Chapter 260
Chapter 260
Chapter 260
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 260 – Principal Lan Qi Gets Fired Up Again
On the midnight road leading to the Protos Royal Academy of Magic.
Zestira simply told Lan Qi one of her secrets.
A small number of exceptionally gifted demons do not need to reach a very high rank; they are born with an awakened, albeit faint, innate magic.
Zestira’s gift not only allows her to avoid certain dangers, but also forces her to bear more negative emotions.
For over ten years she has encountered people who mixed kindness with malice toward her, but she had never met someone as pure and flawless as Lan Qi.
Between the tall buildings, an aerial garden supported by transparent magical barriers floated in the air. Inside it grew singing plants and glowing phantoms. The two of them passed beneath it without the slightest concern that it might fall.
This city-state, despite its dazzling splendor, was always tinged with a strange and eerie undertone.
“Go that way.”
Zestira pointed toward a street on the left, signaling Lan Qi not to walk straight into the old district ahead.
It was a twisted-looking old neighborhood, whose spatial structure was actually different from the outside world. Like a multidimensional crossroads, a single step inside could land you in any location across the imperial capital.
“By the way, do you all have to fight in the Shadow World too?”
Lan Qi asked with some curiosity.
The Northern Continent did not have the artificially constructed Shadow World activation terminals—massive magical devices considered the pinnacle of modern human magical engineering.
Therefore, they also lacked a “practice mode.”
In the artificial Shadow World, death did not mean true death. But in the real Shadow World, once you died, your life was lost for good.
Zestira, still only a preparatory student who hadn’t even advanced to first year, was expected to face the real Shadow World straight away.
But from what Lan Qi learned from the Silver-armored Priest, the curriculum rewards at Protos Royal Academy of Magic were also quite generous and direct. For example, as long as you paid enough credits, most of the resources students might need could be exchanged.
They could even be arranged by the Academy to observe the Empire’s great sage’s [Primordial Tablet – Light].
As for the other [Primordial Tablet – Undead], its holder, Duke Morotian, currently refused all observation requests.
The Great Poet had once told Lan Qi: the more pieces of the [Counterfeit Tablet] series he gathered, the greater the changes when he pieced them together.
Because the [Primordial Tablets] were originally fragments of a single mural meant to fit together, but had been isolated from one another. The original tablets repelled each other absolutely.
Yet the [Counterfeit Tablets] created by the Great Poet did not have this repulsion—one person could bind multiple tablets at once.
On the complete mural record, the [Primordial Tablet – Light] was right next to the [Primordial Tablet – Wind].
If Lan Qi could observe the real [Primordial Tablet – Light], he wanted to try combining the [Counterfeit Tablet – Light] with the [Counterfeit Tablet – Wind].
“I selected a course called Shadow World Practical Combat. It’s open to both preparatory and first-year students. The credits are very high, and if you want to grow stronger, challenging the Shadow World speeds up the process.”
Zestira explained she might disappear from school for half a day or even a few days at a time. She would inform Lan Qi in advance so he wouldn’t worry—or wander around the Academy aimlessly.
“Did you research the Shadow World back in the Southern Continent?”
She had heard that Southerners, instead of relying only on raw strength, preferred to clear the Shadow World by exploiting mechanics and wit. They had a full system of instruction, intelligence sharing, and knowledge, which greatly improved their overall success rate.
“I’ve fought through it twice—so I know a bit.”
Lan Qi nodded.
“Then explain to me some of the key points of how you Southerners challenge the Shadow World.”
Zestira said.
This Shadow World trial would be observed by professors and the most senior high-credit students. Beyond earning credits, it would largely decide whether a teacher was willing to select her and bring her into the Upper Institute.
“No problem. But if you’re not confident about the Shadow World, you can just take me with you.”
Lan Qi knew Zestira was only second rank.
Normally, tackling a second-rank Shadow World wouldn’t be an issue. But from what Viscount Francis had told him about Zestira’s entrance exam, the true danger might not be the Shadow World itself, but her fellow classmates.
“No need.”
Zestira rejected flatly.
She would not drag him into such danger.
The two fell into a natural silence again. Most of the time, Zestira didn’t speak much at all. They walked alongside a river of energy currents.
In Helrom, one such river flowed—not ordinary water, but raw, unprocessed magical core liquid. Ripples of illusion shimmered across its surface. For those without strong enough mana, it was deadly poison.
Across the river stood Helrom’s zoo, a landmark mechanical facility housing many modified demon-world and alchemical creatures. But visitors had to sign a waiver acknowledging that if they were eaten or mutated, the zoo bore no responsibility.
Continuing on, they passed the Endless Library and the Starry Sky Theater before reaching the Royal Academy.
Helrom’s library contained so many books that no one could calculate the total, and its administrator was a seventh-rank automaton.
Not far above the library, a set of floating stairs hundreds of meters high led to a theater. It was said that sitting inside made the night sky itself the dome, with stars close enough to touch. However, people with acrophobia or heart problems were strongly discouraged from attending.
Lan Qi had researched these places beforehand for sightseeing.
This was a city-state brimming with the extraordinary. To not explore it thoroughly would be a waste.
Before long, the two arrived at a building on the Academy’s outer edge to complete registration before entering its inner grounds.
It was similar to the Student Services Center at Ikerite Academy, except this one operated 24/7.
Thanks to the night staff’s efficiency, Lan Qi quickly filled out a few forms and obtained a bracelet similar to Zestira’s.
“……”
He glanced at Zestira’s bracelet. The shifting dark-red text displayed: [150 (+0)].
Meanwhile, his own bracelet displayed: [0].
“As a mentor, I can earn points too?”
Lan Qi quickly guessed the meaning of the numbers.
If his bracelet displayed points, then those same points would be reflected in parentheses on Zestira’s bracelet.
“All the points you earn belong to me. But I don’t need you to risk yourself to gain them for me.”
Zestira said calmly.
“But don’t school expenses also require credits?”
Lan Qi remembered seeing details on the forms earlier. Inside the Academy, imperial currency wasn’t accepted. All student expenses were deducted from credits. If no credits came in, the balance would only decrease. This system was somewhat like that of the Inferno Corridor Academy.
Technically, trading credits for currency wasn’t forbidden by the Academy, but if either buyer or seller reported it, the reported party would be heavily docked credits—likely enough to be expelled, and it would go on their permanent record. Whether this was a deliberate loophole to test students’ trust and mentality was anyone’s guess.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Zestira’s voice was still calm.“Most mentor-type companions should stay outside school. But on the day of the monthly assessment, I want to ask for your help.”
She admitted openly what she needed from him.
Lan Qi could choose to teach her daily in school, or just tutor her on weekends.
“The monthly assessment day?”
Lan Qi was surprised to hear Zestira actually ask for his help.
He already knew the end of the month held a major assessment, followed by the Shadow World challenge. Both were extremely important to her.
“On the last day of every month, a closed assessment takes place. The entire Academy becomes a semi-restricted zone. Classrooms are ranked in levels of danger. You must enter at least three classrooms that day, but you can’t know in advance which subjects they hold. For example, if one is about magical engineering or magical lineage theory, you could help me. It’s also a chance to earn large amounts of credits.”
Zestira explained, “But I’ll make sure you’re protected.”
Lan Qi frowned slightly in thought.
This setup felt oddly familiar.
Wasn’t this the same system as his Inferno Corridor Academy’s standard mode?
“……”
Zestira glanced at him.
She knew her request was demanding. If he felt pressured, that was normal. But if he refused, she wouldn’t force him.
Most of the time, Lan Qi would be free to explore the imperial capital as he wished.
Better that than staying in the Academy, where it was dangerous.
This harmless young man—Zestira only wanted him to live peacefully and happily in the capital. If he wanted to settle down, even retire there, so be it. He didn’t seem like someone who wanted to stir up trouble anyway.
“Rest assured. Even if it’s just part-time mentoring, I’ll give it my all.”
Lan Qi declared with certainty.
If teachers could help in exams, then Lan Qi would not let Zestira down. He would show her classmates what it meant for a principal himself to step in.
Since his main job was light, he could devote himself fully to expanding his new ventures.
Boss Cat had asked him earlier if he planned on being a principal again. He said no.
Because he had promised Huperion—he would give her a surprise.
Lan Qi was a man of his word.
Since he had already been a principal once before, doing it again wouldn’t shock her enough. He needed something fresh.
Having already infiltrated the southwest provinces through the Resurrection Church, not only gaining the esteem of Archbishop Kane but also winning the recognition of the conservative administrators, Lan Qi’s image as a Forerunner was quickly becoming the symbol of a new rising faction.
With more support, perhaps he could soon enter imperial politics, starting from the lower house.