The owl hooted three times in a row, its golden-ringed eyes with black pupils staring intently at her, as if it would keep calling until she responded.

The paladins by the lake noticed the commotion and turned their gazes toward her, making her feel as though needles were pricking her back.

Luo Wei clenched her fingers tightly. "Yes, Professor Tobias, I’ll head over right away."

The owl, hearing her response, twisted its neck around, spread its wings, and flew off.

Luo Wei turned and began walking toward the academy’s dining hall.

The two paladins, seeing her chosen direction, did not follow to investigate.

On the way, Luo Wei’s right eyelid kept twitching. Thinking about the divination result earlier, which foretold a mix of fortune and misfortune, she suddenly felt the prediction wasn’t very reliable.

So far, all she had encountered was misfortune; the fortune part had yet to show itself.

The girls' dormitory wasn’t far from the academy dining hall—just a seven-minute walk if she hurried.

The dining hall was crowded inside and out, with commoners and nobles squeezed together, all craning their necks to look upstairs. Since coming to the academy, this was the first time Luo Wei had seen such harmonious interaction between nobles and commoners.

She weaved through the crowd, entered the first-floor dining area, and climbed the spiral staircase step by step to the second floor.

"Who’s that? How come she’s going upstairs too?"

"She’s a new student this year. I think her name is Luo Wei. They say she has a significant background."

"Luo Wei? What’s her family name?"

"Not sure. Her background is quite mysterious, but rumor has it she’s a royal princess."

"Yeah, very mysterious. I even saw Senior Kael get turned down by her. She’s so arrogant!"

"Hasn’t anyone tried to find out more about her?"

"No luck. Her identity seems to be classified. Don’t get any funny ideas, or you might offend the forces behind her."

"Funny ideas? I just want to make friends. Is that not allowed?"

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"Friends? You mean you want to climb up the social ladder!"

"So what if I do? Don’t you want to climb up too?"

"I… I know my place!"

"Tch, you just want to but can’t!"

The crowd below stared enviously at the figure ascending the staircase, whispering among themselves about Luo Wei’s identity and envying her opportunity to meet the paladins face-to-face.

They all thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime honor to meet the paladins. Only Luo Wei knew the torment of this journey. In just a few dozen steps, the inner layer of her gown was soaked with sweat.

"Junior!"

As soon as she stepped onto the carpeted second floor, a cheerful, chestnut-haired boy strode toward her with a wide grin.

"Junior, why are you so slow? I’ve been waiting for you forever!"

Luo Wei looked puzzled. "Senior Kael, why are you here…?"

Kael puffed out his chest. "I am a prince of the Principality of Ginoco, here to pay my respects to the paladins on behalf of my country."

Seriously? Did your father actually approve of you representing your country?

Luo Wei swallowed those words and instead asked, "Senior, how did you know I’d be coming?"

Kael winked at her, lowering his voice to a magnetic tone. "Take a guess, Junior."

"I can’t guess."

"Haha! I told the paladins to invite you over. How about that? Aren’t you thrilled?"

Luo Wei: … I’m absolutely overjoyed.

"Senior Kael," she said with difficulty, "why did you think to call me over?"

Kael beamed with pride. "I noticed several people from your beginner’s division were invited, but not you. I figured they must not know your true identity."

"Even that Axina, the Blessed One from your class, got an invitation to the banquet. You, as a descendant of angelic bloodlines, are far superior to them! So I immediately mentioned you to the paladins. Sure enough, they were very interested in you and asked Professor Tobias to invite you over."

"See? I always think of you, Junior. Now you owe me big time for this!"

Luo Wei took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to hit someone.

She forced a stiff smile and asked, "Senior, when did I ever become a descendant of angelic bloodlines?"

"Oh, come on, no need to hide it from me. I already know," Kael said, winking. "One night, I saw you flying in the sky!"

Luo Wei’s fingers trembled. One careless mistake could lead to endless regrets. Now she truly understood the terror of having a clumsy teammate.

"Thank you so much, Senior Kael. I really don’t know how to repay you," Luo Wei said through gritted teeth.

"Don’t worry about it. You can thank me later. Come on, let’s head in!"

Kael, brimming with confidence, led her into the faculty’s afternoon tea room.

As the door creaked open, ten pairs of eyes turned to look at them.

Kael seemed delighted as he introduced her to the paladin. "Sir Paladin, this is the junior I mentioned to you, Luo Wei."

Luo Wei quickly glanced around, then curtsied to the headmaster, the paladin, and the two professors. "Good day, Headmaster, Sir Paladin, Professor Tobias, Professor Pence."

"Come in, Luo Wei," Headmaster Morrison spoke first. "Have a seat. There’s no need for formalities here."

The Paladin Commander also nodded at her. "Miss, please take a seat."

There was only one paladin in the room, the Paladin Commander Yarvich Emerson. The other five knights had already finished their meal and were strolling around the academy.

Most of the people seated at the long table were familiar faces. Aside from the three academy teachers, there were Axina, Gladys, and two unfamiliar youths—one male and one female. Including Kael and Luo Wei, there were ten people in total.

Luo Wei lifted her skirt slightly and walked slowly toward the long table.

The headmaster sat at the head of the table, facing the door. The Paladin Commander occupied the seat of honor to his right, with an empty seat next to him. On the other side of the empty seat was Axina, with another vacant spot beside her.

Oddly, the second empty seat showed signs of use, indicating it was Kael’s spot. The seating arrangement was completely out of order.

But Luo Wei really didn’t want to sit next to the Paladin Commander, so she planned to take a seat in the corner near the door.

Unexpectedly, Kael rushed ahead and pulled out the chair for the first empty seat, saying enthusiastically, "Junior, sit here!"

Luo Wei stepped back. "No, thank you, Senior. You should sit there. I’ll sit over here."

"Miss, please sit beside me."

Yarvich had removed his helmet before the meal, revealing a handsome face and a pair of deep-set eyes. He stared at Luo Wei with a probing gaze, his voice gentle yet firm.

"I haven’t seen someone of angelic bloodlines in a long time. Since the Sun and Moon Deities have brought us together here, perhaps it’s a sign of their will."

"Please, take a seat. I believe we’ll have pleasant conversations."

Luo Wei lowered her gaze and smiled. "Indeed, under the guidance of the Sun and Moon Deities, Sir Paladin, I shall follow your wishes."

With no other choice, she stiffly walked over and, under Kael’s eager assistance, took her seat.

Yarvich’s keen observation picked up on subtle differences in Luo Wei’s demeanor compared to others. His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Miss, your demeanor is quite unique—not like the nobles of the Western Continent."