Light shimmered across the glass curtain walls, while the murals in the atrium appeared exceptionally bright and soft, enveloping the entire examination hall in a tranquil space glimmering like waves.
Returning from the Ilyavin Great Plains in the Shadow World to this fragrant indoor building, the drastic change made Lanchi feel completely relaxed in both body and mind.
Just as he contentedly shifted his gaze from the stretchers outside the examination hall back to Hughberlian, the only classmate he knew,
"Hugh..."
Lanchi had just begun greeting Hughberlian when he suddenly froze again.
Only then did Lanchi realize that the atmosphere in the atrium seemed far from harmonious.
Originally,
Lanchi had expected everyone to calmly discuss the examination, pass the brief morning leisure, and sincerely wish the next group of examinees—who might become their future classmates—well.
But things clearly weren't like that now.
At the center of the examination hall, Hughberlian seemed to be locked in a tense standoff with a light-golden-haired girl from the second group of examinees, whose bearing was equally extraordinary.
If Lanchi's appearance hadn't drawn everyone's attention, it was entirely possible that Hughberlian and that noble young lady would have disregarded the examination hall's rules and started fighting the next second.
They seemed to know each other, and the light-golden-haired girl, who was apparently a noble, was clearly hostile toward Hughberlian.
The other two examinees from the second group hadn't confronted Hughberlian directly.
But whenever they looked at Hughberlian, they also wore unconcealed expressions of wariness, as if they were looking at a plague god.
After today's ultra-difficult examination, Lanchi had more or less figured out that his teammate Hughberlian was probably a hugely notorious figure in Royal Capital Ikelite.
She was practically a humanoid, self-propelled hate magnet.
She seemed like a pretty good person. Why did everyone seem to be her enemy?
Lanchi scratched his head in confusion. He had no idea why the nobles of the royal capital carried such heavy hostility.
"Everyone, harmony comes first..."
Lanchi had just opened his mouth when he tried his best to mediate.
He hoped his classmates could get along harmoniously and enjoy each other's company.
Even Examiner Ferrat had been furious at the start, yet he and Lanchi had still managed to reconcile.
So, in a world of love, nothing was impossible.
"..."
After Lanchi appeared, Hughberlian no longer wished to continue this pointless struggle.
She shook her head and gave the light-golden-haired noble heiress a cold look.
"Princess Vivian, if you want to be taught a lesson in the arena after enrolling, I'll be waiting for you anytime."
After throwing out those words, Hughberlian stopped paying attention to the noble girl opposite her and walked away alone.
Hughberlian headed toward the waiting area, where Lanchi was also standing, intending to wait for Teacher Theresa to return and explain the post-examination procedures to their group.
It wasn't until Hughberlian had come to a spot not far from Lanchi that he lowered his voice and said to her in astonishment,
"My god, you're really fierce. You even treat a princess that casually."
The light-golden-haired girl who could be addressed as "Your Highness," Vivian, was certainly the princess of the Hutton Kingdom!
It seemed Princess Vivian herself was also remarkably talented, since she could take the examination after their group.
Then Hughberlian must have come from an impressive family as well. Anyone who dared to provoke royalty so recklessly definitely couldn't be from a minor noble house, at least in terms of courage.
As expected of the royal capital. You could run into a major figure just by stepping outside.
This was seriously exciting.
"..."
Hughberlian didn't know how to respond to Lanchi's comment.
You treat me, a duke's daughter, just as casually, yet you actually know to show respect toward a major noble?
Still, Hughberlian didn't dislike Lanchi's attitude.
The more people respected her while she was in power, the more eagerly they would hurl vicious words at her after she fell from grace.
By contrast, Lanchi's sincerity—treating everyone equally regardless of status—was rare, and it moved Hughberlian.
While the two of them exchanged a few brief words,
Teacher Theresa still hadn't returned.
Vivian, whom everyone addressed as "Your Highness," stood some distance away, staring at Hughberlian and Lanchi with an indescribable trace of irritation in her eyes.
"Lanchi Wilford, is it?"
After a long while, Princess Vivian finally spoke. Her tone carried an unmistakable air of condescension.
"Although I don't know how you managed to defeat Ferrat Shavenson, it must have been because of you."
Clearly, Hughberlian alone could never have passed Ferrat's trial.
Vivian understood Hughberlian, whom she had known since childhood, far too well.
She had originally thought Hughberlian would leave the Artificial Shadow World filled with resentment today. She had never expected the one carried away to be Examiner Ferrat instead.
Then this "elegant young nobleman with black hair and green eyes," who had supposedly speed-cleared the Hidden Flame of Winter, must have done something else that had made everyone's eyes go dark.
"It wasn't one person's victory. It was the result of teamwork."
Lanchi answered modestly and gave the princess a slight bow.
Hughberlian stood to one side without denying it.
Although she knew Lanchi's statement was modest, she had no reason to reveal anything more.
"...I see."
Seeing Lanchi's attitude, Vivian found it difficult to continue pressing him.
Lanchi might have passed the second round through luck and a good performance, but clearing a third round of this difficulty again proved that he unquestionably possessed genuine ability.
If someone like him was also steady and restrained, then as a future Shadow World challenger, he was not to be underestimated. There was no need to bully or offend a talented individual from her own country.
"I advise you to stay away from this Duke Miss of Aransal, Hughberlian. Don't let yourself be bewitched just because she's beautiful."
Vivian merely glanced at Hughberlian and said this as if returning the favor.
Although she was speaking to Hughberlian, it was clearly meant for Lanchi to hear.
Lanchi tilted his head in confusion. He felt that Vivian had misunderstood something.
Examiner Ferrat seemed to have made the same mistake earlier.
Is helping Hughberlian really that unbelievable in their eyes?
He only wanted to pass the examination.
Still, it didn't matter.
Lanchi had the feeling that Vivian's attitude toward Hughberlian wasn't pure malice like Ferrat's, but rather some indescribably complicated emotion.
"Princess Vivian, so in your eyes, Miss Hughberlian is a very beautiful person."
Lanchi bowed to Vivian once more, then said with a smile.
Hughberlian suddenly looked at Lanchi somewhat awkwardly, while Vivian's expression fell into disarray.
"No!"
Vivian denied it somewhat excitedly.
"There's no way Hughberlian and I can reconcile. You don't need to waste your effort trying to mediate."
Hughberlian also wanted to end the topic as quickly as possible, so she spoke firmly from the side.
After hearing this, Lanchi looked at Hughberlian and gave an understanding "Oh."
"Princess Vivian, it seems Miss Hughberlian has still considered reconciling with you even now."
Lanchi smiled gently at Vivian again, as if translating Hughberlian's words for her.
"No!!"
Hughberlian firmly denied it, displaying such an emotional fluctuation only rarely.
Hearing this, Vivian, whose breathing had still been somewhat uneven, wilted like a drooping flower. She pressed her lips together and looked away.
Next,
Lanchi kept smiling, seemingly waiting for the two of them to speak again so that he could relay their thoughts.
But neither Hughberlian nor Vivian said another word.
Before you continue