Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Man Who Appeared Out of Nowhere

Back then, Liu Ru won the final bid with the Third Highness’s goldenleaf, but after that, she submitted an additional offer—a slip of paper. Liu Ru herself had never seen what was on that slip, just as she had never read the contents of the blue envelope. Now, Su Ziye revealed what was written on that note: he would share the exam questions with the entire city.

“So, what will you do?” Carlotus asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Su Ziye looked at him. “It’s simple. The Crimson Heart Dojo.”

Su Ziye had given the only correct answer.

“It seems you’re even more familiar with Nightleaf Academy than I imagined,” Carlotus nodded.

“You flatter me,” Su Ziye smiled. “Now, what about my reward?”

“What reward?” Carlotus feigned ignorance.

“In your original plan, if someone bought these exam questions but didn’t state that condition, it wouldn’t count as solving your riddle, and thus, there’d be no reward.” Su Ziye fixed his gaze on Carlotus. “He could spread the questions within a small circle for profit, perhaps even increase some people’s chance of passing the third trial. That would be valuable, yes, but nothing more.”

“Your brother is also in the Hall of Stars,” Carlotus replied coolly. “He wanted to buy the questions too, but his condition was to ask me a question in person.”

“I’m rather glad he failed, then,” Su Ziye said without a flicker.

“Now I’m a bit curious what he would have asked me,” Carlotus looked at Su Ziye. “Or, you could ask me any question?”

“Don’t try to fool me,” Su Ziye replied calmly. “There’s only one thing I want.”

“And that is for me to admit you directly to Nightleaf Academy.”

“I didn’t expect even you would prefer not to take my third trial.” Carlotus pretended to be surprised. “Besides, with your status and qualifications, you could already get in without any exams.”

“As far as I know, almost no one has ever used that privilege,” Su Ziye said, meeting Carlotus’s gaze. “Since it was introduced, it’s always been seen as the coward’s choice.”

“Besides, even if I wanted to use it now, I almost couldn’t. After all, I’m no longer His Highness.”

“Then just take the third trial,” Carlotus encouraged.

“I’ve already passed your special test. There’s no reason for me to take the third trial,” Su Ziye pressed on, relentless.

“I truly can’t see what you gain from this,” Carlotus sighed. “It’s true, passing my test does entitle you to make any request of me. But direct admission to the Academy… that’s a little troublesome for me.”

“So it’s only a little?” Su Ziye smiled at him.

“Life is hard enough. Don’t expose me,” Carlotus slid a glass of wine in front of Su Ziye. “Drink this, and from now on, you’re a student of Nightleaf Academy.”

“I don’t drink, not when I still need to think,” Su Ziye politely refused. “I’ll make do with some black tea.”

“This is a bar. There’s no black tea,” Carlotus replied, watching Su Ziye.

“In that case, a glass of iced water,” Su Ziye said evenly.

Carlotus nodded, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and a glass of water, ice cubes floating on the surface, appeared soundlessly.

“Sometimes, I really don’t know if you count as a monster,” Su Ziye sighed, downing the water in one gulp.

“I don’t think so,” Carlotus smiled. “What right do I have to compare myself to those monsters?”

“Or perhaps you stand above them?” Su Ziye probed.

“Do you believe that?” Carlotus looked at him.

“Honestly, I don’t,” Su Ziye replied. “When even the Dean is willing to vouch for someone, the thought alone is enough to terrify.”

“When you’re in the Academy, you can see the Dean any time you want,” Carlotus replied calmly. “He’s not some unreachable figure.”

“Even if he might be the strongest person in the world?” Su Ziye asked.

“Well, it’s only a possibility,” Carlotus smiled.

“One more thing,” Su Ziye continued. “I want to join the Student Council.”

“So soon?” Carlotus nearly spat out his wine.

“It’s not that soon. After all, I joined Nightleaf Academy first, then applied to the Student Council. There’s nothing wrong with the order, is there?” Su Ziye asked.

“No problem at all, but don’t you want to learn more? The Crimson Heart Dojo is a good choice. The Snow Burial Society is the romance of many students. Of course, there are those who quit to join other groups, but that’s not widely accepted,” Carlotus offered kindly.

“Is it because I’m not good enough?” Su Ziye feigned hurt.

“You’re too good, that’s what worries me,” Carlotus sighed. “Could you please take your troublemaking elsewhere?”

“No. I want to be Student Council President,” Su Ziye said seriously.

“Isn’t it a bit soon to reveal your wolfish ambitions?” Carlotus stared at him. “I was hoping to stay on for two more years.”

“Because I really want to be Student Council President,” Su Ziye repeated.

Carlotus fell silent, gazing into Su Ziye’s eyes. “Why?”

“I heard the basement of the Night Tower is only accessible to the Student Council President,” Su Ziye answered without hesitation.

“This is the first time I’ve seen someone so openly declare their intent to steal,” Carlotus shook his head.

“I have no intention of stealing. I simply want to enter openly and see for myself,” Su Ziye replied calmly. “I heard there are notes left by the Saint down there.”

“Where did you hear that?” Carlotus countered.

“Is it true?” Su Ziye asked.

“It is,” Carlotus admitted.

“From you,” Su Ziye said.

Carlotus was momentarily speechless.

“Get out, stop aggravating me,” he spluttered.

“Senior Carlotus, whatever else may be said, I am, by most standards, a good person,” Su Ziye murmured.

“You are indeed a good person, but you’re the kind who would drag the world to hell with you,” Carlotus sighed. “Do you know how many people want to kill you?”

“Every Saint who’s met me wants to kill me,” Su Ziye looked at Carlotus. “Are you one of them?”

“There are only three Saints in this world, and it’s clear I’m not one of them,” Carlotus said seriously. “Which one are you talking about?”

“One is already dead in this city, another chose self-sacrifice, and only one remains active, though he’s hidden for centuries,” Su Ziye replied. “Which do you think?”

“I truly wish that Saint would rid the world of you,” Carlotus said sincerely.

“I don’t know why the Saints judge me so harshly,” Su Ziye said earnestly. “I only want to change this world.”

“Everyone wants to change the world,” Carlotus looked at him. “But almost no one acts, and those who do rarely have the power to match their ambition.”

“But,” Carlotus quietly changed the subject, “you are one who both acts and has the power. Anyone with sense would want to see you destroyed, to eliminate future threats.”

Su Ziye sat in silence, saying nothing, nor did he offer any rebuttal.

“Well, it’s none of my business, anyway,” Carlotus went on. “You’re not the one I’m waiting for. I’m glad to see you, but that’s all.”

“I approve your membership in the Student Council. From today, you’re one of us. As for replacing me, you’ll have to prove your worth and skills, impress me and more students before you can sit in this chair.”

“Of course, since you’ve chosen this, the third trial no longer concerns you.”

“So, what will you do next?” he asked. “Will you move into the Academy now? I recall there are quite a few people outside who want you dead.”

“Is the Academy safer than with the Third Highness?” Su Ziye retorted.

Carlotus fell silent. “The Third Highness won’t allow you to stay there forever.”

“I think that’s possible,” Su Ziye replied calmly. “Lately I’ve been flattering the Third Highness.”

“I know you’ve been leeching off him,” Carlotus said bluntly.

“Don’t put it so harshly,” Su Ziye replied. “For now, I’ll stay outside. I don’t want anyone to know I’ve already entered the Academy.”

“And besides, without my help, Liu Ru won’t be able to pass the third trial.”

“How can you be so cold?” Carlotus sighed. “Liu Ru is such a brilliant child. Why not give her your spot?”

You’re the one who could pass the third trial with ease.

“Because I didn’t come here just to run away,” Su Ziye said quietly.

“I came to fight back.”

...

...

Liu Ru quietly tidied up the chessboard.

Another crushing defeat.

Like Su Ziye, the Third Highness had no concept of going easy.

The stunning red-haired girl would seize the piece and unleash a merciless onslaught. Through each rout, Liu Ru slowly grew stronger. At least she had a spirit that grew braver with every setback—and truth be told, only by playing against the very best could one truly improve.

That is, if you couldn’t pull your opponent down to your level, and if your opponent was endlessly patient with a hopeless amateur like you.

Unfortunately, the Third Highness excelled at both.

“I lost again,” Liu Ru said, though without much regret.

On the contrary, being able to play with the Third Highness made her, in some small way, happy. The girl across from her never spoke, not even announcing check, nor could Liu Ru tell if she found joy in the game.

But at least one thing was certain—the Third Highness was willing to play.

That alone was enough.

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

Liu Ru stood up and answered it.

A black-haired youth stood outside.

“How did it go?” Liu Ru asked.

“You can ask the Third Highness,” Su Ziye replied calmly.

Liu Ru turned to look at the Third Highness by the chessboard.

The Third Highness tilted her head, thought for a moment, then raised her writing board.

“He’s already a student.”

Liu Ru found it hard to believe. “How did the Third Highness figure that out?”

“The Third Highness is the most accurate standard there is,” Su Ziye smiled.

“So I’m useless now, right?” Liu Ru asked.

Her ultimate goal in accompanying Su Ziye here was to help him enter Nightleaf Academy. Now, before the third trial even began, he’d already accomplished it. Even Liu Ru found it incredible.

“No, quite the contrary. Your real role is just beginning,” Su Ziye said with a slight smile.

“How did you do it?” Liu Ru asked.

“Why ask now?” Su Ziye looked at her.

“Because you’ve reached the final result,” Liu Ru replied.

“That’s why I say curiosity is a good thing,” Su Ziye smiled. “This auction for the third trial questions was a special exam set up in advance by Carlotus, to see who could discern his true intentions. If anyone passed, Carlotus would grant them a reward.”

“The rewards varied, and I chose early admission to Nightleaf Academy.”

Liu Ru nodded, then hesitated. “Who exactly is Carlotus?”

Carlotus was the Student Council President of Nightleaf Academy, the most powerful student in the whole school, and by all accounts, its most outstanding student.

Yet even so, Liu Ru felt that Carlotus was far more than that.

“I’ve already asked you this, and you gave me an answer,” Su Ziye said, smiling gently.

“In truth, every President of the Student Council has been someone extraordinary. But even among them, Carlotus is special,” Su Ziye continued.

“For instance, he has no past,” Su Ziye said with a smile.

“No past?” Liu Ru seemed to grasp something.

“Yes. I abandoned my past, yours was erased. When we came to this city, we could be considered people with no pasts.”

“But Carlotus is different.”

“As long as humans live in the world, they leave traces. Your past was deliberately wiped by me, and mine, if someone tried, they could dig up my parents, my relatives, and some of my former experiences.”

“But Carlotus’s past is completely blank.”

“He appeared at Nightleaf Academy four years ago, enrolled, and naturally became Student Council President.”

“From the moment he arrived, he demonstrated the highest pedigree and bearing, but no one could trace his background. He’s never left the Academy since, nor does he seem to plan to.”

“No one truly appears out of thin air,” Su Ziye sighed. “Not even I can do that.”

“But as far as he’s concerned—”

“He did appear out of nowhere, and to this day, no one knows where he came from or what he intends.”

“Just like the Third Highness?” Liu Ru couldn’t help but ask.

Su Ziye paused, then nodded, “Yes, just like the Third Highness.”