Chapter 75 Close the Door Properly, You Get in Bed First

Forest City, Babylon Magic and Martial Academy.

After breakfast, Han Shuo purchased a new set of clothes and arrived at the academy in the morning. His first stop was the library, where he discreetly returned the two magic books—"Fundamentals of Necromancy" and "Magic Dictionary"—that he had previously entrusted Jack to steal. Only then did he head straight for the laboratory where Fanny was.

The door to the laboratory was open. Fanny, clad in a black mage's robe trimmed with gold and wearing black-rimmed glasses, held a magic staff in her left hand and a pen in her right, sketching magical diagrams atop a round table while explaining something aloud.

Beside her, Fitch appeared to listen attentively, though his gaze frequently lingered on Fanny's face. With those glasses, Fanny seemed less alluring, more stern and intellectual; yet to Han Shuo, her beauty was undiminished, and he found himself gazing at her in quiet fascination.

After her explanation, Fanny glanced at the dazed Fitch and frowned, asking, "Fitch, did you understand?"

Fitch snapped out of his reverie, nodded, and smiled, "Professor Fanny, your explanation was very clear. I understand now."

When Fanny looked up, she noticed Han Shuo standing at the door. Han Shuo was now slightly taller than Fitch, his body strengthened and imposing from constant training and combat. He stood upright like a spear, lacking the frail appearance typical of most mages.

Fanny was momentarily stunned, surprised by Han Shuo's silent transformation. But when she saw Han Shuo gazing at her, entranced, she became flustered, her cheeks reddened, and she gripped her pen so tightly she nearly broke it.

What's wrong with me? Fanny thought, taking a deep breath and, almost petulantly, glared at Han Shuo before raising her chin and huffing, "Bryan, it's been a while. Since the last trial, you've vanished for a month—where have you been hiding, and what brings you back to the academy now?"

Han Shuo's expression instantly returned to normal at her words. He chuckled lightly and, without waiting for an invitation, strode confidently into the room, replying, "The trial in the Dark Forest made me aware of my shortcomings. So I borrowed a magic book to brush up on the basics. After encountering several problems, I thought I'd consult you, Professor Fanny."

"Hmph. Who would believe that? You're always so mysterious!" Fanny shot Han Shuo a look of disbelief, then glanced at Fitch. For some reason, she found Fitch's presence somewhat intrusive and said, "Fitch, I have some matters to discuss with Bryan alone. Since you understand my explanation, go and practice it well."

Fitch was briefly stunned, not expecting Fanny to ask him to leave because of Han Shuo's arrival. After a moment, he glared at Han Shuo, muttering, "A servant is always a servant; even in academy attire, you don't look like a real student."

With that, Fitch left. Han Shuo smiled throughout, unconcerned by Fitch's grumbling. He knew Fitch held a grudge because of Fanny's attitude toward him, but unless Fitch acted on that hostility, Han Shuo wasn't interested in dealing with him.

"Go, shut the door tight!" As soon as Fitch left, Fanny set down her pen, glanced at Han Shuo, and ordered grandly.

Shut the door? Han Shuo's heart skipped a beat, his gaze lingering meaningfully on Fanny. He grinned oddly, quickly got up, and said, "Alright, I'll do it right away."

Han Shuo, delighted, closed the laboratory door securely. Fanny looked at him again and continued, "Now, get on the bed!"

Han Shuo nodded like a pecking chick, saying nothing. He slipped off his shoes and lay on the white bed behind, crossing his legs with satisfaction. He smiled, "Professor Fanny, won't you join me?"

Fanny looked at Han Shuo with amusement and replied playfully, "I'm coming—close your eyes first!"

Han Shuo, never so obedient before, closed his eyes with a wicked smile, indulging in his lascivious thoughts.

"Ah!"

A scream burst from Han Shuo's lips. In that instant, he felt a powerful mental force invade his mind, snapping him out of his pleasant daydream.

When Han Shuo saw Fanny smiling at him, he asked angrily, "Professor Fanny, what are you doing?"

"Checking your body! Didn't I say last time that you're my test subject? Now that you're back at the academy, I can use the facilities for a thorough check. That's what I just did. What, did you think I asked you to shut the door and get on the bed for something else?" Fanny replied seriously, glaring at Han Shuo. Yet, even with her glasses, she couldn't hide the mischievous, triumphant glint in her eyes.

Han Shuo was no longer the naive boy he once was. He easily saw through Fanny's satisfaction. He sat up with a bitter smile and said, "Enough; don't check me anymore. This can't be explained by ordinary reasoning. If you keep invading my mind with that method, and I end up truly an idiot, my life would be over."

Fanny frowned thoughtfully at his words, sighed, then smiled, "Alright, then. I'd rather lose a test subject than a talented student."

Seeing Fanny let him off so easily, Han Shuo breathed a sigh of relief and sincerely thanked her. Then he took out the "Basic Necromancy" book and began asking Fanny about the parts he didn't understand.

Fanny was amazed to see Han Shuo retrieve the "Basic Necromancy" book from his space ring, noting the many annotations he'd made. She exclaimed, "You've already been reading this book? Do you mean you've mastered the magic that a magic apprentice should know? Wow…you've made so many notes—clearly you haven't been lazy these days. I really misjudged you!"

"Of course. The magic an apprentice should know, I've already mastered," Han Shuo replied with a smile.

He thought for a moment, then, in front of Fanny, cast the Soul Pain spell. Fanny exclaimed, "Oh, heavens! Bryan, you're incredible! You have enough mental force to cast Soul Pain—this means your mental power has reached the level of a junior mage. You are a genius—a true genius!"

Han Shuo was unsure if he was truly a genius, but he knew his rapid increase in mental power was linked to that peculiar green orb. He still didn't know what it was, though he was certain it was connected to the Cemetery of Death.

After Fanny's string of exclamations, Han Shuo began earnestly consulting her about the magic he didn't understand. As a senior mage, Fanny was well-versed in teaching students about magic and patiently explained each of Han Shuo's questions.

During this process, the two sat close together. Han Shuo could smell Fanny's subtle fragrance. Their gazes met frequently as they discussed magical insights, creating a mutual appreciation and tacit understanding. Fanny seemed unbothered by Han Shuo's proximity and would enthusiastically praise him when he grasped her explanations.

Unnoticed, several hours passed as they talked in Fanny’s laboratory. Fanny showed no trace of impatience, rather enjoying the company of a promising student.

It wasn't until a bell rang that Fanny suddenly remembered, "Oh no, I almost forgot I have a class at the training grounds this afternoon. Bryan, your comprehension is excellent—it's clear you've chosen the right path in learning necromancy. But that's enough for today; I have to teach now. Do you want to come with me?"

Han Shuo shook his head and smiled, "No, I've already mastered the basic spells. Today, I've cleared up many questions thanks to you, and I want to reflect on them alone. I won't go to the training grounds."

Fanny nodded, not insisting, hurriedly packed up, straightened her clothes, and said, "That's fine. You can come to me these days, and I'll explain any knowledge you don't understand. Oh, by the way, Lisa is worried about you since you’ve been gone so long. She asked me where you went."

"Ha, I’m fine. Tell her not to worry. I'll be visiting often these days—thank you, Professor Fanny." Han Shuo replied casually, leaving the laboratory ahead of Fanny. He avoided crowded areas and walked out of the academy.

Leaving Babylon Magic and Martial Academy, Han Shuo carefully avoided two main roads before heading toward Phoebe’s residence.

After the assassination attempt by the Buster Merchant Guild, Han Shuo sensed trouble. Not only had he offended Grover, but Phoebe might also bear a grudge against him. Still, for the sake of the wujin ore, Han Shuo had to swallow his pride and seek Phoebe again, hoping her anger had subsided after ten days.

The old butler opened the door as before. Once inside, Han Shuo was soon greeted by Fubin. Smiling, Fubin said, "Bryan, what brings you here?"

With a bitter smile, Han Shuo shook his head and sighed, "Don’t mention it. Last time I helped your young lady by killing Darnell and Yuna at Buster Merchant Guild. But somehow I offended Miss Phoebe, received no reward, and got beaten up—truly unlucky!"

"Oh? Miss Phoebe may be wealthy but she’s not unreasonable. What happened between you two? She returned late that night and was angry for days. I even overheard her cursing you as shameless and despicable. I can't imagine what made her so furious!" Fubin mused, looking at Han Shuo in surprise.

Han Shuo sighed again and said, "Forget it. I won’t dwell on it. For my materials, I have no choice but to see her. Is Miss Phoebe home?"

"Sorry, she’s out for now, but I expect she'll return soon. If you’re not in a hurry, you can wait here."

"Alright, I’ll wait."

Sure enough, before long, Han Shuo heard the distant sound of knocking and felt nervous, pondering how he should speak to Phoebe upon meeting her.

As Han Shuo frowned in thought, a man’s voice called out, "Hey, are you Bryan? What are you doing here?"

Han Shuo looked up in surprise, recognizing Lawrence—the man who had hired him for five gold coins as a sparring dummy at the Warrior Academy—standing at the door with Phoebe.

"Lawrence, you know him?" Phoebe asked in surprise.

"Of course, he’s Bryan, a servant at our Babylon Magic and Martial Academy," Lawrence replied matter-of-factly.

"A servant?" Phoebe and Fubin both exclaimed, Phoebe eyeing Han Shuo strangely and saying to Lawrence, "Senior, your Babylon Magic and Martial Academy is the empire's most prestigious school. How could it have someone so shameless and despicable?"

Lawrence was taken aback, then shrugged at Han Shuo and smiled at Phoebe, "Junior sister, how did Bryan offend you? I actually admire his perseverance."

Han Shuo sat there with a bitter smile, sipping tea and silently cursing his luck. He hadn't expected Lawrence to be Phoebe's senior. Now his identity was exposed, and if Phoebe insisted on pursuing past grievances, escaping would be much more difficult.