Chapter 240
Chapter 240
Chapter 240
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 240 – Lan Qi is the Principal of Purgatory Corridor Academy
The not-large but finely decorated guest room was filled with warm-colored furniture and curtains.
Under the chandelier, the young man who had been sitting on the bed stood up and gave Viscount Francis a deep bow.
“Thank you for saving my life, Lord Viscount.”
The young man’s clear and gentle voice carried a hint of weariness.
This was the state of just having adjusted to the translation magic.
Francis smiled and nodded, motioning for the young man to sit down, and then sat himself in a nearby chair. He had never been one to put on a noble’s airs.
“Please, no need to be so polite, young man. I imagine you must be unfamiliar with this place. Could you tell me about your situation—where you came from, and where you are headed?”
Viscount Francis finally spoke.
“I am a scholar from the Hedon Kingdom of the Southern Continent. This time I came to the Northern Continent to complete an academic project, but I ran into a mana storm and my ship was wrecked… Then, when I awoke, I found myself rescued by you.”
The brown-haired young man seemed hesitant at first, but eventually spoke.
Hearing this, Francis couldn’t help but feel a ripple in his heart.
The Hedon Kingdom was a famous and powerful nation in the Southern Continent—even Francis had heard of it.
And notable figures came from there, such as the High Priest of the Church of the Goddess of Fate.
Francis knew this youth’s misfortune must be somewhat related to the recent turbulent mana storms at sea.
Indeed, shipwrecks had increased recently, especially for those coming from the Southern Continent.
Although the youth’s words may have glossed over some key details, Francis could sense his sincerity.
“I am truly sorry. All documents that could prove my identity were lost with my luggage.”
The young man added.
Francis waved his hand, not intending to trouble or doubt him further.
Earlier, while Francis was eating breakfast, his secretary had already confirmed that the youth spoke fluent Southern Continent languages, and even without translation magic could easily read books originating from there. Through their exchanges, the secretary was convinced that he had deep knowledge of Southern Continent society and culture.
There was no doubt he was Southern. Some things cannot be faked by mere study or imitation.
And more importantly, his gentle bearing made it almost impossible to believe he could be a bad person.
He clearly posed no threat.
Though his clothes were not luxurious, his speech and manners immediately revealed he was a well-bred and educated young man. He must have simply been separated from his guards in the shipwreck.
“I won’t pry further into your identity. After all, pressing endlessly into what cannot be known becomes baseless suspicion. I just want to confirm one thing—are you of the Church of the Goddess of Fate?”
Francis asked.
“No, I don’t believe in any gods.”
Lan Qi replied with a look of puzzlement.
“Phew.”
Francis let out a sigh of relief.
“May I ask why you would ask me that?”
Lan Qi’s expression remained unchanged, still full of confusion.
“If you were a cleric, then by rescuing you, I could be accused of colluding with a cult, or even treason. I would not harm you, but I would have no choice but to put you ashore outside the city with some food.”
Francis explained.
“The Church of the Goddess of Fate is considered a heretical cult in the Protos Empire and is being purged by the authorities.”
He knew that to someone from the Southern Continent, this would sound absurd.
Hearing Francis’s brief account of the Protos Empire’s current politics, Lan Qi’s confusion deepened.
This version of reality seemed far too strange. Wasn’t the Resurrection Church practically a publicly traded organization now?
But Lan Qi quickly accepted it.
Rather than waiting for the “version” to pass, it was better to adapt to it.
After a brief exchange, Lan Qi gained a basic understanding of his current location, and then explained his present predicament to Viscount Francis—
“Mr. Francis, I want to find my companions. Can you help me?”
Lan Qi asked earnestly.
“Mr. Rocky, I feel truly sorry for your misfortune. But at this time, the help I can give is limited.”
Francis sighed.
He could see that the lost companion was extremely important to the young man.
And yet the youth’s calmness, composure, and capacity for understanding were unlike someone who had just returned from the brink of death—once again confirming his qualities.
But without a legal Imperial identity, while he could manage in their small city, traveling further north in the Protos Empire would be impossible.
Francis dared not risk abusing his noble authority to grant this youth forged papers during such tense times.
“If you are willing, I can first arrange a place for you in Lilorom City, and give you a job.”
That was all Francis could offer.
If Rocky earned enough, the next time they visited the great eastern port cities, Francis could take him along. There he could buy a ticket back to the Southern Continent—at least send him home.
And by doing this good deed, perhaps Francis himself might one day have a connection if he ever traveled south.
“What kind of work would it be?”
Lan Qi, having been rescued, felt awkward simply eating and drinking for free. If he could earn some Imperial currency, it would also make his journey smoother.
But it was clear he wasn’t suited for manual labor, and no noble, not even a kind one like Francis, would casually entrust him with sensitive clerical duties.
“You said you are a scholar, right? And that you specialize in magical genealogy and Magitek?”
Francis slowly spoke.“My daughter gives me much trouble. She refuses to go to school, and has driven away many tutors—even the veteran teachers I brought in from other cities. She has already passed the entrance exam of the Protos Royal Academy of Magic, but at this rate, I fear she will never be able to study there properly.”
His daughter’s talent was extraordinary, bordering on unnatural. If only she didn’t waste it, she was destined to become powerful—powerful enough that no one would dare to scorn her, and strong enough to protect herself.
Francis had been at his wit’s end. But now, seeing this unusual guest from the Southern Continent, he thought perhaps it was worth trying.
“Teaching, huh? No problem.”
Lan Qi’s eyes lit up as soon as he heard this, and he immediately agreed.
The moment you mention teaching, he truly wakes up!
“I must warn you, don’t get your hopes too high. She’s… difficult to teach.”
Francis shook his head with a wry smile.
“Is that so? Then, if she accepts me as her teacher, would the payment be very generous?”
Lan Qi’s attitude became even more enthusiastic.
He was the Principal of Purgatory Corridor Academy, after all—there was no student he could not teach.
“Hmph, then name your price.”
Francis had never seen such confidence.
One might even call it arrogance.
Perhaps the young man truly had some talent back in the Southern Continent—but pedagogy was not so simple.
Especially with a problem child as troublesome as his daughter.
Still, it was worth a try. If it failed, he could always give the youth another post.
But if he did succeed, Francis could even use his authority to get him a new identity and bring him into the Protos Royal Academy of Magic in the capital.
After all, if one wished to search for someone, the capital was the quickest place for information.
“Very well then. Rest assured—I’ll bring you before her.”
Lan Qi promised with full confidence.
Francis chuckled as he stood, walking toward the door. He turned once more to look at the youth.
“Rest well for now. You are still recovering. From the look of the weather, there may be another storm tonight. The ship might rock so much you’ll find it hard to sleep.”
With that, Francis pushed open the cabin door and stepped out.
Closing the door behind Lan Qi, Francis smiled in relief.
No matter what, this youth was a likable, good-hearted person. Even when hearing that the student he was to face had demonic features, he showed not the slightest hesitation.
The Southern Continent truly was a simpler land.
“Master, aren’t you worried he might harm the young lady?”
The secretary, walking beside Francis in the ship’s corridor, asked.
“It doesn’t matter. She can easily subdue him.”
Francis waved dismissively.
That young man might not only be first-tier, but his magical strength was indeed only at the first rank, and he clearly hadn’t trained in close combat.
If his magic power was somehow disguised—and disguised so smoothly—then at the very least he was a seventh-tier or even higher top-class powerhouse. In that case, if he wanted to harm them, all it would take was a single thought.
(End of Chapter)