NOVPUBHutton Kingdom.
A day had passed since Lanci stepped into the Shadow World.
On this Saturday morning, sunlight broke through the thick clouds, shining on the bricks and glasses of the Royal Capital Ichrite, leaving a layer of warm glow.
In this city that preserves the ancient charm while highly modernized, the red brick buildings glowed in the morning light, and the glass curtain walls reflected the azure of the sky and the whiteness of the clouds.
At Ichrite Central Station, the Magic Power Rail Train glided along with a steady hum, carrying residents and tourists quickly to their destinations.
Walking through the station hall, the hustle and bustle gradually faded away, replaced by the clear sounds of shop bells, intertwined with the melody of the singing poet plucking instruments in the distant square.
A middle-aged man dressed as a businessman arrived at the square opposite the Central Station, boarded a small sightseeing carriage, and began his journey in the city.
The soft leather seats of the carriage swayed lightly, bringing a refreshing and comfortable breeze.
His temples were slightly greying, but his demeanor and dignity were in no way diminished, every piece of clothing was neatly arranged.
"This kid, he’d better not get caught by me."
Noe Welfort sat in the carriage, looking at the scenery of Ichrite, and couldn’t help but murmur.
After hearing about the fine levied on their house by Professor Bolao, the Dean of the Magic Engineering College.
Lanci Welfort’s father, Noe Welfort, unusually sailed back from Granville City on the northern border of Cerryti Empire to Nanwantina, which is located on the southern border of Hutton Kingdom.
A few days ago, when Noe received the international magic communication from the butler Hans, he was first very shocked.
He had told Butler Hans before he left the Hutton Kingdom last time, unless it was particularly bad news about Lanci, there was no need to use expensive, complicated procedures and strictly managed cross-border communication equipment to notify him.
If Lanci just caused some minor troubles, it would suffice for Butler Hans to help Lanci out on his behalf.
As a result, Noe received no news about Lanci during the few months he was in the Cerryti Empire.
Noe naturally thought that the little brat had seen the gap between him and his talented peers in the capital and had returned to Nanwantina with a desolate look, living those dazed and happy days again.
After all, it was impossible for Lanci to pass the entrance exam of the Alchemy College after only a short period of study.
"Ah, I didn’t have high expectations for him in the first place."
Noe sighed, he knew that Lanci was not the scholarly type, and his demand for him to study was just to discipline him.
From the beginning, Noe never expected Lanci to be admitted to a good school like the Ichrite Academy.
All Lanci needed to do was not to learn bad things and not to cause trouble.
However,
One shock after another since returning to the country!
That kid was said to have actually passed the entrance exam of Ichrite Academy, and he never returned home since he went to the capital!
And worse he even got into the Sage Academy! 𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝒎
Even though the fine from the Magic Engineering College and Lanci’s admission letter were as real as they could be, Noe still felt something was off.
So, Noe took the Magic Power Rail Train overnight to the Royal Capital Ichrite, and upon his arrival, headed straight to the Ichrite Academy in the city center.
Along the way, Noe, laden with heavy thoughts, enjoyed the famous sights of Ichrite in the carriage.
The Hutton Pedestrian Square was not yet fully bustling in the early morning. From the Erica Magic Tower surrounded by streamlined buildings to the wide tree-lined avenue by the Yara River, various shops were gradually preparing to open, and the faint aroma of coffee and sweets spread out.
It took several tens of minutes.
The sightseeing carriage reached the vicinity of the Academy.
The legendary Ichrite Magic Academy was situated at the heart of the Royal Capital.
Carrying a light black suitcase, Noe stepped into the domain of the academy.
After a few strides, he was welcomed by a grand and harmonious toll of bells.
This was the mellifluous ring of bells emitted by the distinctive Ichrite Academy Ancient Bell Tower. It rang nine times before ceasing, signifying that it was already nine in the morning.
The bell tower stood tall in the midst of the vast lawn, surrounded by lush trees. The sunlight seeped through the dense leaves, falling on the grass, creating intricate patches of light and shadow.
Noe navigated between various buildings following the map on the sign board.
He saw the Sage Academy Tower Library whose exterior wall was adorned with fine bas-reliefs, and the Knight College’s Arena with pointed arch windows. He also saw the magic fluorescent screens scattered everywhere, which reflected the sky and the surrounding green trees on their surfaces.
After about ten minutes of walking.
Noe slowly lost his way in the campus.
He sensed the main building of the Magic Engineering College he was looking for was nearby, but had no idea how to use the signs to find the Old Literature Building in the vast garden, and then cross the garden to reach the Magical Machinery Institute Area.
During this moment of confusion.
He finally spotted a student’s figure in this scarcely-populated garden.
"Excuse me, do you know the way to the Dean’s office of the Magic Engineering College?"
Noe quickly approached and asked the female student, who appeared approachable, with soft blue hair.
Besides the magic energy recording camera hanging around her neck, she also had two work badges on her chest. It seemed she was both a member of the student council and a reporter for the "Hutton Times".
"Of course, I can take you there, but have you made an appointment?"
The girl, whose name tag read ’Lavisseir’, immediately flashed an amicable smile, giving off a lively and energetic vibe.
Currently serving as the secretary of the student council, she had been recently summoned back to the council to help due to lack of manpower. And right after stepping out of the student council room on the third floor of the Old Literature Building, she ran into someone who needed help.
"I have an appointment. Professor Bolao will be waiting for me in his office till noon."
Noe replied, inwardly marveling at the students of the best school in the Hutton Kingdom; they all embodied such refined manners and readiness to help.
"If I haven’t been scammed…"
Noe then added.
In fact, he still doubted whether the admission letter from Sage Academy was a forgery by that boy.
Maybe due to running out of money, the boy came up with a despicable idea, forging a false penalty bill to deceitfully extract a large sum of money, so as to continue his comfortable life in the royal capital.
And perhaps the person he contacted yesterday through the communication magic within the country was not the real Professor Bolao but an actor hired by that boy.
If that were the case, should Noe catch him red-handed, he would certainly make him pay!
But the admission letter and the penalty bill were too perfectly forged...
The only loophole was on the issuer of the penalty bill.
Instead of being issued under the name of Ichrite Academy, it bore the private name of Professor Bolao, the Dean of the Magic Engineering College.
As an experienced businessman, Noe knew that in such compensation cases, a public to private or public to public penalty bill would be more reasonable.
However, a private to public penalty bill like this one, with Professor Bolao claiming compensation from Wilford Chamber of Commerce, seemed very bizarre!
It gave off a strong impression that Professor Bolao was colluding with Lanci to extort money from their family!
