Chapter 258
Chapter 258
Chapter 258
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 258 – Lan Qi Really Looks Like the Type Who Gets Things Done
“Why did you stop talking?”
“…I need to read a bit more of this book before I can give an objective evaluation of this Miss Talia.”
Just imagining Talia sitting in her armchair, reading the newspaper while nibbling on snacks and sipping tea, Lan Qi already felt afraid of breaking Zestira’s fantasy.
She indeed wasn’t quite like the other demons. Her greatest desire was eating. But because of her pride as a princess, she never let the other demons find out. So in their eyes, she was practically a flawless Holy Demon — as if all of a demon’s weaknesses had been erased.
In reality, ever since she switched identities in Hedon’s capital to become an unknown human called “Talia,” she had completely laid back.
Enjoying life, with no thought of being a demon.
That was it — he absolutely couldn’t let Talia know that he knew she was Talia.
Otherwise, the moment she socially “died,” she would probably drag him down with her.
Still, it wasn’t so bad. As long as he didn’t bring a few of the great demons who knew her well to the South Continent to watch her leisurely new life, her embarrassment probably wouldn’t be too severe.
“By the way, is it even okay to say things like worshiping demons out loud?”
Lan Qi asked in confusion.
Right now the Empire was at its peak of hostility, with public opinion toward other races at a level of exclusionism unmatched in recent years.
“Would you report me?”
Zestira’s question, like Talia’s, rarely carried any hint of doubt.
“No.”
Lan Qi, like Frey, also often enjoyed chatting about dangerous topics.
“Then there’s no problem.”
In short, she trusted Lan Qi, and therefore wouldn’t bother to hide anything. Just like her father, she followed the principle: if you trust someone, you don’t doubt them; if you doubt them, don’t use them.
“I truly do admire Talia. Unfortunately, no one knows whether she’s still alive now, or where she’s gone.”
Zestira sighed with rare regret.
“If she’s still alive and well now… what would you want?”
Lan Qi rested his gloved hand against his chin, pondering.
For some reason, he felt that ever since arriving in the North Continent, his path seemed to be replaying the circumstances of when he first met Talia.
Whether it was finding a wealthy patron, becoming a tutor, gaining an identity, or following his student to the Imperial Magic Academy…
But he and Talia had one difference.
He often said he wanted to “retire,” but once his ambition was stirred, he would carry things through to the end. Talia, on the other hand, looked ambitious on the surface, but in truth, she only wanted retirement.
“I want to seek her guidance, to learn from her, to know how to become a truly rational demon. I long for the knowledge and teachings she could pass on.”
Zestira answered without a shred of hesitation.
“You… don’t want to be human?”
Lan Qi asked in surprise.
Having spent so much time around Huperion, he thought that those half-demons or atavistic demons who grew up suffering discrimination in human nations would all want to be acknowledged as human.
He hadn’t expected Zestira to say something like this.
“No. I want to be a great demon.”
Zestira met Lan Qi’s gaze calmly.
Right and wrong could be argued. Prejudice, however, could not be overcome. So instead, she chose to follow her heart — openly, proudly, as a demon.
But she quickly realized she might have said too much. She should have said less.
Hearing such words, even someone as mild and friendly as Lan Qi would feel at least a little wary of her.
After all, her stance was far too extreme.
Sure enough, Lan Qi fell silent for a moment after hearing it.
“Then first you’d need to reclaim the ancestral lands of the demons… Otherwise, without a Demon King or the souls of the ancestors to grant you a title, you couldn’t be recognized. Being a great demon isn’t just an honorary name, it’s the highest recognition of the demon race. It’s not something that can be claimed with words. In my view, if you really want to achieve this dream, the first step would be to investigate and unite the remaining forces of the demon race, and prepare to reclaim their heritage…”
Lan Qi rested his chin on his white-gloved hand, analyzing seriously.
“……”
For the first time, Zestira felt that this man from the South Continent might be terrifying.
Why did she feel like he wanted the demons to restore their nation even more than she did? For a moment, she even doubted what kind of creature might really be under Lan Qi’s human skin.
And moreover — she was only talking idly. This guy looked like he was ready to actually put it into action.
But thinking carefully, disguise magic couldn’t pass the Empire’s inspections. He shouldn’t have any magic that disguised him as human.
And besides, humans didn’t need to disguise themselves as humans. That was common sense.
“All right, let’s change the subject and talk about school rules.”
Zestira raised her hand to cut Lan Qi off.
Their discussion of the Holy War ended there, because she felt Lan Qi’s words were even more dangerous than the ones she herself had started.
Zestira looked out the window. Silence stretched outside, broken only by the rumbling of the train on the tracks. The silhouettes of distant mountains loomed vast and varied, their peaks firm and imposing, while specks of lamplight dotted the darkness like fireflies.
She thought for a while.
“When you go with me to the Academy, you must be careful. The Academy has zones protected by barriers where no one can fight. There are also restricted zones where students of the same level are allowed to fight. And there are completely unrestricted danger zones, where anything goes and nothing counts under the law. When you’re officially registered as my attendant, you’ll sign a contract that lays all this out. I’m telling you in advance: don’t ever wander into a non-safe zone. No matter how much provocation you face, don’t let anyone trick you into going there.”
Zestira emphasized firmly.
Lan Qi was weak. Since she had brought him here, she had the responsibility to protect him.
“Also, apart from weekends, you can’t leave the Academy. If a student doesn’t return before Monday, a large amount of credits will be deducted. And if an attendant doesn’t return before Monday, they won’t be able to re-enter the Academy until the next weekend.”
She added one more rule.
This was the most basic regulation of the school.
“I understand.”
Lan Qi nodded in response.
Closed-off management. Good.
“Are schools in the South Continent like this too?”
Zestira asked curiously, wondering why Lan Qi accepted it so naturally, without finding the school restrictive.
She had heard that the South Continent didn’t have this kind of combative atmosphere, but instead was unusually peaceful and friendly.
“The schools in the South Continent? The whole campus is a safe zone, and no one ever fights inside the school. Students can go out whenever they want. I knew a guy who skipped classes and stayed in a casino for a week before the dean finally caught him. Completing Shadow World challenges and public service projects would earn students lots of vacation rewards. And even if you failed classes, you wouldn’t be expelled — just called to a hearing where the Education Office, the school, and the student would all discuss the next semester’s study plan. They might even reduce your course load, and you’d just graduate later instead.”
Lan Qi recounted his experiences from his half-year in Ikerite to Zestira.
“Are you kidding me? How could a school like that exist?”
Zestira felt like Lan Qi was teasing her.
“It really does. I also thought it was unbelievable. Way too loose.”
Lan Qi folded his arms and agreed.
The Purgatory Corridor Academy really was the most badass school.
(End of Chapter)