"I won't join." Evelyn met the Headmaster's gaze calmly and said.

  The Headmaster paused slightly, then smiled knowingly. He had long seen that Evelyn was independent and unwilling to be bound by any organization, so he was not surprised.

  "I won't force you," he said gently."You should rest in the academy guest rooms for a few days. Later, you can use the academy's cross-domain teleportation array to travel to the Central Continent."

  "I will inform the Sanctum of the Sacred Sword in advance to ensure your journey goes smoothly."

  Having secured Derrick and Darlene was already very satisfying for the Headmaster. As for Ryan and Evelyn, though they were the champion and runner-up of this year's competition and extremely powerful, their potential remained shrouded in mystery, and they clearly had little interest in joining the academy.

  Since they were unwilling, he would not force them; it would only backfire.

  "Ryan, didn't you say you planned to go to the Central Continent?" the Headmaster suddenly remembered something and looked at Ryan.

  "When the teleportation array opens in a few days, you can depart together. It will also provide some support along the way."

  "Can I come along?" Evelyn, who had been silent until now, spoke softly.

  The Headmaster was momentarily surprised, then smiled and nodded."Of course."

  Ryan looked at Evelyn in astonishment. He had assumed she would travel alone, but she had voluntarily suggested going together.

  Could it be that she was afraid he would run off halfway? He glanced at the binding rope still tied around their wrists and thought to himself: Looks like this rope isn't coming off anytime soon.

  ……

  Night fell. Ryan stood at the guest room door, looking at Evelyn beside him with a helpless expression."Evelyn, the academy clearly has so many empty guest rooms. Why do you insist on sharing one with me?"

  Evelyn pushed the door open and entered, tossing out a cold remark:"To stop you from running away."

  Besides, they had stayed together before. Although every time was accompanied by the drama of"deception and being deceived," Ryan had never truly crossed any lines, which was why she could feel safe staying.

  The room was simply furnished: a large bed, a desk, and a storage cabinet for items.

  Evelyn sat down at the desk, her gaze fixed on Ryan."Go on. What excuse are you going to make this time?"

  Ryan felt uncomfortable under her scrutiny, like a child caught doing something wrong. His hands twisted together nervously.

  His right hand was still bound by the rope, the other end tied to Evelyn's wrist. They were no more than a meter apart.

  He opened his mouth but did not know what to say.

  Evelyn did not rush him, simply watching him quietly.

  "Evelyn, I… my magic level only increased in the past few days. Do you believe me?"

  Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere any longer, Ryan blurted out a ridiculous excuse, even he knew it was absurd.

  He knew Evelyn would not be fooled; improving one's magic level required gradual effort.

  "Do you think I believe you?" Evelyn countered."And this isn't the only thing you've lied to me about."

  He was already a complete mess inside, but he couldn't help asking,"And what's the other thing you mentioned? I don't remember anything about it."

  He had to act completely ignorant. If Evelyn was just testing him and he slipped up, all his previous efforts would be wasted.

  "You're that goblin guy, aren't you?"

  Evelyn's voice was calm, without a single fluctuation, yet it struck Ryan like a thunderclap, smashing into his heart.

  His whole body stiffened, almost losing control of his physical reactions.

  This was more shocking than being hit by magic. His mind echoed with one thought over and over: She found out! She actually found out! It's completely over now!

  "No! Absolutely not!" Ryan shook his head violently, his voice urgent, denying it, while deliberately putting on an innocent, pure expression for Evelyn.

  "How could I possibly be that ugly, hairy goblin guy? Look at me, there's no comparison between me and a goblin guy!"

  As he spoke, he quietly stepped back half a pace, trying to create some distance, but the binding rope around his wrist held him firmly, keeping him within Evelyn's sight.

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  "Do I look like a fool?"

  She had already confirmed the answer from Ryan's microexpressions and panicked tone. Now she was merely observing how he would continue to argue.

  "Kind of like…" Ryan muttered instinctively, his voice so soft it was barely audible.

  As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

  Evelyn's gaze instantly turned icy, and the air around her seemed to freeze.

  "Hm?" Evelyn raised an eyebrow slightly, dragging the tone at the end, a clear warning in her voice.

  She almost couldn't maintain her usual aloof composure. If she weren't trying to extract more secrets from Ryan, she might have acted immediately.

  "I didn't mean that! I just meant you're too kind and trust people too easily!" Ryan hurriedly corrected himself, forcing a flattering smile, while secretly thinking: Great, now I've made her angry again.

  "Since you forgot, then you'll stay tied until you remember." Evelyn said coldly, not bothering to argue further.

  Ryan's eyes suddenly lit up, a sly smile spreading across his face."So Evelyn, does that mean I get to sleep with you tonight?"

  He was overjoyed at the thought. If he could share a bed with Evelyn, even being tied up for years would be fine by him.

  "What do you think?" Evelyn glanced at him coldly. A glint of light flashed, and a binding rope longer than before appeared.

  Before Ryan could react, Evelyn waved her wrist. The long rope seemed alive, instantly wrapping him tightly.

  From his ankles to his chest, only his head could move, and he could barely twist his body. She then unfastened the short rope on her own wrist, leaving Ryan bound in place.

  "Evelyn, this isn't necessary, is it?" Ryan twisted his body, thinking it was trivial.

  After all, this binding rope was intended for an Adept Mage. With his current Journeyman Mage strength, breaking free would be easy.

  He chuckled to himself. Looks like Evelyn still thinks I'm at the Adept Mage level. How naive!

  "This is really uncomfortable. Can't you loosen it a little?" Ryan feigned a pitiful look, trying to win Evelyn's sympathy.

  Just then, a rapid knocking sounded at the door.

  A small voice came through the crack, cautious yet clear:"Are you in there? It's Derrick!"

  It was Derrick! Ryan's heart leapt with joy. He finally felt saved.

  Evelyn, however, remained calm. She looked at Ryan, bound and unable to move, then stepped forward and lifted him up.

  She quickly moved to the bed, tucked him into the blankets, and thoughtfully pulled the cover over him, leaving only his head exposed.

  "Close your eyes." Evelyn glared at him on the bed, her tone icy and commanding, leaving no room for argument.

  Though reluctant, Ryan knew it was not the time to resist and obediently shut his eyes.

  Still, he was curious how Evelyn would explain things to Derrick. He slightly opened a slit between his eyelids, peeking out to watch her actions.

  "You Mentor is already asleep!" Evelyn called sharply toward the door, her tone carrying obvious impatience.

  She really did not want Derrick to disturb them, and even less did she want Ryan to have any chance to make a run for it.

  The corridor fell silent. Evelyn assumed Derrick had left and was about to turn back to the desk.

  Suddenly, a loud, playful voice came through the door crack:"Wishing Mentor's Lady and Mentor a speedy birth of a child!"

  Evelyn's body stiffened instantly, and Ryan under the covers almost burst out laughing. This apprentice, usually a bit clumsy, had certainly timed it well!

  "Derrick, we came to find your Mentor, not… speedy childbirth!" Darlene's voice followed immediately.

  Derrick laughed happily."Stop yelling, run! If Mentor's Lady hears this, we're done for! Hahaha, so thrilling…"

  The sound gradually faded with footsteps, finally disappearing at the end of the corridor.

  In the room, Ryan lay under the blanket, clearly feeling the faint trembling outside, obviously caused by Derrick's words.

  "Evelyn, don't take him seriously," Ryan quickly said, trying to reassure her, suppressing his laughter while forcing a serious tone."He's just a bit slow in the head. Don't pay attention to his nonsense."

  Yet in his heart, he was bursting with joy. Derrick's"speedy childbirth" comment had struck straight to the core of his imagination.

  If he could really reach that stage with Evelyn, being tied up for a lifetime would be perfectly fine.

  "Go sleep!" Evelyn's voice carried a subtle trace of flustered annoyance. She suddenly threw the blanket over Ryan's head as well, as if it could block all the irritating sounds.

  Having done that, Evelyn turned to the desk, picked up a cup, poured some water, and drank slowly, her gaze gradually deepening.

  She was thinking about something important: she had to find a way to bring Ryan back to Glacial Arcana Academy.

  She would have the academy's instructors thoroughly test his talent using their aptitude detection instruments.

  If Ryan truly possessed top-tier talent like that shameless Grand Magus, even though Glacial Arcana Academy never admitted male apprentices, she was confident she could persuade the instructors to make an exception.

  After all, a genius with the potential to become a Grand Magus would be enough to break the academy's rules that had stood for thousands of years.

  If the test results were not ideal, that was fine too. She could offer some rare magical resources as a reward, repaying Ryan for saving her life before.

  During her battle with the city lord, if Ryan had not intervened in time, she would have had to unleash the full power of the Grand Magus corpse. The cost would have been far more than just weakening herself for a few dozen days and might have affected her subsequent magical advancement.

  Evelyn took a sip of water, her gaze inevitably drifting to Ryan, wrapped up tightly in the blanket, and her mind became complicated.

  She had never imagined she would consider breaking the academy's strict rules for a"liar."

  But Ryan's mysterious talent and his uncanny ability to help her at critical moments made her unable to resist curiosity: how many secrets was this man hiding?

  Ryan lay in the blanket, completely unaware of Evelyn's thoughts. He was still secretly delighted by Derrick's timely assistance.

  He had no idea that Evelyn was already thinking about taking him back to Glacial Arcana Academy.

  Glacial Arcana Academy was the most mysterious girls' academy on the magical continent. Even the children of royal families had no right to set foot inside.

  Evelyn had considered the academy's rules, but to her, rules were rigid while people were alive.

  If Ryan truly had the potential to become a Grand Magus, admitting a male apprentice was no problem.

  Moreover, Glacial Arcana Academy had made exceptions before.

  She vaguely remembered a female apprentice with extraordinary magical talent who had the potential to become a Grand Magus. During her training, she developed feelings for a man and threatened the instructors with her life to have him admitted.

  That man's talent was not remarkable, yet due to her persistence, he became the first male apprentice in the academy's history.

  At that time, Evelyn was in seclusion, studying magic, and had not met the man, only hearing about the incident from the instructors' casual conversations.

  Her motivation to recruit Ryan was primarily based on his potential.