Chapter 132: A Small Matter
The man clearly hadn't expected Nan Yu to say something ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) so direct.
He had assumed Nan Yu would react the way he always had before—either saying nothing and walking away, or responding politely with a simple, "It's fine," before leaving.
A trace of panic rose in his heart.
Deep down, he knew Nan Yu's status wasn't someone he could afford to offend.
But perhaps Nan Yu had always seemed too easygoing in the past. Being openly confronted like this for the first time frightened him, while also leaving him embarrassed and irritated.
There were other people nearby.
From time to time, they glanced in their direction.
He was someone who cared a great deal about his pride. If he ended up being completely suppressed in front of so many people, he'd find it unbearably humiliating—perhaps even worse than being scolded by his superior at work.
His head grew hot, and he blurted out sarcastically,
"What? Aren't you the one who isn't using this office anymore? Since it's sitting empty anyway, why not put it to good use and let the newcomer work here? Isn't that better?"
Nan Yu didn't answer.
He simply stared at him.
For nearly two minutes.
Only then did he speak.
"How about putting yourself in my shoes?"
The man froze.
"What do you mean?"
Nan Yu said calmly,
"Imagine you've been so busy for a while that you haven't even had time to return to your office."
"Then, a few days later, when you finally come back, you discover that your office now belongs to someone else."
"And the person who reassigned it tells you, 'Since you never had time to come back anyway, we might as well give it to the newcomer.'"
"How would that make you feel?"
How would he feel?
He immediately imagined it.
He'd probably explode on the spot.
Which meant...
Only now did he realize just how good Nan Yu's attitude had been all along.
"Well... I..."
Nan Yu raised a hand.
"Enough."
"There's no need to say anything else."
"But there is one thing you said that's true."
"I really don't need this office anymore."
"So assign it however you want."
"There's just one condition."
"Pack up everything that originally belonged to me and send it to my residence."
"Even if it's only an ordinary cup, it's still my property."
"I simply forgot to ask for it before."
"When you emptied the office, you naturally moved my belongings as well, didn't you?"
"That's right."
"Exactly what you're thinking."
"Return my things."
"That's not an unreasonable request, is it?"
Unreasonable?
It wasn't unreasonable at all.
Nan Yu's temper was practically saintly.
Even watching Nan Yu turn around and leave, he couldn't help feeling that his own attitude had been terrible.
They had targeted Nan Yu over and over again.
Yet Nan Yu had never actually come into conflict with any of their interests.
Then...
His expression suddenly changed.
Wait.
What had Nan Yu just said?
Send everything...
To his residence?
The newcomer looked nervously at the senior standing beside her as his expression changed repeatedly before finally settling into one of horror.
"Senior...?"
He suddenly snapped out of it.
He glanced at her before hurriedly turning around and leaving without another word.
The young woman remained standing there, completely unsure whether she should stay or leave.
After thinking for a while, she finally decided to pack up her belongings and return to her residence.
It was already the end of the workday.
The department wasn't busy.
She could leave.
...
After returning home, Nan Yu took a deep breath.
He was still furious inside.
But he didn't want to stoop to arguing with people like that.
It was beneath him.
Although his mood was poor, Nan Yu forced himself to calm down and began reviewing everything Professor Liu had taught that day.
He had to go through it all again before searching for related materials to further expand his knowledge.
Today's lesson had focused on emergency treatment.
...
When Yu Lanfeng returned, he found Nan Yu studying in the library.
His footsteps were extremely light.
He didn't want to disturb him.
Yet Nan Yu still noticed him effortlessly.
Putting down the materials in his hands, Nan Yu turned around naturally.
"You're back?"
Yu Lanfeng already knew how powerful Nan Yu's mental power was.
No matter how quietly he moved...
Even if he used the military's stealth techniques and concealed himself as perfectly as possible...
Nan Yu would simply think his footsteps sounded unusually quiet today.
At first, Yu Lanfeng had assumed every Mental Power User could do this.
Later, he had secretly tested several of the strongest Mental Power Users in the legion.
The result...
Forget achieving perfect concealment.
Even when he only concealed himself halfway, none of them noticed him approaching from behind.
So he understood.
Only Nan Yu was different.
Strictly speaking...
An ability like Nan Yu's would be incredible in close combat and infiltration missions.
Unfortunately...
Nan Yu was a Mental Power User.
His physique was too weak.
He simply couldn't endure high-intensity physical training or special combat exercises.
And even if he underwent those programs...
They would only improve his physical condition.
His body would never truly become powerful.
Nan Yu noticed Yu Lanfeng standing there in a daze.
Curiously, he asked,
"What's wrong?"
"You came back and just stood there spacing out."
"What are you thinking about?"
As he spoke, he pulled Yu Lanfeng over to the living room.
After making him sit on the sofa, Nan Yu sat beside him.
"Tell me."
Yu Lanfeng smiled helplessly.
"I was thinking..."
"If your perception could be used in combat..."
"You'd be an incredible weapon."
"It's just a pity..."
Nan Yu paused.
So that was what he had been thinking about.
To be honest...
Nan Yu had noticed something himself.
For quite some time now, whenever Yu Lanfeng returned, he deliberately suppressed his breathing and footsteps.
If Nan Yu's mental power hadn't been so extraordinary...
Yu Lanfeng might really have been able to approach him without making a sound.
After thinking for a moment, Nan Yu smiled.
"Brother..."
"Why don't we give it a try?"
Yu Lanfeng frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"What are you planning to try?"
"This isn't something to joke about."
Nan Yu blinked innocently.
"I know."
"But didn't you just say it's a pity?"
"I think so too."
"So..."
"Once I finish studying under Professor Liu..."
"How about you become my instructor?"
"You can personally train me."
Yu Lanfeng looked at him seriously.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course."
"Maybe no matter how much I train, I'll never be able to fight completely on my own."
"But..."
"I'm certain I can fight alongside you."
"When that time comes..."
"You'll definitely be able to protect me."
After all...
Yu Lanfeng's flames were terrifying against enemies.
They could burn anything.
But whenever they touched Nan Yu...
They became as gentle as warm cotton candy.
Wrapping around him protectively.
Shielding him from all harm.
The very first time Yu Lanfeng had tried using his flames around him, Nan Yu had already realized he could take advantage of that.
Yu Lanfeng hesitated.
"Have you really made up your mind?"
"Think about it a little longer."
"Professor Liu won't let you go so easily."
"You'll probably be put through a very difficult examination."
Professor Liu was famous for being demanding.
But he was equally famous for being an exceptionally conscientious teacher.
He never hid his knowledge.
However...
If a student couldn't pass his examination afterward...
There was no room for compromise.
Nan Yu actually admired that personality.
Right now, what he needed most was exactly the kind of senior who would teach everything without holding anything back.
Professor Liu had appeared at precisely the right time.
Nan Yu smiled.
"His strictness is for the students' own good."
"Once you've survived a professor like him..."
"You'll become much more outstanding afterward."
"It'll also be easier to reach greater heights."
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"That's true."
Unfortunately...
Many people failed to understand Professor Liu's good intentions.
They constantly complained that he was too harsh.
Although he taught without reservation, his examinations were so strict that many people couldn't pass.
The most frustrating part was that graduation required passing his assessment.
Students hated him while they were at school.
But after entering hospitals and medical buildings to work...
Almost all of them eventually became grateful.
Because it was precisely his strict standards that allowed them to make fewer mistakes in real practice.
Nan Yu smiled.
"I know."
"And that's exactly why everyone in the medical building respects Professor Liu so much."
Yu Lanfeng looked at him.
"When it's your turn to be examined..."
"He'll definitely be even stricter with you."
"Are you prepared?"
The corners of Nan Yu's mouth rose.
"Don't you understand?"
"The greater Professor Liu's expectations of me..."
"The stricter my examination will be."
"For me..."
"That's a good thing."
"Good."
Suddenly remembering something, Nan Yu asked,
"Oh, right."
"Didn't you go to the academy to discuss my skipping grades?"
"They still haven't agreed?"
Yu Lanfeng frowned slightly.
He couldn't tell whether it was only his imagination.
But he felt the principal had been deliberately dragging things out.
At the same time...
Nothing the principal said actually sounded unreasonable.
Meetings with the academy leadership.
Discussions among senior administrators.
All of those were perfectly normal.
But...
Could a single meeting really drag on intermittently for three or four days?
That was difficult for him to accept.
Normally, if a student met every requirement for skipping grades...
The academy had no right to stop them.
Yu Lanfeng answered,
"The academy is still discussing it."
"Perhaps your situation is rather special."
Nan Yu frowned.
"Special?"
"I don't think there's anything special about me."
They looked at each other.
Only then did Yu Lanfeng realize...
Nan Yu was actually right.
There wasn't anything particularly special.
From another perspective...
He was simply an exceptionally talented Mental Power User.
His mental power was extraordinarily strong.
He had already completed many commissions that ordinary Mid-Tier Mental Power Users couldn't handle.
That alone proved he already possessed the qualifications to graduate.
Then...
Wouldn't allowing him to skip grades be perfectly reasonable?
Someone with his abilities graduating earlier would only benefit society sooner.
Nan Yu thought for a while before suddenly asking,
"Could it be..."
"The academy doesn't want me to skip grades because they don't want me leaving early?"
"But why?"
The moment he asked...
A possibility immediately occurred to him.
"...Don't tell me..."
"They've turned me into a living advertisement."
"They want to spend the next two years promoting the academy with my reputation in order to attract more talented students?"
Yu Lanfeng nodded slowly.
"That should be the reason."
He hadn't considered that possibility before.
It had truly been an oversight.
Regardless...
He would wait for the academy's final answer.
If they still refused...
He would simply visit the principal every single day.
Nan Yu sighed.
"I wonder when I'll finally be able to skip grades successfully."
"I really can't wait to go out with you."
Yu Lanfeng smiled.
"It won't take long."
"The original deployment is scheduled for three months from now."
"I'll settle this before then."
"Don't worry."
Nan Yu nodded.
"Tomorrow, when we go to the academy, I'll speak to the principal personally."
"This is something I have to handle myself."
"I'm sure he won't refuse me."
Something about it still felt slightly off to Yu Lanfeng.
But since the principal had already said he wanted to meet Nan Yu personally...
He didn't think much of it and simply agreed.
After all...
The academy should be one of the safest places.
That was what both of them believed.
...
The next morning, Nan Yu informed Professor Liu in advance.
When Professor Liu learned that Nan Yu was going to the academy to discuss skipping grades...
He agreed immediately.
In Professor Liu's opinion...
Nan Yu truly shouldn't remain at the academy any longer.
The Royal Military Academy of the Capital Star was indeed an outstanding institution.
But...
It was no longer suitable for a student like Nan Yu.
...
Early the next morning, Nan Yu left the legion headquarters.
Just outside the restricted area, he happened to see Yang Zhou waving enthusiastically at the hovercraft from the roadside.
Nan Yu blinked in surprise.
He was sitting inside the hovercraft.
No one outside could possibly see him.
So how had Yang Zhou known he was there?
Nan Yu opened the hatch.
Yang Zhou immediately climbed aboard.
"Nan Yu, Nan Yu!"
"It's really getting harder and harder to see you."
"I haven't seen you in ages."
Nan Yu asked curiously,
"Yang Zhou..."
"How did you know I was inside?"
Yang Zhou looked at him as though he were looking at an idiot.
"I've seen Marshal Yu's hovercraft before."
"Yours looks almost exactly like one of his."
"So I just thought I'd wave and see what happened."
"If it really was you, then great."
"If the hovercraft ignored me and flew away, then I'd know I was mistaken."
"But if it was you..."
"I knew you'd stop and let me come aboard."
Nan Yu fell silent.
It really was a remarkably simple method.
"But..."
"What if it stopped and the person inside wasn't who you were looking for?"
"You'd just say you recognized the wrong person?"
Yang Zhou nodded matter-of-factly.
"Of course."
"I wouldn't waste anyone's time."
"If they're busy, they won't stop."
"If they aren't busy and stop, then after I apologize for making a mistake, they won't get angry."
Nan Yu smiled helplessly.
"Fine."
"But don't do that anymore."
"If you need me, just contact me."
"If I'm free, I'll definitely chat with you."
"Oh, right."
"I've been studying medical treatment under a professor in the medical building at headquarters recently."
"So I'll probably be rather busy."
Yang Zhou's eyes widened.
"Wow!"
"Are you changing careers?"
Nan Yu laughed.
"No."
"I'm just preparing for emergencies."
"If we're injured in the wilderness..."
"Or even if we're only bitten by an insect..."
"Sometimes treatment is still necessary."
Yang Zhou looked puzzled.
"But..."
"Why would we get injured in the wilderness?"
Nan Yu: "..."
He decided not to answer.
Instead, he changed the subject.
"You don't need to go to school today, right?"
Yang Zhou nodded.
"Right."
"You're going to the academy?"
"Then I'll just wait outside."
Nan Yu replied,
"Good."
"When we get there..."
"Stay inside the hovercraft."
"Don't wander off."
"Why?"
"No particular reason."
"Just wait inside."
"I'll be out very soon."
"If you wander somewhere else, I'll have to contact you."
"That'll only waste time."
After thinking about it, Yang Zhou nodded.
"You're right."
"I'll wait here."
In reality...
Nan Yu had another reason.
If anything happened during today's trip...
Yang Zhou would immediately contact Yu Lanfeng.
That way—
Wait.
What was he thinking?
Nothing had happened yet.
Why was he already planning for emergencies?
He'd find out soon enough whether any of those precautions would ever be needed.
...
After leaving the hovercraft, Nan Yu immediately contacted the principal.
The moment the principal saw him, his spirits visibly lifted.
"So it's Nan Yu."
"Come in quickly."
"I have several questions I'd like to ask you."
Perhaps Yu Lanfeng's previous visit had been too forceful.
His overwhelming presence alone had almost made everyone unable to breathe.
Nan Yu entered the principal's office.
The principal welcomed him warmly before both of them sat down on the sofa.
Nan Yu spoke first.
"Principal."
"My skipping grades is actually a very ordinary matter."
"My abilities already meet the requirements."
"As long as both my family and I submit the application..."
"It should be approved, shouldn't it?"
Yet...
They had discussed it for so many days.
Nan Yu simply couldn't believe there wasn't something strange going on.
He quietly sat there, waiting.
For some reason...
A vague, blurry image flashed through his mind.
Frowning slightly, he asked,
"Principal..."
"Did you really ask me here to discuss skipping grades?"
"Yes."
"Of course."
"We wanted to discuss exactly that."
"Our opinion is that you shouldn't rush into skipping grades because..."
Nan Yu interrupted.
"So..."
"The academy isn't going to allow me to skip grades?"
The principal sighed.
"I'm sorry, Nan Yu."
"This is the conclusion we've reached after our discussions."
"I hope you can accept it."
"You're still a student."
"I hope you can continue focusing on your studies."
"I know you're exceptionally capable."
"Your mental power is powerful."
"You're intelligent."
"But you're only around sixteen."
"You're still a minor."
"Have you really prepared yourself to join the legion and spend your days treating countless soldiers?"
Nan Yu looked puzzled.
"Why wouldn't I be able to?"
"Since I've already decided to join Marshal Yu's legion..."
"I've considered everything you just mentioned."
"I believe I can do it."
"Principal..."
"What exactly are you hesitating about?"
"Are you afraid Marshal Yu will make trouble for you?"
The principal hurriedly waved his hands.
"No, no."
"That's not what I mean."
"I simply want you to enjoy a little more of a carefree childhood."
"Because later..."
"You may never have another chance."
If it had been anyone else...
They might truly have accepted that explanation.
But the person sitting here was Nan Yu.
His perception of the outside world was extraordinarily sharp.
Ever since his recent breakthrough...
He had even begun sensing the emotions of others.
Especially the principal sitting before him.
At first...
His emotional state had been warm and friendly.
But the moment skipping grades became the topic...
Everything about him subtly changed.
Nan Yu frowned.
Was his skipping grades really that important to the academy?
No matter how much he thought about it...
He couldn't understand.
If there truly was a problem...
The principal could simply explain it.
Instead...
He refused to say anything.
He only wanted Nan Yu to abandon the idea.
He wanted Nan Yu to give up...
Yet refused to explain why.
How could something possibly be that simple?
Nan Yu certainly wasn't going to agree.
Taking a deep breath, he said firmly,
"Principal."
"I want to skip grades."
"No matter what happens..."
"I won't change my mind."
"When the time comes..."
"I'll bring my family to sign the necessary documents."
The principal was clearly startled by Nan Yu's firmness.
"W-What's wrong?"
"Why are you suddenly being like this?"
"We can still discuss it."
"What's so bad about our academy?"
"I already said..."
"I simply want you to stay a little longer and experience student life."
"If possible..."
"I don't think there's any need for you to leave now."
Nan Yu looked directly at him.
"Principal."
"Why won't you let me skip grades?"
Anyone watching would probably think he was bullying the elderly principal.
The principal sighed.
"The academy has actually been declining for quite some time."
"Although the previous academic record scandal was handled well..."
"It was quickly suppressed."
"But you know..."
"Once something has happened..."
"It leaves an impression in people's minds."
Nan Yu frowned.
"I think the impact of that incident is negligible."
"As long as the major legions continue recruiting primarily from this academy..."
"Especially Marshal Yu's legion..."
"Then there won't be any real problem."
"As time passes..."
"People will naturally forget."
"Don't you think?"
Deep inside...
The principal didn't agree at all.
As principal, he understood the academy's development far more clearly than anyone else.
He knew...
Year after year, the academy had been declining.
Back when Yu Lanfeng had become the academy's legendary figure...
The academy had attracted one extraordinary genius after another.
Nearly every student possessed astonishing talent.
Many even surpassed their own teachers.
But now...
Looking around the academy again...
How many students could truly surpass their instructors?
Not even one.