NOVPUBOn the late-night road leading to the Protoss Royal Magic Academy.
Zestira simply told Lanci a secret of hers.
A small portion of exceptionally gifted individuals from the Demon Race do not need to ascend to high ranks, they are born with innate magic, although weak.
Zestira’s talent allows her to evade some dangers, but in return she also needs to endure more negative emotions.
Over these past decades, she has met many people who have shown her kindness mixed with malice, but she has never met someone as pure and flawless as Lanci.
Amidst the high-rises, an air garden supported by transparent magic barriers floated in the air. In the garden grew singing plants and glowing specters. Both pass underneath it without worrying about them falling down.
This city-state, while enchanting, always exudes a strange undertone.
"Go that way."
Zestira pointed to a junction on the left, signaling Lanci to veer away from a straight path leading to an old neighborhood.
This old neighborhood appears somewhat distorted, as its spatial structure is actually different from the outside world, like a multi-dimensional intersection. One may potentially arrive at any spot in the city the moment they step inside.
"Say, do you also have Shadow World trials?"
Lanci asked curiously.
The Northern Continent does not have an Artificial Shadow World startup terminal, a piece of large-scale magic equipment that is seen as the apex of modern human’s magical engineering.
So, correspondingly, there is no "practice mode".
Death within the Artificial Shadow World does not equate to actual death, while in the real Shadow World, one would lose their life when they die.
It’s rather surprising that Zestira, who hasn’t even advanced to the first grade, is preparing to brave the real Shadow World.
Yet, according to what Lanci learned from the Silver-armored Priest, the rewards of coursework at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy are generous and direct. As long as one pays enough credits, they can exchange for most resources students might need.
They can even arrange for students to observe the Grand Sage’s [Original Slabstone Tablet-Light], provided they pay enough credits.
Meanwhile, Duke Morotian, the holder of the other [Original Slabstone Tablet-Undead], rejects all observation requests for now.
The Great Love Poet once told Lanci that if he collects more [Fake Stone Tablets], he might see some changes when he puts them together later.
After all, [Original Slabstone Tablets] are fragments of pivotal murals which one can put together. It’s just that they’ve been isolated, hence the absolute repulsion between two [Original Slabstone Tablets].
However, the [Fake Stone Tablets] made by the Great Love Poet do not have this kind of repulsiveness, allowing one to bind multiple tablets onto themself.
Based on the complete edition of the records, [Original Slabstone Tablet-Light] and [Original Slabstone Tablet-Wind] are two adjacent pieces.
If there’s a chance to observe [Original Slabstone Tablet-Light], Lanci would like to try connecting [Fake Stone Tablet-Light] and [Fake Stone Tablet-Wind].
"I’ve chosen a course named ’Shadow World Practical Skill’. It’s a course that both preparatory and first-grade students can take. It’s highly credited, and challenging the Shadow World can help you become stronger faster."
Zestira might disappear from school for half a day to a few days. She would inform Lanci in advance not to worry and not to wander around the campus.
"Have you studied the Shadow World in the South Continent?"
She had heard that people in the South Continent, compared to overcoming the Shadow World with raw power, prefer to rely on mechanisms and wisdom. They also have a comprehensive system and teachings, as well as shared intelligence, greatly increasing the overall success rate of getting through the Shadow World.
"I’ve tried twice and did some research."
Lanci nodded.
"Then you can brief me on the key points of challenging the Shadow World in the South Continent," Zestira said.
The Shadow World challenge will be observed by professors and senior students with the highest credits. In addition to the credit rewards based on performance, these observers will largely determine whether or not a teacher will select her and recommend her to the upper academy.
"No problem, but if you’re not confident about the Shadow World, you can take me with you directly."
Lanci knew that Zestira was only of second-order.
Fighting the second-order Shadow World should be no problem in theory, but remembering what Viscount Francis had told him about Zestira’s experience during the entrance exam, the real danger might not be the Shadow World, but her classmates.
"No need."
Zestira resolutely refused.
She wouldn’t take him into such a dangerous place.
The two fell back into a natural silence. For the most part, Zestira didn’t have much to say. They walked along a river where energy surged.
Inside Herram city is a river. However, it’s not an ordinary river, it’s a natural, unprocessed stream of Magic Core Liquid. From time to time, psychedelic ripples ripple on the river. To those without sufficient magic power, it’s a lethal poison.
Across the river, Herram Zoo, a landmark mechanical building, houses many transformed creatures from the Demon World and alchemy creatures. However, tourists must sign a waiver that the venue is not responsible if they are swallowed or transformed.
Going forward, going through the Endless Library and Starry Sky Theatre will lead them to the Protoss Royal Magic Academy.
Herram city houses a library with an uncountable number of books and is managed by a seventh-order automaton.
Not far above the library, at the end of the suspended steps hundreds of meters high, is a theatre. It’s said that sitting there gives one the feeling that the night sky is right above them, and the stars are within reach. However, it is not suitable for audiences with acrophobia or heart disease.
Lanci had already done tourist research on these places.
This is an extraordinary city-state. It would be a shame not to have a good time exploring it.
Before long,
The two of them arrived at a building on the outskirts of the school to handle the formalities before entering the interior of the school.
Similar to the student services center at Ichrite Academy, the only difference is that the services are available 24 hours a day at this location.
With the night shift staff attending to the paperwork promptly,
Lanci quickly filled out some forms and smoothly got a bracelet similar to Zestira’s.
"..."
He turned his head and looked at the bracelet on Zestira’s hand, which was displaying the numbers [150 (+0)] with a dull dark red glow.
On Lanci’s bracelet, however, it read[0].
"As a tutoring teacher, can I also earn points?"
Lanci guessed the meaning of the numbers.
The number on his wristband, which he wore as a follower, should be the number in the parentheses on Zestira’s wristband.
"All the points you earn will belong to me, but I don’t need you to risk your life to gain points for me,"
Zestira said calmly.
"Don’t the school expenses also cost student points?"
Lanci noticed a few things when filling out the forms earlier. For example, no Imperial currency transaction channels were used to enter the school, student living expenses were all deducted from student points, so if no points were credited, the lower they got. This feature is somewhat similar to Purgatory Corridor Academy.
Theorically, school currency transactions for school points won’t be audited by the school, but as long as either buyer or seller reports it, the reported party will likely have their points deducted until they are dismissed from school, and this will be recorded. It’s hard to say whether this seemingly deliberate loophole is a school’s design to undermine student trust and evaluate their mental skills.
"Don’t worry,"
Zestira’s tone remains calm,
"The majority of tutoring teacher-type followers are better off outside of the school most of the time, but I would like you to help me on the monthly examination day."
Zestira sincerely told Lanci the help she needed.
Lanci could choose to teach her in school every day, or he could only come to tutor her on weekends.
"Monthly examination day?"
It was rare for Lanci to hear Zestira asking him for help.
He had heard before that Zestira had a major examination at the end of each month, and then a Shadow World Challenge, both of which were very important to her.
"The last day of each month is the examination day, held in enclosed examinations, and the whole school becomes a half-restricted area. The danger level of the classrooms will be graded. On that day, you must enter at least three classrooms, but you can’t tell what the subject in each classroom is. For example, you can help me with Magical Engineering and Magic Family Tree exams, and those are opportunities to earn a lot of student points."
Zestira said, "But I will protect you."
At these words, Lanci knitted his brows in thought.
He always felt this mode sounded familiar.
Isn’t this the same as the regular mode of Purgatory Corridor Academy he was accustomed to?
"..."
Zestira glanced at Lanci.
She didn’t require much of Lanci, but this one aspect was rather difficult. It was normal for him to feel some pressure but if he was unwilling, Zestira wouldn’t force him.
Most of the time, Lanci could freely move around the imperial capital.
It’s safer than staying in school.
Zestira only hoped that Lanci, this harmless young man, could have a peaceful and happy life in the imperial capital. If he wanted to settle down, it’s better to retire. It didn’t seem like he was the kind of person who liked to stir up trouble.
"Don’t worry, even as a part-time tutor, I will fulfill my duties."
Lanci spoke with conviction.
Since the tutor could attend the exams with the student, Lanci certainly wouldn’t let Zestira down. He would show her classmates what it means for the principal to personally take the stage.
Since his main job isn’t burdensome, he could focus on exploring new ventures.
The Cat boss had asked him before if he wanted to be a principal again, and he said he didn’t.
He had promised to give Hyperion a surprise when he saw her.
Lanci always believed in fulfilling his promises.
Because he had already been a principal once, becoming a principal again probably wouldn’t shock her enough. He wanted to try something new.
Having already infiltrated the Xi Nan Province through the Rebirth Church, he not only gained the reverence of Grand Priest Cain, but his policies also gained the approval of the conservative party led by the administrative officials of the Xi Nan Province. The image of the Pioneer, which was highly propagated, was gradually becoming a party leader being espoused by a new faction.
With a little more support, he, as the Pioneer, might be able to make inroads into the imperial political stage, starting with the lower house.
