NOVPUBA class period vanished in the blink of an eye.
Outside the classroom, on the corridor laid with black and white checkerboard marble that shone brilliantly, golden particles drifted leisurely in the air.
With the deep tolling of bells resonating above the central buildings of Saint Kray Temple, signaling the end of Lanci’s lectures for the day.
Even so, no student left the classroom, and some who were thirsty for knowledge gathered in front of the podium, asking him questions.
It wasn’t until much later, after the students with questions had formed a preliminary understanding and dispersed from him, that he quietly closed his notes and carefully placed the weighty ancient tome on the teak podium. He then offered a friendly and sincere smile to the students below and bid them farewell before striding out of the classroom.
Approaching noon, the interior of Elliot Building buzzed with noise and bustled with activity.
Students in groups of three or five, holding their bulky book-like magic devices, moved through the corridors in lively conversation, their laughter echoing in the spacious hallways, mingled faintly with savory aromas wafting from the cafeteria on the lower floors of Elliot Building.
Lanci walked alone by the corridor beside classroom 4-43, his footsteps swallowed by echoes off the stone walls.
"The students of Saint Kray Temple really do have some unique ideas, some of them truly stumped me."
The sharp questions raised by the students in his recent class persisted in his mind, their thoughts worthy of his deep reflection. Sometimes, Lanci had to discuss with Talia within his mind before responding.
Fortunately, Talia’s eight-hundred-year repository of knowledge was formidable indeed, truly...
Too beautiful and too powerful.
As Lanci’s thoughts were halfway, he felt as if an invisible hand had seized his heart, prompting him to utter in awe.
"Professor Landry! Please, wait!"
Suddenly, a rush of hurried footsteps and a young voice called from behind, interrupting Lanci’s train of thought in the corridor.
Lanci stopped abruptly and turned around, pausing his inner dialogue with Talia to refocus on the students of Saint Kray Temple.
He saw several students with anxious expressions who didn’t care about appearances, quickly catching up, their eyes gleaming with both a thirst for knowledge and admiration for him.
The lead student spoke breathlessly, unable to conceal his excitement.
"Professor, the new energy theory you expounded in class today was truly astonishing, especially the concept of using living magic power oscillation and resonance principles to improve energy conversion efficiency, which is simply genius-level inspiration! But I have some doubts about it, and I wonder if you could take a look at our ideas to see if they are feasible."
As he spoke, he pulled out pages filled with notes and self-deduced formulas.
"Exactly, Professor Landry."
Another golden-haired, blue-eyed young man continued,
"I think it could not only be developed in the direction of new energy resources but also considered for humanitarian punishment tools. In the future, labor reform for criminals could become a one-click cleanup operation, without having to worry about them slacking off, being forced, efficient, and pure, it could also reduce the workload and supervision difficulties for prison guards."
The students excitedly interjected one after another, vying to use their knowledge to come up with more ideas, their eyes full of longing and zeal for knowledge.
"Why are they like this?"
Talia asked with curiosity inside Lanci’s mind.
She suddenly recalled that in class, Lanci spent only half of the allotted time on Magical Engineering while the remaining half was dedicated to ethics, religion, and philosophy. 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
The more some students listened, the more unusual their behavior seemed.
Only a few students with strong resistance remained unaffected.
Those who chased after him here were clearly the ones who had changed the most.
"Very thoughtful, let me take a look."
Seeing this, Lanci revealed a kindly smile, not yet answering Talia, ready to clarify each student’s doubts.
He suddenly raised his eyes and at the corner of the corridor stood a familiar figure—
It was none other than Nikola, known as "Red Falcon," the chief of the Domestic Strategy Section One of the Empire’s Special Operations Department.
He still wore crisp, neat black military uniform.
His chest medals gleamed in the sunlight, his hands folded behind his back, standing tall and firm as a pine.
Upon seeing Lanci, Red Falcon Nikola inclined his head in acknowledgment.
It seemed he had been waiting for Professor Landry for some time.
Following Lanci’s gaze, the students turned to look at Nikola’s stern face and the military uniform of the Empire’s Special Operations Department, immediately falling silent, no longer speaking.
Lanci likewise acknowledged the officer and then looked apologetically at the students beside him.
"I’m terribly sorry, Alexander, Benjamin, Christopher, Gregory... I suddenly have urgent business that needs attention. The questions you raised are indeed insightful, and I will be in my office to answer questions tomorrow afternoon. I’m available in my office, room 812 on the 8th floor of the Siperte Building at the Great Monastery, every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from two to five in the afternoon. Let’s have a thorough discussion then, okay?"
His tone was sincere and polite, and he accurately named each student.
"You go ahead, we’ll see you tomorrow."
The students immediately nodded, feeling as if their hearts were filled with something, growing fuller. They thought Professor Landry, whom they had met just two days ago, wouldn’t remember them so well, but he was already so familiar with them, caring about them, and they could even feel the sincere and unique emphasis from his eyes.
"See you tomorrow."
As Lanci spoke, he turned back and strode determinedly towards Red Falcon Nikola.
"Professor Landry, I apologize for the intrusion. Are you available to accompany me to the headquarters of the Empire’s Special Action Department now? Regarding the matter we discussed earlier, we need to confirm further details with you."
