Chapter 67
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Shangri-La's Illusory Maze
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Saturday night.
The bustling streets of each district, welcoming the weekend, were crowded with people just like always—but today, the proportions were a little different.
"When's it supposed to start?"
"Pretty soon, I think?"
At the base of the hill overlooking the bustling district of Borsippa's department area.
Behind the barricades, the gathered crowd had staked out their spots and were gazing up at the pitch-black hill.
It felt like the eve of a festival. That strange excitement was swelling with every passing moment when—
Piiiing—
Seven flames erupted from the hill with a faint sound.
The dim flickers, as if they might vanish into the night sky at any second, soared high before contracting into a single point.
And the instant tremendous mana surged from within—
Boooom!!!
Fireworks of every color began painting the heavens.
"It's starting!"
"Hurry up and record it!"
Those who realized the long-awaited event had begun cheered, and as if in response, the fireworks burst one after another.
Pop-pop-boom!
Following the initial explosion, the natural cascade of fireworks blotted out even the starlight, sparkling brilliantly across the night sky.
The chain-explosion fireworks from the Enchantment Department, won through fierce bidding wars. Products crafted with utmost care by professors, assistants, and cadets exploded ceaselessly overhead.
"Those fireworks are gorgeous..."
"How does the mana burst so vividly like that? Insane..."
"How long is this gonna go on?"
Showy fireworks visible to anyone. Mana patterns discernible only to the skilled. And the eye-watering price tags obvious to those who knew the costs!
For whatever reason, no one could tear their eyes away from the captivating display. Before long, it reached its finale.
Swoooosh
The fireworks began sinking downward, losing their power. Just as people started feeling disappointed that it was already over—
Flash!
Thousands of lights shot from the hill, illuminating the sky above.
Vrrrrm!
The dissipating firework remnants mingled with the lights, then slithered across the night sky like living creatures, writhing vividly.
The crowd, entranced by the sight, naturally turned their gaze to the building that emerged atop the hill amid the glow.
"So that's Shangri-La."
"That building is no joke..."
A pristine white mansion shining like a star under thousands of lights.
Shangri-La—Borsippa's landmark and the massive venue for Babel's major events.
The world's most opulent party hall had revealed itself.
"This year's first Noblesse Exchange is insane. How much have they already blown?"
"The third-years hosting it aren't messing around. Plus, this year's freshmen are top-tier, so they're getting proper funding."
"I wish I'd gotten an invite..."
Unlike the civilians simply enjoying the show, jealous, envious, and admiring glances from Babel cadets turned toward Shangri-La.
The gala hosted by the elite of Babel and the hero industry. Word of the Noblesse Exchange Meeting's start had spread across the academy.
"......"
Lee Se-hun, peering at the spectacle from inside a cruising limousine, wore a dumbfounded expression.
A pre-event for what was basically cadets gossiping and networking, turned into this extravaganza? He couldn't even fathom how rotten-with-money you had to be.
'Wonder what madness they've cooked up inside. Can't even imagine.'
At this rate, they'd probably hauled in piles of exorbitant gear just to show off—like some exhibition.
As Lee Se-hun mulled that over—
"What do you think?"
Erika, seated across from him, asked with a composed expression.
She was dressed in a sleek black gown fitting the dress code—looking more mature and imposing than usual, perhaps due to the outfit. Lee Se-hun shot back.
"What about?"
"The pre-event just now. How was it?"
Was she just curious, or asking as an insider? Unable to tell, Lee Se-hun answered honestly.
"Impressive."
"Really?"
"Totally."
He nodded without hesitation and glanced outside.
"Who in their right mind thinks to blow cash that creatively? Genius to dream it up, genius to pull it off."
Staging something this massive just to flex their power. Only possible if money meant nothing— a completely alien mindset.
"Wish they'd sponsor me a bit. Bet I could spin some BS and get 'em to shower me with cash."
He was seriously considering giving it a shot when Erika, who'd been watching quietly, spoke up.
"We did."
"Huh?"
"Our family handled planning this pre-event."
"......"
An awkward silence filled the limousine. Erika gazed steadily at him and asked flatly.
"Want sponsorship?"
"......Nah. I'm good."
'Never talk spending in front of Erika.' As Lee Se-hun reflected on that, the limo smoothly ascended the hill and pulled up to Shangri-La's main building.
Click
Stepping out through the door held by a staff member, Lee Se-hun beheld the mansion before him.
A grand estate gleaming pure white under lights beaming from all directions.
From afar, it had looked simply white, but up close, faint rainbow hues shimmered across it.
'Even without full activation, it's this intense... Most bunkers couldn't compete.'
Designed to receive VIPs and dignitaries? Scanning the surroundings with Erika as they headed to the entrance, waiting staff approached smoothly and bowed.
"Welcome, Miss Erika. May we check your companion's invitation?"
"Sure."
At her glance, Lee Se-hun handed over the invitation from his pocket.
The staff scanned it lightly with mana to verify authenticity, then nodded and stepped aside.
"Welcome to the Noblesse Exchange Meeting. Enjoy your time."
With their greeting, the entrance doors parted softly, revealing a chandelier-lit circular central hall and a gorgeously adorned grand doorway.
'That's the exchange hall, huh.'
The moment Lee Se-hun stepped inside—
Whoosh—
An endlessly stretching corridor materialized before his eyes.
Like any group, the Noblesse Exchange had its traditions—even if simple ones—including an initiation rite called the 'Labyrinth.'
Using spatial magic woven into Shangri-La, it trapped entrants in endless corridors.
It seemed like pointless tomfoolery at first glance, but there were practical reasons behind it.
[Wh-what? Where'd everyone go?]
[This is...]
Some panicked, glancing around wildly. Others quickly grasped the situation and moved to dismantle the spatial magic.
Watching the floating screens, the exchange members shared their takes.
"Hmm. This one's a bit slow on the uptake, but good instincts. Worth investing in."
"That guy's quick on his feet, but lacks talent. Overrated him."
A process to reassess promising cadets' skills and potential—essentially appraising the value of invitees.
"Hey, this one's pretty good."
"Lemme see."
Those thirsty for talent frantically manipulated panels to scout even one gem. Those treating it as entertainment deliberately picked flops for laughs.
Amid this varied scene sat a sturdy-looking young man with neatly swept-back blond hair, Pierre Valmut, quietly in his seat.
"......"
Unlike the others scrutinizing panels, Pierre didn't touch his. Noticing this, the burly youth beside him ventured cautiously.
"Uh... Lord Pierre. Maybe check some others...?"
"Shut it."
"Yes, sir."
Carter Douglas—Forging Department's second-year top student—clamped his mouth shut at Pierre's word.
He knew better than anyone that extra chatter here would backfire on him.
"Hans."
"Y-yes! Big bro!"
"Is Lee Se-hun definitely participating?"
At Pierre's question, Hans answered with a tense expression.
"Probably. He only held back on mana use in class; didn't seem unwell or anything..."
"I asked if it's confirmed."
"Th-that's..."
Pierre's impassive gaze made Hans sweat bullets.
'Why chew me out...'
Lee Se-hun rarely chatted in class lately and had submitted assignments early, barely showing his face.
How was he supposed to confirm attendance?
'So petty and gross...'
They'd never been close, competing for heirship—but since losing top spot and getting sidelined, Hans was treated like a servant.
Misery welled up, but he couldn't complain. The Valmut family had always been like that.
"So..."
"Ah, Lord Pierre. He's here!"
As Hans scrambled for an excuse, Carter—who'd been staring at his panel—quickly pulled up a screen.
It showed a sharp-featured youth stepping into a red corridor, dressed in a black suit that screamed assassin more than cadet. Murmurs of admiration rose around the room.
"Bet that guy's killed before."
"He's really a blacksmith?"
"As expected of the department top. Aura's on another level."
Even those watching others switched screens without hesitation. Soon, every member focused on him.
A clear star of this exchange.
Pierre silently regarded the youth onscreen—Lee Se-hun.
[Hmm...]
Lee Se-hun methodically scanned the corridor ahead. Far from startled, he looked like he'd been expecting it—brows furrowed in curiosity. Everyone exchanged puzzled looks.
"Why's he so chill?"
"Right? Did he hear beforehand?"
"Possible."
The labyrinth was officially secret, but lax vibes meant some tipped off their recruits to shine.
Lee Se-hun, invited by the Inoue family—the most influential in the exchange—made leaks plausible. But something felt off about his vibe.
'Kids who know show it... This is different.'
'Not "informed"—more like he's used to it.'
Unlike others itching to show off, he was calm, almost bored.
Nothing special, yet he drew eyes. As everyone focused—
Tap-tap
Lee Se-hun suddenly started rapping on the wall.
[Here... Hmm. Nah...]
Scrutinizing the wall and knocking like prospecting for a hidden door. The rowdy room fell silent, then deflated chuckles erupted.
"What a bust."
"Thought he'd pull something cool... Sigh. Figures."
This labyrinth dissolved if you pinpointed the spatial magic and nudged mana into the gaps—easy for the perceptive.
Yet wall-tapping meant dull senses or mana issues.
"Heard he had sharp senses before. Must be injured."
"Wanted to gauge his skills, but no point now."
One by one, they switched screens. Only mockers of his floundering remained.
"......"
Pierre stared silently.
As Hans and Carter eyed him nervously—
"It's over."
His movements screamed "something's here," but to Pierre's eyes, it was meaningless.
As Lee Se-hun persisted, Pierre's eyes narrowed.
'Worse injury than thought? No need for risky plays then. Just borrow "Dawn" simply...'
Pierre reviewed his plan mentally when—
Clank—
An odd noise from the screen. Looking back, the corridor was empty.
"......What?"
Screens persisted while the maze held; it collapsed only on exit.
An empty corridor was technically impossible.
"Where'd Lee Se-hun go?"
"Stealth magic?"
"Why bust that out? And he's a blacksmith."
The room buzzed. Even screen-switchers returned to the void.
But Lee Se-hun never reappeared. Pierre shot to his feet.
"Lord Pierre?"
"To the corridor. Follow."
He had to see this trickery firsthand. As he reached for the door—
Creeeak
It opened from outside. Through the gap peeked the vanished Lee Se-hun.
"You..."
"Wrong room."
Confirming it wasn't the hall, Lee Se-hun pulled back with a deflated look—then spotted Pierre.
"Tsk-tsk. So shady..."
He clicked his tongue pityingly and shut the door.
Thud
As it closed, Carter and Hans—stunned alongside Pierre—muttered blankly.
"How'd he get up here?"
"No pass, he couldn't... What the...?"
Like a mirage. As they dazed, Pierre yanked the door open and scanned the outer corridor.
Empty, just like the screen. Realization dawned.
'Mapped Shangri-La's spatial magic... and hijacked it?'
The wall-taps weren't futile—they'd probed for exploitable seams.
Theoretically sound, but practically absurd. Recalling Lee Se-hun executing it casually, Pierre's eyes iced over.
'Shady.'
Crunch
A chilling grind echoed from his mouth.