NOVPUB"...!?"
At this, Adams, standing beside Lanci, was once again left dumbfounded.
True to his training under the scumbag Dean Loren, Lanci’s reassuring words could probably placate more than a dozen fiancées at once without any issues!
Initially, Adams had difficulty imagining how Loren could juggle situations of such magnitude. But having seen Lanci, he was now a believer.
"So, Adams, our wager has been witnessed by Knight Commander Juliana. You may choose the content of our competition now. I’m open to any sort of challenge," Lanci stated, cradling his cat with a nonchalant smile as if he had just engaged in some casual chatter.
"Fine!"
Lanci’s description of the bet was indeed spotless. Adams couldn’t find anything to refute.
After a brief silence, Adams finally responded decisively.
"Well, Lanci, even though I have reasons that make winning imperative for me, I won’t specifically choose a competition that gives me an advantage. I’ll defeat you fair and square so you’ll heartily admit your defeat," Adams declared.
"I look forward to it," Lanci remained relaxed, appearing indifferent to victory or defeat.
Or perhaps this demeanor represented his certainty that he would win no matter what challenge Adams proposed.
Adams nodded. Lanci had finally gotten serious as he had wished. This was what he wanted to see.
"We’ll compete on something we’re both good at—conquering the Shadow World. We will use the Endless Mode of an Artificial Shadow World, lock our ranks at Second-order, and forbid the use of Magic Cards. It will be a pure contest of intellect and willpower," stated Adams, pointing at Lanci.
Along with a ripple of murmurs in the conference room, the senior students and teachers quickly understood which Shadow World Adams was referring to.
He had referred to the second-order Artificial Shadow World, [Desperate Bony Cage], an extreme test of the human survival spirit.
Because it’s well-known and often used for training, everyone had some understanding about it. Also, it has a high degree of randomness, ensuring fairness.
However, amidst this, other people couldn’t say for sure who had the upper hand, Lanci, or Adams.
"Fine, how about we meet in the atrium of the Learning and Education Building in an hour from now?" Lanci suggested.
Even with approval from the school and support of the Magic Engineering College, it would still take some time to activate the Artificial Shadow World terminal located in the atrium of the seventh floor.
"Okay, see you in an hour," asserting his certainty of success, Adams turned and left the Sage Academy Conference Room.
A golden opportunity was right in front of him—a situation he hadn’t even imagined when he first arrived at Ichrite Academy.
His eyes, filled with the spirit of battle and unbridled pride, signified his resolve to teach Sage Academy a lesson that day.
...
Autumn had arrived at Ichrite Academy. A strong wind swept across the campus, howling between the buildings and whipping up piles of leaves. It was as if a storm was imminent.
If those golden, red autumn leaves were pushed by the wind, they left the branches and fluttered down. Some were carried by the wind through an ancient clock tower, deepening the sense of time’s passing and signaling the arrival of deep autumn.
The clock tower, in the wind, seemed even more majestic. It stood silent and undisturbed, allowing the wind to sway while the clock hands traced their circular path.
On the roads, students’ jackets rustled in the wind. But their eyes remained steadfast, forming groups of three or five, briskly making their way forward against the wind.
"Forget about going to the classroom, let’s go catch the excitement."
"If we’re late, there won’t be any space left in Jera Memorial Square."
Amidst the wind, many students hurried to spread the word about a special event that was set to take place shortly—
Adams, Royal Arolan Academy’s best third-year close-combat student, and Lanci, the representative student of Sage Academy, were about to engage in a derby!
Besides the best public viewing spot, Jera Memorial Square, where an open-air giant screen would keep broadcasting around the clock, there were also numerous independent team rooms within the school equipped with Magic Fluorescent Screens for indoor viewing.
Located inside the Magic Engineering College, an independent Magic Engineering Laboratory was bathed in lighting from the ceiling that spread evenly like twinkling stars to every corner of the room. The circular walls, embedded with Magic Fluorescent Screens, displayed various campus updates.
Students of the Magic Engineering College were diligently carrying out research on several workbenches spread throughout the room. Meanwhile, newly arrived students discussed the upcoming event.
"It’s not certain Lanci will win this time, so don’t get too optimistic. Even if Frey were here, it’s still doubtful he could beat Adams in this survival-themed Shadow World."
"A match is fun to watch only if it’s unpredictable! My, have you guys heard about the bet between Lanci and Adams? I don’t dare to imagine how explosive the program’s effects will be if he loses."
"The one who might explode is probably Dean Loren."
"..."
Upon hearing the news, Carlen, a second-year Gold-level Cardmaker of the Royal Arolan Academy who was leading a tour in the distance, let out a somewhat helpless sigh.
"Senior Adams is causing trouble again."
Then, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. Twisting her light-colored hair, she turned her luminous green eyes towards Prince Aynor, who was guiding the tour along with her,
"Still, you, Prince Aynor, remain calm and steady, deserving the trust and admiration of our junior students."
"Haha, I’m not so sure."
Prince Aynor himself had great admiration for Carlen, a genius Gold-level Cardmaker younger than he was. Hearing her constant commendations, he could not help but laugh sincerely.
"..."
Sofia turned her eyes away, as if out of sight, out of mind.
The people of the Magic Engineering College originally thought that this genius adolescent Cardmaker from the Arolan Kingdom would be a proud and arrogant individual.
However, not only was she exceptionally talented but also humble and friendly, quickly winning the unanimous approval and affection of the Magic Engineering College.
Sofia was well aware that Carlen was a very natural and adorable girl.
But it seemed to her that Carlen had been getting unnecessarily close to Prince Aynor these past two days.
Sofia had been withholding her feelings till now. The last time at the Cardmaker’s Association, her possessiveness over Aynor had led to a ridiculous situation.
"..."
While Sofia was distracted, Carlen accidentally noticed the subtle change in her facial expression.
"Sofia, I’m sorry. I hope you haven’t misconstrued my closeness to Aynor," said Carlen, delicately covering her lips and looking at Sofia anxiously.
"He’s not mine!"
Sofia was taken aback and responded rather aggressively, unable to hide her pent-up emotions of the past two days.
"..."
After being scolded by Sofia, Carlen lowered her eyes, giving a slight nod with a somewhat aggrieved expression.
"Sofia, Carlen didn’t mean any harm."
Prince Aynor quickly tried to mediate, speaking to Sofia.
Should they bully Carlen for no reason, it would seem as if the entire Ichrite Academy was petty.
"I’m sorry..."
Sofia was quick to calm down and bowed her head in embarrassment.
She felt a rising sense of bitterness welled up within her heart and a tacit lump in her throat which forbade her from speaking.
She felt that if this continued, she might need to seek psychological assistance.
Or perhaps some romance guru could help her out.
...
The gradually thinning sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating the wooden furniture within this trendy café located in downtown Ichrite. The café was set up in an old printing factory site, and the editorial department of the Hutton Daily occupied the upstairs.
The café bustled in the morning, momentarily bringing together individuals of all kinds. The soft clinking of coffee cups, chatter, and the background music mingled in the air, creating an image of a relaxed urban life.
Near a long table, several students from the Royal Arolan Academy were leisurely enjoying brunch.
A student was carefully savoring a latte with an artistically drawn pattern afloat, while another was indulging in a bagel topped with avocado, fried eggs, and fresh tomatoes.
They would engage in conversation at times, and at others, immerse themselves in the newspapers they were holding. Here, they could easily switch between modes of study and leisure, giving one the impression that this was not merely a breakfast joint, but their second campus.
"There’s news today."
"Quickly invite Senior Sister Lavisseir! We want the whole school to know this news within an hour!"
At the long table, one of the Royal Arolan Academy students, who had been leisurely indulging in his meal, upon hearing from an Ichrite student who had just come in about Lanci’s upcoming duel with Adams in the Shadow World,
He thought for a moment, putting down the fork in his hand.
The time Lanci enters the Artificial Shadow World.
That would be the perfect opportunity to dispose of Miss Duchess.
