How Did Lanqi Become the Headmaster?

Inside the painting classroom, the light falling beside Lanqi seemed to grow even brighter, as though glorious sunshine had finally broken through after long, lingering overcast skies. And as a Glow Demon, Lanqi looked at that moment like a true savior, his figure utterly radiant. Professor Mogute lowered his head slightly, showing his respect to Lanqi. The appearance of the special commissioner meant the academy was saved. For a brief moment, the entire classroom grew quiet and solemn; only the gentle ticking of the clock's second hand could be heard. Finally, Lanqi spoke again: "Take me to see the Vice Headmaster. I will help you deal with the Blood Clan envoy." "Yes," Professor Mogute replied, his tone serious and solemn. Then his eyes narrowed slightly as he turned toward Hyperion. "And she..." Professor Mogute felt that Hyperion knew too much. Now that the special commissioner had revealed himself, the faculty would no longer have to adhere with absolute rigidity to the academy's rules. Everything would prioritize helping the academy survive this ordeal with the Blood Clan envoy. "Lord Demon King instructed me that if I discovered any talented students at the school, I could bring them back to the royal capital. That is another mission of mine, and you need not inquire into the details. In short, there is no need to worry—simply treat her as a colleague I am grooming," Lanqi said indifferently, casting a glance at Hyperion. "Understood." Professor Mogute nodded hurriedly, somewhat understanding why the commissioner had stayed undercover for so long. Nor did he dare do anything that might offend this woman. Regardless of whether Lanqi's words regarding the "other mission" were true or false, those who understood knew better than to pry; it was not a matter for a mere professor to question. "Follow me, sir. I shall take you to convene an emergency senior faculty meeting." Wasting no time, Professor Mogute walked to the classroom door; he had to bring this commissioner to see the Vice Headmaster as soon as possible. "Mm." Lanqi clasped his hands behind his back and nodded slightly. He carried the distinct aura of a higher-ranking superior arriving to inspect a subordinate unit. He knew that, evidently, he would not need to attend the fourth period. ... In the dim stone corridor, Bachel had been anxiously watching the wooden door of the painting classroom. Finally, when he heard the crisp click of the lock from inside the painting classroom, his body instantly froze. He looked up and saw a familiar figure emerge from the doorway. It was Lanqi, calm and poised as ever, looking as though he had just concluded not a grueling class, but a relaxing afternoon chat. When Professor Mogute's gaze swept over Bachel, an intangible chill—almost tangible in its cold detachment—seeped deep into Bachel's body. Never had Bachel imagined that one day he would be this close to one of the academy's senior officials. "B—" Just as Bachel opened his mouth to call out to Lanqi, a sudden chill rose from the depths of his heart, making him feel as though he had been plunged into a cavernous abyss of ice. It was the killing intent radiating from Professor Mogute, who seemingly could not tolerate a nobody like Bachel committing the slightest offense toward Lanqi, or even delaying them for a moment. Yet faced with such tension, Lanqi remained utterly unmoved. He simply smiled faintly and raised a hand in a leisurely gesture, signaling Professor Mogute that there was "no need to be so tense." Then, before Bachel's disbelieving eyes, Professor Mogute actually yielded to Lanqi's cue, retracting all of his hostility! "Go attend your classes, Bachel. I have real business to take care of now." As if a game had just come to an end, Lanqi patted him on the shoulder as he passed, bidding him farewell. "I..." Bachel's mind raced. He seemed to grasp what was happening, yet found it hard to accept the terrifying reality in that instant. He had known all along that this Glow Demon was extraordinary, but he had never imagined his true identity and status would rank far above even a senior professor! *Clink.* Just as Bachel stood at a loss for words, a crisp chime sounded. Lanqi had tossed him a credit coin as he departed. Bachel hurriedly caught it. "Thank you!" Only after Lanqi's silhouette vanished into the depths of the stairwell did Bachel slowly straighten his back. Secretly lowering his head, he opened his palm and looked down at the credit coin in his hand. There lay a credit coin of an unfamiliar, strange design that he had never seen before. Its existence felt like a surreal dream, sending an uncontrollable tremor through Bachel's serpentine pupils as if all the blood in his body were boiling. It was a legendary 10-credit coin. Bachel stood rooted to the spot, dazed, unable to calm the turmoil in his heart for a long time. Only after dozens of seconds had passed did Bachel grip the 10-credit coin tightly. "I want to... I want to become a powerhouse who can dominate other demons like this too..." His voice was hoarse, as though a long-dormant desire buried deep in his heart had been stirred beyond restraint. ... Half an hour later. Late at night at Ikerite Academy, Jera Memorial Square shimmered with soft white light. The clock tower already pointed to half past midnight. Yet the late hour had not made the square quiet. On the contrary, the area around the outdoor giant screen in the square remained quite lively, filled with an atmosphere of anticipation and joy. Students who had resolved to pull an all-nighter had brought their blankets and found seats on the stone steps of the square. Many clutched cups of hot coffee to ward off the late-night chill. Some students were acting as if they were on an outing, with wooden wine crates set beside them and charcoal fires blazing on portable grills along the steps, roasting meats, fruits, and vegetables that gave off aromas irresistible in the dead of night. Under the glow of the streetlamps on a distant road, a figure strolled past, looking toward the giant outdoor screen on the square. Her long gray hair was plaited into a braid, and she wore a pair of non-prescription glasses, giving her a quiet and dignified air. It was Talia, carefully disguised. She who usually appeared as cold as frost now carried the aura of a solitary, bookish young woman. Now the contrast between her and the Poet of Great Love was even greater; in the dim midnight lighting, it was virtually impossible for anyone to notice any resemblance between her and the Poet. She was holding a box of roasted chicken drizzled with savory sauce, its skin crisp and meat tender. From time to time, she took a skewer, gently popped a bite into her mouth, and chewed slowly, as though forgetting all the exhaustion of the late hour. A dozen minutes earlier, recalling the ancient Demon Realm Shadow World she had watched that afternoon, she had tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Feeling a bit hungry, she had stepped out and come once more to Ikerite Academy. Yet to Talia's bewilderment, the academy at this moment was far livelier than she had expected. "Spectacular!" From time to time, bursts of discussion and cheers echoed from the square. It was like a crowd staying up late to watch some annual championship final. "How spectacular could it possibly be... Isn't it just that Lanqi fellow taking an exam and attending a class?" Talia murmured in bewilderment.