Chapter 105 Da Ge, I am your dead ghost

Old Wang had planned this out on his way over. Since Luo Yan had already visited, it would be impossible to claim he only knew a little bit. After all, handling something light as if it were heavy was not an ordinary technique.

"Headmaster, I received training in potion-making, runes, and forging from a young age back at the Nine Gods. Although my skills aren't advanced, they laid a solid foundation for me." Old Wang respectfully said, "Recently, I've been frequenting the library and reading many related books. Not sure if I could do it, I decided to give it a try, and surprisingly, it worked!"

Karida asked coldly, "Then why did you go to Judgment? How many more secrets are you keeping from me?"

"Innocent! This is a grave injustice!" Old Wang exclaimed, "Think about it, as a beginner with all sorts of techniques, if I practiced in our Rose workshop and accidentally damaged something, what then? That's why I went to Judgment; it doesn't matter if things get broken there!"

Karida, who had been quite serious, couldn't help but laugh at his words, "What are you saying? What do you mean by 'it doesn't matter if things get broken at Judgment?'"

"Dia-ge..." Old Wang blurted out, startled and quickly stopping himself. Fortunately, he hadn't called her Kar-bapi or thief-woman: "I'm your man, and anyone who opposes you is my enemy!"

Karida smiled slightly but then frowned, "What did you just call me?"

"Cough... in my hometown, 'ge' or 'boss' is a term of respect!" Old Wang said sincerely, "Dia-ge, Dia-boss, these are terms of respect I use for you in my heart. I accidentally let them slip out."

Karida glanced indifferently at Wang Feng, not wanting to argue over such trivial matters, "Luo Yan mentioned that Anbolin is trying to recruit you, and you seem interested?"

"No such thing!" Old Wang never hesitated on such matters, "Although Master Anbolin values me highly and offered me astronomical conditions, even allowing me to spend money freely, I won't accept his offer! Today, I firmly rejected him at the Foundry, and both Teacher Luo Yan and the students from the Foundry and Rune Academy can vouch for me!"

Hearing him emphasize the 'spending money freely' condition, Karida couldn't help but smile, wondering if he was hinting at something.

"Well, you should think carefully," Karida said meaningfully, "Anbolin is a wealthy merchant in Aurora City and one of the benefactors of the Judgment Holy Sanctuary. He has much more money than me and is far more generous. If you choose to follow me, I have no money to offer you."

Hearing her measured tone, Old Wang realized he had gone too far. Kar-bapi was too sensitive! It was just a comment...

"Tsk, this old man is worthless compared to your beauty and wisdom!" Old Wang said firmly, "My loyalty lies with you, Headmaster. You enlightened me, leading me to the light and having Senior Brother Li Sitan guide me. My life is defined by righteousness, and I will always follow you. Betraying you and Rose for money would make me less than human!"

"I am a god, hmph."

"That's true, living is necessary to spend money, otherwise, what's the point?" Karida smiled, her meaningful expression making Old Wang shiver, "Forget Anbolin. Now, Li Sitan and Luo Yan are clear in their intentions. Both the Foundry and Rune Academy are competing for you. What do you think?"

To be honest, Karida didn't find this a difficult situation. In fact, she saw it as a positive development.

Luo Yan had remained neutral regarding Karida's reforms, mainly due to the old headmaster's influence. Privately, he had criticized Karida, often showing no respect before the headmaster.

But today, for Wang Feng, Luo Yan's enthusiasm left Karida speechless. Such stubborn traditionalists were hard to sway, but this time, she had gained his support, securing the Foundry's backing.

The Foundry was a significant force within Rose, and Luo Yan was its absolute authority. His stance couldn't be ignored.

Old Wang genuinely didn't care, saying respectfully, "I have no opinion. I'll follow your arrangement. Wherever you send me, I'll go. I'll do my best wherever I am, without disappointing you!"

"Then you'll attend both," Karida was pleased with Wang Feng's attitude. While she could have forced him, it was better to have him willingly comply, "Also, stop causing trouble at Judgment. From now on, Luo Yan will protect you, and you can use any workshop at Rose."

"Cough, Dia-ge, I still need to form a team, so..."

In the next second, Old Wang felt himself flying out...

Fuming, he got up, dusted off his clothes, and smiled. She used skillful force, clearly running out of arguments and resorting to force. Dia-ge, you'll eventually yield.

Don't underestimate the power of a nickname. Old Wang had planned this for a long time, finally seizing the opportunity. It was a strong psychological hint. Over time, Karida would naturally become less hostile towards him.

Unfortunately, Karida wasn't focused on the nickname.

She was amused, never expecting that a moment of kindness would uncover such a genius.

Starting with basic training in potions, forging, and runes from a young age? It must have been just foundational training, perhaps not revealing his talent until he came to Rose. Otherwise, the Nine Gods wouldn't have made such a talented person a martyr.

The devilish training of the Nine Gods Empire blossomed under the warmest environment of the Holy Sanctuary!

This demonstrated the superiority of the League of Blades' system.

Thinking about this, Karida felt a surge of excitement. While Wang Feng's talent played a role, his early training at the Nine Gods was also crucial.

Should she have this boy recall his past training and implement a special program in the League of Blades, starting from childhood?

As she pondered this, she saw Old Wang's face.

His smug expression made Karida suddenly lose interest in special training.

Feeling an itch to fight, she might as well find a reason to beat him up?

...

Wang Feng began studying courses at the Foundry, as per Karida's final decision.

To be honest, Li Sitan was quite dissatisfied.

Learning forging while studying runes is fine, but the reverse is unprofessional.

Forging is a craft, passed down through generations, while runes are the core technology that can be inherited for centuries.

With Wang Feng's talent, he should focus solely on runes, potentially becoming a historical figure who advances the Rune Academy's development. Instead, he's wasting energy on forging, ending up as an obscure rune-forger in history.

He had specifically approached Karida about this, but the headmaster didn't heed his advice, stating it was Wang Feng's own wish.

Since it was his junior brother's choice, Li Sitan could only sigh. Young people are curious and passionate, which is good, but he'll grow up and realize his destiny lies with runes, then he'll return to the right path.

Similarly, Luo Yan was also dissatisfied. Though Karida allowed Wang Feng to study at the Foundry, keeping his name at the Rune Academy was pointless.

How would future achievements be credited? Saying he's from the Rune Academy? Ridiculous!

But this was a compromise, and after a small protest, Luo Yan accepted it.

Like Li Sitan, he believed Wang Feng was born for forging. If he stays comfortable at the Foundry, he'll eventually decide.

"Rose Holy Sanctuary produces another genius!"

'Master Luo Yan turned against his old friend, all for him!'

'Anbolin declares war: Judgment is the best incubator for geniuses!'

A few headlines made it to the local papers again, but this time it wasn't the Holy Sanctuary's Light; it was the Aurora City Gazette, with less impact, just a small-town newspaper. Nevertheless, it did provide new hot topics within the Rose Holy Sanctuary.

It was said that not only did this young man save face for Master Luo Yan of the Foundry in front of Anbolin, but he also taught the Judgment disciples who mocked the Foundry a lesson.

The crisp sound of that slap first spread from a few students at the Foundry, leaving the arrogant Judgment members stunned and too scared to retaliate. Rumors tend to embellish, otherwise they wouldn't stand out. It was said that the slap left the other side looking like a pig's head, venting a lot of pent-up anger for the Rose Holy Sanctuary.

While people generally felt indifferent about saving face for mentors, they strongly identified with someone standing up for their own. Compared to Wang Feng, the Judgment disciples, who had been suppressing them, were clearly the "villains."

Once these exaggerated versions became popular, even if many didn't believe the exaggerated details, Old Wang's new image slowly began to reshape.

This Wang Feng, although shamelessly flattering Principal Karida and bullying others as usual, bullied outsiders this time. He seemed to be quite decent towards the people of the Rose Holy Sanctuary.

In essence, he was still a bad guy, a scum, but the Rose really needed such a villain to deal with enemies like Judgment.

To put it simply, it's like a chamber pot. Everyone finds it ugly and dirty when it's at home, but when you need to relieve yourself at night, you realize how convenient it is to have one.

Villains need villains to deal with them.

Thinking about it this way, quite a few people started accepting Wang Feng's presence, finding him not as annoying as they imagined, and no longer clamoring for the Rose to expel this troublemaker.

Ma Tan was so angry he could grind his teeth. He had worked hard to perfect and spread rumors about Wang Feng, ensuring his image in the academy would never recover. He thought Wang Feng was about to be expelled, but... It was like trying to set a fire, only to have it doused by a sudden downpour.

What kind of luck does this damn dog have, even the heavens help him?

And what about Mo Tong from the Eight Legions? Which side is he on?

Ma Tan couldn't figure it out. Based on his secret investigations and what he saw firsthand at the practice field, Mahoraga should have disliked Wang Feng. So why did he stand up for him at the Foundry? This was truly puzzling...