Chapter 32: Knight Leida

The new student was a striking beauty with short, radiant golden hair, but the concept of gender seemed almost irrelevant for them. Their brilliant, sun-soaked locks shimmered under the classroom lights, their features as finely chiseled as a master sculptor’s work, yet devoid of any softness. Tall and upright, even the conservative Saint Flower Saint Love High uniform couldn’t dull the cold, princely charm they exuded.

“Wow…” “So handsome…” “A model? Or some agency’s trainee?”

The classroom exploded like a fishpond hit by a depth charge. The girls, barely containing their excitement, let out hushed gasps and chatter, swelling like an unstoppable tide.

“Tch, another newbie,” Dongfang Cheng muttered from his seat, a faint scowl tugging at his lips. Thanks to “Lover” Dan and the chain reaction of events—like his date with Ashura—he was allergic to the word “newcomer.”

“Hm?” Lin Feng caught the keyword, smirking. “You said ‘another’? This is our class’s first transfer this term, isn’t it? Trying to dodge that bet, huh?”

“…” Dongfang Cheng’s heart skipped. Right, per his “cover,” he shouldn’t remember the campus festival chaos. Grumbling, he fished a crumpled fifty-yuan note from his pocket, balled it up, and tossed it under the desk to Lin Feng.

On the podium, the golden-haired transfer student seemed unfazed by the class’s uproar. They stepped to the center, bowing slightly to the varied expressions below with the precision of an etiquette class valedictorian.

“Good day, everyone. I am Reida Christopher, from a lineage of knights. I’m joining your school today. Please guide me.” Their introduction was brief, their calm gaze sweeping the room.

Their voice, though soft, was crisp and resolute, like a sheathed sword—forceful yet restrained.

Teacher Mizuse smiled, nodding, and assigned Reida a seat near the back, beside Dongfang Cheng and Lin Feng’s row.

“Yo, new bro!” Lin Feng spun around, all enthusiasm, extending a hand. “I’m Lin Feng, head of our class’s guy squad and resident heartthrob. Welcome aboard! Any trouble at school, drop my name—I’ve got your back!”

Reida eyed Lin Feng’s outstretched hand and bold spiel, their refined brow furrowing in faint confusion.

Just then, Mizuse, with a sly smile, cleared her throat. “Oh, Lin Feng, I forgot to mention. Reida Christopher is a very impressive young lady.”

The class fell deathly silent, then—

“A girl?!”

“So handsome… and a girl?!”

“Sis, consider me! I can be sweet, salty, or your pillow princess—!”

Lin Feng’s hand froze mid-air, his confidence shattering under Dongfang Cheng’s stifled laughter.

When the bell rang, the girls swarmed Reida’s desk like butterflies to nectar, blocking it completely.

“Reida, you’re really a girl? So cool!” “Is your hair naturally golden? It’s gorgeous!” “Are you a knight? Can I be your squire?” “What type do you like…?”

Pushed out by the crowd, Lin Feng couldn’t even reach his seat. Clutching his bag, he sulked beside Dongfang Cheng’s desk in the aisle.

“Hey, rich dog,” Dongfang Cheng grinned wickedly, seizing the chance to twist the knife. “Reminder: I won the bet. Hundred bucks.”

Lin Feng looked up, resentful, then pulled a crisp hundred-yuan note from his bulging wallet. “Take it. Don’t bug me. Let me mourn how cruel this world is…”

Dongfang Cheng took the bill, only to lock eyes with Reida’s molten-gold gaze. Her look was calm, not hostile, but piercing, as if it could see through his soul.

They held the stare briefly, then looked away.

Transfer students always drew attention, especially someone like Reida, with her princely aura.

During gym class’s free period, the girls predictably formed a circle around her on the central field’s lush grass, bombarding her with questions.

“Reida, I read that real knights swear loyalty to a king or noble, right?” a girl with pigtails asked eagerly.

Reida shook her head, sunlight glinting off her golden hair like a halo. “A knight’s oath is first to their own moral code, then to those who need protection. Titles like king or noble don’t matter.”

“Wow—” the girls gasped softly.

“Do you have a long, cool knight sword, like in movies?” another girl with freckles pressed.

Reida’s lips twitched upward faintly. “A sword is a knight’s partner and honor. I have one. But true strength doesn’t rely on a blade’s sharpness.”

If Dongfang Cheng were there, he’d probably nod and add, “Raw stats are the real strength.”

Reida answered every question calmly and politely, unfazed by the curious swarm.

Meanwhile, under the massive camphor tree by the gym, Lin Feng sprawled on the grass, fast asleep. A Weekly Shonen Hop lay open on his face, rising and falling with his steady breaths.

“Rich dog, wake up.”

Lin Feng groggily lifted the manga, squinting at Dongfang Cheng and Huang Yu Tong standing side by side. They’d just returned from the sports equipment room, sweat beading on their foreheads.

Half a year ago, Huang Yu Tong would’ve towered over Dongfang Cheng. Now, their heights were nearly identical.

“What? Can’t nap during free period?” Lin Feng grumbled, sitting up with a yawn.

“Prez,” he glanced at Reida, swarmed by girls, then at Huang Yu Tong. “Not joining the new kid’s fan club? They seem to be having fun.”

“Haha… well…” Huang Yu Tong laughed awkwardly, eyes darting. “I-I’m supervising equipment returns with Dongfang!” Her righteous tone was unconvincing—her terrible lying was Class 2-4’s open secret.

The trio stood in the camphor tree’s dense shade, a short distance from the lively crowd around Reida, with a clear view of the scene.

Suddenly, Reida’s smile stiffened as she answered a question. Her golden eyes sharpened, sensing danger.

“Everyone! Back away! Clear the field!”

Before her words settled, the central lawn trembled violently!

BOOM—!!

A massive, rock-hard, brown-armored mole-like monster, with a drill-shaped horn the size of a small excavator, burst from the ground, spraying dirt and grass like an explosion!

“Eek!” The girls screamed, scattering in panic.

Reida reacted instantly, shoving nearby girls to safety and, with inhuman agility, pulling two others from under the monster’s descending, excavator-like claw.

“What the hell?!” Huang Yu Tong yelped, instinctively moving to charge in.

Lin Feng shot up, his relaxed vibe gone.

What’s this? No one in the organization mentioned a school attack today!

“Big-ass mole—Tch, Prez, go get a teacher! Rich dog, we’re saving people!” Dongfang Cheng grabbed Huang Yu Tong, who belatedly realized she couldn’t transform in front of classmates. Biting her lip, she sprinted toward the school building.

Lin Feng and Dongfang Cheng raced toward the roaring monster. One gripped the black crystal pendant under his shirt; the other reached for the seemingly ordinary flip phone in his pocket.

But before they could decide whether to transform in front of each other, someone stole the spotlight.

[Needle of Justice, Inject!]

“Transform!”

A clear, resolute shout rang out, golden osmanthus petals swirling in the breeze. As the light faded, a girl knight in ornate gold-and-white armor stood before the monster!

Her spine was straight as a blade, her gaze icy, radiating an inviolable, holy aura.

“Golden Needle Knight, here to fight.”