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Chapter 189: Lanchi Always Considers His Opponents
Chapter 189: Lanchi Always Considers His Opponents
An hour had passed since the start of the Shadow World challenge.
Cardinal Lanchi ran his cold fingers lightly over the rough stone wall, the tingling sensation from his fingertips helping to keep him alert.
As the icy wind howled through the prison, accompanied by the trembling silence of the other prisoners in their cells, the iron chains bit into his wrists, and the shackles scraped his skin raw, numbing his senses.
Every pore in his body resisted the cold, but it was a futile effort.
"It's so cold..."
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the chill spread through his lungs. As he exhaled, he watched his breath turn to white mist. He could feel every shiver, every beat of his heart, as it struggled against the relentless cold.
As time passed, Lanchi began to grow accustomed to the icy temperature, his muscles stiffening and his thoughts slowing.
It was hard to imagine that if he stayed in this prison any longer, the cold and despair would become his only companions through a silent and endless night.
Though Adams had chosen this Shadow World, there was no issue with it.
After all, Lanchi had said he would accept any type of challenge.
However, if they were to fight it out to the bitter end, both of them would undoubtedly be severely injured.
"Student Adams..."
Finally, Lanchi spoke resignedly, his voice carrying along the wall near Adams' cell, "If we continue like this, trying to force a victory, it might damage our friendship."
Soon.
"What's wrong, Lanchi? Are you already faltering? I didn't take you for someone who would back out midway," Adams replied with a laugh, a hint of mockery in his voice.
In the cell to the left of theirs, Adams' situation was no better.
Despite having stockpiled a small amount of supplies like Lanchi, after an hour of enduring the cold without using them, Adams' face was frostbitten.
He had never underestimated Lanchi.
At the same rank, without the use of magic cards, his basic cold resistance was stronger than Lanchi's.
However, Lanchi was skilled in analyzing information and strategy; he might be able to obtain more supplies from the other prisoners.
Adams had decided that no matter what Lanchi said, he wouldn't trade with him. Lanchi was a man with bewitching words, and tricking his opponent out of their supplies was one of his possible strategies for victory.
As long as he didn't fall for Lanchi's tricks regarding supplies, Adams was confident that when it came to willpower and determination for Knight Captain Julianna, he wouldn't lose to Lanchi. Only by defeating Lanchi fairly could he ensure that Lanchi accepted his loss gracefully.
Lanchi paused slightly, feeling that Adams had misunderstood his intentions.
"I always see my decisions through. You don't have to worry about me going back on our agreement," Lanchi said calmly.
The two men communicated through the thick wall, their voices carrying through the gaps in the iron bars into the corridor outside and into each other's cells.
"Then there's no need for further discussion. Whatever you say won't sway me," Adams said with a bitter laugh.
He knew that Lanchi would try to communicate with him at some point during this Shadow World challenge.
He had anticipated that Lanchi would attempt to draw him into a mental game, trying to outwit him with strategies, but he hadn't expected Lanchi to start so soon.
"... "
After hearing Adams' response, Lanchi fell silent for a while.
"Then be it. I'll let you win."
With that, Lanchi's voice fell silent.
"Wait, Lanchi?"
Adams was taken aback and called out beyond the iron bars.
However, there was no response from the neighboring cell.
"....Lanchi?"
Adams couldn't understand the situation.
Lanchi's enigmatic desire for victory confused him.
Was this person truly the type who was above the notion of victory and defeat?
Rumors had it that Lanchi's true nature was unfathomable.
But even Adams never imagined that someone would outright surrender in a trial representing their college, as if he were a purely rational being, making judgments without a shred of emotion or pride.
Adams pondered this, and after a moment, he finally exhaled a breath of mist, coming to a realization.
Lanchi must have sensed that victory in this Shadow World was impossible, whether through strength or willpower, so he chose to concede gracefully, adhering to the principle of a friendly contest.
Adams couldn't help but admire Lanchi's composure and mentality.
No wonder he was the prodigy who could defeat the Destruction Saint, Adelais, in perilous situations.
"Wait a moment..."
Just as Adams considered withdrawing from this Shadow World and ending his torment, he furrowed his brows.
He pressed his hand against the wall, his brow furrowing in confusion, and listened intently with his ear to his palm, eyes closed.
He remained like this for a while.
Although it was faint, he could swear he heard some slight movement from next door! Adams' eyes widened in realization, and his expression turned to one of disbelief.
"You despicable man, Lanchi!"
Adams shouted angrily towards the neighboring cell.
That conniving man! There was nothing he wouldn't do!
He almost fell for his trick!
...
On the Gera Memorial Square, the students fell silent.
This was so like Lanchi.
He actually wanted to pretend that he had given up and then lie in wait in the Shadow World, tricking Adams into leaving!
After all, the true victory, according to the agreement witnessed by all the teachers and students of the Sage's College, was still based on the scores of the Shadow World challenge.
If Adams had believed him earlier, Lanchi could have simply told Adams after leaving the Shadow World, "Do you believe everything that was said in the Shadow World? That kind of verbal surrender is invalid; it was merely a reasonable strategy. We still have to abide by the terms of the agreement." Adams would have been left speechless.
Lanchi was clearly playing a psychological game and exploiting loopholes in the contract.
While feigning surrender was a bit underhanded, it was indeed Lanchi's only possible way to victory!
"If Adams wasn't so cautious, it might have ended just now."
"Some lawyers are just despicable like that. They'll get you to concede verbally and then slap you with a contract!"
A fighter, who had been a victim of Lanchi's tricks in the past, bitterly commented from the stone steps.
Whenever they recalled the image of their boss, Cervini, sobbing uncontrollably, they felt nothing but regret that not a single one of them had seen through Lanchi's true nature back then in the Fighter's Soul team's dojo.
Because of Lanchi, Cervini had completely given up on the Fighter's Soul, and no amount of persuasion could change her mind. All they could do now was wish their boss the best of luck in passing the bar exam...
"But... Lanchi's scheme was not only seen through by Adams, but it also put him on guard. I wonder how Lanchi plans to deceive Adams now that he's on high alert?"
The other students discussed their confusion.
In the Shadow World prison, Lanchi and Adams were separated by a wall and couldn't see each other's conditions.
However, the live broadcast provided a clear view of both their cells, allowing the audience to observe their expressions.
It was evident that Adams still had strength in reserve, while Lanchi was truly suffering from the cold, and he couldn't afford to drag this out any longer.
Lanchi, for all his magical prowess, was ironically incapable of casting even a first-tier fireball spell in his current state, as his magic cards were sealed. He couldn't even heal himself or generate warmth.
Among all the students in Sage's College, only Lanchi's magical abilities were this lacking.
For Lanchi, the decisive moment was fast approaching.
It was time for him to pull out some heavy-duty maneuvers!
(End of Chapter)
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