Staring at the mentor, Iflin, who was gazing at him with a smile that was both warm and slightly teasing, Xiao Yan could only sigh and spread his hands helplessly, then deliberately glared at Xun, who was掩嘴 quietly chuckling. "Heh, well, today's registration will be concluded here. We'll remain at this location for another seven days. The new students registered today—congratulations! From now on, you'll be members of Gan'an Academy. I hope everyone can make all their arrangements ready within these seven days. After that, Gan'an's flight fleet will arrive in Wutan City, and then we'll be able to fly directly to the academy." Gently rolling up the parchment in her hands, Iflin smiled softly. At the news, the students inside the tent immediately beamed with joy. Looking at the smiling mentor, Xiao Yan stepped forward and offered a dry smile. "Mentor Iflin, I actually have a few things I'd like to discuss..." "Oh? Xiao Yan, the young prodigy, is there anything else you'd like to share with me?" With a playful smile, Iflin lifted her beautiful face. The awkward title made Xiao Yan blush slightly, he nodded hesitantly and asked tentatively, "Um... I think I might not be able to join you all to the Canaan Academy. There's an important matter I need to attend to. If I may, would it be possible to request some leave of absence, Master Ruolin?" Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Yu also paused, then stared at him with growing confusion, feeling rather puzzled. Observing Xiao Yan's serious expression, Professor Ruolin furrowed her brows and pondered for a while before gently nodding and saying, "Well, how long of leave do you need? If it's not too long, with my authority, I should be able to secure it for you." Gazing into Professor Ruolin's soft, gentle eyes, Xiao Yan suddenly felt his cheeks grow warm. After a moment of silence, he awkwardly replied, "Perhaps... about a year." As soon as he said this, an instant of quietness fell over the tent. A wave of astonishment swept across the group, all eyes now fixed on the boy who was nervously smiling. A year? At this moment, everyone seemed to think their ears had failed them—leaving for a year wasn't unheard of, but for someone just starting their studies to request such a long leave—this had never happened before in the history of the Cana College. "Yu'er, your family must have quite a big appetite," the professor remarked. "One year? Are you deliberately not wanting to go to the Canaan Academy?" Snowin stared at Xiao Yan, wide-eyed, and asked Xiao Yu in astonishment. Shaking her head with a wry smile, Xiao Yu also found herself puzzled by what exactly Xiao Yan was up to. "Are you jesting with me?" blinked the long, slender lashes of Instructor Ruolin, who found herself both amused and embarrassed by Xiao Yan's request—vacationing for a full year? That was nearly one-third of the total academic duration. Xiao Yan shook his head with a sigh, saying seriously, "I'm genuinely discussing this with the instructor." Frowning deeply, Instructor Ruolin studied Xiao Yan's face, which was full of earnestness, yet devoid of any hint of humor. After a moment, she shook her head gently and said, "This break is simply too long. I simply cannot approve it. You should consider shortening it. With your potential, you're certain to receive the very best training at the academy. There's no need to waste your time." "Listening to Master Rui's advice, Xiao Yan smiled faintly, shaking his head with a sigh: 'This is already the most conservative timeline I can offer.' Master Rui gently massaged the smooth surface of her forehead, clearly confirming her earlier assessment—this young student, who hadn't yet officially become her disciple, had already brought her such a pressing challenge. It seemed he truly had the potential to become a persistent, troublesome student. 'The vacation period is simply too long...' she shook her head again, her tone now carrying a subtle hint of reluctance. 'If I can't take a leave of absence for a full year, I might have to step down. Perhaps I'll return next year to apply again for the Gan'an College admissions.' Xiao Yan pressed his lips lightly, speaking with a touch of resignation. 'Step down?' The tent stirred immediately upon hearing this, and Xiao Yu, seated beside her, grew increasingly agitated, stamping her feet in urgency. Upon seeing Xiao Yan pressuring her with the threat of withdrawal, the gentle lines of Professor Ruolin's face finally showed a subtle shift. She didn't want her brilliant student to leave—her eyes remained fixed on the resolute youth. After a pause, she spoke softly, "Xiao Yan, please don't make me difficult. Your requested leave is simply too long." The soft, pleading tone, combined with Professor Ruolin's graceful and charming features, carried an almost irresistible allure—enough to make men hesitate to say no. At least, now, most of the male students in the tent had nodded without realizing it, only to blush and feel embarrassed when they regained their composure. Under this delicate and feminine appeal, Xiao Yan's heart also quickened with urgency. Yet, his composure remained far above that of an ordinary person. He took a slow, steady breath and, under everyone's watchful gaze, shook his head firmly, saying, "Professor Ruolin, I must take this year's leave!" Nothing can change that." Gazing at the youth who had answered with such firm determination, Master Rui once again felt utterly exasperated. Gently rubbing her smooth forehead, she finally grew impatient with Xiao Yan's stubbornness, suddenly sitting upright, biting her silver teeth and briskly walking to stand before him, scolding, "You little one—can't you ever make someone's life a little easier? What benefit could there possibly be in taking such a long leave of absence?" "Hm..." Seeing Master Rui, usually so composed, now visibly agitated by Xiao Yan, everyone was stunned, then shook their heads in resignation. "This boy can even revive the dead—he truly brings misfortune to any teacher who meets him." Reflecting on how often she had been furious and stormed off at Xiao Yan's mere presence, Master Xue Yu felt a deep sense of empathy, as if sharing the same experience. Looking at the instructor standing before him, her delicate face flushed with indignation, Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile awkwardly. To see such a gentle instructor so visibly agitated was indeed a testament to his own skill. Still, today, he would absolutely have to secure this pretense—no matter what. Inhaling the faint floral scent drifting from the instructor, he subtly glanced at her graceful, full figure, then firmly suppressed his fluttering thoughts, maintaining steady eye contact and saying, "Instructor, I also have my own reasons. I'd kindly ask for your approval. Otherwise, I might have no choice but to withdraw from the recruitment." "Are you daring to say that?" Having finally secured a student of such exceptional talent, Lu Lin wouldn't easily let this pass. With her almond eyes narrowed, she exclaimed. Xiao Yan shrugged, remaining unconvinced. Gazing at Xiao Yan's carefree demeanor, Rui Lin also realized she had been a bit overwrought, her cheeks flushing slightly as she stepped back. After a moment of silence, she gently narrowed her beautiful eyes and said, "Are you truly determined to take a full year of leave, regardless of everything?" Observing Rui Lin's sudden calm, Xiao Yan felt a tightening in his chest, his gaze fixed on her eyes—there, he sensed a subtle, ominous undertone. The other students who had known Rui Lin for over a year immediately sensed something was amiss upon seeing her demeanor now—she had clearly entered a state of peril. Though he had already sensed a shift in her tone, at this moment, even if it meant facing fire and brimstone, he had no choice but to step forward and meet the challenge head-on. He swallowed hard and offered a dry, polite nod. As Xiao Yan nodded, Rui Lin slowly exhaled, her full, well-defined chest rising and falling with a surprisingly compelling curve. Nodding repeatedly, Master Ruo Lin gently parted her dark hair with a slender finger and said in a soft tone, "Well, then, taking leave isn't impossible." Yet, upon hearing this, Xiao Yan didn't display any signs of excitement—because he knew there would surely be more to come. Observing Xiao Yan's composed demeanor, Master Ruo Lin raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, clearly impressed by his calmness, which surpassed her expectations. With a lazy glance, she suddenly smiled warmly at him, and her gentle voice caused most of the people present to cast sympathetic glances toward Xiao Yan. "As long as you manage to endure twenty rounds against me, you'll have a full year off. During that time, I'll handle all the issues at the academy for you!" Hearing this, the girls, including Xue Ni, immediately sighed in sympathy for Xiao Yan, then turned to face the wan-faced Xiao Yu with a compassionate expression, saying, "Yu, don't grieve so much." "Such an overconfident, naive one." Holding her silver teeth tightly, Xiao Yu stomped her foot in frustration, yet a touch of helpless concern flickered in her eyes. "How about it? Shall I proceed?" the mentor, Ru Lin, smiled gently at Xiao Yan. Cracking a slight smile, Xiao Yan nodded slightly, a subtle hint of amusement dancing in his dark eyes—after a moment's thoughtful pause, he finally gave a firm, decisive nod under everyone's watchful gaze. "Yes, I'll accept!" Upon hearing this, the warmth in Ru Lin's smile deepened, becoming not only more beautiful but also more formidable.