Chapter 310: The Riddle Master's Exit from Cassel

Chapter 310: The Riddle Master's Exit from Cassel

Boom!

A thunderous sound reverberated through the air in Cassel Academy, seemingly out of nowhere, almost shattering the dormitory window glass.

Lu Mingfei remained calm, flipping over nonchalantly and forcing his eyes open, which felt as if they were glued shut.

"What's going on? Another earthquake?"

The usual banter from the wastrel senior apprentice, who would often joke with him, was absent, replaced by the gentle voice of Noma on his iPhone 16 Pro.

"According to the Night Watchman Forum, it's an explosion caused by an experiment in the Subterranean Laboratory's Armament Department."

"Oh."

Lu Mingfei had grown accustomed to life in Cassel Academy, gradually becoming more composed amidst the constant chaos.

After all, the majority of the students were from upper-class families, both young masters and young ladies, with affluent backgrounds and exceptional abilities. Their dragon blood was restrained by the "Disciplinary Rules," and being in a group of young prodigies who could break world records, they were bound to create some excitement.

Boom!

Another deafening sound erupted like thunder, and Lu Mingfei buried his head in his pillow. However, the subsequent smaller explosions continued, disturbing him to the point where he had to sit up.

"Won't those crazy bombers who keep disturbing the peace be reported? The things they create aren't even as good as the little gadgets the Boss casually makes..."

He grumbled in complaint, "Noma, how long will the explosions last?"

"There's about ten more minutes until they stop, but it's already 8 a.m. You should get up now. I've scheduled your breakfast for half an hour from now, so you can start getting ready."

"I think I can brush my teeth after eating; otherwise, isn't it a waste to brush and then eat?"

Noma's voice lowered, repeating, "You can start getting ready."

After a few seconds of silence, Lu Mingfei compromised, "...Noma, are you able to be my mom's woman?"

"Noma's physical form is the central computer of the academy, a supercomputer. I'm just a program left by Mr. Lu Ke to take care of your daily needs. If you don't mind, you can call me Mom."

"Umm... never mind. My mom would be heartbroken if she heard that."

Although his parents were always flying around in different countries, he rarely got to see them.

Lu Mingfei groggily reached for his phone and slowly got out of bed.

The blinding sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the cluttered room filled with piles of clothes, underwear, and socks strewn about. The closed doors and windows trapped the sour and sweaty odor, akin to the final product of expired cheese left for some time.

When Wastrel Senior Apprentice was around, Lu Mingfei could blame the mess on him, but now that he was away on vacation, Lu Mingfei had to face his own laziness.

He sighed, feeling a sudden sense of loneliness.

They're all gone.

Wastrel Senior Apprentice was on vacation, and the Boss had taken Caesar and Chu Senior Apprentice to Japan for a mission. Before leaving, Lu Mingfei clung to his leg, hoping to join them.

Please, Japan!

That's a paradise for otaku, with Akihabara, doukushui, and official game discs. He even wanted to help himself and his chubby friend Lu Mingze fill in the gaps of their teacher's adolescence...

But the Boss refused mercilessly, only promising to bring him a gift and installing Noma on his phone to take care of his daily needs.

Lu Mingfei felt a sense of emptiness, so he took out his phone and sent a message to Old Tang.

"Want to play games together tonight?"

The reply was an automated response: "Working overtime, do not disturb."

Lu Mingfei sighed again. Ever since the Kui Gate Project, when he and Old Tang had separated, the two had rarely been able to play games together.

According to Old Tang, he had found a job with low pay, long hours, and the added benefit of being close to home. However, he was constantly busy and couldn't spare a moment, only able to play occasionally during the quiet hours of the night.

Lu Mingfei was curious about the job, but Old Tang only indicated that he was a stand-in for an ugly capitalist, playing games similar to 'My World' or 'Cities: Skylines.'

"Busy, everyone's busy, being busy is good."

Lu Mingfei stared blankly, feeling like he was about to idle away at the academy. His participation in the Kui Gate Project had maxed out his practical credits, and no matter how hard he tried to keep up with the dragon-related courses, he was already giving up.

Professor Goodley often advised him with a heavy heart, "Mingfei, you're an excellent S-level student, and it's not right to slack off. Seize the prime of your youth to study hard and contribute to the dragon-slaying cause in the future. Even if you don't become a martial artist, you can still become a professor like him and earn an annual salary of $300,000."

Lu Mingfei thought for a moment and showed him the one billion that the Boss had transferred to his account, which wasn't much, just Professor Goodley's salary for about fifty years.

Professor Goodley fell silent, feeling that the once-inspiring good child had been corrupted by the damnable, hateful gold, turning into a vulgar child filled with the stench of money.

"If you're feeling bored, there's a Starcraft challenge event at school today."

Noma's voice sounded.

Lu Mingfei was slightly startled, but then he realized with a bit of surprise. Although he had started playing more games under Old Tang's guidance, Starcraft was still his favorite, his true love.

"The school is actually holding this kind of event? I thought they only did things like Free Day, or sailing, yachting, parachuting, bungee jumping, and the like.

NoMa replied, "E-sports is a new industry Mr. Lu Ke is keen on. As a board member, he has the authority to add an academic activity. If you win the championship, there will be bonuses, trophies, and credits."

Lu Mingfei secretly scoffed in his heart. It was absurd to link e-sports with academic activities. Even he, who enjoyed gaming, felt a little embarrassed. However, this was good news for him!

"What time is the registration, and is it still possible to make it?"

NoMa let out a soft laugh, "Of course, the competition will start when you go there."

Lu Mingfei was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly realized that this activity was probably specially prepared by Lu Ke.

A warmth filled his heart, and he quickly got himself ready and headed to the registration area as instructed by NoMa. He entered the computer room that had been transformed into a competition venue.

There were already several contestants in the room, and surprisingly, there were quite a few spectators. They gathered in small groups, discussing in hushed voices, creating a lively atmosphere.

Lu Mingfei entered the backstage contestant room and was momentarily stunned.

The contestants inside were all heavyweights. Nonno and Su Xi stood side by side, chatting, while Lancelot and Qilan were also engaged in conversation. Some student council and Lionheart Club elites were also present, and he even spotted several girls from the hostel, along with Zero.

Zero's exquisite face, as always, lacked expression, like an ice flower blooming in seclusion amidst the crowd, surrounded by several boys as if they were her guardians.

Lu Mingfei didn't dare to rush over and greet her.

At that moment, a sharp-eyed girl from the hostel noticed Lu Mingfei. She remembered the boy who played games with her boyfriend every day and smiled, greeting him.

"Lu Mingfei, you're playing StarCraft too? Do you know how to play?"

Lu Mingfei modestly nodded, "I know a little, a little."

That is, he could play at a professional level.

Subsequently, he obediently called out, "Hello, Big Sis."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the room suddenly became quiet.

The girl's smile was radiant, but the sharp glares from Nonno and several other girls flew towards him. Lu Mingfei's heart trembled as he felt countless knives piercing him, giving him the illusion of being executed by a thousand cuts. He quickly corrected himself.

"Hello, Big Sisses!"

The girls' gazes finally retracted, and Lu Mingfei wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his mouth twitching.

So funny!

The Boss is truly invincible, even in the midst of a chaotic battlefield, he can still manage to throw a party.

The lights dimmed, and the host walked onto the stage, delivering a few common opening remarks before announcing the rules. This competition wasn't a battle between players but a battle between humans and NoMa!

While human-machine battles are often mocked as foolish, the situation is different when it comes to a supercomputer like NoMa. She is the AlphaGo of the Go world, capable of effortlessly calculating every possibility and adopting the optimal solution. The competition isn't about who can win but who can last until the end.

The contestants calmly took their seats, their expressions solemn as if facing a difficult problem. However, Lu Mingfei felt particularly relaxed. He focused on the familiar screen content, feeling a sense of joy at finding his rightful place.

When it came to playing StarCraft, Lu Mingfei was confident.

...

Time slowly passed, and NoMa effortlessly destroyed the battle lines of most contestants. Only six remained: Nonno, Xi, Lancelot, Qilan, Zero, and Lu Mingfei.

The spectators watching the live broadcast discussed animatedly.

"Who do you think will win the championship?"

"Zero, she's been outstanding since her enrollment."

"I think it's Qilan. His incantation is said to be a prophet."

"Nonno's character profile is Ultimate Insight, and her strength is also remarkable."

"Su Xi and Lancelot, second only to Chu Zihan in the Lionheart Club, should also have a chance."

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"What the heck, Lu Mingfei?!"

When the results were announced, the audience's eyes widened in surprise. They couldn't believe that this S-class wastrel who had surrendered to Lu Ke had such skills, but the facts were right before their eyes, and the live game footage was indisputable.

The girls from the hostel were the first to applaud, as Lu Mingfei was, after all, one of them. Then came Nonno, followed by Zero, Qilan, and others, and finally, the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause.

Under the spotlight, Lu Mingfei's heart raced, and for the first time, he felt he should straighten his back. He raised his head, contemplating the idea of pursuing a career in e-sports after graduation.

Although the money from the Boss was enough for him to live comfortably, people should find something to do... How about opening an internet cafe in the future? If he could win over Zero and have two half-breeds, wouldn't that be wonderful?

Half-dragon plus half-Russian, a half-breed among half-breeds?

Lu Mingfei thought about his children's names as he walked onto the stage. The host smiled and handed him a golden trophy, and he extended his hand, watching the award getting closer and closer...

The host's hand then suddenly stopped, along with the audience's applause, the sound system's vibrations, and everything within sight.

Lu Mingfei stood there blankly, his initial joy gradually fading. He knew who the culprit was and looked around, trying to find the little devil who had messed with his good mood.

"I'm here."

Lu Mingze's lazy voice echoed from below. Lu Mingfei looked down and saw a little boy in a black suit, lying on the ground without regard for his image, holding the trophy that the host had in his hand.

"It's been a while, big brother. Have you missed me? I've missed you so much."

Lu Mingfei felt a bit agitated, sensing that his peaceful life was about to be disrupted again. He asked with a less-than-friendly tone.

"What are you doing here? I didn't call for you."

Lu Mingze crawled up from the ground, seemingly complaining, "Can't I come to you if there's no issue? When will you learn to be more enthusiastic towards me, big brother?"

"You want enthusiasm? Sure, my dear brother. I've been dying to see you!"

Lu Mingfei picked up the little devil and kissed his fair-skinned face with two big smacks, so hard that they left marks. He then answered harshly.

"Now that's enthusiasm, right? Can you please leave now?"

Lu Mingze wiped his cheek, looking a bit disgusted. He shook the trophy in his hand, "If I leave, will you go back to receiving your award?"

"What else can I do? I earned this trophy with my own abilities. If I don't take it, who will?" Lu Mingfei crossed his arms and looked at him with a sideways glance.

"Impressive, impressive. You're so talented at gaming, are you planning to pursue a career in esports?"

"Yes, I am."

Lu Mingfei didn't deny it, "The Boss says that esports is a rising industry, and his vision is never wrong. Maybe in the future, I can even join a professional team and compete."

Lu Mingze's lips curled into a helpless smile, as if watching the President bending over for a penny.

"Big brother, have you seen the movie 'Lotus Lantern'? When Liu Chenxiang first appeared, he thought he could become a Yanyao, have a big mansion, own hundreds of acres of land, and marry a few beautiful wives. He believed that this kind of life was the best. Erlang Shen was so angry that he scolded Liu Yanchang for not teaching his child properly."

Lu Mingfei's agitation grew stronger, "What's wrong with being a Yanyao? It's a position that many aspire to but can't attain."

"But Liu Chenxiang needed to save the Three Mothers. He was locked to a Bronze Pillar, his chest pierced by Kunguni'er, enduring years of loneliness. His territory was occupied by a group of shameless thieves, and he was waiting for Liu Chenxiang to find him."

Lu Mingze's eyes were clear and bright, staring directly at Lu Mingfei, "Moreover, half of Liu Chenxiang's body was that of an immortal. He could have held the Mountain Splitting Axe and chopped and slashed his way through, crushing Lingxiao, and even forcing the Jade Emperor to abdicate, becoming the Supreme Being. But now, he's blinded by a small favor."

"Big brother, do you know where your Boss is? He's in Japan, in Tokyo, being entertained by the biggest Yakuza organization, and getting cozy with their most esteemed young lady. All of this should have been yours..."

The picture he painted was too distant and vague. Lu Mingfei couldn't imagine himself being so impressive, and he looked at Lu Mingze like a monster, shaking his head.

"I want to go to Japan to buy some official game discs and AVs to make up for my youth, maybe visit Akihabara, play arcade games, buy some merchandise and figures, and take some photos. That's all."

Suddenly, Lu Mingze burst into anger, "Yes, I know that's you, that's Lu Mingfei! But why can't you be more ambitious? With just one word from you, I can activate our plans in Japan, giving you a heroic opportunity to shine under the spotlight. Why can't you be more spirited?"

Facing the demon brother's rage, Lu Mingfei's agitation gradually subsided. After a moment of silence, he spoke softly.

"I used to think like you. I fantasized about being a savior or a world-ending demon, about being born into greatness, and one day, some mysterious organization would take me away to do something extraordinary. I imagined fighting with all my might, leaving behind glorious achievements, and winning the heart of a beauty."

"But you never came."

Lu Mingfei repeated with a wandering gaze, "But you never came."

When his grades were hovering around the passing mark and his teacher scolded him, when his uncle and aunt squandered his parents' money, when Lu Mingze ordered him to run errands and he refused, only to be criticized, when he liked a girl but was too insecure to confess—no one came to his rescue.

The first person who made him stand tall was Lu Ke, not Lu Mingze.

He looked seriously at this demon brother, who could empathize with him despite not knowing his background. He issued an ultimatum.

"The current Lu Mingfei is a result of your doing, so don't blame me for my lack of ambition."

As he spoke, he took a few steps back, "If you're truly my brother and not a devil here to harvest my soul, then don't come looking for me again. I'm happy as I am."

Lu Mingze's expression was complex as he opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something. But in the end, he returned the trophy to the host.

"Perhaps, perhaps it's true that I haven't done enough. But there's not much time left."

He sighed, as if reciting a line from a play, "Hail the awakening of my king. Destruction is rebirth. The World Tree's Nighard will awaken and bring to the world..."

His voice trailed off, and the demon brother's figure disappeared into thin air.

Lu Mingfei suddenly realized he was still standing on the podium. He turned his head and felt a cold sensation in his hand. He looked over and saw the host handing him the trophy, smiling at him.

"Congratulations, congratulations."

"Thank you."

Lu Mingfei took the trophy, but the joy in his heart faded significantly, leaving him feeling lost.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end