Chapter 42: Lanchi's Legal Services
Chapter 42: Lanchi's Legal Services
As the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, its rays slanted through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, casting an orange-hued glow on one side of the classroom, infusing it with a soft, warm light. The tables, empty chairs, and stairs were bathed in a gentle luminescence, as if quietly narrating tales of time's passing.
In the back of the classroom, seated at a spacious wooden table, were only two figures: Shubellyan and Lanchi.
Shubellyan wondered why Lanchi was looking at her. After a moment's thought, she met his gaze, locking eyes with his pretty emerald irises. "Lanchi, don't get involved with me anymore. You don't need to be dragged into my problems..."
However, Lanchi remained unmoved by her words, merely blinking as a ripple of emotions flitted across his face. "I won't stand by and watch a friend being bullied. Besides, when Modan called me a 'lousy lawyer' earlier, didn't you want to stand up for me too?"
Lanchi smiled, always reciprocating kindness with kindness. "Anyway, if you ever need any legal help, you can find me at Room 101 of the Sages' Dormitory. Once I pass the bar exam, I can hang a sign next to my door—'Lanchi's Legal Services'."
"..."
Once again, Shubellyan found herself at a loss for words.
...
Unbeknownst to them, Lanchi's words were overheard by other students.
Though no one approached Lanchi, who looked so weary that he clearly wanted to be left alone, many perked up their ears, curious to hear more of the exchange between Lanchi and Shubellyan.
The rules at the Hecate School were actually quite humane, as there were often students with unique talents, such as blacksmiths, sculptors, painters, chefs, apothecaries, and card makers. These students would transform their dormitories into popular workshops, attracting visitors from different years and houses.
The school tacitly approved of this diverse social environment.
But a law firm...
That was something new.
Who the hell needs a lawyer in school!
This is a magic academy, not a law school!
...
The trees on campus swayed gently in the breeze, their shadows dancing on the classroom floor in a silent ballet. Students strolled along the paths, their distant laughter and conversation drifting into the room, making time feel both ethereal and profoundly real.
In the end, after much hesitation, Shubellyan nodded, accepting Lanchi's sincere offer. "If I can find my father, I will ask him to bestow upon you the highest honor as a consultant to the Duke of Aransal."
Shubellyan's expression was solemn, her promise weighty.
Even though it might very well be an empty promise, it represented her attitude—
She acknowledged Lanchi as a friend, and he was a friend of the Aransal family.
And the Aransals always repaid their debts!
"A consultant to the Duke? That would be quite a prestigious title if it comes true. My father would probably be so shocked to know I'm doing so well in the capital that he might pass out..." Lanchi chuckled at the thought, unconcerned about whether the promise would be kept. He was simply touched by his new friend's gesture. "Shubellyan, despite your cold and ruthless exterior, you have an extraordinarily kind heart."
"What do you mean?" Shubellyan didn't understand Lanchi's comment.
"Because your thoughts are always focused on finding your father, rather than inheriting your family's legacy." Lanchi offered a gentle smile as he explained.
"..."
Hearing Lanchi's words, Shubellyan's eyes lowered, her gaze dropping to the desk as she sank into a well of sad thoughts, unable to speak for a long moment.
After a while, Shubellyan finally spoke up, her expression still unreadable, but her emotions clearly complex. "Father... he'll be fine," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. She had risked her life to uncover scant clues about her father's disappearance, only to find that they pointed vaguely towards the southern Krexe Empire.
She knew she was too weak right now. Not only was she alone, but she also couldn't discern who among the people in the royal capital was a friend, an enemy, or a traitor. Venturing to the Krexe Empire on her own would be suicidal. She had to get stronger quickly; perhaps there was still a chance to find her father, but she needed to act fast...
However, Shubellyan resolved to keep these thoughts to herself and not involve Lanchi any further. She couldn't bear to let him get entangled in her problems any deeper.
"Have you considered taking on the Shadow World?" Lanchi asked, seeing Shubellyan's pensive silence. "We could team up and give the Shadow World a little shock." His tone was casual, but his eyes held a spark of excitement. Of all the people he knew, Shubellyan would be the perfect teammate. Not only had they worked together before, but she had also proven to be incredibly reliable in their previous battles. This was why they had been able to clear the super-hard mode of the [Infinite Phantom Canyon] together.
Shubellyan's fingers froze on the page, and she stared at Lanchi, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly agape, as if she wanted to say something but was also trying to catch her breath. "You... you want to go with me?" she asked at last, her mind still reeling from Lanchi's sudden proposition.
"Of course," Lanchi replied firmly, his eyes shining with determination.
Shubellyan lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the tabletop as she bit her lip indecisively. The reason Lanchi was so friendly to her was that he didn't know she was half-demon. She didn't know how to break the news to him, even though she knew their current friendship might just be an illusionary bubble that could pop at any moment.
"You can back out at any time," she said softly, her eyes downcast, effectively accepting Lanchi's invitation but also giving him an out.
"I knew you'd say yes!" Lanchi exclaimed, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. "Let's go challenge the Shadow World today while the Magecraft Institute is still open! I can't take this class anymore; I don't know who the idiot was that added 'Non-Incantation Spellcasting' to the required courses this year, but I just can't get the hang of it!"
Lanchi rubbed his temples as he recalled the morning's lesson, feeling a headache coming on. He hadn't expected the courses at the Sage's Institute to be so challenging, or perhaps his magical skills were just that lacking. Especially this 'Non-Incantation Spellcasting' course; it was driving him crazy! And to think it hadn't even been a required subject in previous years!
"Today?" Shubellyan echoed, her voice filled with surprise. She hadn't expected Lanchi to be so impulsive. This was even more surreal than a trip decided on a whim, and her heart pounded wildly in her chest. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond or what expression to wear.
"Yes, right now," Lanchi said, stretching his arms above his head and cracking his knuckles as if preparing for action. "Are you in?" he asked, leaning back in his chair and flashing Shubellyan a confident smile.
(End of Chapter)
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