Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Mu Lan wanted to disappear.
But fate—or rather, his stupid system—had other plans.
Ding!
[New Mission: Avoid All Challengers for 24 Hours!]
Reward: +500 Fame Points, +1 Stealth]
Mu Lan: (Oh, easy. I'll just hide in my dorm—)
Ding!
[Hidden Condition Activated!]
[If you maintain your "mysterious aura" while avoiding challengers, additional rewards will be granted!]
Mu Lan: (…Why do I feel like this is a trap again?)
---
[Academy Grounds]
Rumors spread like wildfire.
"Did you hear? Sylvia admitted defeat!"
"Mu Lan didn't even draw his weapon!"
"He just STOOD there and she lost!"
Mu Lan: (That's NOT what happened?!)
By the time he left the training hall, at least seven people had already lined up outside—
All waiting to challenge him.
"Phantom Lotus Master, please duel me!"
"I want to test my sword against yours!"
"Sensei, teach me your ways!"
Mu Lan turned—
And ran.
---
[The Great Escape]
The academy became a minefield.
Wherever he went, someone was waiting.
Library? A group of scholars hoping to study his "techniques."
Dining hall? A noble challenging him over a "dispute of honor."
Dorm room? Some lunatic had left a letter of duel under his door.
Mu Lan: (WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE LIKE THIS?!)
In desperation, he climbed to the roof of the lecture hall.
Ding!
[+100 Fame Points] (For retreating to a hidden location with the grace of a master!)
Mu Lan: (I WAS JUST HIDING?!)
He lay flat on the tiles, staring at the sky.
(If I stay here until nightfall, I'll be safe… right?)
…Right?
---
[Meanwhile, at the Faculty Office]
The academy's professors gathered.
"What do we do about this Mu Lan?"
"His growth is unnatural."
"We must observe him closely."
One professor scoffed.
"The boy is clearly hiding his true power."
Another nodded.
"Even Sylvia lost to him. We cannot ignore his potential."
The headmaster stroked his beard.
"Very well. Assign an official observer. We must uncover the truth about this… Phantom Lotus Master."
---
[Back on the Roof]
Mu Lan sighed in relief.
The sky was turning orange.
No one had found him.
Ding!
[Mission Complete!]
[Bonus Condition Met: You maintained your "mysterious aura"!]
[Reward: +500 Fame Points, +1 Stealth, +1 Unknown Bonus]
Mu Lan: (Finally, some peace—)
"Found you."
Mu Lan froze.
A shadow stood at the edge of the roof.
It was…
A professor.
(…Oh no.)
Mu Lan slowly turned his head.
A tall man in black robes stood at the roof's edge, arms crossed. His long silver hair fluttered in the wind, and his piercing golden eyes locked onto Mu Lan like a predator watching prey.
It was Professor Aldric Nightshade.
A senior instructor in combat strategy and a retired war mage.
In other words…
Not someone Mu Lan wanted to meet right now.
"Hiding on the rooftop?" Aldric's voice was deep, measured. "Interesting choice, Phantom Lotus Master."
Mu Lan: (…Not this stupid title again.)
---
[Inside the Faculty Office]
The professors had agreed that Mu Lan needed to be observed.
And Aldric Nightshade was the perfect choice.
He was a veteran strategist.
He had seen countless geniuses rise and fall.
Most importantly, he could see through any deception.
The problem?
Mu Lan wasn't actually hiding anything.
---
[Back on the Roof]
Mu Lan forced a smile. "Uh, Professor Nightshade. What a… surprise."
Aldric stepped closer. "Indeed. I came to confirm something."
Mu Lan: (That I'm a fraud? That I have no real power? Please realize that quickly and leave me alone.)
Aldric's golden eyes sharpened. "Tell me… why do you hide your true strength?"
Mu Lan: "…"
Mu Lan: "What."
Ding!
[+50 Fame Points] (For maintaining an unfazed expression under an expert's scrutiny!)
Mu Lan: (I'M JUST CONFUSED?!)
---
[A Battle of Wits?]
Aldric studied Mu Lan.
His posture was relaxed.
His breathing was steady.
His gaze… completely unreadable.
(Even now, he refuses to reveal anything. As expected.)
Meanwhile, Mu Lan: (How do I escape? Jumping off the roof is starting to look like an option.)
Aldric nodded to himself. "Very well. I won't force you to answer. But know this—"
He reached into his coat.
Mu Lan instantly tensed. (HE WOULDN'T ATTACK ME, RIGHT?!)
Aldric pulled out a golden emblem and tossed it over.
Mu Lan caught it on reflex.
Ding!
[New Title Acquired: Official Observer's Target!] (You have been marked for special attention by a faculty member!)
Mu Lan stared at the emblem. "Uh. What is this?"
Aldric smirked. "Congratulations. You're now under my personal observation."
Mu Lan: "…"
Mu Lan: "…I don't suppose I can refuse?"
Aldric: "No."
Mu Lan: (I hate my life.)
---
[The Next Morning]
Mu Lan woke up feeling heavy.
Not physically.
But emotionally.
Because everywhere he went…
Aldric Nightshade was watching.
In class? Sitting in the back, arms crossed.
In training? Observing from a distance.
In the dining hall? Eating his own food, but still watching.
Mu Lan: (Does this man have nothing better to do?!)
His classmates whispered.
"Professor Nightshade is personally watching Mu Lan…"
"That means he's really strong, right?"
"No wonder Sylvia lost to him…"
Ding!
[+200 Fame Points] (For being "personally observed" by a legendary war mage!)
Mu Lan: (I'M LITERALLY A PRISONER?!)
And just when he thought it couldn't get worse—
Aldric finally spoke.
"Mu Lan. Duel me."
Mu Lan: "…"
Mu Lan: "Excuse me?"
Aldric's golden eyes gleamed. "A friendly match. So I can assess your true skills."
Mu Lan: (I AM GOING TO DIE.)
Mu Lan blinked. "You… want to duel me?"
Aldric nodded. "Yes."
Mu Lan: (That's it? No hesitation? No concern for my safety?!)
The surrounding students froze.
"Professor Nightshade wants to fight him?!"
"But he's a retired war mage! Isn't that overkill?!"
"No, this makes sense. If he's personally observing Mu Lan, he must believe in his strength!"
Ding!
[+300 Fame Points] (For being challenged by a legendary war mage!)
Mu Lan: (NO, HE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN MY STRENGTH! HE'S JUST TRYING TO KILL ME!)
---
[Faculty Lounge]
Meanwhile, other professors were watching through a magic projection.
Professor Eleanor sighed. "Aldric, you're scaring the poor boy."
Professor Garreth chuckled. "Nonsense. If he's truly special, he should prove it."
Professor Victor adjusted his glasses. "Or die trying."
Eleanor: "…"
Eleanor: "You people are terrible."
---
[Duel Arena – 10 Minutes Later]
Mu Lan stood in the center of the training ground.
Across from him, Aldric Nightshade adjusted his sleeves.
"We will keep this simple," Aldric announced. "You land a clean hit on me, you win."
Mu Lan: (Oh? That doesn't sound too—)
"If I hit you, you lose."
Mu Lan: (NEVER MIND, I'M DEAD.)
---
[The Duel Begins]
Aldric raised a hand. "Ready?"
Mu Lan: "No."
Aldric lowered his hand.
"Begin!"
Mu Lan vanished.
Or at least—he tried to.
Ding!
[Passive Skill Activated: Misunderstood Evasion!] (Your desperate attempt to run away has been perceived as an advanced movement technique!)
Aldric's eyes narrowed. "Impressive."
Mu Lan: (NO, IT'S NOT?!)
He barely dodged a blue arc of energy slicing through the air.
Mu Lan: (HE ATTACKED IMMEDIATELY?!)
Aldric's expression was calm. "Good reaction time. But what will you do now?"
Mu Lan: (…Die?)
---
[The Audience's Reactions]
The students held their breath.
"He dodged!"
"That movement… I've never seen it before!"
"Could he actually be on Professor Nightshade's level?!"
Ding!
[+500 Fame Points] (For 'expertly' dodging a war mage's attack!)
Mu Lan: (This system is going to get me killed.)
---
[A Plan?]
Mu Lan's brain worked overtime.
Running? Not an option.
Attacking? Also not an option.
Stalling for time? Maybe…
Mu Lan raised his hands. "Professor, let's be reasonable—"
Aldric disappeared.
Mu Lan: (OH NO.)
A fist appeared in front of his face.
Mu Lan instinctively leaned back.
Ding!
[Passive Skill Activated: Unintended Mastery – Phantom Step!] (Your last-second dodge has been recognized as a high-level technique!)
Aldric's eyebrow twitched. "Interesting."
Mu Lan: (IT'S NOT INTERESTING! IT'S PURE SURVIVAL!)
---
[Aldric's Perspective]
Aldric watched Mu Lan carefully.
(This level of movement… It's unreal.)
(Every action is so fluid, so perfectly timed.)
(This isn't just talent. This is experience.)
Aldric's respect for Mu Lan grew.
---
[Back to Mu Lan]
Mu Lan: (I'M OUT OF IDEAS.)
He needed to end this. Now.
Mu Lan grabbed a small stone from the ground.
He threw it.
Casually.
Like a joke.
Aldric instinctively dodged.
Mu Lan: (WAIT. HE DODGED?!)
The students gasped.
"He forced Professor Nightshade to move?!"
"Unbelievable!"
"No one's ever done that before!"
Ding!
[+1000 Fame Points] (For making a legendary war mage take you seriously!)
Mu Lan: (I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING?!)
Aldric narrowed his eyes.
"…Fascinating."
Mu Lan: (Please stop being fascinated.)
Aldric lowered his hands.
"You pass."
Mu Lan: "…Huh?"
Aldric smirked. "I've seen enough. You're strong."
Mu Lan: (NO, I'M NOT?!)
The students erupted in cheers.
"Mu Lan won!"
"He actually fought Professor Nightshade!"
"A living legend in the making!"
Ding!
[+2000 Fame Points] (For surviving a duel against a war mage!)
Mu Lan: (I WASN'T EVEN FIGHTING?!)
Aldric placed a hand on Mu Lan's shoulder. "You have my respect."
Mu Lan: (You have my resignation.)
And just like that…
The misunderstanding grew even larger.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone