Two months later.
After spending his days shuttling back and forth between the library and the classroom, Huo Yuhao had basically mastered the majority of the theoretical knowledge required from a Level 1 to Level 5 soul engineer.
This level of learning speed was jaw-dropping to anyone else.
To put it in perspective, it was like a twelve-year-old sixth-grader learning all of middle school and high school curriculum in just two months.
But theory was one thing. In reality, being a soul engineer was more about practice than theory.
What troubled Huo Yuhao now was that while he had a head full of ideas for soul tool designs, the school only provided a limited amount of rare metals for average students—nowhere near enough for him to start experimenting with.
One day, after patting his empty coin pouch, he suddenly realized something horrifying.
These past two months, he'd been eating and living for free, and had completely forgotten the fact that... he had no money.
"Come to think of it, these past two months really have been unusually peaceful."
Yeah. Almost as if he really were just an ordinary student at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
"But seriously though, how the hell am I supposed to make money…"
In fact, being a soul engineer was a costly path—but it also had the potential for huge profits. The problem was that Huo Yuhao had zero capital. He couldn't even begin the cycle of crafting and selling soul tools for a profit.
While wandering the massive campus in frustration, he passed by the academy gates and caught the scent of food drifting from a distance.
The smell was coming from the liveliest food street in all of Mingdu, located just outside the academy walls.
"So good... The free meals in the cafeteria are decent, but eating the same thing over and over is getting old."
Thinking about how he didn't have money to enjoy real food made Huo Yuhao slump a little in despair again.
"Ugh... Broke again. Everyone else gets to enjoy street food every night, and I'm the only one who can't. Hmm? Wait a minute."
He froze mid-step. A spark of inspiration flashed through his mind and he clapped his hands excitedly.
"That's right! How could I forget my ultimate skill?!"
Didn't the original novel mention it? The legendary Yuhao Grilled Fish, whose fame rivaled that of his famed pancakes?
Back in the original story, Huo Yuhao had managed to capture a girl's heart with his grilled fish alone. Of course the current Huo Yuhao would carry on that noble ancestral tradition—how could he forget the sacred art of grilling?
"It just so happens I've got a few days off. If I go out and sell grilled fish for some big bucks, wouldn't that be perfect?"
With that idea in mind, he immediately left campus and headed straight for the river on the outskirts of Mingdu.
Evening fell on Mingdu's food street.
Soon, Huo Yuhao returned carrying a bag of fresh fish and a makeshift grill setup.
Catching fish was no problem at all—just activate Spiritual Detection, grab a harpoon, and every strike hit dead on.
While other stall owners setting up nearby gave him curious glances, Huo Yuhao found a decent spot and started prepping his stall like a total pro.
Some vendors frowned when they saw a little kid trying to claim a prime location. Just as they were about to go argue with him, their eyes fell on the uniform he was wearing and they froze in place:
The uniform of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
Although the Sun Moon Empire was more progressive than the still-feudal Star Luo Empire and the other three nations, social class distinctions still existed.
Anyone who could attend the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy was either a top-tier talent or the child of someone powerful and rich. Not the kind of people common folks like them could afford to mess with.
And though Huo Yuhao didn't look particularly rich or influential, the uniform alone was deterrent enough.
Grumbling inwardly, the other vendors reluctantly backed off.
Not long after, Huo Yuhao finished setting up and waited for night to fall.
As more people started flooding into the street, he began his grilling routine with practiced ease.
Descaling, removing the fishy odor, marinating, grilling... Before long, the fish on the grill began sizzling with an intoxicating aroma. Paired with the novelty of a student from the Imperial Academy actually grilling fish, he quickly drew a crowd.
"Hey, look! That guy's wearing the Imperial Academy uniform!"
"A soul engineer running a food stall? That's something you don't see every day. Let's try it."
"Damn, this is actually delicious!"
In no time, business was booming. At five copper soul coins a piece, the grilled fish was flying off the stall.
As his money pouch grew heavier and heavier, Huo Yuhao felt a deep and genuine sense of joy.
"Excuse me, can I get two grilled fish?"
A voice so clear and pleasant it sounded like music to his ears.
"Oh, sure! That'll be ten copper soul coins."
Huo Yuhao turned to hand over the fish and froze when he saw the speaker.
It was a girl with long, smooth white hair and dazzling red eyes. Her face could make the moon shy and the flowers blush. She was also wearing the academy's uniform.
He only stared for a second before quickly recovering and passed the grilled fish over while accepting a silver soul coin from her hand.
"Thanks. Good luck with your sales, handsome junior. I'm Meng Hongchen. What's your name?"
"I... I'm Huo Yuhao, Senior Sister."
Seeing his surprised expression, Meng Hongchen giggled proudly.
"Nice to meet you. Hope your business goes well! See you around~"
She skipped off cheerfully, grilled fish in hand, toward a handsome young man with similarly white hair and striking heterochromatic blue-red eyes.
"That must be Xiao Hongchen... I didn't expect those two siblings to show up here."
Huo Yuhao thought back to Meng Hongchen's appearance, which just so happened to perfectly match his tastes. He gave a little nod of appreciation before throwing himself back into the lucrative business of grilled fish.
"So that's the one Grandpa approved as a special student, huh?"
"Yeah yeah, but he's super cute. Especially those blue eyes, so pretty."
Hearing his sister gush over Huo Yuhao's looks, Xiao Hongchen rolled his eyes.
"You hopeless fangirl. Cute? Hmph... Well... I guess we're about equally matched, looks-wise."
Though he liked to think of himself as the best-looking guy around, even Xiao Hongchen had to admit it—just from that quick glance, the kid really was handsome.
"And Grandpa actually approved his enrollment personally. Even we had to take the entrance exams back then. What the hell makes this kid so special?"
The self-proclaimed number one genius of the academy wasn't happy at all. He could feel his status being threatened.
"You know, I actually asked Grandpa why this guy got special treatment, but he refused to say anything! So annoying."
Meng Hongchen finally stopped fangirling and pouted.
"Anyway, I've been keeping an eye on him. For two months, he's been quiet—just quietly studying every day, hasn't made a single splash. His daily life is so boring! All he does is bury his head in books."
After learning about this special admission student, Xiao Hongchen had secretly sent people to investigate Huo Yuhao's background—but nothing came up.
"Should I go talk to him for you, Big Bro? Hee hee~"
Xiao Hongchen rolled his eyes again.
"Oh please. You just want another excuse to fangirl. Don't forget he's like two or three years younger than you."
"What's wrong with an older girl-younger guy pairing? Afraid I'll get snatched up by someone else, dear brother?"
Meng Hongchen stuck out her tongue playfully, munching on grilled fish as she ran off laughing.
"You... Ugh."
Xiao Hongchen sighed and shook his head. Watching her bounce off, he grumbled while taking a bite of his own fish.
"…Damn. It really is good."
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, Go Check It Out.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.