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Chapter 322: Cybele's Graduation
Chapter 322: Cybele's Graduation
In the Kingdom of Aether Thailand, in the royal capital of Gedaria, early March.
This forest city is like a new work that has just unveiled the thick canvas of winter, revealing the tranquility and freshness of early spring. The cobblestone streets, recently liberated from the snow, are damp and polished to a shine by the midday light.
The city's lakes are slowly awakening, with gentle ripples on the surface occasionally carrying a few petals that drift gently in the wind, lightly touching the water as the tree branches sway, bringing with them a faint scent of new grass on the breeze.
Near one of Gedaria's lakes, within a temple surrounded by ancient trees, the murmured prayers of priests blend with the distant sounds of flowers, birds, and insects to create a natural harmony.
In the depths of the temple, in a corner of the vast hall, stands a towering bookshelf that reaches almost to the ceiling. Many of the book spines on the shelves have been aged to a yellowish hue by time, while others look as good as new.
Not far from this bookshelf stands the Ice and Snow Witch, her figure illuminated by the natural light streaming in. Her long skirt billows like snowflakes, exuding purity and nobility.
"A familiar saying goes that a spy must always maintain their calm, no matter the circumstances."
These are the parting words of the Ice and Snow Witch to Cybele as she bids her farewell within the temple.
After all, even the Goddess of Fate may struggle to aid you if you are lazy, indifferent, or lose your composure.
"Take this card; may it protect you in my stead."
The Ice and Snow Witch hands Cybele a pink sacred card imbued with icy mist.
Their voices echo within the icy hall.
With a solemn nod, Cybele accepts the card, feeling the warm magic emanating from it.
This is the spell the Ice and Snow Witch had promised to create for her, a magic that Cybele had struggled to learn on her own.
"Teacher Almise, thank you for your guidance and care during my time here."
Cybele expresses her sincere gratitude with a respectful bow.
"Take care, Cybele. Always put your safety first, no matter what happens in the Protoss Empire."
The Ice and Snow Witch embraces Cybele affectionately.
During their time together, Cybele has become her most important disciple.
Initially, due to Cybele's background, Almise had considered maintaining a certain distance.
However, in the end, Almise was convinced that Cybele was a sincere and pure-hearted child. While she possessed the resilience and coldness of the demon tribe, her eyes shone with honesty when she was with those close to her.
"You seem to have an Epic card with you. Although I don't know its effect, the more backup options you have, the more reassured I'll be."
The Ice and Snow Witch smiles as she speaks.
"Well... it's not actually mine. It's borrowed from Lanchi."
Cybele replies after a moment's thought.
"Can Epic cards be lent to others?"
Almise is slightly taken aback.
Pink sacred cards and orange Epic cards cannot be freely exchanged. Pink sacred cards are challenging to unbind from their owner's soul, and orange Epic cards are impossible to unbind.
Unless they are high-quality automatic trigger cards, lending them to others renders them useless.
"This card is a bit special. She can summon herself... Even without Lanchi, she can help me according to her will, but she's quite dangerous, so I've never summoned her within the temple."
Cybele explains.
"May I see it?"
The Ice and Snow Witch asks, intrigued.
Cybele nods and takes out the translucent orange card, [Great Loving Poet], which is accompanied by a floral fragrance.
"Great Loving Poet, please come out for a while."
She calls out to the card.
There is no response.
"Lanfu?"
Cybele calls out twice, holding the orange Epic card, but the Great Loving Poet shows no sign of appearing.
Cybele is perplexed.
Cybele frowned. Usually, whenever she called out to the Great Loving Poet at home, she would happily bounce out. But this time, it seemed like she was afraid of the Ice and Snow Witch and refused to come out.
Perhaps the magical card was hesitant to appear without its master by its side, fearing the touch of a foreign High Magus. To a magical card, a High Magus could be akin to an ultimate dismantler.
"It's alright. It's normal for an intelligent summon to be cautious of unfamiliar Magi. I just didn't expect a demon-type summon to be so timid."
The Ice and Snow Witch mused aloud as she examined the card.
Even she couldn't quite decipher the card's composition at first glance.
"Who's scared of you? I just don't want you to see my peerless beauty and faint."
Suddenly, the Great Loving Poet materialized, her hands covering her face as she hunched slightly.
If it weren't for Lanchi's emphasis before their departure—to not let anyone from the Northern Continent, especially demons, see her face—she wouldn't have cowered like this in front of this detestable woman, who had the audacity to call her timid!
Although the Great Loving Poet didn't know the exact reason for Lanchi's repeated warnings, she could guess. Perhaps Tata had been a well-known figure on the Northern Continent, and with their almost identical appearances, being recognized could lead to unnecessary trouble.
Cybele didn't know how to react to the Great Loving Poet's comical behavior.
"How beautiful could you be?"
The Ice and Snow Witch found the situation a bit amusing. She had never encountered such a timid yet defiant summon before.
She hadn't intended to say anything more, but the Great Loving Poet's provocative tone prompted her to retort.
"!"
The Great Loving Poet wanted to lower her hands and show the Ice and Snow Witch that her beauty was unmatched. However, Lanchi's warning kept flashing through her mind.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Finally, the Great Loving Poet's gaze shifted slightly downward.
"At least I'm prettier than your chopping board of a face."
The Great Loving Poet scoffed, lifting her chin slightly.
The Ice and Snow Witch was taken aback for a moment before realizing what the Great Loving Poet meant by "chopping board."
She took a deep breath.
"I won't stoop to your level, but I must tell you that with your personality, no matter how beautiful you are, no one in this world will truly like you."
The Ice and Snow Witch replied coldly.
The Great Loving Poet trembled with rage, her hands still covering her face. She seemed to disagree but didn't dare to retort further.
Just as they were about to get into a heated argument, Cybele quickly stepped between the Great Loving Poet and the Ice and Snow Witch.
"Lanfu, calm down."
She hadn't expected such a clash of personalities between Almise and the Great Loving Poet. They were on the verge of a quarrel from the moment they met.
"Hmph, Lanchi always says that the woman who looks like me is cold, fierce, and old. But I'm different. I have both looks and charm!"
With that, the Great Loving Poet transformed back into a summon card.
"Whew—"
Cybele let out a breath, her palms sweating. She understood that the Great Loving Poet was alluding to Tata, but her words seemed to be directed at the Ice and Snow Witch, criticizing her for being cold, fierce, and old.
Thankfully, they were in the Northern Continent. If these words had been spoken in front of someone who knew Tata, Cybele would have suspected that the Great Loving Poet wished for Lanchi's demise!
"I'm sorry, Almise. The Great Loving Poet is used to having her way."
Cybele quickly apologized to the Ice and Snow Witch, bowing her head.
"It's fine. It's my fault for trying to reason with a demon-type summon."
The Ice and Snow Witch shook her head.
In the moment the Great Loving Poet had disappeared, she finally understood the card's effect, realizing that she, too, had been influenced by its lyrical magic.
(End of Chapter)
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