The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1296: FIRST DAY OF UNIVERSITY

"BROTHER ZE?"

The sound of Luo Yan's voice yanked Bai Ze abruptly from his recollections. He blinked rapidly, refocusing his gaze on the street ahead. Recalling the incident after he nearly let that box slip, his face flushed once more with heat.

He recalled fumbling awkwardly with the container, his fingers losing hold on the slick surface. It had tipped over suddenly, causing the angel-and-demon statues to tumble wildly within. In a frantic lunge, he managed to snag it and slam it against his torso with a resounding, mortifying thud. That noise attracted stares from folks close by.

For a brief, stunned moment, Xia Li gaped at him, her eyes bulging, then she covered her mouth with both palms. Her body trembled with quiet, uncontrollable giggles, joyful tears welling up in her gaze. He remained rooted in place, gripping the package of intertwined, scantily clad figures as if it were a lifeline, his cheeks scorching so fiercely he imagined they shone like beacons.

Amid all that humiliating chaos, the one positive outcome was that by day's end, he sensed a stronger bond with Xia Li. At minimum, that's what he felt. He wasn't fooling himself or conjuring up the change in their dynamic. Her light-hearted ribbing later on, along with the effortless chat that resumed smoothly, made everything seem far more relaxed than previously.

To back up his observation, they'd connected twice more face-to-face following the bookstore outing. One visit took them to another coffee spot. The other involved strolling through a green space. Naturally, they continued gaming and chatting online regularly. Yet those additional in-person encounters carried real weight.

Bai Ze coughed lightly, shoving aside the cozy yet cringe-worthy flashbacks. At last, he addressed Luo Yan's prior query. "Yeah, I did. We've gotten together a few times IRL since," he replied, aiming for nonchalance. "We're... we're much closer these days."

With his attention fixed on the path before them, Bai Ze missed the sly, delighted grin spreading across his cousin's features.

"Good for you, Brother Ze," Luo Yan remarked, his tone filled with sincere warmth.

He'd assumed Bai Ze might never act on his affection for Xia Li. In truth, he'd questioned whether his cousin even acknowledged those emotions. But clearly, that wasn't the situation.

Genuine joy filled him for his cousin. Bai Ze was a solid person who merited a kind partner. Luo Yan earnestly wished for smooth sailing ahead, for reciprocated sentiments, and for no heartbreak to strike.

***

Upon reaching the campus, Luo Yan headed directly to the structure housing his initial lecture. He entered a spacious, stepped auditorium for Data Structures and Algorithms, a key subject in his program. Fellow pupils were streaming in and claiming spots. The forward displays remained off, and the electronic board nearby stayed empty, poised for the session to kick off. He selected a chair, booted up his computer, and accessed the outline from the class portal for a quick review.

Even though he'd completed this very subject in his previous existence, that didn't guarantee recall of every equation or programming technique. Particularly given he'd never secured employment post-graduation back then. In his former life, he hadn't survived long enough after school to apply much of this info practically. Thus, numerous detailed, hands-on details had simply evaporated from disuse.

This round would unfold differently, however. He'd ensure he didn't perish immediately following his degree once more. He'd even seek out a monk for a safeguarding charm if needed. Still, Luo Yan felt confident it wouldn't recur. Should it, that wouldn't qualify as misfortune—it'd be outright hexed. A single death might pass as a tragic mishap. A repeat in identical fashion would signal the universe toying with him maliciously.

More pupils kept entering the auditorium until seats were nearly all occupied. Shortly past the planned commencement, the instructor arrived. He proceeded to the front platform and started configuring his device.

From the platform, the professor lifted his head and surveyed the space. "Good morning, everyone," he announced steadily. "Welcome to Data Structures and Algorithms."

***

Once the opening session wrapped, Luo Yan shut his laptop and stowed it in his pack. He rose alongside the departing crowd. He and Shen Ji Yun had arranged to link up outside their faculty's central edifice, so he hurried to exit. Anticipation bubbled within him to catch sight of the other. Plus, he itched to inquire if any Shen relatives had reached out during the past couple of days.

While exiting the auditorium, he got caught off guard as a handful of fresh peers from class neared him. Excitement mixed with timidity shone on their faces.

"Excuse me," spoke one, a bespectacled young man. "Are you... Noctis? From Yunyue?"

A female classmate added eagerly, her gaze expansive. "We're massive fans! We caught every match of yours in the Arcadia Cup!"

Luo Yan's eyes widened briefly. Recognition seemed possible, yet he hadn't anticipated an approach so soon after the bell.

Regaining composure swiftly, he flashed a welcoming grin. "Yes, that's me," he confirmed. "Thanks for cheering on our squad."

His approachable reply amped their enthusiasm further. Evidently, they yearned to pose additional queries. However, they blocked the walkway centrally, and Luo Yan noticed irritated peers attempting to squeeze through.

"I'm sorry," Luo Yan expressed, offering a regretful beam while shifting aside slightly. "I really need to meet up with someone. Perhaps we can chat later?"