Chapter 211
Chapter 211
Chapter 211
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 211: Lan Qi Really Is Just Too Naive
Saturday morning at Ikerite Academy.
The Ancient Tower Library, one of the iconic buildings of the Sage’s Academy, still had many students entering and leaving in groups, even on this weekend.
The interior of the massive structure was breathtakingly beautiful, with murals, inlays, and carvings crafted in exquisite detail. Towering stone pillars at the entrance supported the grandeur of a temple. Along the corridor leading inward, statues of the eleven benevolent gods lined the way.
Two figures were walking through this colonnade toward the central hall of the library.
“Sophia didn’t come today—does that still make you unhappy, Prince Ainor?”
The light-haired girl asked, blinking her bright eyes. Her pupils were a unique shade of green, like a spring hidden deep in the forest, clear and pure.
“…It’s not that. I just don’t understand. I feel very confused.”
Ainor shook his head, though his face couldn’t quite hide his worries.
Today, Dean Loren had arranged to meet them in the inner section of the Ancient Tower Library at ten in the morning.
Ainor clearly didn’t want his mood to affect Karen.
According to Professor Polao’s instructions, his task was to properly host their foreign magi-engineer guest, making sure she was satisfied and happy during her two-week stay in Ikerite. If he could do that, his duty was complete.
“Prince Ainor, sometimes you need to be more considerate of Sophia’s feelings, you know? It doesn’t matter if I’m treated a little unfairly, but you must take her side more often.”
Karen walked lightly, her smile radiating both confidence and resilience.
Many seniors would often say she was surely the kind of child who had been far too sensible from a young age, to the point of evoking pity.
“That won’t do. As the prince of the Hedon Kingdom, I cannot allow a foreign guest to be treated unjustly while in our land.”
Ainor’s tone was firm.
In moments like this, he always thought of his closest friend.
If it were his friend, he was certain he would do the same—his friend was always so open, selfless, and admirable.
“Hehe.”
Karen’s smile stayed fixed, as though every small detail of life brought her amusement.
Her favorite pastime was breaking apart couples who looked like they were truly in love.
Love was just a game of deceiving oneself or others.
All expectations of love were born from fantasy.
But that fantasy had been shattered for her long ago, when she was still very small.
Give her a few more days, and she was sure she could completely capture this prince’s heart. That was the great enjoyment she had found on this academic visit.
The two chatted calmly as the light grew brighter, finally stepping into the central reading hall.
What met their eyes was a magnificent domed ceiling, twenty-four meters high, covered with alternating patterns of deep gold and sky blue—like stars of the night sky dancing with the dawn’s light. In the dome’s center, a giant mirrored surface reflected every detail within the hall.
The hall had been converted from the original Hedon Kingdom parliament building. With its solemn, circular structure, it looked like a courtroom or assembly chamber, with rings of long tables surrounding the central floor.
On the hard marble floor, dozens of curved peach wood tables were neatly arranged, each with a green-shaded lamp on top, spaced just right—layered and orderly without seeming crowded.
Around the hall, towering wooden bookshelves with glass panels held some eighty-five thousand volumes. Above each shelf, a golden plaque displayed the subject area, ranging from “History” to “Art,” “Arcane Texts” to “Ecology and Nature.”
“At the very center, that area serves both as a lecture platform and as a stage, though it’s usually not open. It’s used for academic lectures, public announcements, or large-scale events—then those dozens of long tables will all be filled with guests.”
Ainor pointed into the distance as he introduced the library to Karen.
Most often nowadays, this central space was used for “Observations of the Primordial Stone Slabs,” a semi-public project.
Whenever a student successfully passed Dean Loren’s trial, they would be given a chance to observe here. At that time, interested students and even scholars from the Mage Towers might come to watch.
Beyond the central floor and tables, the upper levels of the library rose like theater balconies. From there, one could both overlook the central hall and feel the presence of knowledge and history flowing from every direction.
“I see…”
Karen glanced at the faraway clock. They had arrived about half an hour earlier than their appointment with Dean Loren.
Given how busy Loren was, it was unlikely he would appear so early.
But soon, both Ainor and Karen realized—
At the very center of the hall stood a composed figure, calm as a chess piece placed immovably on the board.
His attire was immaculate; the subtle grid patterns on his collar and tie matched his dark coat perfectly. His warm eyes carried profound wisdom.
He was smiling, quietly watching those who entered the hall.
“Prince Ainor, Miss Karen, you’ve arrived.”
Every movement Lan Qi made, whether a slight nod or a measured step, radiated a natural leader’s air. In this temple of knowledge, he seemed like a true mentor, waiting for eager students to grant them guidance and advice.
Karen was momentarily stunned. If she hadn’t already met Dean Loren, she would have mistaken this young man for the Academy’s supreme leader.
“Lan Qi, I heard you’ve been busy since returning from the Shadow Realm, so I didn’t come bother you. I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
Whatever lingering troubles Ainor had before, they vanished the moment he saw Lan Qi, leaving only delight. He strode quickly toward him.
“Prince Ainor, Miss Karen. Originally, today’s observation should have been for Miss Karen alone. But since Dean Loren will be extremely busy in the coming days, I agreed to his request to spare him from having to schedule me separately.”
Lan Qi bowed slightly to Ainor as they met.
“So Prince Ainor and Lan Qi already know each other?”
Karen followed beside Ainor, curious and a little surprised, glancing up at him.
When she had reported her assignment earlier, Loren had mentioned that because of time constraints, she would be placed ahead of a Sage’s Academy student in the observation queue. It was possible they would observe together, and Karen had already agreed.
But she hadn’t expected that the student she cut in front of… was Lan Qi—the one regarded as a rival by their third-year senior Adams.
It was said this was the one who defeated the Saintess of Destruction of the Resurrection Church.
And when Adams had challenged him, Lan Qi hadn’t even cared about winning or losing—he casually let Adams claim victory, generous as Loren himself, as if Adams was never really his opponent.
“Yes. This is my dearest friend, Lan Qi, first-year top student of the Sage’s Academy.”
Ainor smiled as he introduced him.
Karen wasn’t very familiar with Lan Qi. Since arriving, she had mostly been between the Magitek-Engineering Institute and the Church of the Goddess of Fate. She’d shown little interest in the Sage’s Academy or Knight’s Academy—she had long since grown tired of Yaloran Royal Academy’s combat-heavy atmosphere.
Several times, Ainor had wanted to boast about his friend, but he restrained himself.
Professor Polao had said they mustn’t spread word of Lan Qi’s platinum-level assessment progress until it was complete, to avoid outside interference. For Lan Qi’s sake, Ainor stayed silent.
“Lan Qi, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Sorry that Senior Adams gave you trouble.”
Karen politely greeted him.
She wasn’t interested in disputes between combat students—they were so stupid. After all, simply worshipping her should be enough.
“No. If Adams has a request, it is my duty and obligation to help him to the fullest.”
Lan Qi replied sincerely.
“No wonder Dean Loren is so proud of you. I’m sure he must feel comforted by your willingness to yield.”
In their brief exchange, Karen had already assessed Lan Qi.
His sincerity and temperament didn’t seem fake. He looked like someone whose inside matched his outside.
So having one extra third wheel around today didn’t matter. It wouldn’t stop her from continuing to win over Ainor.
“Prince Ainor…”
Just as Karen was about to speak to Ainor again—
She suddenly realized Ainor had already thrown his arm over Lan Qi’s shoulder, leaving her behind like she didn’t exist, speaking to Lan Qi endlessly.
“…”
The awkwardness was suffocating.
How could it be… that her charm seemed less than that of a man?!
Ainor wasn’t even half as smitten with Sophia as he was right now with Lan Qi!
Lan Qi gave Karen a small, helpless smile.
In this moment, it was just like that time at the Cardmaker Association.
Karen instinctively clenched her fist halfway.
She couldn’t even tell—
Was that smile truly helpless toward this prince, or was it carrying a hint of ridicule?
As if it were saying to her:
“You can never be this close to him.”