The Scourge of Undeath 05

The teacher dismissed the class directly. Fang Zhiyi glanced at Vivian, then at Rhein, who wore a displeased expression, and offered an apologetic smile to Vivian before darting out of the classroom.

Ross hesitated for a moment before jogging after him. Rhein, meanwhile, stood beside Vivian, glaring at Fang Zhiyi’s retreating figure. "Why were you talking to him?"

"I just thought he seemed pitiful. Besides, who I talk to is none of your business, Rhein. You’re overstepping," Vivian replied coldly before leaving the classroom as well. She needed to return to the Holy Church quickly to find her mentor.

"Why are you following me?" Fang Zhiyi asked, puzzled, though he was grateful to the chubby boy for helping him grasp a new system of magic.

"Uh… could you teach me how to control mana?" Ross scratched his head sheepishly. He wasn’t stupid—though Fang Zhiyi ranked last in mana capacity, his precision in controlling it today had been impressive.

Fang Zhiyi thought for a moment. "Sure."

As dusk fell, Fang Zhiyi slipped out of the academy unnoticed. With the aid of wind magic, his movements were swift.

He ran all the way to a graveyard outside the city before finally practicing his necromancy.

Summoning three skeletons in one go, Fang Zhiyi shook his head as the bones collapsed. He flipped through his notes, stopping at a particular page.

"The original owner was such a lovestruck fool. He didn’t even finish learning what his teacher taught him."

By the time dawn broke, Fang Zhiyi returned to the academy and collapsed into bed, missing several classes. Not that the instructors cared whether he attended. However, two people came looking for him—Ross and Vivian.

Both stood awkwardly outside his door, holding lunch.

Fang Zhiyi opened the door, surprised, then smiled and invited them in.

Ross was still there for mana control lessons, and Fang Zhiyi agreed to teach him that afternoon before turning to Vivian.

"I wanted to invite you to dinner tonight," Vivian said shyly.

Ross’s jaw dropped. Had he heard correctly? Princess Vivian was inviting Fang Zhiyi, the academy’s weakest, to dinner? When he noticed both of them staring at him, he hastily shoved his lunchbox into Fang Zhiyi’s hands and bolted, only to return moments later to hand it over properly.

Fang Zhiyi accepted Vivian’s invitation. That afternoon, he taught Ross everything he knew about mana control without holding back—his self-devised method involved containing mana within the body like a cultivator, preventing its dissipation. Though simple in theory, it sounded like gibberish to the chubby boy, who had no experience with cultivation.

Fortunately, Ross was diligent.

At dinner, Vivian remained reserved, playing the role of the understanding companion. When Fang Zhiyi focused solely on eating, she awkwardly tried to make conversation. Fang Zhiyi, however, noticed the figure outside the window—undoubtedly Rhein, whose murderous intent was palpable even through the glass.

During the next combat class, the instructor—a female mage—taught offensive spells. As usual, students were paired for sparring afterward. Since the training ground was outdoors, all matches took place simultaneously.

Fang Zhiyi partnered with Ross again. Ross had assumed his attacks would overwhelm the frail Fang Zhiyi, but to his shock, Fang Zhiyi vanished the moment the spell struck, reappearing behind him with a hand at his throat. "You lose."

Ross gulped, feeling the surge of wind elements at Fang Zhiyi’s fingertips.

Their duel caught the teacher’s attention. She’d heard rumors from an old colleague that this "useless" student had mastered mana control. Was this the talent his parents had left him?

Rhein noticed too. As a spellblade—unlike the pure mages—he attended the academy under the knights’ exchange program. Lately, Vivian had been distancing herself from him in favor of Fang Zhiyi. He gritted his teeth. This had to be Fang Zhiyi’s doing.

"Teacher, I want to fight him."

The instructor glanced between Fang Zhiyi and Rhein, hesitant. Rhein was an outstanding student—though not a pure mage, his swordplay made him formidable.

"I won’t use my weapon," Rhein added.

The teacher nodded. For a novice spellblade, losing the sword meant a significant drop in combat power.

No one asked Fang Zhiyi’s opinion. Only Ross looked worried. "Be careful. That guy’s got a nasty temper."

Fang Zhiyi gave a slight nod.

A calculating glint flashed in Vivian’s eyes. Was this duel happening too soon? If Fang Zhiyi exposed himself now, all her efforts to win his favor would go to waste. She still needed him alive… for certain dirty work.

"Rhein, how can you bully someone like this?" Vivian stepped forward, her presence radiating purity, impossible to ignore.

Rhein stiffened, his resentment flaring. "I’m just sparring with him. How else will he improve?"

"It’s fine, Vivian," Fang Zhiyi reassured.

Hearing him address her so familiarly, Rhein’s eyes burned with fury.

"I’ll go easy on you," he muttered to Fang Zhiyi before mouthing two silent words: "Worthless trash."

Fang Zhiyi remained expressionless, raising a thumb before slowly rotating it downward.

Rhein didn’t understand the gesture, but he knew he’d been insulted. Gasps erupted around them.

"Let’s go!" Rhein roared. Pure magical energy surged through his arm, condensing into glowing projectiles that hurtled toward Fang Zhiyi. When the dust settled, Fang Zhiyi stood unharmed amid the scorched earth.

"So, there’s also non-elemental magic," Fang Zhiyi mused, stroking his chin.

Only the teacher had seen it—Fang Zhiyi had gathered faint wind elements at his feet, dodging every attack with inhuman speed. The feat wasn’t impossible, but analyzing and evading so many trajectories simultaneously was extraordinary.

Rhein snarled, conjuring more magic orbs in both hands.

In the next instant, Fang Zhiyi was in his face.

Rhein grinned savagely. "Did you forget I’m a spellblade?" Hand-to-hand combat was his forte.

"I didn’t," Fang Zhiyi replied, lightly pressing a hand to Rhein’s chest.

Rhein blinked, unsure of his intent—but it didn’t matter. This fool was dead. The magic orbs dissipated as Rhein channeled all his mana into his right fist, driving it toward Fang Zhiyi’s face with bone-crushing force. He was certain—this punch would end him. The air trembled with unleashed power, dust swirling violently.

But Fang Zhiyi didn't even turn his head. He simply raised his left hand, palm open, and blocked Rhein's punch mid-air. Rhein froze in disbelief.