Chapter 101 | The Otherworld Journey That Starts From a Slime

Nan stared at the dark forest surrounding him, expressionlessly threw his school badge on the ground, and stomped on it twice.

He was clearly following the map on the badge, so why the hell did he end up in this godforsaken place?!

It had to be a problem with the map!

Hmph!

Nan could only expand his perception, but his range was less than two kilometers. This was the Academy Back Mountains; though called the "back mountains," it was actually a massive area used to simulate forest combat. There were no buildings within his perception range to use as landmarks.

Furthermore, he had been so confident in his ability to find the library that he hadn't left any markers along the way. Now, he had no idea which way to go.

To make matters worse, the academy was covered by a law that prohibited flying higher than twenty meters, so he couldn't even ascend to get his bearings.

Consequently, his only option was to retrace his footsteps from when he arrived.

But that... was just too humiliating!

As a super genius who crushed his peers and had undergone brutal combat training, he had actually gotten lost and was reduced to using such a clumsy method to find his way!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Nan drew his blade and slashed, instantly cutting down a row of trees as if that would vent the frustration in his heart.

“Nan!” Just then, a figure descended from the sky. Nan was startled by the sight.

“Zhang Ye?”

Zhang Ye breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Nan and landed beside him. “I thought you’d been lured to the back mountains by some senior sister. Scared the life out of me.”

Nan: “...”

He didn't quite understand what that meant, but he felt a strong urge to slash the guy.

So, Nan drew his blade and swung.

Zhang Ye dodged naturally and then asked with a grin, “A big guy like you actually got lost?”

Nan’s brow furrowed, and he swung his blade again. “I’m not lost.”

Zhang Ye dodged again, laughing. “If you aren't lost, what are you doing in this dump? Don't tell me you came here just to chop wood.”

Nan: “...”

He didn't say a word, but his swordsmanship became even more fierce.

Yet, Zhang Ye continued to dodge with ease.

Eventually, Nan sheathed his blade. Although his face remained expressionless, Zhang Ye could sense that he was fuming.

“Alright, alright, you weren't lost. Let’s head back.” Zhang Ye waved him over, then looked at the dark forest and couldn't help but shiver. “It’s so dark...”

Nan was taken aback.

His perception was very keen, and in that moment, he actually felt a trace of... fear from Zhang Ye?

This guy actually had something he was afraid of?

“You’re afraid of the dark?” Nan asked suddenly.

Zhang Ye paused, then gave a sheepish laugh. “Yeah, it’s pitch black. It’s terrifying.”

“Heh...”

“Eh? You just laughed, didn't you? You did!” Zhang Ye said, eyes wide.

The expressionless Nan could actually laugh?

“I didn't.” Nan walked forward with a blank face.

Zhang Ye hurried to pull him back. “Wrong way. The dorms are that way.”

Nan’s body stiffened, but he continued walking forward. “I know.”

Zhang Ye burst out laughing. You know my ass, you tsundere.

His eyes darted around, and then he grabbed Nan again. Nan’s brow furrowed. “Don't touch me!”

Why was this guy always grabbing him for no reason?

Zhang Ye smiled. “I don't know where you’re going, but you know I’m afraid of the dark.”

“Look how dark it is. How about you walk me back?”

Nan looked at him and said, “No.”

Zhang Ye thought to himself: Tsundere Nan, I’m giving you a way to save face and you’re still not taking it.

“If you don't walk me back, I won't let go!” Zhang Ye said with a stubborn look. “Besides, you can’t beat me anyway.”

Nan: “...”

How was this guy like a child?

However, he also knew that Zhang Ye was giving him a graceful exit. After a moment of silence, he nodded. “Let’s go.”

“Awesome!” Zhang Ye laughed, and the two headed toward the dorms.

As for why they didn't fly... as mentioned before, flying was prohibited over the academy. Below the Saint-tier, the maximum altitude was twenty meters.

And here, the tree canopy was dense; walking was more convenient than flying.

As they walked, Nan suddenly stopped.

Zhang Ye asked, “Why’d you stop?”

Nan looked expressionlessly at Zhang Ye, who was practically leaning half his body against him. “Get off me.”

Zhang Ye gave a sheepish grin. “Don't be so mean. You know I’m afraid of the dark...”

“A grown man afraid of the dark?” Nan couldn't help but say.

Zhang Ye laughed. “I don't know why either, I just am. Maybe it’s some childhood trauma, haha.”

Nan couldn't help but roll his eyes and warned again, “Don't get close to me, or I’ll kill you!”

“You can’t beat me though...” Zhang Ye muttered.

Nan drew his blade.

Zhang Ye dodged.

“Fine, fine, fine. I won't get close, I won't get close,” Zhang Ye said, waving his hands.

Only then did Nan continue forward, but he was pulled back by Zhang Ye again.

Just as Nan was about to snap, Zhang Ye hurriedly said, “The dorms are that way!”

Nan: “...I know!”

With that, he turned and walked in the direction Zhang Ye pointed.

At this moment, although his face was expressionless, anyone who touched his face would find it burning hot, and his fair skin was flushed red.

Fortunately, the light was dim, so Zhang Ye didn't notice.

“Oh right, the rewards were handed out. Here’s your share.” Zhang Ye remembered something and took out the ring Rolman had given him, handing it to Nan.

Nan took it and nodded.

“Hey, hey, how about a thank you?”

“...Thank you.”

“Too quiet. Say it again?”

“Thunderclap—”

“Stop!”

After a good while, they finally returned to the dorms.

For some reason, the moment he saw the dorms, Nan felt a sudden sense of relief.

Compared to the dim, damp forest, the brightly lit dorms always brought peace of mind.

Back in the dorm, Zhang Ye scurried to the kitchen and brought over the Treasure Meal he had packed earlier, handing it to Nan.

“Here. You were lo—you were out walking for so long, you probably haven't eaten yet. It’s still warm.”

Nan looked at the Treasure Meal in Zhang Ye’s hand, his heart trembling slightly, but he still said, “I’m not hungry.”

With that, he started heading toward his room, but Zhang Ye stepped in front of him again, looking at him pitifully. “Look, I specially packed this for you. If you don't eat it, I’ll be heartbroken~”

Nan was thoroughly disgusted. He snatched the Treasure Meal and went back to his room, slamming the door shut with a bang.

Zhang Ye looked at Nan’s door and chuckled.

I’m a warm guy, after all. You just wait, you ice-cold, expressionless, tsundere Nan, I’ll melt you eventually!

When that happens, I’ll have another powerful companion, and my capital for traveling the world will be even greater!

Thinking this, he happily hugged Gujiu and went back to his room to cultivate.

Inside the room, Nan sat at the table, staring at the lavish Treasure Meal, and couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

“Idiot, who would want to eat this...”

Even as he said that, he slowly picked up the fork and began to eat in small bites. As he ate, his gaze grew distant.

“Idiot...”

...

When he woke up from his morning cultivation, the first thing he saw was the adorable little angel Gujiu lying in his arms.

Gujiu: (◍•͈ω•͈◍) Gujiu, gujiu~

Zhang Ye immediately felt his mood brighten. Every time Gujiu woke him up, he felt a sense of healing.

“Good morning, Gujiu.”

“Good morning, little Ella.”

Ella flew out, rubbing her eyes. “Good morning...”

Looking at the groggy Ella, Zhang Ye couldn't help but laugh. Despite being a guide spirit, she actually needed to sleep.

He reached out a finger and gently poked Ella’s little cheek. Ella instantly woke up, grabbed his finger, and took a bite. “What are you doing?”

Zhang Ye rested his chin on his hand and smiled. “Nothing, just wondering what kind of existence you really are. Are you truly just a little spirit?”

“I told you, I am a Goddess! The Goddess of Time!” Ella said, crossing her arms. “Also, stop calling me little!”

“Okay, little Ella. I got it, little Ella. No problem, little Ella.”

“Aaaaah, you’re infuriating!” Ella flew in front of Zhang Ye’s nose, fuming, and bit down hard.

However, with Zhang Ye’s current physique, it felt like nothing more than a tickle.

Zhang Ye laughed, ran off to take a shower, and his melodious singing could be heard coming from the bathroom.

Classes didn't officially start until tomorrow, so today was another free day.

Zhang Ye planned to spend the day huddled in the library with the others, soaring through the sea of knowledge.

The books in the library recorded many stories and events that Zhang Ye was very interested in. Most importantly, the library actually had books about magic devices that clearly explained their principles and how to manufacture them.

This was very useful for Zhang Ye. He planned to study hard in the library and see if he could become a Magic Device Master; that way, it would be even more helpful for making Lina’s exclusive magic device.