My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

The beautiful marquis's daughter subtly lowered Xiuqi's left hand, which had been pointing at her nose, and wrapped her arms around him even tighter.

Her gaze toward Xiuqi shifted and swirled, seemingly conveying some clear hint.

It must be said that the way Jasmine blinks her big eyes is also a stunning sight.

However, the boy beside her seemed rather oblivious, his face filled with astonishment as if he was about to blurt out, "I'm not, it wasn't me!"

Fortunately, she was prepared. Her fair and slender fingers seemed to be holding Xiu Qi's chin, but in reality, they were already pressing against it. If she didn't let go, he definitely wouldn't be able to utter a single word.

By this time, the area around the playground was filled with onlookers, seemingly from various academies, including humans, dwarves, gnomes, half-elves, and other races.

As one of the top academies among the thirty-two kingdoms of the Silver Alliance, the Royal Academy of Solmar and the Academy of Saint Red have always been the kingdom's highest institutions of learning.

The Royal Academy of Solmar is further divided into four colleges.

These four colleges are: the College of Nobles, the College of Knights, the College of Arcane Arts, and the College of Sages.

The House of Nobles is a place where bloodlines and glory are passed down, and it is a gathering place for heirs from various prominent families.

The Knights Academy, with its creed of strength and courage, trains elite knights who will be clad in armor and ready to fight on the battlefield in the future.

The Arcane Academy is a sanctuary of wisdom and mystery, and only geniuses with exceptional arcane affinity can glimpse its true essence.

The Academy of Sages, as the cradle of knowledge and scholarship, forges future scholars and civil officials for the kingdom.

Students who are able to enter this academy can be said to be the future pillars of the kingdom.

Especially Sir Finn on the other side, who was already a Level 1 professional when he first entered the Knights Academy at the age of sixteen.

In just four years, he has grown into a Level 5 Arcane Knight and was granted the title of Guardian Knight of the Academy at a young age. He only needs to take one more step to become a well-known elite professional in the kingdom.

It's not impossible for them to become master-level professionals, or even extraordinary ones, in the future.

Even though he was born as the son of a knight who could not inherit the title, he was able to achieve great things thanks to his extraordinary talent and the guidance of the extraordinary headmaster of the Knights Academy.

That's how this marriage arrangement came about.

Jasley neither disliked nor particularly liked marriage. As the second daughter of a marquis's family, marriage was never something she could control.

Even with this broken engagement, she was as compliant as a lamb.

She just hoped that after today's performance, she could have some peace and quiet during the remaining two years of her free time at the academy.

"Sir Finn, thank you for your shower of admiration. I wish you find your true love soon!"

"As you can see, Xiuqi is my boyfriend, we have a great relationship, and I have no intention of breaking up with him!"

"So please don't bother me anymore!"

A cold voice uttered resolute words, and as Jasley's words fell silent, the surroundings fell silent.

Only Xiuqi, whose chin was being held by the Lady Hou, kept moving his mouth, but no sound came out, as if he had been silenced by magic.

Although Jasley is a student at the Noble Academy, a closer look reveals that she has an emerald ring on her left hand, which is emitting a faint glow, as if she is casting a spell.

The blond arcane knight opposite him kept his head down, seemingly not wanting anyone to see the expression on his face.

After a long while, the Arcane Knight slowly raised his head and gave the red-haired lady a deep look.

"I understand, Miss Garcia."

"I won't bother you again from now on!"

After speaking, the Arcane Knight turned to look at Xiu Qi, whose arms were crossed, with a calm gaze.

"Bless you, Venerable Xiuqi..."

You already have everything others can only dream of, please cherish it!

Then he left without looking back, leaving Xiuqi standing to the side, his lips moving urgently, but still unable to make a sound.

As Sir Finn left, the students slowly dispersed, but everyone was whispering and talking amongst themselves.

Especially the couple who had just been talking loudly; at this moment, the man's mouth was like a high-pressure water gun, constantly spraying saliva and foam.

Xiu Qi became even more anxious, his lips twitching as he opened and closed them wide, seemingly trying his best to explain;

"Damn you..."

Xiu Qi quickly shut his mouth. Regaining his voice didn't make him feel any better. Just as he was about to loudly explain something to everyone—

The pretty face with her loose red hair was glaring at him, her big, blinking eyes filled with reproach.

"Is being my boyfriend really that difficult, Master Xiuqi...?"

The last two words were spat out by Jia Sili through gritted teeth; if it weren't for the silence ring, she probably would have been exposed today.

His left hand seemed to casually reach the other person's waist, pinching a spot that was neither too fat nor too thin.

"ah--"

"It's not difficult at all, Miss Jasmine!"

Actually, I was secretly pleased, looking at the whispering crowd around me and the menacing gazes of several men.

However, fake things can never become real, so it's better to give some real benefits.

After all, after today, he will be the public enemy of all men in the entire academy.

If he were as powerful as Sir Finn, very few people would dare to openly question or provoke him.

But he wasn't. Xiuqi was just a barely enrolled mage apprentice, and he had only learned one zero-level magic trick so far.

Now that it's a fait accompli, even if he shouts himself hoarse, he can't change the outcome.

It would be better to exchange it for something more practical.

There's a saying that goes, "You have to keep either people or money."

So Xiu Qi cautiously began to speak, intending to resolve his immediate predicament from the Lady Hou:

"Miss Jasmine, I am extremely honored to be your boyfriend..."

"...Could you lend me 200 gold coins?"

200 gold coins equal 4000 silver coins;

(Note: 1 gold coin = 20 silver coins = 400 copper coins)

The red-haired noblewoman was clearly taken aback by Xiu Qi's illogical words, and simply stared at him blankly.

Seeing that the other party did not respond, Xiuqi thought that his price was too high, so he lowered his price.

"23 gold coins are fine too, I need it urgently!"

According to the magic shop owner's price, 200 gold coins can buy 1000 blank magic cards, and 23 gold coins can buy 100 cards.

For him now, gold coins and becoming stronger are two essential options.

Two and a half months later comes the month of withering, and the start of the new school year.

The tuition fee is as high as 100 gold coins per year, which he now needs to earn himself.

Before the red-haired lady could answer, a tall man dressed as a warrior walked over menacingly.

"Xiuqi, I challenge you to a duel!"

He pointed at Xiuqi, his expression fierce, as if he owed him ten thousand gold coins.

Xiuqi carefully examined the man. He was about two meters tall and extremely strong, but he didn't seem very bright, which fit the stereotype of a student from the Knight Academy.

"I refuse."

Xiu Qi refused immediately.

Even bards wouldn't dare sing a story about putting an apprentice who can't use offensive spells to duel a warrior.

"You despicable and shameless...!"

Upon hearing Xiuqi refuse the duel, the tall warrior began to shout and curse loudly. It must be said that he used so many curse words that he did not repeat himself for almost a quarter of an hour.

The shouts and curses quickly drew the scattered crowd back together, and those who loved to watch the drama began to surround Xiu Qi, pointing and whispering.

Even Cassie, who was standing next to him, was looking at him with a calm and composed expression, her eyes seemingly filled with a faint glimmer of hope.

What should we do then?

We can't just fight those rude warriors without any resources, can we?

Do you have 200 gold coins?

"...No?"

"...Shouldn't it be at least 25 gold coins?"

Xiu Qi's eyes gleamed with a calculating light as he eagerly continued to ask questions:

"If you can't even afford a 25-gold-coin wager, how dare you even come out for a duel!"