Chapter 267
Chapter 267
Chapter 267
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 267 – Lan Qi’s Leisurely Life in the Imperial Capital
On a Saturday morning at the end of February, the imperial capital Helrom was awakened by the cold wind and the first light of dawn. Every corner of the streets glimmered with a faint white radiance. Though the air was thick with chill, the city’s pulse had already begun to beat.
In the central crossroads of the bustling district, Magitec vehicles surged along the streets like tides. Signal lights blinked at intersections, guiding vehicles and pedestrians forward in order. The flow of people wove together like fine threads, forming the texture of the city. Street performers stood along the pedestrian avenues, showing off their talents and drawing the attention of both citizens and visitors. Shopping malls and high-rises gleamed in the daylight.
At intervals, entrances to the underground Magitec railway emitted the humming of machines mixed with the chatter of boarding passengers.
In the southern district of the imperial capital, near Protos Royal Academy of Magic, the weekends always brought more young figures wandering through its flourishing commercial quarter.
From the upper floors of a shopping-mall café came the sound of coffee beans being ground, accompanied by the sweet scent of caramel. Frost had gathered on the window glass, which black-aproned staff carefully wiped clean. Quite a few customers were already seated on dark brown high stools, holding steaming cups of fresh coffee, white vapor rising in curls.
On one side of the shop, a low wooden round table rested quietly, with two hot drinks and a small stack of books upon it.
Two people sat facing each other in single armchairs, conversing. Amid the lively environment, they seemed like an isolated little isle.
The young man’s green eyes stayed focused, occasionally pointing to passages in the books, explaining things simply to the girl. Each time he addressed a key point or solved a question, he would ask for her feedback, making sure she truly understood.
The girl had long dark hair, but what set her apart were the metallic, blade-like dragon horns on her head and the vertical pupils in her eyes. She still wore the uniform of Protos Royal Academy of Magic, listening intently. Sometimes she nodded, sometimes furrowed her brow in thought, sometimes marked notes in her own book.
Though she didn’t particularly enjoy these subjects, she remained concentrated — partly out of respect for the teacher she acknowledged before her.
Their exchange was not always serious. At times they set aside the books to chat lightly. Zestira would occasionally mention things at school or her own confusions, while Lan Qi would share his experiences and offer advice. There was both knowledge shared and pieces of life — making them seem more like friends.
Originally, they had agreed that on Saturdays, Lan Qi would come to Protos Academy to find Zestira.
But Lan Qi told her that if one stayed at home all day or only loitered around the neighborhood, sooner or later she would become like a moldy old woman. He knew a lady like that — very old, still unmarried.
Though Zestira had little concern for such life matters, she didn’t want to become a moldy old woman.
So she decided to go out for a stroll.
Anyway, in the capital there were far more half-demons than in a small place like Lilorom City, so walking on the streets wasn’t a big deal.
The main thing was that Lan Qi didn’t mind spending time with a demon; then she had no objection either.
“How’s life in the capital?”
Zestira rubbed at her temples wearily, shifting the topic when Lan Qi set down his book. She was ready to end today’s study.
At school she couldn’t pay attention to classes on Magitek engineering or magic lineage. Even in class, she was usually reading her own books, accompanying in name only.
It was only Lan Qi’s explanations of demon magic texts that she could truly follow.
With the upcoming monthly examinations, she could copy many of Lan Qi’s answers. But if there were basics she didn’t understand, she might even copy them wrong.
“Pretty good. Most of the time I don’t feel like I’m in a foreign land at all.”
Lan Qi closed his book too, sensing Zestira had likely reached her limit.
He understood that many times Zestira’s tone resembled Talia’s — turning questions into statements. So he knew when she was actually asking.
For his human classmates at Ikerite Academy, who sought him out for breakthroughs in strength, he would often use his self-created demon-style teaching methods to help them accelerate. But for a demon student like Zestira, who was already strict with herself to the point of pain, he could only use Headmaster Loren’s style of teaching through enjoyment — hoping she could grow healthily with balance.
“Besides tutoring me, you must be preparing for other work too?”
Seeing him pack away the books, Zestira relaxed a little and asked.
She knew her father paid Lan Qi generously; even in the capital, he could live in comfort. This young man had a strange adaptability — wherever he went, he seemed to fit perfectly within half a day.
But his talent was far greater than that. He would not content himself with an ordinary life.
“Yes. I’m studying for the judicial exam. Next month I’ll try it.”
Lan Qi replied while tidying up the books.
“……”
Zestira fell silent for a while.
Her father had told her: before even reaching the northern continent’s coast, this young man was already studying the newest revised legal codes on Baron Francis’s ship.
She had thought he was only casually looking them over. But it turned out he had studied them completely.
Though most people could only hope to pass the judicial exam so quickly through cheating — this young man would probably say, “For something this easy, why would you need to cheat?”
“I heard you made a real-name report against a high priest of the Resurrection Church the other night.”
Zestira sipped her coffee lightly as she spoke.
She had only heard about it yesterday, from classmates at the Academy talking. From then on, people were even gossiping about her, wondering what sort of things her household’s retainer had been up to. It left her confused.
If he became a lawyer, and continued with such real-name reports, his reputation in the field would surely not be small.
“Zestira, protecting our rights through the law is our privilege. Within our ability, we can also actively uphold justice. If you’re bullied or threatened at school, don’t be afraid. Report it when you need to. The empire, just in transition now, is on a razor’s edge — whoever dares stir trouble, slap a label on them. Once you seize the chance, a report will strike true every time.”
Lan Qi leaned back in his chair, speaking freely as he instructed her.
“The stronger a faction is, the more enemies it actually has. All you need to do is open a crack — even if you do nothing else, others will rush in to handle your foes. This is called ‘Those who follow the Way gain much help; those who stray from it have little.’”
“……”
Zestira didn’t dare respond. She felt that “Those who follow the Way gain much help; those who stray from it have little” didn’t mean what he thought.
And this “skill” wasn’t something a human or a demon could learn. Only a dog could.
(End of Chapter)