Silent Crown

“Such a young age and already so cruel to your classmate. How did you pass the Character Test?”

“I don’t know. Maybe there was a test, but then it was changed into an observation,” Ye Qingxuan replied pointedly.

Ye Qingxuan had been angry ever since he discovered this guy’s true nature, and heard his professor explain the tricks they used during the test. There was not any reason for him to have a good attitude now either.

“Talking back to me?” Ben’s expression changed. “It seems that other than leading group fights, breaking school rules, and beating schoolmates, I should also write you up for disrespecting elders!”

Bai Xi could not take it anymore. “Hey, are you blind? Clearly it was that fatty who started it!”

“I will take away three points for vulgar language.” Ben glanced at her. “What School are you from?”

“School of Revelation! Try telling my teacher there!” Without hesitation, Bai Xi put all the blame on Edmund’s School. “I’m telling you, our School isn’t afraid of anything! If you dare to pick on us, my professor will teach you a lesson!”

Just as Ben was about to burst in anger, Ye Qingxuan’s annoyingly calm voice sounded. “Professor, I don’t know about group fights, but I’m confused why you said I broke school rules.”

Saying this, he picked up the student handbook stained with Edmund’s blood. He pointed out to Ben, “There are more than four-hundred school rules, from the dress code to forbidden drugs. I memorized everything, but I don’t know which rule I broke.”

Ben froze and suddenly wanted to laugh.

There were more than four-hundred school rules, with more than seventy thousand words. He memorized it all? It was only the first day of school! Who was he kidding?

Ben was about to begin arguing, but when saw the hidden anticipation in the youth’s eyes, his voice died. A strange feeling told him that this guy might have really memorized it all…

His mouth opened and close, but he decided not to think into it anymore. Unfazed, he shook his head. “You’re being irrational. If you didn’t hit him, then what happened to Edmund?”

“Professor, Edmund fell by himself,” someone pretending to be dead on the ground suddenly said, scaring everyone. “Hey, that guy from music theory, you’re stepping on my hand, can you move? Yeah, you…”

When the crowd quickly dispersed, a dusty Charles finally stood up. He smoothed his messy hair and smiled his signature sunlight smile, bright like a flower. “I personally saw him fall by himself…If you don’t believe me, you can ask around.”

“Right, I saw it too.”

“He fell.”

Some students who could not stand the injustice whispered. The low murmur spread through the crowd. Hearing the words, Ben’s expression was cold enough to turn to ice.

If it were any other time, he would throw all of them into the correction center. But there was an esteemed guest behind him, and the situation he wanted to solve quickly was getting even more out of hand.

The continuous whispers made him angrier and angrier.

“Enough! Silence!” Gritting his teeth, he stared coldly at Ye Qingxuan. “You’re Abraham’s student now? Is this how he taught you to speak to professors?”

“I only know that the gods tell me to be just and fight against injustice.” Ye Qingxuan twisted his mouth into a safe smile, revealing eight teeth, no more and no less. Even the strictest worker at the Church would not be able to find any flaws.

Before Ben’s hateful eyes, he transitioned into a priestly state, and made the sign of the holy emblem across his chest. Softly, he chanted, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord, your God, will be with you wherever you go.” Then he closed his mouth, waiting for Ben to continue reprimanding him. He would then pull the topic closer to religion, where he could use his rich experience to win. He must use this topic! Otherwise, the hundreds of hymns he had memorized would go to waste!

Beside him, Bai Xi was unimpressed. She muttered under her breath, “You told me yesterday that there’s no point in winning a word fight.”

“Junior sister, you don’t understand,” Charles chuckled. “There’s no point, but it also doesn’t hurt…”

“Go die! I’m the senior sister!

Ben had not felt this horrible in a long time. He wanted to just communicate with aether and force this student out of the Academy, but he also feared the recommendation letter that supported him.

Ben did not know how to end this. The continuous attacks had destroyed all his dignity. At this time, a low voice that only he could hear sounded in his ear.

“The kids are just fighting. Just let them be.” He turned around in shock and saw the calm Lancelot standing apart from the crowd. Lancelot just nodded and looked away. Putting on his hat, he said something to the administrator and turned to leave.

“Sir, Sir…” Ben froze and glared at Ye Qingxuan and his friends. “The Academy will not allow any more of this foolery.” Done speaking, he turned around and tried to catch up.

—

And so the giant fight between commoners and elites, started by two youths, ended temporarily. But without doubt, it had planted the seed for more conflicts.

Within the next month, challenges and fights between the musician faction and noble faction never stopped. But that was an issue for later.

After Ben left, Ye Qingxuan let out a sigh of relief and turned to high five Charles in celebration. Ignoring Bai Xi’s raised hand, he patted her head, getting a roll of the eye and a kick in return.

“Junior, I didn’t expect you to be so good in fights. You’re a good man!” Charles squeezed his shoulder in praise. “After I get old, you can help me fight off the debtors.”

“Brother, can you just get away?”

“I can leave, but Junior, you can’t just not care about my livelihood.” Charles latched onto him, grabbing his shoulder. “Come, I’ll take you two to lunch!”

“Don’t lead us!” Ye Qingxuan and Bai Xi exclaimed.

“What are you scared of? I know the campus much better than you…”

“Get to the back and shut up!”

“…”

“This isn’t over yet. Don’t get so happy.” Just as they were getting ready to leave, an eerie voice sounded from the entrance.

When Bai Xi saw that it was Edmund’s sidekick, her face fell. “What, you want to get hit some more?” As she said this, she raised her fists.

Though he had just been insulted by Bai Xi, Bart’s expression changed dramatically before calming down. Coldly scoffing, he said, “Don’t forget! The Academy might not forbid fights, but they also allow the students to ‘learn’ from each other! In one week will be the selections for the prime student of the class. The aether will be allowed in the practice rooms, and if Edmund challenges you…you’re dead meat.”

Ignoring him, Ye Qingxuan walked past him, leaving his words behind. “If he can get up, then let him come.”

Rooted to his spot, the elite student froze, his face turned ugly.

Ye Qingxuan never even looked at him.

—

In the evening, a carriage pulled by a black stallion stopped in a secluded area of the city.

This was the quietest place in the city’s second ring. There were large trees on both sides of the road, and no sign of any urban life.

As the heavy gate opened slowly, the carriage entered the yard. Before the door, the driver opened the carriage door respectfully. A slightly aged man stepped down.

The white-haired housekeeper straightened his tie and came forward to welcome him. Sensing the fatigue in his master’s eyes, he did not say anything and ordered servants to tell the kitchen to add a cup of brandy after dinner.

“Where is the Miss?”

All of Lancelot’s men entered the hall and walked toward the library.

“She hasn’t returned from knight practice,” the housekeeper replied quietly. “Shall we call her back for dinner with you?”

“No need. There’s no need for dinner either. I have no appetite.” Lancelot pushed open the library’s door.

The housekeeper stayed outside rather than following inside. He felt that his master needed a quiet space, but did not know what had happened that made Lancelot so depressed.

Lancelot’s footsteps paused before the door. He seemed to be pondering something. After a while he turned around. “Tell Emma to come see me.”

“Emma?” The housekeeper froze, but quickly realized that he had acted out of conduct. Lowering his head, he replied, “Yes sir.”

Called forth by the Master, the unsettled old servant pushed open the door five minutes later.

The library was dark, with only one candle lit, illuminating the man on the sofa.

He seemed to be asleep, but when Emma entered, he opened his eyes. He pointed at the seat before him, telling her to sit.

“Master, do you need anything?” Emma asked after sitting.

“Tell me again, Emma.” Lancelot leaned back in the sofa, exhausted. “Tell me what happened when you met that kid on the street.”

Emma froze.

“Are you speaking of…” Hesitating, she said the forbidden word, “Young Master?”

—

—

In the second floor dorm of the Music History’s building, Charles gazed up at the sky and sighed. “Junior, why do I suddenly think that you’re seriously dead?”

“Huh?” Ye Qingxuan, reading on the bottom bunk, looked up.

“Don’t you know that elites’ music education is at least five years ahead of commoner musicians?” Charles looked at him with exasperation.

“They have a bunch of drugs, research literature, and expensive personal tutors. They’re usually official apprentices by the time they enter the academy. I’ve heard that Banner Adrian has already gotten to the rhythm level! If they want to fight with fists, you can beat them with some dirty tricks. But if it’s a fight between musicians, what can you do? It’s all my fault for not stopping you earlier.” Charles sighed, burying his face in his hands. “What are we going to do? Professor will kill me if he finds out!”

“Is the difference really that big? You make it sound like I’m definitely going to die…”

“Isn’t that the case? I’m sure they already know at least ten runes very well. You’ve just entered the academy. How many do you know?”

Ye Qingxuan was stunned. He counted with his fingers and replied seriously, “I think I only know one!”

Hearing this, Charles almost fell from the bed.

“Then you’re definitely dead. Yezi, you’re dead, you know? From Heaven to Hell, no one can save you!”