CH 62

Chapter 62: Never Backing Down

"Hello, this is the Pharmacology building. Observing classes is not allowed. Go back to your art academy quickly," a male student sneered maliciously.

Within the Royal Military Academy, the Art Academy was merely a decorative institution, catering specifically to the second-generation elites seeking diplomas through nepotism. Whenever students from other academies mentioned the Art Academy, their contempt was palpable.

Xiao Qingyang paid no attention to the student's words and sat down in a less crowded area.

Xiao Qingyang didn't feel the need to explain or justify himself to those who looked down upon him. Some people with limited intelligence simply couldn't comprehend explanations. It was best to let one's abilities speak for themselves and silence those individuals for good.

However, ignoring someone could potentially provoke a more intense response, just like what was happening now.

"Are you deaf? Didn't you hear me? I told you to get out of here!" The same student who had spoken earlier couldn't bear the blow to his pride when Xiao Qingyang completely ignored him. He took a confident step forward, looking down on him from a higher position.

The student was tall, well-built, and muscular. Even if Xiao Qingyang stood up, he would only reach the other person's chin. If they were to meet outside, people who didn't know any better might mistake them for supernatural beings.

Although Li Qiang wasn't a supernatural being, his B-level physique made him stand out among the generally weaker pharmacists. It was something he took pride in, and very few dared to provoke him.

Seeing Li Qiang confront Xiao Qingyang directly, Xiao Qinglan's heart blossomed with joy. With Xiao Qingyang's feeble physique, it seemed that one punch from Li Qiang would be enough. If an accident were to happen unintentionally, no one could blame anyone else.

She was actually hoping for Li Qiang to deliver a punch quickly and settle this matter. However, some superficial formalities still needed to be maintained.

"Brother, you should leave as soon as possible. This is not a place for you. If something happens, what would we do? With your low physique, even a slight touch could injure you," Xiao Qinglan said, pretending to be genuinely concerned.

A few girls nearby couldn't help but roll their eyes in disdain at Xiao Qinglan's hypocritical behavior.

Almost everyone who knew Xiao Qingyang was well aware of the family's internal conflicts, especially the severing of ties between the Xiao family and Xiao Qingyang two months ago.

The two of them didn't even have the same mother. Xiao Qinglan's mother was the one who came into power later, and though nobody openly spoke about her previous status, everyone understood it. Given such circumstances, how could the relationship between the two of them be good? It was highly unlikely that Xiao Qinglan genuinely cared about Xiao Qingyang's well-being.

We are all sensible people. Xiao Qinglan's words just now seemed like she was helping Xiao Qingyang, but in reality, she was indirectly informing everyone that Xiao Qingyang had a weak physique and could get injured with a slight touch. So, even if he were to get hurt, it wouldn't be anyone's fault—it was because he was inherently weak.

Xiao Qingyang naturally caught on to her intentions.

As the saying goes, "I won't attack unless provoked, but once provoked, I won't hold back." Being one-half dwarf, Xiao Qingyang certainly wouldn't back down.

Dwarves were known for their bravery and prowess in battle. They always charged forward and never backed down!

"Who is your brother? I have no relation to the Xiao family. Don't try to establish any connections with me," Xiao Qingyang coldly said to someone.

Usually, Xiao Qingyang was easy to get along with and didn't pay much attention to certain matters. However, that didn't mean he was a pushover or easy to bully.

Those unafraid of death were welcome to experience the hardness of his beloved little hammer.

"You..." Xiao Qinglan obviously didn't expect Xiao Qingyang to retort. She widened her eyes, looking at him in disbelief, momentarily unable to react.

Was this still the same Xiao Qingyang she always bullied, the one who never fought back or reported her actions?

Could it be that being driven out of the family had caused such a drastic change in his temperament?

But no matter the reason, the fact that he dared to challenge her filled Xiao Qinglan's beautiful face with an uncontrollable rage that almost distorted her features.

How could Li Qiang just stand by and watch his goddess being bullied by a worthless person? He immediately stepped forward, intending to grab Xiao Qingyang by the collar and give him a harsh lesson, venting his anger for his goddess.

However, Li Qiang couldn't even touch Xiao Qingyang's collar before he easily dodged, fueling Li Qiang's anger even more.

"Xiao classmate kindly showed concern for you, and yet you have the audacity to be so ungrateful. If you're a man, face me in a fair duel," Li Qiang said angrily.

Xiao Qinglan had thought that she was on the verge of exploding with anger and was almost about to take matters into her own hands, but upon hearing Li Qiang's words, she immediately regained control of her emotions, preparing to "use someone else's knife."

It was best not to reveal one's true intentions in front of classmates if possible, but Xiao Qingyang was someone she would absolutely not let off the hook!

This waste shouldn't have appeared here. This waste should stay far away, barely surviving.

"Li classmate, thank you, but I'm fine. After all, he is my brother, and he has a weak physique. He can't possibly duel with you. Let's just forget about it," Xiao Qinglan said in a typical innocent and delicate manner. She knew exactly what words and behaviors would elicit a man's protection and pity.

Indeed, seeing Xiao Qinglan's appearance, Li Qiang, who had a strong sense of heroism, became even more determined not to let Xiao Qingyang off the hook.

Xiao Qingyang glanced at the smug Xiao Qinglan and then at Li Qiang, who was physically strong but simple-minded, and sighed deeply in his heart.

He had come to make friends, but on the first day of school, instead of making friends, he ended up dueling someone?

Why was this brainless person, who only knew how to throw punches, his classmate? Although dwarves were physically powerful, they were also intelligent beings.

He used to think that the saying "simple-minded and physically strong" was incorrect, but after seeing Li Qiang today, he suddenly understood the meaning of that phrase.

"Fine, if you want to duel, but if you lose, you're not allowed to bother me again," Xiao Qingyang agreed to Li Qiang's duel invitation.

"Hmph, do you think I'll lose to you? A weakling? I'll make sure you realize that coming here was your biggest mistake," Li Qiang, satisfied with the answer, no longer bothered Xiao Qingyang and simply waited for the duel after school.

He was determined to let this pretty boy know that not everyone could be provoked.

Xiao Qinglan was also satisfied with this outcome. After all, she knew better than anyone else how much of a loser Xiao Qingyang was. With his weak physique, an ordinary person could easily injure him, let alone someone with a B-grade physique like Li Qiang—it would only take a few minutes to finish him off.

If Xiao Qingyang died in the duel, there would be no one to argue with. After all, it was a duel he had agreed to himself.

This waste was still so foolish; he wouldn't even know how he died.

The classroom in the Pharmacist Building finally fell silent. Everyone was focused on the duel after school, but no one believed Xiao Qingyang would win. There were even many girls who couldn't bear to watch, afraid of seeing Xiao Qingyang lying in a pool of blood.

"How could you agree to duel with him? His physique is B-grade, the highest in our class. You can't beat him," a small boy sitting next to Xiao Qingyang anxiously said to him.

Their school does not allow private fights, but they have a dueling platform. It is generally intended for those with a strong fighting spirit, such as individuals with special abilities or students from the Mecha Academy. Other students can also use it as long as both parties agree.

For anyone who decides to go to the dueling platform, as long as no one is killed, the school won't interfere regardless of the outcome. It can be said that it is one of the most dangerous places in the school.

Students majoring in pharmacy generally have weaker physical constitutions. However, Li Qiang has a B-level physique, which is considered the highest in their class. Against Li Qiang, there seems to be no chance of winning, right?

"Don't worry," Xiao Qingyang said with a smile to his new desk mate.

He won't lose.

"You... I don't care about you," Meng Chenhan turned her head aside.

Meng Chenhan's concern instantly lifted Xiao Qingyang's mood. He felt that he could make new friends here, and there was one right next to him.

Just as Xiao Qingyang was about to further engage with Meng Chenhan, the teacher entered the classroom.

"Students, being able to sit here is the first step to becoming pharmacists. But it's just the beginning. No matter what achievements you had before, at this moment, everyone is starting from the same line. I hope that all of you will listen to the class seriously, study well, and become outstanding pharmacists." The teacher walked up to the podium and began the first class for the new students without wasting any words.

This class was about spirit plants, which are essential materials for concocting potions. An excellent potion master may not need to remember all spirit plants, but at least ninety percent of them, including their characteristics, cultivation methods, and uses, should be firmly remembered.

These aspiring pharmacists in the classroom have been cultivated since childhood and are familiar with many spirit plants, making this class relatively easy for them.

Xiao Qingyang was listening attentively to the teacher's lecture for the first time in school. He took diligent notes even for the knowledge he already knew.

"Which student can tell me the characteristics of Night Vining Flower and how to use it?" Halfway through the class, the teacher suddenly asked the students below.

This question wasn't difficult, and Night Vining Flower was not uncommon. Many students could answer it, but there were only a few willing to do so.

The teacher looked around the classroom, then landed on Xiao Qingyang and said, "Then, please stand up and answer, young man."

Xiao Qingyang was suddenly called upon and felt a bit confused. He was still not accustomed to the teacher's habit of calling on students.

However, in the eyes of some people, his confusion was seen as ignorance, an inability to answer.

As a result, many people began eagerly waiting to see Xiao Qingyang's embarrassment.

Xiao Qingyang was initially uncomfortable but, upon hearing the teacher's question, calmly responded, "Night Vining Flower has a mild taste and properties that nourish the heart, soothe the mind, dispel wind, and promote blood circulation. It can be used to make calming potions."

"Not bad, please have a seat," the teacher smiled and nodded, signaling that he could sit down. The teacher then continued with the rest of the class.

Xiao Qinglan and others, who were expecting to witness Xiao Qingyang's embarrassment, couldn't believe their ears. This supposed loser actually managed to answer correctly and even provided detailed information. How could this be possible?

He must have happened to come across information about the Night Vining Flower beforehand, which is why he was able to answer. Consider him lucky! Xiao Qinglan thought maliciously, anticipating that Xiao Qingyang wouldn't be so fortunate after school.