Chapter 88: But I Feel Guilty

Han Shuo, who had always worried about being discovered by Duke, finally dispelled his concerns after arriving at the Necromancy Department. The reason was simple: on his way there, Han Shuo encountered Kerry and Borg, who were cleaning the stone statues. He greeted them naturally, but the two failed to recognize him, instead responding with anxious uncertainty. Only after Han Shuo disclosed his identity did Kerry and Borg scrutinize him carefully and finally recognize him, speaking to him with even greater trepidation.

Now, Han Shuo was no longer a menial worker of the Necromancy Department but had become one of its students, naturally rising above the two in status. Moreover, after returning from the Dark Forest, the students of the Necromancy Department had deliberately exaggerated Han Shuo’s abilities, making Kerry and Borg—who had once had conflicts with him—even more fearful, terrified that he might seek trouble with them again.

Han Shuo paid no mind to the pair. Instead, he joyfully took out a bronze mirror to study his reflection, only then noticing the dramatic transformation in his appearance compared to a few months prior. His once frail and slight figure had grown much sturdier, his delicate features hardened by a series of perilous experiences, his contours sharper and more defined. He had evolved from a mere adolescent into a spirited young man.

Since even familiar faces like Borg and Kerry could barely recognize him, Han Shuo no longer worried about Duke Eric. Especially after Candida promised to help him resolve the lingering threat of “Shadow Remnant,” Han Shuo relaxed entirely, no longer hiding or skulking, and returned openly to Babylon Magic and Martial Academy’s Necromancy Department.

“Oh, Brian! You haven’t been back to the academy for so long—I thought something had happened to you!” Amy from the Necromancy Department was walking towards the teaching building and, upon seeing Han Shuo, exclaimed delightedly.

“Hello, Amy.” Han Shuo greeted her with a smile and walked with her towards the Dark Arts teaching hall.

When he reached the classroom door, Han Shuo paused, a touch of bewilderment in his eyes. Just two months ago, he could only stand outside, broom in hand, listening in on Gene’s lectures while cleaning. Now, unexpectedly, he was a student in the Necromancy Department, entitled to enter and sit among his peers to attend lectures.

“Don’t just stand there—the second class is about to start. Hurry up and get inside!” Amy, seeing Han Shuo dazed at the window, urged him as she reached the door.

Han Shuo snapped out of his reverie, smiled kindly at Amy, nodded, and entered the classroom. The moment he walked in, the eyes of several students shifted instantly to focus on him. Lisa, who lounged lazily in the back row, suddenly brightened, stood up, and waved him over, saying, “Here, come over here!”

Nearby, Buck and Bella, along with other students, regarded Han Shuo with strange looks, whispering among themselves.

“Brian’s back. Heh, Amy, do you believe the rumors?” Athena asked in a low voice after inviting Amy to sit down.

“I don’t believe it at all. Teacher Fanny and Brian—it’s impossible for anything to happen between them! That old witch Camilla loves nothing more than stirring up trouble. How could you believe anything she says?” Amy pouted and shook her head.

...

Not only Amy and Athena, but all the students Han Shuo passed on his way to Lisa were discussing the gossip about him and Fanny. The incident where Han Shuo was discovered by Camilla in Fanny’s bed had been embellished, spoken of as though they had witnessed it themselves, painting Han Shuo and Fanny as a pair of lovers caught in the act.

Han Shuo was speechless; he hadn’t expected Camilla to be so gossipy. Now, all the Necromancy students knew, and it likely meant the teachers—including Fanny herself—had heard even earlier.

Han Shuo sat next to Lisa with a bitter smile. Lisa’s excitement morphed into scrutiny; her gaze circled Han Shuo in surprise, seeming to marvel at his transformation, then she spoke coldly: “Hmph, so do you admit it? Did anything really happen between you and Teacher Fanny?”

“Lisa, they don’t believe me, but do you also doubt me? Even if I were that kind of person, Teacher Fanny would never behave that way. It’s ridiculous anyone believes such nonsense!” Han Shuo explained softly, his face troubled.

Lisa breathed out, her expression softening, though still skeptical: “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. You did sneak into Teacher Fanny’s room in the dead of night—that’s true, isn’t it? Camilla’s foul-mouthed, but she wouldn’t fabricate something without any basis.”

Han Shuo shrugged. “I only went to ask Teacher Fanny some questions. That old witch seized on it, but I can’t silence her. She can say whatever she likes—it doesn’t bother me.”

“But it does damage Teacher Fanny’s reputation. People will think her private life is improper, especially since you’re her student. The school might even force her to be more careful about her image,” Lisa reminded him, frowning.

Lisa’s words struck Han Shuo, making him realize he’d been selfish, always thinking of himself and never considering Fanny’s situation.

While Han Shuo was silently blaming himself, Gene entered the classroom, carrying a thick tome of magic. He scanned the room, his gaze landing immediately on Han Shuo in the back row, his expression suddenly chilling.

As the lecture began, Gene stopped abruptly, looked mischievously at Han Shuo, and said, “Brian, since you became a Necromancy student, you haven’t attended a single class. Might these lessons be too advanced for you? Can you understand them?”

Having experienced the Dark Forest trial with Gene, Han Shuo knew Gene wasn’t a bad person, though he sometimes gave Han Shuo a hard time because of Fanny. Still, Gene was a cultured man, and his difficulties with Han Shuo were never excessive; thus, Han Shuo bore him no grudge.

This time, the unpleasant rumors about Fanny and Han Shuo had clearly made the jealous Gene act out, hoping to embarrass Han Shuo.

“Teacher Gene, I’ve roughly grasped these concepts through reading magic books, so I believe I can follow your lecture. Please don’t worry about me,” Han Shuo replied, leaning back and smiling at Gene.

“Oh? If magic could be mastered through self-study, why would Babylon Magic and Martial Academy exist? Well then, tell me—according to the method of casting, how many types of magic are there?”

“There are four: incantation, catalyst, gesture, and magic array. Incantations communicate with magical elements to achieve the purpose of casting; catalysts include magic scrolls…” Han Shuo replied smoothly, reciting definitions and sharing his insights.

Gene was visibly surprised, pausing for a moment before nodding. “Not bad. So you’ve mastered the basic knowledge from the books. Let me ask you some other questions.”

Gene proceeded to ask Han Shuo several questions, ranging from basic magical theory to points only a novice mage would know. Han Shuo answered each confidently and clearly.

Throughout this exchange, Gene and the students stared at Han Shuo in shock, unable to believe he had so quickly mastered such profound knowledge. Sweat appeared on Gene’s brow; he grew agitated, and, with a snort, posed another question.

“I don’t know that one!” Han Shuo replied honestly; this was a topic for intermediate mages, and he genuinely hadn’t learned it yet.

Gene finally smiled, about to say something to regain his composure, when Lisa interrupted impatiently: “Teacher Gene, if he already knew everything, why would he bother attending your lecture?”

Gene’s words were cut off, and he looked embarrassed, laughing awkwardly as he tapped the desk. “Alright, no more questions. Let’s continue the lesson.”

“How did you suddenly learn so much?” Lisa huddled close and asked in a low voice.

“I told you, I learned these from Teacher Fanny. Otherwise, how would Camilla have fodder for her rumor-mongering?” Han Shuo replied, then turned his focus to Gene’s lecture, which covered intermediate and advanced magic—exactly what Han Shuo needed now. He felt no resistance to Gene’s jealousy or targeting.

After class, Lisa seemed to want to talk, but Han Shuo gave her no chance. He left the classroom at once and headed straight for Fanny’s laboratory.

“Fitch, I’ve explained this magic many times. With your understanding, you should have mastered it by now. Why can’t you cast it successfully?” Standing outside the lab, Han Shuo’s keen ears caught the conversation inside.

“Teacher Fanny, you know how I feel about you. Why won’t you give me a chance? Why would you prefer that lowly worker over me? Why?” Fitch’s voice was full of indignation. Han Shuo gently pushed the laboratory door open, seeing Fitch’s furious expression.

Fanny, wearing her regular magic robe and black-framed glasses, looked resigned and sighed. “Fitch, I’m more and more disappointed in you. First, Brian is now a student just like you. You shouldn’t treat him as…”

“Besides, whenever you come to ask questions, your attention is always elsewhere, distracted. In that regard, Brian is much better than you.”

“Brian again! That damned worker—how is he better than me? Why would you choose to be with him instead of giving me a chance? Is Camilla’s rumor true? Have you really slept with him, shamelessly?”

Smack.

Fanny slapped Fitch, truly furious now. Her face cold, she said, “I have nothing more to say to you. I used to encourage you, promising to discuss feelings when you became an advanced mage…”

“But now, you’re losing it. Let me be clear—there will never be anything between us. Give up your illusions. If you have magical questions, find me in the trial grounds or the classroom. You’re no longer welcome in this laboratory. Please leave now.”

“So you were lying all along. Ha, very good. You said you’d talk about feelings when I became an advanced mage, but Brian, just a worker, gets special treatment. Hypocritical, shameless woman—I’ll never believe you again.” Fitch covered his face, laughing bitterly, and strode out of the lab.

Han Shuo retreated a few steps, hiding in the corner. As Fitch departed, Han Shuo watched his back coldly for a moment before entering the lab with a natural expression.

Inside, he found Fanny leaning weakly on the round table, head bowed, sighing softly, murmuring, “Perhaps Fitch is right. Maybe I really am a hypocritical, shameless woman. Maybe I’ve violated some principles…”

Han Shuo heard her low murmur clearly, though he didn’t understand her meaning. He tapped his fingers on the table to announce his presence.

“Get out!” Fanny suddenly looked up, glaring sharply. When she saw it was Han Shuo, her expression became odd—first stunned, then surprised, as if she wanted to hide something in her eyes. Eventually, she regained composure, gave Han Shuo a sideways glance, and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Nothing, just came to ask some questions.” Han Shuo replied, puzzled.

“You heard everything? Did you see what just happened?” Fanny’s expression changed as she glared at Han Shuo. “You must have heard it all, you nosy eavesdropper! Don’t you know it’s rude to listen in on others?”

“Uh… Actually, I didn’t mean to. The words just reached my ears—I couldn’t help it.” Han Shuo spread his hands helplessly, signaling it wasn’t intentional. Then, his expression turned serious: “Camilla is truly despicable. I don’t care about myself, but she’s slandered you, damaging your reputation. Are you really just going to let her get away with it?”

“Forget it. That old witch is always like that. Since nothing happened between us, let people say what they want—it doesn’t concern us. The more we explain, the more guilty we’ll seem. Best to just ignore them. We’re upright—we needn’t fear shadows.” Fanny sighed, clearly worried, but chose to let it go.

“But I feel guilty!” Han Shuo said miserably.

“Damn it, what are you guilty about?” Suddenly, Fanny’s delicate face flushed with embarrassment, but her expression was angry as she looked at Han Shuo.

“My mistake led people to misunderstand you. I feel I owe you, so of course I feel guilty.” Han Shuo earnestly explained.

Hearing this, Fanny was startled, then relieved, saying angrily, “So that’s what you meant by guilty. I thought you meant something else.”

“What else?” Han Shuo pressed.

“It’s nothing,” Fanny replied quickly, trying to change the subject. “So what questions do you have today?”

Han Shuo was about to answer when he sensed someone approaching, and instead glanced at the door. After a moment, Duke, the Wind Mage, entered, his face friendly and smiling.

“Teacher Fanny, do you have time today? I’d like to ask you a few questions.” Duke greeted Fanny warmly.

Then, frowning, Duke glanced at Han Shuo. Han Shuo’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm, looking at Duke with surprised curiosity, as if seeing him for the first time and wanting to know his identity.