Love, Gun, Cupid

It was a way to save one's life, not a skill to be kept at home. So after the incident, Lin Jiade gradually forgot about it. He didn't feel sorry for it because, according to the law, if he continued to use it, he would have to pay a high patent fee.

"In your opinion, how should we improve him?" Du Juan asked.

"It depends on what level of goals he sets."

They all looked at Lin Jiade, who said, "The stronger the better."

“The stronger the better…” the reed warbler looked at the cuckoo, “How strong can I be?”

"The blow to him was within his capacity to heal."

The warbler looked distressed: "Isn't that asking too much? I'm not good at controlling my own power at all."

"This is your opportunity to learn and grow."

Lin Jiade broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. He had forgotten the premise that Wei Ying couldn't control herself and would exert herself. She didn't even like him. What if she lost control and tore him to pieces?

He tried to decline the offer, but the thought of being seen as a coward and despised by Wei Ying made him uneasy. Lin Jiade couldn't bear to bow down to someone he didn't like. His vanity made him indifferent to the matter, but he felt uneasy inside.

Ironically, Wei Ying canceled her training plan that was scheduled to begin that night because Lin Jiade was exhausted and unable to fight, making Wei Ying realize just how weak Homo sapiens really were. Lin Jiade didn't have to experience her power that night.

Wei Ying was equally happy with her leisure time, strolling hand in hand with her sister in the nearby area, while Lin Jiade video-chatted with Jasmine, providing online tutoring for her studies... Of course, studying was just a pretext; Lin Jiade and Jasmine recounted their experiences of the day.

Hearing that Du Juan, who played herself, had made a good impression on Lin Jiade's parents, Jasmine's expression was complicated. When she heard that Du Juan had her sister train him, Jasmine became wary. Finally, when she heard that Lin Jiade had a bad impression of Wei Ying, she finally showed a satisfied expression.

"How much do you really not trust me, Jasmine?" Lin Jiade thought to himself. "Even if I'm lustful and promiscuous, I don't fall in love with every woman I see."

Lin Jiade didn't expose Jasmine's little scheme; compared to him, there was nothing to talk about with Jasmine. Sleeping, eating, studying, daydreaming, dealing with unfamiliar classmates, resisting the temptation to play on her phone... her life was simple.

After ending his video call with Jasmine, Jianlan's video call invitation went unanswered into his chat app. Lin Jiade opened it and was startled by the image on the phone screen. He looked around guiltily and whispered to Jianlan, "Where are you?"

“Outside your bedroom door,” Gladiolus said, her fingers hooking around her open collar, “just a heads-up, Jasmine is studying in your bedroom.”

Watching the game, I touched it.

Chapter Eight: The Return Journey

"Jasmine, I'm sorry," Lin Jiade muttered.

Despite saying this, Lin Jiade felt a perverse pleasure. Gladiolus used her energy to make the phone float in mid-air, and the phone's camera faithfully recorded her walking posture, while the white waves were hidden in her collar.

Then, Jianlan went through the door to the 17th floor. Everything there remained unchanged, which Lin Jiade found particularly comforting. With a slight sway, Jianlan, wearing a nightgown, lay on her side on the bed, waves seemingly about to burst through the half-open door. Looking at her lover on her phone screen, she said, "Even though it's only the first day, I can't help but miss you."

Lin Jiade didn't actually think that way about the other person, but he replied, "Me too."

"You'll need to work a little harder to fool me," Jianlan sighed. "Having fun?"

"Yes, it was great to see my parents. They and Miss Dujuan were pretending to be... Ah, sorry."

"Apologize for not having your parents' blessing? In the Mirror Realm, I told you that if you died, I would raise you up as a spirit and start our second life together. I was prepared for that, do you think I would still care about this..."

Okay, I really care. I'm so jealous, especially imagining Jasmine in her wedding dress being blessed by your parents, the four of you all so happy together, while I, wanting to enjoy the privileges of having a girlfriend, might have to do it all in secret.

If I were to attend the wedding, I would probably feel a mix of relief and envy. I would curse Jasmine with misfortune, yet I wouldn't allow misfortune to harm her.

Gladiolus abruptly changed the subject: "So, how are you going to make it up to me?"

"Then, shall we hold a wedding according to Jasmine's standards, and then try to get a test-tube baby?" Lin Jiade laughed. "You'll look stunning in your wedding dress. I can't help but imagine how pure and holy you'll look then."

"How much do you want to?" Jianlan asked.

Lin Jiade lowered the phone camera, and Jianlan saw the boiling public opinion in the House of Representatives. Although she couldn't see clearly, Jianlan could definitely feel what Lin Jiade meant.

"You're thinking of doing something bad, aren't you? But girls all dream about marriage, and I won't let your fantasies ruin my pure, once-in-a-lifetime dream. Okay, goodnight, I have to go to work now."

"Good night."

Liches don't need sleep. Gladiolus is compiling and organizing information on registered magic researchers/wizardists/oracle protectors in Fusion City. This is a private investigation of Azalea under the guise of official business.

The investigation focuses on Du Juan's role in the series of events that led to Lin Jiade's transformation between September and October 2nd. Du Juan's being held back by her family and Lin Jiade for at least four days objectively created an opportunity for Jianlan to investigate her.

Lin Jiade chatted with his friends for a while and learned that most of them were holed up in their dorm rooms, planning to live a secluded life where they would order takeout when they were hungry, sleep when they were tired, and play games the rest of the time. Like him, they had little interest in the Winter Games because there were no pretty girls dressed up to compete for attention.

At this moment, Lin Jiade recalled the cute girl with a sailor uniform and pigtails he had seen at the first sports meet. He quickly thought that Jasmine's figure was similar, and it seemed that she could also dress in that style. Just imagining Jasmine in a sailor uniform with pigtails...

Lin Jiade's subdued desires slowly resurfaced. Unfortunately, Du Juan returned with Wei Ying and opened his door. Lin Jiade sat up, but he underestimated the dynamic vision of the celestial observers, so they all noticed a change in him.

Needless to say, Wei Ying's impression of him worsened, which was immediately reflected the next day, on the evening of November 16th, during Lin Jiade's first training session after returning from his parents' home.

Lin Jiade had once thought that Kapok's training was fierce and ruthless, but after experiencing Reed Warbler's training, he realized that Kapok was very gentle. Because Reed Warbler never cared about his feelings, in the wilderness, every time she knocked him down, she would replay the scene of his defeat in front of him, giving him ample time to think about the correct way to strike... and to fully process his regret.

Wei Ying did not mock him with words, but her silent, psychological attack ignited Lin Jiade's humiliation and rage. The rage caused the celestial weapon in Lin Jiade's hand to emit a crimson light, which was imposing, but it was far from enough in Wei Ying's eyes.

Lin Jiade was unaware of the purpose of the crimson flames emanating from his weapon. All he knew was that the weapon seemed like a bottomless pit, devouring his energy. When he went to ask Wei Ying for advice, she remained silent, focusing instead on honing two things in him: physical fitness and muscle memory.

That night, Lin Jiade was beaten so badly by Wei Ying that he felt like a soaked noodle, his whole body was so weak that Jian Lan, who had a contractual connection with him, couldn't help but send him a message in the middle of the night to ask if he had been sexually assaulted by a passing female succubus.

Lin Jiade would love to have such a good thing, but unfortunately the succubus doesn't think much of him—considering the succubus seducing Arcturus's boyfriend, it's clear that Homo sapiens is to succubi what cats are to humans.

Just as humans don't sleep with cats, but wait until the cats have changed, succubi don't sleep with humans, but wait until the humans have grown larger before abducting them.

Nothing happened that night. According to the schedule, Lin Jiade would say goodbye to his parents on the morning of the 17th, go to the city for another day, and return home on the 18th. He was in high spirits, but his expression was strange as he said goodbye to his parents, making the old couple think that their son had something on his mind, so they pulled him aside to ask him alone.

What's strange about Lin Jiade is that when he lies down at night, he's like spaghetti, but when he wakes up, he's like a baguette that's been sitting out for a week. His body is incredibly full of energy. What is it that makes him so energetic?

Lin Jiade quickly found the answer: it was the weapon Wei Ying had lent him, and it was slightly dimmer than the one from the night before. In other words, this sword was a power bank that he could hardly fully charge with his current abilities, serving as a reservoir for his energy.

This partially solves the young man's biggest weakness—insufficient energy reserves. Moreover, the practice of constantly channeling energy into weapons causes him physical pain, and in the process of healing the pain, his energy limit continues to increase (Lin Jiade is unaware that this is the effect of the Golden Apple).

Therefore, last night his mind was filled with the idea of ​​revenge, like pressing down on Wei Ying's butt and playing Taiko no Tatsujin. This morning, after seeing her and understanding some of her good intentions, his hatred turned into gratitude. However, he still kept his distance from her, which was better for everyone.

"This morning we'll visit the Buddhist temples and government offices in the city, this afternoon we'll see the indoor gardens, museums, and a large artificial lake, and tonight we'll watch the fireworks."

After leaving the station, Lin Jiade walked ahead, talking about the day's plans, while Weiying played games behind him, letting it go in one ear and out the other. Suddenly, she bumped into Lin Jiade's back, looked up and asked him, "Why did you stop?"

Lin Jiade didn't speak. Wei Ying leaned out and saw Kapok standing opposite him, enveloped in a confusing spell.

Chapter Nine: The Other Side of Paradise

With Kapok was Hehuan, and when Lin Jiade saw Hehuan and Kapok, they also saw him. Hehuan smiled awkwardly, after all, she was also playing the disappearing act like Kapok, not replying to any of Lin Jiade's messages.

Kapok, however, had more to do with other women than Albizia. The golden and pink-haired girls who popped up next to Lin Jiade were making him feel uneasy. Only a few days had passed, and the women around him were like games added to his Steam library.

Wei Ying felt the other party's cold gaze, and she glared back unhappily. No matter why she was being glared at, she had to fight back immediately if she was attacked, and she would never allow herself to suffer a loss or lose face.

The warbler's reaction exacerbated the misunderstanding of the cotton tree. The man in the tight-fitting suit left with the acacia tree. The acacia tree waved gently to Lin Jiade. Lin Jiade wanted to chase after them, but the green light on the pedestrian crossing turned red. Various vehicles started up in front of him, and the moving steel curtain blocked his view and his steps.

"Should we chase after them?" Dujuan asked.

"No need. What good would it do even if we caught up?" Lin Jiade replied.

"I hope you can explain to people you know that this is the opinion of a passerby who was inexplicably glared at," Wei Ying said. "That strange girl who looks like she has a story, is she also your girlfriend?"

The use of the word "also" is very subtle. Lin Jiade shook his head: "No, love is something that happens between a man and a woman."

The reed warbler shook its head and said to the cuckoo, "Thank you for your hard work."

Du Juan smiled and replied, "I like challenging myself with the difficult mode."

The three of them found a hotel and then toured the city according to Lin Jiade's plan. Despite having a beautiful woman by his side, he seemed completely unenthusiastic.

The cuckoo was looking at her phone, while only the reed warbler toured with great interest the structures built by the descendants of the upright apes for their own amusement. The celestial realm's interference with humanity was subtle, yet it had a decisive impact on human culture; in many places, the reed warbler felt that human cities were like low-budget versions of the celestial realm.

No wonder her sister was looking down at her phone the whole time, she thought.

Wei Ying misunderstood her sister's behavior. At lunchtime, Du Juan said to Lin Jiade, "I heard some interesting things from my fellow villagers."

Lin Jiade asked politely, though he wasn't interested, "Hmm?"

"To advance from intermediate to advanced magic researcher, an elimination tournament is required. The tournament will be held locally, and 50 aspiring intermediate magic researchers will compete to determine 3 promotion spots."

“I know, Senior Kapok told me about this… Senior Kapok is here to participate in the competition to advance to the level of an advanced magic researcher?!”

Du Juan smiled and said, "You suddenly became more energetic."

"Please provide more details!"

"You owe me again."

Lin Jiade nodded hastily, and Wei Ying moved her buttocks away from him. The man's spirit suddenly shifted from silence to excitement, and the energy he released was transmitted to her, bringing a wonderful feeling—like a warm breeze sneaking into her skin through the hem of her clothes, leaving a ticklish sensation.

Du Juan glanced at her sister, then turned to Lin Jiade and continued, "To ensure fairness, the Empire has specially invited a Celestial Observer to act as a supervisor. I know that person, and he can help us get into the venue to watch the competition live."

"Are there still audience members?"

"Yes, there are ticket sales, sponsorship fees, naming rights fees, plus the exam fees paid by the contestants. The organizers make a fortune every time. So introducing celestial observers is also to prevent the original intention of selecting outstanding talents needed by the empire from being corrupted."

"The competition may shut down, but its original purpose will not change?" Lin Jiade asked rhetorically.

"That's right, that's exactly it, and tonight's first playoff will start with Kapok."

"Play-offs?"

"This tournament will be conducted as follows: participants will be ranked based on their overall scores, with the Magical Household Registration Department score being the weighted score. The top 26 participants will directly advance to the main competition, while the remaining 24 participants will compete in two rounds of elimination to determine the remaining 6 spots in the main competition."

Thus, 32 people participated in the main competition, which was conducted through a random draw in a knockout tournament: 32 to 16, followed by the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Finals, and a third-place match to determine the top three who would advance to the Advanced Magic Researcher category.

Lin Jiade nodded. The competition format was easy to understand. What worried him was Mian. If even the man in the tight suit had to start from the tiebreakers, then just how strong were the remaining contestants? Thinking about this, he felt a chill for his opponent.

"Do you want to go?" Dujuan asked.

“Yes!” Lin Jiade nodded. “Senior Mumian has been kind to me. We have some things that we haven’t talked about yet, but that doesn’t mean that Mumian’s kindness to me doesn’t exist.”

I want to do something for them, even if it's just to cheer them on; that would be my way of repaying their kindness.

Du Juan drew a balance scale in the air with her finger: "But you have to go back to school next Monday, and your two girlfriends are eagerly awaiting your return."

On one side are the kapok trees that need to repay your kindness, and on the other side are your family members who have been giving so much for you. How do they feel when they find out that you are not coming home for an outsider?

Especially Jasmine, you've already let her experience this scene, and eight days after returning from the Mirror Realm, do you want her to relive this feeling?

Lin Jiade was stunned for a moment. He had never imagined that his choice would be so harshly criticized by Du Juan. Before he could think about it, Du Juan said, "I was just kidding. This is not a multiple-choice question at all."

Lin Jiade choked on his own saliva. He'd only gotten halfway through building up his emotions when Du Juan said it was a joke. He looked at her resentfully, while Du Juan turned to Wei Ying: "And you?"

Reed Warbler said with anticipation, "Go ahead, it's a perfect match for my major. Let me witness the prowess of the empire's backbone."

Du Juan went to contact the other party and brought Wei Ying and Lin Jiade indoors. Wei Ying played games for a while and suddenly said, "Sister really likes you."

Are you sure you're not bullying me?

"She only bullies people she likes. I've been bullied by her many times since I was a child. She controls the intensity to a level that won't make people angry, but will make them care."

Lin Jiade nodded in agreement, while Wei Ying's expression became even more displeased: "After growing up, she toned down her interests. I thought she had changed, but it turns out she just transferred her interests to you."

She had something to say, but took a deep breath, swallowed it back, and continued playing her game, saying, "Is she happy here?"

“Without a doubt,” Lin Jiade said, “this place has become another paradise for Miss Dujuan at the cost of disturbing others.”