Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 529 - 163. He’s so warm Rho…I Truly will thank.

Chapter 529: 163. He’s so warm Rho...I Truly will thank.

Just then, she picked up on a new piece of information.

"Oh? Isn’t that junior Leoz? I see you’ve finally caught up with the progress these past few days, which is no easy feat."

"You are—ah, a third-year from the Inspectorate, good morning. No kidding, catching up with the coursework really took up a lot of my time. Our first-year courses are indeed quite troublesome."

Leoz?

Dialan was slightly taken aback.

How could that guy be here?

She quickened her pace, repositioning herself toward the source of the sound and immediately walked over.

"Hey, who isn’t? We all came from the first year. Can’t get through higher math, linear algebra without grinding out problems, and there’s no other way. Political classes every day, writing papers and reports, pushing us to cement our materialist thinking, and then foreign languages, ugh, really makes one sick. Why learn a foreign language when magic translation costs nothing?"

The senior got along well with Leoz, who didn’t seem much competitive and was amiable and handsome. A few kind words from him often made a good impression.

After chatting for a while, and because they were on good terms, the senior reminded him, "By the way, I heard you’re going to have a match with Dialan? What’s that about?"

"It’s not a big deal. She intends to partner up with me. We’ll practice together and get to know each other. If she’s satisfied, I can get 20 credits."

Li Aozi didn’t conceal this, as such behavior wasn’t rare at the school.

"Tsk tsk, those credits are not worth the trouble," the senior shook his head. "You know why ’Golden Princess’ Dialan got her title, right?"

"I’m not sure, I’ve never paid attention to that," Li Aozi shook his head. Between work, studying, practicing alternate accounts, and grinding for point tickets, his days were full. He had no time to care about other people’s gossip.

"Hey, I can tell you’re not the type to care about interpersonal relationships. Let me tell you, people who don’t pay attention to relationships will suffer sooner or later. We might study professional technology and theoretical knowledge, but when it comes to society, magic ain’t worth shit. Everyone’s not that different in terms of technology—it’s all about connections, dinner table culture, and reading between the lines. That’s the real key to soaring high in life," the senior boasted about his own life experiences before getting to the point.

"The title ’Golden Princess’ isn’t exactly a term of endearment—our Crystal Civilization has never had such dregs of notions as princesses. When it comes to princesses, it usually means those working in... uh, establishments with less formal business operations—you get what I mean?"

"I understand," Li Aozi nodded.

"’Golden Princess’ is a rumor—you know, there aren’t many beings that carry both True Dragon and Titan bloodlines, and even fewer manage to live to this day. Many are probably taken away by magic families during their youth to alter their genes."

The senior said teasingly:

"Yet, Dialan not only remains free but also affords the hefty university fees—and she didn’t know magic before enrolling, and exams require costs too. Guess how such a lovely pretty girl managed to sustain her life?"

"Adding to her strange and aloof nature, someone researched, and it turns out this girl has been staying for three years in a very base, very cheap hotel..."

"On that note, that hotel is a well-known local spot for cheap deals. Who knows how many have sampled the true flavor of a Dragon Blood Titan, appearing noble and aloof as she does."

"... I think that can only be considered a rumor," Li Aozi’s mouth twitched.

"Anyhow, you might want to keep your distance from that girl. She’s already been ostracized by her mentors, and you should be wary that you might end up not finding a workshop—without workshop experience, you can’t graduate," the senior said earnestly.

"Being associated with someone with a scandalous track record can tarnish your reputation. Although you’re upright and good-looking enough not to worry about finding a partner, it will surely influence how the real wealthy students and even professors view you—Leoz, you might want to think about it."

"Um... alright, thanks for the heads-up," Li Aozi shrugged. "Anyway, it’s not up to me in the end. If she thinks I didn’t perform well, I might not even get those 20 credits..."

"Hey, as long as you get it. Not everyone is worth associating with," the senior patted Li Aozi’s shoulder. "Gotta go to class, buddy, let’s go for drinks sometime. Oh, right, you two are supposed to spar? Just water it down and lose on purpose, Dialan certainly won’t want you after that."

"Sure, sure."

Li Aozi brushed it off and continued toward the library. Today, Lucite said he would show off some of his alchemy skills, and he had to go support his good brother Hobbs.

He hadn’t walked far before stopping, his eyes fixing on the fork in the road ahead.

Dialan Alexandra Dukejin, with one hand on her hip and her head slightly lowered, stood sideways like a statue of a goddess, before Li Aozi.

"Yo, good morning," Li Aozi greeted instinctively. "I’ve already booked the venue for this afternoon’s contest, Arena No. 12—"

"I shouldn’t have had even a sliver of expectation for you."

Dialan suddenly said.

"—Huh? What do you mean?" Li Aozi scratched his head in confusion, then realized: "Oh, you overheard my chat with the senior, didn’t you? Those were just teasing words, don’t take them to heart—"

"I’m sorry."

Dialan turned her head to face Li Aozi, speaking with her usual detachment:

"I’m sorry for the trouble my reputation has caused you. You can draw the line here and now."

Li Aozi blinked.

Although his brain wasn’t real, he suddenly felt that Dialan’s brain didn’t seem to work that well either.

Now he was no longer the so-called genius with only an Intelligence of 6, he could see through these kind of things at a glance.

"What do you mean by this? If you just accept defeat, wouldn’t that be like telling everyone: ’Ah, I Dialan am the so-called ’Princess,’ effectively confirming the rumors?"

Li Aozi was puzzled.

"Compared to my reputation—could it be possible that your reputation is damaged even more severely?"

Reputation?

Dialan shook her head.

The [Doctor] told her that having a mission was enough.

"My reputation isn’t of much importance."

Dialan looked at Li Aozi and said:

"You are also a person who values efficiency, Leoz. I’ll find a way on my own, to find a partner, or to transfer to another professor’s workshop..."

"Of no importance?"

Li Aozi raised an eyebrow.

—"I am meaningful... right?"

The tone and wording made it hard for him not to think of Yavin Heskixin.

"What sort of attitude is this?"

Having a Yawen at home who was too self-conscious to even meet others was enough trouble. Going to school and coming across this type of person was really a nuisance.

"I just think you shouldn’t delay your future because of me—"

"What? You look down on me, Li Aozi, or what?"

Li Aozi’s temper flared up.

Just a few days ago, he had liberated Arcane Energy, revived Nomi, and returned Spontaneous Combustion; his demeanor was indescribably carefree and cool. Although he wouldn’t admit it openly, he had always felt pretty awesome inside.

To Li Aozi, Dialan’s words sounded like nothing but snide remarks.

Now someone was telling him: You can’t make it, your future will be ruined because of me, whine whine whine, you’ll be embarrassed, so don’t blame me for this.

"Quit your nonsense," Li Aozi clenched his fist and bared his teeth in a grin, "Come on, let’s go have a match right now."

For people like this, Li Aozi’s consistent approach was to give them a beating.

Daydreaming, huh? A couple of punches will sober you up, let’s see if you’ll keep daydreaming then!

In a world filled with so many delicate feelings, the straightforward man Li Aozi believed: It’s entirely because you’re too full and looking for a spanking; one punch will settle it.

He couldn’t bear to hit Yawen, but would he feel bad about hitting a thick-skinned Dragon Titan like you?

"If that’s what you want."

Dialan’s gaze became slightly complicated.

Her frank advice seemed to have backfired.

Instead of being deterred by these words, Leoz wanted to actively help her.

Even after being persuaded by others and being comforted by her own words, Leoz, under tremendous pressure and even risking a negative assessment, still wanted to continue helping her.

Not only that, but he didn’t plan to go easy; he took her seriously and brought out all his strength.

For an opponent, giving your all against an adversary is a sign of respect.

Leoz.

"...Thank you."

He truly was a special person.