Inside Professor Borao's research workshop on the second floor of the School of Magic Engineering's Old Liberal Arts Building, the steady hum of magic engineering automatons immersed in their work could often be heard.
Now, early in the morning, was the usual time for students to drop by, check in, and chat.
Lanqi and Talia exchanged a glance. Neither had expected that before they could even begin to confess the details, Professor Borao would see through them.
"What about her doesn't match?" Lanqi asked, glancing at the woman beside him before turning back to Professor Borao.
"Have a seat first."
Borao gestured for them to sit. Seeing that neither seemed surprised, he could tell they had come to see him about something specific today.
Lanqi had already mentioned that on Monday he would bring his companion—who would be accompanying him to proctor the Platinum-rank card maker examination in the Kingdom of Posen—to register at the School of Magic Engineering.
Lanqi and Talia exchanged another look, then slowly sat down in the chairs opposite the desk.
Usually, when Lanqi and Lanfu came to ask Professor Borao questions, the three of them sat across this very desk in the same way.
"Her tone and demeanor are completely different. This lady is far more poised and reserved. Besides, the distance between the two of you isn't right," Professor Borao said, thinking it over.
Hearing this, both of them immediately scooted their chairs farther apart.
"No, what I mean is that you and Lanfu are usually like brothers with no awkward barrier between you, whereas with her, there's a distinct sense of distance. If you two want to play the part more convincingly, you might consider acting a bit closer," Professor Borao remarked, leaning back in his chair as he appraised them.
"No need!" both said in profound embarrassment.
At that exact moment, both suspected Professor Borao was deliberately messing with them.
"So how should I address you?" Professor Borao asked, looking unhurriedly at Lanqi.
Of course, there was another crucial detail he hadn't mentioned—the Poet of Great Love would only offer a polite smile when looking at candy, whereas this woman had seemed slightly pleasantly surprised and looked as if she genuinely wanted to eat it.
"Her name is Tata. She's actually Lanfu's prototype. Yesterday, an unexpected piece of equipment caused her and Lanfu to merge into one. For now, they can't seem to be separated, so she has to live Lanfu's life in her place," Lanqi explained.
"I see. So she's that collaborative card crafting partner of yours whom you currently lack tacit understanding with?" Professor Borao asked.
When Lanqi had contacted him yesterday, he had heard Lanqi's tale about "a friend of his."
"..."
Lanqi and Tata grew even more embarrassed.
Both recalled Professor Borao's sudden remark yesterday: "You two just haven't gone on enough dates."
"That's good. When you're in the Kingdom of Posen, take your time walking around and exploring together. Perhaps your synergy will improve. Collaborative card making is inherently a process of accommodating one another—the exact same principle as dating." Professor Borao took out the travel itinerary registration form and handed paper and a pen to Talia. "There's no need to hold back. Since you're Lanfu's prototype and Lanqi's friend, I'll treat you as Lanfu during this time. Feel free to browse anything of interest here in the experimental workshop. Thank you for helping us handle the Academic Committee's inspection."
"Thank you." Talia took the paper and pen from the desk and began filling it out.
Even though Professor Borao always came out with unexpected remarks, so far he seemed like an easygoing old gentleman.
While Talia filled out the registration information for the proctor's assistant to the Kingdom of Posen, Borao looked back at Lanqi.
"When you arrive in the Kingdom of Posen, you'll need to be somewhat careful. Their local policies and cultural customs are somewhat different from ours—in fact, you could say they're vastly different," Professor Borao said. "Still, your status as a Platinum-rank card maker carries substantial weight. The typical nobility and dignitaries won't give you much trouble, especially now that you hold another title."
As a giant in the eastern Southern Continent, the Kingdom of Posen was exceptionally advanced in its economy, infrastructure, and magic engineering, enjoying a prominent diplomatic standing across the Southern Continent.
Consequently, Lanqi maintaining good conduct and the Kingdom of Posen ensuring his safety were of immense importance to both parties.
"The High Priest's disciple?" Lanqi asked.
"Correct. As the High Priest's most trusted disciple, the prominent figures in the eastern Southern Continent will all know that laying a hand on you might provoke a High Priest into stepping in, so they won't lightly make a move against you." Professor Borao nodded.
"..."
Boss Cat was at a loss for words.
Perhaps it wouldn't even require provoking a High Priest—the High Priest might just show up on her own.
She was practically turning into Cat-ren at this rate.
"The noble class in that country wields immense power. Many things and conveniences can be acquired through trade, and slave trading is permitted there. It doesn't necessarily have to be slaves, either; even equal covenants and employment contracts can be traded. That's why contracts are treated with utmost importance over there. Don't sign contracts carelessly, and under no circumstances should you trick others into signing them," Professor Borao continued.
Back when the demon race was defeated, a small portion of the demons in the Southern Continent chose to surrender, later being taken in by certain nations as prisoners of war or displaced refugees upon signing contracts.
The Hutton Kingdom belonged to the faction that refused to accept demons in order to protect the safety of its native population.
The Kingdom of Posen, on the other hand, favored the labor and craftsmanship of the demon race and proactively took them in.
Many demons who truly possessed combat prowess and peak knowledge resided in a distinct, bustling territory within the Kingdom of Posen, governed by the demons themselves under their own social structure.
Normally, these powerful demons rarely visited human communities, and humans rarely wandered into Posen's Demon Realm by mistake; the two sides existed in a state of cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
The knowledge of the demon race had indeed yielded enormous returns for the Kingdom of Posen, and the nation's sheer power was the finest proof of that.
Now, a century later, the Kingdom of Posen possessed streets where humans and demons lived side by side, as well as many new-generation demons who were legal citizens.
Even so, the integration of the two races remained in its preliminary stages.
Major disturbances would break out from time to time, potentially spilling over onto travelers.
"Don't worry, Professor. Hyperion has warned me several times not to become the God of Contracts. It's terrible for my reputation," Lanqi replied.
Besides, if he used contracts to swindle demons, Talia would be furious if she saw it.
Furthermore, according to the Ice Snow Witch, only seven great demons of the old era remained.
They were either surrenderist generals, civil officials, or the princess, so the Kingdom of Posen shouldn't have any great demons.
"Don't underestimate those demons. Even if they might not have been great demons a century ago, after a hundred years of training, the only reason they couldn't become great demons is that they lacked the Great Demon Trial. In terms of sheer combat capability, they might be far stronger than mere civil officials," Talia's voice echoed in Lanqi's mind.
"Then why have you stayed stuck in place after a whole century?" Lanqi asked telepathically, genuinely puzzled.
The only change was that she weighed one kilogram more.
Talia clenched her fists.
Were it not for being inside Professor Borao's laboratory, she would have pinned Lanqi to the floor and started beating him right then and there.
Chapter 650