Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

Frillie unconsciously tapped the table lightly in rhythm.

"You like music?" Lu Mingfei looked at the young singers on the stage, who were full of youthful energy and enthusiasm.

Frillie nodded slightly: "Mm."

Old Tang gave a knowing smile, then excused himself to go to the restroom and left the table, leaving Lu Mingfei and Frillie alone.

"How does New York feel?" Lu Mingfei asked.

“Very good. Old Tang is a great guide.” She took a sip of her beer. “There are many beautiful things in this world.”

Lu Mingfei felt an urge to tell her that none of this could compare to her beauty.

But just then, Old Tang returned, carrying three brightly colored cocktails.

"The last stop, the Brooklyn Bridge at night! But before you go, you have to try the local signature cocktail, 'Brooklyn Dream'."

The Brooklyn Bridge at night resembles a ribbon studded with pearls.

The three strolled on the bridge, with Old Tang deliberately walking a few steps ahead to give Lu Mingfei and Frilian space.

“Lu,” he said, holding up his phone, “take a picture of you and Miss Elf! Stand closer, yes, just like that!”

Before Lu Mingfei could react, Frillian naturally leaned closer, her silver hair gently brushing against his cheek in the night breeze, carrying a faint fragrance—how lovely, he thought.

"Perfect!" Old Tang exclaimed, examining the photo. "Definitely a couple's photo. Lu, you have excellent taste."

Frillie spoke up: "Lu Mingfei has helped me a lot. Without him, I might have been killed by the demons."

Old Tang laughed heartily and patted Lu Mingfei on the shoulder: "Now I understand why you mention her every day. Alright, it's getting late, I'll take you back to my place to rest. We have many more places to visit tomorrow!"

On the way back, Frilian fell asleep, leaning on Lu Mingfei's shoulder.

Old Tang glanced in the rearview mirror and said in a low voice, "Seriously, Lu, this girl is a bit strange, but she's a really nice person. Don't miss out."

Lu Mingfei did not answer, but gently patted Frilian's head to make her more comfortable.

Chapter 18 The Kuimen Plan

The bell at Kassel College struck twelve, and Lu Mingfei dozed off on a table in the library.

His face was pressed against the hard cover of "Dragon Family Genealogy," and drool had seeped into a small patch on the chapter on "The King of Bronze and Fire."

"Lu Mingfei," a voice gently called to him.

Lu Mingfei looked up and saw Frilian's emerald green eyes staring at him, holding two steaming cups of coffee in her hands.

"Fallen asleep again?" Frilian pushed one of the cups in front of him. "This is the third time you've drooled over your book today."

Lu Mingfei hurriedly wiped the marks off the book with his sleeve, then laughed awkwardly, "Haha, this dragon family genealogy is more hypnotic than high school math. By the way, what are you doing here? I remember you said you were going to the equipment department to do an experiment today."

Frillie sat down opposite him and took a small sip of her coffee: "The experiment has been canceled. The principal has summoned all A-level and above students to the conference room for an emergency meeting."

Lu Mingfei, holding his coffee cup, paused mid-air: "An emergency meeting? What happened?"

“I don’t know,” Frilian shook her head, her silver hair swaying gently with the movement. “But Norma’s message was marked with the words ‘Kuimen’.”

Lu Mingfei felt a strange palpitation in his heart.

The Kuimen Project, a mission that was delayed by a week, is said to be related to the Baidi City ruins beneath the Three Gorges Reservoir.

Even as an S-class freshman, he had only heard snippets of information about it from Ye Sheng and Ya Ji's casual conversations, but their expressions would become very serious every time the matter was brought up.

Ten minutes later, Lu Mingfei and Frilian stood at the conference room door.

Through the half-open door, you could see Principal Angers standing in front of the projection screen, his silver-gray hair neatly combed back.

He was flanked by Executive Director Schneider and Professor Mans, the latter's pipe emitting wisps of smoke.

"Come in," Angers said, smiling and waving as he noticed the two people at the door.

There were more than a dozen students sitting in the conference room. Lu Mingfei recognized among them were Caesar Gattuso, the student council president, and Chu Zihang, the president of the Lionheart Society.

He and Frilian found a seat in the back row, and she gently squeezed the back of his hand to soothe his nervousness.

"Gentlemen," Angers' voice was not loud, but it silenced the entire conference room, "After a week of postponement and reassessment, the Board of Trustees has decided to restart the Kuimen Project."

A satellite map of the Three Gorges Reservoir appeared on the projection screen, with a red dot marked deep within the reservoir.

“Here,” Angers pointed to the red dot with a laser pointer, “according to our latest intelligence, the ruins of Baidi City lie beneath the Three Gorges Reservoir. Professor Mans will lead this operation, with Jiu Deya and Ye Sheng as members of the execution team.”

Ye Sheng, sitting in the front row, straightened his back, and Jiu Deya, sitting next to him, nodded slightly.

Both were elites in the execution department and frequently participated in its missions.

“Given the special nature of the mission,” Angers continued, “we need to send two more outstanding trainees to participate in this operation.”

His gaze swept across the entire room, finally landing on Lu Mingfei and Frilian. "Lu Mingfei, Frilian, you will be traveling with the team as interns."

Lu Mingfei felt dizzy, and the sounds in the conference room seemed very distant.

Him? A freshman who has just enrolled in school, going on a mission that might involve facing dragons?

Although he possesses the powerful Word of Power: Time Zero, he has absolutely no practical combat experience or underwater work experience.

“Principal, it’s me.” Lu Mingfei’s voice caught in his throat.

Angers saw through his thoughts: "Don't worry, your main task is to observe and learn. Professor Mans will ensure your safety."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, the power of your two words might play an unexpected role at crucial moments."

After the meeting, the participants left one after another.

Lu Mingfei sat motionless in his chair until Frilian gently tugged at his sleeve.

“Let’s go,” she said. “The principal wants to speak with us alone.”

Angers’ private office is located in an unassuming three-story building with a roof covered with a thick layer of ginkgo leaves.

The principal personally poured them two cups of black tea, the aroma filling the air. Lu Mingfei noticed a box on the desk containing a letter.

“Mingfei,” Angers sat down opposite him, “I know what you’re worried about.”

Lu Mingfei gripped his teacup tightly: "Principal, I don't think I'm suited for this mission. My practical experience is almost zero."

“But you defeated Caesar and Chu Zihang on the day of your freedom,” Angers said gently. “You are much stronger than you think.”

Frillie listened quietly to him.

“Moreover,” Angers turned to Frilian, “Frilian’s Word of Power Magic can work in conjunction with your Time Zero.”

Angers stood up and walked to the window: "This mission is not just about exploring the ruins of White Emperor City. We suspect that a secret related to the Dragon King Norton is hidden there. The two of you may be the key to unlocking this secret."

Lu Mingfei was inexplicably irritated: "Dragon King? Norton? The Bronze and Fire King mentioned in genealogy?!"

“Lu Mingfei,” Frillian said, taking his hand in hers; her palm was cool and soft. “Do you remember what I said in the living room?”

Lu Mingfei was stunned; of course he remembered.

“You said, ‘I need your help, Lu Mingfei,’” Lu Mingfei replied in a low voice.

Frillie nodded: "Yes, don't worry too much, treat it as a learning experience."

She looked at Angers, "Principal Angers, we will participate in this mission. But I have one condition: Lu Mingfei's safety must be guaranteed."

Angers smiled: "Of course. Professor Mans will make sure that."

After leaving the principal's office, Lu Mingfei and Frilian walked side by side along the tree-lined path on campus.

A gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers, and students on the nearby court played ball, laughing and joking.

“I still don’t understand why it has to be just the two of us,” Lu Mingfei said, kicking at a pebble on the road. “I feel like the principal is hiding something.”

Frillie stopped and thought for a moment about how to say it. "Lu Mingfei, do you believe in fate?"

"Huh?" Lu Mingfei scratched his head. "Fate? That kind of thing."

“In my world, there’s a saying,” Frilian said softly, “that some things are destined. Like our meeting, like this mission.”

She looked up at the sky and said, "Sometimes, we have to follow the guidance of fate, even if we don't know where it will take us."

Lu Mingfei looked at her profile, his heart racing. Frillian always managed to say things that left him speechless.

“Well,” he sighed, “but if you encounter danger, you have to make sure you’re safe first.”

"the same as you."

Chapter 19 The Agreement

One day later, in Yichang.

Lu Mingfei stood on the viewing platform of the Three Gorges Dam, gazing at the surging Yangtze River below. They had arrived a day earlier than the main group, and Angers had made special arrangements for them to acclimatize to the time difference and environment first.

“It’s truly magnificent,” Lu Mingfei exclaimed.

Frillie stood beside him, her silver hair fluttering in the river breeze. "In my world, such a project would require hundreds of civil mages working together for years to complete."

"It seems that magic isn't omnipotent after all."

Frillie pointed to the river. "Look, that's where we're going tomorrow."

Following the direction of her finger, Lu Mingfei saw a vast expanse of water. Beneath its calm surface lay the slumbering remains of a dragon race from a thousand years ago.

"Are you hungry?" Lu Mingfei decided to change the subject. "Yichang is famous for its Liangxia (cold shrimp) and radish dumplings."

"lead the way."

They took a bus back to the city and found a long-established snack shop.

Lu Mingfei ordered a table full of local specialties, and Frilian carefully took a bite of a radish dumpling.

"Is it tasty?"

"good to eat."

“Once the mission is over,” Lu Mingfei blurted out, “I’ll take you to eat all the delicious food in China.”

Frillie put down her chopsticks and looked at him seriously: "Is this a promise?"

"Ah."

As night fell, they strolled along the Yangtze River. The neon lights along the riverbank were reflected on the water, and cruise ships slowly passed by, their horns blaring.

Lu Mingfei bought two cups of milk tea and handed one to Frilian.