Lanchi's Pleasant Day

The two continued walking up the stairs, inadvertently having rounded layer after layer of winding long steps.

After listening to Hughberlian, Lanchi fell into thought.

Now, because of the Poet of Great Love, he was burdened with card debt.

Although this card was worth any amount of money to him.

But Lanchi also didn't forget that his original purpose for coming to the Royal Capital was to get rich as soon as possible.

If he could become a little stronger and accumulate some connections, then no matter who the potential enemy threatening his Wilford Merchant Guild was, Lanchi wouldn't be too afraid.

The judge would use invincible law to judge everything.

And to gain the favor of powerful forces and strong individuals, besides becoming a renowned Card Maker, achieving outstanding results in challenging the Shadow World was also a path.

Currently, it seemed that wanting to make money quickly in a short time solely through card making, he was afraid he would die of exhaustion in the card making workshop.

As for selling paintings... Lanchi wasn't sure if selling his paintings on a large scale before he became strong enough would attract unpredictable trouble.

If his paintings were too valuable, and he himself was weak, then it might be a very terrifying thing, and he might be targeted by unpleasant individuals.

So unless he was really short of money, he wouldn't consider selling paintings easily for the time being, and even if he did, he wouldn't sell them under his real name.

From this perspective.

While studying card making, improving his Tier as much as possible to become a high-Tier Card Maker was the long-term plan for getting rich.

High-intensity practice of card making could slowly train his Mental power, thereby promoting the breakthrough of his Tier, but it was indeed too slow.

The fastest way to improve his Tier was also to challenge the Shadow World—

After successfully clearing a real Shadow World, he could obtain the corresponding Tier enhancement effect!

Therefore, many Card Makers would choose to become "Battlefield Card Makers" to grind in the Shadow World for promotion.

This was an auxiliary combat profession transformed from a manufacturing profession.

Since challengers would obtain a new identity and situation in the Shadow World, they could not carry any items, potions, or other objects when entering and leaving the Shadow World. They could only carry Magic Cards bound to their soul and stored in their soul space back and forth.

Battlefield Card Makers would bring a Portable Card Making Tool kit in the form of an Equipment Card into the Shadow World, and then they could create targeted Magic Cards for their teammates in real-time according to the situation in the Shadow World!

With this kind of support in the team, they could even bring back some materials that originally couldn't be taken out of the Shadow World by "making them into Magic Cards and then soul-binding them" to the real world, thereby increasing the team's clearance rewards.

Therefore, in many cases, even if the Battlefield Card Maker was indeed a freeloader, many powerful teams were willing to bring along a tool person who could increase the entire team's rewards.

Lanchi certainly also possessed some potential for the Battlefield Card Maker profession.

But with his current unstable card making skills, he was far from being able to serve as a Battlefield Card Maker.

It could only be said that having more skills doesn't hurt.

While Lanchi was silent, Hughberlian spoke again from the side:

"Every year, candidates who achieve particularly excellent results in the Entrance Examination may be exempted from the Registered Challenger Qualification Exam. If there are no surprises, you will receive a notification after school starts, and then you can complete the procedures and challenge the real Shadow World."

The structure of the Entrance Examination itself was similar to the official registration exam.

If a student could pass with an absolutely high score, Iketerite Academy, as a certified partner institution of the association, would also apply for exam exemption for the student with the association.

Meanwhile, other new students would have to spend a considerable amount of time taking the Registered Challenger Exam held by the Southern Continent Shadow World Management Association before they could challenge a real Shadow World for the first time.

Hughberlian was quite certain that with Lanchi's performance level, there was no reason he wouldn't get an exemption.

As for teammates... Lanchi didn't need to worry either. There should be many upperclassmen and teams from various departments who would actively approach Lanchi.

"Oh, I see. Thank you, Hughberlian."

Lanchi quickly thanked her upon hearing this.

As expected of a great noble from the Royal Capital.

She knew everything clearly, even things not written in the detailed admission information.

"It's nothing."

Hughberlian just looked ahead at the steps and nodded slightly.

Hughberlian's reminder just now had significantly brightened Lanchi's mood.

Since there was a possibility of not having to take the registration exam at the Southern Continent Shadow World Management Association, if things went smoothly, he could directly become an Iron Tier Registered Challenger after completing the procedures.

According to what Lanchi had heard back in his hometown, the South Wantina Border Territory, the Southern Continent Association recognized seven tiers of challengers. After each successful challenge, the association would record or promote based on the level of contribution. The higher the tier reached, the greater the corresponding benefits, privileges, and status.

Starting from the lowest Iron Tier, the subsequent tiers were Bronze Tier, Silver Tier, Gold Tier, Platinum Tier, Magic Crystal Tier, and Hero Tier.

Setting aside the beginner Iron Tier and Bronze Tier, those who could generally reach the third tier, Silver Tier, were already quite experienced Shadow World veterans and the backbone of this world's efforts to conquer Shadow Worlds.

If one reached the fourth tier, Gold Tier, they would possess prominent social status no matter where they were!

Starting from Platinum Tier, even if they traveled to other continents, they would be recognized by related associations with different systems, truly becoming super powerhouses with world-renowned prestige.

After the two practical sessions during the Entrance Examination, Lanchi found that he seemed to have some good potential as a Shadow World challenger.

He was already eager to start his challenger career.

"Do you know what tier students at this school can reach?"

Lanchi asked curiously.

"It's quite impressive if Iketerite students can reach Gold Tier. As for Platinum Tier... only those in the fourth year and the fixed-term program have reached it."

Hughberlian thought for a moment and replied with some difficulty,

"People like that actually have no need to stay at the academy anymore. They can leave at any time."

If she could also reach that tier, even without her father's protection or the status of a ducal family, she wouldn't fear those who wanted to harm her.

Unfortunately, she didn't think that with her talent, she could reach that step like the few monsters at the top of the academy.

"Fixed-term program?"

Lanchi turned his head to look at Hughberlian in confusion.

He understood the fourth year, but he didn't know that this academy also had "fixed-term" students.

"Generally speaking, students can apply for graduation in their third year and will also be awarded a good amount of challenger points or be recommended for employment at major associations."

"Every year, a few exceptionally outstanding students choose to follow their preferred senior professors at the academy for additional years of research. They might stay at the school for several years. These are collectively referred to as 'fourth-year students'."

"'Part-time' refers to a small number of challengers who already have extensive experience challenging the Shadow World, and are studying part-time at our school. We are essentially 'full-time' students."

Hughberlian patiently explained to Lanchi.

Unconsciously, they had reached the last step of the long staircase while talking.

"So that's how it is. Thank you for explaining!"

Lanchi smiled and thanked Hughberlian, who had answered all his questions.

They walked only a few more steps forward.

What came into view was a huge, hollowed-out glass curtain wall, offering a full view of the entire campus, including the flowering trees, buildings, and lawns. Everything was beautiful.

And at the split-level platform suspended in the air before them, the path also branched.

"See you when school starts. I need to go over there to find a friend of mine."

Lanchi stopped, pointed towards the terrace, and said goodbye to Hughberlian.

He was going to the terrace area connected to the first floor to find Talia, the Demon Race master artisan who was waiting for him.

Compared to Talia, who never spoke more than ten words in a sentence, having a normal conversation with Hughberlian made Lanchi feel much more comfortable. As expected, a woman who is several hundred years old and still unmarried likely has some personal issues.

"Goodbye."

Hughberlian nodded in response.

Their shadows crossed, and they walked in two different directions.

Three days later, early morning.

The Krui Di Empire, south of the Hutton Kingdom.

Due to the continuous mountain range separating the two countries, even transporting large quantities of goods from the southern border of the Hutton Kingdom to the northern border of the Krui Di Empire would be more convenient by going around to the east and taking a merchant ship by sea.

Many cities in the northern part of the Krui Di Empire were built on mountainous terrain. The towering buildings and undulating landscape coexisted, and one could even see classical architecture surrounded by blue skies and white clouds.

Granvilleverly City, a major city in the northern border territory of the Krui Di Empire, and also one of the most prosperous cities in the north. To its north were mountains reaching into the clouds, and to its east was the sea, with a constant stream of ships at the docks.

The upper stratum of Granvilleverly City in the northern border was built suspended between several intersecting mountain peaks. The buildings were mostly in a classical style of dark gray or off-white. The climate was warm and bright, the air filled with the scent of flowers and deep music. The streets were wide and clean, and everywhere were merchants in fine clothes, knights, and priests.

At this moment, within this city-state, on the fourth floor of a building named "Wilford Merchant Guild," in the office with the chairman's office plaque on the door.

A middle-aged man sat in a comfortable armchair behind his desk. He put on his glasses and began to read the Hutton Times from two days ago.

He was the chairman of the Wilford Merchant Guild, and also Lanchi's father - Noe Wilford.

Since the Wilford Merchant Guild had important trade channels between the two countries, newspapers published throughout the Hutton Kingdom were not difficult to obtain. However, there might be a delay of two or three days, and sometimes it was not unusual for there to be a delay of seven or eight days if they didn't encounter a circulating merchant ship.

"Let me see what news there is recently."

Noe leisurely browsed the Hutton Kingdom newspaper he had just received.

He didn't read it every day, but occasionally, after finishing his work and having some free time, he would get the latest Hutton newspaper from an employee and read the news.

[A young man from the Holy Teaching and Research Society, kicked out of his team by his companions, became a love expert in a fit of anger and took down all of his companions' mothers. When his companions, filled with regret, were preparing to line up and apologize, he chose to turn around and send their mothers to prison, citing that he was a minor.]

[A man in the South Wantina Border Territory, resentful of his boss due to overtime, and also knowing that his boss was allergic to healing potions, beat his boss with hands covered in healing potion. In the end, it did not cause his boss to have an allergic reaction but instead severely injured him. After a month of detention, the man sued the potion manufacturer upon his release from prison, claiming they produced fake and shoddy healing potions. The man has currently received 650 Pounds in compensation from the manufacturer.]

Noe turned the page, shaking his head while trying to keep his lips from twitching.

The Hutton Kingdom was a place of outstanding people and rich resources.

Sometimes, laws were frequently amended because there were no such laws or regulations before, and they needed to be added based on new and bizarre criminal cases.

In some cases, the Hutton Times was even more entertaining than a collection of jokes.

Just like that, Noe flipped through the newspaper, enjoying his rare leisure time.

On the wall of the chairman's office hung exquisite oil paintings and embroideries, the floor was covered with soft carpets, and outside the window, one could see the beautiful view of the sea of clouds, making Noe feel particularly comfortable while stealing a moment of leisure from his busy schedule.

Soon, he found a report about Iketerite in the Royal Capital—

[A serious accident occurred during the annual Iketerite Magic Academy - Sage Institute Entrance Examination...]

[Examiner Viscount Ferrat Chavenson has been rescued and is out of danger.]

[It is evident that artificial Shadow Worlds still require numerous safety improvements.]

"I wonder what unlucky student could have severely injured the examiner. It's truly a sin for any family to raise such a person."

Noe chuckled gleefully and sighed.

It was good that his son, Lanchi, was a bit mediocre. At least he wouldn't cause such accidents.

Communication magic was expensive, and cross-country communication magic required permits and multiple relay stations. Unless it was an urgent matter, Noe rarely contacted his home in the South Wantina Territory of the Hutton Kingdom.

Noe didn't need to ask whether Lanchi had passed the exam.

Naturally, he had failed miserably in the Alchemy Institute's entrance examination and returned home.

Noe had already instructed his butler, Hans, that once Lanchi returned home dejected, he was to cut off his financial support and let this good-for-nothing idiot suffer a little!

He would see if Lanchi had grown even a little when he returned to the South Wantina Territory next time.

Continuing to read, the news report was not yet finished.

[During the examination, the Artificial Shadow World Activation Terminal also experienced a malfunction, suspected to be caused by abnormal operation by a candidate. According to an interview with Professor Bora Ao of the Iketerite Academy - Magic Engineering Institute, he stated that this repair has caused the Magic Engineering Institute a loss of at least 8,000 Pounds in Southern Kingdom Allied Currency...]

On the image surrounded by the newspaper text was a handsome old Magic Artisan with gritted teeth.

Although he seemed to be suppressing his anger in front of the camera, the look in his eyes, wanting to kill someone, could not be hidden.

[...Reported by our reporter Lu Weixier.]

Finally, it ended here.

Noe shook his head and closed the newspaper.

"Heh, what a talent. To be able to break the examination terminal, if the Magic Engineering Institute demands compensation, their family will likely be in trouble."

After reading today's Hutton jokes, Noe felt completely satisfied.

He hoped there would be more explosive news next time.

PS: Today's two chapters are published together. And Lanchi's first real Shadow World challenge that will shock the entire Royal Capital is about to begin!