Chapter 67: Principal Lan Kai (2)

The principal continued to ask Lambo some questions about the current situation in Lanska, his inquiries appearing casual, yet Lambo was extremely nervous, stumbling over his words several times. The conversation between grandfather and grandson was lively and intimate, as if they had completely forgotten about Lekai’s presence.

If it were an ordinary person in such an unbearably oppressive atmosphere—especially while being deliberately ignored—they would hardly be able to endure it. Even if they managed, their composure would almost certainly falter. But from start to finish, Lekai wore a faint, unchanging smile, standing motionless as if the environment around him had no effect whatsoever.

Sweat had already begun to bead on Lambo’s forehead. For a full hour, he suffered under Lankai’s scrutiny. If he could, he would have gladly swapped places with Wu Qingyi, who had just been beaten by him.

At last, Lankai seemed to have nothing further to ask. Abruptly changing the subject, he turned to Lekai and said, “So, you are Lekai?”

“Yes.”

Lekai’s reply was as terse as ever.

“You are quite impressive,” the principal said, suddenly dropping his previous loquaciousness for a more direct tone. Lambo was on the verge of tears—why did his grandfather treat him like this?

“I trust Lanska’s judgment. However, with your current abilities, you are still not qualified to claim the title of the top prodigy of Huazhong City,” Lankai continued, his smile fading as his entire bearing shifted. All signs of fatigue vanished, and his eyes shone with an incisive light, as if he wished to see through to Lekai’s heart. “Whether it’s Xi Bao or Hua Wu, either one could crush you with a single hand. So, you have no right to be arrogant, and even less to be presumptuous.”

Lekai replied calmly, “Pride comes from confidence; arrogance is born of strength. If a warrior knows no pride, how can he prove his path? I possess pride, but I am not proud. I have grounds for arrogance, but I am not arrogant.”

Lankai fixed Lekai with a piercing gaze. After a long moment, he withdrew his eyes and said coolly, “You may go now. Remember—do not cause trouble.”

Lambo, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly pulled Lekai out. Behind them, Lankai’s voice echoed again: “You are the first student to stand before me for an hour without showing the slightest change in expression. I hope Lanska’s choice proves right. But the school will not interfere in any matter concerning the candidates. If you wish to emerge the victor, you must rely on yourself.”

“If I relied on others, I would not be Lekai,” Lekai replied with measured calm, not pausing his step.

As the two figures disappeared from view, a trace of excitement flickered in the principal’s eyes. His withered hand, pressed to the desk, trembled slightly.

“I hope Lanska is right—then, perhaps, there is hope for us yet.”

Once they exited the room, Lambo wiped the sweat from his brow and let out a sigh of exhaustion. “Principal Lan is truly terrifying. No wonder the principal’s office is considered one of the most fearsome places in the school—it’s a well-deserved reputation. That hour was worse than hell; my back is soaked through.”

He collapsed onto the grass of the playground, gasping for breath. After a while, he seemed to remember something, and suddenly sat up, his eyes bulging in disbelief. “Boss, you really deserve to be my boss! To stand in front of the principal for over an hour without changing expression—you’re amazing. Teach me, how did you do it?”

Lekai chuckled. “Your grandfather is not simple. The principal’s office is arranged according to some profound principles, and he occupies the most advantageous position himself. It’s like two armies facing off—he’s already placed himself in an invincible spot. Coupled with his status and the deliberately oppressive atmosphere, with so many advantages, ordinary people can’t even speak coherently, let alone think clearly.”

Seeing Lambo’s dazed look, Lekai went on, “But just as there’s no perfect defense, there’s no perfect suppression. The room appears simple, but the pressure varies from place to place, with the front being the most dangerous. You were standing right there—how could you not lose?”

“As for me, I made sure to stand in the spot where the pressure was weakest, which allowed me to dissipate much of his aura. In that way, I gained the initiative. With my own strength and composure, it was only natural I could remain calm.”

Lambo looked at Lekai as if he were a monster, exclaiming, “You noticed the room’s strangeness the moment you entered, and chose the safest spot to stand?”

Lekai nodded. “As a warrior, you must always place yourself in the safest part of your environment. Live in the wilderness for a few years, and you’ll learn to do the same.”

Lambo grinned. “But I have you to guide me, Boss. I’ve already memorized where you stood—next time I go in, I’ll stand there right away. I really am a genius!”

Lekai laughed. “It’s not that simple. The energy flow in your grandfather’s office is constantly changing. The safe spot isn’t fixed—if you stand where I did, you might end up under the greatest pressure.”

“Good grief, that old man—why does he have so much free time to set up such a bizarre room? Is it just to feed his sense of superiority?” Lambo grumbled indignantly.

“Keep your voice down. If the principal hears, you’ll be in trouble,” Lekai warned kindly.

“He can hear us from this far? That old codger can do nothing but act imposing. He’s not a monster like you, is he?” Lambo’s resentment was palpable—after that torturous hour, there hadn’t been a single comfortable moment.

Lekai just smiled, not bothering to tell Lambo that even using his powers, he hadn’t been able to see through Lankai. One thing was certain, though—Lankai was definitely a master, his strength at least equal to, if not greater than, Lanska’s.

The meeting with the principal counted as completing the registration. Lanska had already arranged everything else. As for meeting the rest of the class, Lekai wasn’t interested. Judging by Wu Qingyi’s attitude, it was easy to imagine how these young nobles would treat a “Wastelander” like himself. Without Lambo’s protection, he doubted he’d get even a moment’s peace.

Lekai had never cared for being sheltered by others. Rather than waste time with these contemptuous nobles, he’d rather focus on his own medicinal studies. From what Lanska and the principal had said, the two seeded candidates, Hua Wu and Xi Bao, already possessed unimaginable strength. Both were still in seclusion, but once they emerged, their first order of business would likely be to make trouble for him.

He had killed the finance director’s son, Xi Runsi, making reconciliation with Xi Bao impossible. As for Hua Keqiang, ever since Lekai began to associate with Lanska, there was no hope of friendship. Hua’s son would have no qualms about eliminating someone as insignificant as a Wastelander for his father.

The urgent priority, then, was to use this time to increase his own strength as much as possible.

Without a powerful family backing him, Lekai couldn’t go to the imperial capital for physical enhancement, nor did he have a clan supplying him with rare resources since childhood. But he had Professor as his teacher and Master Dan as his mentor. Though his starting point was a bit lower, his potential was just as great.

Lambo, shaken by the experience, lost interest in meeting up with his rowdy friends and followed Lekai back to City Hall.

With Mayor Lanska personally overseeing matters, the hospital’s efficiency was nothing short of miraculous. In less than three hours, a mountain of medicinal herbs was delivered, awaiting their master, Lekai.