The chimes of three in the afternoon rang out across the campus right on schedule.
The Old Liberal Arts Building of the School of Magic Engineering, an ancient edifice, appeared solemn and imposing beneath the afternoon sun. The ivy climbing its walls was like the notched marks of time, chronicling the shifts and turns of passing years.
On the third floor, inside the student council room.
A gentle breeze drifted through the window, carrying fresh air and a faint scent of tea. Freshly brewed floral tea rested on the coffee table nearby, the tea leaves floating leisurely and dancing across the surface of the water.
On the sofa in the lounge area, three student council members sat together, resting and chatting in utter comfort and ease.
When the three of them had finished resting and arrived at the student council room, neither the president nor the vice president was there.
Evidently, both were busy with work and had not yet returned.
They did not have to wait long.
"You're here."
The door to the student council room was gently pushed open, revealing the aged brown timber of the hallway outside.
Accompanied by the president's steady voice, Monaster walked in ahead. He wore the neat third-year uniform of the School of Alchemy, its crisp, upright collar accentuating his spirited demeanor.
"President, we're back!"
All three on the sofa turned toward the entrance, greeting him at once.
The president smiled warmly, confident and approachable. Vice President Asna walked at his side as usual, clad in an elegant long gown. Her steps were light, and her gentle expression conveyed a quiet sense of companionship.
Monaster walked to his desk, set down the documents in his hands, and walked over to the sofa in the lounge area, taking a seat across from the three.
All three sat up a bit straighter.
Typically, whenever the president came over to the sofa, he had tasks to entrust to them.
Since speaking with them was the very first thing he did upon meeting, a considerable backlog of affairs had likely built up.
"President, feel free to give us any assignments. We're fully rested," Lanqi said, his voice brimming with a sense of responsibility.
This living Bodhisattva had gone four whole days without doing a good deed like mediating a dispute.
Lately, hosting the visiting delegation from the Aloran Kingdom had coincided with the busiest period of the entire semester.
With the student council reduced to only the president, vice president, and secretary—lacking three capable officers—the president's workload had clearly spiked.
"A lot of trivial things happened at school during the five days you were away."
President Monaster thought for a moment and decided to go through them one by one. He looked at Lanqi.
"First, Lanqi, your father, Mr. Noe Wilfort, came to the school last weekend. He had a sudden, mild cardiovascular episode and is currently convalescing at the affiliated hospital of the School of Alchemy."
"Dad came?" Lanqi asked in surprise. "How could that be...? Dad shouldn't have any history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular illness."
His expression shifted to bewilderment.
"...Lanqi, you should go visit your father in a little while," Hyperion said softly from the side.
Lanqi was about to say more, but seeing the faint touch of envy and wistful sorrow in Hyperion's gentle eyes, he held his tongue and simply nodded.
Monaster did not rush to speak. Only after Lanqi and Hyperion finished their exchange did he continue:
"The other matter is that the head of the academic visiting delegation from Aloran Royal Academy—who is also the disciple of Knight Commander Juliana of the Aloran Kingdom, Adams—has requested a spar against the strongest student in the School of Sages."
As he spoke, President Monaster exchanged a helpless glance with Vice President Asna.
"Originally, Dean Loren's recommended candidate was Asna. She is currently the strongest among the third-year students in the School of Sages, but Asna has been swamped with student council duties lately and truly couldn't free herself, so she politely declined the challenge."
Even though Asna rarely fought seriously and the full extent of her strength remained a mystery, no one among the faculty or students of the School of Sages ever doubted her ability.
"So Dean Loren planned to have another student face Adams. In short, Dean Loren didn't place much importance on winning or losing."
"Then another problem cropped up."
"I don't know what those students were thinking, but one after another, they claimed they didn't want to fight and nominated you instead."
In the end, Monaster could only gaze at Lanqi.
With things having reached the point where he was singled out by name, they had no choice but to ask Lanqi to handle it.
"Huh?"
Lanqi had not expected his upperclassmen to think so highly of him.
What right did a first-year like him have to represent the School of Sages?
"..."
Beside him, Hyperion, Frey, and Asna silently exchanged looks.
They all understood.
Dean Loren might not care about winning or losing, but the students of the School of Sages were rather displeased by Adams flaunting himself right in their faces.
So they had decided to play dirty and dig a massive pit for Adams.
"Adams initially thought we were mocking him by fielding a first-year freshman. But after hearing you were the culprit behind the defeat of the Saintess of Destruction, the wind began to shift. Even though Dean Loren strongly objected to you taking the match, Adams became dead set on having you as his opponent," Monaster explained. "Still, whether you accept or not is entirely up to you. After all, it's just a derby meant for friendly exchange."
"..."
Lanqi did not look particularly keen on fighting.
Throughout his life, he had never been fond of conflict—only of resolving it.
He simply could not fathom why people always relished meaningless quarrels.
Win or lose, nothing would change.
"Why is Knight Commander Juliana's relationship with Dean Loren so terrible?" Frey asked, not understanding the backstory.
Monaster fell silent for a long while.
"I only heard this from others, so make sure you don't go spreading it around. It all starts with Dean Loren's fiancée..."
With that, Monaster gave them a broad overview of how Loren and Juliana had first met and come to know each other, how conflicts and disputes had arisen, and how the misunderstandings between them had gradually deepened.
"Dean Loren has always maintained clear boundaries with women, caring only for Miss Juliana. But coming from nobility, his marriage arrangement was truly complicated, and he isn't the sort of person to hurt others for his own sake. Add to that his somewhat indecisive nature, and a subsequent string of events caused the rift between him and Juliana to grow deeper and deeper."
Monaster let out a sigh.
"And here I thought they genuinely hated each other. Turns out they're mutually in love!"
Yet the moment the story concluded, Lanqi clapped his hands and stamped his foot, understanding everything.
"I must help Dean Loren bring this romance to fruition! I accept the challenge. Let Adams choose the time and the terms of the contest—whether it's a battle of wits or a test of brawn, I will give my all for Dean Loren's sake."
Lanqi spoke with clear, earnest eyes.
His attitude had performed a complete hundred-and-eighty-degree turn.
"!"
Hyperion quickly turned her head to look at Lanqi.
Seeing his radiant zeal and fighting spirit, she felt an ominous premonition.
With Lanqi playing matchmaker, Dean Loren was bound to suffer for it!
Chapter 175