Under the cover of night, the Helrom Broadcasting Company building stood beneath a massive screen radiating white light, its glow reflecting the bustle on the ground into the sky.
The audiovisual footage playing on the screen showed a street interview not far from the building, but the scene was suddenly taken over by Luo Qi McCarthy as he stepped into the frame.
His words were clear and forceful. As he spoke, his gaze slowly swept across the surrounding crowd, as though silently telling everyone that they needed more patience and understanding.
The people around them exchanged increasingly uneasy glances. Their initial dissatisfaction and hostility melted away under his words, and they began to voice their agreement.
"Mr. McCarthy is right."
"We may have been too impulsive."
"I'm truly sorry. I told you the students of Protos Royal Magic Academy couldn't possibly oppose Luo Qi McCarthy."
Apologetic murmurs began to spread through the crowd. A chaotic chorus tried to explain themselves to him and the two girls. Some voices carried realization, others concern. A few sentences and a handful of sincere explanations expressed their misunderstanding and guilt.
The atmosphere relaxed, and everyone became remarkably cooperative.
"All right, it's fine now. Hurry back to school."
After resolving the issue, he turned to the two girls who had originally been trapped in the crowd behind him and spoke to them with the concern of an elder and the responsibility of a leader.
After exchanging a few brief words with the reporter, Lanchi said goodbye and prepared to leave this agitated place, now calm once more, and return to his own school. He still had official business to attend to, and this week might be the busiest and most fulfilling week of his life.
Just as he turned around and took his first step,