WHEN Luo Yan entered his classroom, he was immediately greeted by his classmates.

"Good morning, Xiao Yan!"

"How was your holiday?"

"Good morning! It was great," he said, greeting back and answering the question. "I hope you also had a great holiday."

He then glanced at Yu Jiao's seat and saw that it was empty. It's weird to see that she hadn't arrived yet. Especially since the other had always arrived here earlier than him. He hoped nothing happened.

He walked to his seat and put down his bag. He was about to message Yu Jiao when he heard some of his classmates sitting near him talking about a certain topic.

"Have you watched the preliminary round of the Rookie Carnival?"

"Yeah. It's kind of hard to track everything that was happening because of how many the participants were."

"You should have just bought a ticket to watch the whole thing in the game instead of watching the live broadcast."

"I know. But I was late in buying tickets."

"Anyway, who do you think will win the finals?"

"The players who passed the preliminary were all great. But my money is on Dragnar."

"Yeah, me too. Being a dragon is already a huge advantage."

"I think Noctis will definitely give him a run for his money. Have you seen their fight during the battle royale?"

"It's a great fight. But I think Noctis is still a bit weaker than Dragnar. He's good at sneak attacks but when it comes to raw strength, he couldn't hold a candle against Dragnar."

Luo Yan felt the corner of his eye twitched when he heard that. He probably shouldn't be irritated. In the first place, his classmates had no idea that he was 'Noctis'. It's only natural that people would cheer more for Dragnar. After all, the other was a legendary dragon.

But still. Reading that online and now hearing it personally simply left a bad taste in his mouth. However, that just made him much more determined. He'd just have to show them that he could defeat that dragon.

"But don't you think that Noctis looks like someone?"

Luo Yan's ears raised when he heard that. He somehow got nervous. But a part of him was also excited. Maybe because a part of him had wanted for everyone to know that he was Noctis. It's probably the narcissistic side of him that wanted to be praised. That's why he thought that. But a bigger part of him still didn't want to recognized as Noctis. Because it's definitely more trouble than its worth.

So, he listened. Wondering if this classmate had discovered that Noctis actually looked like him.

"It's Luo Yan!"

Although that classmate whispered that, Luo Yan still heard it. Well, that was not surprising. After all, how could there be other people in this world who could have this face? He's a one-of-a-kind fairy, okay?

Then he began to worry. If his growth spurt continued, then it wouldn't be long before more and more people connect him with Noctis.

The others who heard what that classmate had said laughed.

"Why, because they're both pretty? Come on, there's no way the Luo family will let Luo Yan play such a violent game."

"Besides, can you imagine Luo Yan being that bloodthirsty?"

"No way. That Noctis was like some professional killer while Luo Yan looks like he can't even hurt a fly."

[No, I am definitely that bloodthirsty professional killer.] Luo Yan thought helplessly.

"Can you lower your voice? This is not a market as far as I can remember," an annoyed voice suddenly said, intervening with the group who had been gossiping.

The voice was coming from behind him, so, Luo Yan glanced back and saw that the one who spoke just now was Huang Wen. Because the person who was sitting between their seats was still not there, Luo Yan could clearly see the other.

Huang Wen turned his head and their gazes collided. The other frowned. "What?"

Luo Yan shook his head. "Nothing. How was your holiday?"

Huang Wen was taken aback. He didn't expect that Luo Yan would suddenly ask him that. He wanted to be antagonistic and aggressive, but at the end, he found himself saying, "It's fine."

Luo Yan nodded and smiled before turning around.

What he didn't know was when he did, Huang Wen gazed down while clutching his chest. Why was it that every time he saw Luo Yan smile, his chest would tighten? As if something just squeezed his heart.

Luo Yan looked at the door of the classroom. He actually wanted to ask the other about Ying Chen. He was sure that that dark elf was him. But he still wanted to make sure. After all, the other also passed the preliminary round. If he remembered correctly, his game name was 'Malekith'.

But he wasn't really that close with Huang Wen. He felt like he was prying into other's business if he asked the other about his friend. After all, it seemed like Ying Chen wasn't really trying to announce to everyone that he was Malekith. If he did, then the news would probably be all over the school now.

Because he certainly looked like someone who wouldn't hesitate to announce to everyone if he accomplished something. But since no news about him had been circulating so far, then he might also have a reason not to tell others about it. Although, there's also a possibility that he hadn't yet had the time to tell everyone that he passed the preliminary and now was part of the Rookie Carnival's finals.

And what about that other one, the panther beastkin? What was his game name again? Ah, 'Black Cat'. Since he and Ying Chen seemed to be close friend, could he also be attending this school?

If he was and he and Ying Chen found out that Luo Yan was actually Noctis, then he could already see the trouble it would bring. After all, that Ying Chen seemed to not like him very much.

Oh, right, he was about to send a message to Yu Jiao. He took out his phone and was about to do just that but he suddenly heard the door opening. He raised his head and saw their homeroom teacher coming in.

Ten minutes into class, Yu Jiao still hadn't arrived. And Luo Yan began to worry.