Chapter 14: PRACTICE.
Xu Lingwei pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the headmaster's office, stepping inside with his usual calm demeanor. The air was thick with the faint scent of ink and old books, the ticking clock on the wall the only sound in the otherwise silent room.
Behind the massive desk sat Headmaster Jian, his ever-present smirk in place as he slid a neatly prepared document toward him.
"You understand what you're signing, don't you?" Jian asked, his fingers laced together as he leaned back in his chair.
Xu Lingwei glanced at the papers—a contract. The terms were clear—he would officially serve as the Blackthorn Academy representative, meaning every time students were sent out to compete, he would be among them. No exceptions. No refusals.
A life sentence of humiliation.
Xu Lingwei exhaled through his nose, picking up the pen. "Yeah. I understand."
Jian watched him, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze. "And yet, you're still signing it. I have to say, I expected at least some resistance."
Xu Lingwei didn't bother answering. His grip on the pen tightened for a fraction of a second before he dragged it across the paper in sharp, clean strokes. It was done.
He stood up, slipping his hands into his pockets as he turned toward the door. But as he reached for the handle, a memory stirred—his first conversation with Jian about being captain.
Xu Lingwei sat in the headmaster's office, the air thick with the scent of polished wood and old paper. Jian, the headmaster, sat across from him, his usual cunning smile in place, fingers tapping lazily against the desk.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jian asked, amusement flickering in his eyes.