My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

Xiu Qi stopped and looked at the suddenly appearing Jia Sili. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which then turned into a faint smile.

"Waiting for me?" he asked.

"Otherwise what?" Cassie took a few steps closer, her fiery red ponytail swaying gently in the sunlight. "I skipped my Heraldry class to come find you."

How about it, are you touched?

Xiuqi shook his head helplessly: "Skipping class is not a good habit."

"Just once in a while," Jasley blinked. "Besides, I'm more interested in that force field trick you performed yesterday than those boring emblems."

The two walked side by side along the tree-lined path of the academy, with carefully trimmed magical plants swaying gently in the afternoon breeze on both sides of the stone path.

"That's no ordinary magic trick." Xiuqi carefully chose his words. "It's Midas's basic deflection field, a rather complex protective spell."

"Midas?" Gassley raised an eyebrow. "The legendary Golden Hand? Isn't he an alchemist?"

"He is also an extraordinary master of the Protection School," Xiu Qi explained. "This spell is recorded in the academy library, but very few people can learn it."

It places high demands on the affinity with the Protection school and the construction of spell models.

"But you've learned it." Cassie turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "And you use it so well."

Xiuqi, when did you become so powerful?

Xiuqi remained silent for a moment.

How can he explain? How can he explain the countless days and nights he's spent in the practice room over the past two years?

Does it explain the nights he meditated while others rested? Or does it explain the life-or-death struggles he experienced in the Grey Forest?

In the end, he simply said, "I've been practicing all along."

The two walked to the fountain in the center of the courtyard, where the water was gurgling and several colorful birds were playing by the water.

Jasmine turned her head to look at him, sunlight dancing on her fiery red hair: "You know, sometimes I feel you're more like a nobleman than many of the nobles I've ever met—"

It's not about bloodline, but about that kind of demeanor.

Xiu Qi didn't respond to that assessment, but instead asked, "You came to see me not just to say these things, right?"

"Hehe..." Jasmine blinked. "Speaking of which, do you remember what you promised me yesterday?"

Xiu Qi was slightly taken aback.

He knew what agreeing would mean—appearing at the court ball as "Cassley's boyfriend" would be tantamount to formally announcing their relationship to the entire aristocratic circle.

This could attract more attention, or even hostility.

But he also remembered the favor he owed Jasmine. If it weren't for the gold coins she provided, he wouldn't even have had the money to buy the meditation stone.

However, it's pointless to regret it now.

After yesterday's duel with Fernand, he has further solidified his reputation as Jasley's boyfriend.

"A ball," Jasley reminded her, a sly glint in her eyes. "It's tomorrow night, at the 'Golden Goblet' Merchant Guild. You can't back out."

"I remember," Xiuqi said, "but..."

"Just what?" Jasmine tilted her head.

"I don't have any suitable clothes," Xiuqi said honestly.

He only had four sets of robes to change into: two were the black robes of an apprentice at the academy, and the other two were gray robes custom-made by a tailor shop in the Chamber of Commerce district.

Neither of these outfits are suitable for a noble ball.

Jasmine chuckled. "I knew it. So..."

She took out an exquisite card from her purse. "I've already made an appointment for you. This afternoon at 2 PM, at the 'Silver Thread and Moonlight' tailor shop in the Chamber of Commerce district."

Just say my name.

Xiuqi took the card.

The card is made of dark silver cardstock with delicate gold thread embossed along the edges, and the store name and address are written in elegant cursive script in the center.

"This is too much trouble for you," Xiuqi said.

"It's no trouble at all." Cassie waved her hand. "You've helped me so much, so it's only fair that I prepare an outfit for you."

"And..." She paused, her bright eyes fixed on Xiuqi, "Last night I went back and looked up some information about the ring you were wearing."

The Crimson Oath is one of the Fernand family's heirlooms, and only direct descendants are qualified to wear it.

Fernand's father had passed it down to him just last year as a coming-of-age gift.

Xiuqi touched the ruby ​​ring on his right index finger, the warm, smooth texture emanating from his fingertip: "So?"

"So Fernand will not let this go." Jasley's tone turned serious. "This is not just a matter of face."

Losing a vital magical artifact would drastically reduce his standing within the family. I know Fernand; he'd do anything to salvage the situation.

Xiu Qi was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, I will be careful."

Cassie turned to look at Xiuqi: "Regarding the ball the day after tomorrow... I need to tell you some details in advance."

"you say."

"The organizer is His Highness Prince Arthur Reed, the third prince of the royal family." Jasley's expression turned serious. "Every year during the Flower Festival, the third prince holds a summer ball in Harbor City, inviting outstanding students from various families and academies."

"Nominally, it's a social activity for young people, but in reality, it's also an opportunity for various forces to observe the younger generation and establish connections."

"A member of the royal family?" Xiu Qi frowned. "Why do you want me to go?"

"Because you're my 'boyfriend'," Jasmine said with a sly smile. "If we're going to act, we should go all the way. And..."

She paused, then lowered her voice: "I've received word that the Fernand family will also be attending. Old Fernand seems to want to use this ball to establish a connection with the Third Prince."

"So Fernand will be there too," Hugh said calmly.

"Definitely," Garsley nodded. "And not only him, but elders of the Fernand family may also attend."

You humiliated him in public yesterday and won him the spatial ring and magic robe... They won't let this go.

Xiu Qi was silent for a moment: "Then why do you still want me to go? It might cause you trouble."

"I'm not afraid of trouble," Jasley said firmly. "But more importantly, I hope you can take this opportunity to meet some truly influential people."

Xiuqi, your talent shouldn't be buried; you need more resources and connections.

"I'm not good at socializing."

"That's why you need to learn," Jasmine said earnestly. "In this world, ability is important, but interpersonal skills are just as important. You can't hide in the academy forever, can you?"

Xiu Qi was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Okay, I will be prepared."

"Remember to dress smartly tomorrow!" Jasmine smiled brightly. "I'll pick you up at five o'clock tomorrow afternoon."

After chatting for a while longer, Jasmine said goodbye and left.

Xiuqi watched her disappearing figure, then turned and walked towards the Chamber of Commerce area.