Almost simultaneously, Su Yu arrived at the Dean's office at Qing Teng Academy .
Pushing open the door, he was surprised to find that besides Lü Ziming, Cheng Shenxing was also there. Cheng Shenxing was sitting on the sofa, his expression somewhat complicated, seemingly deep in thought.
"Dean, Uncle Cheng," Su Yu greeted him.
Lü Ziming smiled upon seeing Su Yu enter, his tone much gentler than usual: "Su Yu, you've arrived. Please have a seat." He gestured to the
empty
seat next to Cheng Shenxing.
Su Yu sat down as instructed, his doubts deepening.
Lü Ziming's attitude today was clearly unusual; not only was his usual sternness absent, but it also exuded a sense of warmth and…attention?
Just then, the office door opened again, and a middle-aged man walked in. He looked to be in his thirties, tall and handsome, with elegant manners and a calm, capable air about him.
"This is Sir Zou Xiuyan from the capital, and also Her Majesty's special envoy," Lü Ziming introduced, rising to his feet. "Sir Zou, this is Su Yu."
Zou Xiuyan nodded slightly, a smile spreading across his face, and extended his hand to Su Yu. "Lord Su Yu, I have long admired your name. I am Zou Xiuyan, here on Her Majesty the Queen's orders."
"Sir Zou, you are too kind," Su Yu replied, rising to shake his hand. Special envoy? Her Majesty the Queen? Could it be…?
As if confirming his suspicions, Zou Xiuyan cut to the chase: "Lord Su Yu, after careful review by the Parliament and the approval of Her Majesty the Queen, it has been decided to formally grant you the title of 'Baron' and bestow upon you the title of Moonfall Valley on Myron Island as your private territory. According to the tradition of Ying Kingdom, the title conferment ceremony must be held within the recipient's territory, so we need to proceed to Myron Island as soon as possible."
Although he had a premonition, hearing the news with his own ears still left Su Yu in a daze.
From a student who could be harassed by even a local thug to being granted the title of Baron and owning his own territory, all of this had happened in less than a year.
Although he had a system, it was mainly due to his own hard work!
Indeed, hard work pays off.
"Congratulations, Su Yu." Cheng Shenxing also stood up and said to Su Yu, his tone filled with blessings, but a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
Lü Ziming also smiled: "Student Su Yu, this is a joyous occasion. The academy has prepared a ship for you, and you can depart for Myron Island at any time."
"Or, you could go to Myron Island first. I believe you have a lot to prepare beforehand!"
Su Yu nodded, looked at Cheng Shenxing, and said, "Uncle Cheng, I hope you and Qiaoqiao can go to Myron Island." "
Qiaoqiao is busy with her studies, I won't disturb her, but this is an important event, she has to attend."
Cheng Shenxing was taken aback, clearly not expecting Su Yu to make this request.
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, I'll contact Tranquil Forest and see if Qiaoqiao is willing to come back."
Tranquil Forest is where Qiaoqiao is currently cultivating, taught by several witches.
Leaving the dean's office, Su Yu arrived at the academy gate.
A carriage was already waiting, and the driver opened the door for him. This was a carriage sent by the academy; even full professors could only apply for one, not just be on call.
Sitting in the spacious and comfortable carriage, Su Yu looked at the street scenes rushing past the window, and suddenly felt a sense of clarity.
"So that's how it is!"
"Lin Zhengxin chickened out, or rather, his family forced him to chicken out."
Killing the Black Mountain Sheriff, killing the superintendent, killing the lieutenant—how much trouble had Blackshire gotten itself into?
Killing thirteen families had only subdued most of them.
Lin Zhengxin still had an attitude of "Come on, kill me, or I'll kill you."
But once Earl Carlton was killed, and the Queen issued a decree, he immediately became a stray dog on a rainy winter night, lame in the leg, his spirit vanished.
"The power of the system, huh?"
Su Yu had seen this too many times in his previous life within the system.
A single appointment could turn the world upside down, a single dismissal could leave a lame dog on a rainy night.
All courage, strategy, and spirit were tied to one's position within the system.
He didn't want the world to be like this.
It could be said that from this day forward, he was no longer the Su Yu with shallow roots, bullied by everyone, but a baron with his own territory and title.
All the troubles that had plagued him in Blackshire, all the open and hidden attacks and potential threats, became insignificant in the face of this new identity.
The local police station, the county garrison, and even the military will not pursue those past events.
However, this is very abnormal.
Su Yu understands both the system and the underlying issues.
Theoretically speaking, a world with individual superpowers shouldn't be like this.
"No, most people are still like this, but there are a very few who aren't!"
"To some extent, I, with my system and ability to return to the city, am not."
"Grand Mage Lu Pingyi of the Mechanical Guild shouldn't be either."
To put it bluntly, a nation is just a limit to its laws; even a tiny leak results in the loss of 99% of its power.
For example, immigration is essentially moving from one nation (a divine kingdom) to another (a divine kingdom). Therefore, law enforcement personnel in one nation are considered criminals illegally entering another. In reality, with solid intelligence, a single phone call can report them, putting them in a life-or-death situation.
Teleportation is a spell that breaks through the power (laws) of a nation.
"Sir, we've arrived at the port." The coachman's voice interrupted Su Yu's thoughts.
Su Yu looked out the carriage window and saw a bustling port in the distance, with stone piers extending into the sea, merchant ships and fishing boats moored in the harbor, masts standing tall, and flags fluttering.
The docks were bustling with people—porters, merchants, sailors, and travelers—creating a lively scene.
A carriage stopped at a special pier reserved for nobles.
A steamship lay quietly moored there, several uniformed waiters busy on deck.
"Sir, please follow me," a waiter greeted him.
The next day, dawn tore through the night, golden light spilling onto the shimmering sea, revealing a magnificent yet serene scene.
The steamship "Voyager," like a steel behemoth, cleaved the waves, its steady, powerful rumble echoing as it sailed into the distance.
The salty sea breeze swept across the deck of the "Voyager," ruffling the passengers' hair and clothing.
"Sir, your coffee," the waiter said solicitously.
"Thank you,"
Su Yu replied, glancing around and taking a deep breath.
The azure sea and the deep blue sky met on the distant horizon, several seagulls outstretched their wings, sometimes swooping down, sometimes soaring, emitting clear cries.
Attendants in crisp white uniforms moved nimbly across the deck, their demeanor respectful, their faces always bearing smiles.
Whether it was steaming hot coffee, fragrant milk tea, or exquisite pastries and fruits, everything was promptly and attentively served to each VIP.
However, this was a privilege exclusive to first-class passengers—a sense of superiority that needed no words, yet was always fulfilled.
As the saying goes on board: "In first class, you never need to call, for there is always an attendant waiting before you even need them."
Such an experience naturally comes at a price.
The "Voyager's" ticket system was clearly divided, with first class costing a whopping 50 gold sea dragons—the equivalent of a year's income for an average middle-class family.
Second class, costing 10 gold coins, is a considerable expense even for the middle class; third class, at 1.2 gold coins, is geared towards passengers with some savings who seek value for money; while fourth class, at only 0.55 gold coins, offers cramped space and basic conditions, making it the only option for the working class.
Su Yu wasn't unable to afford a first-class ticket; with his abilities and income, 50 gold coins was easily within his means.
However, he felt it was a waste of money, and if he were paying for it himself, he would most likely choose second class for peace and comfort.
But this trip was arranged by the Qing Teng Society, and the expenses were naturally covered by the society.
Su Yu wouldn't feign superiority and readily accepted the first-class ticket, a symbol of status and privilege.