Chinese professors at the Wizarding Academy

"Hey, look what you've done..."

Jim's sudden gratitude startled Gu Chen slightly.

I've really been through a lot these past two days... After all, I'm an adult and have a lot of life experience.

But Jim is still a child, and in the last two days... he's been on the verge of death at least twice.

Jim sobbed, but Gu Chen didn't move, simply waiting quietly for his emotions to subside.

"I just... wanted to say thank you, thank you teacher."

"It's okay, it's okay..."

Jim kept uttering words of gratitude, and Gu Chen gently patted his back.

"Are you feeling better?"

Gradually, Jim's tears stopped flowing from the corners of his eyes, and his emotions calmed down.

"I feel better, teacher..."

"Let's grab something to eat and calm down."

Gu Chen stood up, picked up the food that was placed on the table, and brought it to Jim.

"Have something to eat, you have class later."

"Don't feel guilty. I need you to improve. I'll need to borrow your blood later."

He gently placed his other hand on the plate, and as the thought of "opening" crossed his mind, the silver lid, which had been seamlessly integrated with the bottom of the plate, was lifted up.

The moment it was opened, a wonderful aroma filled the air, and the entire cabin was filled with the scent of delicious food.

"Teacher, don't worry, you can have as much blood as you need!"

"But...is it inappropriate for me to eat this? I've already had something to drink, and I don't need to eat anything for at least the next two days!"

"..."

Hearing Jim's words, Gu Chen sighed softly in his heart once again.

What are the slums of the Kingdom of Lorian really like?

How could a child know so clearly that he could go two days without eating?

At this age, one shouldn't be sitting at the dining table at home with loving parents, or even if one doesn't have loving parents, one shouldn't go hungry, right?

He lowered his head slightly, remained silent for a few seconds, and a thought flashed in his eyes...

"If the teacher tells you to eat, then eat. Don't refuse."

Then he held the plate directly in front of Jim and placed it in his hands.

Jim hurriedly caught the plate, and Gu Chen was about to pull his hand away when he noticed that the plate was clearly tilting downwards.

"...How weak are you?"

Gu Chen quickly steadied the plate.

"Come and eat at the table."

Upon hearing this, Jim stood up and followed Gu Chen's words to the desk.

"Won't it get the textbooks dirty...?"

"fine."

"Sit down, or you'll faint from the stench when they draw your blood."

Seeing Gu Chen's resolute attitude, Jim finally gave in and sat down in the chair.

"It smells so good..."

The "Shadowmoon Grey Wolf's Hind Leg Meat" was kept in perfect condition and at the perfect temperature, protected by a special packaging box made by Grey Tower Academy.

Jim picked up the knife and fork from the takeout box, forked a small piece of meat with one fork, and cut it off with the silver knife.

Then put it in your mouth.

"tasty!"

This was Jim's only thought.

His expression relaxed, and his eyes seemed to shine because of the mouthful of juicy and delicious wolf meat!

Gu Chen had no doubt that Jim's current expression was perfect for acting in food-themed anime.

I was really hungry. I hadn't eaten anything good, and I was starving.

only……

Watching Jim eat, Gu Chen's eyes held not only happiness but also confusion.

His eyes gradually narrowed into slits...

"Why would a child from a slum know how to use a knife and fork?"

"I've been here for a while now. Whether you're a freshman or an apprentice, as long as your talent level isn't high, you'll be given things like black bread."

"This is how it is in Gray Tower Academy... What about the slums?"

"Do children from slums know how to use knives and forks?"

Gu Chen had some doubts, but he didn't disturb Jim. Instead, he waited quietly for Jim to enjoy the food.

Disturbing someone's meal is impolite, and one sentence might frighten Jim, potentially causing him to choke, which would be a greater loss. On the other hand, the Shadowmoon Grey Wolf's hind leg meat takes effect at night, which might awaken some of Jim's memories.

Let's ask after we finish eating.

Those who use knives and forks may not be geniuses, but their families must have a level of economic means that can afford meat.

Jim... doesn't seem like it. The grandmother and grandfather he mentioned probably don't have the ability to support them either.

Gu Chen waited quietly, and during the wait, he tried to concentrate his mental energy according to the "Basic Meditation Method".

It didn't work out; this is what a sixth-rank star talent looks like.

As expected, he wasn't too disappointed and quietly waited for Jim to finish his meal.

"Teacher, I'm done eating."

Jim's words were tinged with satisfaction, but his movements remained timid. He turned to look at Gu Chen, who was standing to the side, and spoke softly.

"Are you full?"

"I'm full! This is the best meal I've ever had! Thank you, teacher!"

Jim's eyes lit up, and after eating the large piece of hind leg meat, his energy level was noticeably higher.

He licked the meat juice from the corner of his mouth with lingering reluctance, and Gu Chen could see that the plate was completely empty.

This is truly an empty-handed operation...

"Well, let me ask you a question: why do you use a knife and fork?"

"ah……?"

Jim seemed to be taken aback by the sudden question; he didn't know how to answer.

"Just asking casually, relax."

Gu Chen stepped forward, took the knife and fork from Jim's hand, and then put the lid back on, the silver gaps closing up naturally once again.

"Exactly... yeah, why would I use a knife and fork?"

"Teacher, I felt like I knew how to use it as soon as I picked it up... But isn't this something only important people use?"

"Did I do something wrong, teacher!?"

Jim's voice instantly became flustered. Yes, why was he using a knife and fork?

He quickly looked at Gu Chen, but Gu Chen's expression didn't change, which reassured Jim.

"It's okay, it's normal to know how to use it."

"It's just a knife and a fork, anyone can use it."

"If nobles can do it, so can you."

Gu Chen said this, but in his heart he felt that his not-so-terrifying guess was coming true...

If even Jim himself doesn't know why he used it...

That's bad news.

That's muscle memory!

As for things like memories, manipulating them is incredibly easy with a mind wizard...

"……well."

Gu Chen sighed softly to himself.

No problem, we'll deal with whatever comes our way. Let's focus on improving ourselves first.

Jim was still clearly a little flustered, so Gu Chen stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, which calmed Jim down.

"Jim, it might hurt a little now. Your teacher needs some of your apprentice's blood."

"Oh, teacher, have I become an apprentice?"

Jim was confused. When did he become an apprentice?

"You can become an apprentice once your mental strength reaches 10 points, but you just can't feel it yourself... and you can't go for the test. New students in the Gray Tower undergo a mental strength test every week, but you can't go as a raw material."

"But the teacher can tell, so there's no problem."

"Yes, after two days of instruction from the teacher, you have become an apprentice."

Gu Chen then realized that he hadn't informed Jim yet; not everyone has a control panel.

"Ah, teacher, so... I'm an apprentice now? I... I'm not useless?"

This news clearly shocked Jim!

"You're definitely not."

"Everyone has their own talents; they just lack the eyes to see them..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jim gave him another huge hug!

"Thank you, teacher!"

"Um, teacher, if you want my blood, you can take as much as you want, no problem!"