The Princess

"How did you do that?" She blinked with puzzled eyes, her voice crisp and cool.

"Do what?"

The silver-haired girl looked astonished. "Freezing that monster in place!"

She hesitated before continuing, "Normally... only certain Divine Cards' abilities can immobilize someone."

"But all I saw was you taking a step back, and suddenly the monster stopped moving."

"During that, I didn’t see you use a Divine Card."

Zhou Ke didn’t want to reveal that he had used the Heart 7 Divine Card—after all, during yesterday’s [Bloodline Test], his registered Divine Card was the Club K.

Normally, a person should only possess one Divine Card.

"Ah, I don’t know either. Maybe it was stunned by how handsome I am."

He deliberately cracked a joke to divert her attention away from the question.

She seemed to catch his intention and smiled understandingly. "Never mind, I shouldn’t have asked."

"Hello, I’m Su Chenxi. Thank you for saving me."

The girl performed a graceful aristocratic curtsy, poised and elegant.

Zhou Ke pulled out a tissue and silently wiped the blood off his face.

"No need for thanks. I’m Zhou Ke."

Su Chenxi’s expression shifted slightly. "Zhou Ke?"

"You’re the one from yesterday, right? The commoner with 43 points of magic essence who also killed a Skull Society assassin?"

Zhou Ke nodded quietly, then countered, "And you’re the new student with the Spade Q Divine Card, aren’t you?"

"I saw you use your ability. So, Spade Q’s power is: unlimited weapon summoning?"

Zhou Ke had an excellent memory—yesterday, among the incoming students, only she stood out with her striking silver hair.

Su Chenxi didn’t hide it either, admitting openly, "Yes, it’s a combat-type ability. But I can only summon weapons I’m skilled with."

Zhou Ke chuckled wryly.

"By the way, we just used Divine Cards in front of civilians and killed someone. Won’t the academy expel us?"

He remembered the night of his 18th birthday, when he performed an impressive magic trick and was mistaken for an ability user by the police.

Back then, they had been extremely harsh, even mentioning the death penalty.

Su Chenxi shook her head.

"That person was a killing monster from the Skull Society."

"They’ve lost all humanity—they only obey their trainers’ orders to hunt and kill targets that fit certain criteria."

"He wasn’t human. Using abilities in front of him falls under special circumstances; the law grants immunity."

"Besides, I’ll talk to my father about it. You don’t need to worry."

Father... That word told Zhou Ke everything he needed to know.

She really was a noble young lady, born into power and influence.

And based on the tentacle monster’s earlier command, Zhou Ke already had a rough idea of her identity.

"So, as a noble, why were you taking the subway?" Zhou Ke finally asked the question that had piqued his curiosity from the start.

She smiled. "You didn’t think I was the type of noble girl who puts on airs, did you?"

"Actually, I’ve always believed we should bridge the gap between nobles and commoners, treating everyone equally in society."

"So today, I wanted to experience commuting by subway—leading by example."

Then she sighed.

"Though I didn’t expect it would attract a Skull Society assassin."

"Given the monster’s behavior, its orders must have been: kill all nobles."

Zhou Ke tilted his head up.

"But I’m not a noble."

She let out a soft laugh.

"No need to hide it. Everyone says you’re a commoner, but your magic essence level is so high—only high-ranking nobles have that."

"And that dagger of yours is clearly a noble’s weapon too."

Dagger?

Zhou Ke glanced at his right hand.

He was still lightly gripping the short sword that had slain the monster, its tip still dripping blood.

"The craftsmanship of this dagger is exquisite," Su Chenxi remarked admiringly.

Zhou Ke shook his head again.

"This dagger was left to me by my parents. I’m certain they were commoners."

"As for why I have magic essence and was granted a Divine Card..."

"It’s just an exception."

Su Chenxi lowered her head in thought. "If you really are a commoner... then what was the Skull Society monster’s order? To kill all Divine Card Academy students?"

Zhou Ke didn’t respond.

He recalled the tentacle monster’s inner voice.

[Royal blood... eliminate.]

...

"We’re here."

The subway slowly pulled into the station.

After stepping onto the platform, they spotted the spire of one of the academy’s buildings in the distance.

A sea of people crowded around them.

"Zhou Ke, I have to go now. Thank you again for helping me on the train. I owe you one—I’ll repay you someday."

"Mm, see you." Zhou Ke bid her farewell.

Honestly, his first impression of Su Chenxi wasn’t bad.

A noble girl who actually took the subway to school.

And she didn’t act high-and-mighty at all—polite and refined.

Zhou Ke thought of Ye Lingtian.

Ye Lingtian wore his family crest prominently, nose in the air, as if desperate to prove his nobility.

Both nobles, yet worlds apart.

"Wow, Zhou Ke, you’re finally here!" A hand clapped him hard on the back.

Zhang Yang grinned.

"So? Nervous? Excited? The freshman orientation is about to start!"

...

The entire freshman class buzzed with excitement inside the Divine Card Academy’s grand auditorium.

Students chatted animatedly, taking in the lavish decorations.

At the front was a large stage, bathed in bright lights.

Below, rows of seats were already filled with newcomers.

Zhou Ke and Zhang Yang found spots toward the back.

"Hey, I heard from someone up front that the king’s daughter is enrolling this year too!"

"I wonder what Her Highness looks like? Royalty can’t be bad, right...?"

"We’ll be classmates—who knows, maybe I’ll even have a story with the princess, heh heh."

Zhang Yang was already lost in fantasy.

Zhou Ke wasn’t as excited, only half-heartedly humoring him.

"If she’s a princess, she’s probably arrogant. Would she even glance at a minor noble like you?"

They continued their idle chatter.

The orientation began.

An upperclassman took the stage, speaking in clear, formal tones.

"Faculty and students, welcome to Divine Card Academy..."

"...Now, let the orientation ceremony commence. Please welcome the headmaster to the stage!"

With that, the student host stepped down.

The freshmen buzzed with anticipation, waiting for the headmaster’s appearance.

But as time passed, no one came.

The crowd grew restless, whispers spreading through the seats.

Ahem. "It seems the headmaster is delayed. Let’s skip this segment for now."

A young female professor stood up to take control.

Recognizing her red attire, Zhou Ke immediately identified her as Professor Chen Yun.

"Now, let’s invite our freshman representative to give a speech!" With that, Professor Chen Yun began clapping.

The students below erupted into applause.

"According to tradition, it's always been the nobles who have this privilege. This year, I bet it'll be that young master from the Ye family, right?"

"Hey, haven't you heard? The royal princess is enrolling this year too! It’s definitely going to be her!"

Zhou Ke overheard such discussions nearby.

Amidst the applause, a striking figure slowly stepped onto the stage.

"Hiss—" Every freshman’s gaze was instantly captivated.

A graceful young woman with flowing silver hair and an elegant gown walked up, her high heels clicking softly as she approached the microphone.

"Zhou Ke, look! A goddess has descended!!!" Zhang Yang beside him was practically drooling.

Zhou Ke didn’t respond immediately.

His eyes were fixed on the silver bracelet adorning the girl’s slender, porcelain-white wrist.

Then she spoke, her voice clear and bright:

"Hello everyone, I’m Su Chenxi."

"Ahhh!!! Even her voice is heavenly!" Zhang Yang looked ready to scream and jump out of his seat.