Qin Si tiptoed into Aelia's study, holding a steaming cup of floral tea.
For the past few days, the lady had not relaxed her furrowed brow, and everyone in the Magic Castle was walking on eggshells, afraid of provoking misfortune.
“Lady, please have some tea. You haven’t rested properly for several days,” Qin Si said softly, placing the cup beside Aelia.
Aelia set down the document in her hand, rubbed her tired eyes, and took a sip from the cup.
The lavender Cedar Fragrance spread across her palate, slightly easing her tense nerves.
“Qin Si, has there been any news from Luna? Didn’t she say she had secured the headmistress of the Girls' Academy?”
Qin Si nodded and lowered his voice. “The Young Miss has been holed up in her room these past few days, busy with something we don’t know about. However, I heard from the other maids that she seems quite confident and even claimed that the headmistress she invited is so impressive that even those arrogant Mages are eager to visit her.”
Upon hearing this, Aelia thought to herself that Luna was indeed one to make bold claims.
Those stubborn Mages held themselves in high regard; how could they possibly lower themselves to seek out a headmistress of a Girls' Academy?
Yet, she also knew that Luna always had her own ideas; perhaps there was indeed something she was unaware of.
“Let’s hope so,” Aelia sighed, a hint of expectation in her tone. “The Magic Castle is in need of capable individuals right now. If we can truly secure a competent headmistress, it would be beneficial for both the Girls' Academy and the entire Magic Castle.”
Just then, a voice laced with mockery came from the doorway. “Mother, don’t get your hopes up too high. Those old geezers treat women like mere ornaments; how could they allow them to rise? Even if the Girls' Academy is established, I doubt it will attract any decent students.”
Lucius walked in with a hint of disdain on his face.
He had always been dissatisfied with the conservative attitudes within the Magic Castle, believing they were the main obstacle to its development.
“Lucius, how can you speak like that?” Aelia frowned. Although she was also disappointed with those stubborn old fools, she would not allow her son to be so disrespectful.
Lucius shrugged, walking over to Aelia and taking a bite out of an apple from the table.
“I’m just speaking the truth. Father spent so much money hiring so many Mages, and what do we get? One after another, they make excuses, saying they have no time or energy. They’re just afraid of being overshadowed by a woman.”
Aelia fell silent; Lucius's words struck at her hidden worries.
Over the years, the talent pool at Magic Castle had dwindled. Those capable Mages either refused to serve Magic Castle or were poached by other factions.
The ones who remained were all lethargic and unambitious.
“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore,” Aelia waved her hand, not wanting to continue the topic. “As for Luna, we’ll wait and see. I believe she has her own plans.”
Lucius pouted but said nothing more; he still held little hope in his heart.
Three days later, the Girls' Academy at Glorious Demon Fortress was finally completed.
This Girls' Academy was located in the Southeast Corner of Magic Castle, covering a vast area with beautiful surroundings.
All the buildings were designed in soft hues, exuding a feminine grace.
The Girls' Academy featured various classrooms, including the Magic Theory Classroom, Magic Practice Classroom, Etiquette Classroom, Music Classroom, and more—everything one could need.
To celebrate the completion of the Girls' Academy, Aelia organized a grand ceremony and invited all the prominent figures from Magic Castle to attend.
However, just as the ceremony was about to begin, news spread like wildfire throughout Magic Castle—Shu Xian had entered the world with dozens of disciples for training!
The news instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the Mages.
“Shu Xian? Is it really Shu Xian Da Ren?!”
“Oh my, did I hear that right? Shu Xian Da Ren has actually entered the world?!”
“Hurry, let’s go see! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
The Mages were all flushed with excitement, forgetting about the inauguration ceremony of the Girls' Academy as they surged towards the gates of the Magic Castle, eager to catch a glimpse of Shu Xian.
It is known that Shu Xian is a legendary figure in the realm of magic.
He is well-versed in various magical theories and possesses profound knowledge, earning him the title of “the Encyclopedia of the Magic World.”
More importantly, he is a true recluse, having lived in seclusion in the deep mountains for many years, rarely appearing before the public.
It is said that Shu Xian's power has reached unfathomable depths, with rumors suggesting that he has even touched the threshold of godhood.
For those Mages eager to enhance their Magic Water levels, Shu Xian's appearance is undoubtedly fantastic news.
If they could receive guidance from Shu Xian, their strength would surely soar.
The scene at the Girls' Academy's inauguration ceremony suddenly became quiet.
The originally lively crowd had dwindled significantly, leaving only a few who were either uninterested in Shu Xian or too shy to leave, barely maintaining the atmosphere.
Aelia looked at the desolate scene before her and felt a wave of helplessness.
She knew how renowned Shu Xian was and how much the Mages longed for his guidance.
However, she did not expect these individuals to be so pragmatic that they would disregard the inauguration ceremony of the Girls' Academy in pursuit of Shu Xian.
"Lady Mother, it seems your Girls' Academy is rather unpopular," Lucius remarked sarcastically from the side, his tone laced with a hint of schadenfreude.
Aelia shot him a glare but remained silent.
She understood Lucius's discontent with those old stubborn figures, which was why he made such comments.
"The Auspicious Time has arrived; let’s begin," Aelia took a deep breath, striving to calm herself.
Regardless of the circumstances, the inauguration ceremony of the Girls' Academy had to be completed; she could not allow those waiting for a spectacle to succeed.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Aelia and Luna slowly approached the grand entrance of the Girls' Academy.
Above the door hung a massive plaque inscribed with the words "Glorious Academy" in golden letters.
The plaque was covered by a red Silk Fabric, adding an air of festivity and solemnity.
Aelia took a deep breath and turned to Luna, her eyes reflecting a hint of inquiry.
Luna smiled gently at her and nodded.
Without further hesitation, Aelia reached out, and together with Luna, they grasped both ends of the Silk Fabric.
"One, two, three!"
With a command from Aelia, the mother and daughter pulled with all their might, and the red Silk Fabric slid away in an instant, revealing the four golden characters: "Glorious Academy."
Creak—
As everyone held their breath in anticipation, the doors of the Girls' Academy slowly opened.
However, instead of the cheers they had imagined, a murmur of whispers and mocking laughter filled the air.
"Tch, I thought this Girls' Academy was something impressive. Turns out it's just like any ordinary school."
"Exactly, look at these classrooms—empty and desolate. Not a single student in sight. I'd rather be home holding my child."
"I say, Lady Aelia, you might as well save your effort. Women should be at home supporting their husbands and raising children, not reading books."
Each harsh word felt like a sharp knife, piercing deeply into Aelia's heart.
She struggled to maintain her composure, but her face grew increasingly pale.
Luna stood beside Aelia, clearly hearing every mocking remark.
Her small face bore no expression, but her bright eyes sparkled with a cold light.
"Hmph, a bunch of shortsighted fools," Luna scoffed inwardly; she had anticipated this reaction.
These people did not believe that women could achieve greatness and were unwilling to see them rise.
But she didn't care.
She believed that given enough time, she would be able to make these people see her in a new light.
"Ha ha, it seems some people don't have much faith in us at the Girls' Academy," Luna suddenly spoke up. Her voice, though youthful, carried an undeniable authority.
Everyone was taken aback; they hadn't expected Luna to speak at that moment.
They turned to look at the small infant, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Luna surveyed the crowd, fearlessly meeting their gazes. "Since you don't believe, let's wait and see. I am confident that before long, you will regret your ignorance today."
Luna's words left everyone present in shock.
They couldn't believe that an infant could articulate such thoughts.
"Good, good, good!" A lavishly dressed noblewoman couldn't help but clap her hands, a mocking smile on her face. "I can't wait to see what kind of talents your Girls' Academy can produce."
"Exactly! Just hope you don't end up teaching a bunch of mediocre individuals who can only wash clothes and cook. That would be quite embarrassing," another chimed in, their tone dripping with contempt.
In the face of their mockery, Luna's expression remained unchanged.
She simply smiled faintly and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, please be patient. Our headmaster is already on the way. Soon enough, you will understand what sets our Girls' Academy apart from other schools."
As soon as Luna finished speaking, Qin Si hurriedly stepped forward and anxiously whispered, "Young Miss, do you really think the headmaster will come? It's... it's already this late..." Qin Si glanced around the empty Girls' Academy square, where only a few guests remained out of courtesy and some bewildered maidservants. The atmosphere was painfully awkward.
Aelia also looked at Luna with concern. While she had faith in her daughter, the scene before them was indeed disheartening.
She gently held Luna's small hand, wanting to offer her some comfort.
Luna responded with a confident smile, her clear voice echoing in the quiet square, "Of course they will come, and not just one!"
"Not just one?" Aelia and Qin Si were both taken aback, their faces filled with confusion.
Luna proudly nodded, extending her chubby little finger as if to count seriously, "One, two, three... a total of twenty-one deans are on their way!"
"Twenty-one deans?!" Now even the guests who had been trying to maintain their composure couldn't help but exclaim.
Twenty-one deans?
Was this Young Miss really speaking the truth?
How could so many deans be invited at once?
Even at the Magic Academy, it was impossible to have that many deans!
Just as everyone was murmuring and scoffing at Luna's words, a commotion suddenly erupted from outside the Magic Castle.
"Look! What is that?"
"It seems to be... the carriage of Shu Xian Da Ren!"
"Oh my gosh! It really is Shu Xian Da Ren! He... he actually came!"
The crowd, which had previously looked down on the Girls' Academy, was instantly captivated by this news.
They all stood on tiptoe, straining their necks to gaze towards the entrance of the Magic Castle.
In the distance, a magnificent carriage drawn by six Unicorns was slowly approaching.
On the carriage sat an elderly man clad in a white Magic Robe, his hair and beard completely white, as he closed his eyes in meditation.
Surrounding him were dozens of young disciples, each with a solemn expression and an extraordinary demeanor.
“It’s really Shu Xian Da Ren! There’s no mistake! I had the honor of seeing him once; it’s definitely him!” an older Mage exclaimed excitedly, his voice trembling slightly.
“Hurry! Let’s go welcome Shu Xian Da Ren!” another Mage said eagerly, rushing toward the entrance of the Magic Castle.
The others quickly reacted as well, forgetting about the inauguration ceremony of the Girls' Academy. They hurriedly made their way to the gates of the Magic Castle, fearing they might miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
In an instant, the once-bustling square of the Girls' Academy became empty, leaving only Aelia, Luna, Qin Si, and a few slow-reacting maidens standing alone.
Aelia watched this dramatic scene unfold before her, feeling a mix of emotions. She was both delighted by Shu Xian's arrival and disheartened by the desolation of the Girls' Academy.
Lucius's mocking voice rang out again: “Mother, it seems your Girls' Academy is truly unpopular. Even with Shu Xian Da Ren here, who would pay attention to this place?”
Aelia shot him a fierce glare and snapped back, “Shut up! Just stay put!”
At that moment, a dense crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the Magic Castle.
The Mages knelt down one by one, respectfully welcoming Shu Xian’s arrival.
“Welcome, Shu Xian Da Ren, to our world!”
"Greetings, Master Shu Xian!"
"Master Shu Xian, please accept our respect!"
As the crowd knelt in a thunderous wave of reverence, Shu Xian slowly opened his eyes.
He calmly surveyed the gathering, nodded slightly, and said, "You all need not be so formal. I have come to the world not to receive your worship, but to teach and educate."
"Teach and educate?" The crowd was taken aback.
Master Shu Xian had come for the purpose of teaching?
How could this be possible?
With his status and identity, why would he lower himself to instruct us mere mortals?
Just as confusion spread among the crowd, a somewhat urgent voice emerged from the back: "Master Shu Xian, I am Lord Leonard of the Glorious Demon Fortress. Welcome to my humble abode. If you do not mind, please come to the Magic Castle for a brief rest, so that I may extend my hospitality."
Leonard pushed through the crowd, panting as he reached Shu Xian, his face beaming with a smile.
He had been handling official matters when he heard of Shu Xian's arrival and immediately set everything aside to rush over.
Shu Xian glanced at Leonard and replied in a calm tone, "No need for that, Leonard. I already have a destination in mind."
"A destination?" Leonard was even more puzzled. "May I ask where Master Shu Xian intends to go? If there is anything you require, please do not hesitate to ask; I will do my utmost to assist you."
Shu Xian did not respond but instead lifted his gaze toward the direction of the Magic Castle's Southeast Corner.
His gaze seemed to penetrate through the layers of buildings, landing on the newly constructed Girls' Academy.
"I am going to that place," Shu Xian said slowly. His tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable firmness.
The crowd followed Shu Xian's gaze and noticed, in the Southeast Corner of the Magic Castle, a newly built school.
"Is that... the Girls' Academy?"
"The Girls' Academy built by Lady Aelia?"
"Shu Xian Da Ren is going to the Girls' Academy? How is that possible?"
Everyone felt incredulous.
Shu Xian Da Ren was a towering figure in the magical world, akin to the North Star; how could he choose to teach at an obscure institution like the Girls' Academy?
It was simply unbelievable!
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Shu Xian slowly descended from his carriage.
With his hands clasped behind his back and steady strides, he walked toward the Girls' Academy.
His disciples followed closely behind, mirroring his steps.
The Mages and Leonard, disregarding everything else, hurried after them, eager to uncover what was happening.
Shu Xian and his entourage crossed the streets of the Magic Castle and arrived at the entrance of the Girls' Academy.
He stopped in his tracks and looked up at the sign that read “Glorious Academy,” a faint smile appearing on his face.
At that moment, Aelia and Luna approached him.
“Shu Xian Da Ren, you... you’re here?” Aelia asked, a hint of excitement in her voice. She never expected that the headmaster Luna had invited would be this legendary figure.
Shu Xian nodded with a smile and turned to Luna, saying, “I truly admire your vision and courage.”
Luna beamed, stepping in front of Shu Xian, taking his hand and playfully saying, “Grandpa Shu Xian, you’ve finally come! Luna has been waiting for you!”
Shu Xian laughed heartily, ruffling Luna’s hair as he replied, “Good, good! I will stay here from now on to teach alongside you.”
After saying this, Shu Xian turned to Aelia, speaking earnestly, “Lady Aelia, I hope you don’t mind my uninvited arrival.”
Aelia quickly waved her hands, excitedly responding, “It’s our honor to have Shu Xian Da Ren here! How could we possibly mind?”
“Since that’s the case, I shall gladly accept,” Shu Xian said with a slight smile. He then turned to face the crowd behind him, who were all wide-eyed in disbelief, and declared loudly, “From today onward, I am the headmaster of Glorious Academy!”
As soon as Shu Xian finished speaking, the crowd erupted in astonishment.
Everyone was so shocked by the news that they were left speechless.
“The headmaster? Shu Xian Da Ren is going to be the headmaster of Girls' Academy!”
“What... what is happening? I must be dreaming!”
“How did Lady Aelia manage this? She actually invited Shu Xian Da Ren to be the headmaster?”
Lucius's mouth fell open in disbelief.
He could not comprehend how the Girls' Academy, which he had always looked down upon, could attract a legendary figure like Shu Xian.
Aelia watched the scene before her, filled with joy and pride.
She knew that with Shu Xian's involvement, the future of the Girls' Academy would undoubtedly be bright.
Luna observed the shocked expressions of everyone around her, a mysterious smile playing at the corners of her lips.
The real show was about to begin…
She tugged at Aelia's skirt and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Mother, it's time for those twenty deans to make their entrance..."
Comment 0 Comment Count