Chapter Twenty: The Teacher’s Dignity Must Not Be Offended

As soon as the jade box was opened, a wave of icy cold air spilled out, causing the temperature in the storeroom to plummet. Han Shuo shivered once more, then focused all his attention on the contents of the green jade box.

Inside lay a sphere of vivid emerald, its surface as lustrous as jade, enveloped in a faint, ethereal green glow. At its center swirled a single crimson dot, like a droplet of fresh blood, drifting restlessly within the orb.

Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through Han Shuo’s mind. He felt his mental energy pouring uncontrollably into the sphere, reminiscent of the sensation when he cast necromancy spells. As his spirit flowed into it, the orb's green surface shimmered even more brilliantly, and the blood-red droplet within flared with a sinister crimson light.

A stabbing agony, as though a razor-sharp dagger were stirring his brain, overwhelmed him. As his mental energy swiftly drained away, Han Shuo felt as if he were dying and coming back to life in waves of torment. Never in his life had he endured such excruciating pain.

In this moment of intense suffering, Han Shuo should have blacked out from the agony, yet, bizarrely, his mind was clearer than ever. It seemed that this unprecedented clarity only magnified the pain to unbearable levels.

Clutching his head, Han Shuo let out hoarse, beast-like howls, anguished and inhuman, as his spirit continued to be drawn into the orb and the torture raged on.

At this moment, veins bulged on his forehead, neck, and bare arms, writhing like earthworms beneath his skin. His already sturdy body tensed, muscles knotting with an explosive, almost uncontrollable power.

Just as Han Shuo felt his mental strength nearly depleted, the magical power within him surged from his neck to his brain. No sooner had this energy entered his splitting head than the pain intensified tenfold, searing his consciousness.

Then, the spiritual energy that had been siphoned into the orb surged back into him like a tidal wave, instantly flooding his senses. Unable to withstand the onslaught, Han Shuo finally blacked out.

When he slowly came to, he felt as if he had trekked a thousand miles, utterly exhausted, yet his mind was astonishingly lucid. As he focused on his surroundings, he noticed that even the grain patterns on the wooden door before him appeared exceptionally clear.

A soft exclamation escaped him. Han Shuo was startled by this transformation. The last time he had felt so acutely aware was when he had first, quite by accident, awakened his spiritual power. Now, this heightened perception was even more pronounced. Eager to test it, he quickly gathered his mental strength.

His face broke into a broad, ecstatic grin. The saying “great fortune follows great peril” proved true: he had survived that deadly ordeal and, by some twist of fate, his spiritual power had vastly increased—far more than he had gained through months of painstaking meditation.

Such an incredible event had unfolded before his eyes. Still shaken, Han Shuo’s gaze returned to the dark green orb before him. Its surface glow now seemed dimmer, but the crimson droplet within burned even more vividly.

Frowning, Han Shuo edged a few inches away and scrutinized the sphere. Suddenly, he realized it bore a striking resemblance to something—an eye. The more he considered it, the stronger the uncanny feeling grew. Examining it closely, he became convinced; it truly looked like an eyeball.

Within the orb, the crimson droplet rolled about, as if an eerie eye were studying him. A chill ran down his spine. Uneasy, Han Shuo hastily closed the jade box. With a soft click, the box locked itself, and the key in its groove sprang free.

Shaking his head, Han Shuo dismissed the unsettling thought of the orb being an eyeball and pondered its mysteries. The more he considered it, the more peculiar it seemed. Had his magical power not surged into his brain at the critical moment, the orb would surely have drained him dry and left him a broken husk. Yet, when his magic had entered his mind, his stolen spirit had surged back, not only restoring him but also greatly enhancing his power.

This only deepened the orb’s enigma. Clearly, it was no ordinary artifact—otherwise, Duke would not have killed Dillon for the sake of this jade box.

Try as he might, Han Shuo could not fathom the orb’s true nature or purpose. Still rattled by his narrow escape, he decided to put the jade box away under his bed, resolving not to investigate further until he understood its secrets.

The next morning, Han Shuo woke feeling much better. As he washed up, he spotted Kelley and Borg in the distance, sweeping the stone statues from the road. They appeared to have risen earlier than usual and were still stifling yawns.

Upon seeing Han Shuo, Kelley and Borg forced cheerful greetings and reminded him to intercede with Miss Fanny on their behalf as soon as possible.

After breakfast, Han Shuo tidied the corridor outside the necromancy classroom and listened to a lesson on magical theory from Master Gene. Then he headed straight for the training grounds.

“Bryan, Fitch is in the training field now, seeking magical instruction from Miss Fanny. Please, you must help us plead our case, or we’re doomed!” At the entrance, Kelley and Borg, who had just helped clean the training grounds, hurried up to him, begging anxiously.

Han Shuo nodded languidly. “Alright, alright, I’ll go find Miss Fanny right now.”

Fitch, already an intermediate mage and at odds with Gene, had no need to attend basic magical lectures.

Upon entering the grounds, Han Shuo found Miss Fanny standing with her back to the door, a black ribbon tied around her head. Her dark mage’s robe clung to her flawless figure; from behind, her slender waist and rounded hips traced a captivating silhouette.

Beside her, Fitch gazed on in a daze, his eyes filled with longing and desire, drinking in her every curve, oblivious to Han Shuo’s arrival.

“Watch closely, Fitch,” Fanny said, her eyes covered by the black ribbon. “Even blindfolded, I can use memory alone to direct dark creatures to their targets.” As she spoke, several zombies navigated obstacles and slammed their clubs against wooden dummies.

Absorbed in her lesson, Fanny had no idea Fitch was paying little attention to her words, his mind entirely lost in admiring her figure.

Seeing this, Han Shuo couldn’t help but think it was no wonder Fitch had failed to advance to senior mage despite so many attempts.

It was clear Fitch only used these lessons to spend time alone with Fanny, who, blindfolded, was teaching him to command dark creatures by will alone.

Han Shuo moved with care, weaving past the many obstacles toward them. As he drew near, Fitch finally awoke from his stupor, glanced over, and shot Han Shuo a look of open disdain.

With a flick of his wand and a murmured incantation, Fitch set the obstacles into motion. Several fractured white bones suddenly lunged at Han Shuo’s rear, while ropes snapped taut like snakes, coiling toward him.

Weakened from the ordeal the night before, Han Shuo stumbled as he dodged, his steps clumsy. A rope abruptly tripped him, sending him lurching toward Fitch and Fanny.

At that moment, Fanny was wholly intent on directing her dark creatures, still explaining to Fitch. Though she heard the commotion, she paid it no mind.

As Han Shuo careened toward them, he desperately reached for anything to steady himself. Fitch, meanwhile, smirked coldly, raising his wand to strike at Han Shuo’s path.

In a split second, Han Shuo twisted his body left to evade Fitch’s attack, his training lending him agility. His waist snapped taut, and with a surge of strength from his abdomen, he miraculously halted his fall toward Fanny.

But his flailing right hand, unchecked, came down squarely on Fanny’s firm, rounded hip. Instantly, the soft, supple sensation sent an electric jolt through Han Shuo’s mind. Almost involuntarily, he gave a gentle squeeze before coming to his senses and leaping backward in terror.

Realizing the outrage of his action, Han Shuo panicked. Surely Fanny would never forgive him. Why had he done such a thing—though the feeling had been exquisite?

As he retreated, Han Shuo saw Fitch beside Fanny, eyes blazing and body trembling with rage, as though Han Shuo had committed some monstrous crime against his family. Fanny herself let out a startled cry, tearing the black ribbon from her eyes.

Now, Han Shuo thought, he was truly finished.

“Slap! Slap!” Two crisp smacks landed on Fitch’s face, leaving bright red marks. Fanny, furious and brimming with killing intent, glared at Fitch, her chest heaving with indignation as she shouted, “Damn you, Fitch! How dare you take advantage of me!”