Chapter 728: Lanchi's Promotion
Chapter 728: Lanchi's Promotion
Time flew by during the lesson.
Outside the classroom, in the black and white checkered marble corridor that shone under the light, golden particles floated lazily in the air.
As a deep, resonant bell rang out across the central complex of St. Cryxis Monastery, it signaled the end of Lanchi's class for the day.
Even so, no students left the room, and some eager learners gathered around the lectern, eager to ask him questions.
It wasn't until much later, after the curious students had somewhat clarified their doubts, that he quietly closed his lecture notes, carefully placed the heavy ancient tome onto the lectern made of tamarind wood, and offered a friendly and sincere smile to the students below before bidding them farewell and striding out of the classroom.
It was nearing noon, and Elliot Hall was abuzz with voices.
Groups of students carrying bulky book-shaped magical devices walked and talked animatedly as they strolled through the cloisters, their laughter echoing off the spacious corridors, mingling with the faint aroma of food wafting from the lower-level cafeteria.
Lanchi walked alone in the corridor next to Classroom 4-43, his footsteps echoing off the stone walls.
"The students of St. Cryxis Monastery indeed have unique perspectives. Some of their questions really stumped me."
The sharp inquiries from the students during the class still lingered in his mind, and their insights deserved further contemplation. Sometimes, Lanchi would discuss them with Talia in his mind before formulating a response.
Fortunately, Talia's eight hundred years of knowledge were truly impressive and invaluable...
She was too beautiful and too powerful.
Just as this thought crossed Lanchi's mind, he felt his heart clench as if grasped by an invisible hand, prompting him to exclaim:
"Professor Landri! Wait!"
Suddenly, hurried footsteps and a young, clear voice called out from behind, interrupting Lanchi's train of thought in the corridor.
Lanchi stopped abruptly and turned, pausing his mental conversation with his spiritual companion, and refocused his attention on the students of St. Cryxis Monastery.
Several students rushed forward, unmindful of their appearance, their eyes sparkling with a thirst for knowledge and admiration for him.
The leading student, breathless, spoke excitedly, unable to conceal his enthusiasm:
"Professor, the new energy theory you presented in class today was truly astounding, especially your idea of utilizing the principle of live magic oscillation and resonance to improve energy conversion efficiency. It's a genius insight! But I still have some concerns. I wonder if you could look at our thoughts and tell us if they are feasible."
As he spoke, he took out pages filled with notes and his own derived formulas.
"Yes, Professor Landri,"
Another youth with golden hair and blue eyes continued,
"I believe it can be developed not only for new energy but also for humanitarian restraints. In the future, reforming criminals can be as simple as a one-button sweep, ensuring they don't shirk their labor. It's forced, efficient, and pure, reducing the workload and supervision challenges for prison guards."
The students spoke excitedly, one after another, eager to demonstrate their understanding and enthusiasm for knowledge.
"What's gotten into them?"
Talia asked curiously in Lanchi's mind.
She suddenly recalled that during Lanchi's class, he spent only half the time teaching magic engineering, and the other half lecturing on ethics, religion, and philosophy.
As the class progressed, a portion of the students started exhibiting unusual behavior.
Only a small number of students with strong resistance remained unaffected.
The students chasing him now were evidently among those who had changed the most.
"Very insightful thoughts. Let me take a look."
Lanchi smiled kindly, not immediately answering Talia, as he prepared to clarify the students' doubts.
He glanced up and noticed a familiar figure standing at the corner of the corridor—
It was none other than Nicholas, known as the "Red Falcon," the chief of the Domestic Countermeasures Division of the Imperial Special Operations Department.
He wore a crisp and immaculate black military uniform as always.
The military merit badge on his chest sparkled in the sunlight, and his hands were clasped behind his back, his posture as straight as a pine tree.
Upon seeing Lanchi, Red Hawk Nicholas gave a slight nod.
It seemed he had been waiting for Professor Landri for quite some time.
Following Lanchi's gaze, the students noticed Nicholas's coldly handsome face and the Imperial Special Operations uniform, and they immediately fell silent, their earlier enthusiasm dampened.
Lanchi returned the officer's greeting and apologized to the students beside him.
"I'm very sorry, Alexander, Benjamin, Christopher, Gregory... I have an urgent matter that requires my immediate attention. The questions you've raised are indeed thought-provoking, and I assure you we will discuss them thoroughly tomorrow afternoon. I'm available in my office in the Supert Building on the 8th floor of the Grand Monastery every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Let's have an in-depth discussion then, shall we?"
His tone was sincere and polite, and he addressed each student by name.
"Please go ahead, and we'll see you tomorrow."
The students immediately nodded, feeling their hearts filled with a sense of warmth. They had assumed that Professor Landri, whom they had only met for two days, wouldn't have much of an impression of them, yet he already knew them so well and seemed to genuinely value and care for each of them, as evidenced by the sincerity in his eyes.
"See you tomorrow," the students replied.
Lanchi waved and turned, striding purposefully towards Red Hawk Nicholas.
"Professor Landri, I apologize for the interruption. I'm wondering if you might be available to accompany me to the headquarters of the Imperial Special Operations Department now? There are some matters we previously discussed that require further confirmation from you."
As Professor Landri approached, Nicholas's deep voice remained as stoic and unreadable as ever.
"Of course, my classes for the day are over. I'm ready to accompany you now."
Lanchi's expression remained calm, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips as he readily agreed, "Thank you for waiting, Chief Nicholas."
"Actually, my task today was also to investigate and record the events in Classroom 4-21, so it works out well."
Red Hawk Nicholas was slightly taken aback by Professor Landri's willingness to accompany him without any hesitation, although he didn't show it.
He gestured politely. "Please, the vehicle from the Special Operations Department is parked not far from Elliot Hall."
With brisk strides, Nicholas walked side by side with Lanchi through the grand and cavernous corridors of Elliot Hall.
The students watched as the two figures walked away, whispering amongst themselves. Their initial confusion gradually gave way to curiosity as they wondered about the mysterious connection between Professor Landri and the Imperial Special Operations Department.
Countless speculations swirled in their minds, and some even dared to ask Elsa, Lanchi's sister. However, she merely shook her head, her hands clutching her sleeves tightly against her chest.
Meanwhile, on their way...
"It seems you're quite popular with the students," Red Hawk Nicholas remarked, his knowledge of Elliot Hall seemingly surpassing even Professor Landri's. He walked half a step ahead, as if he were the one guiding the professor.
He had noticed the students rushing out of Classroom 4-43 earlier, but they had chosen to retreat upon seeing him, an officer of the Imperial Special Operations Department.
"After all, I do enjoy interacting with the students," Lanchi replied, his eyes downcast as a gentle smile played on his lips.
"Do you possess a special talent for emotional communication? Are you able to build good relationships with those around you so quickly?" Nicholas inquired, his eyes appraising the professor once more.
"Perhaps it's not a talent, but rather a field of study—a study of how people or society 'should be.' Even if it doesn't directly impact our daily lives, there may come a day when we encounter significant obstacles in life. Knowing 'what should be done' may provide the key to overcoming those hurdles." Lanchi's gaze drifted towards the distant horizon beyond the windows as he spoke.
"Why are you so cold towards your sister? She seemed to be looking for you earlier," Nicholas probed, his tone carrying a hint of jest and an obvious attempt at testing Lanchi.
He had noticed the young woman who bore a striking resemblance to Lanchi peering into the classroom earlier.
Nicholas had done his research on Lanchi and was well aware of his background.
Elsa Washington, Lanchi Washington's younger sister, had grown up relying on each other in a small town on the Nicassander border in the northwestern part of the Cryxis Empire. A few years ago, she had been sent to the capital, Brielda, and the siblings had not seen each other in a long time. They should have missed each other.
It seemed that Elsa had intended to talk to her brother, but upon seeing him being watched by the Imperial Special Operations Department, she chose not to approach, as if understanding that her presence might cause trouble for him. After a brief moment of eye contact and a nod of acknowledgment, she had turned and left.
"Time flies like a wild donkey, never stopping. My little sister has grown up before I knew it," Lanchi mused, a note of nostalgia in his voice.
"I can always make time for family matters, but when it comes to the empire's business, not a moment can be spared. I believe that in addition to you, Chief Nicholas, there are others at the Special Operations Department awaiting my arrival." Lanchi glanced at Nicholas, implying that they could have simply found a nearby place to talk instead of Nicholas waiting punctually outside the classroom to escort him to the department's headquarters.
"Of course," Red Hawk Nicholas acknowledged, not denying Lanchi's inference.
Indeed, he was responsible for bringing Professor Landri back to their headquarters.
"Elsa is an exceptionally understanding child, and we haven't been in touch for years. If you have any doubts about me, Chief Nicholas, please feel free to discuss them with me directly. I would appreciate it if you could refrain from involving her," Lanchi stated bluntly, a rare display of directness from him.
"Very well, I understand," Red Hawk Nicholas relented with a light laugh, nodding in agreement.
Soon, the two men exited the labyrinthine Elliot Hall and arrived at a street adjacent to one of the plazas.
"Lanchi, why did you let him know that Elsa is your weakness?
Talia asked in confusion within Lanchi's mind.
She felt that Nicholas was still suspicious of Lanchi, and Lanchi's previous response to him had been very dangerous.
"Actually, if I didn't care about Elsa, that would make Nicholas suspicious. It's also good to give him a weakness to exploit. Not only will it assure him that I care about my sister, but it will also make him feel that I'm easier to manipulate, someone with vulnerabilities and familial ties. Often, those truly formidable spies are loners, unencumbered by attachments."
Lanchi replied to Talia.
"You're quite clever," Talia thought for a moment and agreed.
This kid is a natural-born spy, navigating pitfalls with a calm demeanor and effortlessly finding the optimal solution.
In a short while, the black magical vehicle that had been waiting on the other side of the plaza quickly moved onto the road upon spotting Red Hawk Nicholas and Professor Landri.
"Greetings, sir," said a special agent in a suit, saluting Nicholas through the window.
Nicholas opened the back door for Lanchi with one hand, watched him get into the car, and then took the seat beside him.
The driver started the engine silently.
With a soft hum, the vehicle departed from St. Cryxis Monastery's Elliot Hall, heading towards the central area of the capital, Brielda.
The Imperial Special Operations Department was established over a hundred years ago, initially organized to counter the demon spy threat during the Holy War. It played a crucial role in the war and later transitioned to conducting intelligence operations against neighboring countries and the United Parliamentary Alliance of Kingdoms.
Its mission is to secretly gather intelligence domestically and abroad to safeguard the national security interests of the Cryxis Empire. The threats it addresses include terrorism, organized crime, regional conflicts, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and more. With approximately at least three thousand well-trained agents, it has multiple regional stations and specialized departments, operating independently from but also collaborating with the Imperial Military General Staff and Command led by the first war god, Hinthos.
The current head of the Imperial Special Operations Department, Duke Dex Reynolds, is one of the empire's most enigmatic figures. He publicly serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his position as the department's director was kept confidential for over twenty years until it was revealed a few years ago.
Red Hawk Nicholas is bringing Lanchi to the department's headquarters, nicknamed the "Holworth Claws," located at Holworth Crossroads in the center of Brielda.
Since arriving in the capital, Lanchi hasn't ventured this deep into the city center.
"Who will we be meeting later?" Lanchi asked Nicholas, sitting beside him in the back seat.
Leaning back on the soft leather seat, Lanchi gazed out the window, enjoying the floral fragrance, the breeze, and the afternoon sun as the car made its way through the city.
Nicholas maintained his rigid, upright posture, resembling a chess piece.
"Our highest-ranking officer, Director Dex," Nicholas replied, glancing at Lanchi.
He noted that Lanchi seemed remarkably calm sitting next to him, unsure if it was due to psychological resilience or an innate trait.
Nicholas turned his attention to the passing imperial buildings outside the window.
"So, it was Director Dex who instructed you to bring me to the Imperial Special Operations Department?" Lanchi asked, a hint of surprise in his voice, followed by a soft laugh.
"Yes, the position of honorary advisor to the department is not one I can decide on my own," Nicholas nodded.
"Then, I'm truly honored," Lanchi said.
"... "
Talia's worry grew at this revelation.
It was evident that Lanchi's research at St. Cryxis Monastery had attracted the attention of high-ranking officials in the empire, including the influential figure, Director Dex.
For a true imperial lapdog, this would be an opportunity to showcase their talent, prove their value, and climb the power ladder. However, for an Allied spy, it was akin to stepping into a tiger's den. Any misstep or vulnerability would be ruthlessly exploited, and death could come without warning.
Talia's heart raced as she imagined the countless hidden dangers that Lanchi would soon face in this seemingly pleasant new environment.
"Talia, just focus on being a good housewife. Don't worry yourself with my work. I'll handle it," Lanchi reassured Talia in his mind.
"I will definitely make sure you have a good life here in the empire, so rest assured," he added.
"Then, good luck..." Talia set aside her annoyance at being called a housewife, acknowledging that she had indeed been cooking for Lanchi regularly. She appreciated that he remembered her efforts and found comfort in his enthusiasm for his work and his sense of responsibility. If only his name weren't Lanchi, he would have been an ideal partner.
(End of Chapter)
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