Chapter 104
Chapter 104
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 104: Lan Qi Really Isn’t Joking
May 22, 2024 · Author: Poor Xixi
The natural-terrace lecture hall was surrounded on all sides by wide glass windows, giving an aerial view of the campus scenery. Zinc-patterned screens filtered out the harsh light, softening the sunshine as it spilled into the classroom, adding a warm and harmonious atmosphere for discussion.
As if she wanted to join in the students’ chatter, Teacher Teresa leaned casually against the podium, sighing as though it were small talk during break:
“Two months from now, during the Yaloran Kingdom’s academic delegation, one of their students actually wanted to observe Principal Loren’s [Primordial Slate – Wind]. But the problem is that Yaloran’s delegation is led by their Knight Commander, the so-called ‘Undying Sword Saint,’ holder of the [Primordial Slate – Regeneration]. He’s not the easiest person to negotiate with. Every year when our students go, they usually return empty-handed. That’s why the relationship between the two sides has gradually turned a bit sour.”
“Nowadays, anyone who possesses a Slate is at least at the Eighth Tier or above, and almost always the strongest specialist of that category.”
“So, if you happen to encounter a [Primordial Slate] holder, make sure never to offend them! Not every supreme being is as gentle and kind as Principal Loren.”
Teacher Teresa switched the magical projection on the screen, smiling as she looked at the students’ buzzing, heated discussion.
Though the [Primordial Slate] was the most supreme of magical artifacts—in fact, one could say it was a necessity for becoming one of the world’s peak powerhouses—
…it was also a deadly poison.
Without the strength to guard it, one would almost certainly be hunted down and killed for it!
Because using a Slate always left behind distinct marks of its blessing.
Unless the wielder never once used the abilities or artifacts tied to their Slate, their ownership would quickly become public knowledge.
“……”
Sitting in the back row, Lan Qi had originally been about to ask Huperion what was wrong, but since the teacher had resumed her lecture, he simply turned his focus to the podium, listening intently and nodding.
In his view—
The [Primordial Slate] was indeed a supreme artifact worthy only of true powerhouses.
That was precisely what made it so valuable.
“In today’s world, among the thirty-two [Primordial Slates], more than half are held by humans. The rest are scattered among demons, vampires, elves, and other races…”
At this point—
One might think such news should be a source of pride for those living in a human kingdom. But Teacher Teresa’s tone and expression were oddly off, as though she wanted to avoid the subject of the Slates’ numbers.
“……”
Many students below fell silent. They all knew why.
Because out of those twenty or so Slates in human hands, ten of them belonged to the Resurrection Church.
Held by the ten Cardinal Bishops.
And that was not humanity’s honor, but rather its disgrace—A nightmare calamity feared by all life on both the northern and southern continents.
“The Hedon Kingdom once had two [Primordial Slates]. Now, only the [Primordial Slate – Wind] in Principal Loren’s hands remains.”
Teresa redirected the topic toward their own kingdom’s situation.
The Hedon Kingdom was a fairly powerful nation in the southern continent. It couldn’t compare to the massive empire of Kreyth occupying the far south, but it was still one of the stronger kingdoms.
Unlike the weaker realms, even if a Resurrection Church bishop appeared, the kingdom had the strength to respond.
“What about the other Slate?”
A student immediately raised their hand to ask.
“……”
Teacher Teresa opened her mouth slightly, but then paused, as if she had realized something.
In the back row—
Lan Qi noticed her gaze flicker unconsciously toward Huperion for a moment before quickly shifting away.
Turning his head, he saw that Huperion’s expression had already dimmed.
Teresa coughed lightly, carefully choosing her words.
She had just remembered that a key person involved in this matter was sitting in her class.
But to gloss it over at this point would feel far too forced.
“The other [Primordial Slate – Darkness] vanished together with Duke Migaya Aransal.”
She explained briefly, switching the magical display as if to move on to the next topic.
Yet—
Her words triggered a flood of chatter across the classroom.
Though many had heard of Duke Migaya of Ikerite in the royal capital—not only a noble of the highest rank but once one of Hedon’s strongest—
…few knew he had been a [Primordial Slate] holder.
Which made his sudden disappearance even more incomprehensible.
Had he betrayed the kingdom?Or was someone close to him behind it, colluding with the enemy?
In fact, rumors in the capital had long whispered suspicions toward Migaya’s beloved daughter Huperion, and his demon wife, whose whereabouts had been unknown for years.
The classroom grew noisier and noisier.
And gradually, the back row where Huperion sat became the focal point of countless subtle glances.
Few dared stare outright, but with the gossip, eyes inevitably drifted toward her.
Beside her, however—
“Wait, that doesn’t add up…”
Lan Qi frowned slightly, murmuring to himself as if sealed off from the surrounding chaos.
Now he finally understood why Huperion had been acting strangely earlier.
But the real issue wasn’t that.
From what he knew of the game’s plot, the [Primordial Slate] only appeared in the late game as ultimate items.
Even in the latest updates, most Slate holders remained hidden, only discoverable through side quests—and even then, their functions weren’t formally unlocked.
For example, the “Wilfort Massacre,” the quest that would wipe out his own Wilfort Merchant family, was tied to one such Slate.
And those brutal side quests were the prerequisites to unlocking epic-level storylines.
Yet here, in this academy, information about Slates could practically be asked straight from the teacher! Way easier than whatever shady mechanics Sima the game designer had originally intended!
The problem was—some Slate holders here didn’t match the game’s story at all!
Right now, they were still in the side-story era. The main storyline wouldn’t even begin for another two years.
According to the original plot, two years from now, the holder of the [Slate – Darkness] would be the Vampire Ninth Progenitor, Marquis Bernhard—Not Duke Migaya Aransal.
And the Kreyth Empire to the south was the vampires’ true nest.
Though the empire looked strong on the surface, it was already being eaten away by the reviving vampire progenitors. In the future, they would even pass the absurd “Treaty of Coexistence with the Vampires.”
By the time that law came into effect, Lan Qi couldn’t even imagine how much of the empire would already be under vampire control.
The game’s content wasn’t wrong—The timeline was just different.
If things followed the original plot, in two years the Slate of Darkness would indeed belong to Marquis Bernhard.
Which meant that for now, it was in Duke Migaya’s hands.
And there was only one way for ownership of a Slate to change—
Kill the current holder and seize it.
In other words, Migaya’s disappearance had everything to do with the Kreyth Empire and the vampires!
If he wasn’t rescued within the next year or so, his death was certain.
Lan Qi rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
If he planned carefully, with his advantage of knowing the plot, once his own tier rose a little higher—within the next year and a half—he could go to the vampires’ homeland, reinforce Bernhard’s seal, and disrupt their rise.
Then maybe he could even rescue Duke Migaya.
With such a powerful backer, what “Wilfort Massacre” would he have to fear? He could follow Duke Migaya’s lead and swagger around Hedon Kingdom with no problem!
And why was he so confident about venturing into the vampire heartland?
Because he was the one who had drawn the core dungeon maps of the vampire underground city!
He knew its traps, secret passages, and burial chambers even better than most vampire dukes and princes!
Meanwhile, in the classroom, the atmosphere grew heavier.
More and more eyes turned toward Huperion, who sat shrinking into herself, her heartbeat racing and her breath uneven.
Even with Lan Qi beside her, she could no longer feel at ease.
At that moment—
“Teacher, if someone were to find the missing Duke Migaya and return the [Slate – Darkness] to the Hedon Kingdom, what kind of reward would they get?”
Lan Qi suddenly raised his hand and asked.
The outrageous, almost comical question made many students chuckle, instantly lightening the mood. The heavy topic shifted into humor.
“Then His Majesty would surely grant that person a noble title, announce his deeds to the whole nation, and Duke Aransal himself would treat him as a confidant, without question.”
Teacher Teresa answered with a half-joking smile.
Then she finally let out a breath of relief.
She knew Lan Qi had asked only to ease the tension in the room and spare Huperion further embarrassment.
Though his methods were often unorthodox—
He really was, most of the time, a boy with a gentle and thoughtful heart.