Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 44: Lan Qi Prepares for His Debut
At the bustling heart of Ikerite Academy stood a towering structure.This massive building sat at the very center of the campus, surrounded by the four major academic divisions.
The academy boasted a variety of classical and modern architectural styles, each possessing its own unique charm.Yet, in comparison to this central structure, they all seemed somewhat overshadowed.
It wasn’t just the sheer size of the building that set it apart—it was the way its presence contrasted starkly with everything around it.
Unlike the surrounding Gothic and Renaissance-style buildings that radiated a sense of history, this place resembled a military fortress.
Its walls were deep blue, as hard as iron, and powerful layers of barrier spells surrounded it, glowing with a soft golden light. These shimmering magical defenses were visible to the naked eye.
To the students, simply sensing its presence brought an invisible pressure.
The only way to enter was through the sole main entrance, using official identification, passing through multiple layers of security.
Encircling the barriers, numerous knights clad in luxurious armor patrolled the area.
They weren’t the academy’s regular guards.
They were elite knights sent by the Hedon Kingdom.
Anyone foolish enough to force their way in… would never make it back out.
All of this security existed for one reason—Inside this building was a Void Gate leading to the Shadow Realm.
To prevent cultists or criminals from entering the Shadow Realm, all permanent Void Gates across the Southern Continent were placed under the highest level of security, overseen by the Shadow Realm Management Association and the Southern Continent United Council.
Hedon Kingdom contained a total of five major Void Gates—one of which was inside Ikerite Academy.
In fact, the academy was originally built around this gate, making it a high-combat research hub that attracted powerful individuals.
—
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a golden glow over the academy, Ikerite Academy looked like a breathtaking dreamlike painting.
Lan Qi and Huperion’s shadows stretched long across the broad road as they passed through security.
Finally, they stepped inside the building.
A vast open space spread before them—At its center stood a colossal Void Gate.
It was eerie, mysterious, and yet breathtakingly beautiful, as if it were a masterpiece sculpted by a divine hand.
Its frame, crafted from meteorite-like material, was smooth as glass.The edges pulsed with a liquid starlight glow, shifting between black-purple and silver-white.
The entire gate radiated a faint purple luminescence, deep and elusive like the stars scattered across the night sky.Flickering.Shimmering.Mysterious and unknowable.Within its swirling vortex, countless starlike lights spiraled gently.
—
“What’s our team name?”
Huperion glanced toward the final security checkpoint, the registration desk, and the empty chamber before them.
All they needed to do now was register their Challenger Licenses and have their Shadow Realm Recording Programs verified.Then, they could step through the Void Gate to begin the matching process.
If they planned to team up using a Team Card, they would also need to register a team name.
The Team Card was a type of utility magic card, officially called the Shadow Realm Coordination Program.
Lan Qi thought for a moment.
He figured the name didn’t really matter.Might as well choose something that suited their dynamic as a team.
“Let’s go with ‘Model Citizens’.”
Lan Qi replied.
Huperion opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something.But in the end, she just sighed and nodded.
There were so many things she wanted to criticize.But whatever.She’d just let him have his fun.
—
They handed over their Challenger Licenses along with two utility magic cards each at the security desk, waiting for the staff to process their registration.
—
“When you step through the Void Gate, the Shadow Realm will automatically match you with an existing Shadow Realm instance.
This process can’t be manually controlled.
Once the matching starts, don’t exit the Void Gate midway, or you might get separated.
You understand, right?”
A uniformed officer, monitoring their registration with a magical device, noticed their zero challenge history and took a moment to explain the basics.
“We understand.”
Both Lan Qi and Huperion nodded.
—
“Since there are other challengers from various locations also getting matched at the same time, you two won’t have to wait long, considering your low ranks.”
The officer continued to operate the crystal-screen device while offering common insights.
Even though Lan Qi and Huperion already knew most of this information, they still listened attentively.
In the real Shadow Realm, low-tier challengers had a high matching rate because low-tier Shadow Realms appeared frequently and existed in large numbers.
Conversely, high-tier Shadow Realms were much rarer.
Even if challengers were willing to take on a high-tier challenge, there often simply weren’t enough Shadow Realms available for them.
And if the Association detected a Tier 7 or above Calamity-Class Shadow Realm, the Southern Continent United Council would issue a continental-wide warning.
Multiple nations would negotiate and dispatch only the most powerful and suitable challengers to confront it.
The higher the Shadow Realm tier, the greater the disastrous consequences of failure.
If a Tier 2 or Tier 3 Shadow Realm failed, the resulting real-world corruption was usually minor.But if a Tier 7 or higher Shadow Realm collapsed—It could trigger a true large-scale catastrophe.
That was why high-tier challengers held such prestige.
They weren’t just respected within their own kingdoms—They carried influence even in the Southern Continent United Council.
—
For pre-formed teams, there were two ways to ensure they entered the same Shadow Realm instance:
Top-ranked challengers naturally grouped together due to their limited numbers and the scarcity of high-tier Shadow Realms.Using a Team Card——
[Shadow Realm Coordination Program][Type: Spell Card][Grade: White (Common)][Attribute: Link][Tier: 1][Passive Effect: Ensures all challengers with the same Coordination Program number enter the same Shadow Realm instance.][Note: Team Card No. 891852279]
—
This was the Team Card that Lan Qi and Huperion had purchased at the entrance counter.
Issued jointly by the Southern Continent Shadow Realm Management Association and the Card Crafters’ Association, it was a replicated version of a naturally occurring Shadow Realm-born team function card.
The larger a team was, the longer it took to match into a Shadow Realm—And the greater the difficulty adjustment.
However, for just two people, the negative effects were minimal.
—
“Alright, when you come back, just hand over your Shadow Realm Recording Programs again for verification.
After that, you’ll get your Challenger Licenses back, and you’re free to leave.”
The staff returned their utility magic cards, and the gate before them opened.
He waved his hand, signaling the two of them to proceed.
Lan Qi and Huperion took back their utility magic cards, thanked the staff, and headed toward the Void Gate.
There were hundreds of steps between them and the gate.Neither of them spoke much along the way.
Finally, they arrived before the Void Gate.
“Are you ready?”
Lan Qi turned his head, smiling at Huperion.
“Of course.”
Huperion nodded.
Unlike the Artificial Shadow Realm Terminals, which produced man-made portals, a real Void Gate was a bottomless abyss.
Just approaching it made one feel an invisible pull, as if their soul itself was being drawn into the endless unknown beyond.
But Lan Qi showed no hesitation.
He stepped forward without pause, passing through as if walking into the surface of water.
In an instant—
Sound, sight, awareness, even time itself vanished.
The only thing he could sense was the breath of the universe, the infinite stars, and the endless void.
It was as if two worlds were weaving together, merging into one.
Everything twisted, reversed, turned upside down—
Until finally—
A brand-new world unfolded before them.
[A tale where shadow and reality intertwine—today, once again, it begins to unravel.]