NOVPUBLanci walked through the inner corridors on the fourth floor of Elliot Building in the monastery.
This long corridor, surrounded on all sides, formed a majestic arch loop.
He walked while memorizing the map.
He found that whenever he was about to reach a dead end, there would always be a sign on the wall, "Turn ahead." 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝑝𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
And after each turn, as usual, there would be an expanse that was unexpectedly bright and clear.
"Turn ahead," the big words repeatedly assaulted his eyes, gradually prying open his heart.
It turned out that there were no directionally challenged people in this world, only those who couldn’t make the turns.
"You..."
Talia listened to Lanci’s thoughts, wanting to ask but stopping herself.
She always felt that Lanci was on a mission, but it wasn’t her mission.
The more familiar she became with Lanci, the more she felt traces of others on him.
"What exactly did you do in the Northern Continent besides working on your projects?"
Talia, who generally paid little attention to Lanci’s stories, finally started to care.
"I was just focusing on my projects."
Lanci was confused, not knowing why Talia suddenly asked him this question.
"..."
Talia realized that was indeed the truth.
But she vaguely felt that Lanci was too adept at living abroad.
"How do you usually focus on your projects?"
Talia asked tentatively.
"Enhancing job skills, practicing practical skills, striving to satisfy my superiors."
Lanci thought for a moment and answered.
"..."
"Then enhance your skills, practice well, and try to satisfy me a bit more, make it more enjoyable."
Talia communicated her thoughts confidently.
No matter how Lanci fared in the Northern Continent, she was the ultimate beneficiary, and thinking about it, she felt her trip to the Cerryti Empire was filled with ease.
It was no different than being in Ichrite Academy every day.
"Of course."
Lanci continued chatting with Talia in his mind as he passed through the circular corridor and came to the suspended atrium on the fourth floor of the Elliot Building.
Atop the stone pillar, the mosaic dome’s vaulted ceiling was embedded, and inner walls painted with murals of the gods creating the world; though the colors had faded over the years, the grand composition still assured one of its origin close to the Divine Era.
The arched windows on both sides reached several meters high, with pot sculptures at the top curling around the window sills. Occasionally a gentle breeze would pass by, lightly stirring the window panes, and a few birds flew across the sky, casting a faint silhouette.
The inner corridor was interconnected, leading to attached facilities of the Elliot Building like the library, dining hall, and chapel.
That morning Lanci had seen an email sent by Miss Nela, the school’s secretary, through the faculty and staff system, stating that classroom 4-21 would temporarily cease to be used for teaching, and Professor Landry’s lecture had been moved to classroom 4-43.
Therefore, he had to arrive earlier to account for the time to locate the new classroom.
While it was common for teachers to arrive late at the free-spirited Ichrite Academy, and there was even a small chance of teachers skipping classes, Lanci’s professional ethics and standards did not allow him to act irresponsibly; he always arrived at least fifteen minutes early to the vicinity of the classroom and entered the classroom five minutes before class.
As he walked, the light gradually dimmed again, entering the looped corridor area.
Teachers and students occasionally passed by, their footsteps rustling and echoing in the spacious atrium corridor.
In the corners of the corridor eaves, the Moon Goddess statues from Saint Kray Monastery were also engraved.
"..."
Lanci’s steps gradually slowed as he looked ahead.
On this familiar passageway, at the end stood a man in a distinct military uniform.
He was standing below the nameplate of classroom 4-21.
It seemed he had been waiting there for a long time.
"Long time no see, although strictly speaking, we met last week, Professor Landry."
Red Falcon Nikola, his hand resting on the deep brim of his military cap, almost hiding his forehead.
Nonetheless, his eyes beneath the cap brim were fixed on Lanci.
"For us, busy working for the Empire, each day feels like a month, so it’s normal to feel like it’s been a long time."
Lanci appeared surprised but nodded, expressing strong agreement.
"Captain Nikola, what brings you here?"
He continued walking past.
Heading to classroom 4-43, according to the map, the quickest path was through the existing classroom 4-21, and obviously, Red Falcon Nikola had considered this point in waiting there.
Of course, after arriving at the Elliot Building, Lanci had felt a gaze which he assumed was Red Falcon Nikola’s.
The last time at the first station in Brilda, right when he had just arrived in the city disoriented aboard the Magic Power Rail Train, he was attacked by Unity, a female assassin from the Allied Forces, and afterwards, was investigated by this Empire Action Department officer known as Red Falcon.
This officer, with a chiseled handsome face and deep chestnut-brown hair neatly cut, carried the crisp and efficient demeanor of a soldier.
The Empire’s Special Operations Department, also known as the Imperial Magic Agents Task Force, directed by the Emperor himself, could mobilize resources directly without going through the military system.
Any seemingly ordinary civilian passing by on the streets of the Empire, or an ordinary-looking shopowner, could potentially be someone from the Empire’s Special Operations Department.
And among the various sections under the Special Operations Department, the Internal Affairs Service Section One, which focused more on internal affairs within the Cerryti Empire, was responsible for monitoring domestic dissenters, rooting out anti-war activists and spies, and maintaining political stability, and Red Falcon Nikola was the head of Internal Affairs Service Section One.
"I thought if you came early, you’d probably pass by here, and I just have something I’d like to discuss with the professor, hopefully not delaying your class."
