As a core apprentice of Radiant Magic Academy, Allen did not need to squeeze into the crowded dormitories like the new students. He had his own private courtyard.

  He lived in Eleanor Estate, with his courtyard situated close to both Eleanor's and Evelyn's.

  Earlier, Eleanor had asked him if he wanted to move into the dormitories designated for new apprentices, but how could Allen agree?

  Dormitories were full of people, and with so many eyes around, even the slightest slip could expose his identity.

  Now, having an independent courtyard allowed him to both conceal his identity under Eleanor's protection and avoid excessive contact with other apprentices. Naturally, he chose not to move into the dormitories.

  Seeing his firm decision, Eleanor did not force the issue. She only said with meaningful concern,"Stay in your courtyard and be careful in everything you do."

  At first, Allen did not fully understand the weight of her words. It was not until the next two days that he completely grasped their significance.

  No fewer than three waves of apprentices came to provoke him, and all the provocations traced back to the same person: Evelyn.

  Evelyn was not only gifted but also stunningly beautiful, and countless admirers in the academy pursued her.

  Allen had now become the only male apprentice who could be around Evelyn every day. Instantly, all those admirers saw him as a thorn in their side.

  They took turns coming to provoke him, insisting on forcing him to fight life-and-death duels on the academy's dueling platform.

  "Jealousy really can make people lose their minds," Allen muttered, sitting on a bench in his courtyard and rubbing his temples in exasperation.

  Ever since the news spread that he had moved into Azure Courtyard, these admirers had gone crazy.

  Every day, someone would shout outside Eleanor Estate, vowing to teach this arrogant, useless apprentice a lesson and drive him out of Radiant Magic Academy.

  Allen had not stepped outside Eleanor Estate even once. No matter how angry these admirers were, they feared Eleanor's authority and dared not enter the estate to cause trouble.

  More importantly, Radiant Magic Academy had clear rules: apprentices were strictly forbidden from fighting privately.

  If two parties had irreconcilable conflicts, they could only resolve them through a fair duel on the academy's designated dueling platform, with both sides agreeing in advance that the outcome would be life or death.

  Allen's public identity was that of a third-tier Magic Apprentice, a talentless waste. How could he possibly agree to such a duel?

  If he stepped onto the dueling platform, he would either reveal his hidden strength or be easily defeated. Either result would draw unnecessary suspicion.

  Being harassed to the point where he could not stay in peace, Allen had no choice but to swallow his pride and seek Eleanor's help.

  "Mentor! Please, look at them! Say something to stop this!" he exclaimed.

  "Evelyn and I are completely innocent, yet they insist on imagining some romantic feelings between us. They stand outside yelling every day, and they will not be satisfied until they kill me!"

  Eleanor let out a soft sigh."I have long known that Evelyn has many admirers within the academy."

  "Actually, when you decided to move into Azure Courtyard, I already anticipated this situation."

  "I had asked you before if you wanted to move into the new student dormitories, but it was your insistence to stay here."

  "Now that you are my apprentice, I cannot force you to move out. Doing so would make people think I am favoring you, and it would also hurt your pride."

  Eleanor paused, then offered some advice:"But there is no need to be overly anxious. As long as you stay inside Azure Courtyard and do not go out, no matter how angry they get, they will not dare to intrude."

  "After a while, their initial curiosity will fade, and the rumors will naturally settle down."

  "The innocent remain innocent, the corrupt remain corrupt. Over time, everyone will understand that there is nothing unusual between you and Evelyn. By then, no one will trouble you anymore."

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  Allen thought this was a feasible plan. Once Evelyn recovered and publicly clarified that their relationship was purely that of fellow disciples, combined with the passage of time, the storm caused by jealousy would naturally subside.

  This way, he could continue to stay safely in Azure Courtyard without having to deal with those annoying admirers, and at the same time avoid the risk of his identity being exposed.

  But things did not go as planned. Just three days later, an explosive rumor began spreading like wildfire throughout Radiant Magic Academy.

  No one knew where the rumor had originated, only that Allen had supposedly made inappropriate physical advances and lewd remarks toward Evelyn multiple times in Umbra Gorge.

  It even claimed that while Evelyn was gravely injured, unconscious, and unable to resist, Allen had committed numerous improper acts that violated all codes of conduct.

  The rumor sent the entire Radiant Magic Academy into an instant uproar.

  The admirers who had already harbored resentment toward Allen completely lost their composure, gathering outside Eleanor Estate.

  They shouted for the academy to severely punish this vile man who had supposedly defiled Evelyn.

  Even the ordinary apprentices who normally paid little attention to trivial matters were drawn in by the sensational news, crowding around the estate and casting looks toward Azure Courtyard filled with disdain and anger.

  To make matters worse, the commotion had even alarmed the other elders. Before long, several elders personally came to see Eleanor.

  "Junior Sister Eleanor, this man cannot be allowed to remain!"

  "Taking such a morally corrupt person as your apprentice will tarnish your reputation!"

  "A waste with such ill intent will only corrupt the academy if left here!"

  "Eleanor, in my opinion, you should expel him from Radiant Magic Academy as soon as possible to set things right!"

  Eleanor glanced at Marcus and spoke slowly,"Marcus, you are usually wise. How could you believe these baseless rumors?"

  "Allen has been my apprentice for several days. I have observed his words and actions every day. He is calm, restrained, and humble in his dealings with others. He is by no means a libertine or frivolous person."

  She continued,"Moreover, I have already heard Evelyn recount the events in Umbra Gorge in detail."

  "It was Allen who took the initiative to present a secret spell and negotiate with the two Demons, securing everyone's survival."

  "He was willing to sacrifice his own core interests to save others, yet he never sought any benefit from anyone in their time of need."

  "Even later, during the talent test, he never used that debt of gratitude to seek credit from the academy or from me."

  Eleanor's gaze swept over the elders present."Such an upright apprentice, I cannot see any trace of ill intent. How could taking him as my apprentice possibly tarnish my reputation?"

  Marcus's tone grew even more urgent."You can know a person's face but not their heart! He has only been in the academy for a few days.

  Naturally, he restrains himself, but how can you judge his character based on just these few days of observation?"

  "I think his appearance is sinister. He is by no means a good person. Keeping him here is a hidden danger. It is better to expel him from Radiant Magic Academy as soon as possible!"

  "Besides, I have also heard that Allen has no magical talent at all. Even the lowest level of magical affinity is absent."

  "A useless apprentice like this, if left in the academy, will only waste resources and cause trouble. It is better to send him away early and prevent more problems in the future!"

  Just as Marcus finished speaking, Evelyn walked in slowly.

  Her injuries had fully healed, and her complexion had returned to its usual rosy glow.

  It was clear that she had already heard the unpleasant rumors circulating in the academy.

  Seeing Evelyn walk in, Elder Marcus's eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly spoke,"Evelyn! You came just in time!"

  "Tell us again in detail what happened in Umbra Gorge! How did that lewd fellow dare to offend you?"

  "This concerns your reputation! You have no idea what everyone in the academy is saying. They are claiming that you were…"

  Marcus deliberately trailed off at the crucial part, his eyes full of provocation.

  Evelyn shot him a sharp look of disapproval and retorted sharply,"Elder Marcus, those people are spreading rumors and confusing everyone.

  Instead of investigating and punishing them, you come here to make things difficult for us, the victims!"

  "If you have this much free time, why not go home and properly teach your son so that he stops spreading rumors and maliciously slandering others!"

  Evelyn fearlessly met Marcus's gaze."It is my Mentor Eleanor's freedom to choose her apprentices. You have no right to interfere!"

  Marcus was struck dumb by Evelyn's words, his anger making his beard tremble uncontrollably.

  He shouted in fury,"Evelyn! How dare you speak so disrespectfully to your elders!"

  "Today I will properly teach you a lesson for your impudence!"

  Eleanor gave Marcus a disapproving look and was about to speak when a slightly excited voice came from outside the door:

  "Evelyn! Evelyn, are you fully healed?"

  Immediately, Allen came quickly through the door.

  He had already heard the commotion inside and had been waiting outside until he saw Evelyn appear. Only then did he step inside, feeling it was proper to greet her now that she had recovered from her serious injuries.

  Seeing Allen, Marcus abruptly stopped his motion to rise.

  He slowly sat back down, eyes scanning Allen with contempt from head to toe, and spoke slowly,"So you're the little useless Allen that Eleanor took as her apprentice?"

  "Seeing you in person is even more disappointing than I imagined. After all these days, you are still a Third-tier Magic Apprentice with no progress whatsoever."

  Marcus's tone dripped with ridicule."What kind of rotten luck did you step in to barely make it as a Third-tier Magic Apprentice?"

  Allen blinked innocently, then tilted his head and looked at Eleanor."Mentor, who is this old man?"

  He then turned back to Marcus, tilting his head."What did you just say? I didn't understand."

  "But does stepping in rotten luck actually raise your magic level? Have you ever tried?"

  Hearing Allen's sarcastic question, Evelyn could no longer hold back and laughed. Her clear, beautiful face lit up, and most of the weight brought on by the rumors seemed to vanish.

  Marcus, on the other hand, shook with fury. Being mocked by a junior like Evelyn was one thing, but now even this"useless apprentice" dared to twist words and jab at him!

  Marcus suddenly stood up, pointing at Allen, roaring,"How dare you humiliate me!"