Lanqi's Dream

The levitating staircase finally came to a slow halt, its floating crystal steps gently depositing Lawrence and Lanqi onto the third-floor corridor. As they stepped onto this internal Card Makers Association corridor imbued with the aesthetic artistry of magic engineering, a deep tranquility pervaded the hall. Beneath their feet, the grain of the wooden floor stretched outward like the fingerprints of time, chronicling the association's history and development. "You're a student of the School of Magic Engineering. Your professors will be thrilled beyond belief—how could you possibly cause trouble for the School of Magic Engineering?" Lawrence asked in confusion as they walked. Could this young man's relationship with the professors of Magic Engineering really be that bad? Judging by how gentle and courteous Lanqi appeared, he didn't seem like the aloof, arrogant type of student. "...I'm in the School of Sages." "..." Lawrence fell silent for a long moment. "I had no idea you were also proficient in spells." He couldn't help marveling at Lanqi's versatility. "No, no, I can't cast spells at all." Lanqi lowered his head in utter shame and waved his hands, eager to steer away from the subject. Even though Lanqi mastered more and more skills, spellcasting was the one thing he simply couldn't grasp. Lanqi's practical spellcasting skills would rank dead last in the entire history of the School of Sages—mostly because someone of his caliber wouldn't normally be able to sneak into the School of Sages in the first place. "Then why didn't you apply to the School of Magic Engineering?!" Lawrence could no longer make sense of the young man's thought process at all; his head was practically spinning. He was clearly a natural-born artistic magic artificer, so how on earth had he joined the School of Sages, which specialized in combat spellcasting?! "Given the choice between the two back then, I felt the entrance exam for the School of Sages was way easier than Magic Engineering..." Besides, the School of Magic Engineering had required courses Lanqi didn't feel like taking, while electives were shared between the schools, so enrolling in either was pretty much the same. Naturally, he had chosen the School of Sages, which he was guaranteed to pass after just two months of preparation. "..." Lawrence finally realized that this kid truly lived entirely by his whims. He was the living embodiment of going wherever he pleased. Once the Card Makers Association notified the School of Magic Engineering, the professors there would still be glad to help Lanqi. After all, he was still a student of their own academy. Even so, the Magic Engineering professors were bound to experience a profound mix of emotions and lose sleep for days on end. Down the line, even if they wanted to brag, they wouldn't be able to boast that Lanqi was someone they had taught... "Actually, come to think of it, while there's virtually no precedent for a student below the fourth year reaching Platinum rank, according to Ikerite Academy's regulations, if one is officially certified by the association as a Platinum-rank card maker, the School of Magic Engineering can invoke the *Hutton Kingdom Special Regulations for Talent Recruitment* to specially appoint them as a professor-level faculty member. Platinum-rank card makers are welcomed wherever they go," Lawrence remarked with a sigh of admiration. Sometimes fourth-year students at Ikerite Academy taught part-time or assisted professors in running classes. If graduating fourth-years felt a deep affection for the school, they might also stay on and transition into full-time faculty; many of Ikerite Academy's most formidable teachers had come through that exact path. After all, staying at the academy offered extraordinarily convenient access to the Void Gate to challenge Shadow Worlds, and the surroundings, resources, and supporting services were all top-tier. Nor did the school bar faculty from holding other legitimate positions concurrently. For instance, the current Dean of the School of Sages and High Priest of the Church of the Goddess of Fate, Loren, had been the top freshman of the School of Sages years ago. "No, no, luck played the biggest part today, and this was only a Tier 3 card. I still have so much to learn." Lanqi shook his head quickly. He had a long road ahead in magic engineering; his only true expertise lay in the arts. At the School of Magic Engineering, the most he could teach would be painting courses, while he would still need to continue studying intermediate and advanced magic engineering there. And those advanced magic engineering courses were precisely where his heart lay. "Wait." Lanqi suddenly frowned as a realization struck him. This familiar feeling... Once upon a time, he had also started out by being specially appointed... If he really could secure a teaching post at Ikerite Academy... Wouldn't that bring him a huge step closer to *that specific position*—the one he thought he had woken up from and stopped daydreaming about? If he climbed a few steps higher... until one day Lanqi stood at the helm of the entire Ikerite Academy... perhaps he could recreate the glory of Purgatory Corridor Academy! Although Lanqi openly admitted he was a slacker at heart, deep down, he still nurtured a tiny dream. It was his one and only dream: to relive that fleeting, dreamlike experience once more, to become that great headmaster respected by students and beloved by teachers! "So, Mr. Lawrence," Lanqi said, his voice carrying a tremor of excitement and anticipation, "after I pass the review and officially become a Platinum-rank card maker, is it possible that the School of Magic Engineering might specifically invite me to take up a teaching position?" Lanqi's eyes sparkled with the vigor and ambition unique to youth, like a star brimming with aspiration shining brightly in the resplendent night sky. "If both sides are willing, there's certainly no issue..." Lawrence replied with a hint of hesitation and confusion. "Generally speaking, no school would turn down a Platinum-rank card maker, but very few Platinum-rank card makers are willing to take up teaching posts." For some reason, the sheer longing in Lanqi's expression gave Lawrence a slight chill. "Then I truly hope the review process goes smoothly!" Lanqi instantly brightened, as if all his fatigue had been wiped clean away. He looked so high-spirited that even his stride became light and brisk. Accompanied by Lawrence, Lanqi soon passed through several distinct areas and finally returned to the familiar reception lounge on the third floor. They stepped onto a carpet woven from soft, delicate fibers. Its intricate patterns—blending graceful florals, classical geometric motifs, and flowing curves—together with the curved floor lamps in the corners of the seating area, lent the space an air of warmth and elegance. Along the way, many who caught sight of Lanqi gave him astonished looks, as though witnessing the birth of a legend. Yet Lawrence held an exalted standing as vice president of the Ikerite Branch, so even those brimming with curiosity about Lanqi refrained from rushing over to pry. Instead, they kept a respectful distance out of deference to Lawrence. "Lanqi, if you ever need help with anything in the future, you can come directly to the association, find any attendant, and tell them you're looking for Vice President Lawrence. I'll get it sorted out for you right away," Lawrence instructed him. Although he had already explained the key matters to Lanqi in detail, and the rest would be formally conveyed to Lanqi by the Ikerite Card Makers Association Branch through the academy, Lanqi seemed eager to leave the association early today to return home and rest, which still required Lawrence to see him out. "Thank you very much." Chatting and laughing, the two arrived by the sofas in the lounge.