https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-294-Cardinal-Lanchi-s-Firm-and-Brave-Stand/12584385/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-296-Is-Lanchi-Doing-Well-in-the-Protoss-Empire-/12584389/
Chapter 295: Sheryl Isn't Afraid of Challenges
Chapter 295: Sheryl Isn't Afraid of Challenges
In the Kingdom of Eisetalan, located northwest of the Protoss Empire, lies the royal capital of Nordia, Gudarelia.
As the evening sun danced through the dense canopy, its rays intertwining with the smoke that wafted in the air, it cast a soft glow upon the forest city, ushering in the twilight hours as the stars slowly illuminated the night sky.
Towards the end of February, the short day was also coming to a close.
Deep within the city, on the shores of a clear lake surrounded by lush trees, stood an imposing temple.
In the heart of the temple, a grand hall intertwined with white jade and deep gray stone pillars.
The Ice Witch, Aya, sat gracefully on a sofa, holding a delicate porcelain cup. The pale green tea leaves slowly unfurled in the transparent hot water, releasing a pleasant fragrance.
With her eyes closed, she savored the moment of tranquility.
However, the peace was short-lived.
From an invisible corner of the air, Sheryl, cloaked in invisibility, watched with determined and cold eyes, or perhaps she was preparing for something.
As long as she could get close to the Ice Witch, her special training would be considered a success.
Her breath had long been silenced, and like a phantom, she swiftly approached the Ice Witch unnoticed.
Yet, the Ice Witch remained unperturbed, as if completely oblivious to Sheryl's impending presence.
Just as Sheryl's dagger was about to reach the Ice Witch's back, she suddenly felt a chill at her feet.
An invisible cold air swiftly spread from the floor, freezing her feet and immobilizing her in place.
Sheryl struggled to break free, but the power of the cold was overwhelming. It crept up to her hands, causing her dagger to hover in the air, just inches away from the Ice Witch.
"You still haven't learned to erase your intent to attack," the Ice Witch finally opened her eyes and said softly.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Artemis," Sheryl lowered her head in disappointment, a glimmer of disappointment flashing in her eyes.
However, the Ice Witch's eyes shone with a deep and gentle light.
"It's alright, you're almost there. You have a unique talent for erasing your presence, but it seems that it can only be triggered in life-or-death situations."
She gently lifted her finger, and the cold air dissipated, freeing Sheryl's feet. With her healing magic, she ensured that Sheryl didn't suffer any frostbite.
"......"
Sheryl cautiously backed away, her face reddening as she felt a deep respect for her teacher.
She could indeed sense that, at times, she was able to erase her magical presence, breath, and even her very existence in desperate situations.
However, she felt embarrassed to say whether it was an innate talent or a skill honed by someone else.
"Sheryl, continue," the Ice Witch said softly, and with a gust of cold air, she pushed Sheryl to a corner of the temple.
And so, in the heart of the temple, within the Ice Witch's grand hall, the calm and frost interwove once more.
As the last rays of the evening sun faded away through the colorful window frames, only the lamplight illuminated Sheryl's young and determined face. Her shadow stretched across the cold stone floor, falling just short of the Ice Witch.
"Let's call it a day. Don't rush, you're almost there," the Ice Witch said as she healed Sheryl's minor frostbite.
Next month, she would be sending Sheryl to the Protoss Empire, and for now, she was honing Sheryl's stealth and escape abilities.
Regardless, survival skills were the most important.
Although she would be sending three clerics whom Sheryl was familiar with as contacts to the Northwest Province of the Protoss Empire, the success of the mission in the imperial capital, Hellrom, would depend solely on Sheryl.
"The Protoss Royal Magic Academy that you will be attending next month is an extremely unfriendly school for ordinary students. Coming from the Southern Continent, you'll likely struggle to adapt, and your first challenge will be earning enough credits before the planned prison break to meet the requirements and successfully undertake the prison internship."
The Ice Witch motioned for Sheryl to sit by her side as she spoke, "If you're strong enough, you can quickly climb into one of the ten seats of the third-year students. Even the last of the ten seats holds considerable power... But with only a month to spare, it will be incredibly difficult to achieve. If you're not among the ten, you might face unfair and harsh treatment from the other students as you strive for credits; you may have to endure some hardships."
"It's alright, I'm very good at yielding," Sheryl nodded in response.
She had never been the type to bulldoze her way through things.
"..."
The Ice Witch fell silent for a moment, a hint of confusion clouding her mind.
This month of interaction had led her to discover that Sheryl was a good child, and it didn't seem like an act.
She was graceful in her manners, kept her promises, and possessed a pure, gentle, and fearless spirit, akin to falling snow.
She was completely unlike her mother, Iferitia.
Treating Iferitia as a fragile, delicate angel would lead to dire consequences.
While Talia and Iferitia, the sisters, had vastly different personalities, they shared one striking similarity: when they sought revenge, they became utterly insane and terrifying.
Thus far, Sheryl seemed to share none of the traits of either her mother or her aunt.
"Speaking of, Teacher Artemis, have there been any recent news from the Protoss Empire?" Sheryl asked.
The Ice Witch shook her head.
Lately, the blockade along the northern border had intensified, and even communications from the northern provinces of the empire had been cut off from the other provinces. Aside from secret departments with special connections, not even the imperial capital, Hellrom, could obtain any information about the northern provinces.
"Worried about him again?" the Ice Witch asked.
Of course, she knew why Sheryl was concerned about the Protoss Empire.
That young man, Lanchi Willfort, should have drifted into the Protoss Empire by now, after they had parted ways.
"I hope Boss Cat heeded my words and kept an eye on him," Sheryl expressed her concern for Lanchi, though it was a multifaceted worry that she found difficult to explain to the Ice Witch.
"Don't worry, I have faith in Loren's character. Anyone Loren has taught will definitely be someone who upholds order and possesses upright morals. You can rest assured about that youth," the Ice Witch took another sip of tea and asserted confidently.
"..."
Sheryl found herself at a loss for words.
After all, she would never speak ill of Lanchi, so she had nothing to say in response.
Perhaps she was indeed overthinking things.
Lanchi had promised her that after completing his thesis, he would leisurely travel around the empire before returning.
Setting aside his past deeds in the Shadow World, in the present world, he was a steady and trustworthy man.
Things would probably be fine.
It was time for her to continue striving as well.
To settle down.
May we meet again in the imperial capital.
(End of Chapter)
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