[Reboot Volume] Chapter 212: The Legendary Second Male Lead?

Mo Xing was momentarily stunned. No matter how much they talked, the conversation kept circling back to Zhang Zhihao. Who exactly was he, and why was he so outstanding? Could he really be the legendary “child from another family”?

“By the way, when is Zhang Zhihao coming back?” Mo Xing asked.

“Should be within these couple of days. He went to the Xianling Academy for an exchange program, so he ought to be back soon,” Mianhua replied.

“Xianling Academy?” Mo Xing inquired. “Is that also a prestigious school?”

“Well, how should I put it? Cai Hong, why don’t you tell him about the Xianling Academy?” Mianhua said suddenly.

“Oh? Don’t you know a lot about it?” Cai Hong laughed. “Why are you passing the baton to me?”

“I’m just thirsty,” Mianhua hurriedly pulled out a cup. “Please, go ahead with your performance.”

“Hmm, alright, I’ll explain,” Cai Hong said as he looked at Mianhua’s flustered expression, realizing he had to step up to answer Mo Xing’s little junior brother’s questions himself.

“The Xianling Academy, while not as strong overall as our Saint Sky Royal Academy, is especially renowned for producing exceptional summoners.”

“Is that so?” Mo Xing asked.

“Xianling Academy is located within the Elven Wonderland of the parallel spatial realm. Leveraging the superior natural environment there, they’ve established a comprehensive training system for summoners. Because the spiritual energy is abundant, the summoned beasts raised there are top-tier in quality.”

“What exactly are summoned beasts?” Mo Xing asked again, suddenly feeling like a curious child who wanted to know the origin of everything.

“Summoned beasts are the summoner’s partners. They depend on each other. Summoners need to coordinate with their beasts in battle to maximize their profession’s advantage,” Cai Hong explained.

“Oh, I see!” Mo Xing suddenly understood. It must be somewhat like the relationship between Ash and Pikachu in the Pokémon he watched as a kid. He instantly thought the summoner profession sounded amazing!

“That’s why many people, in pursuit of becoming summoners, choose to forgo coming to Saint Sky Royal Academy and instead go to Xianling Academy. But the two academies maintain a good relationship, and there’s plenty of academic exchange,” Cai Hong continued.

“I got it!” Mo Xing said. “So, the Xianling Academy is basically a sacred place every summoner dreams of!”

“More or less,” Cai Hong nodded. “Anything else you want to know? Senior brother is here to chat.”

“Well, who exactly is Li Qingchi? This afternoon, he got into a fight with some student council officers just to recruit me into the singing team,” Mo Xing asked.

“Li... Li Qingchi? That bastard?” Mianhua’s attention was immediately piqued.

“Huh?” Mo Xing asked. “Senior brother Mianhua, do you have a grudge against Li Qingchi?”

“Grudge? It’s more than that. It’s a deep-seated hatred! I’d love to skin that bastard alive!” Mianhua said furiously. “Just thinking about that scoundrel makes me mad! He’s my arch-rival in the singing team!”

“Ah? Senior brother Mianhua, you’re also in the singing team?” Mo Xing was surprised. Li Qingchi and Mianhua being in the same team was a recipe for constant conflict.

“Of course!” Mianhua said proudly. “You have no idea how glorious I am in the singing team. My voice can mesmerize a whole crowd of fans!”

“Come on, with that voice of yours?” Cai Hong suddenly burst out laughing. “Are you sure you’re not scaring people away?”

“Don’t interrupt! You’ve never been to one of my performances, so you don’t know my true abilities!” Mianhua retorted.

“Alright, alright, carry on,” Cai Hong said.

“At that time, I was in my prime and preparing to run for the sacred position of vice-captain. I remember that afternoon—the sunlight was just right, the room was cozy, and I, dressed in my finest, walked to the podium adorned with flowers, clutching my speech—”

“Senior brother, can we get to the point...” Mo Xing raised his right hand, thinking that if this continued, Mianhua might recite the entire speech again!

“Alright!” Mianhua paused. “After my magnificent speech, it was time to vote. Initially, I had over 60% support, but then an unexpected incident happened—”

“Li Qingchi stood up and said I wasn’t even at the Blue Rank, so I wasn’t qualified to be vice-captain! As a result, people withdrew their votes!” Mianhua slammed the table in anger. “Since then, I’ve been at odds with that bastard!”

“Although Li Qingchi is a jerk, his argument was reasonable. The singing team has over three hundred members, and your skill probably doesn’t even make the top 250, right?” Cai Hong smiled.

“Hey! You traitor!” Mianhua turned around and cursed. “You actually agree with him?”

“You’re the traitor! You’re in the singing team but always dreaming of being the student council vice president,” Cai Hong shot back.

“Is it wrong to care about my cousin?” Mianhua said.

“I never said it was wrong!” Cai Hong said. “I’m just stating facts. Isn’t that right?”

“Mo Xing, you be the judge!” Mianhua said.

“Right! You be the judge!” Cai Hong echoed.

“Uh... you two, calm down,” Mo Xing quickly intervened, hoping to prevent another verbal skirmish.

“By the way, Mo Xing!” Mianhua suddenly said. “I recall you have something important you haven’t done yet?”

“Huh? What thing?” Mo Xing asked in confusion.

“Oh!” Cai Hong suddenly realized and said four words:

“The freshman assessment!”

Mo Xing was completely shocked! He had been chatting with his senior brothers and had forgotten to review!

This was bad!

Mo Xing thought anxiously. Besides the practical class, there was a theory test the day after tomorrow, and he hadn’t studied the materials at all!

“Don’t panic, junior brother! It’s just a freshman assessment. When I was your age, I was even wilder than you and still passed!” Mianhua placed his right hand on Mo Xing’s shoulder reassuringly.

“Then... do you have any tips, senior brother?” Mo Xing asked.

“Well...” Mianhua hesitated. “Study well and train harder.”

“Anything else?” Mo Xing pressed on.

“Ah! My stomach hurts!” Mianhua suddenly clutched his belly. “I gotta go to the restroom!”

Without another word, Mianhua dashed off.

“No worries, I’m more reliable than him,” Cai Hong patted Mo Xing’s shoulder. “Give me your study materials. I’ll help you highlight the key points.”

“Great! Thanks, senior brother!” Mo Xing retrieved the study materials stored in the Titan Ring and handed them over.

Ten minutes later.

“All done.”

Cai Hong returned the study materials to Mo Xing.

“So much?” Mo Xing was surprised to see the pages filled with highlighted key points.

“Yeah, these are all important!” Cai Hong yawned suddenly. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to shower and sleep. Junior brother, make sure you review well and get to bed early too!”

“Okay.” Mo Xing nodded, watching Cai Hong leave before beginning his own review.

The history of the Aslant wars, recognizing equipment quality, the mysteries of the nine elements, characteristics of each profession...

Studying all this was harder than gnawing on tree bark. With only a day and a half left before the exam, Mo Xing wondered if he could manage it.

...

“Mo Xing! Mo Xing!”

Hearing someone call his name, Mo Xing slowly opened his eyes and saw Teacher Long Lian standing before him.

“Teacher Long Lian?” Mo Xing was surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“Where else would I be?” Teacher Long Lian said cheerfully. “By the way, are you going to submit your paper?”

“Submit? I’m in the dorm reviewing,” Mo Xing said, confused. He looked around; indeed, he was in his dormitory.

“You must have dozed off. The exam is over,” Teacher Long Lian said, moving Mo Xing’s hand aside. “Oh my! Mo Xing, you didn’t even write the first question!”

“Ah?”

Mo Xing was even more bewildered. Suddenly, his surroundings shifted to a classroom. His classmates were whispering, and outside the window, the heavy tolling of a bell sounded.

He had somehow traveled from his dorm to the classroom!

What was happening?

“Mo Xing, I really misjudged you!” Teacher Long Lian sighed deeply, disappointment written all over his face.

“Wait, Teacher Long Lian!” Mo Xing panicked. “Please listen to me! It’s not like that!”

It’s not like that!

“It’s not like that!”

Mo Xing suddenly lifted his head and realized he was lying face down on his desk, his right hand numb from being pressed under his head. Looking around confirmed he was still in his dorm.

“A false alarm, it was just a dream.”

Mo Xing wiped the sweat off his brow and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 5:40 a.m., and dawn was just breaking.

He didn't know when he fell asleep, but since he was awake, he decided to go outside and train a bit. He still wasn’t skilled enough with his weapon.

After tidying his desk and putting on a simple jacket, Mo Xing stepped outside.

...

As soon as he exited the Leyen Apartments, a gentle breeze blew, and a few slightly yellowed leaves fluttered down like dancing butterflies, adding a hint of pale gold to the path.

“Is autumn coming?” Mo Xing smiled.

He was born in autumn, so he felt a special connection to the season.

“Hmm, quite a few more fallen leaves now.”

Suddenly, another voice answered, making Mo Xing jump.

“Ahhh!”

He quickly turned around and saw Mr. Shen standing behind him, still holding a broom.

“Mr. Shen?” Mo Xing paused. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“Young man, you’re still so timid,” Mr. Shen shook his head and bent back down to sweep.

“By the way!” Mo Xing said, “The broom you lent me before, I left it—”

“I know where it is. I already picked it up. This one I’m holding now is yours,” Mr. Shen said, sweeping.

“Alright,” Mo Xing replied. “Thanks for teaching me to use the Dragon God power last time.”

“Oh, your thanks are too much for this old man!” Mr. Shen looked up. “Look at you now, you’re a rising star.”

“Uh... I guess you’ve been reading the papers these past few days,” Mo Xing said, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

“Of course! Gotta keep up with the young generation’s thinking,” Mr. Shen smiled. “By the way, the freshman assessment is tomorrow, right? What weapon and profession have you chosen?”

“I tried many weapons, but the senior brothers thought none suited me. In the end, the teacher told me to use a staff and recommended the path of an elemental mage.”

With that, Mo Xing summoned his staff from the Titan Ring.

“Staff? Elemental mage?” Mr. Shen frowned. “You’re not suited for that.”

“Huh? But the teacher said I have strong burst power and advised me to be an elemental mage,” Mo Xing said, surprised by Mr. Shen’s sudden rejection.

“You really aren’t fit to be an elemental mage,” Mr. Shen said sternly. “It’s the worst choice.”

“But... I defeated eleven opponents in a row in the practical class yesterday!” Mo Xing argued. “Doesn’t that prove I’m suitable?”

“You beat eleven opponents? So what? What level were they? What rank in the class? What about the entire grade? Or the whole Aslant continent?”

“That...”

Faced with Mr. Shen’s rapid-fire questions, Mo Xing was momentarily at a loss.

“You only beat a few classmates. The freshman assessment isn’t just about them,” Mr. Shen said coldly.