Teacher by day, Farmer by passion - Chapter 149

Chapter 149: Beginning of a new academic session.
“It’s the Duke’s son and his army, open the gate!” the gatekeeper shouted, his voice carrying over the bustling crowd.

A month had passed since the chaos in the village.

Today, a grand chariot led the way into the capital, followed closely by a small army of weary soldiers, their armor were dulled by travel.

At the front of the procession, Milson Edinburgh rode his horse with his usual smirk present despite the fatigue in his eyes.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Ace lay stretched across the seat, savoring a rare moment of comfort.

Across from him, Xie Ninger finished stirring a cup of tea before handing it over.

Dressed in a black and white, maid’s attire, a delicate veil obscured her face, adding an air of mystery to her already sharp presence.

Nearby, Shan Yifeng dozed peacefully, his small frame curled up on Yuu’s lap.

She absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair, a rare tenderness in her touch.

Xie Ninger glanced toward the window, then back at Ace, amusement flickering in her eyes.

“So, you actually convinced the Duke’s only son to ride outside the carriage? You are really playing into your role as the arrogant professor.”

Ace took a sip of tea, looking utterly wronged.

“Hey, he volunteered. I didn’t say a thing.”

“Sure,” she said, smirking. “Whatever you say.”

Just then, a voice called from outside. “We’re nearing the capital city, Aetheria!”

Ace immediately recognized it as Milson’s and Ace leaned slightly out the window. “You alright out there? There’s still room inside the carriage.”

Milson stiffened, his hands gripping the reins a little too tightly. “Oh, I’m perfectly fine, Teacher Ace!” he said, his voice an octave higher than usual.

“Very happy out here!” he added.

The horse he was riding shifted, and Milson flinched slightly before forcing a smile.

Ace raised an eyebrow. “…Surely you are not afraid of me?”

“What? No! Absolutely not!” Milson laughed, too quickly, too awkwardly.

Ace raised an eyebrow at the overly polite response.

It almost sounded as if the man was afraid.

Not deciding to push through, he changed his view to take on the beauty of the capital once more.

The grand gates of Aetheria loomed ahead, and it wasn’t long before the army passed through them, marching into the city.

Ace turned his gaze out the window, his expression unreadable. The last time he had been here, he had been threatened. Unable to actually even fight back.

Now, on his second visit, the threat had been erased. Wiped clear, from the map of the world.

Hell, he even made sure his threat was burnt to crisp and even burry the remains 10ft deep.

Yuu spoke softly, her voice carrying a quiet excitement. “Master, I’m so thrilled about your new profession.”

She flashed a radiant smile, one so disarming that Ace instinctively turned his gaze away, unwilling to stare for too long.

His reaction didn’t go unnoticed.

“Master, why are you avoiding me?” Yuu asked, tilting her head. Then, after a brief pause, she murmured, “Is it because of my horn? Should I remove it for you?”

Ace, still gazing out the carriage window, frowned slightly at her words. “Can you?” he asked, his tone curious yet cautious.

She smiled gently, her milky silver eyes unwavering as they met his. “Yes, Master, I can. Should I?”

He turned to look at her properly now, studying her as if searching for something deeper in her words. “Are there any consequences?”

“I risk death,” she answered simply.

Ace’s expression darkened. His gaze trailed over her, truly taking her in.

With her flowing, lava-like crimson hair, she exuded both warmth and danger, as though a mere touch could burn.

“Why would you even consider doing that?” he asked, genuinely confused. “Why risk your life over something like this?”

She chuckled softly. “Because you refined me into your Blood General.”

Ace’s brows furrowed. “Blood General…” he muttered, still unsettled by the term.

His eyes flickered toward Xie Ninger, who had been quietly listening the entire time. The moment he turned to her, she quickly averted her gaze and leaned back, shutting her eyes.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear a thing,” she said flatly. “Yuu, you explain it to him.”

Ace sighed as Yuu let out a small giggle, gently rubbing Shan Yifeng’s ears as he slept in her lap. Then, in a calm yet deliberate voice, she began.

“Master, the person you assimilated into your body recently… she was one of the most infamous Blood Path Alchemists in history.”

Ace remained silent, letting her continue.

“If there were a ranking, she would be among the top three,” Yuu said, her fingers idly brushing through Shan Yifeng’s hair. “The other two are still out there… Their actions are unknown, but nonetheless they’re just as dangerous, if not, more.”

Ace narrowed his eyes slightly. “And why exactly are Blood Path Alchemists so feared?”

Yuu exhaled softly. “Because of their methods.”

She met his gaze steadily. “Blood Alchemy relies on blood. It doesn’t matter whose it is, yours, someone else’s, the more blood you use, the greater the chances of success.”

Ace felt a chill settle over him. “…And the downside?”

“The pills refined using blood aren’t normal. They don’t just boost clarity or soul power… they make you crave more blood,”

Yuu explained. “They instill a kind of bloodlust that grows stronger the more you take them. Later on making the intakers go berserk and cause a massacre.”

She paused, then added, “That’s why Blood Refiners are hunted down. Also Most don’t use their own blood like you did, Master. They use the blood of others. Innocents. That’s why they’re seen as monsters.”

Ace tightened his grip around his teacup. “…I see.”

Yuu smiled again, a warmth in her expression that contrasted her ominous words. “You nearly died when you refined me,” she murmured, still gently stroking Shan Yifeng’s ears.

Her tone was almost fond, as if she were reminiscing about something beautiful rather than terrifying.

“Blood Alchemists have their ways of protecting themselves,”

Yuu continued, her tone light yet laced with meaning.

“One such method is refining Blood Soldiers—mindless constructs of flesh and will, bound by their creator.”

Ace listened carefully, nodding as he absorbed her words.

“What you tried to do back then,” Yuu added with a knowing smile, “was refine Blood Soldiers… although, quite unknowingly.”

Ace exhaled slowly, rubbing his chin.

Indeed, after he had received the message that he had merged that soul into himself, his instincts had continued to push him to refine something out of the lifeless husks that were going up against the giant wolf.

“But,” Yuu leaned forward slightly, her silver eyes gleaming with amusement,

“If people see you using thoss Blood Soldiers, the knowledgeable ones will recognize it in an instant. And once they do?”

She made a slicing motion across her neck. “Hunted. No questions asked. Even if you’re only using your own blood, they won’t care.”

Ace’s expression darkened slightly. That was… problematic.

“That’s why the system interfered and sent me out,” Yuu revealed, stretching her arms lazily. “It wasn’t going to let you complete the refinement, the system can’t risk losing its host.”

She grinned, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Who knew you’d actually persevere and drain yourself to the brink of death, though?”

Ace narrowed his eyes at her teasing.

“My being a Blood General was never part of the plan,” Yuu admitted, chuckling. “The Space Spirit miscalculated. Its expectations aren’t always perfect.”

She suddenly snapped her fingers as if remembering something.

“Oh, right! Blood Generals,” she said with a smirk. “They’re meant to lead Blood Soldiers in their master’s stead. You know, an elite commander for your gory little army.”

She shrugged dramatically. “Not that I have any Blood Soldiers to command.”

She shot him a playful look, then raised her hands with an exaggerated sigh. “So here I am, a Blood General without an army. Just me, myself, and I—truly the loneliest commander in history.”

Ace pinched the bridge of his nose, suppressing a chuckle.

Still, her words lingered in his mind. Blood Refinement, Blood Generals… This was an entirely new realm of danger. One misstep, and he’d be labeled a monster.

His fingers tapped against his teacup, deep in thought—until the carriage came to a sudden stop.

Yuu smiled knowingly. “Looks like we’ve arrived.”

Yuu gently roused Shan Yifeng, her touch light yet firm. The boy stirred, rubbing his eyes groggily as he sat up.

Xie Ninger slipped seamlessly into her role, standing dutifully by Ace’s side, the perfect image of a respectful maid.

And Ace straightened his posture, adjusting his expression.

Gone was the casual teenager, what stepped out of the carriage now was a scholar of prestige, a professor brimming with promise… and just the right touch of arrogance.

As he descended, he took a moment to survey his surroundings.

Standing before him was a group of teenagers, each clad in crisp uniforms.

Their gazes locked onto him, curiosity flickering in their eyes.

They were probably scrutinizing someone important, someone significant enough to warrant a personal escort from the Duke’s only son.