Chapter Thirty-One: A Fickle Man

"By the way, there's something else—why didn't you display the golden pupils when you used your Word Spirit? The golden pupils are a basic trait of hybrids; normally, focusing one's mind triggers them," Chu Zihang explained as he asked.

"Because I'm wearing colored contact lenses."

"Colored contacts?"

"Yes, I noticed before that my eyes would sometimes change color. That kind of change could cause unnecessary trouble, so I started wearing colored contacts," Lu Mingfei replied naturally.

"I understand," Chu Zihang nodded slightly. After repeatedly using blood-bursting techniques to strengthen his lineage, his bloodline had become extremely unstable, and his eyes would often suddenly turn golden. He too had developed the habit of wearing colored contacts.

He resembled a considerate police officer, good-hearted but determined to get to the bottom of things—this was the task Norma had assigned him: understand Lu Mingfei's situation and extend the invitation.

"Lu Mingfei, on behalf of Kassel Academy, I sincerely invite you to join us and become a warrior in the dragon-slaying enterprise," the stoic senior said earnestly.

"Dragon-slaying?" The moment he heard those words, Lu Mingfei felt a surge of mixed emotions. He himself was a being akin to a dragon, yet now he was being invited to join an academy devoted to slaying dragons. No matter how he thought about it, it seemed absurd.

Should he join?

Should he go to Kassel?

"Better not. Someone like me isn't cut out for dragon-slaying," Lu Mingfei refused.

If he didn't join Kassel Academy, he could easily masquerade as an ordinary person and secretly grow stronger. But if he did join, he'd have to survive as a dragon-like entity among dragon-slayers—no matter how he considered it, it felt dangerous. He had no intention of putting himself in such a predicament.

Besides, what reason did he have to join Kassel Academy right now? To advance his bloodline, he could rely on Neuvillette's guidance. To improve his spatial perception, he could explore on his own. Compared to him, the hybrids' grasp of Word Spirit was like primitive humans compared to a Trisolarian; they couldn't even observe the essence of elements.

Why was Lu Mingfei able to fight twenty-six opponents with ease? Why could he effortlessly dodge attacks from behind? Was it because he used a Word Spirit similar to the Weasel Scythe?

No, it wasn't that. He could directly sense the flow and change of elements with his mind. By tracking elemental shifts, he could roughly pinpoint others' positions. Though he didn't possess the Weasel Scythe Word Spirit, he enjoyed a passive effect similar to it.

Your active ability, my passive talent.

"Lu Mingfei, don't belittle yourself. Your bloodline and strength are among the strongest of all hybrids. If you come to Kassel Academy to study and train, I'm certain you'll become the most famous hero in the history of dragon-slaying," Chu Zihang continued to persuade him, his fervent gaze revealing genuine sincerity.

But unfortunately, Lu Mingfei was no longer that pathetic boy yearning for the stage. His goal was clear: improve himself, then traverse the weak points in space to other worlds, beginning his journey to find Furina.

He admitted that his first half of life was wasted, a nobody—perhaps someday, after dying, he'd be cursed atop his grave, a pitiable child who died in vain.

But now, he had someone he liked; now, there was a girl who liked him. In matters like this, he would not retreat even half a step. He'd wasted enough in the past, even a lifetime's worth of failure, so now he had to stand up—as a man, he must carry out his convictions.

"Sorry, senior," Lu Mingfei murmured softly, his head bowed.

"Sigh," Chu Zihang sighed. Though he wished Lu Mingfei would join Kassel Academy, everyone has their own aspirations. Perhaps Lu Mingfei simply wasn't the kind to passionately pursue the dangerous dragon-slaying profession. His refusal was understandable.

Still, his task wasn't finished; he needed to deliver Norma's final message. The cold-faced senior cleared his throat and spoke solemnly, "Lu Mingfei, I respect your decision, but as the mission's executor, I must convey Norma's last message."

"Go ahead."

"If you're willing to join Kassel Academy, all your tuition and fees will be waived. Every year, you'll receive a special scholarship of seventy-two thousand. As long as you don't fail any courses and perform outstandingly on missions, your scholarship will increase further."

Chu Zihang paused briefly and continued, "Moreover, you'll have your own independent student apartment at Kassel Academy, the best environment for study and training, and every privilege due to an S-class hybrid."

Lu Mingfei bowed his head in silence for a long time, then slowly raised it to look at his senior, muttering as if to convince himself, "Though there's a scholarship every year, seventy-two thousand... still seems a bit..."

"Dollars."

Those two simple words instantly silenced Lu Mingfei. His thoughts began to shift—perhaps danger and opportunity truly coexist. With benefits like those offered by Kassel Academy, maybe he could consider training at the school after all.

But right now...

After all that atmosphere...

If he changed his mind and said he wanted to join...

Wouldn't that be awkward?

Lu Mingfei clasped his hands before him, his head lowered, complex emotions flickering across his shadowed face. Facing him, Chu Zihang understood; he'd seen people unwilling to join Kassel Academy before.

Everyone has their own ambitions. Some people's life goals aren't dragon-slaying; it's normal to pursue other dreams, especially since dragon-slaying requires risking one's life.

At this moment, Lu Mingfei must be terribly conflicted. After all, he was a legendary S-class hybrid, a rarity in generations. The turmoil and regret in his heart—giving up a great enterprise for something more important—could surely be understood.

Chu Zihang, cold-faced but warm-hearted, comforted him: "I respect your decision. After all, training at Kassel Academy carries its own risks. Dragon-slaying is never child's play. A well-considered refusal may be better than an impulsive acceptance."

"Someone like you, an S-class hybrid, might have to go on real missions every year. Though staff will accompany you, the risks during those missions are great. Life is precious and deserves respect."

Lu Mingfei's expression changed again. Training at school would let him gain real combat experience? That’s seventy-two thousand dollars a year, plus practical experience—what a deal! If he trained alone, he'd rarely get a chance for real combat, since he'd chosen the hidden path.

Oh no, he's feeling tempted—what should he do?