[115] Water Mirror

Reinhard sat silently in the hospital room.

He could hear his mother's heartbreaking sobs from outside the door.

When his mother was young, she was a beautiful woman who always took excellent care of herself, possessing a graceful and intelligent nature. Reinhard had never seen her cry before, let alone look so haggard and heart-wrenchingly sad.

Facing her tear-stained face, Reinhard felt at a loss for the first time.

What could he do?

"Mama, I really miss you..."

Reinhard lowered his head.

"I'm sorry... I'm useless. I can't go back, I can't reconcile the two parts of me."

Her son was Zhang Jue, not Reinhard.

She was not his mother...

"Doctor... what has happened to my son... How could Jue'er be so fierce... What is he even talking about... Please... cure him."

"We are doing our utmost..."

"Honey, what should I do... Jue'er clearly recognizes me... but he's acting like a different person..."

"Our son is ill, dear. Trust the doctors. We won't give up, we'll visit him regularly."

"Zhang Jue might be transferred to intensive care again. I understand the parents' feelings, but frequent visits aren't advisable... My suggestion is to observe for a while."

"Doctor, please cure him... No matter the cost, we will support any treatment plan, even if it means selling our car or house. Please, cure our son..."

The heartfelt pleas managed to calm the distressed parents.

The heartbreaking sobs gradually faded from outside the hospital room, drifting away from Reinhard's thoughts.

The door clicked open.

The doctor entered, rubbing his swollen brow. He sighed as he looked at the black-haired young man strapped to the restraint chair.

"We need to talk, Zhang Jue."

"Are you insane?"

Reinhard's intense gaze fixed on him.

"Are you trying to provoke me? Do you think this will help you in any way? You can't break my defenses, it will only intensify my anger."

"Sorry, I shouldn't have let them in. I thought it might help you."

The doctor apologized sincerely, feeling he was getting closer to understanding the crux of the treatment for this patient.

The key was: Reinhard.

Why did he believe he was Reinhard?

Treating mental illness often involves guiding a patient's worldview, not shattering it.

Once, there was a patient who thought he was a mushroom and stayed motionless under the sun, surviving on glucose drips.

A doctor squatted beside him for a month, eating, drinking, and reading, telling him that mushrooms also did these things.

Gradually, though still believing himself to be a mushroom, the patient began to live a normal life.

This is guiding, not destroying.

Thankfully, he didn't think he was an overpowered character from fiction, otherwise, the treatment might be impossible.

"Why do you get so emotional seeing them, Zhang Jue?"

The doctor adjusted his glasses and spoke deliberately.

"Because you recognize them, don't you?

"Whether as Zhang Jue or Reinhard, their faces are familiar to you.

"You believe you are Reinhard, a completely different person from Zhang Jue. There must be a significant reason for this, right?

"Yet, so far, unlike Alvin, Kratos, or Zhang Jiao... you haven't told me any stories about Reinhard.

"Why are you so steadfast in your belief that you are Reinhard and not Zhang Jue? What are you afraid of? How do you perceive this mental hospital? And what exactly are Nurgle and Tzeentch?"

The doctor pulled a chair and sat down in front of Reinhard, whose neck still bore the bruises from being choked by him.

However, the doctor's eyes, filled with patience, showed no signs of resentment.

That look made Reinhard's lips twitch.

"I know you're rational and smart. You're a promising student. Haven't we had meaningful conversations before?"

The doctor glanced at the open door, subtly closed it, walked over, and released Reinhard's hand restraints, solemnly holding his hand.

"Tell me, how about it?

"Zhang Jue... no, Reinhard.

"...Tell me. I might be able to help you."

Reinhard stared at him, somewhat dazed, looking at the ordinary face of the doctor.

The doctor's appearance was so unremarkable that Reinhard could barely remember his features.

Just like an old man walking in the park, a kind grandmother at a street stall, a child running around after school... like every ordinary person living positively.

He exuded a kind of gentle vitality people.

Reinhard remained silent for a long time.

"Doctor, you aren't real. You're a figment of my imagination."

"Hmm." The doctor nodded earnestly, encouraging him. "Go on."

"It's an unbelievable story."

"It's okay, I have time. The doctors here work late, until around ten."

"That late?" Reinhard noticed something peculiar. "You're over thirty, right? Don't you have a wife, Doctor?"

The doctor's mouth twitched slightly.

Real-life hurt is the truest kind of hurt.

"You're amazing, huh? You have one!"

Reinhard thought for a moment. "I have maybe seven or eight fiancées. Many beautiful girls want to marry me, always trying to force kiss me."

"Haha, I wouldn't even dare to dream of that."

Reinhard laughed, then closed his eyes, thinking for a moment before starting to tell a simplified version of his story.

...

After listening to his tale of possession by an immortal, his parents, who had always believed their son was the reincarnation of a deity, exchanged a glance, finally sighing in relief.

"I see now, Jue'er. It's just surprising that Taigong Wang has such a... warm personality."

"I've never seen him catch a fish. That guy, if he can't catch fish, he has to find other ways to pass the time. Don't mention it."

"Even if we don't want to publicize this now, there's no way to avoid it. You've come back from heaven, and the entire county is abuzz with rumors. In a few days, it might spread across this province."

"Why not just tell people openly? It's not such a rare thing."

Often, nobles and officials claimed to be reincarnations of divine beings, inheriting various divine mandates. This era was accustomed to such claims, and unless witnessed firsthand, they were taken with a grain of salt.

As for... troubles.

Though only nine years old, Reinhard believed his A-rank magic circuit could handle most problems.

In terms of profession, he was a mage. Swordsmen and spearmen were just roles for kids to play.

Even if he encountered a tricky situation... fools, he could fly!

Moreover, Reinhard was now the young lord of this province. Who would dare trouble his family without leaving the city?

With the matter of their son's madness clarified, the old man glanced at his son before him, then looked out through the barred window at the bright sunny day, seeming to want to say something but hesitating.

He leaned closer, whispering in Reinhard's ear.

"May I ask discreetly, this weather..."

"Summoned by me for the flood victims. It should last three to five days, enough to get through this period of heavy rain and flooding."

Indeed! Their family had birthed a true immortal.

The old man's hands trembled slightly as he looked at the various documents on the table.

To command the weather... such divine power, if used for disaster relief and agriculture, could ensure timely rain and bountiful harvests...

However, he knew that summoning immortals wasn't so simple.

"Jue'er... was it difficult?"

Reinhard thought for a moment. "This time, my sincere plea summoned that fisherman for flood control. It's taxing, and I can't guarantee success every time."

His talent wasn't always under control, and if he lost his mind again, it would be unpredictable.

"In that case, don't let this spread... Sigh, but people will surely connect it to you, Jue'er. Deny it. Just say this province is blessed by heaven."

Now, with the county enjoying a sunny day, flood victims from various towns were witnessing this phenomenon and fleeing to the county seat.

As the county magistrate, the old man felt immense pressure. So many mouths to feed, and after the flood, there would surely be an epidemic. Moreover, the drug sent by the court...

Seeing his father's anxious expression, Reinhard understood.

Recalling what he had glimpsed in the Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan, particularly the first volume, which detailed medical knowledge.

Sitting in a dilapidated temple, Reinhard had skimmed through the esoteric scriptures.

They described the drawing of various spells, yet provided no illustrations, only cryptic textual descriptions.

The seven-volume were: Resurrection Ritual of the Immortal Sand, Invocation of the Ghoul, Capturing Demons and Subjugating Spirits, Earthly Geomancy Invocation, Contacting the Hounds, Gate to Kadath, and Contacting the Chaos.

The text seemed to involve medical arts, exorcism, spiritual communication, and various summoning techniques.

It wasn't that Reinhard understood it all at once, in fact, he understood none of it. But it inspired him.

As an immortal now, any random spells he drew would be seen as genuine by others.

Besides, with Pure Heart as long as he believed he wasn't dead, even if he lost his head, he would still live. Such an ability was essentially advanced surgery.

And then there was... Forgetfulness.

If the flood victims were stricken by plague, could he trick them into drinking water, claiming it was divine water capable of driving away disease, and thus achieve the desired effect?

"I don't have any solutions for the food issue, but I might be able to handle the plague in the city."

"...Oh?!"

His father turned to him in surprise.

Soon, under the tense gaze of the onlookers, the old steward, who had been summoned, rolled up his sleeve, revealing an arm with a few limp fingers.

"It won't hurt, and you don't need to be nervous. I'm just going to use some divine power to test my skills as an immortal."

"Skills of an immortal?"

"There are painters who paint, woodworkers who carve wood, and masons who lay bricks. Among the myriad forms of life, humans are also just a kind of tool. So, crafting a person is merely a skill.

"Long ago, the mother goddess molded humans from clay. I can't create humans and don't have such great divine power, so today, I will audaciously attempt... repairing one."

Reinhard spoke with an air of conviction, noticing the hopeful expression on the old steward's face.

In a trance, the boy suddenly saw a mist rising slowly from the old man, entwining around him, filling him with a strange energy.

In Reinhard's eyes, a misty aura began to spread.

In that instant, he seemed able to see the old man before him as a manipulatable tool.

Each joint connection vaguely revealed twisted lines. Following those lines seemed to allow him to disassemble the human body like a toy.

"Mystic Eyes? These lines... are they the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception?"

"No... not exactly the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, but a similar ability triggered by my innate talent?"

With a bit of understanding, Reinhard slowly extended his hand.

Under the shocked gaze of the onlookers, he deftly disassembled the old steward's arm. The severed end was smooth and clean, without a trace of blood.

With a gentle touch at the abnormal parts, the excess flesh and bone were like shaved by a sharp blade, instantly revealing smooth skin.

With a click, he reattached the old man's arm perfectly, all while the steward looked on in a daze.

The focused young man exhaled slowly, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

He glanced around.

His father and mother were dazed.

The maids and stewards around them had already fallen to their knees, continuously bowing and shouting praises to the appearing immortal.

In the midst of his trance, Reinhard felt something.

He looked up towards the sky.

...

The black-haired youth, sitting in the hospital room, put down the plasticine, having molded a complete human figure.

"How does it feel, to playing with some relaxing toys... has it made you feel any different, Zhang Jue?"

Glancing at the doctor, Reinhard lowered his gaze, staring blankly at the plasticine figure in his hand.

The black-haired youth frowned.

"I feel... like I understand something."

[Your miraculous skills left everyone in awe. Under the worried gaze of your father, you set up a charitable medical stand at the entrance of the mansion.]

[With a gentle swipe of your nails, you could sever fused bones and flesh. A tap of your hand could straighten a hunched back or mend a fracture. A single strike could reshape the flabby stomach of a large man, leaving a pile of fatty flesh behind.]

[Witnessing your methods of healing, the fame of the descended immortal spread even wider in your county.]

[People afflicted by various grotesque and decayed organs, due to the tainted medicine, flocked to you, making your previously quiet days busy.]

[After removing their decayed and grotesque organs, you would urge the plague victims to drink a bowl of water made from random herbs, claiming it could expel the plague.]

[You didn't know if it worked, but under your growing reputation, people followed your instructions with gratitude. You saw a mysterious mist emanating from the plague victims, enhancing your magical power and spirit.]

[Your talent has improved.]

[Forgetfulness: E→C]

[Some began to believe and accept your lies, allowing you to draw power from their fantasy.]

[You held the charitable stand for three hours each day, first come, first served. You sighed and dispatched soldiers to maintain order. No one dared to cause trouble in front of the governor's mansion.]

[The entrance of the mansion was piled high with gifts of gratitude from the people. Unable to return them, you passed them on to your father, who was troubled by the shortage of food and clothing.]

[Around the mansion, sightings of white-haired foxes became frequent. Due to your instructions, no one dared to chase away these spirit beasts.]

[Watching them shake their tails vigorously as they approached, you would teasingly say, "You look just like a beast-eared woman!" They would bow and then happily scurry away.]

[A month passed this way. The number of plague victims you saved exceeded thousands, and those who drank your divine water numbered over ten thousand.]

[Though many still died on the road, the plague did not spread within your county, whether due to the divine water or not.]

[Your fame spread even further. Constant streams of visitors from distant places came to your county, seeking your healing skills.]

[You looked at the large chests of gold and silver treasures that accompanied the requests, frowning. Among them were the names of families far more powerful than your familiy.]

[One evening, your father summoned you to his study with a solemn expression.]

"I understand your compassionate heart for helping the people, Jue'er. But remember, practicing medicine won't save this dynasty. There are so many people suffering out there, when will you be able to save them all?"

"Who said I wanted to save this dynasty? I'm not really concerned about that. I just can't bear to see the people suffer."

"Sigh... we can talk like this in private, but I feel pity for the victims as well...

"However, have you considered that your deeds have already reached the capital? Many are interested in you.

"Right now, it's just rumors, and on a small scale, so people might think it's exaggerated... but if you keep saving people like this, this dynasty will surely not tolerate you."

"Huh?" Reinhard couldn't hold back his frustration. "I'm helping to treat people and save lives, and this dynasty can't tolerate me? Is the current emperor out of his mind?"

His father's beard twitched, and he walked around in circles before finally letting out a deep sigh.

"This illness, it can't be cured! Those pills, they can't be expelled!"

Reinhard frowned upon hearing this.

"I don't understand."

"Each state and county has a quota of people who must take the pills as part of the annual assessment. It has to be met. I don't understand what this dynasty is trying to do, and you don't need to understand it either, Jue'er!"

The old man placed both hands on his son's shoulders.

"The court now has a million soldiers and the mechanized forces of the first empire for stabilizing the dynasty. It's at its peak. You can become an immortal and live freely, why get involved in these mundane affairs?"

Reinhard's brows were tightly knit.

"If you can counteract the effects of those drugs, spreading this skill would make this dynasty covet and suppress you.

"Even though the invitation from another province is just a minor issue. But there's already a delegation from the capital on their way here. You must leave this county immediately, Jue'er."

Reinhard was stunned for a moment, then glanced at his mother standing by the window, weeping.

"When should I leave?"

"Tonight. The carriage and horses are already prepared."

The old man sighed, leaning on the table for support.

"Helping and healing people is a good deed. I didn't want to stop you, so I let you continue.

"But you have the potential of an immortal. We have prepared to send you to Master Water Mirror, the revered scholar in the Water Mirror Manor, to learn from him. His magical abilities are unmatched in this dynasty. Do not waste your time, Jue'er."

Master Water Mirror? Was that the famous blind man, Sima Hui?

...

The stars twinkled dimly.

The slender boy gazed down, silently looking at the swaying candle in the carriage, its light flickering in the twilight.

A luxurious carriage sped southward under the dark night sky, driven by the old steward who understood the young master's feelings and remained silent.

The carriage left the city, moving onto the main road.

Reinhard watched the piles of burned, unburied bones in the moonlit, withered wheat fields.

He was in a daze.

"Was it wrong to save people?"

The boy's hair swayed gently with the jostling of the carriage.

"You weren't wrong, the world is." 

The old steward looked back and raised his hand, gently patting the young master's head.

"I could hear it in the streets. The people you saved are very grateful to you. They praise you as a living immortal."

"Does being an immortal help?"

Reinhard muttered.

"Despite the floods and plagues, no divine being has ever shown their spirit."

"But didn't you summon one?" 

"I feel ashamed. It was just a trick." Reinhard sighed. "I was never an immortal reborn."

"Heh... if everyone believes in you and worships you, then you are an undoubted living immortal."

The road became rugged as the carriage entered the mountains.

Seeing the dilapidated temple, Reinhard touched the Seven Cryptical Books of Hsan in his pocket and stopped the carriage.

He had flipped through the book three or four times but couldn't understand it, though it did give him some inspiration.

Sending away the guards, Reinhard walked into the dilapidated temple holding a candle, and bowed to the statue whose tentacles had been chopped off.

"Not sure what to call you, so I'll just call you Great Hsan.

"If I return successfully, I will build a shrine in your honor."

As he finished speaking, a golden glow emerged from behind the idol.

A fox, white as snow with gilded tips on its fur, stepped forward.

Its three tails swayed playfully.

A fox the size of a small mastiff jumped down from the altar, elegantly walking to Reinhard's feet, amber eyes narrowing contentedly, its soft body curling around his ankles.

Reinhard bent down and picked up the fox.

"Here to repay a favor, are you, Three-Tails? You're a bit heavy, quite the plump fox."

The white-furred, gold-trimmed fox gave Reinhard a slightly reproachful glance upon hearing his comments. Its soft tail brushed against his face, making his eyebrows itch.

"Achoo!"

Seeing Reinhard sneeze, the fox chuckled softly, its amber eyes narrowing into crescent shapes, exuding a coquettish charm reminiscent of a young maiden in love.

"You're quite the... no, wait, you're a whole litter!"

With his newfound ability to perceive the extraordinary, Reinhard immediately sensed the fox's remarkable nature.

"A whole litter of chirping foxes, and you've turned into a big, giggling fox?"

The big fox nodded obediently, its eyes filled with amusement.

"..."

Reinhard's expression turned melancholic.

"This isn't what I wanted... I... I imagined dozens of fox-eared maidens...

"High school girls, mature women, housewives, beautiful onee-chans...

"My house is big enough to accommodate them all... Oh, wait, I don't even have a house anymore.

"Well, they say essence comes in small packages?"

Reinhard lifted the fox, gazing into its affectionate eyes.

"So, can you transform?"

The big fox shook its head, emitting a soft, plaintive sound.

"Can you at least become a large-breasted fox-eared girl?"

The fox shook its head again. Whether it was an impossibility or just temporary, Reinhard couldn't tell, but he held onto hope.

"How about a mature onee-chan? A beautiful high school girl? At the very least, a white-haired, red-eyed fox-eared girl?"

The big fox looked at him with a hint of sadness.

"Your skills aren't that advanced, huh? So, what can you do?"

The white-furred, gold-trimmed fox gave Reinhard a knowing look, then jumped onto his shoulder, wrapping itself warmly around his neck.

"Oh, I see, a freeloading fox, huh? No worries, I like decorative pieces."

Stroking the soft fur, Reinhard felt his chances of developing shoulder inflammation significantly increase.

A plump fox!

Under the amazed gazes of onlookers, Reinhard, with the fox around his neck, walked out of the dilapidated temple.

In no time at all, the young master had attracted another fox.

"Well, it's just a fox. Everyone knows the young master has a natural affinity for foxes, so it's nothing unusual."

"Is Young Master going to keep this one?"

"Yes! I'll take care of it myself."

Reinhard decided to constantly whisper into the fox's ear, encouraging it to transform into a voluptuous, fox-eared woman, akin to a certain witch, to promote its growth and development.

[You were sent to Water Mirror Manor, a man known as the Master Water Mirror had heard of your reputation personally came out to greet you.]

[As dawn broke over, you looked up to see the chairman of the Water Mirror Manor. He was a smiling man in a long robe, wearing sunglasses and leaning on a cane. He was, in fact, blind.]

"Master Water Mirror? Are you alright?"

Reinhard watched as Master Water Mirror stumbled while crossing the threshold, and hurriedly stepped forward to support him, preventing a potentially disastrous fall.

"Excellent, strong bones and quick reflexes."

The smiling man grasped Reinhard's arm, sensing the powerful magic surging within the boy's body.

Damn, this magic circuit, what a prodigy.

"With such talent, even I, a genius, being moved.

"Zhang Jue, you said? One of a kind!

"Come, Zhang Jue, let me personally welcome you to the academy."

Reinhard steadied Master Water Mirror, who eagerly tried to lead him inside, but soon realized he couldn't budge the boy.

"...Hm? What's wrong?"

"There's something I need to ask you first, sir."

Reinhard glanced at his carriage, the large fox lazily curling around his neck.

"So, what can you teach me?"

Facing this direct question, Master Water Mirror pondered for a moment, then deftly deflected it like the seasoned veteran he was.

"So, what do you want to learn?"

"I've never really heard much about the reputation of the Water Mirror Manor, nor do I know much about your abilities, sir."

"If we talk about renowned academies, the Imperial Academy is considered the best, the people who teach there are revered teachers respected by scholars everywhere for their wisdom and knowledge."

Each word from Reinhard was a piercing critique.

"So, what skills can you teach me, sir?"

Hey, you little rascal, dismissing me before even joining! This was a first for me!

"The Imperial Academy?" Master Water Mirror scoffed, "Even dogs wouldn't go there! Those so-called great scholars, can't compare to a single hair from my fucking Water Mirror Manor."

Water Mirror Manor? More like Trash Talk Manor!

"You still haven't answered my question, sir."

"Tailoring education to the student's needs is my greatest skill."

Master Water Mirror raised his hand and, without making any complex gestures, a ripple spread out before them, pulling them both into a magical water mirror.

"Whoa... Is this magic?"

"Magic? It's just a trick of communicating with the earth's ley lines. It doesn't deserve to be called magic."

With a single step, they went from the entrance to inside the academy.

Faced with the disorganized, slouching students, Master Water Mirror cheerfully took Reinhard's hand.

"Let me introduce you all to my new disciple, Zhang Jue. From now on, he'll be your junior."

"I haven't agreed yet." Reinhard said, pulling his hand away.

"Heh... you cheeky boy."

Every wealthy family begged for him to take their children as disciples, but Master Water Mirror had never seen anyone so defiant. This only fueled his determination.

"All my students outshine those at the Imperial Academy tenfold. Chen Gong, come here and give Zhang Jue a demonstration!"

Reinhard glanced at the listless students, noting their odd hair colors and lack of vitality.

Water Mirror Manor disciples? They looked more like a gang of misfits. Out of ten, nine were sporting bizarre hair colors.

Hearing Master Water Mirror's call, a purple-haired boy with glasses lazily stood up, slowly putting on a pair of white gloves.

Is this Chen Gong, the famed strategist? Why does his hairstyle look so outlandish here?

Chen Gong's long hair strand dangled in front of his forehead, making Reinhard want to yank it off.

"So, should I blow him up, sir?"

"A beating will suffice."

Suppressing a grin, Master Water Mirror added, "I want my disciple to understand my methods through experience, nothing more."

"Heh, decisive indeed, sir."

Reinhard raised a hand, smiling as he provocatively beckoned with his middle finger.

"Come on."

Chen Gong? Just a fragile strategist.

In a moment of hesitation, Chen Gong grabbed a sleeping black-haired boy next to him and hurled him at Reinhard.

"...Huh?"

What kind of move was this?

"What's happening?!"

The startled black-haired boy woke up midair. Reinhard caught the unsuspecting student, only to notice a paper written in vermilion attached to his chest, glowing ominously.

Boom!

A violent explosion erupted, blowing apart most of the Water Mirror Manor's classroom.

Reinhard was thrown backward, clutching the fox as he hit the ground. Brilliant arcs of lightning surged around him, forming a protective magnetic shield that deflected the explosion's force away from him and the fox, leaving him somewhat disheveled but otherwise unharmed.

"Damn, what the hell..."

Reinhard thought he might survive such an explosion.

But those boys in the classroom, with no defenses, would likely all perish.

Wasn't Chen Gong supposed to be a strategist? How could he use human flesh as a bomb? Who the hell came up with this moonlit world setting?! Were all the people in the Water Mirror Manor a bunch of terrorists?

Reinhard raised his eyes in confusion.

In the aftermath of the devastating ruins, everything seemed frozen in time.

A ripple spread out.

All the chaos was refreshed in the Water Mirror.

Reinhard opened his eyes, finding himself standing anew in the classroom, looking somewhat dazed.

"Is this... an illusion?"

"Real or unreal, true or false, flowers in a mirror, moon in water, reality and illusion, who can distinguish them clearly."

Master Water Mirror wore a mysteriously enigmatic smile as he lightly tapped Reinhard's head three times.

"Well, ready to be my disciple? I'm preparing to groom you as the eighth wonder of the Water Mirror, Zhang Jue."

"The eighth wonder of the Water Mirror?"

"It's my proudest achievement, my eight disciples who will shape the future of this world."

Reinhard didn't answer, instead glancing at the eight boys below, all slouching lazily.

"But sir, it seems you already have eight disciples."

"Sima Yi is just an auditor, I haven't officially taken him in."

In the corner, there was one person without a seat, sitting on a bamboo chair.

A black-haired youth with a slender figure, who smiled slightly at Reinhard.

With his flowing long hair, pale complexion, delicate features almost like a woman's, he exuded an air of elegance.

Hah... Sima Yi?

This effeminate guy was the young Sima Yi?

The one who later manipulated the course of history, plotting to take over the Three Kingdoms for his family. How could a strategist of this caliber not be taken in by him?

Seeing this, Reinhard couldn't help but feel increasingly curious. Who exactly were these remaining few, and could one of them be Zhuge Liang?

"I don't know the identities of your disciples, sir."

"Introduce yourselves." Master Water Mirror rapped on the desk.

"Chen Gong." The slightly tanned skin, purple-haired boy with a vermilion mark on his forehead spoke up, looking at Reinhard with interest.

"You handled my Thunder Fire well. Is your magecraft based on thunder? I've never heard of your family having a tradition of thunder magecraft. Are you some sort of reincarnated immortal?"

"Xun Yu." The silver-haired youth nodded slightly, a polite smile on his face. "Welcome, junior Zhang Jue."

"Jia Xu." The boy with a cold demeanor, reminiscent of a certain snake who seeks immortality, nodded, his eyes carrying a hint of darkness as he glanced at Reinhard's thunder magecraft. "I don't particularly like you. Bringing a fox to class, how unruly."

The large fox couldn't be bothered to respond to this snake.

"Guo Jia... cough cough." A slightly frail-looking youth wiped the bloodstains from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, nodding apologetically. "Sorry, old ailment acting up again."

"Zhou Yu." The most handsome boy in the room smiled, his imposing presence always commanding attention, exuding a natural sense of superiority. "Zhang Jue, you're not bad. I'm impressed by you. You have the qualifications to be our fellow disciple."

"Pang Tong." The boy with patterns on his face, seeming somewhat taciturn, spoke his name before closing his eyes, sinking into contemplation.

"Uh..." The black-haired youth whose arm Reinhard had grabbed began, then hesitated, "I'm..."

With each name spoken, Reinhard's pupils contracted slightly.

Finally, gently laying down the still drowsy youth, Reinhard patted his face, which hadn't fully woken up yet.

"Zhuge Liang?"

"...Huh?"

So that's how it was.

The entire Three Kingdoms, the future's most cunning and deceitful strategists, were gathered within the Water Mirror Manor, poised to weave countless brilliant schemes. No wonder Master Water Mirror was so confident to say that the Imperial Academy couldn't even compare to him.

"Heh..."

Looking at the monsters in front of him, Reinhard slowly began to smile.

"Zhang Jue."

"Hehe... Well then, let it be known, from now on, Zhang Jue is-"

"I refuse!"

A cold female voice, devoid of any fluctuation, echoed through the classroom.

Boom!

Countless blood-red spears of explosion erupted into the Water Mirror Manor, violently tearing apart the illusion with a fierce crack.

The black-haired woman in a cloak flicked her wrist, and the squirming blood threads recombined into her pristine right hand.

With her obedient maid trailing behind, the black-haired woman strode into the Water Mirror Manor as if she owned the place.

"Sorry for interrupting your class, and for breaking your illusion spell. Xu Fu will compensate the Water Mirror Manor for repairs."

A black-haired maid directly signed a huge silver note, casually tossing it to the ground with a smile and a bow.

"Your declaration means nothing, Sima Hui. I declare this guy has long been reserved by our Mount."

Without giving him a second glance, the fiery-tempered lady grabbed Reinhard's hand and marched out. Watching her leave, Master Water Mirror broke into a cold sweat.

"Damn that woman, why did she let you out of the city..."

"...Who are you talking to?" Reinhard was speechless.

"I'm talking to your senior, Zhang Jue! When your mother gave birth to you, it was that old man from our Mount who cast the divination!"

"I don't know him."

The white-haired, golden-eyed large fox bared its teeth at the woman.

Reinhard shook off her hand, comforting the large fox in his arms. He looked at the delicate and beautiful face with furrowed brows.

"Whether you're from Mount or River whatever, you have no right to make decisions for me."

The black-haired woman rubbed her chin thoughtfully, finding his reaction somewhat amusing. Unconcerned with mortal thoughts, she raised her hand and aimed for the back of his neck.

To return to immortality and hold onto the hope of resurrecting her dear friend, she had no choice but to entrust it to this person.

But...

The skinny boy in front of her casually and lightly grabbed her hand and let it go.

While holding the fox in his arms, he ran back to Master Water Mirror.

"...I have to say, you're quite detestable."