Chapter 318

Chapter 318: Rumors

Night fell over the Fortress Academy dormitories.

The sound of a key turning unlocked the thick wooden door, which creaked as it opened. A black-haired girl pushed it open and returned to her quiet abode.

A lamp was lit at the head of the bed in the bedroom, casting a dim golden light that brought warmth to the darkness.

“Lolan’s back,” said the red-haired girl in the room, jumping up with excitement as she saw Lolan Hill return. She followed Lolan into the spacious laboratory to put things away, circling around her like a slow-walking bird, curiously watching as Lolan took out various items from a storage ring.

“When did Keti wake up?” Lolan Hill asked as she effortlessly tied up her hair and started preparing dinner for her roommate who had been asleep for several days.

“The sun was setting when she woke up. Since I didn’t see Lolan, I stayed in the room reading.” Keti looked like she expected praise for her good behavior.

“Mm-hm, Keti is really great,” Lolan Hill said, stroking Keti’s red hair, then took out a few potatoes bought in the evening, asking Keti to help peel them.

“Just peel the skin off, but remember not to cook them with fire,” the girl recalled Keti once turning potatoes into fiery charcoal.

“I know.”

Although supernatural abilities made life more convenient, sometimes Lolan Hill still preferred to make things herself, perhaps to feel more grounded.

First, the purple-red onions were halved and soaked in water. Then came the meat bought that night, cut into pink and white strips. Next, the potatoes, green peppers, and onions were sliced into thin strips. Finally, everything was stir-fried in a pot placed on a small stove used to heat crucibles. The sizzling oil and the aroma of the ingredients cooking together burst forth with appetizing fragrance.

As soon as the dish was ready, Lolan Hill let Keti serve two bowls of rice, and they sat down at a small table by the window to eat.

Come to think of it, this semester was the first time Lolan Hill started cooking at school. In her first year, she usually just boiled something or made pastries with Bumansa. The main reason was that the kitchen in the first-year dorms was too small and lacked proper utensils. Additionally, the dorms were close together, and if she cooked, it might attract curious students from nearby rooms.

This year, however, living conditions were much better. The walls were thick, providing good sound insulation. There were few students around, and her roommate would eat whatever she fed her, so there was no need to worry about taste preferences.

“It’s delicious, Lolan.”

After finishing the food in the plate, Keti emitted a contented sound.

—

On the other side of the academy, Ausuna also attended the post-race celebration banquet. Although she didn’t win the championship, second place was still impressive and deserved recognition.

At the banquet, Ausuna maintained a smile, thanking those who supported her, but internally she felt distracted. Losing the competition already troubled her, and the appearance of Jielanen and the ‘True Crimson Rose’ club members only deepened her frustration.

She felt a sense of unexpressed frustration, blocking her thoughts, but to maintain her image, she had to force a smile. After the banquet, she claimed she was tired and needed rest, declining further activities and leaving the dining hall.

In the following weeks, she began to gather information about the black-haired girl through various means. As she learned more, her previous suspicions grew stronger.

This girl named Lolan often skipped classes, sometimes disappearing for several consecutive days. Moreover, her past was virtually unknown. Although she had an Eastern appearance, she claimed to be from Clancia, formerly part of the West Wind Kingdom.

Ausuna had spent time in the West Wind nobility circles herself. Given their similar age and her outstanding beauty, Lolan should have been widely known. It was unlikely that someone like her would live in seclusion since childhood. Her claim of being from Clancia was probably a lie, as the recent establishment of the country and the chaos of regime change conveniently obscured her origins.

“If she remained unknown, it would be fine. But now that she has emerged, she must face scrutiny and questioning. I want to see how long she can keep up her haughty demeanor,” Ausuna resolved, starting to plan her strategy.

Days later, rumors began to spread throughout the academy.

“Did you hear? It’s the girl who won the ‘Rainbow Neck Bottle’ competition,” two students riding a magical motorbike discussed, heading towards the Northern Tower.

“How is she? They say she’s quite beautiful and has a good temperament.”

“At first, yes, but now people say her achievements are fake. Think about it, over the years, Emanas has produced countless brilliant geniuses, but none have invented a pearl-grade potion during their studies. Alchemy isn’t just about talent; it requires extensive experience and understanding, which can’t be acquired in just a few years.”

“It does seem plausible.”

“Exactly. Plus, she frequently skips classes, surely up to no good. And the teachers here, they don’t even care about such matters.”

Though many doubted these rumors, some students began to believe them.

Another Wednesday arrived, and it was time for alchemy class. Lolan Hill was absent because she was studying medicine at the Temple Academy.

One of Ausuna’s followers asked the teacher why Lolan rarely attended class.

The teacher stood on the podium, raising his hand to quiet the curious audience.

“I understand that you’ve heard some rumors recently. However, the wise scholars at Emanas consider and know more than you do.”

“There’s no need to doubt her abilities. Her talent and accomplishments surpass most. Current courses aren’t very useful for her, so she spends more time self-studying.”

“If you wish to skip classes as often as she does, you can. As long as you achieve top three in a major competition, I’ll give you an excellent grade, regardless of your attendance.”

“This isn’t about fairness. Everyone learns differently. Please focus on your own studies and growth, rather than idle gossip. What others think doesn’t matter.”

With his last words, the teacher seemed to warn the student not to spread false rumors, causing the student to sit down, slightly unsettled.

(End of Chapter)