ical lament of pain.The tormented students passed on even more agonizing cries, this pain echoing back and forth between them, transforming the theater into an instant hell like a landslide or tsunami...Chapter 35: Lance Arrives at the Ictere Academy Alone

In the early morning of Hertton Royal City, Lanchi got up early and came to the Ikether Academy alone.

He walked past the station at the school entrance and saw golden light rising from the east, illuminating the entire campus. He couldn't help but feel a sense of freshness and vitality.

It has been three days since the entrance exam ended.

Today, Lance is about to begin his school journey.

According to Sister Teresa's instructions, go to the Magic Academy first to exchange for a student wristband. Then you can move into the academy.

This period of time, Lan Qi and Talia both lived in a hotel not far from the academy. Talia lived next to him, and every day when Lan Qi went out, Talia would follow him.

Lance had already told Talya that once he could move into the very safe Icethe Academy, she wouldn't have to protect him like this anymore.

The wage remains the same.

She only bothers her when Ranch has a problem to ask about.

Thus, Tallia is now nearly reborn in freedom.

You don't have to be Ranch's bodyguard every day.

There was also a fake identity for the Wilford family.

As long as she doesn't draw too much attention to herself, or register with large associations, she will hardly be detected.

In just a few short months, Talya left behind her life of poverty and wandering. She even enjoys a leisurely life in the royal city of Ekreth every day with a generous pension.

This morning, while Lance and Talia were having breakfast together, Talia seemed a little absentminded.

Just like retired.

Although she had not seen Talya in a long time, when Lance saw how well Talya was living, he felt very pleased.

Providing care for aging mentors is his filial duty.

"Every time I think about her age, she seems to glance at me... Am I imagining things"

Ranci walked along the main avenue of the school grounds, muttering to himself.

Although the talent magic of lie detection could potentially evolve into something akin to mind reading if further upgraded.

But Talya should be nowhere near reaching the threshold of mind-reading magic.

Because in Ranch's known setting, Talya wasn't able to master any telepathy even in the main story timeline two years later.

So, there's nothing to worry about. Age isn't a big deal, she probably won't mind much.

Lance smiled in relief and continued walking towards the Old Humanities Building of the Magic Engineering Academy.

The plants on both sides were bathed in the morning mist and sunshine, emitting a fragrant scent. There were many flowers by the roadside that I couldn't name, some bright, some delicate, some strangely shaped.

Accompanied by the singing of birds, the buzzing of bees, and the babbling of water, he gradually walked from the end of the road into a soft meadow filled with flowers. According to the signposts, all the buildings in this area were built within gardens.

After a few minutes' walk.

Lance finally found the building, situated on the edge of the Magic Engineering Institute. It was a typical Gothic Revival structure, with an ancient red brick facade adorned with statues and reliefs - one of the campus' most iconic landmarks: The Old Humanities Building of the Magic Engineering Institute.

This historic building used to be a workshop where master artificers conjured up their ingenious ideas. Decades ago, it was refurbished and began serving as a technical support center for the Artificer's Academy, providing assistance to students from other departments in need of magical engineering expertise.

Lanche looked around, but there weren't many students in sight.

It seems that basically only freshmen will be coming here these days.

It's very early now, and even the door to the old humanities building hasn't been opened yet.

"Oh dear, I'm early... I forgot that everyone here works from nine to five, not a minute earlier or later."

Lan Qi regretted saying it.

He recalled how the work habits of the Icteri people differed greatly from his own.

Many shops close at five o'clock, even if they aren't making money anymore, and everyone has to leave work. The school service center is even worse.

Thus, Lance could only stand on the lawn, boredly folding his arms, waiting for the staff of the Magic Engineering Academy to come to work.

Just treat it as a leisure time that modern people should have. Sometimes, wasting time can also be a kind of happiness.

"Actually, it's not bad to just go sightseeing..."

Lan Chi looked up, admiring the ancient building before him like a work of art. He could feel the fragrance of flowers, grass, earth, and damp air in the garden surrounding him, making him feel quite content.

The top of the old humanities building was a towering spire, with an engraved crest of the Icthelite Academy inlaid on it.

At the bottom of the crest is a silver shield, representing the steadfastness and belief of the Heston Kingdom. In the center of the shield is an image of the goddess of fate, holding a crown in her hands and surrounded by a holy cross of light. The background is the Southern Cross constellation, symbolizing Icethea Academy's location in the southern continent.

Above the school crest, a white banner emblazoned with powerful ancient magic script reads: "We shall grow in the reverence of posterity."

Just by looking at it, Lance felt a surge of excitement, as if the last vestiges of sleepiness from waking up early that morning had been completely dispelled.

He was unknowingly drawn in, unaware that moments had already passed.

Such intricate carvings... they must be masterpieces by a renowned master sculptor.

Lanche stood motionless on the grass, his eyes fixed on the badge as he muttered to himself.

"Indeed, it was crafted by the magical artificer Gera Zelt, a graduate of the Ikerrithe Academy two hundred years ago. If you look closely, you'll find several of his works within the academy."

A familiar voice broke Lance's thoughts from afar behind him.

Lanche awoke as if from a dream and turned his head to see a girl with golden hair standing gracefully in the garden.

Her appearance, Lance recalled, was none other than Vivian Princess, whom he had briefly met at the examination hall previously. Vivian was not on good terms with his teammate, Huberlian.

Lanche didn't expect the princess to arrive so early. However, upon closer inspection, Lanche noticed that with her arrival, staff from the Magic Engineering Institute soon came to the Old Literature Building to open for business.

Of course, human relationships and social customs exist everywhere.

"Your Highness Vivian, I'm so sorry, I was completely engrossed and didn't notice you arrived."

A faint smile touched Lance's face as he greeted the princess, who had arrived sometime ago and was waiting there.

"…"

Vivian pondered for a moment.

She actually didn't intend to talk to Lance at first.

Because after the last time she realized, she found Lance's personality a bit difficult to handle.

He was a bit too much of a pushover, and a little naive, but he was also very clever.

"What do you think is the difference between this carved crest and a manufactured product"

Vivian didn't begin with pleasantries. Instead, she looked towards the top of the old Humanities building, at the sculpted school emblem, and asked Lance.

After two meetings, Vivienne was certain that this commoner boy named Lance Wilfort lacked the usual distance and deference that people from lower classes have towards nobles. He seemed more like a visitor from a country with no aristocratic culture at all.

However, Vivian doesn't mind.

Lance is indeed a promising talent from their country, and his background is also clean.

She now just wants to chat with Lance about this ancient masterpiece atop the tower.

Lancy always possesses a unique poetic, artistic, and craftsman's aura. This quality is innate and irreplaceable.

It's rare to meet someone her age who is also interested in discussing art.

Vivian might as well take this opportunity to investigate the truth of his claims.

(The End)

[ ]During this time, she wouldn't have to return to school and asked Tallia to take good care of her.However, Ranch also said that if things go smoothly, the killer might strike within the next two days....