Lanqi Law Firm

As four-thirty in the afternoon drew near, the late afternoon sun had already slanted down from high in the sky. Through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, it cast an oblique glow across one side of the classroom, its light deepening into an amber gold touched with orange, softening the room. Desktops, empty chairs, and tiered steps caught the fading radiance, as if quietly murmuring the passage of time. In the back row of the classroom, behind the spacious wooden table, only Hyperion and Lanqi remained. Hyperion didn't know why Lanqi was looking at her. Even so, after a moment's thought, she met his gaze, looking into his striking emerald-green eyes, and advised, "Lanqi, don't get involved in my business from now on. There's no need for you to be dragged into this..." Yet Lanqi was unfazed. He merely blinked, his gaze as calm and unruffled as still water. "I won't just stand by and watch a friend get bullied. Besides, when Modan called me a 'shoddy lawyer' earlier, weren't you trying to stand up for me too?" Lanqi smiled. Kindness was something he always repaid in kind. "Anyway, if you ever need any legal help, you can find me at Room 101 of the School of Sages dormitory building. Once I pass the bar exam, I can hang up a plaque by my door: 'Lanqi Law Firm.'" "..." Hyperion once again found herself utterly at a loss for words. ... Other students inadvertently overheard Lanqi's words. Although no one dared disturb him—since he looked far too exhausted to bother with strangers—many were pricking up their ears, eager to hear what else Lanqi and Hyperion would say. The rules of Ikerite Academy were actually quite accommodating. Students with unique talents—blacksmiths, sculptors, painters, chefs, apothecaries, card makers, and more—often turned their dorm rooms into bustling little shops, regularly attracting visits from students of all schools and grades who came following their reputations. The academy tacitly permitted this diverse form of campus social life. But a law firm... That was virtually unheard of. Who the hell looks for a lawyer at school?! This is a magic academy, not a law school! ... The branches and leaves across campus swayed gently in the breeze, their shadows dancing noiselessly across the classroom floor. Students came and went along the campus paths, while distant laughter and murmurs of conversation drifted into the lecture hall, making the moment feel ethereal yet vividly real. Ultimately, after much inner turmoil, Hyperion nodded and accepted Lanqi's sincere goodwill. "If I can find my father, I will make sure he invites you with the utmost courtesy to become an adviser to House Aransal." Hyperion spoke with solemn commitment. Even if it was more likely an empty promise, it represented her attitude—she recognized Lanqi as a friend, and as a friend of House Aransal. And House Aransal always repaid its debts of gratitude! "An adviser to a ducal house? If that actually happens, that's quite an impressive title. If my old man knew I'd made such a name for myself in the royal capital, he'd probably faint from shock..." Lanqi smiled faintly at her words. He didn't care whether the promise could ever be fulfilled; he merely marveled at his new friend. "You know, Hyperion, even though you always put on a cold, ruthless front, deep down you're surprisingly kind." "What do you mean?" Hyperion didn't understand why he would say that. "Because your first thought has never been inheriting the family title, but finding your father," Lanqi explained with a smile. "..." Hearing Lanqi's words, Hyperion's eyes slowly cast downward. She seemed to sink into a sorrowful tangle of thoughts from which she couldn't break free, unable to speak for a long time. Only after a moment did she murmur, "...Father will be all right." Her expression remained outwardly unmoved, but turmoil clearly churned beneath the surface. She had risked her life to unearth a few faint clues regarding her father's disappearance, only for them to point vaguely toward the Creti Empire to the south. Right now, she was simply too weak. Not only was she completely isolated, but she also couldn't tell friend from foe or mole in the royal capital. Traveling alone to the Creti Empire to investigate would be nothing short of suicide. She had to grow stronger quickly. Perhaps her father could still be saved, but she had to find him as soon as possible... Yet Hyperion would never tell Lanqi any of this. Under no circumstances could she let him become entangled any further. "Have you thought about tackling the Shadow World? Let's team up and give the Shadow World a little shock." Seeing Hyperion fall silent for so long, Lanqi finally asked tentatively. Among all the people he knew right now, Hyperion was unquestionably the most cooperative teammate. Not only did they have experience working together, but she had also proven extremely dependable in combat. That was precisely why they had been able to clear the double-difficulty version of Infinite Phantom Gorge together that day. Hyperion's fingers froze against the page. Her eyes stared blankly at Lanqi, her mouth parting slightly as if trying to speak or simply catch her breath. "...Are you saying... you want to go challenge it with me?" At last, having gathered her scattered thoughts, she asked in a daze, still trying to process this sudden bolt from the blue—this thoroughly unrealistic invitation. "Of course," Lanqi answered with absolute certainty. Hyperion lowered her head, staring down at the cover of the book on the table, biting her lip in agonizing conflict. The only reason Lanqi was so kind to her was that he didn't yet know she was half-demon. And she didn't know how to open up and confess it to him. Even if this budding friendship might only be a phantom bubble destined to burst and vanish at any second, she couldn't bring herself to pop it with her own hands. "You can back out at any time," Hyperion said in a hushed voice, keeping her gaze lowered. It was her way of accepting his invitation to team up, while also accepting that he could back out unilaterally whenever he wished. "I knew you'd agree! How about we go challenge the Shadow World today before the School of Magic Engineering closes for the day? I really can't take these classes anymore. Which bastard decided to add Chantless Casting as a required course this year? I can't wrap my head around it at all!" The mere thought of this morning's classes gave Lanqi a throbbing headache, and he couldn't help complaining. He had never imagined the School of Sages' curriculum would be so difficult—or perhaps his talent for practical magic was simply abysmal. Chantless Casting in particular had been pure torture for him. As far as he knew, it had never been a required course in the syllabus before; it had just so happened to be tacked on during this year's curriculum reform! "Today?" Hyperion murmured, stunned. She clearly hadn't expected Lanqi to be so wild and impulsive. This was far more surreal than any spur-of-the-moment journey, sending her heart pounding wildly against her ribs! For a moment, she didn't even know what expression to wear or what tone of voice to use. "Yes, right now." Lanqi gave a long, vigorous stretch, limbering up his muscles. "Are you coming with me?" Leaning back against his chair, he looked at Hyperion once more, a smile of absolute confidence spreading across his face.