But the practical assessment varied from person to person. Before you officially received your assigned task, nobody knew what it would be, so there was no point panicking.

Even so, it was still finals—end of the second semester of first year, at that. By nature, it was definitely different from before. Even the card players—usually as steady as a pile of erasers—were jumping up and down in a frenzy now, their composure wavering. They couldn’t even keep calm while playing a game.

“By the way, comrades—how did you all do on the written exams? Are you confident for the practical battle afterward? Have you gotten any news about your practical assessment yet? What does it lean toward this time? I heard from second-year upperclassmen that the first-year second-semester practical assessment is hard! It’ll knock a bunch of people down into repeating the year!”

“What are you scared of? First time repeating a year or something? Why are you freaking out? John, calm down. Don’t be so jumpy, okay??”

“It is my first time repeating a year—pfft! Who’s repeating a year?! We haven’t even taken it yet! Are you cursing me into repeating a year??”

“Speaking of it, I heard this practical assessment doesn’t have much to do with combat power or realm. I mean, we’re first-years, after all. Supposedly it’s to train our wilderness survival skills—as a transition from first year to second year.”

“Bro, don’t lie to yourself. That rumor of yours is way too wild. Where’d you even get it? I heard this practical assessment is extremely hard, but first-year students will get assigned upperclassmen to lead teams.”

“And where’d your news come from? Making stuff up without blinking, huh? Since when do first-year practical tasks get done together with second-years? Mine came from an upperclassman—then I analyzed it myself.”

“Tch. Aren’t you making stuff up too? That upperclassman already knows what we first-years are being tested on this time? How is that possible? He probably doesn’t even know what he is being tested on. Forget upperclassmen—maybe even the mentors assigning the tasks don’t know yet. Everyone’s practical assessment is different. Until it’s actually handed to you, who knows what your practical assessment task is??”

The card-player crowd argued nonstop, each one like an ant on a hot pan—never burning incense in ordinary times, and then clutching at last-minute salvation.

“Enough. Why are you all panicking?” Vinny cut them off with a single line, calmly playing cards. “Does panicking do anything? You’re not the mentors assigning tasks. How would you know what you’re about to face?”

This was the Camella Royal Capital’s notorious young master. He’d seen real storms. What waves hadn’t he seen?

His mindset was steady now.

“Ah—Vinny, you really aren’t worried at all.”

“That’s a weird thing to say. Why would Vinny be worried? Don’t forget—Vinny is still one of the only three Magus in first year. The other two are Aesphyra and Isatia. That’s an insane level of prestige.” A card player said it immediately.

No.

Maybe it was only two now.

Vinny thought that silently.

Aesphyra had most likely already stepped into the Master realm, so there were only two Magus left. As for whether anyone else had reached Magus since then... who knew? Nobody had tested.

Sure, cramming at the last second was useless here. There wasn’t even a method. For academic exams, you could still rush some review and gamble on predicted questions. But the practical assessment depended purely on strength built day after day. Cultivation was even fairer than studying—reap what you sow. Improving your strength in a short time was almost impossible.

The card players all knew it and couldn’t do anything about it, but hearing it said out loud still made them unhappy. Once their mood was spoiled, they didn’t even want to play anymore.

Of course, some of them had a broader view. They knew sulking was pointless, so they kept playing happily anyway.

On the way home from playing cards, Vinny wandered the main street with a foxtail weed stem between his lips.

Lately, he’d become free again. The academic exams—what needed the most review—were done, so he didn’t have much else to stay busy with.

He felt he’d performed pretty well this time. His exam score in the last return test hadn’t been ideal either, but it depended on who you compared him to. Compared to most people, his results had actually landed in the upper-middle range—an astonishing improvement. Plenty of people marveled at how fast he’d improved.

Of course, only the card players knew what was really going on.

They were jealous enough to chew lemons behind his back.

Even if they tried to lie to themselves, the results were obvious now. There was no room left to keep deceiving themselves.

And honestly, the fact that he’d tested well this time was thanks to Isatia. She’d helped him study—she’d even offered first.

Mm. He didn’t know if it was just his imagination, but during finals season, when Isatia tutored him... she sat closer than before.

Hey, this isn’t Vinny bragging. It was both good and bad. Good, because his focus was razor-sharp and his study efficiency shot up. Bad, because... ahem. Sometimes his focus was sharp, but not on what it should’ve been sharp on.

In the blink of an eye, it had been a year and a half since he’d crossed into the Tyrelis Continent—and a full year since he’d enrolled at Carillian Academy.

Time really flew.

Looking back on how much he’d changed in this year... it was hard not to feel overwhelmed.

He’d more or less escaped the guillotine blade that used to hang above his head, ready to drop at any moment—but new crises had arrived one after another.

What a life.

Vinny sighed.

It felt like ever since he’d come to this world, he’d been running for his life. He was still running now—only it had changed from running from the fate heroine’s poisoned hands to running from the Church of the Dawn and the Demon Pillars’ followers.

He couldn’t help sighing at how strange fate was. His goal had always been simple: survive, and survive better. Yet along the way, he’d done so many things that his past self never would’ve dared imagine—until it led to the situation where he’d decided to oppose the Church.

He really wanted to ask:

When would his life finally settle down?

He could only hope the upcoming practical assessment wouldn’t go wrong. And the Dawn Goddess had better not pull any more stunts on him, or he really wouldn’t survive.

Meanwhile, in a private underground alchemy room.

“Pff—so that’s what he said?” A blue-haired elf girl sat on a long bench with a cup of hot tea in her hands, smiling in amusement. “But he isn’t wrong. That student Vinny is actually a very rational child.”

“Sif, do you... think so too?” Milian sat across from Sif Dusksea, her hands tightly clasped together.

“Milian, this is ultimately your personal emotional matter. The decision is yours alone.” Sif looked at Milian gently. “But from an observer’s perspective, what student Vinny said does make some sense. First, I’ve never heard of any alchemical potion that can bring someone love. Second—Milian, do you know why our people have always forbidden marriage between our kin and humans?”

“I...” Milian hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping again.

“Your sister—Her Majesty the Queen—may have only told you the rule, and not told you why.” Sif’s voice stayed patient. “She was also worried about you. She didn’t want you living in pain and regret.”

“It’s because humans are all fickle, right?” Milian puffed her cheeks.

“Mmm. The two races may differ in how they view love. But it’s not only that.” Sif explained patiently. “The most crucial point is that human lifespans are simply far too short compared to ours.”

“Think about it. You are a Golden Elf. Your lifespan is the longest among the elves. Even if you never choose to walk the path of the extraordinary, as long as nothing unexpected happens, living a thousand years would be effortless. But what about student Vinny? He’s only a human. Even if his talent is exceptional and his road is wide open, at best he’ll still only have a few hundred years of life. Your lifespans are completely unequal.”

“Let me give an example—a hypothetical.” Sif’s tone grew more earnest, more vivid. “If you truly ended up together, then even setting aside how the two races differ greatly in many beliefs... a few hundred years later, student Vinny might already be gone. Yet at that time, Milian, your life would only just be beginning.”

“How would you spend the hollow, painful second half of your life—after losing your partner?” Sif said softly. “I don’t want to see you forced to live out your remaining years in grief after losing your partner. That would be suffering in the mortal world.”

“Besides, Milian, I also lean toward the situation student Vinny described. Since you were young, you’ve scarcely even seen your own peers—let alone humans. You know nothing about love. Mistaking a surge of emotion for love is a very normal thing, because you simply can’t judge what that emotion truly is.”

“Elves have always been unwaveringly faithful in love, but I think you were emotionally overwhelmed in that moment, and mistook that intense fluctuation for love.” Seeing Milian stay silent, Sif continued.

“Of course, Milian, I’ve already said it—this is your personal choice. Love has nothing to do with right or wrong.” Sif’s tone shifted.

“When you go back, think it over carefully. If you have any doubts, or if there’s anything you need, you can come to me.” As she spoke, Sif handed Milian a silver ring.

“This is...?” Milian didn’t understand what it was.

“A ring of good fortune that I made.” Sif chuckled. “It can increase your luck. And yes—the effect is quite strong. Luck itself has always been the most mysterious thing under heaven.”

“These past two days, you’ve already helped answer my questions. I’m grateful enough. Taking a gift from you on top of that... how could I?” Milian shook her head.

“Just accept it. It’s my sincere intention. It’s almost time for the academy’s practical assessment, isn’t it? This assessment is unusual. You’ve officially stepped across the threshold of Carillian Academy now. From here on out, your trials will only get harder and harder.”

“Wear it. What if you end up needing it?” Sif placed the ring into Milian’s hand.

“Then... thank you, Sif.” After hesitating a moment, Milian accepted the silver-etched ring.

“You’re welcome.” Sif smiled. “Do you have anything else?”

“No. Oh... that...” Milian looked like she wanted to say something, but she stopped again.

“If you have something to say, feel free.”

“Sif... actually, when I went home last time, my sister told me to apologize to you on her behalf.” Milian said solemnly.

“......” Sif kept smiling, but after hearing that, she didn’t speak.

“We... really do thank you. And your sister as well. And... I’m sorry.” Milian said.

“Milian, there’s no need to say that.” Sif shook her head. “The elf sacred tree has always been the lifeblood and root of our elves. Protecting the Chenfen Family is our duty and responsibility.”

“Even though I miss my sister very much, I know she would never regret what she did.” After less than a second of silence, Sif lifted a smile again. “And I’m proud of her.”

“Thank you.” Milian fell silent for a moment, then bowed deeply to Sif and turned to leave.

“......” Sif watched Milian’s departing back and said nothing.

—————————

“Student Vinny, today is the last day to receive the practical assessment task.” Shicodale said, wearing an apron in the kitchen as he wiped dishes clean.

“Yeah, I know.” Vinny rolled over on the sofa and yawned. “Whether I want to go or not, I still have to.”

“Let’s go, student Dale. There should be a lot fewer people picking up tasks today. Let’s go receive ours too.” Vinny stood up.

“Mhm! Wait for me to finish washing this plate.” After scrubbing the last plate and putting it away, Shicodale untied the apron and ran out of the kitchen—PITTER-PAT. “Student Vinny, let’s go.”

“Let’s go.” Vinny hooked Frostfang onto his earlobe and walked to the entryway to change shoes.

The two of them left the dorm and headed onto the street.

“Student Vinny... has Milian been coming to find you a lot lately?” Shicodale suddenly asked curiously. “When she comes to you, is it for something?”

“Huh? No.” Vinny blurted out a denial on reflex.

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