Light gleamed on the glass curtain wall, and the murals in the atrium appeared exceptionally bright and soft, making the entire examination hall feel like an easy, shimmering haven.
Returning from the Eleven Great Plains of the Shadow World to the center of this interior building filled with fresh fragrance, the stark, other-worldly contrast left Lanqi feeling utterly relaxed in body and mind.
Just as he comfortably shifted his gaze from the stretcher outside the examination hall back to his only acquaintance, Hyperion—
"Hyp—"
Lanqi began to greet her, only to freeze mid-word.
Only now did he realize that the atmosphere in the atrium was not harmonious at all.
Originally.
In Lanqi's imagination, everyone should have been calmly chatting about their exams, whiling away this brief bit of morning leisure, and finally offering heartfelt good wishes to the next group of examinees who might soon be their classmates.
Yet the reality was clearly nothing of the sort.
Right in the center of the examination hall, an explosive tension hung between Hyperion and a light-blonde girl from the second examinee group, who carried an equally extraordinary bearing, as if swords were drawn.
Had Lanqi's appearance not drawn everyone's attention, it would not have been out of the question for Hyperion and that noble young lady to disregard the exam rules and come to blows the very next second.
They seemed to know each other, and this light-blonde girl of apparent noble birth clearly bore immense hostility toward Hyperion.
The other two examinees in the second group were not squaring off against Hyperion,
but the looks they gave her were undisguised glances of wary dread, as if staring at a harbinger of plague.
After today's doubly intensified exam, Lanqi had gotten the general idea: his teammate, Hyperion, was likely a notorious figure in the royal capital of Ikerite.
A walking, humanoid aggro magnet.
She seemed like a pretty nice person, so why was she surrounded by enemies on all sides?
Lanqi scratched his head in confusion, unable to understand why the aristocratic circles of the royal capital were steeped in so much hostility.
"Excuse me, everyone, friendship comes first..."
Lanqi immediately tried to smooth things over the moment he opened his mouth.
Harmony was the most precious thing in all matters; he hoped his classmates could get along amiably and enjoy themselves together.
Even Examiner Ferrat, who had been so furious at the beginning, could be reconciled with him.
Surely, in a world of love, nothing was impossible.
"..."
Once Lanqi appeared, Hyperion no longer wished to waste effort on a meaningless standoff.
She shook her head and shot a cold glance at the noble young lady with long, light-blonde hair.
"Your Highness Vivian, if you want a lesson in the arena after school starts, I'll be waiting anytime."
Leaving those words behind, Hyperion paid no further attention to the noble girl opposite her and walked off on her own.
She headed toward the waiting area where Lanqi was standing, preparing to wait for Teacher Teresa to return and brief their group on post-exam matters.
Not until Hyperion drew close did Lanqi lower his voice and whisper to her in astonishment:
"Good grief, you really are something fierce. Even with a princess, you dare treat her so casually."
A light-blonde girl addressed as "Your Highness" Vivian had to be a princess of this Hutton Kingdom!
It seemed this Princess Vivian possessed remarkable strength in her own right, given that she was taking the exam right after their group.
That meant Hyperion's own family background must be quite formidable as well. To dare confront royalty with such reckless abandon, her nerve alone proved she was no minor noble.
As expected of the royal capital—step out the door, and you run into prominent figures everywhere.
Truly thrilling.
"..."
Hyperion had no idea how to respond to his remark.
You act just as casually toward me, a duke's daughter, yet you know enough to show respect to high nobility?
Still, Hyperion did not dislike Lanqi's attitude.
The more people had bowed and scraped when she was in power, the more viciously they sneered after her fall from grace.
By contrast, Lanqi's rare sincerity—treating everyone equally regardless of status—struck Hyperion as truly precious.
While the two exchanged brief remarks,
Teacher Teresa had still not returned.
Vivian, the one addressed as "Your Highness," stood not far away, staring at Hyperion and Lanqi, an indescribable indignation smoldering in her eyes.
"Lanqi Wilfort, was it?"
After a long silence, Princess Vivian finally spoke with a distinct air of haughty condescension.
"I don't know how you defeated Ferrat Salvenson, but it must have been because of you."
Clearly, Hyperion alone could never have passed Ferrat's test.
Vivian knew Hyperion far too well from their childhood together.
She had expected Hyperion to emerge from the artificial Shadow World brimming with resentment today, only to find Examiner Ferrat being carted away instead.
In that case, this "elegant young nobleman with black hair and green eyes," rumored to have speed-cleared Winter's Hidden Flame, must have pulled off something that left people seeing black again.
"It wasn't a solo victory, but the result of teamwork."
Lanqi merely answered with humility, giving the princess a slight bow.
Hyperion stood beside him without denying it.
Though she knew Lanqi was being exceedingly modest, she had no reason to reveal anything more.
"...Is that so."
Seeing Lanqi's attitude, Vivian found it awkward to press aggressively.
Lanqi passing the second round might have been luck and good form, but clearing a third round of this difficulty once again proved it was sheer ability.
If such a fellow was also calm and restrained, he would be a force to be reckoned with as a future Shadow World challenger; there was no need to bully or offend their kingdom's own talent.
"I advise you to stay away from this Lady Hyperion Aransal from now on. Don't be fooled just because she's pretty."
Vivian merely glanced at Hyperion and delivered the jab in retaliation.
Though ostensibly aimed at Hyperion, it was clearly meant for Lanqi's ears.
Lanqi tilted his head in confusion, sensing that Vivian had misunderstood something.
Earlier, Examiner Ferrat had seemed to harbor the exact same misconception.
Did they really find it so unbelievable for someone to help Hyperion?
He had only wanted to pass the exam.
Still, it didn't matter.
Lanqi kept feeling that Vivian's sentiment toward Hyperion wasn't pure malice like Ferrat's, but something far more complex.
"Your Highness Vivian, so in your eyes, Miss Hyperion is a very pretty person."
Lanqi bowed to Vivian once more, then spoke with a smile.
At this, Hyperion shot Lanqi an uneasy glance, while Vivian's composure completely fell apart.
"I never said that!"
Vivian denied it with a touch of agitation.
"Reconciliation between her and me is impossible. You don't need to waste your breath trying to smooth things over."
Hyperion, also wanting to end the subject as quickly as possible, cut in decisively from the side.
Hearing that, Lanqi looked at Hyperion and gave an understanding "Oh."
"Your Highness Vivian, it seems Miss Hyperion has, even to this day, still considered the possibility of making peace with you."
Lanqi turned back to Vivian with a gentle smile, as if serving as an interpreter relaying her words.
"I have not!!"
Hyperion vehemently denied it, a rare flare of emotion showing on her face.
Hearing that, Vivian, whose breathing had grown slightly ragged, seemed to wilt like a deflated balloon. She pressed her lips together and looked away.
Afterward,
Lanqi kept his smile, seemingly waiting for the two to speak again so he could relay their thoughts.
Yet neither Hyperion nor Vivian said another word.
Chapter 32