Chapter Thirty-Two: Malicious Intent

It wasn’t that Luo Chen was deliberately putting on airs; he genuinely had no time to spare, as it was the weekend and he needed to work at the docks—otherwise, how could he afford his living expenses?

“Tonight, would tonight be alright?” Luo Chen ventured, “If nothing unexpected happens, I won’t be free until after nine. If you and your classmates can’t make it then, Joanna, we’ll just have to meet another time.”

At that moment, Lily walked over as well. “That’s fine, nine o’clock it is. I’ll be waiting for you at the training arena.”

Lily answered briskly, without giving it much thought, but Joanna misinterpreted Luo Chen’s sincerity.

Nighttime? Everyone knew that students’ schedules were more flexible in the evening, but incidents and brawls were more common than during the day; martial artists often had a temper, and disagreements could easily turn physical. Especially on weekend nights, when students loosened up, discipline slipped—some even drank and caused trouble. The Disciplinary Committee was always unusually busy on weekend evenings. As its head, how could Joanna possibly be free?

This damn brat, he knows I’m busy on weekend nights, yet he deliberately chooses that time. Ah, I see—he must be trying to get rid of me, hoping Lily will tutor him alone. Lily is so kind-hearted, she wouldn’t make things difficult for him.

Hmph, clever little devil, but his plan is absolutely impossible!

“Fine, I’m free as well. See you at nine!”

Luo Chen was surprised. “Joanna, doesn’t the Disciplinary Committee need to step up patrols on weekend nights? How come you…”

You little scoundrel, feigning ignorance? Joanna held back her irritation and replied, “You don’t need to worry about that. The point is, I’ll make time.”

“Alright then, thank you,” Luo Chen nodded. “I’ll be going now.”

After Luo Chen left the training arena, Lily couldn’t help but say, “Joanna, why must you do this? To be honest, even though some unpleasant things happened, I don’t hate him. In that situation, if he hadn’t left, he would have lost his life for nothing.”

“Lily, you’re just too kind, always thinking of others. You can put up with it, but I can’t. Anyway, let’s drop this topic. I’ve made up my mind. I’m off, the Disciplinary Committee has things to deal with!”

After saying goodbye to Lily, Joanna didn’t actually go to the Disciplinary Committee. She quietly followed Luo Chen, wanting to find out what exactly kept him so busy that he could refuse even tutoring by the campus belle. As she watched, Luo Chen exited the academy gates and headed straight toward Slo City.

This damn brat, he’s actually taking the weekend to play in Slo City? Is that his excuse for being busy? Joanna was nearly fuming. Abandoning his companions during a field assignment was already disgraceful enough, but now he was so lazy!

Yet, how could he have made such enormous progress? Joanna couldn’t understand. She didn’t follow him all the way to Slo City, as she truly had work to do—the Disciplinary Committee’s patrols tonight needed careful arrangement, otherwise there’d be no time to spare.

Gathering the members on duty that night, Joanna said, “It’s the weekend, and the monthly test has just ended. Many students whose results were unsatisfactory might be under pressure and prone to causing trouble or damaging property out of frustration. We must be extra vigilant during campus patrols and stop incidents promptly. Serious cases should be handed over to the Academic Office. Understood?”

The committee members responded in unison, “Yes, Chair!”

Joanna continued, “Also, as I have urgent business tonight, Vice Chair Taylor will take the lead. This arrangement may continue for the next few weekends.”

Her announcement surprised the committee members. Joanna had always personally overseen weekend patrols, rain or shine, fever or flu, even during her period. Now she was actually switching shifts with Vice Chair Taylor—just how important was her business?

If Luo Chen hadn’t hurt Lily, Joanna wouldn’t have gone to such lengths.

After giving her orders, she sneered inwardly. Luo Chen, for the sake of properly “tutoring” you, I’ve neglected even my duties in the Disciplinary Committee. You’d better not disappoint me!

―――――――――― Dividing Line ―――――――――――――――

After breaking through to level four in spiritual energy, Luo Chen was able to carry several dozen more crates at the docks, astonishing the kitchen staff. This time, the shipment of refined iron ore was unusually large. By the time work was done, Luo Chen checked his mechanical watch—it was nearly nine o’clock.

He cursed inwardly, asked his supervisor to settle his wages early, collected over a silver coin, and, barely pausing to savor his earnings, hurried in the direction of Westin Academy.

Lily and Joanna were already waiting at the training arena of the Combat Class. Nine o’clock struck, but there was still no sign of Luo Chen. Joanna, growing angry, exclaimed, “That scoundrel! He’s making two girls wait for him, and he’s late—how infuriating, absolutely infuriating!”

Lily, however, was patient. “Don’t worry, maybe he’s held up.”

Joanna pursed her lips. “What could he possibly be busy with? He must be having too much fun in Slo City, completely forgetting about the tutoring!”

“How do you know Luo Chen went to Slo City?” Lily asked in surprise. “Did you follow him?”

“I—I did not! Who would be so bored?” Joanna realized her slip and hastily covered up. “Just a guess. He’s the type you can tell at a glance has no ambition.”

Lily couldn’t help but laugh at Joanna’s guilty demeanor. “Joanna, aren’t you being a bit much? To tease him, you switched shifts with the Vice Chair and even secretly followed him—it’s ridiculous. Tutor Andrew asked me to help Luo Chen, and if you mess with him and he doesn’t improve, I won’t be able to explain myself.”

“Relax, dear Lily. When have I ever been indiscreet?” Joanna muttered. “I bet that kid is afraid of me—he won’t show up tonight. Clearly a coward!”

As Lily and Joanna were talking, a figure appeared from afar, running toward them. Joanna immediately fell silent.

As the person drew closer, they saw it was Luo Chen. Joanna put on a stern face. “Luo Chen, you’re late!”

Having just hauled crates at the docks and run all the way back, Luo Chen was out of breath. “S-sorry, there was a bit of an accident.”

“Luo Chen, you certainly are busy,” Joanna said coldly. “It’s as if the whole Eternal Alliance is waiting for you to save it. But before that, perhaps you should try wearing your underwear inside out and transforming first.”

[Now that we’ve reached the part with beautiful girls, how about a few more recommendation votes? (Everyone is frustrated again: What does a beauty have to do with recommendation votes anyway?)]