The Mighty Mage
Chapter 303: Happiness?

Chapter 303: Chapter 303: Happiness?

The smile on Gu Aihan’s face fell and she even started to wonder whether the information she had got was true or not.

How could Gu Jin remain so calm in front of her provocation if she truly loves Long Yifan?

Gu Aihan suddenly turned toward Long Yifan and tugged on his shirt,

"Yifan, don’t you want to tell Miss Gu anything? She is your acquaintance after all?"

Come on! Say something! Say something that would stimulate that b*tch! Gu Aihan thought.

Long Yifan clenched his fist, lowered his eyes, and said softly,

"Miss Gu, I wish you happiness in your future pursuits."

He forced the words out, each one feeling like a small betrayal of his own heart. The crowd looked on, whispering amongst themselves, sensing the tension.

Gu Jin felt a pang in her chest at his words but maintained her composure. Her gaze remained steady, offering a small nod of acknowledgment as if to signal she understood and accepted his well wishes.

"Thank you, Mr. Long. I’ll be sure to let you know when I find happiness," she replied, her tone even and controlled.

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Long Yifan and Gu Aihan standing together.

Long Yifan watched her retreating figure, feeling the emptiness grow with each step she took away from him.

Gu Aihan, noticing his focus on Gu Jin, tugged on his sleeve, her expression souring.

"Come on, Yifan, let’s go," she said, masking her irritation.

She had hoped to see Gu Jin break down or at least show a trace of weakness, but her calm composure was infuriating.

All three of them entered the auditorium and a collective gasp sounded.

"And she’s stunning, too! Is she single? Asking for a friend..."

"Does anyone know her course? I think I just found my role model."

Gu Aihan lifted her head with pride flashing in her eyes. She had accepted such a response considering how popular she was for her looks and talent.

Gu Aihan tilted her chin up, a self-satisfied smile tugging at her lips.

She relished the admiration, certain that it was her own beauty and poise catching everyone’s eye.

She even puffed out her chest slightly, glancing around the room as if to say, Yes, it’s me you’re all admiring.

She couldn’t resist the temptation to soak in what she thought were admiring whispers and exchanged looks with Long Yifan, who appeared slightly distracted.

She assumed it was because he too was in awe of her appeal, but then she heard a distinct voice among the crowd.

"Did you see her eyes? They’re like rubies—so striking!"

"She’s just stunning... and that aura of hers... like she’s someone important."

Gu Aihan’s smile faltered.

She looked around in confusion, her confidence wavering.

Those words didn’t seem to match the image she held of herself.

Red eyes? But her eye colors weren’t red; so that means...that comment wasn’t meant for her.

She quickly turned and realized the students were indeed not focused on her—they were captivated by Gu Jin, who stood calmly nearby, her red eyes catching the light like precious gems.

Gu Jin, with her graceful composure, seemed completely unaware—or simply unaffected—by the attention. But to everyone else, she appeared like an ethereal figure.

A group of male students gathered nearby, clearly taken with Gu Jin’s appearance.

One of them whispered to his friend,

"I have to know her name. Do you think she’d give me her number if I ask?"

Another nodded enthusiastically, his gaze lingering on Gu Jin with admiration.

"Good luck! But someone that gorgeous? I bet she’s already taken."

Long Yifan heard these comments, and a wave of jealousy crashed over him.

Each word felt like a small sting, each admiring look from the other young men fanning the fire within him.

He could see the allure Gu Jin held for everyone else, and though he had just forced himself to wish her happiness, the sight of so many eyes drawn to her made his chest tighten.

He clenched his fists, wanting to step forward, to shield her from their gazes and declare to the world, She’s mine!

If only...if only she was his fiance instead of Gu Aihan, then he would have kissed her in front of everyone, every day, to let everyone know that she was his...

But he knew he had no right.

He could only stand there, watching as other young men approached her with hopeful smiles, each eager to make a first impression.

One student, bolder than the others, managed to work up the nerve to address Gu Jin directly.

"Excuse me, Miss," he began, a slight flush on his face,

"I just have to say... your eyes are incredible. And, um, I was wondering if maybe we could exchange numbers?"

Gu Jin looked at him with a polite smile but shook her head.

"Thank you, but I’m here to focus on my studies," she replied with a cool, yet kind tone that only seemed to heighten her allure.

Meanwhile, Gu Aihan’s expression darkened.

She watched as her rival effortlessly garnered all the attention she had hoped to receive.

The crowd’s admiration stung; it was supposed to be her moment.

She tugged on Long Yifan’s arm, her voice laced with irritation as she whispered,

"Let’s go sit down, Yifan. This is ridiculous."

The murmuring crowd slowly turned their attention from Gu Jin to Gu Aihan, noticing her composed beauty and graceful posture.

Soon, appreciative comments floated through the air.

"She’s elegant, like royalty," one student murmured with admiration.

"Look at her—such poise. She has that noble air like she belongs in a palace," another chimed in.

While Gu Aihan reveled in the praise, pretending to be unfazed, her eyes gleamed with pride.

Long Yifan, still preoccupied with watching Gu Jin from afar, barely registered the remarks around them.

But when a tall, brunette girl nudged her friend and pointed at Long Yifan, things took a new turn.

"Now that’s one handsome guy! Does anyone know if he’s single?"

The comment stirred a ripple of excitement. Flirtatious whispers followed.

"Oh, who is he? He’s gorgeous!"

"Right? And look at that jawline... does anyone know if he’s dating someone?"

Gu Aihan, overhearing the flurry of interest in her fiancé, felt a swell of possessiveness.

She subtly tightened her hold on Long Yifan’s arm, pulling him closer. Seeing this, a girl in the crowd sighed dramatically.

"Of course, they’re together," she said, feigning a dreamy look.

"They look like they stepped out of a romance novel—truly a match made in heaven."

A chorus of agreement followed, and Gu Aihan couldn’t help but feel a smug sense of satisfaction.

As she led Long Yifan to a seat, she shot Gu Jin a triumphant glance, as if to say, Look who everyone believes belongs at his side.

Gu Jin, watching from her seat, ignored the pang in her chest. She simply waited patiently for the lecturer, pushing aside the small ache in her heart.

This wasn’t the place for her emotions, and she had no interest in letting her composure slip.

Soon, the auditorium quieted as an imposing, elderly man entered, taking the podium.

His gaze scanned the room with sharp intensity, and he raised a hand for silence.

He introduced himself as Professor Zhao.

"Good morning, students," he began in a firm voice, "and welcome to your first day at Beijing University of Magic."

The students straightened in their seats, focused and attentive. Professor Zhao continued, his voice both commanding and impersonal.

"Now, before we proceed with the inaugural speech, I’d like to get a sense of where each of you stands in terms of rank. This isn’t for ceremony but to place you where you truly belong."

He adjusted his spectacles and looked around the room.

"First, raise your hand if you’re Super Rank."

A few students raised their hands, including Gu Aihan and Long Yifan. Professor Zhao nodded approvingly, gesturing for them to move to the front rows.

"The front seats are reserved for those of you who have achieved Super Rank," he instructed. "Sit here, where you belong."

Professor Zhao scanned the rest of the room, turning his attention to the remaining students.

"Now," he continued, "those of you who have achieved Advanced Rank, please take the seats toward the back."

Gu Jin, remaining calm, moved to the back of the auditorium with the other Advanced Rank students.

Once everyone was settled, Professor Zhao cleared his throat, his gaze steely and unyielding.

"Take a good look around you," he said, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

"This seating arrangement represents the way of the world. Those who work hard and achieve greatness rise to the front, where their efforts can shine brightly. And those who fall short..." He cast a glance at the back row, eyes narrowing.

"Those who don’t put in the effort will remain behind, where their accomplishments, or lack thereof, will fade into obscurity."

’Shallow.’ Gu Jin thought.