NOVPUBIn the heart of Protoss Royal Magic Academy, there also stood a cluster of dark, stone buildings.
Their steep and heavy walls traced the outlines of ancient art in the daylight.
Walking to the far end of the courtyard of the tallest building, a majestic gate towered in front, beyond which, through a long, ornate, and winding corridor, a massive meeting hall came into view.
This was a hall reflecting solemn power and the weight of history, converted from the ruins of an old congressional site. A massive glass dome overhead was etched with intricate murals, scattering natural light everywhere, like a galaxy descending upon the mortal world.
At this moment, this meeting room belonged to the students who ranked first in the academy.
Some of them had arrived early to wait, while others had just arrived slightly late. A huge round table was set in the middle of the hall, with a transparent magic circle drawn on its polished black iron surface. Above it, the projection of the current test area was displayed.
Except for Gloria, who ranked tenth, didn’t show up, all the other senior chief students arrived here as usual, following the school’s regulations.
This was also their monthly chance to earn points, a chance to play a game of power, as well as a chance to discover potential newcomers or upcoming competition.
The screen often switched between highlighting students and examination rooms of interest.
However, from a while ago, the background shot has been fixed on a certain classroom.
Or rather, right after Lanci and Zestira chose the location for their first test, the camera focused directly on the two.
The chief students’ expressions varied. Some had arrogant looks, while others had a touch of schadenfreude, casting occasional comments or guesses at the screen, clearly enjoying observing the junior students.
Seeing Lanci heading towards the fierce magical beasts like a clueless outsider, it was easy to anticipate a scene where blood would splatter all over the ground.
"Does this guy want to get grievously injured by the magical beasts, and directly drop out?"
A condescending male voice wondered.
The large protective barrier of the examination area had a blood-locking spell, capable of protecting the students from death when they were on the verge of dying. However, the process could be swift or lengthy and torturous.
"Indeed, quitting now would be better than struggling without hope, and handing over the 130,000 points to someone else."
"True to form for that guy named Rocky McCarthy. Now everyone must be grinding their teeth in anger."
Other chief students sniggered.
130,000 points, if you forego the test beforehand, they won’t be given to you guys.
This sort of behavior really has the Sword Tomb’s touch.
"But what if he actually survives till the end of the test, let these 130,000 points increase to an even more unimaginable number, and receive the percentage bonus and Pink Holy artifact reward?"
That would be the most unbearable.
Not only would those second and third-year students, who put a bounty on him, be infuriated, but he would also trample on the faces of the lower-grade nobles and followers, offending just about everyone.
"Heh, only if he could, by his own strength, beat the shit out of all the students."
A boisterous, hearty voice laughed aloud.
All the students in the room were well aware.
The only student capable of doing such absurd thing would be the one sitting at the top, the daughter of Duke Morotian, the undeniable empress among students, Duchess Cloris.
If she could ignore the rules and penalty for losing points, she could easily kill her way through until all students were completely expelled.
It’s hard to say whether she’s stronger or the Saint of Nirvana who graduated as the previous chief is stronger.
That figure sitting on the noble seat merely closed her eyes, as though everything was too boring and there was nothing worth her attention.
The screen continued. n𝚘vp𝚞𝚋.com
Accompanying Lanci’s unhurried approach towards the magical beasts, his presence kindled vitality in the surrounding air, leaving an airy melody of peace and harmony in his wake.
The magical beasts seemed to sense his intent.
Their movements gradually stopped, with the hostility in their eyes oddly beginning to dissolve.
Despite the confusion and incomprehension in the magical beasts’ eyes, it soon melted away under Lanci’s friendly demeanor.
Next, however...
The students observing the situation at the back end hall were bathing in confusion and disbelief.
After just a minute or two, a giant Fire Elemental Beast approached Lanci from the left. Its body was covered with fiery red scales, and its long tail, which burned with flame, swung in the air, yet it cautiously controlled its power, getting close, but not scorching Lanci.
Turning to his right, a transparent water elemental creature of icy blue, whose flowing body seemed to be made of pure water, fluttered weightlessly in the air, occasionally touching Lanci softly.
Right ahead, a small bird, radiating purple thunder light all over, spread its wings in mid-air. Its eyes flicked like bolts of lightning across the night sky but landed gently on Lanci’s shoulder.
In the center of these creatures, a smiling Lanci was surrounded by them, interacting with them warmly, as if these were not fierce creatures, but his people.
His hands gently touched them, each gesture filled with a motherly love, guarding her children, attentively listening to their sounds, soothing their inner restlessness with his love.
The tension and hostility in the room were dissolved, replaced by a sense of calming harmony.
More and more magical beasts gradually relaxed their vigilance and started to gather around, drawn towards this warm embrace.
"Why?"
"Why aren’t these beasts attacking him?"
"Is this guy a Druid? But even a Druid can’t communicate with magical beasts like that, right?"
Theoretically, even if one had high affinity, it would only naturally attract animals and creatures like magical beasts, unless they also possessed a ruler’s talent specific to the Demon Race and magical beasts.
"Check his background."
"He is indeed a human, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to register as a servant."
Even for servants, they are strictly checked at the time of registration and when entering the school.
"Ignoring his strange talent for now..."
"Does he want to establish a good relationship with these magical beasts, seeking their protection?"
Someone quickly had this realization.
With this method, they might actually be able to survive the first wave of attacks, and then in the first break, find a way to escape to the rest area, seeking even safer and stronger protection from the school regulations.
"..."
"I’ll crush his dreams."
Accompanying a cold snort and arrogant male voice, he lightly touched the magic formation on the table in front of him. By using his own interference authority and deducting three hundred credit points, a coordinate was given on the school’s announcement board map, flashing a distinct red light.
An announcement revealing Zestira’s current location was publicized to all students within the examination area.
He didn’t bet on Zestira to win, so naturally, he didn’t want to see her and Rocky McCarthy struggling.
The time for the official start of the exam was nearing. Once a massive amount of frenzied students continued to pour in, it was far from something a bunch of magical beasts could resist.
"You’re really wicked."
"Blame him for being too weak and over-imaginative."
The young man with slicked-back hair crossed his arms and said indifferently.
...
Southern examination area of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, Magical Beast Breeding Classroom inside the deep black building.
A hint of amazement appeared at the corner of the old teacher’s eyes.
He stood in a corner of the room, his gaze crossing through the distance of time and space, deeply focused on the harmonious exchange between Lanci and the magical beasts, it reminded him of his own memories.
In his long life journey, he has rarely seen such a natural communication, full of love.
A long-lost warmth welled up in the old teacher’s heart.
"So, in this era, there are still young people with such pure hearts."
He couldn’t help but sigh.
This was the true essence of getting along with magical beasts.
Not taming them with power or skills, but winning their trust and friendship through understanding and love.
As time flowed, Lanci turned his head and threw a look of encouragement and trust at Zestira.
His hand gently made an inviting gesture in the air.
At that moment, the unease and fear in Zestira’s eyes gradually faded.
Although she wanted to ask, "Can I really get close to them?"
But Zestira felt that maybe like what the teacher said before, "You do not have hostility towards them; they just don’t understand you", there is no need to be overly afraid or underestimate herself.
She slowly approached Lanci and the magical beasts.
At first, every step she took was filled with hesitation and uncertainty.
Seeing that the magical beasts didn’t show any rejection like when she first entered, her heart gradually calmed down, and her steps also became steadier.
The magical beasts seemed to accept her approach, their eyes became softer.
Zestira came close to a fluffy magical beast, its eyes were as profound as the night sky.
This was the black giant fox that she noticed the moment she came into the classroom, a creature she was curious but also most frightened of.
It seemed to reach the level of a Fourth-Order, even close to Fifth-Order magical beast, one of the strongest in this classroom.
"I thought the Devil Moonshadow Fox was thought to be extinct; I didn’t expect Protoss Royal Magic Academy still protects its pups."
Lanci had only seen it in the books of Purgatory Corridor Academy.
This over one meter tall fox was native to the extreme cold land in the North filled with snow and stars. Its fur was thick and soft, like black snow, covering its slender and agile body. Its pointed ears were a splash of gold, like rays of light illuminating its darkness. Its eyes were deep and mysterious, flashing a metallic fire, like its soul fire, capable of reading everything with its gaze, whether it’s the thoughts of enemies or the emotions of companions. Its tail was long and fluffy, dancing in the air.
They weren’t strong fighters, but they were incredibly beautiful, very popular among ancient aristocrats of the Demon World because they were extremely fast when running.
Zestira’s fondness for it was expected.
Perhaps even a centuries-old Demon Race elderly woman couldn’t resist being moved by such a fox.
Unfortunately, Lanci also fancied this fox. Even if he could acquire it, he would never let that old woman touch it, not even a bit. Fancies were contagious after all.
However, Zestira was a good child, touching this fox wouldn’t cause any harm.
