NOVPUBThe streets outside Ichrite Academy were relatively quiet, flanked by small shops and cafes that were open for business.
At this time in the morning of a workday, the shop lights seemed soft against the daylight, ready to welcome midday customers. Occasionally, one could spot a shop assistant wiping the glass or tidying the shelves inside, preparing for the start of a new day.
Hyperion and Talia walked leisurely, soaking in the tranquillity of the winter day.
"Speaking of Lanci’s father, Mr. Noe has now returned to the Nanwantian Border. Talia, you also came from the Nanwantian region, right? Can we go back together next time?"
Hyperion said.
Talia had left early on the day of the competition and hadn’t had the chance to meet Lanci’s father with him after the match.
Mr. Noe reflected that the competition was something he would never forget in his lifetime. The biggest regret of his life was buying Lanci a ticket to the Royal Capital.
But what’s done is done.
Mr. Noe hoped that Hyperion could visit the border region with Lanci during the holidays. He had a high opinion of Hyperion as she was an excellent student, possessed a firm moral conscience, and was of the same age as Lanci.
"..."
Though Talia wasn’t from Nanwantian, the citizenship information that Lanci had organized for her did indeed register her as a resident of the border regions.
However, Talia had a favourable impression of the Nanwantian Border. Her life of wandering for several decades had taken a turn for the better in Nanwantian, becoming almost dreamlike thereafter.
Hans, the housekeeper of Lanci’s house, and the maid Francine were both very kind to her. She hadn’t seen them in quite some time.
"Let’s go together next time. I’ll show you around Nanwantian. Also, there is something that piqued my curiosity..."
In the midst of the conversation,
Talia seemed to fall into deep thought.
"What?"
Hyperion asked curiously.
"Didn’t you say that Lanci is good at painting?"
Talia realized this from watching Lanci make cards.
"Yes, he seems to be remarkably talented in this regard, but I’ve never seen him seriously painting."
Hyperion nodded.
"At the Nanwantian station, when housekeeper Hans bid us farewell, he mentioned that Lanci once painted a picture. It’s a pity I didn’t get to see it... I didn’t pay much attention to it at that time, but now I’m increasingly curious about what kind of painting it was."
Murmured Talia.
However, Lanci had mentioned that it was a portrait of a poor and pitiful old lady.
She didn’t think there would be anything worth seeing.
As they chatted, they turned a corner onto the wide Central Avenue of Ichrite, where the environment became a bit livelier. The floral shops displayed colourful winter flowers in the windows, and the soft music from the cafes mixed with the chilly air, creating a warm and melodious atmosphere.
Finally, after crossing two streets, they arrived at their residence, the Boss Cat Restaurant.
Passing familiar hallways lit up by suspension lamps and vintage wooden staircases bathed in warm yellow light, they quickly arrived at the room at the end of the second floor.
The exquisite attic made of wooden planks and beams, the glass skylight filled with bright scenes, and the sweet, wine-like aroma of the air freshener all greeted them.
However, what was unusual this time was that Lanci was sitting at the table in the middle of the spacious living room. He was holding a magic carving knife and a hot branding modification tool, seemingly engrossed in carving an art piece just now.
On the table, a magic card with smooth lines and emanating a pink glow was displayed.
"Lanci."
Hyperion greeted him with a smile.
Having lived here for a month, Hyperion had gotten used to seeing Lanci visiting Talia occasionally during the day to discuss card making.
It had been exam week for the past few days, with the student council free from tasks, and Lanci had been missing in action.
He was working on a major project and spent most of his time locked in the cardmaking workshop of his dorm room.
Today, she had finally run into Lanci again.
Lanci hadn’t attended the exams and had arrived at Talia’s home early in the morning. Talia had to leave to pick up Hyperion and had left Lanci alone at her place.
"You’re back."
Lanci noticed their arrival and stood up to look at them.
"Mmhmm."
Talia responded softly and placed two boxes of cake pastries on the table,
"I’ve already eaten at the shop in Ichrite Academy. These are for you two."
Upon hearing this, Lanci hesitated for a while.
"Talia, if you want to eat, you can have this piece."
Lanci noticed that after Talia finished speaking, her gaze remained fixed on the cake.
Her stomach was never full, and if it weren’t for her concern about maintaining her figure as an unmarried woman, the two pieces of cake probably wouldn’t have lasted all the way here.
"..."
Talia turned and stared at Lanci.
Lanci obediently lowered his head and stopped talking.
He picked up the disposable small knife that came with the box and quietly cut a third of the cake.
Hyperion chuckled helplessly, understanding Lanci’s actions. He fetched a small plate and a fork from a nearby cabinet, cut a third of his own cake, and placed it on the plate.
"Tata, let’s eat together."
Hyperion handed the plate with the two thirds of cake to Tata.
"..."
Talia took the plate silently.
After some hesitation, she started eating without any expression.
She thought humans were strange for sharing without any benefits.
But somehow, she unexpectedly found that this two-thirds of a cake was slightly more delicious than the whole cake she ate at school.
"By the way, Lanci, what were you doing just now?"
Hyperion sat down next to Lanci, looking at the card Lanci was fiddling with on the table.
He saw it was still an unclaimed Encapsulation card.
"Oh, this is a masterpiece Tata made recently. I just finished the preparations for the wolf this morning, so I had some free time to come to Tata’s place and pick up another card. But the name of this card is a bit inappropriate, so I made a slight modification."
He handed the card to Hyperion.
[Elegant Style]
[Category: Magic Card]
[Grade: Pink Holy]
[Level: 4]
[Effect: Can only be used on touched targets, modifies their hairstyle, can fade hair, change its color, and make it slightly harder or softer.]
[Remark: This hairstyle doesn’t suit you, let me help you change it.]
"..."
Although Hyperion didn’t know what the card’s original name was.
She felt it might be better not to have changed it.
"Don’t mess with my cards."
Talia said with a slightly displeased frown.
She just went to pick up Hyperion from home and found out that Lanci had changed the name and remark of this card.
But she didn’t say much, her tolerance towards Lanci had unknowingly increased over time.
Anyway, according to the trade agreement, this Spell Card, which was obtained from the Purgatory Corridor Academy and whose principle belonged to Lanci, had already been paid for with the information of the Shadow World Record Program.
"Hyperion, this card is for you."
Lanci placed the [Elegant Style] card in front of Hyperion.
He was just waiting for Hyperion to come back.
In a fight, he almost never touched the enemy, and didn’t want the enemy to touch him.
It’s better for Hyperion, who has Immunity, a shield, and Invisibility, to use this card.
Not only could she use it when she takes a hit, but she could also actively turn on Invisibility to secretly change someone’s hairstyle.
"No, no, no, there’s no need."
Hearing this, Hyperion was startled, put down her fork, and waved her hands.
She didn’t dare to accept this card with mocking power!
What’s silent, what’s kneeling, they’re not as hated as using this card to change someone’s hairstyle to bald...
As soon as it’s used once, others won’t stop until they’ve killed the caster.
In essence, this card, like the [Destruction Spark] and other suicide cards, has the same principle but applied differently.
"Hyperion, it’s just the two of us on this trip to the Northern Continent. If you grow stronger, it means I grow stronger too. Our combat power is now tied together."
Lanci earnestly looked at her, pushing the card half a centimeter closer to her.
"..."
Hyperion stared at the card, silent for a few seconds. She almost burst into tears, feeling as if Lanci was sentencing her to death,
"Alright."
With tears in her eyes, Hyperion accepted the hairstyle transformation.
She felt she had found a way to seek death.
