The winter break is approaching.

Two weeks later, the grand auditorium of Deer Academy.

“I am proud to tell you, dear fawns, that you are the most outstanding class in the history of our academy. As far as I know, your average grades far surpass those of previous students. Although we have not yet conducted routine mind-checks for black magic on your professors, if someone truly managed to use black magic in their freshman year to get an A+, then he indeed deserves such a grade…” Birmingham stood at the podium, animated and exuberant, while the students below were on the verge of yawning. The students of the Arcane Arts department wished they could cast an optical deflection spell and sleep for a while, but none dared act; after all, nobody wanted to give a notoriously petty headmaster any ammunition.

Upperclassmen had already warned all freshmen on the campus forum: the old fox was always scheming to use students, and when you expose a weakness, you’d better buy insurance sufficient to ensure your family’s wellbeing.

Drowsy and barely awake, Ji Ning suddenly heard his name. “Especially Ji Ning, despite being F-rated, he still received an overall C+,” Birmingham suddenly shifted his tone and mentioned Ji Ning, finally giving a rather mystical remark: “Appearances can be deceiving.”

Ji Ning, his face dark with anger, desperately wanted to rush up and slap that face. Did being F-rated cost you anything? Why dredge up old wounds like this? Appearances can be deceiving? No, I am gold outside and within, true to myself.

Ji Ning’s impression of Headmaster Birmingham was deeply ingrained. Ever since being tricked by him once, Ji Ning had researched all of the headmaster’s past messes on the academy forum.

He was the kind who would show you the gates of paradise, but “forget” to mention that you must swim through a sea of blood to reach it. For a master who had witnessed countless separations and deaths, and survived the sixth global supernatural war, nothing in his world was beyond sacrifice; everything had its price. He was the sort who would, without hesitation, run over the minority in a trolley dilemma.

“As usual, you will participate in a winter internship with your upperclassmen. May you remain untainted by flesh, unassimilated by machines, and avoid falling into the abyss during your internship. Finally, I wish you all a pleasant winter break.” Birmingham finally ended his tedious semester report. Ji Ning wondered why the old fox was standing there so obediently, reciting such empty platitudes. Later, after a chance conversation, Ji Ning learned that the Board of Trustees had mandated that every report must last at least two hours. After quoting that strictly formal rule, Birmingham downed a large gulp of vodka, eyes red, and shouted to Ji Ning, “Let those capitalist trustees go to hell! The Internationale will prevail!”

The only perk of studying in the supernatural field was never having to worry about crowded dorms; every semester a few unlucky souls would meet their end, their causes of death passed down among students like legends. It sounded almost like raising poisonous insects, but most double dorm rooms eventually became singles. Qin Mo had already sorted out the dorms, and Ji Ning was familiar with his roommate. When Ji Ning visited Qin Mo, he was extorted by Aphra for a piece of tiramisu.

Ji Ning finally enjoyed a rare idle holiday, but good times are always brief. After leaving the report hall, he only managed to sleep for an afternoon before his break was over.

When Ji Ning woke, the blonde senior had already been sitting in his dorm for a while, cradling a book and brewing herself a cup of black tea. Honestly, he couldn’t even remember when he had bought that tea. During his days at Deer Academy, he never had time to sit and enjoy a cup, so the tea bag had become more of a living room ornament.

“Senior, aren’t you foreigners supposed to value privacy above all?” Ji Ning, startled, curled up under his blanket like a frightened rabbit. He was something of a minimalist, and sleeping nude was his last act of defiance against the world.

“I’m sorry, but you don’t have much time left. Half an hour, to be exact.” Irina tucked her hair behind her ear and continued flipping through the thick, pillow-like black book.

“What half an hour?” Ji Ning, under the covers, stealthily slipped on his underwear, hoping his movements were small enough not to arouse questions, lest he damage his image.

“In half an hour, we board a flight. We’re going to Siberia.” Irina closed her book, took a sip of tea, her gaze amused and enigmatic.

“To Siberia? For what?” Ji Ning pretended not to see the teasing in her eyes, genuinely confused.

“To complete your winter internship.” Irina rose elegantly, glanced at her exquisite wristwatch, then, with a book in one hand and her teacup in the other, finished her tea and placed the cup on the table, stepping lightly toward the door.

As Ji Ning watched the academy-logoed helicopter roar on the tarmac, he was struck once again by the power of money—not every school was wealthy enough to provide every task group with their own helicopter.

Irina handed Ji Ning a headset, indicating he should put it on, then briskly climbed aboard. Only when Ji Ning closed the cabin door did the roar of the rotors become just barely tolerable.

Irina took out a file and began reading. Ji Ning, bored, tried to peek, but Irina finally spoke, “If you look, you’ll have to carry out the mission inside.”

Ji Ning sat obediently, thinking that from her tone, as long as he didn’t read the file, he wouldn’t have to do the task—just as he had hoped.

“I heard you brought a girl back during your final exam?” Irina asked offhandedly, not looking up.

“Uh, not brought, rescued,” Ji Ning corrected her wording after a moment’s thought. He realized he’d left in such a rush he hadn’t even left Qin Mo a text, which seemed unfriendly. He pulled out his phone, but after pondering, realized he had no real reason to explain his absence—usually only couples cared about each other’s whereabouts; at most, they were just friends. With that, Ji Ning put his phone away, masking his disappointment so well that he didn’t look at all like a lonely single dog.

Irina either didn’t notice Ji Ning’s little thoughts or simply considered him, the defeated junior, on the same level as the campus fat cat. After tidying the file bag, she dug out a face mask and closed her eyes, teasing, “I didn’t expect you to be so capable.”

With her dark face mask, Irina shed her senior’s aura, appearing approachable, like the girl next door. Ji Ning’s curiosity got the better of him, and he stared for a moment.

Irina noticed his gaze but was unbothered. “What are you looking at? Girls have to take care of themselves. Don’t be so surprised. I’m not just some killer who only knows how to fight—I have my own life, too.”

“That’s true,” Ji Ning blinked, stealing a few more glances.

“Want one? This journey will take a while.” Irina gestured to the stack of face masks, then closed her eyes again.

Soon enough, the helicopter had two passengers with dark, mask-covered faces.

“I heard your final exam involved the Fire of the Abyss? It’s impressive you managed to finish the exam in their hands.” Irina’s tone was as if praising a kindergarten child.

“All thanks to you, senior.” Ji Ning answered absently, phone in hand as he pondered how to word his message.

“Professor Sylvia talked with me about that girl. Have you thought about how to solve her problem?”

“I don’t know…”

“If you want to save her, see it through. I hate people who give up halfway.”

“I want to help, but I just don’t know how.”

“Have you consulted Professor Christina?”

“I was planning on going this afternoon.” Ji Ning glanced out the window at the rapidly shrinking Deer Academy. It was strange—so small in the distance, yet inside, the boundaries were impossible to find.

“It’s a bit rushed, then. After I finish this task, you can go back.”

“Can I ask what the task is? Just asking—I won’t look at the file.” Ji Ning put away his phone, unable to suppress his curiosity.

“Do you know the Kashkulak Cave? Someone from the academy disappeared there last week.”

“Am I going, too?” Ji Ning felt uneasy.

“Relax, you don’t need to go. Think of this as a trip to Siberia. Once I finish the task, I’ll stamp your internship report.” Irina seemed unconcerned.

“Really? Isn’t it dangerous for you to go alone? How about I keep watch outside the cave?” Ji Ning suppressed his excitement, feeling he ought to at least put on a show.

“Dear Ji Ning, not going is the greatest help you could give me.” Irina smiled openly. For a B+ level task, she had no intention of dragging along an inexperienced rookie.

Ji Ning felt a bit wounded, but the realization that he wouldn’t have to go himself kept his lips curled upward for the whole flight.

Then another thought struck him, and he asked, “This is the academy-mandated winter internship, right? Are you sure I don’t have to participate? Won’t the academy send someone to supervise?”

“Those who make the rules never realize the loopholes they leave behind. The internship simply requires seniors to lead newbies on a mission, but they never considered that bringing a rookie could make a simple task dangerous. After one accident, all students quietly adopted an unspoken rule: don’t really bring the freshmen on missions. After completing the task, just walk them through the process and stamp their report.” Irina explained her actions seriously; she wasn’t looking down on Ji Ning, just following tradition among the students.

Ji Ning relaxed, his holiday successfully extended. Siberia might be cold, but his heart was ablaze.

In that moment, countless images flashed through Ji Ning’s mind: a lone wolf traversing the night wind, Lake Baikal shining like clear, transparent vodka—rough, raging, distant, mysterious, beyond reach.

Traveling on academy funds—what joy!

When Ji Ning woke from his nap, he had already arrived in Irkutsk Oblast. The helicopter circled slowly, guided down by ground crew.

As soon as he disembarked, Ji Ning shivered and ran back to the helicopter. Irina was busy pulling on a thick down jacket. She saw the freezing Ji Ning and smiled, pointing to the suitcase on the ground.

Bundled up like a ball, Ji Ning finally stepped outside and took a serious look at this land of ice and snow. Clearly, the academy had its own secret base—the helipad was on the grounds of a manor.

The manor’s Byzantine-style castle was grand and imposing, its dome supported by independent pillars—appearing as though a complete dome had been sliced by luminous bodies on four sides. The massive, high rounded dome looked like a drop of black chocolate from afar.

Irina found the local academy administrator and had a brief conversation before beckoning Ji Ning over.

The administrator, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, was short and plump, sporting a prominent beer belly. He smiled and spoke at length in a jumble of Russian; Ji Ning awkwardly shook his hand and then, in the academy’s common language, explained he didn’t speak Russian.

The beer-bellied uncle finally understood, chatted with Irina a bit more, then made a phone call, smiling at Ji Ning.

Irina patted Ji Ning’s shoulder. “Just enjoy the foreign scenery. They’ll send a translator to accompany you on your tour. I have things to do, so I’ll come back for you later. Remember—not to wander, and don’t leave the city.”

Ji Ning wanted to hug Irina’s long legs in gratitude for her thoughtfulness. If all future missions were like this, life would be blissful. Saving the world was for heroes; as for him, a useless fellow, his role was to praise heroes and enjoy the world they saved.

A dazzling, blonde, blue-eyed Russian girl entered. Ji Ning, determined to take in as many sights as possible, glanced over, and was surprised to recognize her. He greeted her, delighted, “Katherine, long time no see.”

Katherine was a little angry. She had prepared for her internship with great confidence, only to be told she wouldn’t be needed for the mission—just to wait. She hated being treated as useless, but reluctantly accepted the senior’s suggestion. Seeing Ji Ning’s radiant face only made her angrier. What an excellent girl, forced to keep company with this guy!

“Katherine, what a coincidence! I was worried they’d send a fat guy as my translator, but it’s you! Perfect, we can tour the snowy scenery together.” Meeting an old friend abroad was always delightful, especially when she was a beautiful girl.

“The original translator was my senior; she was reassigned at the last minute, so I’m filling in.” Katherine replied reluctantly.

Ji Ning sensed the girl’s disappointment and irritation. He hesitated—had he offended her somehow? Why was she so unwilling? He guessed, “What’s wrong? Did your supervisor force you to do the internship later?”

Katherine shot Ji Ning a resentful look and spoke coldly, “Don’t leave the city when you go sightseeing. Call me if you need anything.” With that, she left the room without even saying goodbye.

Ji Ning was perplexed—when had he offended her? Women really were capricious. She hadn’t looked this annoyed last time she asked him for a commission. Hmph, never mind her. Nothing would hinder Ji Ning’s wonderful vacation. With renewed ambition, he pushed open the door. Snow and wind rushed in, and he shouted loudly, “VENI VIDI VICI,” stepping out into the world.

I came, I saw, I conquered.