The sun shone brightly on the breezy Ichrite Academy.
Many campus areas were equipped with magic fluorescent screens, much like those on commercial streets.
These screens not only provided students and faculty with real-time information, notifications, and academic activities, but also displayed various interesting short films and live campus events.
Therefore, these screens would sometimes become the focus of discussion and observation during people's breaks.
Like right now.
The annual entrance exams, an entertaining spectacle for many returning students, were currently being broadcasted.
Many watched simply to enjoy the suffering or embarrassment of the new students, while others saw it as an opportunity to spot promising newcomers and recruit them into their teams.
On the screen.
The wind howled, causing snow to billow in every direction.
While other examinees were still struggling in the snowy wilderness, Lanci had already completed his requirements.
He sat in a warm house, roasting snacks by the fireplace.
His skilled and comfortable demeanor, completely devoid of tension, felt like he was in a commercial for Holy Country's sweet treats rather than challenging the Shadow World.
Now, he just needed to wait for the time limit of the Artificial Shadow World to end, and for the system to sort out his scores.
Even though there were not many students who were initially paying attention to Lanci's tactics.
The crowd quickly livened up after a few startled cries.
"Do you guys know what this guy just did?!"
"What?"
"The jerk went and arrested a whole family!"
"I suppose that counts as giving them a warm winter?"
"You just asked if he fulfilled the requirements and he actually did."
"Hahaha! What a twisted logic!"
On the terrace of the Learning and Education Building.
Whether they were sitting or standing in wait, many people had already gathered around the suspended screen, forming a lively little circle.
A number of people began discussing just who this young upstart named "Lanci Welfort" might be.
However, nobody present had heard this name before.
Only a student wearing Alchemy College jewelry mentioned that he had heard of a company called "Wilford Chamber of Commerce," and that the chairman supposedly had a troublemaking son.
But he hadn't heard of a young prodigy named Lanci till now.
"..."
Talia listened to the students beginning to notice and discuss Lanci.
She was sitting at the edge of the terrace, quietly lowering her head and moving her gaze away from the magic fluorescent screen.
Although she had been observing Lanci's actions from a corner of the screen earlier.
But when she truly understood what Lanci had done and heard the startled cries of people around her.
She just wanted to leave this place and get as far away as possible.
Because she heard someone speculating, "This Lanci guy doesn't behave like a human at all. Could he be a spy from the Demon Race?"
This sent shivers down her spine.
Talia definitely did not want to be mistaken as a dangerous individual that needed close monitoring, simply because she was too close to Lanci.
He didn't learn these tactics from her...
Her association with Lanci over the past three months had made her gradually realize that this young man's thinking and character were rather unusual.
But it wasn't until this moment that she was completely certain.
This guy must have some serious issues!
It was impossible to stay by his side without drawing attention.
However.
According to their agreement.
She had to protect Lanci and continue serving as his teacher.
The thought of having to leave the academy with Lanci later and spend an extended period with him in the Royal Capital made her feel like she was frying on a hot pan.
If her long-concealed and painstaking efforts to reclaim her country were to fail due to her being discovered because of this human.
She would just want to perish together with Lanci.
Now she hoped Lanci would hurry out of the examination room, and they could quickly leave this place together.
Yet, she hoped Lanci would never come out, she did not want others to see them together.
"Lan...ci..."
Talia gritted her teeth and murmured.
Her hands tightly clasped, every second that passed felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
In the decades after the genocide of the Demon Race, when she wandered alone.
This was the first time a human had caused her so much pain.
...
The seventh floor atrium of the Learning and Education Building, a blend of modern design and natural elements, has a serene and elegant atmosphere.
Skylights flood the entire space with sunlight, creating alternating patterns of light and shadow. Indoor plants surround the atrium, and nearby, several art installations and sculptures add a gentle touch of humanities to the atrium.
Standing in this atrium is the chief examiner, Dean Loren of the Sage Academy, now clenching his fists.
He personally chose the topic of this test.
According to historians' analysis, the First-order Shadow World "Winter Stealth Flame" should have been a situation faced by a renowned Benevolent Holy Emperor in the ancient civilization tens of thousands of years ago in our world.
The figure Loren most admired in legend has always been this Benevolent Holy Emperor.
Every act of the Holy Emperor was deeply admired by Loren.
Actually, in this examination, Loren wanted to test more than just the freshmen's "wisdom and mindset".
He hoped they could perceive how the Holy Emperor helped the villagers under the circumstances and mindset at the time.
And how the Holy Emperor felt helpless and sorrowful after discovering the truth.
Yet still able to remain unwavering and continue to practice the firm belief of benevolence.
"Damn it..."
However, this youngster named Lanci Welfort.
His actions.
Made it seem as if the Holy Emperor was foolish.
Could one simply sacrifice their heart of benevolence, in exchange for the power of demons?
Just like this, waiting for the exam time to end.
Loren looked up, staring at Lanci - who was leisurely roasting sweets on the huge Magic Fluorescent Screen - in the central courtyard.
He felt his heart to burn with anger.
If he could enter the Shadow World, he would love to kick this damn furnace away!
"This guy's Magic Power is so weak, why is he our college's examinee?"
Eventually, Loren calmed down and muttered to himself in confusion.
From the moment he arrived at the examination hall, he had sensed all the examinees' Magic Power.
He remembered Lanci's Magic Power was undoubtedly the lowest among all present, even less than many Knights from Knight College.
If he hadn't noticed Lanci on the Magic Fluorescent Screen, Loren would have first mistaken Lanci as an examinee from the Knight College.
"If he could pass the first round of attribute tests during the admission application, he must have a very high spiritual attribute, which would bolster his overall evaluation..."
"But how would he pass the practical exam..."
The third round of assessment was different from the previous two. Other than using one's actual strength, there were no shortcuts to take.
Loren was confident that Lanci was not clergy.
He could not sense any divine protection on him.
So naturally, Lanci wouldn't be able to use Priest-type Magic Cards that can "influence healing amount with spirit strength."
...
The light from the glass dome in the atrium gradually shifted, like the needle of time, recording the passage of time.
The examination finally approached its end.
Examinees were sent out of the giant vortex-shaped Void Gate in the order they entered.
It was only after all the examiners had left the Artificial Shadow World, Loren lightly touched the secret key on the terminal and closed the Void Gate.
Subsequently, the Artificial Shadow World start terminal began the final calculation of the exam results.
Standing on the high platform, Loren looked down and saw many successful candidates scattered throughout the atrium, yet to leave the exam site; some were unable to hide their joy, while others wore neutral expressions.
Despite not knowing other candidates' progress in the Shadow World during the test,
There were clearly many confident candidates who were very assured of their scores in the Shadow World, absolutely thinking they would be among the top rankings.