Chapter 169
Chapter 169
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 169 – Lan Qi’s Overly Explosive Art2024-05-22 Author: Pitiful Xixi
Crimson brick buildings stood tall there, majestic and solemn, engraved with the wisdom and engineering secrets left behind by the history of the Sage’s Institute.
Two figures stepped along the deep veins of the school, following roads that were gradually becoming familiar.
The creek by the roadside was like a string of flowing amber. It lightly passed through little stones, producing a pleasant sound. The water reflected the trees awakened by the morning light, their emerald branches swaying on the transparent surface, speaking of tranquility.
Originally, Noé felt this academy was too complicated, winding around until he couldn’t find his destination. But under the guidance of the school-familiar Lu Weixier, he soon passed several key landmarks and should be arriving at Jera Memorial Square very soon.
“I am actually a very failed father and educator. Because I put too much thought into the Chamber of Commerce, I neglected him, let him grow up unchecked. Without realizing it, every time I see him, he has become someone I no longer recognize.”
Noé sighed, reflecting in self-criticism.
He hadn’t thought Lan Qi could actually be this promising.
On the surface, he looked like a young master wasting every day.
In reality, he possessed quite a few talents and efforts no one else had noticed.
Perhaps everything started from meeting Miss Talia.
According to butler Hans and maid Francine, that night the drunk Lan Qi brought back a pigeon, and on the way he even stumbled into the Goddess of Fate’s temple.
From that moment on.
The next morning when Lan Qi woke, he began reforming himself.
Perhaps that boy had fallen in love, encountering a mysterious and beautiful woman, realizing he had to become better in order to earn her favor.
Though last time Noé returned to the country, he only stayed in South Mantina for a few days and didn’t get to meet the Miss Talia Hans and Francine mentioned, if he ever had the chance, Noé would definitely thank her sincerely for taking care of his foolish son, and even try to bring the two together.
A pity that her age seemed a bit higher, probably several years older than Lan Qi.
But if Lan Qi liked her, Noé would have no objection.
“You haven’t seen him for almost half a year. Have you thought about what he might be like this time?”
Lu Weixier asked while noting down in a little notebook, interviewing Noé.
Noé lifted his eyes slightly, looking at the distant field of blazing flowers — the system botanical garden carefully cultivated by the Alchemy Institute, also a fertile land for biotechnology teaching and research.
“If I haven’t guessed wrong, he should have already understood that a man must work hard, accomplish something, to be worthy of the gentlest woman he longs to see. If this boy’s academic grades could just be a little better, then I could be completely at ease.”
Noé smiled as he spoke.
At the Sage’s Institute, which focused on practical magic, Noé was still worried about Lan Qi’s campus life.
He knew Lan Qi’s magical talent. Before, when maid Francine (skilled in combat magic) tried teaching him, he was utterly clueless — after a whole month he couldn’t even learn a first-level Fireball Spell.
In Francine’s tactful words, even if Lan Qi learned Fireball, with his magical strength it would be no more than a spell for lighting cigarettes.
“You can rest assured.”
Lu Weixier nodded firmly.
She decided to let Lan Qi personally show his academic results to his father, to give him the most shocking impact.
“Do you have any other wishes?”
Lu Weixier asked caringly.
Noé thought for a while.
“Our family has always been devotees of the Goddess of Fate. Only this child Lan Qi has never believed in gods since young… I once so hoped he could work in a church, get along well with the clergy. What a harmonious scene that would be.”
The old father spoke like praying to the Goddess.
“Then you will enjoy blessings today.”
Lu Weixier said with a smile.
Passing through the shaded path, they had already arrived near Jera Memorial Square.
The tower clock hands pointed leisurely to 9:30. Surrounded by teaching buildings, the huge outdoor screen was broadcasting the Shadow World scene from today’s challenge for Ikerite Academy.
This weekend, the academy’s vitality was stronger than any other day.
Passionate clamor surged like a tide in the wide stone plaza. Seats on the steps were already filled with students, even the surrounding roads were packed. Passersby, drawn by this force, all stopped, their gazes fixed on the giant screen.
The outdoor screen already gave a close-up of Lan Qi in the Shadow World.
It was still the base-layer chapel of Lichtenstein Castle.
The glazed dome reached the top of the castle, morning sunlight like poetry flowing down, sprinkling on marble floors, illuminating the splendid dark-stone carved walls.
A giant pipe organ, nearly five stories tall, dominated the entire rear wall. Pipes stood either straight and towering or elegantly curved, bathed in gold and immersed in wood tones, radiating indescribable sacred solemnity.
As the light danced through the air of the chapel, Lan Qi’s figure became a bright silhouette.
Even just standing on stage, smiling at the image, it was like a silent hymn, as if guiding people through the fog toward the shore of truth.
“Your work will fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.”
At last, Lan Qi’s voice rang out.
He spoke to the people before the screen.
Today, he wore a neatly fitted suit, as if holding a press conference.
“Today, we will create history together.”
Meanwhile, under the transport of three clergy, a square wooden coffin, two meters long and wide, with an iron-cored oak shell, was pushed out.
It rested in the center of the chapel, decorated with fine carvings and paintings, revealing an art style of some mysterious region. Depictions of gods and symbols covered it. The colors were deep, yet the lines still clear, showing the artisans’ skill.
“Design is not just appearance and feeling. Design is how it works.”
Lan Qi continued with a calm, steady voice.
The screen switched.
With the clergy demonstrating, the camera zoomed in on the coffin inside the chapel—
There were two coffins, placed side by side.
But between the two coffins, there was only one shared sliding coffin board.
Inside, the vampires had been made into mummies, completely fixed, not even a finger could move. Only two straws were inserted into their mouths.
“Your body may have turned to dust, but your spirit will never vanish. Just as pyramids forever stand beneath the blazing sun, your existence will forever be etched in our memory. I pray your soul may forever shine under the Sun God’s blessing.”
First, after a priest’s prayer, he closed the left coffin, blocking Viscount Augustin.
Count Palocas in the right coffin was left exposed beneath sunlight pouring through the glass dome.
Then, the mummy-like Palocas began desperately blowing into the straw.
According to the built-in air channel mechanism, the coffin board slid gradually to the right.
Until the right coffin was fully covered, and its air channel blocked.
Meanwhile, the undead Viscount Augustin on the left, suddenly exposed to sunlight, began writhing in pain, blowing hard into his straw, forcing the coffin board back to his side.
The board slid left.
Thus, the left air channel blocked, and the right opened. Palocas could then blow again, sliding it back right.
As sunlight fell onto the two coffins, the golden light seemed to grant them new life. The carvings grew vivid, brilliant, and faint howls broke the silence of the chapel.
Viscount Augustin and Count Palocas, turned into zombie and mummy, lay left and right, endlessly contesting the coffin board back and forth.
“Only when the coffin board completely covers one side will the other side’s air channel open, allowing it to move again.”
On screen, Lan Qi spread his hands with a smile, introducing this dark duel:
“This is the solar-powered Infinite Merit Machine developed by our company. Capture just two bloodkin, and they will endlessly ‘help each other,’ sending sunlight to one another. The initiator accumulates merit while producing pure natural energy, protecting the environment and preventing climate warming.”
…
Ikerite Academy, Jera Memorial Square.
So quiet, it was terrifying.
For this era, Lan Qi’s design concept was simply too far ahead.