The Mighty Mage

Chapter 601: Podium

The students clapped politely. It was not the first time he had taken the podium, but this time, his eyes swept the room until they landed on Gu Jin.he students began to focus on the lecture. At first, many of them were still sneaking glances at the chair where Gu Jin sat.

They wanted to see if they could catch her shadow or outline. But the more Long Yifan spoke, the more they forgot.

His words captured their minds, his examples made sense, and his energy made them feel like they were watching thunder itself come alive.

Soon, all of them were writing notes, solving problems, and whispering to themselves, "Oh, so that’s how it works."

Gu Jin too was drawn in. At first, she had been annoyed with him. She thought he was shameless for making her sit on the podium.

She thought he was selfish for using her presence as some kind of game. But now, watching him teach, she couldn’t deny it.

"Even though he is too flimsy," she thought, "his mind is sharp. His way of teaching is... amazing."

She sat straighter. Even though she didn’t like admitting it, she felt like she might learn something useful. And she did not want to neglect him.

But then she noticed something strange. Among all the students who were focused, there was one boy who was not. His head was slightly tilted. His eyes kept moving toward her direction, over and over again. It was like he could really see her.

Gu Jin felt uncomfortable. She frowned slightly and shifted her body, trying to move away from his line of sight. She was just about to open her mouth and say something when suddenly Long Yifan spoke.

"Chen Liang," Long Yifan called out loudly.

The boy jerked like someone had pulled his tail. "Y-yes, teacher?"

"Did you understand the concept I just explained?" Long Yifan asked calmly, his eyes sharp.

Chen Liang forced a smile. "Yes, of course, teacher. I understood everything clearly."

"Good," Long Yifan nodded once. "Then explain it to the class."

The boy froze. His lips trembled, and the color drained from his face. Everyone turned to look at him.

"I-I..." Chen Liang stuttered.

Long Yifan’s voice turned cold. "You cannot? But you just said you understood. Why are you lying in my class?"

The boy’s face burned red. He clenched his fists and lowered his head.

"Since your attention is not on the lecture," Long Yifan said firmly, "then it is better if you leave this class. I do not need students who do not respect their teacher."

The classroom gasped.

Chen Liang’s head snapped up. "What? You cannot expel me from the class without any reason!"

Long Yifan chuckled coldly.

"No reason? You ignored my lecture, you lied in front of me, and you dared to let your mind wander toward something else while I am teaching. That is enough. If you, as a student, do not act like a student, then I, as a teacher, have no reason to treat you like one."

The boy’s lips trembled with anger. His eyes turned red as if he wanted to argue again, but the weight of Long Yifan’s words crushed him. Deep down, he knew Long Yifan was right. He had been distracted. He had lied.

"I..." His voice was small now. "...I am sorry, teacher."

"Good," Long Yifan said. "Remember this. If I see any boy or girl turning their head toward this chair again, I will deduct your marks immediately."

The class went silent. No one dared to look at Gu Jin again.

Every head turned back to their notes, their eyes locked onto their papers, their pens scratching fast as if their lives depended on it.

Gu Jin tilted her head slightly. She did not say a word, but in her heart, she was surprised.

He had not only protected her from being stared at, but he had also done it so cleverly that no one could complain.

Long Yifan, seeing the students return to their work, nodded in satisfaction and continued teaching. His words flowed like lightning, sharp and bright.

Slowly, the unpleasant event faded away, buried under the weight of more lessons.

But Chen Liang could not forget. His heart burned with humiliation. His jaw clenched so tight it hurt.

"He made me apologize in front of everyone," Chen Liang thought angrily. "He humiliated me. I will not forgive him."

The lecture ended. The students stood, bowing politely, and filed out. But Chen Liang did not follow them. He stormed out in another direction, his footsteps heavy.

He went straight to the principal’s office.

Inside, the principal was sitting behind a large desk filled with scrolls and reports. He looked up as Chen Liang burst in.

"What is the matter?" the principal asked with a frown.