Chapter 366
Chapter 366
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 366 – Lan Qi’s New Campus Renovation
By the riverside of the city, the shimmering waves rippled across the Helrom River.But the Helrom River was no ordinary river—it flowed with a current of liquid spring water infused with magitek energy.
As a magitek craftsman, Lan Qi couldn’t help but instinctively draw closer to the river whenever he passed by, staring at the surface while analyzing and contemplating—until Sid made a sudden sharp turn that nearly shoved him into the water.
“Don’t mess with a magitek craftsman!”Lan Qi protested righteously.
“Relax. Even if you fell in, I’d still catch you.”Sid snorted, proudly planting her hands on her hips, as though expecting Lan Qi to thank her.
Every time, she had always handled Lan Qi with a light touch—never once had she injured him.
They were already well-practiced in avoiding the old districts riddled with spatial distortions, which meant taking the route that passed by this river.
The two chatted idly as they walked, sometimes bickering, sometimes laughing, carefully skirting past the Helrom Zoo.
That zoo was far too eerie. Without Sigrid at full strength, they dared not step foot inside. Soon, the Endless Library and the Starlight Theater loomed past them, until the grand gates of the Protos Royal Academy of Magic finally came into view.
When Lan Qi had first come to Helrom with Zestira, what had impressed him most about the Academy was that you could actually walk there directly from the train station.
It had been quite a while since either of them last returned to the school, and now they found the wide plaza outside filled with budding demonic plants. At the very center stood the Academy’s brand-new gate.
It looked unlike the traditional classical Helrom architecture, instead carrying a flavor of lost primeval abyssal style. Blended into it were the otherworldly wilderness realms of the divine era, fused with the architectural techniques of ancient shrines—together giving the impression of a crossroads between Heaven and the Underworld, imbued with a surreal mystique.
Already, countless residents of the imperial capital had begun coming here to take photos at the entrance of the Protos Royal Academy of Magic.
Walking quickly inside, Sigrid only knew that the new round of renovations had been designed personally by the Headmaster himself.
She had no idea what kind of lasting effect this work would have on Helrom.
But the one thing she was certain of: this was very likely to become one of Helrom’s iconic landmarks in the future, destined to be recorded in books and perhaps even spread to the southern continent—bearing the name of the legendary craftsman, Rocky McCarthy.
“…You’re really telling me that, back home, you’re not a famous artist?”Sigrid glanced at the view, then turned her puzzled gaze to Lan Qi.
“Nope. Other than the prince who liked me, no one else ever really looked at my paintings.”Lan Qi chuckled and shook his head.
Back then, when he was just a Tier 2 novice who had only just left home, he never thought showing off too much talent was a good idea. He lived quite low-key in the Hedon Kingdom.
And time proved him right. Just like those who held the stone tablets: the innocent man who carries jade becomes guilty. Once one’s deterrence faltered, anyone could come to kill them.
Only because he had built a thriving career in the northern continent, and had a “big backer” shielding him, could he afford to enjoy himself so much now.
If he returned to the southern continent—well, with just that so-called cheap bodyguard Talia, who wasn’t even one ten-thousandth as reliable as Sid—before he stepped into the true transcendent Seventh Rank, the Domain of the Sacred, he’d better keep a low profile. Otherwise, even a mighty figure like Duke Migaya could end up vanishing.
Sigrid frowned in confusion.The prince liked not just his paintings—but even him along with them?
“You’re actually more skilled at painting?”
Sigrid had always loved collecting artworks; her home itself was like a museum. As a collector, she thought the Son of Annihilation’s true strength lay in sculpture, especially in applying it to card crafting, not to mention his landscape designs.
In her impression, aside from occasionally sketching, this kid never really painted seriously. If he truly wanted to become a top painter, he should be seizing every moment at this age with passion.
“Just dabble in it, purely for fun.”That was all Lan Qi ever said when others asked.
“So then, how many serious paintings did you do back on the southern continent?”Sigrid pressed on.
This brat had painted before, but always with a casual, perfunctory attitude. She had seen his half-hearted sketches shown to nobles back in the Snowfield Province.
“…Maybe just one.”
“…”
So he really didn’t like painting.
“Very well. I’ve decided how to punish you.”Sigrid’s lips curved into a mischievous smile.
“You don’t mean… painting, do you?”Lan Qi stared at her in surprise.
He already knew what she meant by “punishment.” Back when they had agreed to infiltrate the Annihilation Branch, Sigrid had said if she ever had to go all out and blow her cover, Lan Qi would owe her some punishment. Apparently, she still remembered that.
“When everything’s resolved, and I no longer need to hide your identity, I want you to paint me a picture. Title it ‘A Gift from Rocky McCarthy to Archbishop Sigrid’. Then I’ll have you publicly executed—so everyone can see that even Headmaster Rocky McCarthy has things he’s bad at.”
Sigrid smiled slyly.
Punishment, after all, only worked if it forced someone to do what they least liked—not what they enjoyed. Otherwise, it’d just be a reward.
“…Alright. Got it.”Lan Qi didn’t resist much, simply nodding. A rule agreed upon was one he would honor.
They walked along the Academy’s bustling main avenue, arriving at a quieter district flanked by gardens and private houses.
“We’re almost there.”
Following Sigrid’s lead, they soon reached the front of Gloria’s residence and rang the bell.
Not only had Sigrid taken on the identity of a first-year student from Kingston City in the Snowfield Province, but Lan Qi, too, was not currently using Rocky McCarthy’s appearance.
After all, if the Headmaster were to return to school side by side with a female student straight from outside, it would surely draw unwanted attention—or even rumors.
The bell echoed through Gloria’s residence for a moment, followed by approaching footsteps. The door opened, and a young girl appeared, her expression marked with visible confusion.
Gloria blinked.
“…You two are…?”
Her voice carried a mixture of caution and curiosity, her gaze shifting back and forth between the pair.
“It’s me.”Sigrid met Gloria’s eyes and nodded.
“!”
Though Gloria’s expression had first been puzzled, in that instant she immediately understood who this man and woman standing at her doorstep really were.