Azure Eyes (Part 1)

That damnable Harry! Why must you always disturb your master at the most crucial moments?

Du Chen, having stashed all his treasures within his blossoming posterior, tidied his robes, and opened the door.

According to the map he'd acquired during registration, Battle God Isle, shaped like a crescent moon, was dominated by a towering mountain at its center. From the mountain peak's hot springs, two rivers snaked down, emptying into the sea at the two crescent tips. Along the banks of the southern river, crystal-like structures rose majestically – this was the Water Pavilion, the teaching district for water-affinity students.

Du Chen's rented courtyard sat nestled on a small hill by the river. It was one of a row of independent courtyards, all of similar design, comprising the most premium student dormitories in the Water Pavilion, offering picturesque views with the river in front and the mountain behind.

The guests who wished to see Du Chen hailed from the adjacent courtyard – they were, in fact, his fellow students.

“Hey there, good to meet you! I'm Jason, a Divine Scion of Rudolph! I hail from the Minar Empire on the Arcania Continent.” A corpulent young man, surprisingly heavy for his age, nodded in greeting.

What a behemoth! Du Chen was secretly astonished. This Jason was so massive he could practically encompass two Du Chens. His yellow curly hair framed features that were almost swallowed by the rolls of fat on his face. His corpulent frame clearly couldn't fit into noble attire, so he simply wore a golden-yellow robe. Especially his belly – Du Chen mused that Jason likely couldn't even see his own feet when he looked down.

“Greetings, I am Francis, a Divine Scion of Sigurd, from the Lanning Empire on the Aethelgard Continent!”

Upon hearing the mention of nationalities, Du Chen suddenly realized that while Jason spoke a flawless, authentic Aethelgard Common Tongue, he himself originated from the Arcania Continent. This fatty was quite the linguistic expert.

Jason pointed to the others, chuckling, “These few are also our classmates, and they all live nearby.” He cast an intentional, yet casual, glance towards the surrounding independent courtyards. Undoubtedly, anyone able to reside here was either a Divine Scion or a scion of royalty and nobility.

After introducing everyone one by one, Jason heartily declared, “Since we’re all classmates, let’s look out for each other in the days to come. Tell you what, I’ll be the host today; I invite you all to gather at Omes.”

A new classmate's invitation to dine was naturally not something Du Chen could refuse. He gave Harry a quick instruction, then followed Jason and the other students towards the docks where they had initially registered.

Most of Battle God Isle's civil structures were concentrated on the beachside near the docks. Among them, the largest edifice was the Omes Hotel, which Jason had mentioned. Arriving before the hotel's gold-inlaid grand entrance, Jason pointed with a hint of pride at the sign above the door, bowing slightly as he chuckled, “This hotel is a chain property of our Gaia Clan. Please, make yourselves at home, order whatever you like, and enjoy yourselves.”

He led his fellow students up to the highest private pavilion of the establishment. Overlooking the sea, with a refreshing breeze, and a lavish spread of wine and dishes, the atmosphere quickly grew convivial. However, Du Chen noticed a problem: his classmates hailed from all corners of the world, speaking different tongues. They could only awkwardly toast each other and nod, unable to engage in much conversation beyond that.

Fortunately, Jason was fluent in multiple languages, and he translated and facilitated communication, ensuring no classmate felt neglected. This fatty certainly had a knack for networking! Du Chen silently appraised him. Just then, Jason raised his wine cup towards him. After a few casual exchanges, the sly fatty's tone shifted. He chuckled, “Brother Francis, I overheard during registration that new students will undergo a month of intensive training. During this month, the Academy will select student council officials based on student performance. Heh heh, let’s both work hard and strive to get into the student council!”

That sly fatty, Du Chen suddenly understood the real reason for the dinner invitation. He couldn't help but offer a knowing smile. “My dear Jason, your information is truly impressive. Do you happen to know the selection criteria?”

“I just paid a visit to a few senior students,” Jason explained, “and I heard it’s a student election, followed by teacher approval.” Jason finished, smiling slyly at Du Chen.

Du Chen, having honed his skills on the streets for years in his previous life, was already a master at 'playing the game.' He played along, chuckling, “Oh dear, then I’m afraid I’m out of luck. My social connections aren’t the best. But you, classmate Jason, are fluent in so many languages! Look, all of us students from the Three Continents are gathered here because of you. If someone with your talent doesn't get selected, I, your brother, would be the first to object!”

This lad knows the ropes! This meal wasn’t for naught. Jason beamed even wider, exchanged a few more words with Du Chen, then sidled over to another classmate, conveying the same message in a different tongue.

Du Chen slowly sipped his wine, his mind, however, was already calculating. That saying from his elder brother—'Wherever there are people, there is politics'—was truly a goddamn profound truth. It seemed even Battle God Academy wasn't as 'pure' as it appeared.

Before long, the banquet, spurred by Jason's efforts, reached a lively crescendo. At that moment, a server entered the pavilion and whispered a few words to Jason. The sly fatty's eyes lit up. He immediately stood and ordered, “Clear this feast away! Prepare a new table!”

With that, he repeated the same announcement in multiple languages, “Fellow students, I’ve invited a very special guest today: Professor Jemison of our Water Pavilion! He has arrived, let us welcome him!” Jason was the first to applaud. Du Chen, too, smiled and clapped. Amidst the students' applause, a young man in his twenties entered. He wore form-fitting, milky-white trousers and pointed boots, paired with a fiery red noble's short-sleeved tunic – the very kind Du Chen thought looked like a giant bun. A light-blue ponytail braid soared high at the back of his head, giving him an undeniably effeminate air.

The moment he spoke, Du Chen realized his initial impression of effeminacy had been an understatement; Professor Jemison was an absolute fop!

“Oh my, dear students, you’re far too kind! Do sit, everyone, please sit!” Professor Jemison spoke in Aethelgard Common Tongue; Du Chen understood perfectly, but the others required Jason’s translation. Jemison glanced at the spread on the table, then giggled delicately. “Jason, darling, you're being far too extravagant! Wasn’t this just about having me discuss the intensive training? Why such a lavish feast? Next time, absolutely not!”

He then smiled at Du Chen. “You must be Francis? Your name has been the most frequently mentioned in the Academy these past few days.” “Yes, Professor,” Du Chen replied smoothly, “I have indeed had many… situations that have garnered the Academy’s attention recently.”

Jemison greeted each student individually, then suddenly glided to the door, chuckling, “Everyone, I haven’t come alone today; there’s another student outside. Before you lay eyes on her, please, take a deep breath!” Jason, perplexed, asked, “Another student, you say? My dear Professor Jemison, why should we take a deep breath?” Jemison closed his eyes as if in ecstasy, caressing his own cheeks with a gesture that would make any man feel a pang of revulsion, and sighed dramatically, “Because she is simply too beautiful! I fear your hearts might not be able to bear it!”

Once Jason translated Jemison's words, the eyes of the male students at the table immediately lit up. Du Chen suddenly recalled a saying from his previous life: 'What is university for, if not to drift through days and chase after girls?'

“Come in, Classmate Annie!” Following Jemison's summons, a maiden in a white gown entered. Du Chen cast a curious glance. She was pretty enough, and in the eyes of most, this lass would undoubtedly be considered a peerless beauty – but that was only if they hadn't seen Helen, who was so stunning it defied all natural laws!

Annie, coincidentally, was also gazing at Du Chen, the most striking figure among the crowd. Their eyes inadvertently intertwined. Those azure eyes… they felt so familiar!