Dekan's Afternoon Chat
The seemingly long journey away from school has come to an end in the blink of an eye.
Dekan and his friends returned to their usual campus life.
What changes have occurred in campus life?
The biggest change is that the small round table that belonged to them in the library now has four chairs.
Most of the time it's just Dekan and Cornelia.
Croix comes occasionally.
He doesn't have any classes this semester, but he needs to manage the company.
Of course, Croix is quite happy to be the temporary manager right now.
There's a sense of being so happy here that one forgets about school.
In addition.
Since their trip to the Randir Kingdom, Mie has rarely come to read books with them.
Mie always enjoyed reading while sipping afternoon tea, showing no sign of being committed to academic pursuits.
Considering that her grades have consistently been among the best in the Alchemy Academy, Dekan has little to criticize.
Today is quite special.
Everyone actually gathered together.
"Wow, it's already early June, and we haven't even played a single game in the Shadow World yet."
Dekan slumped over the table, looking utterly displeased.
Another half month has passed since they returned to the capital of Norton from the Kingdom of Landil.
They didn't return to campus until mid-May.
Now the semester is almost over.
They passed the assessment smoothly, of course.
Because Dekan's team accomplished a near-impossible feat during the assessment --
Kill one bishop and repel another.
Therefore, an astronomical score was calculated directly.
If it weren't for the initial score cap set in the assessment, they would have directly soared to the top of the seventh-tier squad leaderboard.
However, judging from the current situation, their points are enough to qualify them for any desired Shadow World.
As compensation for the excess points, the Kingdom Association has also granted the Beautiful Soul Squad special permission to be exempt from the Rank 8 team assessment in the future.
Because the task of defeating the bishop is even more difficult than the assessment for an eighth-tier team.
However, their last attempt to enter the seventh-tier Shadow World failed.
The Shadow World prioritized other challengers, leaving them out in the cold.
It's as if the Shadow World is rejecting them.
Or perhaps, the right Shadow World for them hasn't arrived yet.
So they are still waiting.
"It's alright. The school is no longer concerned about whether I can pass the Shadow World exam. The principal has decided that I will graduate with honors and will be hired as a teacher with the highest title."
Croix said with a gentle smile.
Although Croix has never completed the game in the Shadow World.
But at only 20 years old, he has become one of the world's most famous heroes by helping Dekan defeat the bishop twice.
"Dekan still doesn't want you to have any regrets."
Cornelia leaned down, turned her head to look into Dekan's eyes, and then looked at Croix and said.
Cornelia can now occasionally speak a short sentence very fluently.
Besides Croix's guidance, the guidance of their new mentor, Mie, was also invaluable.
"I still hope that, as planned, we can complete the Shadow World together before you graduate."
Dekan was somewhat frustrated.
"The situation where you are rejected by the Shadow World is generally not due to bad luck. Previous research has shown that some people seem to have an inexplicable connection with certain themes in the Shadow World."
"They will be attracted to these Shadow World, but they will also be rejected by other Shadow World."
"And the more people with this trait in the same team, the harder it is to stumble into a suitable Shadow World."
Mie took a sip of black tea, put down his book, and spoke to them.
"..."
Dekan was almost certain that he had a connection with the Holy Kingdom.
Moreover, the story of the Holy Kingdom is also very important to Dekan.
He wanted to sort out those unusual pieces of intelligence.
The reason he rushed to participate in the seventh-tier team assessment two months ago was also due to considerations. If he wanted to understand the subsequent story of the Holy Kingdom, he had to be prepared to challenge the seventh-tier Shadow World.
Because of the war in the northern part of the Holy Kingdom, it should be at least a seventh-tier or higher Shadow World.
Besides Dekan, Croix also possesses a complex personality.
The fact that he received two divine blessings indicates that his destiny is definitely not simple.
Perhaps the answer to Croix's blessing and curse can be found in some Shadow World.
With Dekan and Croix teaming up, high-level Shadow World are already scarce, making it even harder to find suitable high-level Shadow World for them.
"Sigh, there's nothing we can do now. Let's eat first."
Dekan reluctantly propped himself up on the table, preparing to leave.
"Eat, meow!"
Cat Teacher suddenly jumped out of Dekan's shadow and circled around him.
Dekan promised to provide him with food!
"When did you start hiding in my shadow?"
Dekan immediately grabbed the Cat Teacher and pointed at its nose, asking a question.
It's not because of anything else.
He felt as if Cat Teacher was always recording or even spying on his life, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Meow meow meow."
Cat Teacher started playing dumb as usual.
In fact, it has already been caught by Dekan several times.
But this time, Dekan seems to be willing to have a proper talk with it.
Seeing the Cat Teacher's predicament, Mie covered her mouth, which was about to burst into laughter, and said:
"Have you heard? King Laxas VI of the Northern Tomafis Kingdom passed away at noon today."
"Huh? Is that so?"
Dekan turned his head and asked in surprise.
Mie: "Of course, you should be able to see it in tomorrow's paper."
Dekan: "Explain in detail."
Mie's intelligence was sometimes exceptionally accurate.
"I heard it from Alice too, so don't go around spreading rumors. Apparently, Laxas VI suffered three months of inhuman torture, and his body and mind finally couldn't take it anymore, so he died of a serious illness."
"It looks... like!"
Dekan almost shouted "Yay!"
It's been so long!
Laxas VI was finally cursed to death by him!
After three months of unwavering care, Laxus VI has finally been sent to Elysium!
This is the most exciting news Dekan has heard in a long time.
"Great! My top-tier Card Crafter's review process should go much smoother from now on!"
Dekan said something that reflected his current mood and stance.
"To be honest, if I hadn't been following you for the past three months, I would have suspected it was you who did it..."
Mie couldn't help but express his true thoughts.
First, there was the King of Ashuston who was cursed and then assassinated, triggering internal strife; now, there is Laxas VI who suffered bizarre torment and died with resentment.
The mastermind behind this remains at large, with no trace of them.
This inevitably prompts deep reflection.
There are many forces in this world with motives to harm the Northern Nations.
Logically, one shouldn't suspect Dekan.
However, upon closer examination, Mie realized that Dekan did indeed have motives to target the Northern Nations.
The methods of torture used in the Underworld were also very much in line with Dekan's character.
"What utter nonsense are you spouting? My actions over the past three months have been as upright and honest as can be. You can doubt anyone but me, this great hero."
Dekan stood with his hands on his hips, looking dignified and self-assured.
"Really..."
If Dekan had stayed quietly in the Norton Kingdom for the past few months without doing anything...
Some people might genuinely suspect that Dekan secretly left the Norton Kingdom and infiltrated the north to cause trouble.
But it was precisely during this period that Dekan traveled to the Randir Kingdom and accomplished something equally astonishing to all nations.
A perfect and absolute alibi.
On the contrary, there was no suspicion.