[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy":3,"chapter-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-17":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1027073,1339,"Chapter 17 Interlude: Between A Student And A Professor (II)","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>\"Damn...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why am I so nervous?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I muttered to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't usually the type to fuss over my appearance, but this time felt... different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A date with Professor Vivian wasn't exactly something I'd ever imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet here I was, dressing up for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wore a clean white dress shirt, paired with a black vest that hugged my torso just right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over it, I threw on a navy blue coat, sharp and tailored, with silver buttons that ran down the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My pants were dark, neatly ironed, and went perfectly with the polished black boots I'd slipped on earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this too formal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't help but ask myself, turning around to check how the outfit fit from the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't go on many dates honestly, and always wore what my assistant thought was fit for the occasion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lumi? How do I look?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the couch, Lumi perked up. Her translucent green form rippled slightly as she hopped off and floated toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped right beside me, her round eyes scanning me up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, she let out an approving hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master looks divine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumi uttered with a big smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only chuckled at her words, taking one last glance at the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My silver-bluish hair was neatly combed, and styled with a classic slickback, with a few strands falling on my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those looked quite messy, but yeah, I had already lost too much time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, I'll be going now, Lumi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke to her, picking up my coat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lumi waved as I grabbed the room key and left the hotel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The streets of the capital were still alive despite being quite late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lanterns began to flicker on as the sunlight faded, and the city's main street was filled with people finishing up their shopping or heading out to eat dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of baked bread and flowers from the nearby stalls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And surprisingly, I was getting quite the looks from the ladies around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too many looks if you asked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, this silver bluish hair of mine is probably unique and Aestrea is already naturally handsome, so this seems quite natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vivian told me to meet her on the fountain of the main street...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! Found it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spotted the stone fountain at the center of the main street. The soft sound of running water reached my ears as I approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides the fountain, there she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staying beside the fountain with her red hair catching the light of the lanterns like a cascade of fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My steps faltered for a brief second as my eyes took her in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian was dressed in an elegant black evening gown that hugged her figure perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gown's off-shoulder design revealed her collarbones and a slit on the side of the dress ran up to her knee, showing just enough of her smooth, pale skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin silver necklace rested around her neck, shimmering faintly as it caught the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heels clicked softly against the stone as she shifted her weight, her eyes scanning the crowd before locking onto me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft smile appeared on her lips as she stood up straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked absolutely stunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gorgeous, even.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There really was no other word for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian must have noticed the slight pause in my step because she turned her head, with her golden eyes locking onto mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A teasing smile immediately crept across her face as she tilted her head ever so slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did I leave you speechless already, my dear Aestrea?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cleared my throat, forcing my expression to remain calm as I walked the rest of the way toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look... amazing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled faintly, even tracing her whole body with my eyes, to emphasize my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian's lips curled into a pleased smile upon hearing my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mhm, certainly! I spent a few hours getting ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was playful, but then her smile shifted into something far more mischievous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning forward slightly, she added with a sly glint in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just for you, my dear Aestrea~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She winked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before I could say anything, she continued, taking a step closer, her heels making soft click-clack sounds on the pavement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you look quite dashing yourself, my dear student,\" she said smoothly, her eyes flicking over my outfit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't expect you to clean up so well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mhmm...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing my blunt response, her cheeks puffed a bit before breaking into a small smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lead away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian slipped her arm through mine before I could react, catching me off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up at me with a sly smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Isn't this what people do on dates?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, do you want me to hold your waist?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're not there... yet.\" she shot back with a playful grin, shaking her head lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words lingered for a second, but I was already used to her teasing me, so I matched her small smile as we began walking down the lively street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And where exactly are we going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked after a while, which made her turn her gaze to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's for me to decide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She brushed her hand against my arm slightly, catching my attention,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry. I've got the perfect place in mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Wink, wink*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave her a sideways glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You planned this out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To my words, she smirked as her chest puffed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A date with my star student deserves some effort, don't you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at her for a moment, unsure of how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, I gave her a small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suppose so.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian laughed softly at my lackluster response as her fingers brushed against my arm again as if to tease me further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mhm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scent of freshly baked pastries, grilled meats, and sweet drinks suddenly reached out to my nostrils, and it seemed to have reached Vivian's too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you smell that?\" Vivian suddenly asked, her eyes lighting up as her head turned toward a nearby food stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, it really reached her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced over and noticed the vendor flipping what looked like small, round cakes on a sizzling grill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sweet, buttery smell wafted over to us, and Vivian tugged me in that direction before I could utter a single word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These are moon cakes,\" the vendor said with a cheerful grin when we approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect for an evening stroll. Soft, sweet, and warm… just like love, don't you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave us a playful wink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I guess we do kinda look like a couple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How romantic... don't you think so, Aestrea?\" She laughed, before then looking at me with a teasing gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think you're just hungry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I replied flatly, though I couldn't stop the slight smirk tugging at my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned back to the vendor, ignoring my comment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two, please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Coming right up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the vendor prepared the cakes, Vivian turned her attention to me, her arm still looped through mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're no fun, you know that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm plenty of fun,\" I replied, raising an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just don't see the need to pretend food is poetry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, you'll probably make me pay for these cakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Food is poetry if you enjoy it enough,\" she shot back with a small grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But don't worry—I'll teach you to appreciate the finer things in life. You can start by paying for these cakes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that was your plan?\" I asked, making a look of betrayal as I handed the vendor a few coins, and also telling him to keep the change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I get lured out on a date, and now I'm the one paying?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, don't be so dramatic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian smiled as she took the warm cake from the vendor, handing one to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, sir!\" she said politely before turning back to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? It's worth it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook my head but took a bite of the cake anyway. It was soft, warm, and sweet with a slight honeyed flavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to admit… it was pretty good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad, right?\" Vivian asked, looking at me with a victorious grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I knew it!\" she laughed sweetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But, let's keep walking. I don't want us to be late for dinner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You made a reservation? It must be pretty fancy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know it~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time we reached the restaurant, the street had grown quieter, though the charm of the capital remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place Vivian had chosen was tucked away at the corner of a cobbled square, its golden lights shining warmly through tall glass windows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few tables had been set outside under the soft glow of lanterns, where couples laughed quietly over plates of food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smell of herbs, roasted meats, and fine wine lingered in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It really is fancy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only the best for my dear Aestrea\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She teased me once again, giving me yet another wink as we were shown to a table near the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inside of the restaurant was warm and elegant, with soft music playing in the background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Candles flickered gently at each table, and the soft hum of conversation created a comfortable atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we sat down, Vivian looked across at me with a pleased smile splattered on her gorgeous face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, nothing...\" She rested her head on her chin, looking at me with those shiny golden eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm just enjoying the fact that my star student is on a date with me. It's cute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're strangely smug about this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I replied back, leaning against the chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was quite comfy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I should get one of these.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I noted in the back of my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course I am! I worked hard for this, you know.\" She waved a hand dramatically before picking up the menu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, what do you feel like eating?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're actually letting me choose?\" I raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well no. I was just being polite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled back before calling the waiter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few minutes, the food arrived soon after—roasted meats glazed with spices, soft bread fresh from the oven, and bowls of fragrant soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We started eating, and Vivian immediately started the conversation which soon led to her experiences teaching students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And then he accidentally summoned a water spirit in the middle of class,\" Vivian was saying as she took a sip of her wine, taking breaks to let out a small laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The entire classroom was soaked within minutes. I swear I'll never forget the look on his face—completely drenched but still trying to act like it was intentional.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sounds like your students are a handful,\" I replied with a small smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that happened with any of my classmates we'd probably laugh out loud, but in the end, I would buy him or her a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, they are. But they're good kids… just like you.\" she smiled playfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, really? Then should I consider you a predator for taking a kid on a date?\" I replied back with an even wider smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're man enough for that.\" she avoided my gaze for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon enough, she started laughing as I did the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were having fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, that fun was about to come to an end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We left the restaurant about an hour later, the night now fully settled over the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The streets had grown quieter, with only a few people wandering here and there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian slipped her arm through mine again as we walked, her heels clicking softly on the stone pavement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you I had the perfect place in mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, the food really was good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled faintly, feeling the soft moonlight glowing on my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, after seeing my smile, Vivian seemed to have frozen, her lips were slightly parted from each other as she stared deep into my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took a step forward as her arm slipped away from mine, and reached out to the direction of my neck...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gulped down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why does this look familiar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap, tap...!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course...!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who the fuck ruined the kiss scene this time?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced to the side and saw a group of men stepping out from the shadows of an alleyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were four of them, all wearing rough clothes and carrying poorly hidden knives. The man in front grinned wickedly, his eyes darting between Vivian and me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy... he's a D-rank user, and thinks he can assault us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, what do we have here?\" he sneered arrogantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A couple out for a fancy night, huh? Looks like you've got plenty to spare. Why don't you hand over your wallet and make this easy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing his words, my hand twitched toward where I normally kept my sword—though I hadn't brought it with me tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I guess I'll need to beat him up instead of cutting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, before I could do anything, Vivian let out a soft sigh from behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\" she muttered with a disappointed tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next second, everything happened at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian stepped forward, raised her hand—and with a quick flick of her wrist, an invisible force erupted from her fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The robbers didn't stand a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four of them were sent flying backward as though struck by a hurricane, crashing into barrels and crates with pained yelps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader's knife clattered uselessly to the ground as he groaned, sprawled out in a heap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Vivian, my mouth slightly open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dusted off her hands with a satisfied smile and turned to me, having the most innocent expression ever on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where were we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My lips twitched upon seeing her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's no surprise that her prestigious title is...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red Devil.\u003C\u002Fp>",2324,"2026-06-03T09:18:17.018Z","2026-06-03T09:18:22.334Z",1,"novelbin.me","539d4ad7c8d0f6d9ae80932bd6a015bacd3b10c7f70221c2e38943c1fa41da51","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-18","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-16",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-cover.jpg"]