NOVPUBThe sound of raindrops gently jumping on the car window in the night intermingles with the conversation of three people.
The atmosphere inside the enclosed space is tranquil and comfortable, distinct from the rain outside and the noises that fade into the distance.
"You, you can’t possibly be the principal this time, can you?"
Hyperion clenches her fists and waits nervously for Lanci’s reply.
According to the Bingxue Witch, the Protoss Royal Magic Academy is a highly competitive institution directly overseen by the education department, where the Grand Sage Isis can interfere to a certain extent. However, the rules of the academy are strictly governed according to the ancient magic barriers set up during its establishment a hundred years ago.
The elites of the Protoss Empire had no control over the academy for their selfish interests; their offspring were merely favored under the established rules. Thus, Lanci didn’t have a position as a principal to exert his influence.
Theoretically, Lanci’s current status is not that of a noble, and he doesn’t even have school registration. Being a teacher at the academy should be a hellish start, and his political identity might not scare those students. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝑚
Reportedly, at the top of the academy is the daughter of Duke Berenhald, who holds the most power in the capital, a truly unattainable presence.
"..."
Lanci turns back to smile at Hyperion, spreading his hands open. His smile seemed to imply a warm welcome to Hyperion to Herram, guiding her towards greatness.
"Although I am not a principal in name, everyone calls me principal."
There was nothing Lanci could do about this.
What could be said was that the teachers insisted on it, or in strictly speaking, he was pushed to this position that winter.
With great power comes great responsibility. Lanci would never shirk his responsibilities.
"¿"
Hyperion looks at Lanci, opening her eyes wide, but unable to utter a word in her astonishment.
Her sister, Michela, also freezes on the spot, glancing back and forth between Hyperion’s expression and Lanci’s face.
For some reason, Michela can’t understand why her sister would react this way to such joyous news.
"Can you tell me first about how you became a principal?"
Hyperion inhales deeply, exhales, and calmly asks Lanci. Or perhaps her heart had already stopped beating out of shock and surprise.
"That all goes back to when Viscount Francis asked me to become a tutor. After that, I accompanied Miss Zestira from Lilom City by the sea to the imperial capital of Herram..."
So, Lanci starts to tell Hyperion about his initial days in Herram.
He explains how he met Associate Professor Xido at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, and how he became a teaching assistant upon Xido’s invitation. Then he shares about the day of the monthly exam where he became the target of a bounty of 13 million school points, and how he finally achieved absolute success with the overwhelming support of the students. By the end of it, he proposed the Macaques reform for the Protoss Royal Magic Academy that won unanimous approval and rave reviews.
After listening to the story, Michela applauds in astonishment. The story seems unbelievable, yet considering the reality of their situation, Lanci’s account might not have been sensationalized at all.
Lanci then looks at Hyperion expectantly, awaiting her response.
He seems to be asking her— Are you satisfied with the academy I built for you?
He remembers the time when he first challenged the Purgatory Corridor Academy with Hyperion. The regret they felt back then is now finally redeemed.
Twelve hours weren’t enough. As he had just started controlling thunder and lightning, Lanci never had the chance to properly tour Purgatory Corridor Academy with Hyperion before the shadow world collapsed.
Tears slide from the corner of Hyperion’s eyes.
But these are not tears of gratitude.
They are tears of fear.
She feels the gaze of the Lady Goddess upon them.
The moment Hyperion heard about the bounty increase formula and the final bounty on Lanci, she calculated how much blood was shed by the students for Lanci to attain his position. She realized that all the merit she accumulated in Aestheland during her time had been negated.
When she was younger, her father, Duke Migaya, always told her that if one does not act kindly and accumulate virtue, their luck would decline. Therefore, as she had been unlucky since childhood, she was especially afraid of demeriting.
Now, Hyperion found that regardless of how much good she did, it couldn’t keep up with the reckless speed at which Lanci was squandering.
"...you."
Hyperion’s eyes welled with tears, seeming a bit numb, after learning about Lanci’s political achievements and finding out he was the headmaster, she didn’t feel as if the sky was falling as she had when she saw the interview in the plaza.
But Hyperion’s heart was still racing-
It seemed like they had only covered one third of this guy’s story.
He didn’t mention at all how he entered the Protoss Empire’s political circle.
This made Hyperion afraid to listen to Lanci’s stories anymore.
Fortunately, it seemed that due to shifts in the political landscape, Lanci had deviated from his initial plan and refrained from stubbornly joining the Nirvana Branch. In this chaotic situation, he walked the dark path all the way.
The Bishop of Nirvana was an existence she dared not provoke in the slightest!
The mere Grand Priest of the Nirvana Branch and the Saint of Nirvana had already frightened her and Michela to their core. She didn’t dare to imagine how terrifying the Bishop of Nirvana- one of the pinnacles of power in the Northern Continent- was.
Moreover, she was now a priestess of the Church of the Goddess of Destiny, which despised the Rebirth Church. She would absolutely not accept any association between Lanci and the heretics. If she found Lanci stubbornly pursuing this, she would risk everything to take Lanci away from the Northern Continent.
"My mind and actions are as clear as a mirror, everything I do is just," said Lanci, looking at Hyperion with righteous indignation.
"Rest assured, I guarantee that everything I did in the Protoss Empire was upright and transparent."
"…"
Hyperion truly believed in Lanci’s honesty and integrity.
That’s the thing that scared her. The brighter this man appeared, the more scared she became!
Along the way, not only Milford Province but also Hezishan Province, not to mention Herram, the capital and the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, had all turned from the hell-mode predicted by the Bingxue Witch into the baby-mode she actually encountered, making her feel exceptionally lucky.
However, the luck of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy came at a marked price.
Hyperion constantly consoled herself to not overthink and to look forward. The only remaining difficulty was the last and most challenging Jailbreak Plan.
As long as she could save Aunt Talia’s dear friend, her mission would be accomplished. There would be a lot of merits, certainly enough to make up for Lanci’s deficit and the Lady Goddess would bless him.
He frequently walked by the river, he needed good luck to maintain safety throughout his life.
"You’re so cool, brother-in-law. My father will surely support you when the time comes. The allies of the Milford family and the Xi Bei Province will give you full support in the Upper House!" said Michela, giving Lanci a thumbs up.
"We don’t have that kind of relationship."
Lanci and Hyperion simultaneously announced.
Michela just nodded, a slight smile curving on her rigid face, making her look like she was eating a melon.
"…"
In the somewhat awkward and quiet car, Hyperion didn’t have time to overthink. She prioritized the mission that was becoming increasingly imminent.
She didn’t know how to ask Lanci to help her infiltrate Herram Prison.
It might seem somewhat despicable to use Lanci’s power, he never misused authority for his personal benefit.
Maybe she would discuss it with Lanci later. To see if she could...ask him for a small favor.
