#14LeakAI Model: moonshotai/kimi-k2-instruct-0905
Chapter 14 – The Leak
Class was about to start, so the occupants of Dormitory Seven reluctantly set off for the lecture hall.
"Let's go, let's go—time for class!"
"Lin Mo, your Charmander is so cool!"
"Good luck in the final exam! Show us what that new Spirit can do!"
Chattering, they filed out of the dorm.
Before stepping through the door, Xiao Wu shot Charmander one last glare; the little lizard bared its fangs in reply.
She gave an angry humph, spun on her heel, and marched away.
Moments later only Lin Mo and Tang San were left.
Lin Mo re-absorbed Charmander and turned to leave, but noticed Tang San still rooted to the spot.
His face was clouded, brows knitted, lips pressed thin.
Lin Mo glanced at him, said nothing, and wondered what was wrong.
Was seeing Charmander remind him of Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's equally external yet far frailer Luo San Pao?
Tang San stood in silence, then seemed to reach a decision.
Resolve flashed in his eyes; he exhaled and his features calmed.
Seeing that, Lin Mo spoke evenly, "Tang San, let's head to class."
Tang San looked up, met his eyes for an instant, then nodded, regaining his usual composure.
"Alright."
Without another word they left the dorm and walked toward the teaching building. The morning theory session ended quickly.
The instant the bell rang Lin Mo closed his library book, stuffed it into his desk, and stood to join the crowd heading for lunch.
He was in high spirits—his spirit power had broken through rank 10 and Charmander had hatched—his steps were almost light.
But just outside the door two figures flanked him, blocking his path in practiced unison.
Lin Mo stopped short and looked up in surprise.
Before him stood Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang and the rarely-seen Dean Wang Zongchang of Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy.
In more than half a year Lin Mo had glimpsed the dean only two or three times, including the opening ceremony.
Calling it a nodding acquaintance would be generous.
Yet now the dean was smiling an unreadable smile while sizing him up.
Beside him, Yu Xiaogang wore the usual wooden face, but his eyes were sharper than ever, fixed on Lin Mo as if appraising him.
"Dean Wang, Grandmaster," Lin Mo greeted politely, bowing slightly.
"No need for formality," the dean replied, still smiling.
Yu Xiaogang merely grunted through his nose.
"Might I ask why you've stopped me?" Lin Mo asked directly.
He doubted they were here for small talk.
Dean Wang said nothing, merely looked to Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, blunt as ever. "Lin Mo, I hear your Spirit… has changed?
You've reached rank 10. Release it and let me see."
His tone carried absolute certainty, as though the privilege of inspection were a great honor.
Lin Mo's brows twitched almost imperceptibly.
He met Yu Xiaogang's gaze and replied evenly, "I did just reach rank 10.
But I'm curious—how did you know my Spirit changed?
It only happened this morning, and I haven't been broadcasting it."
As he spoke his gaze slid past them to the blue-clad youth pretending to admire the scenery nearby.
Sure enough, Tang San stiffened, then guiltily turned his head away.
That reaction confirmed Lin Mo's suspicion: Tang San had told them.
Evidently he had ignored both Lin Mo's words and the dorm's agreement and reported everything to his teacher.
Caught by the direct question, Yu Xiaogang's already stiff face grew even more rigid.
He opened his mouth, found no words, and stood awkwardly silent.
He knew how jealously Spirit Masters guard information about their Spirits, even newly-awakened Spirit Scholars.
Lin Mo's refusal and wariness were exactly what he'd expected.
Yet his obsession with variant Spirits—especially external Beast Spirits—wouldn't let him drop it.
He drew a breath, swallowed the awkwardness, and continued more gently, "I understand your caution.
But your Spirit, like my Luo San Pao, is an extremely rare external Beast Spirit.
I've studied this field for years; no one knows better their potential or the Bottlenecks they face.
He paused, forced an amiable smile, and added, "Let me observe your Spirit. If you show real promise,
I'll take you as my Disciple, just as I did Little San. With my guidance your path as a Spirit Master will be far smoother."
There was powerful confidence in his voice, as though being chosen by him were a matchless honor.
Yet in the depths of Lin Mo's eyes flashed a disdain neither man managed to catch.
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