Chapter Thirty-One: The Flaming Rose

Kevin’s expression darkened as well. He had tried every possible means to find an opportunity to be alone with Elijia, but it was only because of a single word from Mentor Andrew that Luo Chen succeeded. Though he didn’t consider Luo Chen a threat in pursuing Elijia, he was still uncomfortable, and a little worried.

If Luo Chen told Elijia the truth… No, that couldn’t happen. He should have some sense of his own limits, and besides, Elijia would never believe it.

Luo Chen, on the other hand, was somewhat surprised. Even if Elijia didn’t hold a grudge against him, he thought she would still have reservations. He hadn’t expected her to agree so readily.

“Excellent,” Andrew nodded in satisfaction. Elijia never failed to meet his expectations. “Everyone should take Elijia as a role model. Remember, we…”

Andrew hadn’t finished his sentence when the students already anticipated the three words he would say next. They were all too familiar with the mentor’s closing remarks. Those three words echoed every day, their ears practically growing calluses.

Sure enough, after “we,” Andrew continued, “…must be harmonious!”

He truly deserved the nickname “Mr. Harmony”—those three words had become second nature to him.

Just then, someone spoke up: “Mentor Andrew, I have a request.”

It was a red-haired girl, a rare beauty who could rival Elijia. She was exceptionally tall, and her long, stunning legs made many boys feel inferior by comparison. Her figure was perfectly proportioned, and in the era of ancient civilizations, she would undoubtedly have been a top model.

Her chest was outrageously well-developed, her wheat-colored skin smooth as silk, shimmering with an alluring sheen.

Anyone who saw her would have only one impression: sexy, and nothing but sexy.

Her arched brows revealed a fiercely competitive nature, promising a challenge that men found irresistible.

She wore a set of flexible black warrior’s armor. Few girls who cared about fashion would choose that color, but on her, it lent an indescribable cool and proud beauty.

This girl was no ordinary student. Her name was Joanna, from the Golan family of the Azure Continent. Her family’s Burning Heaven Technique and Fury Flame Battle Aura were quite renowned.

There are always people born with a strong sense of justice, and Joanna was one such person—her sense of justice as forceful as a superhero from an ancient animated series. She was the current head of Winston Academy’s Discipline Committee. Whenever there was illegal fighting or bullying among students, Joanna would step in, though her methods were far more radical than Andrew’s. She resolved issues not by mediation, but by force—fighting until the problem was solved.

With strength comparable to Elijia, there were few at Winston Academy who could match Joanna, the female head of the Discipline Committee. Most students involved in illegal fights would scatter at the mere mention of her name. Thanks to Joanna, the academy’s atmosphere had been the best in over a decade.

Elijia was dubbed “Winter’s Proud Plum Blossom” by the academy’s gossipers, while Joanna was her exact opposite, known as the “Flaming Rose.” Her personality was clear—she was a rose with thorns.

Andrew asked curiously, “Joanna, what is your request?”

Joanna replied, “As a member of the Battle Technique class, I also have a duty to help my classmates. To help Luo Chen improve more quickly, I’d like to apply to be his extracurricular tutor!”

The proposal stunned the students, but they quickly realized Joanna’s motives were anything but benevolent.

Elijia was Joanna’s roommate and best friend—their families were rumored to be close, and they’d known each other since childhood. Joanna was the sort who couldn’t tolerate any wrongdoing. In her eyes, Luo Chen’s conduct was worse than any rule-breaker, especially since he had hurt her best friend, Elijia. How could Joanna endure that?

Unlike Elijia’s cold elegance, Joanna possessed both extraordinary beauty and a devilish figure. She was Winston Academy’s other campus belle. Now Luo Chen had the chance to interact with yet another beauty, but none of the male students envied him—they knew Joanna would make his life a living hell.

Andrew, however, failed to see Joanna’s ulterior motive. He believed everyone valued harmony as he did, so he was delighted. “I didn’t expect Joanna to be so considerate. Very well, I approve your application. I’ll also award extra points on your graduation assessment.”

“Thank you, Mentor.” Joanna smiled angelically, but her thoughts were anything but pure.

After the meeting was dismissed, Elijia pulled Joanna aside, frowning. “Joanna, what exactly are you up to?” As her close friend, Elijia could easily see through Joanna’s intentions.

“What am I up to?” Joanna blinked her beautiful eyes, looking utterly innocent. “Didn’t I tell Mentor Andrew? I just want to help Luo Chen.”

“Oh, please, Joanna,” Elijia said with mock annoyance. “Don’t play games with me. I know you too well. As if I wouldn’t see through your schemes? Luo Chen might…”

She was interrupted by Joanna. “Relax, dear Lily, I do plan to give his training a bit of ‘extra spice,’ but I promise it’ll be good for him. That’s settled.”

With that, Joanna strode toward Luo Chen. Elijia felt a headache coming on, but despite Joanna’s radical ways, she always acted with a sense of proportion. At least, while managing discipline, she had never done anything truly detestable—the students simply respected and feared her name.

Joanna approached Luo Chen, forcing herself to smile sweetly at the coward she despised. “Luo Chen, if you’re free now, let’s begin our extracurricular tutoring.”

Joanna’s feigned enthusiasm was met with Luo Chen’s immediate refusal. “Sorry, Joanna, I don’t have time right now.”

Hearing this, Joanna nearly exploded. With her status as campus belle, she had humbled herself to offer Luo Chen tutoring—and this bastard, this bastard actually said he had no time!

Joanna was already itching to torment Luo Chen until he begged for mercy, but now, a bucket of cold water had been thrown over her ambitions. It was like reaching the peak of anticipation, only for the other party to suddenly get up and walk away—the frustration was enough to make her want to jump off a building.

[Just woke up—the morning air is so fresh. Well, in honor of this fresh air, everyone, please cast two recommendation votes! (Everyone grumbles: The thief is shameless—what does fresh air have to do with recommendation votes?)]