As Lanqi adjusted the search filters on the reception counter, the dark crystal screen shifted to reveal a detailed catalog.
The screen scrolled through an extensive array of rare items.
Each line represented a treasure or magic item, described in pink lettering and accompanied by several small icons denoting its specific traits.
Lanqi sorted the entries from highest tier to lowest.
This time, sufficiently high-tier cards finally appeared at the very top.
Touching the topmost entry lightly, Lanqi watched a more detailed description and a three-dimensional projection materialize in the center of the screen.
[Roar of the Storm Dragon]
[Category: Spell Card]
[Grade: Pink Sacred]
[Tier: 7]
[Effect: Centered on the user, repels and hurls back all enemies within range. For 1 second, dispels and blocks all attacks up to Tier 8 within range. Cooldown: 135 seconds.]
[Remark: Uphold martial virtue; never launch a sneak attack against an unprepared foe.]
"This spell isn't bad at all."
Zestira leaned in a little, her eyes quickly drawn to the appraisal details.
Its radius was twenty to thirty meters. It dealt no direct magical damage, though it might inflict indirect physical damage. In practice, it was most likely a defensive skill used to clear away toxins, traps, and projectiles.
Yet no sooner had she spoken than she second-guessed herself.
Truth be told, she found almost any relatively normal Pink Sacred magic card impressive.
In terms of mechanics and raw values, this card was far superior to the Tier 4 and 5 cards they had seen earlier.
Yet precisely because it was Tier 7, a horizontal comparison against other Tier 7 cards might not make it look particularly strong for a spell card.
Most importantly, suitability aside, even if her teacher continuously challenged the Shadow World, it would still take him years to actually use it.
For a brief spell, the consultation room fell silent.
As the two examined the catalog closely, the automaton behind the reception desk waited in silence.
"This is the one."
Lanqi hardly hesitated. Having finished reading the card's effects, he tapped the screen to confirm his choice and spoke to the automaton.
"Huh?"
Zestira was utterly baffled.
He had not even bothered to look at the Tier 6 wind-attribute spells below it.
"Un-der-stood. Please, wait, a, mo-ment, as, I, pro-cess, the, fi-nal, pro-ce-dures, for, you."
A faint gleam flickered in the automaton's blue eyes. Offering a mechanical smile, she began preparing the exchange.
Her fingers lightly traced the magic circle atop the counter. The center of the desk opened and sank downward into a small, circular recess.
A magical luminescence began to warp the clear air above the recess, swirling like a vortex as a shape took form. It appeared to be unsealed and transported directly from the inner vault through a barrier.
Moments later, a magic card half the size of a palm floated up from the platform.
A pink halo radiated around it. The face of the card depicted an ancient storm dragon totem high in the sky, intertwined with starlike runes that formed a dazzling, celestial image. Intricate magical tracery along its borders made it shine even brighter beneath the dim lighting.
The automaton reached out and picked the card from the platform. A sudden gale seemed to sweep through the entire room, as though enveloped by the majesty of dragon-tongue magic.
Holding it out to Lanqi, the automaton spoke in an enigmatic tone: "Please, take, good, care, of, this. Fare, well."
"Thank you."
Lanqi took the card. The moment his fingers brushed against the translucent surface, he could feel the terrifying magical energy compressed inside.
Slipping it into his pocket, he concluded their visit.
"Good-bye, sir, and, miss."
With the automaton's farewell, the heavy doors of the consultation room swung open once more. Lanqi and Zestira exited into the wide central avenue of the Endless Library.
"Teacher, why did you pick that card?" Zestira asked, puzzled, as her boots sank into the soft red carpet. In the silence of the library, the road ahead seemed to stretch into the infinite distance.
"Because it's wind-attribute," Lanqi replied.
That only deepened her confusion.
Lanqi found it difficult to explain the true deciding factor.
In truth, it was a purely subjective fanboy indulgence: he had always wanted a jaw-dropping, ultra-high-tier wind spell.
As they walked, magical floor lamps on both sides flared to life once more, illuminating their path and lending a touch of brightness to the cavernous library.
After a brief silence, Lanqi asked, "Zestira, what advantages do you see in that card?"
Nearly every spell had its merits, provided it was used properly.
Take the Erroneous Healing series: seemingly useless on paper, yet with a little ingenuity, they could work wonders.
Zestira lowered her head and gave it serious thought, assuming her teacher was testing her.
The two strolled quietly down the library's path. With every sector they crossed, wondrous magical phenomena triggered at random. From time to time, magical mechanisms in the corners hummed to life, projecting historical events or hidden lore; at one point, as they passed a grand piano, the keys moved on their own to play a melodious tune.
Suddenly, Zestira lifted her head as though struck by an epiphany.
"That card can be used for safe building demolition," she said, looking at Lanqi.
"..."
Seeing that her teacher remained silent, she pressed on.
"It's essentially a defensive spell. When you cast it, you wouldn't be deliberately intending to destroy a building; you'd merely be forced to protect your own life. You shouldn't bear primary liability for the resulting property damage."
Be that as it may...
Given the current property prices in the Imperial Capital of Herrom, if someone had slaved over a mortgage for decades only for two powerhouses to brawl and tear down their home in the crossfire...
No matter who won or lost, the homeowner would probably be the next to join the fray, without waiting for any court ruling.
The more Zestira thought about it, the more she pitied High Priest Caius, whom her teacher had reported. He had lost his job and his house, yet still had to pay off his loans. Word had it that Caius had jumped off a building recently, though he had survived the fall.
Driving a cultist to attempt suicide by jumping off a roof was a first even in Zestira's book.
"Have you been secretly reading law books?" Lanqi asked, slightly surprised. He knew Zestira had never been fond of studying, so he had never suggested it to her. His teaching philosophy leaned toward stress-free education—except when dealing with students who had a habit of breaking rules and discipline.
"I only started recently," Zestira replied with a nod, her voice calm yet brimming with heartfelt respect. "I've come to realize that learning from you is far more practical than chasing after the Talia of my imagination."
"How did Talia become just a fantasy?"
"If she were truly as formidable as I imagined since childhood, she would have restored our kingdom long ago. Looking back, it was all just wishful thinking on my part. Rather than believing Talia can rebuild a nation on her own, it's more realistic to hope she can marry a good man to do it for her."
"Ha."
Lanqi had maintained a straight face the entire time, but Zestira's remark finally made him crack a smile.
That old hag trying to hook a rich sucker? Others relied on their looks; she'd probably have to rely on a meat cleaver.
Chapter 299