Just a few steps away, Lanchi found Dormitory 101 in the corridor beside the lobby bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
He inserted the key into the lock. With a clear click, the heavy door and barrier opened together, revealing the familiar view of the entrance hall.
"Meow meow meow, you haven't been back for a month and a half, and the place is still this clean?"
Cat Boss looked around in surprise.
The afterglow of the setting sun spilled through the gaps in the curtains onto the various brown wooden furnishings, giving the entire room a soft, cozy atmosphere.
"You can apply for dormitory maintenance at the Student Service Center. If a student is going to a high-tier Shadow World, being gone for anywhere from a month to several months is common. The school regularly sends staff to help clean the dormitories."
Lanchi hung his coat on the rack in the entrance hall and walked through the corridor into the most spacious Living Room.
It was practically the same as a hotel suite. Most upper-year students applied for this service before going to the Shadow World.
He turned on the lights and drew the curtains. The cushions and blankets spread across the sofa were all warm-toned, while an antique floor lamp stood quietly beside it.
Before long, Lanchi had Cat Boss activate the Sound Sealing Barrier and turned on all the Magic Devices in the workshop that blocked detection.
"Meow meow meow, could it be...?"
Cat Boss raised its head from the floor and looked at Lanchi.
In the dim room cut off from the outside world, Lanchi slowly took a delicate, compact stone-carved slab from his pocket.
Intricate ancient incantations were carved across its surface. It seemed to constantly radiate the luster of the Age of