Chapter Summaries

High Priest Kaius and the other examiners reviewed the written-test papers and approved several dangerous candidates, including Luo Qi, whose 98-point score reflected his ruthless answers despite his clean record. They confirmed the passing candidates and prepared to begin the formal retest and Final Assessment that afternoon.

• Kaius and the high priests passed the papers of notorious candidates including Poison Sting Walter, Eye Collector Tors, and Blood Throat Jia.
• The examiners discussed Sid’s blank subjective answers and passed her while keeping watch for possible infiltration by the Goddess of Fate Church.
• Kaius presented Luo Qi’s 98-point paper, and the high priests agreed his answers showed unmistakable wickedness despite his ordinary record.
• The examiners found Luo Qi had lost points only for leaving the question about Nirvana Bishop Askesang’s name blank, and they approved his passing.
• Kaius confirmed the written-test candidates and arranged for the formal retest and Final Assessment to begin that afternoon.

Lanchi entered the Nirvana Knight Order’s retest, where examiner Kaius explained that candidates had to prove their loyalty by modifying a statue of the Goddess of Fate. The candidates were left to create works that demonstrated their devotion to the Rebirth Church.

• Lanchi arrived at the Nirvana Knight Order and entered the retest hall while Cat Boss worried about his decision to join the Nirvana Branch.
• Lanchi took a seat among more than twenty dangerous candidates waiting for the retest.
• High priest Kaius arrived and introduced himself as the examiner for the retest and Final Assessment.
• Kaius described how the Goddess of Fate Church had used suspicion and demands for proof against Rebirth Priests, a practice called “Wilfordism.”
• Kaius told the candidates to alter a Goddess of Fate Statue and submit their work so he could judge their loyalty and artistic sensibilities.

Lanchi entered the Rebirth Church’s second assessment, where examinees had to destroy statues of the Goddess of Fate to prove their loyalty and expose suspected spies. As the others began their work, Lanchi calmly picked up a carving knife and started shaping his statue with careful, deliberate strokes.

• Kaius explained that examinees had to destroy a Goddess of Fate statue, using their reactions and finished work to identify suspected clerics of her church.
• An examinee refused to take part and was seized by Heavy Armor Priests and taken away.
• Kaius had priests distribute statues and tools, then began the half-hour assessment.
• The examinees attacked or altered their statues using tools, spells, and other materials.
• Lanchi studied his statue before beginning to carve it with steady, expressive strokes.

Kaius forced the criminal candidates to remake Goddess of Fate statues as a test of loyalty, rejecting some and accepting others. Lanchi’s skillful statue left Kaius unable to decide whether it praised or insulted the goddess.

• Kaius rejected a candidate’s smashed statue as too mild an insult and had the Deep Gray Heavy Armor Cleric drag him away for detention.
• Sid submitted a plain stone cube and Kaius accepted it as a pass, despite growing more suspicious of her.
• Leiduoer, Meat Scraps Graf, Poison Sting Walter, Blood Throat Jia, and Eye Collector Tors submitted grotesque statues that Kaius approved.
• Kaius announced that anyone who failed to finish within ten minutes would be deemed a member of the Goddess of Fate Church.
• Lanchi presented a lifelike statue of the goddess making an inward-facing V-sign with an arrogant expression, leaving Kaius unable to tell whether it was praise or mockery.

Lanchi passed the retest after Kaius accepted his controversial statue of the Goddess of Fate, then left to begin the Final Assessment. That night, Lanchi’s real-name report against Kaius triggered a scandal that cost Kaius his position.

• Kaius judged Lanchi’s statue a passing work and praised him before moving on to the last applicant, who was dragged away after failing.
• Kaius announced that candidates had 24 hours to challenge a priest with a Blue Precious or higher Certificate of Rebirth - Nirvana, using any lawful means and risking death.
• Lanchi and Sid left the hall alone while the other candidates considered cooperating against the priests.
• Lanchi told Cat Boss that the Final Assessment was already over.
• A real-name report accused Kaius of hoarding an artistic statue and secretly serving the Goddess of Fate Church, prompting the Ba Tian Branch and Mourning Branch to condemn the Nirvana Branch and Kaius to be removed from office.

Lanchi and Zestira spent a Saturday studying and talking at a café in Helrom, where he told her he was preparing for the Law Exam. After Zestira asked about his real-name report against a Rebirth Church high priest, Lanchi advised her to use legal reports against anyone who caused trouble.

• Lanchi and Zestira met at a café near Protos Royal Magic Academy, where he tutored her in Demon Magic Text and they chatted about daily life.
• Zestira asked Lanchi how he was finding life in the imperial capital, and he said it felt comfortable rather than foreign.
• Lanchi told Zestira that he was studying for the Law Exam and planned to take it the following month.
• Zestira brought up Lanchi's real-name report against the high priest of the Rebirth Church, which had become a topic of conversation at school.
• Lanchi encouraged Zestira to report anyone who bullied or threatened her, explaining that powerful people often had enemies who would act once given an opening.

Lanchi listened to Zestira explain Protos Royal Magic Academy’s rules and agreed to help her prepare for Monthly Examination Day. As they headed toward the academy, Zestira sensed a non-hostile presence watching them, and Lanchi encouraged her to train her Talent Magic.

• Zestira reflected that the Rebirth Church had not retaliated against Lanchi after he reported them, and that the academy students hostile to her had become more restrained.
• Zestira took Lanchi from the café to show him the school’s Safe Zones before Monthly Examination Day the following week.
• Lanchi planned to use his five weekdays at the academy to help Zestira earn enough credits to observe the Primordial Slab—Light.
• As they walked through Helrom, Zestira sensed something watching them, but concluded it had no malice and reassured Lanchi.
• Lanchi advised Zestira to train her Talent Magic and said it could evolve into Mind Reading, then described his demon teacher’s reluctance to read other people’s thoughts.

Lanchi walked with Zestira through Helrom and discussed her Talent Magic, her studies, and his teacher's teacher. The chapter left him surprised when Zestira revealed she wanted to develop a mind-control ability like Talia's.

• Zestira asked Lanchi about his teacher's teacher, then practiced forcing a smile as he reassured her she could learn in time.
• Lanchi questioned Zestira about the range of her Talent Magic and wondered who had been observing them nearby.
• Zestira told Lanchi that Xiduo, the author of Holy War Chronicles, taught her history course at Protos Royal Magic Academy.
• Lanchi asked to attend Xiduo's class with Zestira the following week, and she agreed.
• Lanchi explained that specializing in range could make Zestira an exceptional enemy detector, but she said she wanted to specialize in mental interference like Talia.

Lanchi realized Zestira’s image of Talia was an invented ideal of a charismatic Demon King, then decided to reshape Talia’s reputation into the Poet of Great Love to inspire the demons and advance his plans. Zestira continued toward Protos Royal Magic Academy with him, quietly keeping her Talent Magic’s growth a secret.

• Lanchi explained how Zestira could develop her Talent Magic by studying Mental Magic and sensing other people’s emotions.
• Zestira described her imagined Talia as a wicked, captivating demon who could control her desires and break enemies through psychological cruelty.
• Lanchi realized Zestira’s Talia was a fantasy and concluded that the demons needed an inspiring leader image before he could rebuild Purgatory Corridor Academy.
• Lanchi planned to establish Talia as the cheerful Poet of Great Love, expecting the real Talia would reject the persona and return to the Southern Continent.
• Zestira walked with Lanchi toward Protos Royal Magic Academy and decided not to tell him that staying near him helped her Talent Magic evolve.

Special Envoy Sander reviewed the Final Assessment candidates and singled out Luo Qi McCarthy and Sid for their unusual abilities. He ordered both sent to the Northwest Province next month to join the Inspection Force under the Nirvana Holy Son, where they would hunt spies and be tested.

• Special Envoy Sander praised Luo Qi McCarthy’s assessment results and set his evaluation aside as an exceptional candidate.
• Sander read Sid’s file, which described how she had openly demolished Senior Priest Kaius’s house and falsely claimed he had ordered it.
• Sander told the senior priests to keep Sid under watch because she was suspected of serving the Goddess of Fate Church.
• Sander explained that Luo Qi was clearly suited to the Nirvana Branch and said Aetherland spies had recently infiltrated the Northwest Province.
• Sander ordered Luo Qi, Sid, and the other newcomers sent next month to the Inspection Force stationed with the Nirvana Holy Son.

Lanchi headed to the Nirvana Knight Order Temple to receive his work assignment, but Sid seized him and carried him to a private hall. There, she revealed that her identity was Sigrid and displayed an orange-radiant holy seal bearing the Silver Moon Crown.

• Lanchi reassured Cat Boss that he had cut ties with the Ba Tian Branch and was focused on his work in the Empire.
• Lanchi noticed Sid walking toward the Nirvana Knight Order but chose not to greet her.
• Sid grabbed Lanchi and carried him at high speed to an ancient, lavish hall.
• Sid introduced herself as Sigrid and showed Lanchi a holy seal with the Silver Moon Crown, glowing with orange radiance.

Ba Tian Sect Sigrid revealed her identity to Lanchi and offered to make him her Direct subordinate after praising his Final Assessment performance. Lanchi hesitated because joining her would end his chance to infiltrate the Nirvana Branch, while Cat Boss urged him to accept out of fear.

• Sigrid told Lanchi that she had infiltrated the Nirvana Branch to recruit its most outstanding talent herself.
• Cat Boss trembled in Lanchi’s shadow, and Sigrid noticed it before Lanchi comforted it.
• Sigrid praised Lanchi’s Final Assessment performance and offered him a position as her Direct subordinate.
• Lanchi asked whether he could join Sigrid and continue infiltrating the Nirvana Branch, but she refused and warned him that the Nirvana Bishop could kill him.
• Cat Boss desperately urged Lanchi to accept Sigrid’s offer as Lanchi considered his choices.

Lanchi agreed to become Sigrid’s adviser in the Ba Tian Branch, accepting a mission to prove his abilities while keeping his own goal of observing the Seal Slab. Sigrid sent him to investigate the Southwest Province’s rising “Pioneer” and bring the figure to her.

• Lanchi asked whether Sigrid would give him authority and trust him, and she promised to let him make decisions if he proved his ability.
• Lanchi formally joined the Ba Tian Branch, and Sigrid warned him not to pursue dangerous ideas about killing the Nirvana Holy Son.
• Lanchi told Sigrid he could not begin her first assignment until the beginning of next month because of his duties at Protos Royal Magic Academy.
• Sigrid gave Lanchi a Direct Subordinate Seal and ordered him to investigate the Southwest Province’s recent changes, identify the “Pioneer,” and bring him to her.

Lanchi demonstrated his influence by contacting High Priest Kane as the Pioneer and revealing that he was now Sigrid’s partner. Sigrid apologized for misjudging him and chose to make him the Ba Tian Holy Son, handing him a Saint Certificate.

• Sigrid summoned a communication terminal, and Lanchi called High Priest Kane of the Southwest Province.
• Kane recognized Lanchi as the Pioneer, and Lanchi told him he was now a partner of the Ba Tian Sect.
• Sigrid told Kane to keep Lanchi’s identity as her man secret, and Kane pledged his loyalty.
• Sigrid apologized to Lanchi, crushed his Rebirth Certificate, and decided to make him the Ba Tian Holy Son.
• Sigrid issued Lanchi a Saint Certificate bearing the name Luo Qi McCarthy.

Lanchi accepted Sigrid’s Certificate of the Saint and became her Holy Son and confidant, gaining broad authority within the Ba Tian Branch. He persuaded Sigrid to accompany him to infiltrate the Nirvana Branch, and she transformed into Sid to pose as a Tier 4 knight.

• Lanchi asked what authority and benefits came with accepting the pink-divine-grade Certificate of the Saint, and Sigrid offered him her full authority as her confidant and proxy.
• Lanchi accepted and bound the Certificate of the Saint, formally becoming Sigrid’s Holy Son, and outlined plans for managing the Pioneer’s reputation.
• Sigrid gave Lanchi a Secret Key to her collection hall and told him to return in five days after handling matters at Protos Royal Magic Academy.
• Lanchi announced that he would continue infiltrating the Nirvana Branch and persuaded Sigrid to accompany him for protection.
• Sigrid transformed into Sid and agreed to pose as a Tier 4 knight, warning Lanchi that she would punish him if he needed rescuing because he had performed poorly.

Lanchi and Sid raced to catch the Underground Mana Rail Train so they would not be late for the Nirvana Branch, and Sid explained why she had a Student Ticket. Sid said she would return to Protos Royal Magic Academy next week to watch Lanchi, leaving him to wonder about her popularity and the protection her presence offered.

• Lanchi and Sid rushed through the Bustling City Area and reached the station just in time to board the departing train.
• Lanchi noticed Sid had used a Student Ticket, and Sid admitted she had occasionally entered Protos Royal Magic Academy while posing as a younger student to search for talent.
• Sid told Lanchi she would return to school next week to watch his performance, and Lanchi accepted that he would take it seriously.
• Sid told Lanchi he no longer needed to practice running because she would protect him, and Lanchi asked whether she was popular before comparing her favorably with unpopular women.

Lanchi and Sid joined the Nirvana Branch and chose to travel north together to investigate Aetherland infiltrators, while Sander mistakenly assumed they planned to sabotage each other. After parting ways, Lanchi brought Cat Boss along and continued toward the Protos Royal Magic Academy.

• Lanchi and Sid arrived just before the meeting began at the Nirvana Knight Order Temple.
• Sander welcomed the new recruits, issued their certificates and rulebooks, and assigned them to investigate Aetherland infiltrators in the northern provinces.
• Lanchi and Sid immediately submitted an itinerary to travel north together, surprising the others and prompting Sander to assume they would betray each other.
• Sid and Lanchi agreed to speak naturally when they met at school the next day, then went their separate ways.
• Cat Boss protested being dragged into Lanchi's schemes, but Lanchi convinced it that staying with him was safer than remaining in the imperial capital.
• Lanchi teased Cat Boss about someone who disguised herself as a girl, and Cat Boss wondered who he meant.

Lanchi spent the morning at Protos Royal Magic Academy before attending a history class, where he met Gloria, a powerful Third Year Student who resented his selection as the Ba Tian Sect’s Holy Son. Gloria questioned why Lord Sid had chosen someone she considered weak and unsuitable for the Ba Tian Branch.

• Lanchi fed grain to the small birds gathered around him in the academy garden, and Zestira watched him before joining him.
• Zestira considered warning Lanchi about upper-year noble students but decided that he was steady enough to manage on his own.
• Lanchi told Zestira he planned to audit Associate Professor Sid’s history class and headed to the school building district.
• Lanchi sat in a second- and third-year history class, waiting for it to begin while reading a book from the library.
• Gloria, a renowned Third Year Student with a powerful physical-combat aura, watched Lanchi and muttered resentfully about Lord Sid choosing him as the Ba Tian Sect’s Holy Son.

At Protos Royal Academy, Lanchi and Gloria attended Sid Arendale’s lecture on modern imperial history, where Sid presented evidence linking the Demon King Army to recent massacres and an impending war. Lanchi suspected the recording’s demons were not what they seemed and worried that a future catastrophe would erase two northern provinces.

• Lanchi recognized Gloria as a Direct subordinate of the Ba Tian Sect and tried to show her goodwill, but Gloria grew more irritated with him.
• Sid Arendale began his Modern Imperial History lecture and explained that political tensions made open debate about the empire’s position dangerous.
• Sid showed a recording of demons massacring a northern town one year earlier and described evidence implicating the Aetherland Kingdom in the attacks.
• Sid explained that the Protos Empire’s conflict with Aetherland seemed likely to become a wider war, despite the uncertainty and political divisions behind it.
• Lanchi recalled that the empire would lose two northern provinces during the future war and wondered what catastrophe could cause such destruction.
• Lanchi told Gloria that the figures in the recording did not seem like demons.

Lanqi challenged the students’ assumptions about demons during a heated class debate and turned Anfeisi’s accusations back on her. The classroom fell quiet when his classmates recognized him as Luo Qi McCarthy, the student who had reported the Nirvana Branch.

• Lanqi argued that the demons shown in the footage might be disguised beings rather than true demons, provoking angry responses from the students.
• Xi Duo tried to calm the class by suggesting they settle the debate with their Demon Race Studies exam, but Anfeisi criticized his neutrality.
• Anfeisi accused Lanqi of pro-demon sympathies and tried to use his connection to Zestira against him.
• Lanqi accused Anfeisi of sowing division within the empire and questioned whether her family had ties to the Aetherland Kingdom.
• A student recognized Lanqi as Luo Qi McCarthy, who had reported the Nirvana Branch, and the students who had attacked him fell silent.