Shion Lan immersed himself in that sensation, and with the presence of that voice, he was able to remain stable without losing himself. Thus, he found himself within the body of Shi Yun Lan, who awoke from sleep to discover that he was inside his private carriage, drawn by horses toward the Northern Academy.
He had fallen into deep sleep; nearly a month had passed since the events with Jian Blu Narsi. That period had passed in the blink of an eye within Shion's memories. Now, he sat upright inside the carriage, which did not shake from within no matter how rough the road became—making it perfectly suitable for enjoying a cup of tea, which Bi Ri poured with great elegance inside the carriage.
As he drank, he suddenly remembered that person.
"By the way, Leon, what happened to that person?"
"Which person do you mean, sir?"
"The boy we captured while he was with that ###, then I cut off his arm and… well, the one who caused trouble because of that girl back then."
"…"
Leon did not know how to respond, but Be Rei smiled.
"Lord Lan, you have a poor memory. That person was Shi Fus El, before he was expelled from the family. No one knows anything about him now, and that girl from the branch family—Shi Dun Mi—took his place."
"I see."
He leaned his head against the cushion behind him, contemplating the scenery.
The Northern Academy was built in the middle of vast green plains, but reaching these lands was more difficult than anything else in the northern region. To reach the academy, the use of energy was strictly forbidden—otherwise, one would never find the academy at all, even if they searched everywhere. Moreover, these plains could only be reached after crossing several desolate and barren mountain peaks.
However, since members of the family were protecting them, there was no concern on that front.
After many long weeks of travel, they descended from the final mountain peak, and the guards who had protected them from beasts suddenly vanished—as if they had never existed.
"Is this because they were protecting us using energy?"
"Yes, my lord."
Bi Ri nodded after Leon departed, and the rest continued onward until they reached the green plains. They were vast, stretching as far as the eye could see, as if endless.
Another week passed—a difficult one for the Shi family members due to the absence of their guards. But not for Shi Yun Lan, who did not mind skinning animals himself and roasting them. With Bi Ri's assistance, things were fine for the two of them.
Eventually, the other family members approached them, embarrassed to ask him for anything, until one of them finally stepped forward.
"Young Lord Lan, please… could you help us with our food?"
Shi Yun Lan looked at her thoughtfully. Bi Ri spoke,
"This is Shi Dun Mi from the branch family, my lord."
Shi Yun Lan sighed.
"There are still three days left before we reach the academy. I want absolute obedience, and no questions are allowed. I will be able to provide food until the journey ends."
He narrowed his eyes, watching their reactions. Some felt anger, others completely submitted, but they all agreed—they could not manage on their own. Surviving for a week without guards was already astonishing, and they had no choice but to obey his orders…
Three days later, a boy and a girl stood before the academy, waiting for the arrival of the family members.
"So, will that little boy really come?"
The boy spoke harshly, while the girl replied calmly,
"Yes. We were informed that the young lord would arrive. Does it bother you that the family head favors him over you?"
"How would you feel if a child appeared out of nowhere and took everything from you?!"
"But he didn't take anything from you."
"He did! He took my father's attention!"
"As far as I remember, the family head treated you normally, and that continued even after the young lord arrived."
"That attention should have been focused on me—or on my elder brother, if anything! No one even knows anything about his mother, and—"
"Please calm yourself, my lord. They've arrived."
Shi Yun Lan finally appeared with the family members and approached them. Everyone informed him about his elder brother, Shi Yun Erk, who had reached the General level at the age of eighteen.
When Erk descended, all family members bowed to him. Erk looked toward his brother Lan, who did not bow—nor did his maid.
"What is this behavior, little brother?"
"Ask yourself. These days, we've seen academy students escort their juniors—unlike the person standing before me."
"It seems that not having a mother has resulted in a lack of respect in your tone. And I had forgotten that."
"It seems your mother failed to raise you properly, given your lack of courtesy. And I don't think you're the only one who forgot."
Erk glared at him sharply and was about to attack—
"Enough."
Both felt an immense pressure preventing them from moving. Shi Yun Lan looked toward the source of that power—a member of the same family, but not a student here; he was a guide.
Shi Yun Lan assessed his strength. By his estimation, the man was at the King level.
With a single motion, all family members were moved inside.
Shi Yun Lan looked around and saw that all students—both newcomers and seniors—were present. The director of the Northern Academy arrived and began his speech.
Shi Yun Lan paid little attention to it, despite feeling many gazes directed at him. Still, he caught several important points:
First: Shi Yun Lan and those selected from their families would not take an entrance test and would be considered students directly.
Second: Students were allowed to keep their servants and followers with them in their residence.
Third: Those not selected would be tested by the academy, and based on the results, they would be assigned as students, workers, external students, or otherwise.
Fourth: Core students could choose a guide to benefit from. Those who reached at least the General level were allowed to graduate; nobles at most could remain in the academy as students. As for the King level, they served merely as instructors, while Emperor-level individuals were great masters—students were fortunate to receive guidance from them. As for the Supreme level, they were like ancestors—the guardians of the academy.
Shion thought for a moment.
'Considering that the academy has many ninth-level experts like the director of Karath Academy, I don't even want to compare. Graduation ranges from General at minimum to Noble at maximum—that means they can produce sixth-level experts here!'
After the speech, Shi Yun Lan—already recognized as a student—was guided to his residence along with his maid, Bi Ri.
Six months passed.
He spent them contemplating his Art, researching techniques that altered the physical form and specifically affected blood, as well as techniques that influenced the soul. He merged this knowledge with his technique, (Aura of Death).
He did not attend any guide sessions and barely left his residence. Despite this, the family members who had come with him respected him deeply.
Shi Yun Erk thought to himself,
"Why do they all respect him?"
His maid replied,
"Because you let them suffer and did nothing, unlike other elders, you have tormented and didn't help them because of your younger brother. But he provided them with everything they needed. Some of them said: Despite the coldness of his actions, his heart is warm. He shares everything with us and never elevated himself above us. That's why he's loved, despite his frightening appearance."
The maid spoke with disappointment regarding her master's actions. Erk, furious at her words, raised his hand to slap her—
But a hand caught his wrist.
The person bore no mark of the Shi family. He had snow-white hair and blue eyes and smiled.
"If you don't want this maid, I can buy her from you."
"House Fro—stay away from me for now!"
"Don't worry. How about a wager—your maid against mine?"
That person's maid appeared, her beauty capable of stirring chaos in anyone who saw her. With a technique that robbed men of their senses, Erk agreed—without realizing what he was doing…
"Young Lord Lan! Is this technique suitable for me?"
"Is there a mistake in this movement?"
"What about these lines? I didn't understand them."
Every time Shi Yun Lan went out, he was surrounded by family members who had acknowledged him—even senior students and guides from the family recognized him as well.
Shion answered only what he understood, and always correctly.
Then news spread:
"Shi Yun Erk was defeated by Fro No Ice!"
Shi Yun Lan did not care about what his brother did. But after hearing the gossip, he learned that Erk had wagered his maid—a family member!
Despite her being his brother's maid, Shion hated this.
He headed toward the platform where the match had been held. Many senior students were present.
He saw his elder brother begging his maid to return.
'Was this regret? Or the realization of his worthlessness at that moment?'
Shi Yun Lan moved without sparing another glance. The senior students pulled Erk away.
Ice noticed the beauty of Lan's maid—who would undoubtedly surpass his own. His maid scowled with jealousy.
Ice made the same offer to Shi Yun Lan.
"I agree, but you are at the General level, while I am still an Expert."
"Very well. If you can force me to use General-level power, that will count as my defeat."
"Then let's not waste time."
Although senior students from the Shi family were present, they knew the temperament of their young lord—different from his brother—so they did not object.
The moment the match began, Ice rushed toward him to end it quickly, releasing his technique, (Ice Spirit), to affect him.
But as he approached, he met Shi Yun Lan's gaze—two dark eyes threatening to swallow him whole.
Shi Yun Lan released his technique as well.
The instant Ice sensed the (Aura of Death), he instinctively retreated, placing his sword before him. His aura surged as he breathed heavily.
Shi Yun Lan shook his head.
"You couldn't endure a single glance from me, yet you speak with arrogance."
He looked at the maid.
"Come."
The maid obeyed.
Ice stared in shock—he had unleashed General-level power to its fullest and even used Sword Intent.
He pointed at Shi Yun Lan.
"You! You must have cheated! Let's redo the match!"
Shi Yun Lan looked at him with disdain.
"Honestly, even your General-level strength would only allow you to block a few strikes before being crushed. This is meaningless and not worth the time."
"Then fight me as a General now and show me your so-called power! Otherwise, you don't even deserve to be a student here!"
Members of House Fro tried to intervene to avoid further humiliation.
Shi Yun Lan looked at Ice with contempt.
"For an insect who couldn't endure a single glance from me, you are unworthy of speaking about status—even if you were the last man in the world."
Shi Yun Lan released his aura toward Fro No Ice.
Ice did not expect the attack. He blocked with Sword Intent, but when he tried to counterattack, he realized he had already sustained numerous wounds from Shi Yun Lan's other techniques.
As he moved to strike as a warning, a girl suddenly rushed in front of him.
"Please, spare my brother!"
Shi Yun Lan looked at her. She bore the traits of House Fro, yet he sensed something within her—something he wanted to understand, but could not quite identify.