Chapter 80: Lyle and Arrival

Charles paused for a moment, glanced at Irene who was approaching alongside, and revealed a gentle smile as he shook her hand, saying, “Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hehe, Charles, this younger sister Lyle is a student at Morent Academy, and she’s one of the top students there. If you want to follow her, you’d better try to win her favor.” Irene winked exaggeratedly from the side, simply revealing the other’s identity.

A student of Morent Academy?

Getting into the academy was simple enough—so long as you possessed the most basic talent. But becoming a standout among its students was never easy; all those who did were extraordinary, provided she wasn’t lying.

The girl had snow-white hair much like his own, and beautiful amber eyes. Her manner exuded an intellectual beauty, suggesting a deep well of knowledge. She was a little taller than Irene, about one meter sixty-eight, and she looked at his hair with curiosity. “White hair is rare. Was it natural?”

“No, it turned white all at once after an accident.” Charles shrugged and gave a wry smile.

White hair looked stylish, but it made him uncomfortable. He always felt it gave the impression of premature aging.

“Oh, that’s unfortunate.” Lyle didn’t dwell on the topic. She walked to the railing and gazed at the sea. “Irene said you’re planning to attend the academy. May I ask, what’s your major?”

“If I had to choose, it would be decoding inheritance factors and bloodline fusion. Those are what interest me most,” Charles replied without hesitation.

Leslie had already explained much about the academy to him over these days, so he wasn’t completely in the dark.

At this, Lyle looked genuinely surprised, and her tone grew warmer. “I didn’t expect you to be like me—a junior in the same field. Once we arrive, I can look after you. At the academy, I do have a little influence.”

“Thank you, senior. I look forward to your guidance.” Charles’ face lit up with delight, and he didn’t hesitate to seize the opportunity to build rapport.

Lyle—Lyle. Another familiar name. She didn’t seem like an ordinary destined spirit master doomed to be cannon fodder!

Charles’ gaze flickered as he searched his vast archive of storylines, trying to recall anything related to her. But the archive was too overwhelming to pinpoint anything quickly; it would have to wait. If he couldn’t find her instantly, it meant she had no major connection to the Seven Children of Destiny—just a significant supporting character.

“Is this your main totem?” Lyle eyed the little white fox perched on the railing next to him with curiosity.

“Yes, a moonlight fox. We’ve been together for a long time.”

“What a coincidence. My main totem is also a fox, see for yourself.” Lyle’s hand glowed faintly, and a beautiful fox appeared between them.

This fox had blue fur, cream-colored feet and tail, and eyes like rubies. Most striking of all, it had three tails. The tails’ fur was longer and more flowing than Firefly’s, and their tips were pure gold, giving the creature an air of nobility and elegance.

“Wow, so pretty!” Irene exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she moved closer to pet it.

Surprisingly, the three-tailed fox didn’t shy away, letting her stroke it. She grinned foolishly. “Hehe, it’s so smooth, so soft, so comfortable!”

“Let me introduce you—this is my main totem, Nico. It’ll complete its ultimate evolution within half a year at most. What’s yours called?” Lyle’s face showed a hint of pride; it was clear she was very pleased.

The bond between a main totem and a destined spirit master was not merely one of master and servant, but closer to kin by blood. Thus, every spirit master named their main totem and often spent time bonding with them.

“Firefly,” Charles replied.

After the three-tailed fox appeared, his little white fox, Firefly, wanted to approach but was timid, which amused him greatly. The three-tailed fox stood proudly, glancing at Firefly with disdain, showing no intention of greeting it.

Firefly felt aggrieved, leaping into Charles’ arms and burying its little head in his pocket, refusing to come out.

“Hehe, don’t worry. When you get to the academy, as long as you work hard at your tasks, you’ll soon help it evolve.” Lyle, who had raised foxes for so long, understood the behavior perfectly, and couldn’t help but giggle.

“I hope so. I’ve invested so many resources in it, but still haven’t managed to trigger its evolution.” Charles sighed; it had become a source of anxiety for him.

Without Firefly’s evolution, he couldn’t become a second-level spirit master. Without becoming a second-level spirit master, he couldn’t control an ultimate form, and the effects of the multicolored pine ball and the modulator would be greatly diminished.

“Don’t worry. Morent Academy is the world’s only spirit master academy, filled with countless treasures for totem evolution. It’s a sanctuary for spirit masters, a cradle for countless powerful beings—a city of dreams more glorious and transcendent than any other!”

Charles could see clearly the longing and genuine affection in her eyes as she spoke. A yearning for truth and the future, for beautiful dreams, and a love for the city so deep it seemed etched into her bones—willing to give everything for the unknown.

This, he realized, was the mindset of every academy member, and in the end, countless teachers and students would give their lives for that academy!

Morent!

Charles couldn’t help but repeat the name, feeling its strange magic, and he grew excited in response.

Now, I have arrived!

...

Voyages were dull and tedious, and even this colossal ten-thousand-ton steamship was no exception.

There were banquets and balls on board, but Charles had no interest in them. To him, those shallow, painted faces were nauseating. Everyone wore false masks, exchanged polite and formulaic words—it was far less entertaining than chatting with Firefly, who could always lift his spirits.

During the six-day journey, Lyle visited them daily, and when boredom struck, the group would pull out Charles’ deck of cards to pass the time.

Entertainment in this world was monotonous and bland. Among the nobles, it was mostly poetry, composing music, mutual flattery, dancing, hunting, or watching performances akin to plays.

There was nothing like the rich entertainment activities of his previous life, making him miss his precious smartphone dearly.

Whenever he rested, he would spend entire days at home, phone in hand, feeling like he ruled the world, never thinking of going out and suffering.

If given the chance, he could develop an entertainment industry here—a cultural invasion of another world! Unfortunately, the world war was about to erupt!!!

Charles thought with some regret, and time slipped by as he daydreamed and amused himself.

Woooooo!

The steam whistle sounded, and through the window he saw a city of unimaginable splendor—

Morent, at last!