Beneath the night sky, the massive screen on the Herrom Broadcasting Corporation Building radiated white light, projecting the bustling clamor on the ground high into the sky.
Playing on the screen was a street interview from just down the road, the frame dominated by Luoqi McCarthy, who had suddenly stepped into view.
His words were clear and commanding. As he spoke, his gaze swept slowly over the surrounding crowd, as though silently reminding everyone that patience and understanding were what was truly needed.
The bystanders began to exchange self-conscious glances. The anger and hostility from moments before melted away under his gentle reasoning, replaced by murmurs of agreement.
"Mr. McCarthy is right."
"Maybe we were too impulsive."
"I'm truly so sorry. I knew Protos Royal Magic Academy students wouldn't actually oppose Luoqi McCarthy."
Apologetic whispers rippled through the crowd. A chorus of voices tried to offer explanations to him and the two young women—some voiced sudden realization, others expressed concern, each string of sincere words conveying their misunderstanding and regret.
The tension evaporated, and everyone became exceptionally cooperative.
"All right, everything is fine now. Hurry back to school."
Having defused the situation, he turned to the two young women who had been cornered in the crowd, speaking to them with paternal warmth and the steady responsibility of a leader.
After exchanging a few brief words with the reporter, Lanqi bid his farewells. He prepared to depart the calmed commotion and return to his academy. He still had official duties to attend to, and this week was shaping up to be his busiest and most fulfilling yet.
Yet just as he turned and took his first step, he felt a hand gently grip his arm.
Lanqi came to an abrupt halt. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, and he turned back, his gaze falling upon the girl clutching his arm.
"..."
Her lips were pressed tight, her eyes brimming with a barely perceptible mix of nervousness and resolve. Perhaps she wished to voice unspoken gratitude, or perhaps she wanted to share something in private.
"Excuse me, miss, is there something I can help you with?"
Lanqi's expression shifted smoothly from surprise to an attentive, calm demeanor. He spoke softly, with a touch of polite helplessness.
This unexpected turn of events quieted the crowd once more, everyone watching curiously to see what would happen next.
The surprising boldness of the young noble lady from House Milford—reaching out to seize a prominent political figure at such a moment—instantly made her the center of attention before tonight's cameras.
"..."
Surrounded by onlookers and recording devices, her eyes seemed desperate to convey something, yet she could not bring herself to speak. Instead, her grip on Lanqi's arm only tightened, as if terrified that he would slip away.
It was as if missing this chance meant she might never see him again.
This left Lanqi puzzled, and an edge of displeasure began to surface.
He truly disliked being touched by others.
"Hello? If there is an issue, you can tell me."
Though his tone remained even, it carried enough weight to draw the crowd's attention, reminding the girl that her actions were making a scene.
Anyone could read the subtle warning—he felt her behavior was crossing personal boundaries.
If she persisted, he might have to signal the nearby security personnel to intervene.
Yet the young noble lady's hand still held fast to his arm. Her eyes swirled with complex emotions, countless words jostling in her chest with no way out, yearning for him to realize the truth quickly.
Perhaps Miss Milford realized her expression of emotion was overly intense, but the overwhelming urge to reach him anchored her firmly in place.
Her gem-like, luminous eyes reflected Lanqi's silhouette, watching the subtle shifts in his expression.
Lanqi felt increasingly perplexed by the sudden swell of emotion in front of him.
Over the past two months in the Northern Continent, he had grown accustomed to taking charge and having people follow his lead. Yet right now, the girl before him was halting his steps in a desperate attempt to hold onto him.
Surrounded by people, she could not say the words out loud. All she could do was gaze at Lanqi with tear-rimmed eyes, her breath coming in faint tremors. If he was truly listening, he would surely perceive that beneath her anxiety and stubbornness lay profound trust—an absolute conviction that he would recognize who she was.
Sometimes, the faintest sound could carry the most profound message.
For some reason...
Even though her face was unfamiliar, and even though he hadn't heard her voice, and she was doing nothing more than playing a silent riddle with him...
Looking into those familiar eyes, Lanqi felt an uncanny sensation stir within him.
It felt as though keeping her at a distance right now was terribly wrong.
Besides, how had she managed to grab hold of him so effortlessly in the first place?
Was he simply too sluggish, or was she extraordinarily strong?
Could it really be...?
As the first drop of rain fell silently from the night sky, it was as if a floodgate of memories burst open. Amidst the fine streaks of rain illuminated by the white glow of the building's screen, the young man and the young noble lady locked eyes, feelings passing between them without a sound.
The drizzle thickened into a steady mist. The crystal screens of the Herrom Broadcasting Corporation Building flickered through the rain, and flashes from camera equipment occasionally lit their faces.
No words were spoken, only a silent dialogue through their eyes. The distinct rapport between them made even the surrounding crowd sense that this was an extraordinary reunion—a depth of emotion that no recording device could fully capture. Lanqi's expression softened from bewilderment into tranquil certainty.
"Is it you?"
Lanqi asked somewhat tentatively. Though he possessed no concrete proof, an instinct whispered that the girl standing before him was the very person he had been searching for in the Imperial Capital.
"...You finally recognize me."
Hyperion nodded. The distress etched into her brow gradually melted away at Lanqi's response, giving way to profound relief and then a heartfelt smile.
When Hyperion looked up again, Lanqi's gaze was filled with warm encouragement. The distant reserve from moments before had vanished, replaced by the familiar, bright optimism from back in Ikerite.
The reporter, who had lingered on the sidelines watching them for quite some time, darted his gaze back and forth between the two.
"...Excuse me, Mr. Luoqi McCarthy, did the two of you know each other before?"
He nervously thrust forward his microphone and asked. Relying on his professional observation and deductive logic, there was no doubt about it—the scene just now carried far too much unmistakable déjà vu.
"It's been a long time since we last met. I almost failed to recognize her."
Lanqi shifted his gaze, a smile playing at the corners of his lips as his eyes lowered slightly.
"Did the two young ladies of the Milford Territory just arrive in the Imperial Capital Herrom today?"
The reporter from the Protos Broadcasting Company caught on and inquired further.
"Yes,"
Mixiula nodded in confirmation.
A look of shock crossed the reporter's face. Without needing to ask another question, he had already pieced the story together in his mind: Luoqi McCarthy and the young countess of House Milford were long-lost childhood sweethearts, finally crossing paths again after years apart and recognizing each other against all odds!
Leaving home on a distant journey to study at the notoriously rigorous Protos Royal Magic Academy and endure cutthroat competition against the prodigies of the Protos Empire was supposed to be a perilous path full of trials and tribulations. Yet for Miss Milford, it had turned into *That Time My Childhood Sweetheart Was the Academy Headmaster*.
What kind of Mary Sue romance plot was this?!
Chapter 377