Lanchi Law Firm

It was nearing 4:30 in the afternoon. The midday sun had already begun to descend, slanting through the tall French windows and casting its rays diagonally across one side of the classroom. The light deepened in color, taking on a golden hue tinged with orange-red, adding a soft warmth to the room.

The tabletops, empty chairs, and steps were bathed in a fading glow, as if silently recounting the passage of time.

In the back row of the classroom, behind the spacious wooden long table, only Hughberlian and Lanchi remained.

Hughberlian didn't know why Lanchi was looking at her.

But after a moment's thought, she met Lanchi's gaze, staring into his beautiful emerald green pupils, and advised,

"Lanchi, don't get involved in my affairs anymore. You don't need to be implicated..."

However, Lanchi heard her words but remained unmoved. He simply blinked, his eyes calm and unperturbed.

"I won't stand by and watch a friend get bullied. Besides, when Mo Dan called me a 'lousy lawyer' earlier, didn't you want to defend me too?"

Lanchi smiled. He always returned kindness with kindness.

"Anyway, if you need any legal help, you can find me at Room 101 in the Sage Institute dormitory building. Once I pass the Law Exam, I can hang a sign outside my dorm door that says [Lanchi Law Firm]."

"..."

Hughberlian was once again speechless, unable to respond.

Lanchi's words were overheard by other students unintentionally.

Although no one came to disturb Lanchi, who clearly looked too tired to deal with strangers, many people were pricking up their ears, paying attention to what else Lanchi and Hughberlian might say.

The school rules at Ikelite School were actually very humane.

Because there were often students with unique skills, such as Blacksmiths, Sculptors, Painters, Chefs, Apothecaries, Card Makers, and so on, their dorms would become as popular as shops, with students from various institutes and grades often visiting after hearing about them.

The school tacitly allowed this kind of diverse campus social life.

But a law firm...

It seemed like no one had ever heard of that before.

Who the hell would look for a lawyer at school?!

This was a magic academy, not a law school!

The leaves of the trees on campus swayed gently in the breeze, their shadows dancing on the classroom floor like a silent performance.

Some students came and went on the campus paths, and distant laughter and conversations occasionally drifted into the classroom, making time feel both illusory and incredibly real.

Ultimately.

After much deliberation, Hughberlian finally nodded and accepted Lanchi's sincere offer.

"If I can find my father, I will definitely have him invite you to be the Duke of Aransal Family's consultant with the highest courtesy."

Hughberlian's expression was one of solemn promise.

Even though it was more likely an empty promise, it represented Hughberlian's attitude—

She recognized Lanchi as a friend, and he was also a friend of the Aransal Family.

And the Aransal Family always repaid kindness!

"Advisor to the Duke's Family? If that really happens, it would be quite a prestigious title. My old man would probably faint if he knew I was doing so well in the Royal Capital..."

Lanchi smiled at the words. He didn't care if the promise would be fulfilled, he just sighed about his new friend,

"Hughberlian, you always put on a cold and heartless facade, but deep down, you're surprisingly kind."

"What do you mean?"

Hughberlian didn't understand why Lanchi would say that.

"Because you've always been thinking about finding your father, not inheriting the family."

Lanchi explained with a smile.

"..."

After hearing Lanchi's words, Hughberlian's eyes gradually lowered, as if she was slowly sinking into sad thoughts that were hard to escape. She couldn't say anything for a long time.

Until a little while later.

"...Father, he'll be fine."

Hughberlian's expression still didn't show much emotion, but her mood had clearly become quite complex.

She risked her life and finally found a few clues related to her father's disappearance, but they only vaguely pointed to the Krui Di Empire in the south.

She was too weak now.

Not only was she alone and powerless.

She also couldn't tell who was friend, foe, or traitor in this Royal Capital.

Going to the Krui Di Empire alone to investigate would only be courting death.

She had to become stronger quickly. Maybe her father could still be saved, but she had to find him as soon as possible...

However, Hughberlian would never tell Lanchi these things.

She absolutely couldn't let Lanchi get involved any deeper.

"Have you considered playing the Shadow World? Let's team up and give the Shadow World a little shock."

Seeing Hughberlian fall silent and not speak for a long time, Lanchi finally asked tentatively.

Among the people he knew now, Hughberlian was undoubtedly the most cooperative teammate.

Not only did they have experience working together, but Hughberlian was also very reliable during their previous battles.

This was also why they were able to clear the super-doubled version of the Infinite Phantom Canyon that day.

Hughberlian's fingers froze on the page. She stared blankly at Lanchi, her mouth slightly open, as if she wanted to say something, or as if she wanted to breathe fresh air.

"...You mean, you want to go play it with me?"

Finally, she sorted out her thoughts a little and asked in a daze, still trying to understand Lanchi's sudden message, this rather unrealistic invitation.

"Of course."

Lanchi's tone was certain and affirmative.

Hughberlian lowered her head, staring at the written document on the table, biting her lip, seemingly very conflicted.

The reason Lanchi was so friendly to her was that he didn't know she was half Demon Race yet.

She didn't know how to open her mouth and confess to Lanchi.

Even if the friendship at this moment might just be a bubble accompanied by a phantom, ready to burst and dissipate at any time, she still didn't know how to pop it herself.

"You can back out anytime."

Hughberlian said in a low voice, keeping her gaze down.

This was equivalent to accepting Lanchi's invitation to team up.

However, she also accepted Lanchi's right to unilaterally back out at any time.

"I knew you'd agree! How about we challenge the Shadow World today while the Magic Engineering Institute hasn't closed yet? I really can't stand this class anymore. Which son of a bitch added 'Silent Casting' to the required courses this year? I can't learn it at all!"

As soon as Lanchi thought of the class this morning, he couldn't help but feel a headache and started complaining.

He hadn't expected the Sage Institute's courses to be so difficult, or perhaps his practical magic talent was simply too poor.

Especially this course, 'Silent Casting', it really tormented Lanchi. He clearly remembered that this required course wasn't in the previous curriculum, but it was added in this year's curriculum reform!

"Today?"

Hughberlian murmured in a daze.

She clearly hadn't expected Lanchi's actions to be so wild.

This was much more surreal than a spontaneous trip, making her heart suddenly pound erratically in her chest!

For a moment, she didn't know what expression to use or what voice to respond with.

"Yes, right now."

Lanchi stretched vigorously, as if loosening his muscles and bones,

"Want to go with me?"

When he leaned back in his chair and looked at Hughberlian again, a look of absolute confidence appeared on his face.