ons — to disguise themselves as demons, to imitate their actions — was a torture to their very souls.As she listened, the girl took a deep breath, as if starting to feel afraid."Could it be... that a...Chapter 34: Ranch's Pleasant Day

The two continued walking up the stairs, unwittingly passing through layer upon layer of winding steps.

Lanchi fell into thought after hearing Huberlian's words.

Now he's saddled with debt because of the "Great Love Poet."

Although this card might cost him a fortune, he thinks it's worth every penny.

But Lan Qi didn't forget that his original purpose for coming to the capital was to make a fortune as soon as possible.

If he could just get a little stronger, accumulate some connections, then no matter who threatened the well-being of his Wilford Commerce Guild in the future, Ranch wouldn't be afraid.

The judge will use invincible law to judge everything.

Besides becoming a renowned card maker, if one can achieve remarkable success in the Shadow World Challenge, it would also be a path to gain favor with powerful figures.

Looking at the current situation, if he wants to make a quick buck in the short term, relying solely on card making, he's probably going to exhaust himself working in the card making workshop.

As for selling his paintings... Lanchi wasn't sure if putting his artwork out there widely before he was strong enough would bring unforeseen trouble.

If his paintings are too valuable and he is alone, it might be a terrible thing. He could attract some bad people's attention.

So unless he is truly desperate for money, he will not consider selling his paintings easily, even if he does sell, he will not sell under his real name.

Thus it seems.

While studying card making, striving to advance your rank to become a senior card maker is the long-term strategy for success and wealth.

Although intensively practicing card making can slowly train one's mental power and thus propel their level breakthrough, it is indeed too slow.

To quickly advance in rank, the method is the same: challenge the Shadow World.

After successfully clearing the True Image World, you will receive a corresponding rank increase effect!

Therefore, many card makers choose to become "battlefield card makers" to mix into the world of photography and upgrade their status.

This is a support-type combat occupation that has transformed from a manufacturing profession.

Since challengers gain new identities and circumstances within the Shadow World, they cannot bring any items such as props or potions in or out of the Shadow World. They can only carry Soulbound magic cards stored in their soul space back and forth.

Even with such assistance within the team, some materials originally unable to be taken from the Shadow Realm could be brought back to the real world through "crafting them into magic cards and soul binding" methods, thus increasing the team's clearing rewards.

Therefore, in many cases even though battlefield card makers are combat roles that may be considered mediocre, there are many powerful teams willing to bring along a tool person who can boost the team's rewards.

Lance also possesses certain potential as a battlefield card master.

But with his currently unstable card-making skills, he is far from qualified to be a battlefield card maker.

One can only say that one's skills are more than enough.

During the time that Lanci fell silent, Huberlyan spoke again:

"If you achieve exceptionally outstanding results in the annual entrance examination, you may be eligible to waive the Challenger Qualification Exam. You should receive a notification after the start of school, and then you can go through the procedures to challenge the Real World."

The structure of the entrance exam itself is similar to that of a formal registration examination.

If it is possible to pass with a top score, the Ekklesia Academy will also report exam exemptions for students to the association as a certified cooperation institution.

While other newcomers still have to spend a lot of time participating in the registration challenge exam of the South Continental Shadow World Management Association before they can first challenge the real Shadow World.

Huperlian is very sure that with Ranch's level of performance, there's no reason he shouldn't get immunity.

As for teammates... Lance doesn't need to worry, there should be many upperclassmen from various departments and teams who will proactively approach Lance.

"Oh oh, I see. Thank you, Huberlian."

Lan Qi hastily thanked him upon hearing this.

As expected of a nobleman from the royal capital.

She also knew many details about admission that weren't written on the application.

“No big deal.”

Huberley simply looked ahead at the steps and nodded slightly.

Just now Huberrian's reminder made Lanche feel much happier.

If it's possible to bypass the registration exam at the South Continent Shadow World Management Association, then things should be smooth sailing and you could directly become a Tier Iron Registered Challenger by completing the necessary procedures yourself.

According to rumors Ranch heard from his hometown near the Namantina border, there are seven levels of challengers recognized by the Southern Continent Association. After each successful challenge, the association will record and promote challengers based on their contributions. As challengers reach higher levels, they receive corresponding benefits, authority, and status.

Starting from the lowest Iron level, followed by Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Crystal, and finally Hero level.

Excluding the novice Iron and Bronze ranks, those who typically reach the third rank, Silver, are already seasoned veterans of the Shadow World. They also serve as the backbone of those attempting to conquer Shadow Worlds.

If you reach the fourth level, Gold Grade, you will have a prominent social standing no matter where you are!

Starting from the platinum level, even if they travel to other continents, they will be recognized by relevant associations in different systems. They are truly super-strong individuals with world renown.

After two attempts at the entrance exams, Lanchi discovered that he might have some potential as a Shadow World challenger.

He is eager to begin his challenger career.

"Do you know what grade level the students can reach in this school"

Lance asked curiously.

If a student of Ekreth's reaches Gold rank, that's already quite impressive. As for Platinum... only those in their fourth year and those within the fixed-time program can achieve it.

Aubrey pondered for a moment, before replying somewhat reluctantly.

That kind of person no longer needs to be at the academy; they can leave at any time.

If she could reach that level, even without her father's protection or the status of a duchess, she would be fearless in the face of those who sought to harm her.

Unfortunately, she didn't feel that with her own talents, she could reach the same heights as those monsters at the top of the academy.

"Scheduled"

Lancer tilted his head in confusion, looking at Huberlian.

He knew about the fourth grade, but he didn't know that this academy also had "scheduled" students.

Generally, students can apply for graduation in their third year, and they will also be awarded a considerable number of challenger points or be recommended to major associations for employment.

Every year, some exceptionally outstanding students choose to continue their studies with their favorite professors at the academy for an additional year. Some may even stay for several years, becoming known as "senior undergraduates."

"‘Part-time students’ are those who already have some experience in the competitive film world. They come to our school as part of a ‘part-time program.’ We, on the other hand, are considered ‘full-time students.’”

Hyberlian patiently explained to Ranch.

Unknowingly, as they chatted, they had already reached the last level of the long staircase.

"Oh, I see! Thank you for explaining that!"

Lance smiled, thanking the ever-knowledgeable Huberly.

Take a few more steps forward.

Before your eyes is a massive, hollow-glass curtain wall. You can fully appreciate the beauty of the entire campus through it, including flowers, trees, buildings, and lawns - everything is wonderful.

And the steps in front of me hung in mid-air, and a fork appeared on the stage platform as well.

"When school starts, I'm going to go over there and find a friend of mine."

Lanche stopped and pointed toward the terrace, bidding farewell to Huberlian.

He was going to connect with the terrace area next door, where his demon master, Talia, was waiting for him.

Compared to Talia, who never utters more than ten words at a time, chatting with Huberlyan made Ranchi feel so much more comfortable. After all, a woman who's hundreds of years old and still unmarried must have some issues, right

"Goodbye."

Hepburn nodded in response.

Herewith, he bumped shoulders with Lanci's shadow and walked in two different directions.

……

Three days later, in the morning.

To the south of the Kingdom of Hetton lies the Kreiz Empire.

Due to the continuous mountain ranges separating the two kingdoms, even transporting large quantities of goods from the southern border of the Heton Kingdom to the northern border of the Cray Empire would be more convenient by taking a sea route eastward via merchant ships.

Many cities in the northern parts of the Kreed Empire are built on mountainous terrain. The towering buildings blend seamlessly with the undulating landscape, and one can even see classical architecture surrounded by a canvas of blue sky and white clouds.

Granweatherly City, the main city of a principality on the northern border of the Krynn Empire, is one of the most prosperous cities in the north. It is nestled against the towering Cloud Peaks to the north and borders the sea to the east, with its harbor constantly bustling with activity.

This upper stratum of Granwilvery City, situated on the northern border, hangs precariously between several intersecting peaks. Its buildings are predominantly constructed in a classical style, with deep grey or off-white hues. The climate is warm and bright, with fragrant flowers and the echo of distant music filling the air. The streets are wide and clean, bustling with merchants adorned in fine attire, knights patrolling, and pious clergymen.

And at this time, within this city-state, there was a four-story building named "Wilfort Trading Company," inside one of the rooms on the top floor with a plaque reading "Director's Office" embedded above the door.

A middle-aged man sat in a comfortable armchair behind his desk, he put on his glasses and began to flip through the _Hertford Times_ from two days prior.

He was the chairman of the Wilford Company and father to Ranch, Noah Wilford.

Because Wilford's trading house holds an important channel for trade between the two nations, newspapers issued throughout the Kingdom of Heston are not difficult to obtain. They may be delayed by a day or two at times, and sometimes if merchant ships are delayed, it is not uncommon for them to be delayed by seven or eight days.

Let me see what's new in the news.

Noé leisurely browsed the newly acquired Heston Kingdom newspaper.

He didn't read it every day, just occasionally when he finished his work and had some free time, he would take the latest Horton newspaper from his staff and skim the news.

A young member of the Holy Scripture Research Society was kicked out of his group. Furious, he transformed himself into a love expert and seduced all the mothers of his former companions. When his former companions regretted their actions and lined up to apologize, he turned around and sent their mothers to prison, claiming that he was underage.

A man from the Nam Wan Tina border region was convicted of assault after attacking his boss with hands coated in medicinal water. He held a grudge against his employer due to overtime work and learned about his boss's allergy to the treatment medicine. The attack, however, didn't trigger an allergic reaction in the boss but instead caused serious injuries. After a month of detention, the man sued the manufacturer of the medicinal water upon his release, claiming they produced counterfeit and subpar products. He has since received 650 in compensation from the company.

Noe shook her head, lips pressed tight and barely able to contain a scowl, as she turned the pages.

Hetton Kingdom is a land of talented people.

Sometimes, laws are frequently amended because there were no such regulations in the past, and they need to be supplemented based on brand new and bizarre crime situations.

Sometimes, it's even funnier than a regular joke book.

Thus, Noah was enjoying the rare leisure time, reading a newspaper.

On the walls of the chairman's office, there were beautiful oil paintings and embroidery. The floor was covered with a soft carpet, and outside the window, one could see the beauty of the sea of clouds. This made Noel, who had stolen some time to relax amidst his busy schedule, feel very comfortable.

Soon, he came across a report about the royal city of Icerte.

In the annual entrance exam for the Hekate Academy of Magic - Wise Man's Hall, a serious accident occurred...

Examiner Farrat Savinsen, Baron has been rescued and is out of danger.

As can be seen, the artificial world still needs many safety improvements.

"I wonder what kind of unfortunate student could have injured the examiner so badly. Who raised such a monster What a sin!"

Noah chuckled with glee and remarked,

Lanche this kid is mediocre, but mediocrity has its own good side, at least he wouldn't cause such accidents.

Communication magic is expensive, and international communication magic requires permits and the construction of multiple relay points. Unless there was an emergency, Noe rarely contacted his family in Nan Wan Tina, Henton Kingdom.

As for whether Lynch passed the exam, Noah needn't concern himself with it.

Of course, he bombed the entrance exam for the Chain Gold Academy and had to go home.

Noe had already instructed the butler, Hans, that when Lance came home with his head down in shame, they should cut off his funding and let the useless idiot suffer a little!

I'll wait until next time I meet Nan Ti Na and see if Lancy has grown a little bit.

Keep scrolling down, the news isn't over yet.

During the exam period, the terminal of the artificial world also encountered a failure once, suspected to be caused by abnormal student operation. According to Professor Bolao from the Magic Engineering Academy of Ekreth Institute, this repair has caused the Magic Engineering Academy to lose at least 8,000 pounds of Southern Kingdom United Coins...

The picture, surrounded by newspaper text, showed a grimacing, tough-looking master craftsman.

Although he seemed to be holding back his anger on camera, the look in his eyes that wanted to stab someone was unmistakable.

…This is our correspondent, Lu Weixier, reporting to you.

Finally, this is the end.

Noé shook his head and closed the newspaper.

"Wow, what talent! To be able to break the exam terminal like that. If this gets back to the Magitech Institute and they sue, your family is going to be in trouble."

After watching today's Horton jokes, Noah only felt satisfied.

I hope there will be some more explosive news next time.

ps: Today's two chapters were released together. And Lan Qi's first shocking full-king true shadow world challenge is about to begin!

[ ] one for the Academy of Magic Engineering…”Anyway, even the Magic Academy has compulsory courses that Lance doesn't want to take. Elective courses are common and it doesn't really matter which one you...