https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-877-Lance-and-Huberian-s-Wonderful-Day/12937188/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-878-The-Night-Before-Lan-Fu-s-Three-Core-Six-Thread-Part-2-/12937195/
Chapter 878: The Night Before Lan Fu's Three-Core, Six-Thread (Part 1)
Chapter 878: The Night Before Lan Fu's Three-Core, Six-Thread (Part 1)
"This is Antanas Broadcast."
"Hey, it's me, Antanas, your host for today."
On a February morning, a wooden restaurant was about to open its doors, located two streets east of the Ekerite Academy.
The familiar opening line faintly echoed through the window.
A month had passed in the blink of an eye, and it was now mid-February, with spring just around the corner.
The sky was not yet fully lit, and the stars twinkled faintly in the bluish-gray light that bathed the streets of Herthon Capital, Ekerite.
In the drowsy morning, the streets were about to be enveloped in a world of indigo.
"It feels like someone's story is about to reach its climax in the next day or two."
Inside Cat Boss Restaurant, Pranae was standing at the bar, polishing a glass cup. He gazed out the window at the fading stars, as if divining something.
Pranae shook his head.
He couldn't make sense of the stars this time either. The line between great fortune and great misfortune was thin, perhaps he had misread them.
"Has the unchanging winter made you weary and bored?"
Throughout the two-story restaurant, the voice of Antanas' broadcast could be heard clearly.
"Good morning, Pranae."
A long, clear "ding-a-ling" sound came from the door, and the wooden door of Cat Boss Restaurant was pushed open by a pair of hands.
The winter wind rushed into the shop, bringing a cool chill.
"Good morning."
Pranae put down the glass cup and greeted Lan Fu, who had arrived early.
He wasn't sure if it was his imagination or if Lan Fu's mood had changed during the vacation.
Lan Fu seemed to have become more cheerful.
"Is your sister at the Duke's Manor?"
Lan Fu looked around the restaurant but didn't see Pranae's sister, Sinora.
"She went to play with Huberian. Today I'm only responsible for the morning shift. I don't have to worry about the afternoon or evening shifts."
Pranae remembered that Sinora had initially stayed at the Duke's Manor to protect Huberian's safety, and also because she got along well with Huberian. They would spend their days together.
Now that there was no need to protect Huberian, Sinora refused to stay over at Huberian's place no matter what. She would politely and timidly decline Huberian's invitations every time.
"Are you taking a break tomorrow?"
Lan Fu asked, noticing that Pranae always worked the longest shifts.
"Tomorrow will be busier at the restaurant. Sinora and Antanas both want to go out and play, so I'll cover their shifts."
Pranae didn't seem to mind at all, maintaining a calm expression.
Tomorrow was Valentine's Day in the Southern Continent, historically traced back to the Festival of Fertility of the ancient god, Cerus. It was said that a thousand years ago, a priest named Valentine secretly performed weddings for lovers, and was eventually executed, becoming a martyr for love. The date of his execution, February 14th, was later designated as a day of remembrance.
Over time, it became widely celebrated as Valentine's Day in the Southern Continent. Today, it is a significant marketing event for businesses, with various themed products like greeting cards, flower bouquets, and jewelry being sold. Restaurants, theaters, and other venues are also popular choices for couples.
So, Cat Boss Restaurant was bound to be busier than usual tomorrow.
"That's a shame. You won't be able to see the opera that Huberian and I are performing at the Ekerite Opera House."
Lan Fu expressed his disappointment.
The opera was scheduled by Abigail for tomorrow, considered an auspicious day.
He knew that Pranae had provided the production team with a lot of cultural insights from the Demon Realm. However, when the day of the performance arrived, Pranae couldn't attend due to his work schedule.
"It's fine. I can watch the live broadcast on the screen here at the restaurant."
Pranae could work and watch at the same time.
"Pranae, why don't you go and watch it? Tomorrow is a safe day. Huberian and I are the leads, and there won't be any trouble. It's a rare opportunity for us to watch it together. We can close the restaurant for a day, and Abigail has even prepared tickets for you."
Lan Fu tried to persuade Pranae.
"Alright, if you insist, I'll go and watch it."
After some thought, Pranae agreed.
With the power of the Bone Duke, he could use a bone clones to watch the opera at the Ekerite Opera House while he stayed at the restaurant to work, ensuring that neither task was neglected.
"That's great."
The two continued their conversation.
The interior of the restaurant was simple yet stylish, with wooden tables, chairs, and floors that exuded a subtle pine scent even in the winter.
"Although the 'Antanas Broadcast' program is about to end..."
"But remember Antanas' blessing—
"Being happy is the right path, and being sad is not necessary~"
"We might hear about a new story, and it's a pretty good theme."
When Antanas first started broadcasting from Cat Boss Restaurant, her energy was overflowing. Pranae helped her set up a small magical broadcasting device, and every day when the restaurant opened and closed, Antanas would turn on the broadcast, sharing stories with the customers.
Over time, she gained a following.
Not only the customers of Cat Boss Restaurant but also the residents of Ekerite who listened at home became fans. Many women would visit or contact her for relationship advice, especially the younger students from Ekerite Academy.
Even the magazine 'Ekerite Food Weekly' would mention Antanas Broadcast when featuring Cat Boss Restaurant.
Listeners sought her guidance on various relationship matters, and her advice on how to interact with their partners proved to be highly effective. What started as a way for Antanas to pass the time eventually gained a dedicated audience, and she even received a trial offer from Heton Times Radio.
"I remember she went to Heton Times Radio for the trial, and she passed, right? They wanted to make Antanas a professional broadcaster and host, and turn her personal program at Cat Boss Restaurant into a regular show for Heton Times Radio."
Lan Fu asked Pranae.
Heton Times Radio was an independent radio station located in the capital of Ekerite, known for its around-the-clock news, current affairs discussions, and interactive programs. It first aired over twenty years ago and has since held a unique position in the media landscape of the Herton Kingdom due to its innovative discussion topics and public participation model.
"She did pass the trial, but not long after, the war in the Southern Continent with the Crethe Empire broke out, so the program's launch was postponed. Until then, she could only continue her original work. Fortunately, the war ended much faster than expected, and now Heton Times Radio is preparing a new program for Antanas."
"Pranay replied.
This broadcasting media covers a wide range of topics, including politics, law, finance, health, and culture, aiming to provide a platform for the public to directly interact with the hosts and guests.
Sometimes, some programs also delve into topics related to emotional exchange.
The Heton Times Broadcasting Corporation highly appreciates Antanas' talent and has invited her to join them.
"Meow, what are you guys talking about?"
Cat Boss jumped out from the kitchen and landed on the counter, looking at Lance and Pranay.
It had just finished preparing breakfast and was ready to serve it to Lance.
"We're discussing going to watch a play together tomorrow afternoon," Lance said leisurely, gazing at the breakfast floating in front of him under Cat Boss's telekinetic control.
"Meow, meow, I want to go too, and I want to sit in the VIP seats!" Cat Boss exclaimed.
"Of course, you have your ticket, but honestly, I don't think you need to occupy a separate seat. No matter whose lap you sit on, they'll willingly hold you," Lance added.
As the two of them chatted in the dining area, the sound of slippers dragging on the floor echoed from the distant staircase.
"Ah, what a delicious smell! Did Tata make breakfast for me?" Sigrid asked drowsily as she walked down the stairs, yawning and sipping from a bottle of purified water.
"No, meow. Tata left early this morning to find Ifa, so she asked me to make breakfast for you," Cat Boss replied, lifting its head to answer Sigrid.
"Ah... Tata's not here?" Sigrid's drowsiness increased upon hearing that Tata wasn't around, and she even seemed ready to lean against the staircase railing and fall asleep.
She had originally planned to capture Talia and hang around her neck to smell her scent.
Even though Talia always accused her of being a criminal, as long as Sigrid used her own voice, Talia would give up resisting.
"Sigrid, come down and eat. Later, I'll accompany you to Ekitire Academy to get your student ID. I've already taken care of the exchange student procedures for you," Lance said with a helpless smile.
"That works too!" Sigrid's energy returned, and she ran down the stairs, full of life, and jumped onto Lance's back.
If Tata wasn't around, she'd make up for it with Lance.
"Alright, Sigrid, get off my back," Lance said, carrying Sigrid. Despite Sigrid being heavier than Talia, Lance didn't feel her weight at all.
Firstly, Talia was 168 cm tall, while Sigrid was 175 cm, and secondly, Sigrid was a martial artist, so her weight was reasonable.
"Meow," Cat Boss meowed, understanding what Lance was thinking at that moment.
Fortunately, Tata wasn't there.
Otherwise, she might have thrown Lance and Sigrid to the ground.
Every time Cat Boss saw that twisted abstract painting in the store, it felt unsure how to evaluate it.
The gradually brightening morning sun shone through the large windows of Cat Boss Restaurant, casting a warm glow on the wooden furniture. Soft clinks of cutlery and dishes, whispered conversations, and the restaurant's background music blended in the air.
Lance and Sigrid sat at a long table, leisurely enjoying their breakfast.
Sigrid sipped her latte carefully, with a meticulously drawn cat face latte art floating on top, while Lance savored a bagel with avocado, fried eggs, and fresh tomatoes.
They chatted and occasionally glanced at the newspapers Cat Boss was flipping through on the table. Here, they could effortlessly switch between their home and city life, making them feel like this place was not just a breakfast shop but their own dining area.
As they finished their breakfast, the sun had already risen high in the sky.
"Let's go," Lance said.
As Lance and Sigrid took a few steps out of Cat Boss Restaurant, they heard a melodious bell ringing.
"It's the morning bell of Ekitire Academy," Lance said, holding the little black cat and walking alongside Sigrid.
Since Cat Boss Restaurant was not far from Ekitire Academy, the sound of the bell tower could be heard throughout the neighborhood.
"You promised to take me to play at Ekitire, but after all this time, you're only taking me to play at school..." Sigrid said with a hint of grievance.
In the distance, the iconic red-brick bell tower on campus chimed nine times and then stopped, signaling the arrival of 9 a.m.
"Why do you smell like tea?" Lance asked Sigrid.
"How dare you say that?" Sigrid was momentarily amused by Lance's question and stopped pretending to be weak.
"I know, I'll make sure you have a great time at Ekitire Academy," Lance assured her.
Lance had spent most of the past month rehearsing at the Ekerite Opera House, and although he saw Sigrid every day, he didn't have enough time to take her out for a proper outing.
After tomorrow's performance, he would have plenty of time.
"Then tomorrow, I'll enjoy your performance. I heard that the Gray Princess Act received extremely enthusiastic reviews at the Brillada Opera House, and I want to experience the live performance of the Brillada Drama Troupe and your troupe tomorrow," Sigrid said, patting Lance's shoulder, hoping the young man would do his best so she could have a great time tomorrow.
"Don't worry, this time I'll definitely perform well," Lance promised her.
With such thorough preparation, he believed that tomorrow's performance would be a huge success.
As they chatted, the two of them strolled through the diverse architectural styles of Ekitire.
Unknowingly, they had crossed the few streets separating Cat Boss Restaurant and Ekitire Academy and entered the campus area.
Passing by the station at the school entrance, the golden sunlight rose in the east, illuminating the entire campus, making them feel refreshed and energized.
"It's so beautiful," Sigrid said, looking up at the Sage Tower Library adorned with bas-relief carvings. As they continued their walk, the scenery transformed into the classical Gothic arch windows of the Knight Academy Arena.
"I'll take you to see everything later," Lance said, prioritizing getting Sigrid's student ID so she could access the interior buildings.
"By the way, Lance, since you're good at being a designer and sample maker, you can help me with my Ekitire Academy uniform. Just follow your preferences," Sigrid said, glancing at her uniform reflected in the glass wall and addressing Lance.
She actually preferred her skirts a little shorter.
Tata did have a set, but the size was slightly off; she was just a little bigger than Tata.
"No, why did you take Huberian's clothes again?"
Lance looked at the outfit Sigrid was wearing and realized that she had changed into the school uniform before leaving, and it was Huberian's.
Due to the significant difference in style between Huberian and Sigrid, when Sigrid put on Huberian's clothes, even the overall feel of the outfit changed, causing Lance to not recognize it as Huberian's at first.
The Ekerite Academy uniform had numerous styles, allowing for free matching and customization at the Student Service Center, so there were hardly any two students with identical uniforms. Yet, they all shared the distinctive colors and floral patterns that identified their respective branches and grades.
"I didn't steal it; she agreed to let me borrow it. I just couldn't take her underwear, but everything else is fair game."
Sigrid declared to Lance.
The last time she wore Huberian's clothes at her home in the Crethe Empire, Lance had caught her.
If Huberian's clothes were a looser style, they would fit Sigrid relatively well.
So, whenever she didn't know what to wear, she would directly rummage through Huberian's wardrobe, even putting her own clothes in Huberian's closet.
"So, after coming to the Southern Continent, you basically haven't bought any new clothes besides what you brought in your suitcase. You might as well treat Huberian's wardrobe as your own?"
Lance thought that this kind of thieving behavior was very much in line with Sigrid's shortcut-taking mindset.
Shopping for fashion in stores might not be as good as a Duchess's wardrobe.
"There's no need to buy so many. Can't you see how frugal I am?"
Sigrid said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
After all, Huberian herself had agreed to it.
Even if Huberian initially felt it was a bit odd for Sigrid to wear her clothes, with a little coquetry and cuteness, Huberian would immediately give in. She would even take out skirts from her wardrobe for her little sister, Sigray.
"You've really got Tata and Hubby wrapped around your finger."
Lance felt that Sigrid had figured it out.
As long as she transformed into Sigray, she could do as she pleased at home, relying on her younger sister identity, and both Talia and Huberian would indulge her.
"And don't you think it's kind of fun for us to take turns wearing the same outfit?"
Sigrid whispered to him.
"What are you meowing about?"
Cat Boss, sitting on Lance's hand, overheard their conversation and suspected that Sigrid was saying something inappropriate.
The two of them, along with the cat, walked past the clock tower, which stood tall amidst a vast meadow surrounded by winter shadows.
After a few minutes of walking...
They crossed a garden and saw the red-brick building located at the edge of the Mage Engineering Institute—the Old Humanities Building.
"Do you remember when we were in Helrom, we also took the subway like students?"
Sigrid reminisced, asking Lance by her side.
"I was surprised then, too. I didn't expect the Bishop to disguise herself as a student my age."
"What are you trying to say..."
"At first, I thought you would disguise yourself as a teacher to infiltrate the school."
"You're losing points with me..."
The plants on both sides were bathed in morning mist and sunlight, emitting a refreshing fragrance. Along the road, there were many flowers that Lance couldn't name, some vibrant, some elegant, and some bizarre.
Accompanied by the singing of birds, the buzzing of bees, and the gurgling of water, they gradually walked from the end of the road into a soft grassy area filled with flowers. All the buildings in this area were built within gardens.
"Is this the place where your Student Council meets? Huberian mentioned it to me."
Sigrid asked curiously.
They arrived at the building located at the edge of the Mage Engineering Institute. The red-brick exterior was adorned with statues and reliefs, making it one of the campus landmarks—the Old Humanities Building.
She had heard from Huberian that this historic building used to be a workshop where Mage Engineers showcased their creativity. It was renovated and maintained decades ago and has since served as a technical service center for the Mage Engineering Institute, providing assistance to students from other departments. It was also the place Huberian and Lance visited the most.
The first floor was the public Mage Engineering Technology Service Center, the second floor was the New Mage Engineering Technology Creative Workshop owned by the leading Mage Engineering researcher, Professor Polao, which Lance and Tata often visited, and the third floor was the Student Management Committee Room.
"Yes, now it's mainly the President and the Secretary who are working. The President is a good and reliable person, but the Secretary... I always feel like she's a fangirl. Every time she sees me, it's like she's met her idol, and she even runs over to ask me for autographs with my photo."
Whenever Lance thought of the Student Council members, he felt that the most lively one was the Secretary, Louiseville, who was also a reporter for the Heton Times.
Her reports seemed fine, but they always felt a bit over-the-top.
Dean Loren's current reputation was not entirely clean.
"Sigh, if I had joined the Student Council earlier, anyone who dared to provoke Hubby, I would end their life."
Sigrid also understood Huberian's situation during the time when Duke Mygaya went missing in Ekerite.
"Don't even think about it. You two would fight over a man before you even realized it, meow."
Cat Boss imagined the scenario of the injured fifth-rank Seid meeting the fifth-rank Huberian in Helrom, and they almost got into a fight.
If things went awry, Cat Boss would have to consider how to help cook the sofa for the Great Lan Teacher, so he could eat a little better.
"That's called 'fighting and becoming friends.' I really admired her back then!"
Sigrid spoke to the little black cat.
"Meow..."
Cat Boss just felt that there wouldn't be another pair of sisters like Sigrid and Huberian.
They arrived at the Old Humanities Building, but the door was still closed.
There were no students around, as it was already the student holiday season.
"Oh no, we're early... I forgot that during the winter student holidays, the Mage Engineering Service Center opens at 10 AM and closes at 4 PM, not a minute earlier or later."
Lance said regretfully.
"It's fine, I'm used to it. The pace of life in Ekerite is much slower than in Helrom."
Sigrid was happy to wait with Lance, enjoying the leisure.
Many shops in Ekerite closed at 5 PM, not even bothering to make money, let alone the school service center.
They exchanged a knowing smile and stood on the lawn, chatting as they waited for the Mage Engineering Institute staff to arrive for work.
"Well, we could enjoy the scenery too, after all, it's our vacation..."
Sigrid looked up at the artistic ancient building before her, feeling surrounded by the scents of flowers, grass, and damp earth in the garden.
(End of Chapter)
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