Chapter 24
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Volume 3 + Chapter 24: Refusing To Be A Mascot!
“She… what is she doing here?!”
Xia Yi spotted a young woman who wasn’t taking the student entrance but instead walked through the faculty-only passage to enter the examination venue.
And that young woman was someone she knew very well—Hill Gibran.
She had once been Xia Yi’s student during her time as the Human Sword Saint, and they had also met again in Golde’s coastal city.
“It’s Teacher Hill!!”
Some of the Laurel Tree Academy students exclaimed excitedly.
The students waiting to take the entrance exam all turned their heads when they heard that name, and a buzz of excitement swept through the crowd.
“What, what? Could it really be that Hill Gibran?”
“Yes!! She’s the Sword Saint’s direct disciple!”
“And not only that—she’s also a candidate for the title of Holy Sword User! She’s even younger than me, and already has such accomplishments. Plus, she’s gorgeous—totally unbeatable!”
“So if we get into Laurel Tree Academy, we might get the chance to be taught by Teacher Hill?”
Everyone became even more enthusiastic at the thought of being personally instructed by such a beautiful teacher.
Some even began to cheer, hoping to catch Hill’s attention.
“Teacher Hill!!”
To Xia Yi’s surprise, Norma—who was usually so reserved—suddenly raised her hand and shouted enthusiastically.
Hearing the voice of her student, Hill turned her head and looked over.
At that moment, Xia Yi instinctively ducked behind Norma in a panic.
Hill simply offered a faint smile, which alone stirred another wave of cheers from the crowd. Then she continued down the faculty path and disappeared from view.
“…”
Xia Yi felt incredibly conflicted.
“Xia Yi, why are you hiding?” Norma asked, proudly adding, “That was Teacher Hill just now—she’s my swordsmanship instructor!”
“Oh, I see.”
Xia Yi acted indifferent on the surface, but a storm was brewing in her heart.
Come to think of it, Hill had joined Laurel Tree Academy to become a senior instructor. She had agreed to take on the Black Tide research project her student proposed and went to Golde because of it.
After Xia Yi’s intervention, the situation had been resolved safely, and the research project was considered completed from the academy’s perspective.
Naturally, Hill was promoted to senior instructor at Laurel Tree Academy.
So, although it was unexpected to see her here, it was logical.
What Xia Yi couldn’t accept was…
Hill was her student!
And now, for the sake of getting into Laurel Tree Academy, she’d have to hide her identity, pretend to be a newbie, and even let her own student teach her?
Absolutely unacceptable.
What a joke—she would never be her own student’s student.
She made up her mind.
She had to avoid Hill. Hill was most likely teaching swordsmanship, so all she had to do was avoid the swordsmanship department.
Her target: the Magic Department!
Xia Yi presented her invitation letter and was handed a form.
“Xia Yi, let me help you fill this out—it works like this…”
Since she was already a student at Laurel Tree Academy, Norma had experience with this and started explaining things proactively.
The next step was simply filling out personal information and submitting the form. Once approved, the exam would begin.
Under Norma’s guidance, Xia Yi started filling out the form.
Name: Xia Yi – Lawrence
Age: 18
Family: Lawrence Family
“Eighteen?” Norma blinked.
“I—I’m an adult!” Xia Yi insisted nervously.
She even stood on tiptoes, trying to look taller.
Norma looked at the petite girl in front of her. No matter how you looked at her—appearance, height, body frame—she was a textbook loli.
Now she was claiming to be legal?
Norma’s face twitched.
“Xia Yi, I’m not judging you, but lying about your age isn’t okay.”
“It’s true! I’m an adult!!”
Xia Yi was very stubborn about this point. She hated being seen as a child.
If people thought she was a kid, they’d slap on the “cute” label. Before long, she’d be turned into a mascot. People would start patting her head, giving her snacks…
No way!!
Absolutely not!
Even outside her homeland, she had to maintain her dignity. She would not become a mascot!
“Xia Yi, maybe adjust the age a little. I’m only seventeen myself,” Norma said.
Xia Yi looked up at Norma, who was already nearing 170 cm in height…
Unforgivable!!
In reality, Xia Yi was nearly thirty, and yet she still looked like a child—small and short.
It’s okay… I’ll grow taller… I’ll grow taller…
She hypnotized herself in her mind, and that jealous feeling finally began to subside a bit.
“…Fine. I’ll make a small adjustment.”
She changed her age to seventeen.
Continuing to fill out the form, Xia Yi reached a section where Norma’s expression subtly shifted.
Applied Department: Magic Department
Norma’s face was full of confusion. Why wasn’t she applying to the Swordsmanship Department?!
Was she… afraid to face Teacher Hill?
I get it now!
She must be the type to bully the weak and fear the strong—always bragging, but when it came time to face someone truly capable like Teacher Hill, she chickened out.
Even though, because of her uncle’s instructions, Norma couldn’t tell anyone about Xia Yi’s talent in swordsmanship, she had a new idea—
If Xia Yi showed her skill herself, that wasn’t her fault, right?
Hmph! Trying to run away?
You humiliated me and even looked down on Teacher Hill. Today, I’ll make sure you regret it.
“All done, Norma. Here’s the form,” Xia Yi said, handing it over.
“Okay, let me take a look.” Norma took the form, reviewed it, then fell silent.
“…Is something wrong?”
Xia Yi felt uneasy. She was especially worried about messing up the family background section—after all, she had never actually lived with the Lawrence family and only knew the basics through others’ descriptions.
“No, it’s mostly correct. Just a few small inconsistencies—I’ll tidy them up before submitting.”
“Alright, thanks for your help.” Xia Yi nodded.
…
After that came the waiting period.
It wasn’t too long—there weren’t many applicants this time.
After all, getting into Laurel Tree Academy was no easy feat.
Unless you had special circumstances, normal entry required passing a very rigorous exam. Without sufficient ability or background, you couldn’t even get your hands on an invitation letter.
The academy followed a strict, noble-style elite education philosophy.
The difficult exams weeded out the majority of applicants. Very few made it through. Most were rejected at the gate.
“Xia Yi – Lawrence, it’s your turn,” a staff member called.
“Go on, Xia Yi. I’ll be waiting here for your good news,” Norma said.
“Mm!”
Xia Yi stood up, received her exam admission slip, and walked into Exam Room No. 5.
But once she arrived…
Something felt off.
She…
had gone to the wrong place!!
