On one side of the reception hall, a staircase made of light brown stone spirals upward, down which a few nobles dressed in ceremonial gowns are walking leisurely, their sashes and hems swaying gently with their steps.
With each step, their deep and rhythmic footfalls accompanied by their murmured conversations spiral down. Despite the low volu, in the cavernous space of the hall, every word seems to carry a special echo.
By comparison, the sofa area in the middle of the hall is exceptionally quiet. The candlelight on the gold candelabra flickers. Aside from the crackling sound of burning firewood in the fireplace, the three people sitting on the sofa are silent; just quietly waiting, as if they’re in a separate world.
"Protoss Royal Magic Academy... Haven’t the vicious competitions ceased already?"
Sitting on the first floor’s sofa, Shaar asked Lanci and Sikder in a low voice, looking puzzled.
On the journey, he’d overheard the seniors’ casual chat about potential major changes at Protoss Royal Magic Academy and how the atmosphere has completely changed.
"This man is a leader at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, he won’t tolerate your cheek!"
Sensing sothing, Viscount Black Bonn, the lord of Bonn City, suddenly reproached the three young people sitting on the central sofa from the distant staircase.
"I-, I’m sorry."
Startled, Shaar quickly lowered his head, his eyes evasive.
He didn’t expect that his voice would be caught by the keen hearing of the middle-aged nobleman, Viscount Black Bonn, as if he’d been watching this side of the lobby all along.
Behind the two middle-aged Viscounts, on the stairs, Lilith glanced at Shaar for a bit longer. That brief eye contact made Shaar feel even more uneasy.
"...What do you make of it?"
Sikder, unmoved, looked at Lanci with more interest.
He never thought there would actually be soone using the delay in information to masquerade around in the Xue Yuan Province.
"...What if soone impersonates the Bishop of Hegemony, how would you feel?"
Lanci also looked into Sikder’s purple eyes, his hand always working over the Cat Boss.
They’d been discussing loudly all the way there, even if they openly ntioned the Bishop of Hegemony, Sigrid, no one would believe they were connected to the Bishop of Hegemony.
That said, most people wouldn’t be able to uncover an impersonator from the Protoss Royal Magic Academy. After all, even the students wouldn’t know much about the internal affairs of the academy, and lower-grade students almost never get a chance to interact with the senior professors within their institute, unlike Sikder who prefers to talk with his fists.
Shaar, sitting by them, was in complete disarray, unable to comprehend the aning of their conversations.
The people in the distance, still in the midst of descending the stairs, were chatting idly.
"Viscount Bonn, these two are friends of my son-in-law. They are students of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, they might be aware about the situation at their school."
Viscount Levin Chinston played the peacemaker, helping Shaar mitigate the embarrassnt.
"Lately, a good number of impersonators have infiltrated the Xue Yuan Province. I suggest that we have Professor i Qi to verify the identities of this young man and woman to avoid letting a wolf in the house!"
Viscount Black Bonn sneered, stroking his small mustache, his eyes scrutinizing the pair distantly sitting beside Shaar, then throwing a aningful glance towards Professor i Qi.
Those who aim to undermine their authority would not be spared easily, even if they may be innocent.
"We’ve verified their identities. The magic steel seal of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy on their papers cannot be forged."
Viscount Levin Chinston resolutely raised his hand in opposition.
Magic power is unique to everyone, and the steel seal of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy was derived from the magic emblem left by Emperor Franklin when the school was established a century ago. Even the great sage Isis of the empire could not imitate it.
"I believe it’s necessary to check. It is part of my duty to verify students’ coursework situation and personal information."
However,
Professor i Qi finally spoke.
His voice is deep, filled with a sense of authority and responsibility befitting a leader.
"....."
Upon hearing this, Viscount Levin Chinston could only drop his shoulders helplessly, holding his tongue.
Even if he wanted to befriend the two young n and defend them, it was only to counterbalance Viscount Black Bonn’s attitude, he didn’t want to interfere with Professor i Qi’s intentions.
After all, this was an internal matter of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy.
i Qi’s pace remained unhurried as he descended the steps to the first floor of the hall. His brows were furrowed with an air of sorrow, and a sense of loneliness common to strong individuals, until he arrived not far from the three of them.
"Show your student ID."
"Here."
Sikder didn’t mind and took it out.
She was just an ordinary second-year female student, unaware of the real and fake principal’s inside story.
Lanci smiled faintly, took the ID from Sikder’s hand, and handed both her’s and his over.
i Qi took them indifferently, glancing briefly at the information on them.
"How many credits do you have..."
Sikder whispered to Lanci.
"40, what about you?"
Lanci whispered back.
His own credits were given to him every day by Associate Professor Xido, for a total of four days from Tuesday to Friday.
"I have 60 left, much better than you."
Sikder was a credit hoarder.
Their conversation made Shaar’s eye twitch, and Professor i Qi’s face quickly darkened.
Even average preparatory students who have just entered Protoss Royal Magic Academy can have hundreds of credits if they work hard.
These two were fine, adding up to only one hundred points, and even seed prideful. They did not look like students who had just started school.
If Shaar hadn’t seen Sikder’s skills, he would have doubted whether the two of them were the worst in their grade.
"Professor i Qi, do you rember our nas? Especially his."
Sikder pointed to Lanci and asked i Qi.
"I don’t rember the nas of poor students."
i Qi gave a cold hum, threw their IDs back at them, and felt these two students were making a fool of him and wasting his ti.
As he spoke, i Qi turned and left.
At a distance, Professor Black Bonn, who had been standing still, just sneered and shook his head at his words.
Being not on the sa level, there was no need for further communication.
Within the empire’s strictest yet well-resourced school, the status of poor students was even lower than dogs. Even if they were genuine, they held no threat or value.
Fish stick to fish, shrimp to shrimp, turtles to soft-shelled turtles.
Those who would stay by the side of an incapable, fallen noble like Shaar would certainly not be outstanding students. Viscount Levin Chinston had almost viewed them as treasures just now.
"Brother Levin, your eyesight seems to be deteriorating rapidly, which really makes worry about the son-in-law you’re looking for Lilith... you should know that once Lilith goes to the Academy, a useless guy won’t be able to help her, but will cling to her like trash, unable to shake him off."
Viscount Black Bonn patted Viscount Levin Chinston’s shoulder and lanted.
It was unclear whether he was mocking the penniless Shaar or the two guards he had picked up.
"If you really care about Lilith, you should consider my words more. My son Dean is not bad either. We should let the two promising young people interact more. She might even get the approval of Professor i Qi."
Viscount Black Bonn continued to talk to Viscount Levin Chinston. By now, his intentions were completely unabashed.
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