Chapter Summaries

After helping Hughberlian settle in with Talia, Lanchi returned to his dormitory to practice making a Magic Card, but his explosive experiments startled Cat Boss out of his shadow. He welcomed the cat and offered to show it around Iketerite Academy the next day.

• Lanchi watched Talia and Hughberlian leave for Talia's place, then returned to his own dormitory to resume card-making practice.
• Lanchi's attempts to create a Magic Card repeatedly caused explosions that shook his workshop and frightened his shadow.
• Cat Boss sprang from Lanchi's shadow and introduced itself as the cat that ran the shop he often visited.
• Lanchi learned that Cat Boss could use Telekinetic Magic and asked why it had followed him.
• Cat Boss claimed it wanted to see Iketerite Academy, and Lanchi invited it to stay and offered to show it around the next day.

Talia cared for Hughberlian through the night, reflecting on her family-like love for her and her inability to understand romantic love. The next morning, Adams headed to the Sage Institute for his planned match with Lanchi, but students’ gossip about Loren and Juliana made him furious at Loren.

• Talia tucked Hughberlian in and promised to protect her during her two-week break while they waited for the assassin to act.
• Hughberlian told Talia that Lanchi had called her powerful and trustworthy, then fell asleep feeling safe beside her.
• Talia considered how she wanted to give Hughberlian family and maternal affection, but could not understand the love Cat Boss had described.
• Adams went to the Sage Institute to discuss his friendly match with Lanchi, which had drawn attention from students and support from the Student Union and Magic Engineering Institute.
• Adams overheard students claim that Loren and Juliana had once been romantically involved, and he grew angry at Loren.

Adams met Lanchi at the Sage Institute to arrange their match and proposed that Dean Loren apologize to Juliana Knight Commander if Adams won. Lanchi accepted the wager on Loren’s behalf, stunning the gathered faculty and students.

• Teacher Theresa led Adams to the Conference Room, where Lanchi was waiting with a Little Black Cat.
• Adams greeted Lanchi and explained that he wanted their match to honor his challenge and help win a victory for Juliana Knight Commander.
• Adams proposed that Loren personally apologize to Juliana Knight Commander in the Yarolan Kingdom if Adams defeated Lanchi.
• Lanchi agreed to make the decision on Loren’s behalf, and the Conference Room erupted in excitement.

Lanchi and Adams arranged a contest over whether Loren would apologize to Juliana or invite her to the Hutton Kingdom. After Lanchi presented the wager to Juliana directly, she agreed, leaving the contest set to proceed.

• Adams challenged Lanchi, who wagered that if he won, Juliana would visit the Hutton Kingdom and spend a day with Loren.
• Adams refused to accept the wager on Juliana’s behalf, so Lanchi suggested contacting her for approval.
• Adams used a magical communication terminal to call Juliana in the Yarolan Kingdom.
• Lanchi explained both possible outcomes of the bet to Juliana, and she agreed before hanging up.
• The teachers and students in the Conference Room cheered after Juliana accepted.

Lanchi accepted Adams's wager, and they agreed to compete in the Tier 2 endless mode of the Artificial Shadow World, Despair Bone-Piercing Cage. As students gathered to watch, a Yarolan student saw Lanchi's upcoming challenge as a chance to target the young lady of the dukedom.

• Lanchi accepted Adams's wager in front of Juliana Knight Commander and let Adams choose the competition.
• Adams chose a Tier 2, no-Magic-Card survival challenge in Despair Bone-Piercing Cage, and Lanchi arranged to meet him at the Seventh Floor Central Courtyard in an hour.
• News of the duel spread across campus, drawing students eager to watch Lanchi face Adams.
• Karen teased Sophia about her closeness to Prince Enoer, and Sophia snapped before apologizing.
• A Yarolan student decided Lanchi's time inside the Artificial Shadow World would be an opportunity to eliminate the young lady of the dukedom.

Lanchi and Adams entered the Artificial Shadow World to settle their bet, while students across campus watched the battle appear on large screens. At Jella Memorial Square, a Yarolan student recognized Lanchi as the Radiant Demon from her nightmares and fainted.

• Theresa asked Lanchi whether he was sure he could defeat Adams, and Lanchi said he would do his best.
• Adams arrived at the seventh-floor central courtyard, and he and Lanchi entered the Void Gate after Theresa activated the terminal.
• The Magic Screen began broadcasting Lanchi and Adams's battle inside the Shadow World, while the Open-Air Mega Screen showed Lanchi standing in a prison cell.
• A Yarolan student recognized Lanchi's appearance and aura as those of the Radiant Demon from her past trauma.
• The Yarolan student searched for her brother, became overwhelmed by the sight of Lanchi on campus screens, and fainted on the Stone Steps of Jella Memorial Square.

Lanchi entered the freezing Despair Bone-Piercing Cage, where he and Adams had to survive and gather information in an endless prison simulation. As spectators debated their chances, both challengers began stockpiling supplies and waiting for nearby prisoners to trade.

• Lanchi found himself shackled in a freezing prison cell and read the rules for the Tier 2 Endless Mode, which sealed his Magic Cards and rank.
• Students from Iketerite Academy helped an unconscious Yarolan student, and medical staff carried her away safely.
• An upperclassman explained that the temperature would keep falling and that Adams had advantages in endurance and experience over Lanchi.
• Mo Dan watched the challenge with a veiled Sage Institute senior, who hoped Lanchi would lose and make Dean Loren suffer.
• Lanchi and Adams both chose to rely on their physical endurance, gather supplies, and wait for neighboring prisoners to initiate trades.

Lanchi and Adams endured a freezing prison in the Shadow World, where Lanchi tried to trick Adams into believing he had surrendered. Adams saw through the ploy, leaving Lanchi struggling to find a way to win before the cold wore him down.

• Lanchi warned Adams that continuing the challenge could damage their friendship, but Adams refused to be swayed and insisted they compete to the end.
• Lanchi said he would let Adams win, then fell silent as though he had exited the Shadow World.
• Adams heard faint sounds from Lanchi's cell, realized the surrender was a trick, and shouted at him for being despicable.
• Students watching the live broadcast recognized Lanchi's attempt to exploit the agreement, while Adams's suspicion made another trick harder.
• The students saw that Adams still had strength to spare and Lanchi was suffering from the cold, leaving Lanchi's next move uncertain.

Lanchi appeared to surrender to Adams in the Shadow World, leaving Adams convinced he was still being manipulated and trapped in the prison alone. Lanchi then revealed that his plan would make Dean Loren apologize to Juliana and set the conditions for Loren to go on a date with her.

• Lanchi threw his supplies out of his cell and told Adams he was leaving, while Adams refused to believe him and steeled himself against further psychological tricks.
• Lanchi disappeared from the Shadow World, making the crowd believe he had surrendered while Adams continued taunting the empty cell.
• Students realized Adams would keep enduring the prison because he believed Lanchi was still playing mind games with him.
• Lanchi emerged from the Artificial Shadow World and told Teacher Theresa that Dean Loren would need to apologize to Juliana Knight Commander.
• Theresa worked out that the apology could fulfill Lanchi's conditions and lead to Juliana being obliged to go on a date with Loren, then hurried away from work.

Phoenix, a Resurrection Cultist serving the Destruction Bishop, waited at Cat Boss Restaurant to ambush Duke Miss Hughberlian. He prepared spells that could make civilians attack her and trigger a destructive explosion, leaving the restaurant and its occupants in mortal danger.

• As rain drove customers into Cat Boss Restaurant, Phoenix arrived and waited while the waitress served him breakfast.
• Phoenix learned that Hughberlian was upstairs and resolved to kill her or endanger her enough to damage relations between the two countries.
• Phoenix revealed that he was a Tier 5 Resurrection Cultist who had awakened from self-hypnosis to carry out the Destruction Bishop's order.
• Phoenix prepared Great Puppet Theater to control civilians and frame Hughberlian for their deaths.
• Phoenix carried Destruction Spark, which would unleash a violent fire explosion if he died, and expected the restaurant's occupants to perish with Hughberlian.

Phoenix ambushed Hughberlian at Cat Boss Restaurant while she was accompanied by Talia, using a magic card to control the diners and attacking with a dagger. Just as he prepared to finish the attack, a pair of golden eyes froze him in terror.

• Phoenix waited at Cat Boss Restaurant for Hughberlian, believing Lanchi and Frei were occupied and that the Poet of Great Love was her only protection.
• Hughberlian and Talia descended the stairs and discussed visiting Iketerite Academy to watch Lanchi duel.
• As Hughberlian and Talia passed his table, Phoenix activated a glowing pink Magic Card, turning the restaurant’s customers into puppets.
• Phoenix hurled a dagger at Hughberlian, but her life-saving card blocked the attack, and the Poet of Great Love was struck as well.
• Phoenix advanced on Hughberlian, but golden pupils fixed on him and left him unable to move.

Talia stopped Phoenix from attacking Hughberlian, subdued him with her magic, and had him taken to the Second Floor Warehouse. After the restaurant returned to normal, Hughberlian admired Talia and asked her to teach her magic, but Talia suggested they eat first.

• Phoenix tried to stab Hughberlian, but Talia seized his sword and pulled Hughberlian to safety.
• Talia cursed Phoenix, forced him to his knees, and knocked him unconscious with Mental Magic.
• Talia's summon dragged Phoenix to the Second Floor Warehouse while Talia told the shop assistant that thunder had frightened everyone.
• Hughberlian praised Talia's spell and asked to learn magic from her.
• Talia agreed to teach Hughberlian but said they should eat first.

Lanchi visited Talia’s warehouse after the Rebirth Church mole was captured and found Hughberlian getting along well with Talia. Hughberlian chose to remain under Talia’s protection while returning to school, and Lanchi arranged for Talia to escort her each day.

• Cat Boss returned to the shop with Lanchi, decided to keep observing him, and had the shop assistant tell him that Talia wanted to see him upstairs.
• Lanchi found Talia and Hughberlian guarding the captured mole and told Hughberlian that he had lost his match against Adams.
• Lanchi suggested Hughberlian move back now that the mole had been caught, but Talia asked her to stay for the rest of their two-week agreement.
• Hughberlian accepted Talia’s offer to keep staying and said she would resume attending school and working for the Student Union.
• Talia agreed to take Hughberlian to school each day, and Lanchi felt relieved that she would be protected.

Lanchi interrogated Phoenix, whom he identified as a Resurrection Cultist, while Phoenix insisted he had been framed. Lanchi brought in the Poet of Great Love to handle Phoenix's ideological education, leaving Hughberlian to record the proceedings.

• Phoenix regained consciousness in a storeroom, bound to a chair and weakened by a curse and mental trauma.
• Phoenix demanded to see a professor and accused Lanchi of violating his rights, but Lanchi read out his background and called him a Resurrection Cultist.
• Phoenix refused to confess and worried that his plan had gone wrong after he arrived in the Hutton Kingdom.
• Lanchi told Phoenix that his guilt was already clear to him, then asked Teacher Lanfu to handle the ideological education.
• The Poet of Great Love revealed herself to Phoenix, who recognized her as the powerful figure who had subdued him.

The Poet of Great Love used Filis’s safety to break Phoenix’s resistance during his interrogation. Phoenix agreed to cooperate, while Lanchi and Hughberlian watched, leaving Hughberlian uneasy about how Phoenix had been reformed.

• The Poet of Great Love told Phoenix that his sister Filis was hospitalized after seeing Lanchi fight Adams and mistaking him for Purgatory Corridor Academy’s principal.
• The Poet of Great Love transformed Lanchi into a Radiant Demon and made Hughberlian reveal her Half-Demon appearance to frighten Phoenix.
• The Poet of Great Love described ways to terrify Filis with demons at the academy, exposing Phoenix’s feigned indifference toward his sister.
• Phoenix broke down and agreed to anything the demons wanted if they would not hurt Filis.
• Lanchi called Phoenix’s change of heart another merit, while Hughberlian silently worried about what Dean Loren would think of their methods.

Lanchi used the Poet of Great Love to pressure Phoenix, then assured him that Iketerite Academy would protect his sister Filis and offered him a chance to reform. Phoenix remained wary of Lanchi but began to hope that accepting his protection could keep Filis safe.

• The Poet of Great Love tormented Phoenix by describing what could happen to Filis, until Lanchi called her back and promised to make her a changeable new appearance.
• Lanchi freed Phoenix from his shackles, gave him tea, and apologized for his summoned creature's aggression.
• Lanchi asked Phoenix whether he would abandon the Rebirth Church, and Phoenix wondered if he had any choice.
• Lanchi promised that Iketerite Academy would protect Filis if she was innocent and urged Phoenix to consider reforming for her sake.
• Phoenix feared and distrusted Lanchi but began to hope that joining his side would secure protection for himself and Filis.

Lanchi persuaded Phoenix to confess and accept prison, promising that Filis would be protected at Iketerite Academy; Phoenix pledged his loyalty to him. Later, Lanchi kept two dangerous spells from Phoenix and gave Hughberlian an encrypted Certificate of Rebirth - Destruction.

• Lanchi explained that Phoenix would face prison but could seek a reduced sentence through confession and good conduct, while Filis could attend Iketerite Academy under Loren’s protection.
• Lanchi promised Filis would not suffer unfair treatment or bullying at the academy, and Phoenix pledged his loyalty to Lanchi.
• Lanchi told Phoenix to keep their conversation secret from everyone, including Loren, and Hughberlian suspected Lanchi had gained another recruit.
• At Talia’s home, Lanchi examined the cards he had obtained from Phoenix and planned to hand Phoenix over to Loren the next morning.
• Lanchi gave the Certificate of Rebirth - Destruction to Hughberlian and kept Great Puppet Theater and Destruction Spark for himself.

Lanchi and Hughberlian assessed the growing threat of war on the Southern Continent and discussed how Hutton Kingdom might fare without Duke Migaiya. They prepared to hide in the Northern Continent during Winter Vacation, hoping the conflict would not erupt before they returned.

• Lanchi warned Hughberlian that the Resurrection Church's bishops and the vampires were preparing actions that could destabilize the Southern Continent.
• Lanchi predicted that Krui Di Empire would invade northward, likely prompting Hutton Kingdom and Yarolan Kingdom to ally while some smaller nations surrendered or stayed neutral.
• Hughberlian lamented that Hutton Kingdom lacked her father, and Lanchi explained that Duke Migaiya had possessed strength comparable to Quasi-Bishop Level.
• Lanchi recalled that his proposed level system had spurred Alchemy Institute students to argue more intensely about powerful figures' strength.
• Lanchi and Hughberlian prepared for their Winter Vacation trip to the Northern Continent, hoping to return before the Southern Continent descended into war.

Loren enjoyed a quiet morning at Iketerite Academy before asking Asina about rumors circulating among the students. He learned they had dubbed him the Saint of Love and believed he was secretly dating Juliana Knight Commander while charming his many fiancées, leaving him stunned.

• Loren arrived at the Sage Institute and reflected on arranging for Karen to observe the Primordial Slab - Wind.
• Asina visited Loren's office and gave him an orderly report on the Student Union and school matters.
• Loren asked Asina about the rumors students had been spreading about him.
• Asina told Loren that students believed he was secretly dating Juliana Knight Commander and winning over his fiancées, and had nicknamed him the Saint of Love.
• Loren nearly spilled his coffee when he heard the latest rumor.

Dean Loren learned that rumors about his past were spreading and rushed to the Seventh Floor Central Courtyard after Juliana asked about Lanchi and Adams's duel. He found Lanchi and Hughberlian speaking with an unfamiliar visiting student from the Yarolan Royal Academy, but the chapter ended before he learned what had happened.

• Loren asked Asina who had spread the rumors and then asked how Lanchi and Adams's duel had gone.
• Juliana called Loren because Adams had not reported the duel's outcome, and she reminded Loren to keep his promise regardless of who won.
• Loren asked Asina where Adams was and hurried toward the Seventh Floor Central Courtyard.
• Loren spotted Lanchi and Hughberlian walking with an unfamiliar Yarolan Royal Academy visiting student near the Sage Institute.