Chapter Nineteen: Stars and Dust

“By the way, little brother, when you were swinging your staff just now, you must have been trying to train your long weapon specialty, right? Are you still missing a good wooden dummy?” Lei Peng chuckled.

“It’s fine, just enough to use,” Ye Mingqiu replied.

Tang Ruobing’s exclusive training room did have training dummies, but hers were tailored for magic users, not suitable for close-combat long weapon practice, so they weren’t very effective for that purpose.

But Ye Mingqiu wasn’t picky. He was only practicing for a while; once he officially secured his profession, he probably wouldn’t need to train with long weapons. After all, he was a support class—it wasn’t necessary to keep focusing on melee combat.

“The best wooden dummy is right in front of you now, isn’t it? Hmm? Hmm?” Lei Peng winked mischievously.

“Uh? That’s not appropriate, is it?”

“What’s wrong with that? You have a temporary spiritual interface, right? Let me show you my new skill,” Lei Peng said with a grin as he draped an arm over Ye Mingqiu’s shoulder, displaying his simplified skill panel.

Petrified Skin (Passive/Active)
Skill effect: Naturally increases physical defense. When activated, it provides a fixed damage reduction.

A solid defensive skill. Fixed damage reduction is excellent for tank classes, as their base constitution and defense are already high. Adding fixed damage reduction means many low-damage, high-frequency attacks would simply be nullified.

“Pretty good skill, right? But the proficiency increases by taking hits. You hit me with your staff to train your specialty, and I gain skill proficiency. Isn’t that a win-win?” Lei Peng laughed, his smile radiating a carefree freedom.

“That might work... By the way, Lei, what level are you? I’m afraid I might accidentally hurt you,” Ye Mingqiu said hesitantly. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this muscle-bound guy had a somewhat effeminate air about him.

“Level 3. Impressive, huh? Not many people in the whole school have reached this level. Stick with me, and no one will be able to hurt you in team fights!” Lei Peng proudly flexed his muscles, his layered facial muscles forming a terrifying, tower-like structure.

“That impressive?”

“Of course! I’m tough as nails!”

“Alright, then let’s spar.”

“Huh?”

Lei Peng’s smile faded. That voice didn’t sound quite right. It wasn’t Ye Mingqiu’s—it was familiar, cold, and resembled a girl’s voice.

“Thunk!”

He swallowed hard and turned stiffly around, a sinking feeling settling over him. His low-angle gaze swept behind him, and there stood a deep blue robe adorned with golden stripes, unmistakably a mage’s attire.

Spicy! Spicy! All over! The legendary Frost Witch slowly raised her staff, a chilling cold radiating outward, as a terrifying psychic force precisely targeted Lei Peng.

“Want to increase proficiency, huh? Let me help you.”

In the next moment, the level 3 lord-class tank was flung uncontrollably into the air, tossed about like a toy by psychic power, crashing here and there amid continuous screams.

While casually swinging her staff, Tang Ruobing said, “Among psionics, level is the most important factor. One level higher, and a lord-class profession can suppress a hero-class profession by attribute advantage. Two levels higher, and the lord-class can dominate and thrash the hero-class. So… never waste time; level up as fast as possible.”

“Mm-hmm!” Ye Mingqiu nodded repeatedly. At the same time, he felt that he might never shake off the shadow of this woman for a long time to come. An eighth-level mage alone could wipe out an entire team without a mage.

Then he asked, “Are you okay with doing this...?”

“No problem. He’s like this—always thinking he can act bratty because he’s a tank. Whenever he provokes others and gets beaten up, he just smiles. It’s because no one can really hurt him. He fears me because I can actually hurt him,” Tang Ruobing said calmly.

“Oh.”

“You better behave yourself with me too!”

“Okay~” Ye Mingqiu lowered his gaze.

He felt strange now. Being protected should bring warmth and joy, yet he sensed a strange restlessness deep inside—a feeling he had encountered long ago.

It was an unease born from a lack of ability. Improving oneself would ease the anxiety, but when facing the stark reality and glaring gaps, that primal unease inevitably resurfaced.

I thought I had overcome it.

Ye Mingqiu thought.

When he first chatted with Tang Ruobing, he already realized her excellence. She was like a brilliant sun; to walk alongside the sun, you must become a star.

Even if you are merely a speck of dust.

True stars shine brightly; only dust tries to reflect the light.

That’s probably why I did something foolish when playing games before—trying to prove my financial power through casual top-ups was undoubtedly silly. But when fear and insecurity peak, one loses basic judgment.

Looking back, Ye Mingqiu realized she probably had noticed all along but chose not to expose it, quietly handling the relationship in her own way.

I really am a fool...

Now, the real chance for change lies ahead—the spirit realm trial will be my best opportunity.

“Oh, and don’t be afraid of him. He’s not a bad person, just annoyingly bratty and always looking for a beating,” Tang Ruobing added.

“Mm.”

Elsewhere, Lei Peng collapsed on the ground, groaning, his body twitching unnaturally as if he might die any moment.

“I controlled my strength well. He probably lost less than 20% of his health—just screaming dramatically. Sigh, I really can’t with this guy,” Tang Ruobing sighed.

Shortly after, two other members of the college entrance exam preparatory team arrived.

Lin Feng, a level 2 warrior-class lord profession, and Ke Fanxing, a level 2 archer-class lord profession. This was the typical lineup for the preparatory team—except for the support, everyone else had to be at least level 2 to compete for these spots. Lord-class professions were crucial.

“Lei, did you piss off the boss again?” Lin Feng said with a smirk, standing next to the sprawled Lei Peng.

“No, I’m innocent! I just wanted to train with the new support, but I got beaten up. Wuwu, I’m so pitiful!” Lei Peng’s eyes welled with tears—an emotional tough guy.

Lin Feng thought about Lei’s usual behavior and guessed what had happened. He laughed and said, “Well, you deserved it. Trying to train with the support? That’s just asking for trouble.”

“You don’t understand. This is called unity and camaraderie!”

“I think you just need another beating.”

“Then come hit me! Come on!”

“Boss!”

...

“Sigh!” Tang Ruobing sighed and said, “Enough messing around. Gather up for a meeting.”