NOVPUBIchrite Academy, the sun-drenched forest path in the morning was particularly tranquil.
In the distance, birds hopped from treetop to treetop in the Alchemy College Botanic Garden, occasionally emitting melodious chirps.
"..."
After hastily fleeing the Boss Cat Restaurant, Lanci and Hyperion walked on the road leading to the Main Building of Magic Engineering College, both tacitly remaining silent.
Now, nearing the end of the term, it was almost assessment week, and there were hardly any new classes. The number of students coming and going on campus had become less visible. The two revisiting the campus after a long absence felt as if half a year ago was just yesterday.
Finally.
They came across a familiar landmark ahead.
On the way from Sage Academy to Magic Engineering College, one would pass by a cold-pressed juice shop, offering over thirty kinds of pure, mixed, and vegetable juices. Before leaving Ichrite, it was common to see many students holding a cup from this shop after classes.
What was a new shop last year had now become an old one.
The two exchanged glances and paused for a moment here, buying two cups without having to queue.
Hyperion remembered walking along this road with Lanci after attending Teacher Teresa’s "General Knowledge of Magic Series" class in the Learning and Education Building, sipping cold-pressed juice while they talked, which confirmed their decision to visit Asksan in the Northern Continent and open this graduation project.
They never imagined that now, it had truly been completed.
One could only marvel at how quickly time passed.
Returning from the turbulent Northern Continent to the stable Ichrite, the pace of life seemed to slow down, with novel pleasures and dining everywhere.
To be able to enjoy life in Ichrite leisurely, without cares and stresses, was an extraordinarily happy affair.
At this moment, they could also understand Lanci’s desire to retire early, and the daily life that Tata was already living.
Hyperion idly flattened her straw, sipping the juice in small mouthfuls, her eyes occasionally checking on Lanci. She always felt that Lanci had become extremely awkward ever since he left the Boss Cat Restaurant.
He clearly understood just how absurd the situation he and Tata had created was.
As an observer, Hyperion was not in a position to initiate the conversation. If Lanci did not speak up, she would pretend as if nothing had happened and continue accompanying him.
"After we challenge the Shadow World one more time, we’ll be ready to set off for the Cerryti Empire."
Passing briefly through the crossroad on the forest path devoid of trees, Lanci and Hyperion gazed at the visible square-shaped building in the distance, murmuring to themselves.
In the heart of Ichrite Academy, that towering building stood proudly, surrounded and enclosed by the four major academic divisions.
Though the various contemporary or classical buildings in the academy each had their unique charm, they all seemed slightly inferior compared to the central structure that sealed the Void Gate of the Shadow World.
Soon, they would be dreaming back into history tens of thousands of years ago.
"Yes."
Hyperion also sighed.
Once thought unreachable, in just a year’s time, they now had a slight hope of finding Duke Migaya’s whereabouts in the Cerryti Empire.
Keep in mind that when they met a year ago, she was just a Third-order assassin, and Lanci was still a Second-order White Magician.
Now... she was relatively normal, just advancing through the ranks quickly, while Lanci had transformed into the spiritual leader of the Protoss Empire.
"Whew..."
After finishing his juice, Lanci finally let out a big sigh of relief.
"Hyperion, thank you for bringing me out here."
Lanci showed a relieved expression, exclaiming.
The cold sweetness was like a cool breeze in the heat of summer, bringing him back to life.
Feeling his heartbeat, that magma-like intense heat in his chest spread throughout his body with each pulse.
Never had he felt such a thrill.
Although it came at some unforgettable costs, he did indeed experience the ultimate excitement.
"It’s a small matter."
Hyperion shook her head.
She believed that Lanci had learned a sufficient lesson this time around.
Having gone this far, he probably wouldn’t dare to do it again next time.
There was silence between them once more.
"By the way, how do you view Tata?"
Hugh Hyperion tentatively asked.
She recalled the dialogue between Lanci and Tata, always feeling a bit weird in her heart.
Although she knew they acted that way because of the Great Love Poet’s mental disorder.
But she couldn’t help worrying about whether the two might indulge in reality under the pretense of their act if no one intervened.
"...My most beloved master."
Lanci paused briefly, responding with a hint of a smile.
"Really?"
Hugh’s voice was full of disbelief.
"Er, a friendship that transcends age?"
Lanci thought for a moment and described it a bit more accurately.
"..."
Hugh didn’t know what to say anymore.
I underestimated you.
The serene forest path was like a dazzling emerald, creating endlessly varied patterns akin to numerals on the stone pavement.
Their leisurely pace always took them a long time on this road.
"Lanci, can you please stop provoking Tata? Listen to me."
Hugh wrestled with this for a long time before finally clenching her fist tight.
Whether Lanci listened was one thing; whether she should try to persuade him was another. Sometimes she thought she ought to be more assertive, so he would take her words to heart.
"...But Tata and I have always gotten along like this."
Lanci said softly.
"..."
Hugh didn’t know whether he was confused about whether he had offended Tata or just couldn’t resist Tata’s temptation.
Seeing Lanci with such a wronged expression made her heart soften again.
Preventing him from interacting with Tata seemed more painful than killing him.
Although the outcome after their interactions might be even more painful than death.
But he loved to play.
Hugh realized that playing with Tata had an addictive quality for Lanci.
"If you keep this up, I won’t be able to save you..."
Hugh’s voice grew weaker as she spoke.
"No no no, you have to save me, my angel Hugh Hyperion."
Lanci suddenly looked towards Hugh.
Hugh was his greatest reassurance.
"..."
Seeing Lanci like this, Hugh bit her lip lightly.
"Hugh Hyperion."
Lanci called her name again, with a voice that retreated halfway.
"I will save you, don’t worry, I should just protect you."
After a moment of struggle, Hugh finally shook her head and agreed.
Although she felt a tinge of regret after saying those words, harboring an ominous premonition, she was utterly at a loss with him.
But after thinking it over, the problem shouldn’t be too big. This time it was only because Lan Fu sought revenge that Lanci had a setback; finding his weaknesses would be tough next time. That would be unless Tata played unexpectedly or unless something went wrong with her, Hugh Hyperion’s thinking, or if Lanci accidentally consumed alcohol, or if the woman from the Northern Continent mysteriously crossed the sea, and so on.
These were all low-probability events, ignorable, otherwise, it would be like splitting hairs.
Hugh nodded with conviction.
