The unrepentant student left Headmaster Morrison feeling utterly exhausted. Leaning back in his chair, he spoke, "Luo Wei, yesterday, while Professor Mike was inspecting the academy's magic array, he discovered something rather interesting."
"The academy's security line was crossed thirty-six times by the same person. Each time, they left the academy after the curfew bell and returned just before dawn."
"It's been a long time since we've seen someone this brazen at the academy. Luo Wei, do you know who this person might be?"
Luo Wei hesitated, worried that the headmaster might be trying to trap her.
Headmaster Morrison continued, "What is it? Do you need me to present evidence before you admit it?"
"I confess!" Luo Wei said decisively. "I'm sorry, Headmaster! Please punish me!"
Taking the initiative to admit fault usually led to lighter punishments. Besides, this was her first offense, and unlike some others, she hadn't caused any major trouble at the academy. The headmaster had saved her for last, which probably meant her mistake was the least serious.
At most, they would deduct ten points, right? she optimistically thought.
"Alright, since you've confessed, I'll go straight to your punishment."
Headmaster Morrison sneered, "Forty points will be deducted. You are required to submit a thousand-word reflection at the start of the semester, perform fifteen days of community service, and patrol the security line for a month."
Luo Wei: ...
Why? Why did she lose so many points?
She had merely skipped school!
Besides, wasn't it normal for students to sneak out? Who didn't have a bit of nightlife?
"What is it? Do you have a problem with the punishment?" Headmaster Morrison asked, narrowing his eyes sternly at Luo Wei's incredulous expression.
"No, no complaints at all," Luo Wei quickly replied, her tone sincerely remorseful. "I'm sorry, Headmaster. I accept the punishment."
Four sympathetic gazes turned toward her. Compared to her punishment, the others suddenly felt theirs were much lighter!
"Since you've all accepted your punishments, come here and sign the forms. Once you've signed, you may leave."
"I'm talking to you, Theodore! Stop giggling in the back!"
Irritated by the headmaster's scolding, the group, along with the troublemaker octopus, was ushered out of the meeting room.
"Hehehe," Theodore gave Luo Wei a thumbs-up. "You're a hero, Luo Wei. I wouldn't even dare to sneak out, and you managed to do it eighteen times."
Luo Wei tilted her head back in sorrow, refusing to let her tears fall. "Don't tell me I'm the only one sneaking out at night. I don't believe it."
Theodore burst into laughter. "But no one's as bold as you! At least others make some effort to disguise themselves—using teleportation runes or transforming into a mouse to dig a tunnel. Who else would swagger out like you?"
Laura added, "And most importantly, no one else would do it as many times as you."
"Those teleportation runes and transformation spells are for intermediate and advanced magic apprentices. What could I do?" Luo Wei said tearfully. She had been thrown into life-and-death decisions the moment she arrived here. The academy hadn't even provided her with a guidebook! How was she supposed to know there were magical surveillance systems?
Although she had secretly learned the transformation spell, that was something she couldn't admit!
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Theodore gloated, "That's why no freshmen dare to sneak out. Midnight escapades are strictly for seasoned upperclassmen."
"Besides, you're just a freshman. You probably don't even know your way around the city. What were you doing out there in the middle of the night?"
Luo Wei replied, "I found the academy dorm beds too small. Can't I just sleep on a bigger bed?"
"You nobles and your peculiar habits." Theodore rolled his eyes. "So, how did that forty-point deduction bed feel?"
Luo Wei sank into despair, withdrawing into herself.
A school year only had a total of 100 points. Losing nearly half of them in one go meant that if she made even a minor mistake next semester, she'd have no chance of advancing to the intermediate division and would face the humiliation of repeating a year!
Hol Felix, also in a foul mood, turned to Theodore. "Why was I punished for the smell? Your dried fish stinks even worse, senior!"
Theodore puffed out his chest proudly. "Because no one dares to complain about me!"
He waved his fist. "Anyone who complains about me gets beaten up. Last year, I flattened everyone who reported me in the arena!"
The group turned to him, aghast. "Ew~"
So violent!
The five of them left the chapel and strolled into the square.
"Tomorrow afternoon is the start of the holiday. Have you all packed your things?"
"What's there to pack? Just grab a few loaves of bread, right?" Theodore said.
Laura shook her head. "Theodore, don't forget we need to rent two horses."
"How long will it take to ride there?" Luo Wei asked.
"Let me think," Laura said, counting on her fingers. "Not counting the nights, about ten days."
"That long?"
"It's not too bad. The timing works out perfectly. We'll return just in time for the new semester."
Luo Wei frowned. She still needed to visit the Demon Sea and couldn't afford to waste so much time on the road.
"What if I told you I have another mode of transportation that can get us there in a day? Would you be willing to come with me?" she asked.
Hol Felix asked in surprise, "A day? Is it a long-distance teleportation array?"
Luo Wei shook her head. "No, you'll see when the time comes."
Hol Felix thought for a moment and nodded. "I'm in."
"We're in too!" Laura and Theodore quickly chimed in. How could they pass up such a convenient ride?
Gladys looked at the group. "Then, I guess I'm in too."
Luo Wei chuckled. "Why are you joining us? We're heading to the Magic Beast Mountains. You should stay put and wait for your ride home."
Gladys suddenly remembered. "Oh right, I need to go home. I have a bear to hunt."
By late December, the northern climate was bitterly cold. Snow blanketed the pine forests, and starving brown bears would leave their territories to scavenge in human villages.
Gladys was an expert hunter. By the age of twelve, she'd already led teams to hunt brown bears on her own.
---
That afternoon.
Luo Wei returned to Starry Dwelling, unfastened her snow-drenched cloak, and sat by the fireplace in the living room to warm herself.
Troy sat behind her, polishing his longsword with a cloth.
The fireplace burned expensive oak logs. The glowing embers radiated long-lasting warmth, seeping through the stone walls.
Luo Wei stretched her frozen hands toward the fire. Soon, they were toasty. She leaned back contentedly, sinking into the soft woolen armchair.
"Troy, have you found the people I asked for?"
Troy gently slid his sword back into its sheath. "Yes, I've found eight people. Seven of them are mercenaries."
Luo Wei clicked her tongue. "It seems your old friends aren't very loyal. Only one of them showed up?"
Troy lowered his head in silence. After a while, he said, "They replied, saying they have families now. They can't leave behind their wives and children. The Demon Sea is too dangerous, and they don't want to take the risk."
"Understandable. When you have weaknesses, you have more concerns."
Luo Wei almost forgot—Troy was a 23-year-old man.
In this era, the average lifespan was only around forty. Most commoners married and had children by the age of eleven or twelve, giving birth to four or five children, of whom two or three might not survive. By the time their children reached their teens, the parents were already weathered and aged.
Only the wealthy could afford to marry and have children later in life, such as the noble youths at Siria Magic Academy.
Even then, they couldn't delay too long.
The legal age for betrothal was seven, with marriage allowed at fourteen for boys and twelve for girls. Without magical talent, even these noble youths would likely have been married by now.
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