Chapter 1776: Oriental Exchange Student at the Magic Academy 07

Teacher Bailake had never seen a magical potion that the universal dissolving potion couldn't break.

He held onto the wildly running Difen to prevent him from hurting other classmates, but quietly chanting the dispelling magic had no effect.

Ah! God! I feel like I'm going to die!

Difen was in so much pain he wanted to roll on the ground, but he was afraid those disgusting bugs would be crushed under him.

Teacher Bailake asked Jin Chen for help, and thus unilaterally canceled their little class competition.

Amidst all the doubtful gazes, Jin Chen made a simple hand seal and dispelled the illusion spell.

The bugs and tiny snakes crawling all over Difen vanished in an instant.

Oh my goodness… so fast!" came an exclamation from below the classroom, and someone curiously asked, "Classmate Jin Chen, are you using an Eastern secret art?"

Illusion spell…

Before Jin Chen could finish speaking, he suddenly saw three real caterpillars crawling on Difen's neck.

He shifted his tone, saying, "A half‑true, half‑false illusion spell."

Having said that, Jin Chen glanced back and met Laisuo's gaze, his eyebrows slightly lifting.

Laisuo pulled down the brim of his hat, feeling a bit guilty.

So it was fake after all!

"Ah, disgusting!" Difen pinched the caterpillar on his neck and threw it off, his face turning pale then green.

Illusion spell?

Teacher Bailake was obviously interested, openly and eagerly saying, "It's similar to the advanced division's transformation potion, but it can't be undone by the dissolving potion—that's quite unique."

Curious and probing gazes fell on Jin Chen, as if they had just noticed this black‑haired, black‑eyed classmate who was quite handsome but not very like them.

Indeed, in the students' aesthetic, the shining magic gems and crystals on the uniform are the perfect embellishment, best when they complement the department's magic.

Like the noble‑custom‑made precious tailcoat worn by Young Master Delian, that's the finest kind.

But the plain silk from the East also seems not bad—refined and elegant… not inferior at all.

Many students secretly blushed.

But Jin Chen didn't enjoy being stared at; he smiled and watched the flustered Difen rush out of the classroom, then returned to his desk to wash the distillation bottle.

Incidentally, he discussed with Laisuo, who had secretly done something bad earlier, the topic of "Why carry caterpillars around?"

Because doing bad deeds is the nature of every dark mage.

Laisuo silently answered in his heart.

Of course, he certainly couldn't say that to his new friend.

But Jin Chen would still help him keep the secret.

Laisuo again peeked cautiously through the brim of his hat, the corners of his mouth turning up.

Thus, while Jin Chen was unaware, Laisuo sent him a good‑person card.

Classmate Jin Chen is a good person!

——

The dormitory building of the Elementary Division of Vespa Comprehensive Magic Academy, in order to better foster student relationships, mostly consists of double rooms and does not allow off‑campus living.

At first Jin Chen didn't understand why every roommate got scared away by Laisuo, since they only shared a small living room and closing the door meant they knew nothing.

Until Jin Chen used compression magic to move his luggage in, facing the inexplicably gloomy atmosphere upon entering, he could see through the half‑open neighboring door black vines, and in the washroom something resembling bones.

That's pretty obvious.

Jin Chen threw the compression ball into the room and turned to look at Laisuo, who even held a hint of expectation.

"This place is nice; from now on, please give me your guidance, Duoduo."

Laisuo's expectant gaze gradually turned doubtful, and he nodded slowly.

Well, the new roommate wasn't scared away.

But if it's Jin Chen, it probably wouldn't be that bad.

"I'll probably sleep later tonight." Laisuo suddenly thought of something, his uneasy little eyes glancing toward the living‑room window.

"If you hear any noise, please don't come out; I'll take care of it."

Laisuo took off the hood of his cloak, his palm‑sized delicate face tense and showing nervousness, "May I?"

"Of course."

Jin Chen nodded, also casually making a request: "My habit is… whenever Laisuo returns to the dorm, you have to let me know you're back."

Jin Chen smiled, tilted his head, looked down at him, and imitated the earlier tone, saying, "May I?"

Laisuo also nodded, earnestly promising, "All right."

Jin Chen reached out his hand, saying, "Pleasant cooperation."

Laisuo stared at that slender hand, then reached out and grasped it.

That strange sensation returned, Laisuo's ear tips twitched, and he quickly lowered his head.

It's a bit strange, but not unacceptable.

Afterward, Laisuo felt a heaviness in his head, and someone touched it.

Startled, he lifted his head, but before he could say anything, the culprit had already withdrawn his hand and returned to the room with an inexplicable smile.

Laisuo stood where he was, thought for a few seconds, then raised his hand to feel his own head—there were no little bugs or the like, making him even more puzzled.

But Laisuo, who had hardly ever interacted with humans, thought, "This definitely isn't right."

For example, what kind of magic makes people's hearts race?

【Detected villain triggering Heartbeat Value, Heartbeat Value +3, total 3!】

In the room, Jin Chen piled up the magic scrolls and Daoist classics, nodding in satisfaction.

Quite a blend of East and West.

After a tiring day in class, Jin Chen fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow; before sleeping, he actually heard a rustling sound coming from the living room, but it was obviously unable to cause any fear.

Listening to that, Jin Chen slept even more soundly.

Until midnight, when the moon rose high and specks of light scattered across the ground, the elves living in the dark night awakened.

Laisuo took his magic broom, glanced back at Jin Chen's door before turning off the light, and relaxed.

Fortunately, the new roommate noticed nothing.

He opened the window, mounted the broom, and flew to tonight's destination.

Deep in the rear forest, amidst tangled vines and bizarre ancient trees, lay a small wooden cabin.

Outside, spiderwebs covered everything; toxic vines grew in the gloom, and one had to cross a small swamp to enter.

Inside the cabin, however, it felt somewhat cozy.

Warm-yellow magic orbs served as lamps; the various magic potions and scrolls placed on the floor were clearly neatly arranged, even the thick carpet had been combed.

Laisuo bolted the door, let out a long sigh, cheerfully took off his cloak, and the air here felt pleasant.

But the pleasure couldn't last long; Laisuo hadn't forgotten the important reason for his return tonight.

He quickly turned serious, lifted the curtain into his private storeroom, and grabbed two poisonous toads, a viper, and three beetles that only grow beside magic purple grass.

"That should be enough…"

Laisuo muttered, thought a moment, then snatched a few swamp white-furred rats—these were good stuff.

Back at the cauldron, Laisuo snapped off the viper's triangular head; the rats were even easier—after burning off their fur with magical fire, he tossed them in and pounded them several times with a stick.

He then skillfully added poisonous ginseng, deadly nightshade, and a large bottle of precious grape wine.

The dark-purple magic potion soon began to bubble and gurgle.

Next came the wait.

Laisuo propped his chin, his red eyes intently watching the rising bubbles, his mind blank as he wondered how many gold coins he could earn this month.

The black market's demand for toxic magic potions is growing ever scarcer; many ingredients are hard to find in the rear forest, and it will likely become even harder.

But if he doesn't trade magic potions, as an elementary-school student still attending classes, he cannot complete any other black-market transactions.

Moreover, although dark mages aren't ostracized in the black market, there's no guarantee their identity won't be exposed, making it even harder to find the assassin hidden in the school.

Yet being admitted as a student by the Holy Temple is already the greatest mercy; the Holy Emperor Majesty even said that before Lai En awakens, he will not provide any further aid.

Laisuo carefully considered his current situation.

He needs to earn gold coins for tuition, find the thief who stole Lai En's light magic, and quickly train the wood-element magic he uses for disguise… otherwise he will eventually be exposed.

Laisuo sighed worriedly, blinked his dry, red eyes from lack of sleep, chewed on viper meat to stave off hunger… and it was actually quite tasty.

The dark mage, whose whole body is poisonous, ate with great satisfaction.

Suddenly he counted on his fingers, thinking he still needed to prepare a magic potion for the new roommate.

I don't know whether Jin Chen would like magic crystals—the oil made from them is very fragrant… though he himself seems quite fragrant already.

Laisuo sniffed, utterly curious about the new roommate.

The magic potion was finally ready; he bottled ten vials, already planning to go to the black market on his day off to sell them.

Just then, Laisuo rarely heard footsteps outside the wooden cabin.