Chapter 288
Chapter 288
Chapter 288
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 288 – The Magical Beast That Lan Qi Also Likes
In the central grounds of Protos Royal Academy of Magic, dark-stone buildings stood tall.
Their steep and heavy outlines cast silhouettes of ancient artistry under the sunlight.
Walking to the end of the courtyard of the tallest building, a magnificent gate loomed ahead. Beyond it, through long, ornate halls and winding corridors, a massive conference chamber revealed itself.
This was a hall that embodied deep power and the weight of history, rebuilt from the ruins of an old parliament. Above stretched a giant glass dome, carved with intricate murals, letting natural light scatter down like a galaxy fallen to the mortal realm.
At this moment, the chamber belonged to the students who held the Chief Seats.
Some had arrived early, others came lazily just now, but all took their places. At the center stretched a huge round table of dark iron, etched with a transparent magic array. Above it flickered the projection of the exam grounds.
Only the tenth-ranked, Gloria, was absent. The rest of the upper-year Chiefs came as required by Academy rules.
For them, this monthly gathering was both a chance to earn credits, a game of power, and an opportunity to scout promising newcomers—or spot potential rivals.
The projection usually cycled between noteworthy students and testing fields.
But since earlier, the view had been fixed on one classroom.
Or rather, once Lan Qi and Zestira chose their exam site, the screen locked onto them.
The Chiefs wore varied expressions—some haughty, others gloating—as they watched and made the occasional mocking comment, finding amusement in observing lower-years.
Watching Lan Qi walk toward vicious magical beasts with the air of a clueless amateur, it wasn’t hard to imagine the bloody mess that was about to follow.
“Is this guy planning to let the beasts tear him apart and get knocked out immediately?”A lofty male voice said.
The protective exam barrier had a blood-locking spell—preserving a student’s life at the brink of death—but whether the end came swiftly or through slow torment was another matter.
“Honestly, surrendering early beats running hopelessly and handing over 130,000 credits to someone else.”
“Hah, truly worthy of this Rocky McCarthy fellow. He’s going to make everyone grind their teeth in hatred.”
Others sneered.
One hundred thirty thousand credits, thrown away before the test even started.
Such a move gave no one a chance, which was indeed vexing.
“But if he actually survives until the end… and those 130,000 credits snowball into something even more outrageous—plus he takes the reward and the pink Sacred item?”
That would be maddening.
Not only would the second- and third-years who put a bounty on him explode in rage, but he’d also humiliate and offend all the noble lower-years and their servants.
“Heh. Unless he single-handedly beats the crap out of every other student.”
A loud, rough laugh rang out.
All present knew—such madness was possible for only one student:Chloris, eldest daughter of Duke Morotian. Among all students of the Academy, she was the absolute sovereign.
If not for the rules and credit penalties, she could simply massacre her way down until every student was expelled.
It was debatable whether she was stronger, or if the last Chief graduate, the “Son of Silence,” had been stronger.
But the girl on her exalted chair only closed her eyes, as if all this was far too dull, nothing worth her attention.
The projection continued.
As Lan Qi approached the beasts, his presence seemed to breathe vitality into the air, as if the wind sang a hymn of peace and harmony.
The beasts felt his intent.
Their movements stilled. The hostility in their eyes began to dissolve.
Though confusion lingered, it was soon melted away by the warmth Lan Qi exuded.
Then—
The confusion shifted to the Chiefs in the chamber.
For within minutes, a massive flame beast padded close to Lan Qi. Its red scales gleamed, its tail blazed with fire, yet it carefully controlled its magic, drawing close without burning him.
To his right, a water elemental of pure crystalline blue floated like weightless liquid, occasionally brushing against him.
Before him, a bird of violet lightning spread its wings, eyes flashing like thunder in the night—yet it perched gently upon his shoulder.
Smiling, Lan Qi stood in the midst of them, not as a victim of monsters but as though they were his subjects.
His hands touched them lightly, every movement like a mother shielding her children, listening to their voices, soothing their restless hearts with love.
The hostility of the space melted away, replaced with serene harmony.
More and more beasts relaxed and gathered close, drawn to his warmth.
“Why?”
“Why aren’t they attacking him?”
“Is he a Druid? But even Druids can’t commune with magical beasts like this!”
Normally, affinity only attracted animals and spirit-beasts—unless one had some innate dominion over demons and magical beasts.
“Check his registration.”
“He’s definitely human. Otherwise, he couldn’t register as a Servant.”
Even Servants went through strict checks upon entering the Academy.
“Whatever this bizarre ability is…”
“He’s trying to win over the beasts for protection?”
Someone caught on.
This way, he might survive the first wave of assaults, and at the first recess, break through to a rest zone for safer protection.
“…”
“I’ll shatter his sweet dream.”
A cold, arrogant male voice spoke. He touched the array before him, expending interference rights. Three hundred credits deducted, and instantly, a red flashing coordinate appeared on the school map—Zestira’s location, now revealed to all.
He had no stake in her winning, and he would not let Rocky McCarthy have a fighting chance either.
With the test about to begin, once the flood of students rushed in, no beasts could withstand the tide.
“You’re cruel.”
“Blame him for being weak—and too delusional.”
A slick-haired youth crossed his arms, speaking indifferently.
…
In the southern exam zone, inside a dark beast-rearing classroom—
The old teacher’s eyes glimmered in surprise.
From the corner of the room, his gaze pierced through space, watching Lan Qi’s communion with the beasts. It stirred memories long past.
Even in his long life, such natural, love-filled communication was rare.
Warmth welled in his heart.
“So, in this era, there are still youths with hearts clear as crystal.”He sighed.
This was the true way to coexist with beasts.
Not through force or technique, but by winning their trust with understanding and love.
As time passed, Lan Qi turned, casting Zestira a look of encouragement and trust.
His hand traced a gentle, inviting gesture in the air.
At that moment, her fear and unease ebbed away.
Though she wanted to ask “Can I really approach them?”, she recalled her teacher’s words: You bear them no malice—they simply don’t yet understand you.
There was no need to fear or belittle herself.
She stepped toward Lan Qi and the beasts.
At first, each step was hesitant, uncertain.
But when the beasts didn’t reject her, her heart calmed, her pace steadied.
They softened, accepting her approach.
Zestira drew near a black fox with fur like night.
It was the one that had caught her eye—and fear—upon entering the classroom.
Likely a fourth-rank, nearly fifth-rank beast, one of the strongest here.
“A Moonshadow Demon Fox… I thought the species extinct. Yet here, the Academy preserved a cub.”
Lan Qi had only ever read of them in the Purgatory Corridor Academy’s texts.
Born in the northern frozen lands of snow and stars, the fox’s fur was black as midnight snow, soft and thick. Its ears tipped with gold, like points of light piercing darkness. Its eyes glowed with golden flame, able to pierce enemy thoughts and feel ally emotions. Its long, fluffy tail danced gracefully.
It was not especially strong in battle, but it was breathtakingly beautiful, highly prized in ancient demon clans as a mount, famed for its speed.
That Zestira fancied it was inevitable.
Even demon crones hundreds of years old would be unable to resist such a fox.
Unfortunately, Lan Qi liked it too. Even if he could take it away, he’d never let some hag touch it—disease spreads.
But Zestira was a good child. She could touch it.
(End of Chapter)