NOVPUBIn the seven-story atrium, the transparent dome skylight allowed sunlight to pour in, delicate strands of light intermingling with soft shadows in the air. The progressively dimming outside sky would not surprise anyone with sudden sounds of thunder.
Lanci, still holding the little black cat, was on his way to the atrium without hesitation.
Green plants hugged the indoor walls on both sides, with pieces of artsy decor and relief carvings here and there, blending perfectly with the surroundings and adding a touch of culture to the serene top floor of this large building.
Despite being a first-year student, Lanci had been here multiple times. To enter the Artificial Shadow World, one had to reach the seventh floor of the Learning and Education Building of Ichrite academy where the launch terminal for the Artificial Shadow World was placed.
With the outside world gradually darkening, the interior lighting grew increasingly bright as they walked into the courtyard, providing an even more comforting environment.
"Lanci, you truly are a great person, meow!"
The cat boss turned around in Lanci’s hands, looking especially blissful.
In Ichrite Academy, not only was it incredibly lively, but it also got to see heartwarming stories of matchmaking, its favorite!
If Lanci could win the bet with Adams fair and square, he could successfully set up an excellent date for Loren and Juliana!
As a young spectator thus far, the cat boss would absolutely give him a full score.
The cat boss was increasingly satisfied with Lanci and felt that he paired well with Tata.
An ice-cold intellectual older sister and a gentle, intelligent handsome young man, oh wow, it couldn’t wait to see the sparks that would fly between them.
The little black cat was already fidgeting in excitement just thinking about it.
"Right? There isn’t a more loving person than me."
Lanci stretched out his hand to give the cat a high five with pride.
Although he often performed good deeds without expecting any recognition or reward, hearing praises still made him glow with happiness and motivated him to do more good deeds.
He had to show the cat boss today what he was capable of.
Bypassing a marble fence, they entered the Artificial Shadow World’s preparation area, where everyone’s focus was drawn towards him.
The most eye-catching was Teacher Teresa, holding a flat magic device, guiding the activation of the Artificial Shadow World at the terminal.
The senior students previously in the meeting room on the top floor of the Main Building of Sage Academy were now all waiting in the atrium.
They could also view the scenes inside the Shadow World on the magic screen in the atrium in real-time.
During Lanci’s entrance test, it was Teacher Teresa who took charge.
Now, standing before Lanci once again, her smile was no longer gentle, replaced by tension and seriousness.
The indicator on the magic equipment behind her, which read ["Forced Restart Strictly Prohibited"] at the conspicuous location, had not been removed.
Examiner Felat, who was taken away on a stretcher after the third round of his examination, was still fresh in Teresa’s mind.
"Lanci, are you sure you can beat Adams?"
Teresa asked anxiously.
Regardless, she still hoped that Lanci could win.
"I will do my best, don’t worry."
Lanci nodded and answered.
"..."
After hearing his reply, Teresa was somewhat reassured.
Despite always being unsure of how Lanci could win in the face of danger or difficulty, the teachers began to develop an intuition over time.
As long as Lanci appeared calm and composed, they knew that he must be confident. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made such a bet hastily.
But if he were to lose…
Teresa couldn’t imagine how Lanci would persuade Loren to apologize.
If Dean Loren could have handled his tight spot, he would have already explained everything to Juliana.
The situation with Loren’s feelings was similar to that of Lanci’s music classroom, both stuck in a vicious cycle, unable to break free or escape. One more look could lead to an explosion.
They didn’t have to wait too long.
From the direction of the entrance to the atrium, Adams appeared as promised.
Under the light, Adams’s figure was like a sharp blade, breaking into the confined space.
He didn’t try to hide his powerful aura anymore.
He strode towards Lanci, his steps stable and vigorous.
"Lanci, are you ready?"
Adam’s voice echoed throughout the entire space, his eyes burning intently, staring at Lanci as if his sole purpose was to ensure Lanci accepted defeat wholeheartedly!
"Yes, let’s get started."
Lanci nodded, turning to the activation terminal of the Artificial Shadow World.
"Go for it, Lanci! This duel determines the fate of Dean Loren!"
"All our hopes of Sage Academy rest on you!"
The cries of the senior students from Sage Academy filled the air.
There was no time for further exchanges.
As per the official process,
Lanci and Adams were quickly led to the Void Gate by Teresa.
"You two can begin now."
Teresa’s voice sounded tense as she used the secret key to activate the terminal.
The Void Gate for the Artificial Shadow World appeared before the two of them, displaying a countdown timer.
The challengers need to enter before the preparation time ends.
With both Lanci and Adams being experienced challengers, they didn’t say much and stepped through the Void Gate.
The seven-story atrium instantly fell into silence, as if all noise had been completely blocked out.
All eyes converged on the Magic Fluorescent Screen.
The screen flashed brightly as an extradimensional space opened, reminiscent of a space-time tunnel, then plunged into darkness for a brief moment. 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝑚
When the light returned, the live broadcast of the clash between Lanci and Adams in the Shadow World began!
At the same time, in Jera Memorial Square,
It started drizzling at this moment. Many students donned raincoats and held umbrellas while standing on the stone steps, watching the duel.
The outdoor screen displayed a prison cell scene.
And Lanci was standing inside the cell.
"I’ve always thought Lanci fits the prison theme."
"You know, if it weren’t for Principal Lan wearing handcuffs, I couldn’t tell if he was a prisoner or a prison warden."
Even though Lanci was in a prison and wearing a prisoner’s uniform, he still exuded a gentle and composed demeanor.
However,
From the perspective of a student from Arolan Kingdom who was standing at the edge of the square, the picture looked entirely different.
"...??"
In the office of the Shadow World’s Principal at Demon Academy that had left a psychological scar on her, there was a Radiant Demon that looked exactly the same.
Yet physical appearance wasn’t the most important factor.
The demon’s aura, his faint smile; no matter how he disguised himself as a human, she would never mistake him!
The moment the Radiant Demon appeared on the outdoor screen, the air around her in the square seemed to grow colder, despite the dimensional barrier separating them.
Her brain, nearly short-circuited, began to function again, searching for a lifeline like a drowning person.
Yet, for some reason, her brother, who was just beside her a moment ago, had disappeared without a trace.
"What’s wrong with you?"
A classmate from the Royal Arolan Academy noticed her odd behavior and called out to her with concern.
She wanted to speak, to cry out, to ask for help, but she couldn’t control her vocal cords. Her vision started to spin, and the sounds around her grew chaotic and began to ring in her ears. She occasionally heard the words "Principal" from Ichrite Academy students.
No matter where she looked, the image of the Radiant Demon appeared on the magic screens scattered throughout the campus, surrounding her like a kaleidoscope.
Was this a dream?
Or was it reality?
Why would the Radiant Demon, who always haunted her nightmares, appear in the real world?
And where had her brother, her sole reliance, who had always been with her in the Corridor Academy, gone?
A clap of thunder roared in the sky, and she felt her legs go weak. Soon after, she fainted and collapsed on the stairs of the Jera Memorial Square!
