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Chapter 260: Cardinal Lanchi's Enthusiasm Surges Again
Chapter 260: Cardinal Lanchi's Enthusiasm Surges Again
On the road to the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, in the late hours of the night, Zestila confided a secret to Lanchi. A small number of exceptionally talented demons are born with the innate ability to awaken a weak degree of magical talent without needing to ascend to a high rank. Zestila's gift allowed her to avoid certain dangers, but it also meant she had to endure a plethora of negative emotions. In her many years, she had encountered people who exhibited varying degrees of kindness and malice towards her, but she had never met someone as purely innocent as Lanchi.
They walked through the city, where transparent magical barriers supported floating gardens in the air between tall buildings. These gardens were home to singing plants and luminous ghosts, yet the duo passed beneath them without a worry that they might fall. The city exuded an ethereal charm, yet it always retained an underlying air of strangeness.
"Let's go that way," Zestila said, pointing to a junction on the left, indicating that Lanchi should not head straight towards an old neighborhood ahead. This old neighborhood had a slightly distorted shape, and its spatial structure was actually different from the outside world. It was like a multi-dimensional crossroads, where one step could take you to any location in the imperial capital.
"By the way, do you guys also fight in the Shadow World?" Lanchi asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. The northern continent did not have an artificial Shadow World activation terminal, a massive magical machine that was considered the pinnacle of modern human magic engineering. Consequently, there was also no "practice mode." Death in the artificial Shadow World was not permanent, but in the real Shadow World, death meant losing one's life for good.
Zestila, a preparatory student who hadn't even advanced to the first grade, was about to face the real Shadow World head-on. However, according to Lanchi's understanding from Silver Armor Priest, the Protoss Royal Magic Academy offered very generous and direct academic rewards. For example, as long as one had enough credits, they could exchange them for most of the resources that students might need.
The school could even arrange for students to observe the Empire's Great Sage's "Primal Tablet of Light." As for the owner of the other Primal Tablet, the "Primal Tablet of Undead," Duke Morotian, he was currently refusing all requests for observation.
The Great Lover Poet had told Lanchi that if he collected more of the "Counterfeit Tablets," he might experience some changes when he put them together later. This was because the "Primal Tablets" were originally mural fragments that could be pieced together, but they had been treated to be mutually repulsive. The two Primal Tablets possessed absolute repulsion towards each other. However, the Great Lover Poet's "Counterfeit Tablets" did not exhibit this repulsion, allowing a person to bind with multiple tablets.
Interestingly, according to the complete map, the "Primal Tablet of Light" and the "Primal Tablet of Wind" were adjacent to each other. If Lanchi had the opportunity to observe the "Primal Tablet of Light," he would be curious to experiment by piecing together the "Counterfeit Tablet of Light" and the "Counterfeit Tablet of Wind."
"I chose a course called 'Shadow World Practical Skills,' which is open to both preparatory and first-year students. It offers a lot of credits, and if you want to get stronger, challenging the Shadow World will speed up your progress," Zestila explained. She might disappear from school for half a day to a few days at a time, and she would inform Lanchi beforehand so that he wouldn't worry or wander around the school aimlessly.
"Have you studied the Shadow World in the southern continent?" she asked, having heard that people from the southern continent relied more on exploiting mechanisms and wisdom to navigate the Shadow World, rather than solely on their own strength. They also had a comprehensive system of teaching and intelligence-sharing, significantly increasing the overall success rate in the Shadow World.
"I've been in it twice and have done some research," Lanchi nodded.
"Then, could you briefly tell me about the key points of challenging the Shadow World according to you folks in the southern continent?" Zestila requested.
This particular Shadow World would be observed by the professors and the highest-scoring senior students, and their evaluations would not only determine the number of credits rewarded but also greatly influence whether any teachers would be willing to select her to join the upper house.
"Sure, but if you don't feel confident about the Shadow World, I can accompany you," Lanchi offered, knowing that Zestila was only at the second tier. Theoretically, tackling a second-tier Shadow World shouldn't be an issue, but according to Viscount Francis, Zestila's encounter during the entrance exam suggested that the real danger might not be the Shadow World itself but her classmates.
"That's not necessary," Zestila refused outright. She wouldn't bring him into such a dangerous place.
The two fell into a comfortable silence, which was common as Zestila wasn't much of a talker. They continued their journey along the river of energy.
One of the rivers in Helrom City was not made of ordinary water but of raw, unprocessed magical core liquid mineral springs. Illusionary ripples often appeared on the river's surface, and the water was highly toxic to those who lacked sufficient magical power.
On the other side of the river was the Helrom Zoo, a landmark building known for its modified creatures from the magic world and alchemy creatures. However, visitors had to sign a statement acknowledging that the zoo would not be held responsible if they were devoured or transformed.
Further ahead lay the endless library and the Starry Sky Theater, beyond which was the Protoss Royal Magic Academy. Helrom City was home to a library of unquantifiable size, managed by a seventh-tier automaton.
Not far from the library, at the end of a floating staircase hundreds of meters high, was a theater. It was said that sitting within it would make one feel as if the night sky was the ceiling, with the stars within reach. However, it was not a place for those with acrophobia or heart conditions.
Lanchi had done his tourist research on these places beforehand.
This was an extraordinary city, and it would be a shame not to explore it thoroughly.
Before long, the two arrived at a building on the outer edge of the academy to complete some paperwork before entering the school's internal area.
It was similar to the student service center at the Ikelite Academy, with the only difference being that this place maintained 24-hour service.
With the efficient handling of the night shift staff, Lanchi quickly filled out some forms and smoothly obtained a bracelet similar to Zestila's.
"..."
He glanced at the bracelet on Zestila's hand, noticing the faint, deep red letters glowing with the words 【150（+0）】.
In contrast, Lanchi's bracelet displayed 【0】.
"Can I also earn points as a mentor?"
Lanchi had a good guess at the meaning of the numbers.
The number on his bracelet, as a follower, should match the number within the brackets on Zestila's bracelet.
"All the points you earn will belong to me, but I don't need you to risk your life for me," Zestila said flatly.
"Don't expenses within the school also require points?" Lanchi asked. He had noticed a few things while filling out the forms. For instance, there seemed to be no transactions using the imperial currency within the school. Instead, students' living expenses were deducted from their points, so without any point income, one could quickly find themselves in the red. This system resembled the one at the Inferno Corridor Academy.
While it was theoretically possible to trade points for the imperial currency outside of school scrutiny, both the buyer and seller would face severe consequences if reported. The accused party would likely be deducted points until expulsion and have the incident permanently recorded in their files. Such an intentionally left loophole seemed to be a deliberate design to test the students' trust and mental fortitude.
"Don't worry about it," Zestila said calmly. "It's probably better for a mentor-type follower to stay outside the school most of the time. However, I would like your help on the monthly assessment day."
Zestila candidly expressed her request for Lanchi's assistance.
He could choose to teach her every day during the workweek or just give her weekend tutoring sessions—whichever he preferred.
"Monthly assessment day?" Lanchi asked, intrigued by Zestila's rare request for help. He had heard that she had an important month-end assessment coming up, followed by the Shadow World challenge, both of which were significant for her.
"The last day of every month is the assessment day. It involves a closed-door assessment, and the entire school becomes a semi-restricted area. The classrooms will be graded for danger levels, and you must enter at least three classrooms. However, you won't know which subjects are being tested in each room. For example, you can help me with magic engineering or magic genealogy exams. It's also an opportunity to earn a substantial amount of points."
Zestila continued, "But I'll protect you."
Upon hearing this, Lanchi furrowed his brows slightly, deep in thought.
This setup sounded oddly familiar.
Wasn't this the regular mode of operation at his Inferno Corridor Academy?
"..." Zestila glanced at Lanchi.
She rarely made demands of him, and this particular request was challenging, so it was understandable if he felt pressured. However, she wouldn't force him if he was unwilling.
Most of the time, Lanchi would be free to roam the imperial capital as he pleased.
It was safer than staying within the school grounds.
For this harmless young man, Zestila only wished for him to enjoy his time in the capital, and if he wanted to settle down, he could retire and live a peaceful life. He didn't seem like someone who sought trouble.
"Rest assured, even as a part-time mentor, I will perform my duties diligently," Lanchi assured her.
Since he could bring a mentor along during the exams, Lanchi was determined to live up to Zestila's expectations and give her classmates a demonstration of what happened when a principal took the stage.
With his primary responsibilities being so light, he could focus his energy on expanding his other ventures.
The Cat Boss had asked him before if he wanted to be a principal again, and he had said no.
He had promised to give Hepburian a little surprise when they met.
Lanchi always kept his word.
Since he had already been a principal once, becoming a principal again might not be surprising enough for her. He needed something new.
Previously, through the Resurrection Church, he had successfully infiltrated the Southwest Province, not only gaining the admiration of Grand Priest Kane but also earning the approval of the conservative faction led by the provincial administrator for his executionary guidelines. With widespread propagation, his image as a pioneer was gradually becoming that of a factional leader.
With a little more support, he, as a pioneer, might be able to enter the imperial political arena, starting from the lower house.
(End of Chapter)
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