Chapter Twenty-Two: Transformation

Hearing Su Ziye's remark, even Carlotus could not help but raise a hand to his forehead. Truly, there existed such shameless people in the world.

"I only want the academy to earn a little money, that's all. I have no intention of following you to change the world," Carlotus replied earnestly.

"But the academy, from the day it was founded, has always existed to change the world," Su Ziye looked at Carlotus with a serious expression.

"That was at its birth," Carlotus shrugged. "Now the academy is centuries old. Any normal person’s original intention would have long since changed."

"So sometimes I wonder, what kind of person are you, President?" Su Ziye sighed. "Clearly you possess the power to change the world, yet you are content to remain here as the unremarkable president of the student council."

"I am someone who truly loves this world," Carlotus said in a succinct manner. "If you weren't so prone to stirring up trouble, I might rather like you as well."

"I'd rather not have your affection," Su Ziye replied, extending his hand forward. In the next moment, a massive glass jar weighing several hundred pounds appeared beneath his hand, yet it settled onto the ground as lightly as a feather.

Then came a second jar, a third. Su Ziye kept going until he had produced five jars of concentrated syrup before stopping.

"This is as promised," Su Ziye said, gazing at Carlotus.

"So you don’t wish to continue our conversation?" Carlotus asked.

"I have a general sense of what kind of person you are, President. Further talk would yield little. But just the fact that you’re willing to observe all my actions without intervening is something I should thank you for." Su Ziye stood calmly behind the five jars of syrup. "I plan to go back and sleep for a while—is that alright?"

"Of course," Carlotus replied calmly. "At least, in the coming days, you’ll still be exceedingly busy."

"What if I savor it?" Su Ziye said, looking back at Zhou Yi, who was still fast asleep. "Senior Zhou Yi I’ll leave in your care, President."

"It’s my duty," Carlotus replied simply.

With that, Su Ziye walked past Carlotus and exited through the main doors.

Carlotus watched Su Ziye’s disappearing figure, then bowed his head with a faint smile before heading straight toward Zhou Yi.

He studied Zhou Yi’s sleeping face, but did not wake him. Instead, he raised his hand and snapped his fingers, and in the next instant, Zhou Yi vanished from sight.

Carlotus himself turned and walked toward the machine, which had fallen into silence. He tapped lightly on the metal shell with his fingers, savoring the crisp sound, then reached out and pressed the red button on the back of the machine.

The roar of the machine started up once more.

...

...

When Liu Ru rose in the morning and went to the second-floor dining hall, she immediately noticed a huge glass jar placed prominently at the entrance. It was filled with the familiar dark brown liquid, and a crowd of academy students had already gathered around, queuing in an orderly fashion to receive the drink. It looked somewhat peculiar but undeniably fascinating.

Of course, now that the Third Prince was no longer involved, anyone could drink as many cups as they wished without restriction.

"So fast?" Liu Ru thought to herself.

Today was only the third day since the wager began. Yesterday, the Third Prince had just distributed the academy's happy water at Three Towers Square, and now, every dining hall in the academy seemed to boast a self-serve drink dispenser like this.

It was free, of course, but on the other hand, the academy had forty or fifty dining halls of various sizes. If each had one of these, it meant Su Ziye single-handedly produced even more concentrated syrup last night and managed to blend it into beverages for all.

All without Liu Ru’s involvement.

"That guy..." Liu Ru chuckled quietly, feeling a sudden urge to seek him out. But before she could make a move, someone tapped gently on her shoulder from behind.

She turned to see Xie Yanluo, dressed all in white.

"Senior?" Liu Ru said with surprise.

"I couldn't find you just now," Xie Yanluo said, her voice somewhat ethereal.

Since the turmoil during the third trial, Xie Yanluo had never fully recovered. Her physical functions remained intact, but she was still in the process of recuperation. Fortunately, only her memory was affected; otherwise, she had suffered almost no lasting harm.

"The president is looking for you," she added.

"Looking for me?" Liu Ru was slightly startled. "At Moon Tower?"

"Yes," Xie Yanluo nodded. "The president wants you to go there as soon as possible."

"Alright," Liu Ru replied without hesitation.

If anything could be considered absolutely important in the academy, the president’s summons undoubtedly ranked at the top.

After all, the Snow Burial Society was the most organized and disciplined club in Nightleaf Academy.

Xie Yanluo did not accompany her. Liu Ru jogged from A Tower to Three Towers Square, which, compared to yesterday’s bustle, was now much quieter, though a few curious bystanders lingered, hoping for the Third Prince to make another appearance.

Liu Ru did not pause but went directly to Moon Tower, taking the wind lift to the highest floor.

She knocked.

From behind the door came Die Xian’s voice, "Come in."

Liu Ru pushed the door open and looked at the president dressed in white. "I heard you were looking for me?"

Die Xian smiled serenely, then pointed to a bottle of academy happy water on the table. "You probably know why I called you here."

"Yes," Liu Ru nodded.

She had anticipated this. Su Ziye hadn’t bothered to remind her about this matter, perhaps sensing it was unnecessary.

Or simply trusting Liu Ru to handle it herself.

"Then explain what happened," Die Xian said, looking at Liu Ru. The president, calm and cold in white, radiated an undeniable aura of authority.

Every time Liu Ru saw Die Xian, she felt that someone who could serve as president of the Snow Burial Society must never be ordinary.

"Let me start from the beginning," Liu Ru said thoughtfully. "President Carlotus gave Su Ziye a challenge—how to turn a single goldenleaf grass into a million within a year..."

And so, Liu Ru recounted the events of the past three days to Die Xian. There was nothing much worth concealing, and even Die Xian knew a bit about Liu Ru’s relationship with Su Ziye, so with no need to hide that, most of the story could be told smoothly.

"I see," Die Xian sighed after listening.

Then she looked at Liu Ru. "So what do you think?"