NOVPUBUnderneath the old literature building of the Magic Engineering College, the wide garden was bathed in morning mist and sunshine. The plants released a fresh fragrance, accompanied by the chirping of canaries, the buzzing of bees, and the babbling of the brook.
In this open meadow filled with flowers, two figures stood talking.
"Why do you suspect you’ve been defrauded?"
Lavisseir, the young reporter, asked. 𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶
"Actually, I received a penalty notice with an exorbitant amount on it. It was so outrageous, I have to verify it myself."
Noe Wilford sighed.
Noe speculated if Lanci, the good-for-nothing kid who fancies himself clever, might have mixed up the penalty notice.
However, if Lanci indeed has such a level of forgery skills, he wouldn’t need to worry about sustenance for the rest of his life.
He would either be filthy rich or taken care of by the Kingdom Prison.
Noe suddenly remembered the last time he saw Lanci, he was engrossed in studying laws.
It was probably from then that this kid had gone astray.
The most pressing concern was to verify the penalty notice at the Magic Engineering College before its deadline.
If the notice turned out to be fake, Noe would punish Lanci severely and get him back on track.
If it turned out to be real, Noe would have mixed feelings.
Because it would mean that this kid had actually been admitted to the Sage Academy.
"Can I have a look at the penalty notice? Perhaps I could help you figure out if it’s real."
Lavisseir offered with a smile.
Although she wasn’t a business major, as an intelligence studies major, she excelled at discerning the authenticity of official documents.
"Much obliged."
Noe willingly took out the penalty notice.
Lavisseir took the notice and began scrutinizing it.
Soon, she started smiling again:
"Let me tell you, these high-amount penalty notices issued in the private name of an Ichrite Academy teacher are often fake, a common scamming technique. Proper notices should apply an official-to-official approach, instead of private-to-official. How could Professor Bolao, a renowned magical engineer, resort to defrauding rich merchants..."
However, she stopped midway through her words.
She saw the recipient’s name was Noe Wilford.
"!"
Immediately, the young reporter Lavisseir looked surprised. She stood at attention on the spot and saluted Noe with a solemn expression and chest thrust out.
"What is it, student...?"
Upon hearing Lavisseir’s previous words, Noe had been ready to nab Lanci when she suddenly performed a complete U-turn in attitude, leaving Noe puzzled.
"I can assure you of one thing."
Lavisseir’s tone changed, sounding much like a broadcaster.
"What is it?"
Noe swallowed with anticipation, asking nervously.
Was there some bigger crime linked to this penalty notice?
"This penalty notice is absolutely real."
Lavisseir returned the notice to Noe with both hands.
"You mean that kid is really in this school?!"
Noe asked with widened eyes, wondering how on earth Lanci, who didn’t know a thing about magic, had passed the entrance exam to the Sage Academy!
Why couldn’t he find out any information about Lanci’s entrance examination?
The more he investigated, the more fake Lanci’s acceptance letter seemed.
But it turned out to be true.
He began to question his life.
"Of course! This school can’t do without him! Every report about his deeds receives high praise!"
Lavisseir countered excitedly.
"Every time?"
"Yes."
Lavisseir nodded repeatedly.
"...Could you describe what the Lanci Welfort you know is like?"
Noe worried that they were talking about two different people.
"He has black hair and green eyes, very handsome. He seems harmless, gentle, and polite. Sometimes, however, his actions can be extremely abnormal, making people question his mental state."
Lavisseir described in an animated tone.
"Hiss..."
Noe scratched his head in confusion after listening.
Indeed, it was that good-for-nothing lad of his.
Aside from being handsome, he had nothing else to offer. His head was always full of nonsense, and he often got drunk and acted like a madman.
Although the young reporter’s remarks were sharp, they were indeed the truth.
"Has Lanci caused any trouble at the school?"
Noe immediately asked the question he was most worried about.
"Um... no."
Lavisseir thought for a moment before answering.
Lanci had only been doing good deeds at school!
She often heard the chairman, Monasite, praising Lanci for his diligent work and good conduct.
As for outside the school, he did make a big move yesterday—he took out the Goddess of Destruction of the Rebirth Church. Lanci was most likely ranking at the top of the Rebirth Church’s wanted list by now.
Lavisseir had no idea what the bounty on Lanci by the cult would be.
"So student, do you know how to find Lanci?"
Upon hearing this, Noe finally let out a sigh of relief and gave a relieved smile.
He didn’t expect the kid to be somewhat surprising.
As long as Lanci didn’t cause any major trouble at the school, everything was fine!
In any case, Lanci couldn’t stir up any big storm in the Royal Capital because he was just an idiot and not some uncontrollable Devil Incarnate that would evolve in the right environment.
Now, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off Noe’s chest, leaving him in high spirits.
As per the penalty notice of 8000 pounds, he didn’t mind, he would use it to celebrate Lanci’s successful admission to Ichrite Academy.
"Uh, Lanci may not be available for now because he’s live-streaming."
Lavisseir glanced at the pointer on the distant clock tower.
Lanci entered the Shadow World only yesterday morning, and it would continue for a full four days. Until then, Lanci would definitely not be found in the school.
"It should start soon. It’s said that this morning they’ll present a special art, culture, and science performance. I originally planned to go to Jera Memorial Square to collect some report materials. Would you like to watch it before going to the Magic Engineering College?"
Lavisseir immediately asked Noe.
Lanci and the others had slept late and ended the broadcast at two in the morning. They announced that they would only resume after nine o’clock the next morning.
So, the timing was just right.
Spending time close to Lanci, Noe’s mental endurance must be pretty strong. Seeing Lanci’s appearance in the Shadow World would not cause a significant fluctuation in his heart rate.
"Ha, I want to see what the kid is messing around with this time."
Noe laughed.
Since the penalty notice was real, he was not in a hurry to verify the situation at the Magic Engineering College.
Did that kid have any talents that he could show off to the whole school and passing residents of the Royal Capital?
That would be fun to watch.
He was eager to enjoy the show.
