Chapter 2729: Transmigrated to the Noble Academy as a Special Recruit 13

As the Star Dome Festival approached, Asgard Academy's curriculum slowed, various restrictions were temporarily lifted, and free activity time greatly increased.

Correspondingly, matches of the Star Crown Gambling Game quietly increased, becoming students' favorite pastime in private.

Interestingly, the three F4 members who remained at the academy lately seemed to have agreed beforehand, and none of them had served as a notary for any game.

Exclusive Cafeteria.

Ling Yao sat at the small round table by the window, with an untouched coffee and dessert before him.

He propped his chin on one hand, his fingers unconsciously tapping, his gaze falling on the floating road outside, looking somewhat absent-minded.

"Handsome guy, why are you spacing out here all alone?"

A voice laced with laughter sounded, and Xisi came over, grinning, and sat down opposite Ling Yao.

Behind him, Ailikè followed with downcast eyes, standing at Xisi's rear side, effectively hiding the surging resentment deep in his eyes.

After the previous lesson, he now could only be extra careful in front of Ling Yao.

Ling Yao snapped back to attention, putting on his usual smile, he ruffled Xisi's brilliant blond hair, "Funny, handsome guy, weren't you just waiting for me?"

Xisi tilted his head from the ruffling and clicked his tongue, "Waiting for me? I've waited so long I almost lost my soul—this absent-mindedness, your coffee's about to go cold."

Ling Yao sat up straight, grabbed a small spoon and stirred the dark brown liquid in his cup haphazardly, "Who's absent-minded? Not me."

His gaze swept over Xisi and landed on Ailikè behind him, he gave a contemptuous glance; it was clear this guy had been recently disciplined by Xisi to the point of being feisty.

Ling Yao asked Ailikè, "Where's Jin Chen?"

Ailikè didn't dare lift his head to meet Ling Yao's gaze, fearing the suppressed hatred in his eyes would leak out, he answered softly, "……I don't know; he left early."

Speaking of which, Ailikè also found it strange.

Jin Chen's whereabouts have become increasingly mysterious, impossible to fathom.

The cheese-laden pasta Xisi ordered arrived; he picked up his fork, grinning as he propped his cheek, looking at Ling Yao, "Mm-hmm……Ayao."

"Lately, are you quite interested in that special recruit?"

Upon hearing that, Ling Yao's first thought was of last night's out-of-control scenes, making him a bit irritable.

"Who's interested in him? He's just… a toy to kill time."

His tone was dismissive, yet hesitant and unconvincing, "This young master just thinks he's… quite fun."

Xisi's gaze suddenly swept past Ling Yao toward the person behind him, "Oh my."

Ling Yao's heart inexplicably tightened, and he instinctively turned around.

Jin Chen stood somewhere a few steps behind him at an unknown time, his dark eyes holding a hint of deep meaning.

Ling Yao's throat went dry as he watched Jin Chen step closer, he opened his mouth, "I……"

Just as Jin Chen stepped beside Ling Yao and stood still, before he could speak, a cold voice cut in.

"Perfect, I was looking for you."

Lin Baiyu had just come downstairs, walking straight to their table; seeing Jin Chen there, his eyes faintly brightened.

Jin Chen's gaze shifted from Ling Yao's somewhat flustered face to Lin Baiyu, "What's up?"

Lin Baiyu spoke succinctly, "I'll take you to the Military."

"You have the ability to solo-kill two Yate Silver-armored Beasts; this is your chance."

What Lin Baiyu said was correct; for a special recruit like Jin Chen, if he could be scouted early by the Military based on this performance—especially having the record of slaying Yate Silver-armored Beasts, a Star Beast that even the Military finds troublesome—he might even directly enter the Supreme Military.

This would be a leap like a fish jumping over the dragon gate.

Ailikè, standing behind Xisi, jerked his head up, unable to believe as he stared at Jin Chen's back, his eyes filled with distorted unwillingness and jealousy.

Why?

As fellow special recruits, how could Jin Chen so easily… obtain everything he's dreamed of?

Ling Yao also knew Lin Baiyu was serious; given the Lin family's influence and Lin Baiyu's personality, he would certainly not act without cause.

Yet upon hearing this news, he inexplicably felt a bit concerned, after all it meant that Jin Chen would… no, even without later, as long as Jin Chen agreed to go to the Military with Baiyu, he would thereafter belong to the Lin family.

But what exactly he cared about, and why he should care, Ling Yao couldn't figure out himself.

Jin Chen suddenly said, "If it's related to those two Star Beasts, then sorry, I've already forgotten."

Everyone froze.

Lin Baiyu frowned slightly. "What did you say?"

Jin Chen kept a straight face and blurted, "When I slew the last two Star Beasts, a strange mist appeared in the passage; after coming out, my senses were scrambled, and I don't remember what happened then."

Lin Baiyu: "……"

He stared at Jin Chen, feeling the statement was full of holes and very odd; that mist was indeed suspicious, and he couldn't tell truth from falsehood, after all the aftereffects of sensory disruption are myriad.

"……Alright, no rush." Lin Baiyu appeared patient with Jin Chen, "Then tomorrow I'll first take you to the Military General Hospital for a full physical checkup to ensure there are no hidden issues."

Jin Chen pondered for a moment.

A physical checkup… means leaving an official record in the Military, which isn't necessarily bad.

At least it could prevent Ailikè and the mad doctor behind him from pulling any more tricks.

Jin Chen nodded, "Sure."

Lin Baiyu seemed to relax, operating the terminal to book the appointment.

Jin Chen sat down in the empty seat beside Ling Yao.

Ling Yao glanced at Jin Chen with the corner of his eye, still thinking about the gift he'd mentioned the previous night, but after waiting a while, Jin Chen didn't bring it up.

Ling Yao snorted inwardly, picked up his silver fork, and jabbed at the dessert before him as if venting frustration.

On the contrary, Lin Baiyu noticed the abnormality, looked over questioningly, "Ayao, are you feeling unwell?"

Ling Yao raised his brows, his gaze still a bit dazed, "Huh? What… oh, nothing."

Xisi and Lin Baiyu fell silent for a moment, their gazes unconsciously landing on the dessert that had been cruelly ruined.

Ling Yao followed their gaze and lowered his head to look.

Ling Yao: "……"

He somewhat embarrassedly tossed aside the silver fork, "Today the chef's performance was off, not tasty."

Jin Chen, who hadn't really participated in this conversation, suddenly let out a low chuckle.

Ling Yao, leaning close to his ear, felt an itch, turned his head and glared at him.

Sitting opposite them, Xis…

Xis hissed, glancing at the obviously distracted and sulky Ling Yao, then at Lin Baiyu, whose expression was cold but who had taken the initiative to invite and was especially patient with Jin Chen, the gossip fire burning fiercely.

He lowered his head and sent a message to Shi Heng, who hadn't yet returned to the academy.

Xis the Great Great Great Artist: Heng, Ah Yao and Baiyu seem interested in the same specially recruited student!

Old Mother Heng: Jin Chen?

Xis the Great Great Great Artist: How do you know too!

Old Mother Heng: After watching the previous labyrinth livestream, the points annotation was very noticeable.

Xis the Great Great Great Artist: Hahahaha, right? Only I'm clear-headed~

Old Mother Heng: Your vision isn't as good as theirs.

Xis: "……"

He glanced at the meek Eric beside him and curled his lip in disdain.