Nia's words left Zayne with a strange expression.
Bang.
The courtyard gate slammed shut as Nia stormed out.
"Do you want me to follow her and keep an eye on her?" Zayne asked.
"No need. In Old Shipyard Port, no one dares lay a hand on my daughter," Astrachior said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. "Zayne, don't take it to heart. Nia isn't a bad kid by nature. She's just a little too stubborn."
"I understand," Zayne replied, nodding.
Counting his previous life, he was nearly forty years old already. There was no reason for him to argue with a teenage girl.
"This is partly my fault. I spoiled her too much. Let me apologize on her behalf. Take this," Astrachior said, pulling out a small wooden box and handing it to Zayne.
"Oh no, I really can't accept this," Zayne said.
Even as he said that, his hands were already tugging the box firmly into his pocket.
Astrachior fell silent.
Zayne opened the box and saw a mask lying inside, thin as cicada wings.
The moment he saw it, his scalp tingled. This was not a mask at all. It was a human face, vivid and lifelike, as if it had just been peeled off.
"Te Teacher, th this is" Zayne stammered.
"A little trinket made by an old friend of mine who's a master smith. It's called Phantom Face," Astrachior said as he pushed up his glasses. "Once you put it on, you become a completely different person. Your voice, your aura, everything changes. With this, when you need to go all out in the future, you can wear it first. It will reduce the risk of exposure."
Zayne's eyes lit up. It offered no direct boost to combat power, but for him, it could be invaluable at critical moments.
"Thank you, Teacher."
All of a sudden, Zayne felt that getting scolded by Nia was actually a pretty good deal. If getting yelled at once earned him something like this, he would not mind being yelled at a few more times.
Early the next morning, just as dawn began to break, Zayne woke up.
Today was the day of the college entrance trial. For a class changer, getting into a top university was as important as Romeo not losing Juliet.
Zayne changed into the clothes Astrachior had prepared for him and walked into the courtyard, full of energy. Astrachior was already there, waiting with breakfast.
"Come eat. Afterward, let Double J take you to school," Astrachior said with a smile.
He was wearing pajamas, gently stirring a pot of porridge with a spoon. Without context, no one would guess that this man was the renowned Astrachior of Aurelion.
"Teacher, aren't you coming with me?" Zayne asked as he took a bowl of porridge.
"I won't. Nia is probably still upset with me. Seeing me now would only make her unhappy and affect her state for the exam," Astrachior said with a wry smile.
"Teacher, I must disagree," Zayne said, gulping down half the bowl in one go. "Women are like this. If she's angry and you comfort her, she'll still be angry. But if you don't comfort her, she'll be even angrier."
Astrachior paused. "Then what would you suggest?"
"You should show up, but not too early," Zayne said confidently. "The best moment is when she's already disappointed and angry, thinking you definitely won't come. That's when you appear. Instant control."
"That actually sounds reasonable. Create emotional contrast first, then deliver a stronger payoff," Astrachior said, his eyes lighting up.
"Teach the student well," Zayne said with a nod.
After eating, Zayne prepared to head to Old Shipyard Port High School. All examinees had to gather at school first, then be escorted by staff to the city gate.
As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, he saw Double J crouching at the entrance, waiting.
"What are you standing there for? Get on."
"Get on What do you mean, get on" Zayne stared at him.
"Yeah. Astrachior told me to take you to school," Double J said.
"By take, you mean escort, right Maybe we could just drive" Zayne twitched at the corner of his mouth.
"Forget it. A car is way slower than me. Trust me," Double J said, hoisting Zayne onto his back without further discussion.
He was skinny and shorter than Zayne by half a head. Carrying him like this looked ridiculous, like a small horse hauling a cart.
"Let's go. I'll show you the speed of a real womanizer."
With Zayne on his back, Double J turned into a streak of light, weaving through streets and alleys at astonishing speed.
Zayne was shocked. Even if he activated the Forbidden Spell Swiftstep Waltz, he felt he would not be able to keep up. They were on completely different levels. And Double J was carrying him while running.
As he sprinted, Double J casually introduced the scenery along the way.
"A newly turned eighteen year old lives here. Loves short skirts and black stockings. Her figure is a bit flat, but her legs are long. Black, white, any kind of stockings, once she puts them on, she looks great."
"A slightly chubby married woman lives here. Not married, actually, so it's kind of average. Still not fully refined in every aspect."
"Enough," Zayne said. "I think you're still not rehabilitated enough. You need at least another ten years in prison."
"Yeah, I think so too," Double J said, nodding seriously. "Alright, we're here."
While chatting, Double J had already delivered Zayne to the entrance of Old Shipyard Port High School.
It had to be said, aside from his lecherous tendencies, Double J's speed was absurd. It was hard to find any mode of transportation in Old Shipyard Port faster than him.
The only awkward part was dismounting.
Almost everyone at the school gate turned to stare.
Others arrived by car, scooter, motorcycle, or on foot. Zayne, who arrived by riding on a person, truly stood out.
Fortunately, Zayne's skin was thick enough. He did not really care.