At the same time, elsewhere, the slanting afternoon sun gently washed over Ikerite Academy. The clock tower's hour hand pointed between two and three, casting warm, soft golden light across every brick and tile of the campus.
Native flora of the Hutton Kingdom swayed gently in the breeze, the trees and lawns stirring from their morning dew, filling the air with the fresh, mingled scent of wood and soil.
Passing the boundary of the School of Magic Engineering and the old humanities building nestled in lush green grass, one had only to walk a few steps farther to catch sight of an artistic glass-curtain tower.
The slanting sun danced across its surface, refracting dazzling light that lent the School of Magic Engineering's main building an even more solemn, luminous air.
On the fifth floor of this main building, inside the dean's office, Professor Borao sat at his workbench, chatting with Lanqi, who had just returned from the Shadow World.
"Red Epic..."
Through specialized glasses, Professor Borao examined the gem in his hand as though he hadn't seen such a thing in many years.
"I can run a preliminary calculation on the optimal ratio of supporting materials for you, but what you can buy here in Hutton is limited. I'd suggest that in the middle of the month, on your way to the Poson Kingdom to invigilate the Platinum-rank card maker exam, you buy up whatever materials you might need."
He handed the gem back to Lanqi, took off his magic engineering glasses, and spoke.
"I see. Thank you, Professor Borao."
Lanqi put away Caliera's Shadow-Weaving Gem and offered his thanks.
After taking Hyperion, Boss Cat, and the sofa back to Boss Cat Restaurant, Lanqi had returned to Ikerite Academy.
In the Shadow World, night had only just fallen when they crossed back into the real world, so they all needed to catch up on sleep.
Lanqi had told Hyperion to hurry upstairs to her home on the restaurant's second floor and rest, rather than dragging her along to the School of Magic Engineering to visit Professor Borao.
As a semi-Platinum-rank card maker, the only remaining step in Lanqi's review was going to the Poson Kingdom to complete final certification.
After that, he was to take over Duke Mikhail's duties for the Southern Continent Card Makers Association and serve as chief examiner for a Platinum-rank exam.
Lanqi had already received Professor Borao's notice regarding this matter before departing for the Shadow World of the Darkest Solar Eclipse Demon Realm.
Geographically, the Hutton Kingdom lay on the easternmost edge of the central Southern Continent. The Aloran Kingdom, which had sent an academic delegation to visit their school the previous year, lay toward the east of the very center, while the Poson Kingdom sat between the two, making it not particularly far.
Also belonging to the eastern region, the Poson Kingdom was small in land area, but its humanities and magic engineering technology were extraordinarily developed, and it served as the vital hub for resource circulation and trade within the Southern Continent's eastern Card Makers Association.
If one wanted to purchase as many high-grade materials as possible as quickly as possible, the Poson Kingdom was the premier choice in the eastern region.
"When you go abroad during this period, you must be careful," Professor Borao urged.
Having grown closer to Lanqi lately, Borao was deeply invested in this student he was soon to take under his wing.
"Yes, I've heard."
Lanqi understood what Professor Borao meant.
In truth, the main reason the eastern region's Platinum-rank exam needed him so badly was that it had long suffered a shortage of examiners, and borrowing personnel from other regions was exceedingly difficult.
What was more, faint rumors were currently circulating that the Creti Empire might be preparing for a tempestuous war. Other nations were reluctant to allow their own Platinum-rank card makers to travel far abroad at such a time, given the unpredictable security risks.
"Still, for the first ten days of August, you should rest properly here in Ikerite."
Professor Borao opened the floor-standing cabinet at his elbow, produced a thick document folder, and, after opening it, pulled out the first page—an information sheet—and displayed it to Lanqi sitting across the desk.
"Lanfu Wilfort. Nominally a relative of your family, seventeen years old, first-year student, native of the South Vantina frontier territory. I have already arranged her registration as a special enrollee. Moving around Ikerite Academy will be much more convenient for her from now on."
On the student profile sheet Borao presented, the photo was unmistakably the black-haired, green-eyed Poet of Great Love—the very picture Lanqi had submitted to Professor Borao.
A professor enrolling a magic card as a student was far too absurd.
So they had simply followed formal procedures and registered a completely new identity for the Poet of Great Love.
"Uniforms and other supplies can be collected at the old humanities building, just like when you first arrived at Ikerite Academy."
Once Lanqi verified that the information was correct, Professor Borao added, "However, the Academic Oversight Committee's screening has been rather strict lately, so try not to let her skip classes. She needs to clock in and out at the laboratory every day. Keep a close watch on her."
After transitioning from a taught bachelor's track to a research-oriented track, an advisor practically became an employer; each day was spent both learning under the advisor and working for him.
"Understood. Don't worry, Professor Borao. I promise to bring her to school every day and make sure she follows the rules and behaves as a model student," Lanqi assured him.
The reason Professor Borao had hesitated previously was precisely the academic review pressure Ikerite Academy faced.
Ikerite Academy was not merely affiliated with the Hutton Kingdom; it was also officially accredited by and served as the highest-tier direct institution under both the Southern Continent Shadow World Management Association and the Southern Continent United Kingdom Council. Alongside its extensive authority and privileges, it had to meet corresponding performance metrics to demonstrate tangible results for the association's support.
"Though, Professor Borao, as you know, in mid-August I have to go to the Poson Kingdom to invigilate for the Southern Continent Card Makers Association," Lanqi said hesitantly.
"That counts as official leave. I already filed the application for you in advance." Professor Borao closed his eyes and nodded.
"After that, I might need to make a trip to another country for a new academic research project. It could take two or three months at least, or over half a year at most," Lanqi added.
Rest in Ikerite during early August, head to the Poson Kingdom in mid-August to invigilate and purchase materials, return to Ikerite in late August to attempt crafting Caliera's magic card—once that was done, everything would be ready for him to set off for the Creti Empire to search for Duke Mikhail.
Compared to the Northern Continent, the great advantage of the Creti Empire was that it bordered the Hutton Kingdom.
Setting out from Lanqi's hometown in the South Vantina territory, whether crossing mountains or sailing the sea, one could reach the giant empire of Creti at the southernmost tip of the Southern Continent.
"As long as you guarantee you can produce academic results, I'll approve your leave in advance."
Professor Borao casually produced an application form bearing Ikerite Academy's official seal and academy crest, handing it to Lanqi along with a pen from his desk.
At any rate, Borao had full confidence in Lanqi's academic ability. Best to let the young man venture out first and see what he could do.
He had never been one to hold his students back.
"Thank you, Professor!"
Taking the sheet and pen, Lanqi began filling it out on Professor Borao's desk.
"*Sigh*, so much has been happening lately... During the days you and Hyperion were away in the Shadow World, the itinerary for this year's academic delegation from Aloran Royal Academy was confirmed. Knight Commander Juliana has come in person this time."
Watching Lanqi focus on filling out the form, Borao chatted with him.
"Fortunately, our school has Phyllis, who transferred from Aloran Royal Academy last year. She'll be able to assist Monaster well in receiving their students."
In Ikerite Academy's student council, Vice President Asna had now graduated, while President Monaster remained at the school for advanced studies. Monaster had originally intended to step down, but at the critical juncture none of the three executive officers were around, and seeing no one to succeed him, he had stayed on for another year.
"Oh?"
As if suddenly hearing something of deep personal concern, Lanqi looked up at Borao.
It wasn't just student council duties and his sense of obligation; to tie the red string of fate for Loren, he had truly given his all.
Now, that date was finally about to become reality.
"How is Dean Loren?" Setting his pen aside for a moment, Lanqi inquired with deep concern.
"He's very nervous. Probably under too much pressure recently, buried in administrative duties, and overworked. Now with Juliana's sudden arrival, he's even more at a loss—and the date is likely only two or three days away."
Borao shook his head.
"He even came to ask me early this morning if I could give him some dating advice."
To be honest, seeing Loren like that, Borao hadn't had the heart to turn him away.
"Though I've had a few failed marriages, those were decades ago when I was young. So I told him I could try to help, but I couldn't guarantee his date would go smoothly," Professor Borao continued.
Yet he stopped halfway through his sentence.
Because he saw Lanqi's emerald-green eyes practically sparkling with stars, shining brilliantly.
"Uh..."
Borao couldn't help feeling that somehow, another problem had just been solved.
Chapter 612