NOVPUBMeanwhile, on the other side, as the setting sun gently enveloped the Ichrite Academy, the clock tower’s hands pointed between two and three, the golden radiance warmly and softly illuminating every brick and tile on campus.
The native plants of the Hutton Kingdom swayed slowly under the gentle breeze, the trees, and grass awakening from the morning dew, the air filled with the fresh scent of trees and soil blending together.
Passing through the edge of the Magic Engineering College, just a few steps forward from the green grass-surrounded Old Literature Building, one could catch a glimpse of the artsy, Eiffel Tower-like glass curtain wall structure.
The setting sun danced on its surface, refracting dazzling light, making the Main Building of the Magic Engineering College appear even more solemn and bright.
On the fifth floor of this main building,
inside the dean’s office,
Professor Bolao was sitting at his workbench, chatting with Lanci, who had just returned from the Shadow World.
"Red Epic..."
Through his specialized glasses, Professor Bolao looked at the gemstone in his hand as if he hadn’t seen such a thing in many years.
"I can help you calculate the optimal auxiliary material ratio a bit, but the resources you can buy here in Hutton are limited. I would suggest that on your way to Poseen Kingdom for the Platinum Level Card Maker certification midway through the month, you take the opportunity to purchase any materials you might need."
He handed the gemstone back to Lanci, took off his Magical Engineering Glasses, and said,
"I see, thank you, Professor Bolao."
Lanci put away Calila’s Shadow Weave Gemstone and expressed his thanks.
After sending Hyperion, Cat Boss, and Shasha back to the Boss Cat Restaurant, Lanci returned to Ichrite Academy.
They had just reached evening in the Shadow World, returned to this world, and now they all needed to catch up on sleep.
Lanci urged Hyperion to quickly go back to her home on the second floor of the restaurant to rest, without dragging her along to the Magic Engineering College to find Professor Bolao.
Lanci, as an almost Platinum Level Card Maker, was only one step away from the final certification in Poseen Kingdom.
Next, he was to take over the work of Duke Migaya for the Southern Continent Card Maker Association and act as the chief examiner for a Platinum Level exam.
Before heading to the Dark Solar Eclipse Demon Realm in the Shadow World, Lanci had already received a related notification from Professor Bolao.
Geographically speaking, Hutton Kingdom is located at the easternmost edge of the central part of the South Continent. Last year, Yarolan Kingdom, which visited their school for an academic exchange, was located more towards the eastern center, while Poseen Kingdom lay between the two, not too far away in reality.
With both belonging to the eastern region, Poseen Kingdom may be small in land area, but its cultural development and Magical Engineering technology are extremely advanced. It’s also a hub of resource circulation and trade for the Card Maker’s Association in the entire eastern region of the South Continent.
To quickly buy as many high-quality materials as possible, Poseen Kingdom is the top choice in the eastern region.
"You must pay attention to safety when traveling abroad during this period," Professor Bolao advised.
Having grown more familiar with Lanci recently, Bolao also took great care of Lanci, the student he was about to mentor.
"Yes, I heard about it."
Lanci understood what Professor Bolao meant.
The main reason the Platinum Level Card Maker exam in the eastern region needed him was exactly that: there was a persistent shortage of examiners, and it was very difficult to call for help from other regions.
Moreover, with rumors swirling that the Cerryti Empire might be preparing for a storm-like war, other countries in the region were unwilling to let their Platinum Level Card Makers travel too far, given the difficult assessment of security risks.
"However, you should rest well at Ichrite in early August," Professor Bolao suggested, opening the floor cabinet beside him, pulling out a thick file folder, opening it, and taking out the first page of the information sheet to show Lanci, who was sitting opposite the desk,
"Lan Fu Wilford, nominally related to your family, seventeen years old, first-year student from the Nanwantina Border, I’ve already taken care of her special admission enrollment, and this will make her travels within Ichrite Academy much easier."
The student information sheet that Bolao presented clearly displayed the photograph of the Great Love Poet with black hair and green eyes, which was the picture Lanci had given to Professor Bolao.
The idea of recruiting a magic card as a student was too preposterous,
so they simply processed new identities for the Great Love Poet, using the proper channels.
"You can pick up the uniform and other items at the Old Literature Building, just like when you first came to Ichrite Academy," said Professor Bolao after Lanci checked the information and confirmed there were no errors, 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
"But the Academic Supervision Committee has been conducting particularly strict screenings recently, so try not to have her skip classes. She must clock in and out of the lab every day. Make sure she complies with this," he added.
After switching from a teaching bachelor to a research bachelor, the mentor role became akin to a boss, with students learning from the mentor daily as well as working for them.
"Okay, don’t worry, Professor Bolao, I guarantee to bring her to school every day, supervise her to follow the school rules, and be a good student,"
Lanci promised.
The reason for Professor Bolao’s previous hesitation was due to the academic scrutiny pressure that Ichrite Academy faced.
Ichrite Academy was not only affiliated with the Hutton Kingdom but also an official and highest-level direct institution certified by the South Continent Shadow World Management Association and the South Continental Kingdom Union Council. Accompanied by numerous powers and conveniences, it also had to meet certain criteria to ensure it could demonstrate effective support for the association.
"However, Professor Bolao, you also know that I need to go to the Poseen Kingdom in mid-August to supervise exams for the Southern Continent Card Maker Association,"
Lanci spoke hesitantly.
"That counts as official leave, I’ve already applied for it in advance for you,"
Professor Bolao nodded with his eyes closed.
"Then I might have to go to another country for a new academic research project, which could take as short as two to three months or as long as half a year,"
Lanci added.
In early August, he would rest at Ichrite, in mid-August go to the Poseen Kingdom to supervise exams and purchase materials, and in late August return to Ichrite to attempt crafting Calila’s Magic Card. Then, with everything ready, he could go find Duke Migaya in the Cerryti Empire.
Compared to the Northern Continent, the advantage of the Cerryti Empire, a gigantic empire at the southernmost tip of the South Continent, lies in its proximity to the Hutton Kingdom.
Starting from Lanci’s hometown in the Nanwantina, whether crossing mountains or seas, one can reach South Crayney, the massive empire at the southern tip of the South Continent.
"As long as you can ensure academic results, I’ve gone ahead and approved your vacation,"
Professor Bolao said informally as he rummaged for an official report form bearing the Ichrite Academy’s letterhead and logo, which he handed to Lanci along with a pen from his desk.
After all, Bolao trusted Lanci’s academic capabilities and let him give it a try first.
He never restricted his own students.
"Thank you, Professor!"
Lanci took the paper and pen, and began filling it out using Professor Bolao’s desk.
"Sigh, there have been so many things going on lately... In these days you and Hyperion went to the Shadow World, the schedule for this year’s academic visitation team from the Royal Arolan Academy has also been set, and this time Knight Commander Juliana is coming in person,"
Bolao, looking at Lanci who was focused on filling out the form, chatted with him,
"Fortunately, our school has Felice, who transferred from the Royal Arolan Academy last year. She’ll be able to assist Monasite with hosting the students from the Royal Arolan Academy quite well."
With the Vice President Asina graduating, and President Monasite staying on to continue further study, Monasite originally wanted to resign as president, but since no one took over at a critical time and all three officers were away, she decided to take on another year.
"Oh?"
Lanci, suddenly hearing something of interest, raised his head to look at Bolao.
It wasn’t just about the Student Council’s work; it was his duty and responsibility. To help Dean Loren set up this match, he had given it his all.
Now, the date was finally about to happen.
"How is Dean Loren?"
Lanci put down his pen and inquired with concern.
"He’s very nervous, probably because of the great pressure he’s been under recently, entangled in official duties, and overworked. Now with Juliana’s sudden visit, he’s even more confused, and I estimate the date will happen in the next two or three days,"
Bolao shook his head,
"He even came to me early this morning to ask if I could give him some dating advice."
Bolao, to be honest, couldn’t bear not to help seeing Loren in that state.
"Although I’ve had a few failed marriages, that was decades ago when I was young. Then I told him I could help, but I couldn’t guarantee the success of his date,"
Professor Bolao continued.
But he stopped halfway through his words.
Because he saw the emerald green in Lanci’s eyes shining like stars, bright and splendid.
"Uh..."
Bolao couldn’t help but feel that another problem seemed to have been resolved.
