"Let's not worry about that for now. After the semester ends, I'll figure something out." Endymion thought silently. What truly troubled him was the final exam just three days away.
"Aling, do you want me to help you get it to school?" Fatty noticed Endymion's deep thought and asked kindly.
"No, thanks, Fatty. I'll manage on my own." Endymion replied quickly. Mechs were bulky—no matter how lightweight the design, they took up too much space. Carrying one around was nearly impossible.
He found himself longing for a spatial ring like those in the Auro Continent. With his former abilities, creating one would have been easy. Unfortunately, his current magical level was too low to make one now.
After some thought, Endymion decided to send the broken magic mech to Yu Xue'na. She was the person he trusted most in this world, and the mech would be safe there.
One hour later, on the 68th floor of Notting Tower.
"Xiaoling, what's this?" Yu Xue'na looked at the pile of junk curiously.
"Aunt Yu, don't ask too much. Just keep it safe, and don't tell anyone." Though Endymion trusted her, he wasn't ready to reveal the strange memories from the magic world. Such things were hard to believe.
"Alright, I'll keep it for you." Yu Xue'na didn't press.
"Oh, and Aunt Yu, I need your help." Endymion took out the nearly depleted magic crystal stone and handed it to her. "Can you quietly find someone who can get me more of these?"
Endymion didn't know if magic crystals existed in this space, but he figured it was worth a try. On the Auro Continent, magic crystals were precious, but here, their power might be unknown, possibly making them cheap.
He didn't want the crystals for the mech, but to speed up his magic cultivation. Though his progress was decent, it wasn't fast enough.
"What's this?" Yu Xue'na examined the stone, "It's quite pretty — would make a nice accessory!"
"Uh, it's a stone I accidentally found. I don't really know what it does. Just please try to find some for me, and buy them if you can." Endymion felt guilty lying to his closest aunt.
"Xiaoling, you're hiding something from me!" Yu Xue'na suddenly gave him a strange look.
"Ah..." Endymion was caught off guard, about to explain, but she waved it off. "Never mind, you're eighteen now — grown up. It's normal to have secrets. I won't ask."
Endymion breathed a sigh of relief. If she pressed, he wouldn't know what to say.
"Well, I'll head back to school now." Endymion hesitated a moment.
"Go ahead. By the way, any progress with Bingbing?" Yu Xue'na asked suddenly.
"Bingbing?" Endymion laughed bitterly, "What progress? Nothing."
His words weren't quite true—he and Tan Bingbing did have some progress. His first kiss was hers. But he hadn't seen her since.
"Try harder! I've said many good things about you to Bingbing!" Yu Xue'na was determined to play matchmaker.
"She already has a fiancé!" Endymion reminded her wryly.
"That doesn't matter. You better catch her soon! Or any other girl! You need a girlfriend!" Yu Xue'na glared. "You're eighteen and still no girlfriend? What are you doing?"
"You're twenty-eight and still no boyfriend!" Endymion wanted to retort, but dared not. He meekly promised to find a girlfriend soon and quickly left.
Deep down, he knew Yu Xue'na just wanted someone to keep him company and care for him. Maybe Bingbing wouldn't care for him, but if she was his girlfriend, people at school wouldn't dare bully him. That was likely why Yu Xue'na wanted Bingbing to be his girlfriend.
"Aunt Yu, don't worry. I'll take care of myself. No one will bully me anymore," Endymion vowed silently.
He wouldn't be humiliated again. He believed one day he'd stand at the pinnacle of mech knights. He wouldn't be a disgrace to his thousand-year knight family.
He would make the family proud.
Feeling good, Endymion strolled the campus, reflecting on recent events. A bright future seemed just ahead.
But his good mood was soon shattered.
"Hey, isn't that Endymion?" a mocking voice came from ahead.
Endymion stopped, looking up.
Fate had brought him face to face with Meng He, a handsome young man, who was holding hands with Xiao He—the former girlfriend of Guo Te.
Xiao He wasn't especially beautiful, nowhere near Tan Bingbing, but rumors said she was impressive in bed. Since Meng He had taken her from Guo Te, she'd been his official girlfriend—a miracle for Meng He, who was known to change girlfriends monthly.
"Meng He, I don't know you. Don't bother greeting me." Endymion said calmly, though his fists clenched tightly. He would never forget the humiliation from this man.
"Oh? That's impressive. You actually talk back now?" Meng He was surprised. "Endymion, are you still dumb from the beating we gave you?"
"Good dogs don't block the way. Meng He, even if you're a dog, be a good one and move aside—I have business!" Endymion said coldly.
"Endymion, you're looking for death, huh?" Meng He's face darkened. He shoved Xiao He away and stepped forward, slapping Endymion hard.
"You think you can hit me?" Endymion sneered, dodging easily. A month of Dou Qi training had greatly improved his body. Though his Star Dou Qi wasn't level one yet, dodging this slap was no problem.
Meng He was shocked. Though his attack was casual, he was the family's top young martial artist and didn't expect Endymion to avoid it so easily.
"Let's see how you dodge now!" Meng He sped up, throwing faster punches.
Smack! His fist hit something solid. A powerful force pushed him back several steps.
It wasn't Endymion who pushed him back, but a boy who suddenly jumped in.
"Wow, it's my prince!" a nearby girl gasped. The scuffle had drawn a crowd, including many girls.
"Gross, your prince? Does Andre even know you?" another girl sneered.
Endymion looked at the handsome newcomer—Andre. He had only seen Andre once, in the arena, and had left without greeting him.
"Andre, don't interfere!" Meng He glared fiercely at the intruder.
"This isn't interference. Endymion is my friend." Andre's calm voice carried an indescribable charm.