Chapter 178: Actually, I

Kyoto University, Faculty Villa District.

Villa A-8.

In the living room.

Han Xue sat on a pure white sofa.

She still wore her deep blue trench coat, her snow-white hair loosely draped over her shoulders.

Around her stood six fourth-year students.

Two men, four women.

They were precisely the students Han Xue had personally selected and mentored, still enrolled at the university.

And they were all among the top water mages in their fourth-year cohort.

Han Xue's gaze swept over the six of them:

"I called you here today to introduce you to Lin Mo."

"As seniors, if Lin Mo ever runs into any minor troubles, you should lend him a hand."

Among the six,

a girl with shoulder-length hair and a sweet face nodded.

Her name was Li Xuer.

The top ice mage among fourth-years.

"Don't worry, Teacher! I'm actually a fan of Lin Mo—if I can help him, I'd be thrilled!"

For this first-year demon student, not just Li Xuer but all five others also longed to befriend him.

If you don't cling to a leg like this now, you'll never be able to reach him later.

Li Xuer grinned and raised her hand:

"Teacher!"

"Lin Mo's just learned water skills—why not let me teach him the first step: condensing water into ice?"

Li Xuer spoke with full confidence:

"Basic training like this doesn't require your personal attention, Teacher."

Hearing Li Xuer's self-recommendation,

Han Xue shook her head.

"No."

"Lin Mo's talent far surpasses yours."

"He's an uncarved jade."

"This first foundational step is critical—there can be no slightest deviation."

Hearing Han Xue's high praise, Li Xuer stuck out her tongue.

"Alright, alright—if you're teaching him, it'll be flawless."

The surrounding fourth-year students were secretly stunned.

Lin Mo was the first student Han Xue had ever rated so highly.

"Hey, how long do you think it'll take Lin Mo to master 'condensing water into ice'?"

Another girl sparked the topic.

"Hard to say…"

A male student rubbed his chin and analyzed, "But given Lin Mo's mastery of three elements, his fourth mustn't be weak either—I'd guess… a week?"

"A week? You're underestimating Lin Mo too much!"

Li Xuer immediately countered:

"In my view, with Teacher Han personally guiding him, he'll master it in three days at most!"

"Come on, broaden your horizons!"

Another girl laughed:

"Maybe he'll master it in just one day!"

"One day? That's ridiculous—even a week is exaggerated."

The group chattered back and forth.

Their words not only elevated Lin Mo's talent but also subtly flattered Han Xue's abilities.

At that moment,

"Ding dong—"

The doorbell rang.

Li Xuer's eyes lit up; she leapt to her feet.

"It must be Lin Mo!"

"Teacher, I'll go welcome him!"

Without waiting for anyone to react,

Li Xuer turned and sprinted out of the living room, through the front garden, straight toward the villa's iron gate.

Li Xue'er turned and sprinted out of the living room, through the front garden, straight toward the villa's iron gate.

Outside the villa gate.

Lin Mo idly surveyed the scenery around him.

Lin Mo was idly scanning the surrounding scenery.

the iron gate swung open from within.

Lin Mo turned his head and saw a girl smiling at him.

Lin Mo turned his head and found a girl smiling at him.

Li Xuer extended her hand confidently, introducing herself:

"I'm a student of Teacher Han Xue, fourth-year, Li Xuer!"

"Call me Senior or Xuer Senior!"

Lin Mo smiled politely and lightly shook her hand.

"Senior, nice to meet you. I'm…"

Before Lin Mo could finish his introduction, Li Xuer cut him off.

"Oh, no need to introduce yourself—Demon King Lin Mo! Everyone in Kyoto University knows your name!"

"Oh come on, no need to introduce yourself—you're the Great Demon King Lin Mo! Everyone at Jingda knows your name by now!"

Lin Mo's lip twitched.

Without realizing it, he'd already become famous.

"Come in, come in! Teacher's waiting for you in the living room!"

Li Xuer swung the gate wide open and stepped aside to let Lin Mo enter.

Li Xue'er enthusiastically pulled open the door and stepped aside to let Lin Mo in.

The two walked along the garden path.

Li Xuer studied Lin Mo curiously, sighing:

"Lin Mo, you're really level 30 already…"

"Even in the elite Dragon Order class with the best resources, your leveling speed is insane."

"But seriously, you should rest when you need to—there have been students before who pulled all-nighters grinding and ended up dropping dead."

"But seriously, you still need to rest when it's time—there have been students before who pulled all-nighters leveling up and dropped dead from it."

Hearing Li Xuer's words,

Lin Mo paused, scratching his head awkwardly.

Pulling all-nighters grinding monsters?

That was impossible.

He slept like a log—his sleep quality was probably the best in all of Kyoto University.

Of course, he couldn't say that aloud.

Lin Mo cleared his throat twice.

"Heh, Senior, you're too kind."

"I'm just a slow bird who flies early—I wanted to hit level 30 fast so I could learn new skills."

"The slow bird flies early—I just want to hit level 30 soon so I can learn new skills."

Li Xuer rolled her eyes.

"If you're a slow bird, what are we?"

Li Xuer looked deeply wounded, smiling bitterly:

"It's not the prodigies' talent that scares me—it's when prodigies with insane talent still grind themselves to death!"

Lin Mo smiled awkwardly and said nothing.

The two continued walking along the garden path.

Li Xuer's expression grew slightly more serious.

"By the way, Lin Mo…"

By the way, Lin Mo, junior.

"Since you've reached level 30 and learned Water-element skills, the first thing you must learn from Master Han is 'Condense Water into Ice.'"

"This step isn't easy."

"When I was your senior, it took me over two months just to get the hang of it."

Lin Mo paused in surprise.

"Over two months? Is it really that hard?"

Li Xue'er nodded firmly.

"Of course!"

"And even that was fast—among Master Han's students, the slowest took a full eight months..."

"I see..."

Lin Mo fell into thought.

Li Xue'er looked at Lin Mo with full confidence:

"But you, Lin Mo, are different—your talent, plus Master Han Xue's teaching, might let you master it in a week... no, in just three days!"

As she said this,

the two reached the front gate of the villa.

Li Xue'er pushed open the gate and called inside:

"Master! Lin Mo's here!"

The next second,

the five fourth-year students sitting in the living room instantly surged forward.

"Hey, senior!"

"We finally meet the real Demon Lord!"

"Lin Mo, I'm Fang Lei—yesterday you broke the raid record, so cool!"

"Lin Mo, if you need anything on campus, just come to us!"

Facing this group of enthusiastic seniors,

Lin Mo maintained a polite smile.

"Hello, seniors."

"I'm new here—please look after me."

At that moment,

Han Xue also walked over.

Everyone instinctively made way.

Lin Mo stepped forward.

"Master Han."

Han Xue gave a slight nod.

"You're here."

She skipped small talk and got straight to the point.

"Time is precious."

"Come, follow me to the backyard—I'll help you sense the Water element today and aim to complete the first step: 'Condense Water into Ice.'"

"I'll be with you full-time these next few days."

"Uh..."

Lin Mo stood still, scratching his head.

"Um... Master Han, I've already mastered 'Condense Water into Ice.'"

At these words,

everyone present froze for a moment.

Han Xue: "???"

Li Xue'er: "???"

The other seniors: "???"