I Hijacked the Timeline (IHT)

The next morning, at the academy cafeteria.

As usual, the dining trio gathered in the northern corner of the cafeteria.

"Slurp~!"

After taking a sip of his porridge, Feng Qi raised his head to look at Mu Qing and Lin Ran. Thinking about their tragic fates in the future, he couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.

"Qi-ge, why do I feel like you're looking at me weirdly? What's up?" Lin Ran, his mouth stuffed with food as usual, glanced up at Feng Qi with a puzzled expression.

"I had a master do a divination for you yesterday. Guess what?"

Lin Ran: ???

"The fortune-teller said you have a calamity in your destiny. This calamity will make you spend the rest of your life in pain—but there's a way to avoid it."

"How do I avoid it?" Lin Ran asked curiously.

"Give up the stubborn dream in your heart and embrace the path your talents have chosen for you."

"Qi-ge, I don't understand. Can you explain in a way that us carbon-based lifeforms can comprehend?"

"What's your strongest talent? Why were you recruited into the Tiger Soul Research Institute in advance?" Feng Qi continued, coaxing him patiently.

"Of course, it's my achievements in spell research."

"Exactly, that's the talent you were chosen for. Now let me ask you, what's your dream?"

"My dream is to achieve something significant in the field of cultivation technique research, to become a master in that domain and be admired by future generations... huh?" As Lin Ran spoke, he suddenly realized what Feng Qi was getting at and lowered his voice.

"Qi-ge, I don't believe in fate. I believe that I control my destiny, not the heavens."

Feng Qi: ...

"You're going to get yourself killed chasing your dream!" Realizing that Lin Ran was still refusing to listen, Feng Qi couldn't help but glare at him.

"To die for a dream—I'd do it without hesitation. A real man should burn himself up pursuing his passion, even if it leads to death."

And then spend his remaining days consumed by regret, despised by the world, growing old overnight, and eventually dying in misery.

Completely oblivious to reality.

Looking at Lin Ran's confident expression, Feng Qi couldn't help but silently complain in his heart.

"By the way, I need to tell you both something. I'm going to be away from Star City Academy for a while."

"Where are you going?" Lin Ran stopped eating.

Mu Qing, sitting across from him, also looked up at that moment. Her puffed cheeks stopped chewing as she curiously gazed at Feng Qi.

"I forgot to tell you—I'm actually only 17. This visit to Star City Academy was a task to observe and learn. In three days, I'll be heading back to my school to handle some graduation matters."

Hearing this, Lin Ran's eyes widened. He had always thought Feng Qi was a senior at Star City Academy. Learning that Feng Qi was actually a year younger than him left him stunned. He immediately asked:

"Will you come back? You're not planning to enroll in another academy, are you? I still want to learn cultivation technique knowledge from you. You can't leave!"

Although Mu Qing didn't speak, she also looked at Feng Qi, waiting for his response.

Feng Qi was her first friend and the only one who had brought warmth to her life. Now, hearing that he was leaving, she suddenly felt a pang of reluctance. However, she didn't let this show on her face.

"Aren't you an exchange student from Winterfell Academy? Whether I'm at Star City Academy or not, won't you eventually have to go back?" Feng Qi replied, looking at Lin Ran with mild exasperation.

...

"I'm a genius, and geniuses have privileges. Besides, I've already been pre-admitted to the Tiger Soul Research Institute. There's nothing left for me to learn at Winterfell Academy, so I can choose to stay wherever I want. I'll just graduate as a Winterfell Academy alumnus."

"What about you? You still haven't answered my question. Are you coming back or not? If not, at least tell me which academy you're heading to. I'll apply for an exchange program and follow you there."

"You're so casual about this. You'll just go wherever I go?" Feng Qi was taken aback.

"Of course! Before coming to Star City Academy, I wanted to study at Galaxy Academy. Their cultivation technique program is more specialized compared to Star City Academy's. But my mentor asked me to come here first and show off in front of his old friends, so here I am."

"I was planning to head to Galaxy Academy after a month here, but now I don't think that's necessary. I've found my target for learning and catching up." Lin Ran gave Feng Qi a knowing look as he said this.

"You've definitely found the one who's going to save you. I'll guide you as you grow strong and healthy," Feng Qi remarked, deeply moved.

Earlier, he had worried about Lin Ran's eventual return to Winterfell Academy as an exchange student. Without his supervision, Lin Ran might still end up walking the same doomed path.

Now that he knew Lin Ran would stay, his concern dissipated.

Smiling, he said, "Don't worry. I'm only leaving for a few days. Once I finish my graduation-related matters, I'll be back. Actually, Star City Academy has already granted me direct admission, so I'll probably get the acceptance letter delivered to my school by graduation."

In his heart, he silently added, Who else would keep an eye on you two troublemakers?

"Hehe, we'll be waiting for you," Lin Ran grinned upon hearing Feng Qi's reassurance.

Beside him, Mu Qing lowered her head again, resuming her meal. For some reason, her appetite suddenly seemed much better.

After breakfast, before leaving, Feng Qi pulled a silver harmonica out of his pocket and handed it to Mu Qing.

"Senior, this is for you."

Mu Qing's face froze in surprise, unsure how to react.

Having grown used to being ostracized and rejected, she was already overjoyed to have Feng Qi as a friend. She never expected that he would remember her broken harmonica and even buy her a new one.

"I can't accept this," Mu Qing said, shaking her head.

"I bought it specifically for you. It's just a gift between friends, so take it." Feng Qi extended the silver harmonica closer. Seeing her hesitation, he simply pressed it into her hand.

Watching Mu Qing's confused expression, he said nothing more. He then grabbed Lin Ran and turned to leave, not giving her a chance to refuse.

Clutching the silver harmonica tightly, Mu Qing stared at their retreating figures. Her eyes grew misty before she quickly lowered her head, as if afraid to reveal her vulnerability.

On the way to the library after leaving the cafeteria, Lin Ran looked at Feng Qi with a teasing smile.

"Qi-ge, if gifts are just a gesture between friends, why didn't I get one?"

After saying that, Lin Ran's inner drama queen emerged. He put on a forlorn expression and lamented, "I get it now. Friendship is nothing in the face of love."

"Who says you don't have a gift? I've already prepared one for you. I'll give it to you later."

Surprised for a moment, Lin Ran's curiosity was piqued. "Qi-ge, can you give me a hint about what it is?"

"It's the latest release from Galaxy Research Institute—Advanced Spell Theory, Version 3.9: Revised Edition. Three volumes, thick as bricks, divided into upper, middle, and lower volumes. Excited yet?"

Lin Ran: ...