Chapter 186
Chapter 186
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 186 – The Storm Unleashed by Lan Qi
“…!?”
Adams was once again completely flustered by Lan Qi.
No wonder this student was taught by the playboy Loren—such composure and eloquence could probably charm a dozen fiancées at the same time without issue!
Adams had initially found it hard to imagine how Loren navigated such a level of chaos, but after seeing Lan Qi, he believed it.
“Then, Adams, our wager has been witnessed by Knight Juliana. Please choose the challenge. Whatever type of duel it is, I will accept.”
Lan Qi smiled, holding the cat in his arms, as if the previous call had been just a casual chat.
“…Alright!”
Lan Qi’s description of the wager left no room for objection, and Adams had none to offer.
After a brief pause, Adams decisively replied:
“Lan Qi, even if I have reason to win, I will not select a challenge that favors me. I will defeat you fairly, and I want you to lose with full acceptance.”
“I look forward to it.”
Lan Qi remained elegant, seemingly indifferent to winning or losing.
Perhaps this posture implied that, regardless of the challenge Adams proposed, Lan Qi might be confident he would win anyway.
Adams nodded—Lan Qi was finally taking this seriously, just as he wished to see.
“Then let’s choose a challenge that both of us excel at: the Shadow World. We will use the endless mode of the artificial Shadow World, lock the tiers to second level, and disable magic cards. This will be a pure test of intellect and willpower.”
Adams pointed at Lan Qi as he spoke.
A murmur spread through the room, and the senior students and teachers quickly understood which Shadow World Adams meant.
He was referring to the second-tier artificial Shadow World, “Despairing Bone-Chilling Prison”, a trial designed to test the limits of human survival willpower.
It was highly famous, often used for training, and everyone had some familiarity with it. Its extreme randomness meant there was little dispute about fairness.
Yet, with this Shadow World, no one could predict whether Lan Qi or Adams would emerge victorious.
“No problem. How about we meet one hour later at the seventh-floor atrium of the Learning and Education Building?”
Lan Qi suggested. Even with school permission and support from the Magic Engineering Institute, activating the artificial Shadow World terminal on the seventh floor would take some time.
“Alright, see you in an hour.”
Adams turned to leave the Sage Institute meeting room, confident of victory.
A rare opportunity lay before him, one he had never even imagined when he first arrived at Ikerite Academy.
His eyes burned with determination, his arrogance unabashed—he had decided to give the Sage Institute a lesson today.
…
Autumn winds swept across the Ikerite campus, rushing between buildings, lifting leaves into the air as if signaling an impending storm.
Golden and red leaves detached from branches, dancing through the air, occasionally passing through the ancient clock tower, deepening the sense of passing time and signaling late autumn.
The clock tower stood solemnly amidst the wind, silent and unyielding, as the hands of the clock moved steadily.
Students’ coats flapped in the wind, but their eyes remained determined as they pressed forward in small groups.
“Why go to class? Hurry up and watch the show!”“If you’re late, there won’t be any seats left at the Jera Memorial Plaza.”
Among the whistling wind, students hurriedly spread the news: a special event was about to unfold—Adams, the top third-year melee student of Yaloran Royal Academy, would duel against the Sage Institute’s representative, Lan Qi!
Besides the giant outdoor screen at Jera Memorial Plaza, which played twenty-four-hour live broadcasts, the school also offered multiple indoor team rooms with magic screens for viewing.
In a Magic Engineering Laboratory, lights on the ceiling sprinkled evenly like stars, circular walls embedded with magic screens displaying campus information.
Students at workstations were engrossed in experiments, while newly arriving students whispered excitedly about the Academy’s big event today.
“Lan Qi might not win this time. Don’t be too optimistic. Even Frey might not survive a Shadow World duel against Adams.”“Suspense makes it interesting! Have you heard about the bet between Lan Qi and Adams? I can’t imagine how explosive the outcome would be if he loses.”“The one probably to explode will be Dean Loren.”
…
In the distance, second-year golden-level cardmaker Carleen of Yaloran Royal Academy, who was guiding visitors, sighed at the news.
“Adams is up to nonsense again.”
Then a small smile appeared on her lips. She brushed her light hair aside and, with her green, sparkling eyes, looked at Prince Ainor, who was accompanying her on the tour.
“Prince Ainor, you are composed and steady, worthy of the admiration and trust of juniors.”
“Haha, not really.”
Prince Ainor, who already respected Carleen, a younger golden-level prodigy, could not help but smile genuinely at her constant praise.
…
Sofia turned her gaze away, thinking that out of sight, out of mind.
Everyone in the Magic Engineering Institute initially expected this Yaloran prodigy girl to be arrogant, but she was not only talented—she was humble and friendly, quickly earning universal recognition and affection.
Sofia noticed Carleen’s subtle closeness to Prince Ainor over the past days, though she had refrained from commenting. Last time, her possessiveness had caused a ridiculous incident at the Cardmakers’ Association.
…
As Sofia got distracted, a subtle expression on her face seemed to be noticed by Carleen.
“Sofia, I’m sorry for getting so close to Prince Ainor. You don’t mind, do you?”
Carleen gently covered her lips, concerned.
“He’s not mine!”
Sofia’s tone, regaining her composure, was sharp, revealing her bottled-up emotions from the past two days.
…
Carleen, scolded, lowered her eyes and softly said “hm,” feeling a little wronged.
“Sofia, Carleen has no ill intentions.”
Prince Ainor quickly intervened.
If anyone in the Magic Engineering Institute bullied Carleen, it would make the entire Academy look petty.
“Sorry…”
Sofia calmed down, lowering her head. The lingering bitterness weighed on her throat, making it hard to form words.
She felt she might need a psychologist—or perhaps a love expert—to help her.
…
Sunlight, gradually thinning, streamed through the large windows of a cozy café in central Ikerite, established in an old printing factory. Upstairs was the Hedon Times editorial office.
The café buzzed with morning activity. People mingled briefly, the clinking of cups, low chatter, and soft background music blending into a relaxed urban scene.
At a long table, a few students from Yaloran Royal Academy leisurely enjoyed brunch.
One sipped a latte with an intricate latte art design; another enjoyed a bagel topped with avocado, fried egg, and fresh tomato.
They alternated between chatting and reading newspapers, seamlessly switching between study and leisure. This café felt like a second campus.
“There’s news again today.”“Go fetch Senior Ludvichil. We need the whole school to know within an hour!”
At the long table, one Yaloran student considered the news brought in by Ikerite students—the upcoming Shadow World duel between Lan Qi and Adams.
He put down his fork, thinking of the perfect timing to act: once Lan Qi entered the artificial Shadow World, it would be the optimal moment to deal with the Duchess.