Dekan's Noble Character (5,000 Words)

"Cough cough."

Dekan coughed twice, then pondered in a deliberately deep voice:

"It seems this Lord of Calamity is more troublesome than I imagined..."

"That's right, meow! That's such a beast!"

Cat Teacher chimed in from the side.

Dekan resisted the urge to flick it on the forehead, looked at Alice, and asked seriously:

"Alice, besides using Astrologer, are there any other ways to confirm the identity of this Lord of Calamity?"

"Hmm... I'm afraid there's no way. The Lord of Calamity's way of doing things is too bizarre. The Kingdom Association can't find a single trace of him, and they can't even be completely sure of his existence."

Alice sighed.

"Tell me what you know, and I won't stand idly by."

"Um..."

Alice nodded.

Then he honestly recounted the intelligence that had been available to Dekan so far.

My father was cursed a few days ago.

This worried Alice greatly.

Fortunately, this Lord of Calamity quickly moved on to cursing other kings.

He cursed each of the Royal Capital, which actually made them less panicked.

But the kings were also more worried.

Because the Lord of Calamity proved with his hand that he could easily curse every king without leaving a trace.

Judging from the route of the curse, after the Lord of Calamity traveled around the northern kingdoms and cursed the kings of each kingdom, he went south, cursed the kings of the Central Nations, and finally set his sights on the kings of the south.

Based on current information, the Lord of Calamity, who can cast curses over extremely long distances, should also possess a high-speed vehicle, such as a high-level bird or beast, or a dragon summon.

While some may doubt that the Lord of Calamity can cast curses that ignore distance, this completely contradicts the theories of modern magic.

Ultimately, based on speculation and calculation, the curse of the Lord of Calamity should have a distance limit; it must have been subject to a strict distance limit to have such a clear curse route.

"Uh-huh."

Dekan listened to Alice's words, stroking his chin with a serious expression and nodding repeatedly.

Fortunately, he had planned the curse path in advance before committing the crime, and calculated a complete set of distance and speed settings, which could create the illusion that the sorcerer was limited by distance as he cast the curse from north to south.

"They come and go without a trace; they're indeed quite difficult to deal with..."

Dekan sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"As expected, even you can't handle an enemy of this caliber...?"

"Yes, I'm not omnipotent either."

Dekan gave a bitter smile.

"Therefore, Dekan, we must have the Astrologer the identity of the Lord of Calamity for us! We absolutely cannot miss this opportunity!"

Alice clenched her fists, her gaze resolute, her tone unusually firm.

"It seems this is the only way. I'll have to sacrifice my travel plans and participate in the competition."

Dekan sighed with some annoyance and said.

That's how it is, meow.

Cat Teacher nodded in agreement.

Even though it was panicking inside, it still tried its best to perform in accordance with Dekan's instructions.

Whenever it saw Dekan's calm and unperturbed demeanor, it felt a little uneasy.

I even wanted to swear.

You fucking think you're a decent person, huh?!

Cat Teacher now deeply regrets why he pestered Dekan for the list of purge plans back in Tristin City.

If it were unaware, it could be happily and completely fooled by Dekan!

Curiosity killed the cat!

"Dekan, I understand you. Who would want to be a contestant if they could be a judge...?"

Seeing Dekan's troubled expression, Alice showed a regretful look.

Clearly, she had also fantasized about how pretentious it would be to sit in the guest section, occasionally offering sharp commentary on the battle and giving professional opinions.

But now, for the greater good, Dekan has no choice but to step in himself.

"Most of the participants in this main event are likely to be at Rank 7, and there might even be some at Rank 8. Dekan, you will be facing opponents continuously and will be subject to disadvantages such as deck counters..."

Alice added.

"No problem, I'll study the competition rules carefully then."

"Well..."

Alice was speechless for a moment.

Although reading the instruction manual is a good habit that most people don't have.

However, after carefully studying the instruction manual, Dekan probably had no intention of doing anything Living World.

"Alice, it is our duty to defend the glory of the kingdom. This time, I will definitely win everything. Leave it to me."

Dekan spoke with righteous indignation, his eyes crystal clear.

He appears to be a noble patriot.

"Yeah! You're definitely the most reliable person in times of crisis! You give me so much peace of mind!"

Hearing Dekan's affirmative reply, Alice finally felt completely relieved.

In an instant, her posture relaxed considerably, and she leaned back on the sofa, reverting to her usual carefree princess self.

"Actually, Dekan, I was quite worried before I came to see you. I was even afraid that the Lord of Calamity would discover my intention to target him, and then I would suddenly encounter his true form on the way... In that case, I probably wouldn't even know how I died, just like in a Terror movie..."

Now that she's relaxed, Alice finally dares to voice the thoughts that had previously made her uneasy.

Cat Teacher: "..."

Dekan: "Indeed, the scariest Terror movies are those where the style suddenly becomes terrifying in an instant."

Alice: "Right, right? It's just like a nightmare, completely illogical! Last time I dreamt about... what was it again... I can't remember right now, but it was pretty Terror. Never mind, I don't want to think about it anymore, hahaha."

Alice smiled innocently, and Dekan laughed too.

He finally began to feel some guilt.

Alice is really a nice person!

We can't persecute her anymore!!

Dekan made a silent vow in his heart.

And so, Dekan and Alice chatted for a little while longer, agreeing to go to the Hero Festival together during the holidays.

Dekan then escorted Alice out of the dormitory.

Dekan stood at the door until he was sure Alice was far away, then finally closed the door.

He walked to the sofa again and lay down, looking somewhat tired.

"Oh no, Cat Teacher, I'm really a villain now."

"... Dekan, you have to win, meow, or we're finished."

Cat Teacher collapsed onto Dekan.

The two of them, one human and one cat, are starting to look a bit like a stunt.

"I have to win this championship, even if I have to use every trick in the book to get the chance to ask the fortune teller's question."

"Good grief! You weren't planning on competing properly, were you, meow!"

"Otherwise, how can I fight against seventh or eighth-tier opponents? Do you really think I have the combat strength of a bishop? I'm afraid even if I advance another tier, my direct combat strength still won't reach the level of a quasi-bishop."

Recently, a trend has emerged from somewhere that many students in the academy have started to argue about combat strength, leading to the emergence of concepts such as quasi-bishop level strength and super-bishop level strength.

For example, Evans, Fahim, and Clay are all of standard bishop-level strength.

It can easily defeat ordinary level 8 opponents, and can even take on multiple opponents at once.

However, according to legend Bishop of End can easily defeat other bishops, which would make him a super-bishop level power.

Dekan's strength is difficult to define, but in terms of achievements, he did participate in the killing of two bishops, so some people call him a quasi-bishop level.

And more and more eighth-tier powerhouses who, though unable to defeat a bishop in a one-on-one fight, could single-handedly restrain a bishop, were beginning to be assessed as having the strength of a quasi-bishop.

For a moment, Dekan felt like he had accidentally wandered into a certain online forum.

"Indeed, meow... but in terms of harm, you are undoubtedly at the level of a super-bishop, meow."

Cat Teacher commented sharply.

"Why are you spouting these concepts all the time...? I feel like even the Resurrection Church doesn't know what a quasi-bishop is..."

"But since you don't seem to be planning to compete seriously, I'm mostly relieved, meow..."

In head-on combat similar to a ring battle, Dekan cannot advance too many levels once his fighting style has been figured out by the world.

Furthermore, routines cannot be used repeatedly.

Even if Dekan develops new sneaky tactics, they can generally only be used once.

If it goes on for several rounds, no amount of dirty tricks Dekan has on the field will be enough.

So they had no choice but to use every dirty trick in the book, both on and off the field.

Aside from Dekan, who stands on the moral high ground, Dekan, who uses any means necessary, is also an exception to this argument.

Make the Cat Teacher feel at ease.

"Speaking of Dekan Meow, if Alice suddenly found out one day that you are the Lord of Calamity, would she be terrified and cry...?"

After relaxing, Cat Teacher suddenly recalled the righteous and noble demeanor that Dekan had portrayed, and also remembered how Alice had trusted Dekan completely just now.

It's a bit hard to imagine how low Alice's sanity would drop if she discovered the truth in a very inappropriate setting.

"No, it's not that bad, it really isn't."

Dekan shook his head.

He still has a conscience.

Her Highness has cried enough.

To scare Alice into fainting again, or perhaps it's more than just fainting.

Even with the all-powerful Mie, it's probably too late to salvage the situation.

"Let's go, don't keep Cornelia waiting."

Dekan lifted the Cat Teacher, put it aside, and then stood up from the sofa and stretched languidly.

However, just as he picked up his books and water glass and prepared to leave the dormitory again...

Before she had taken two steps, she saw Cornelia and Croix in the corridor.

Flora came with them.

Dekan: "What's up? Planning a party at my dorm today?"

Croix: "There's a new seventh-tier Shadow World; we can try matching it."

Cornelia: "If we can successfully match this time, our final exams can be postponed to a special time after the Shadow World ends."

Their priority now is to participate in matchmaking.

The school has always placed the cooperation with the Shadow World challenge as its highest priority.

Dekan nodded, then looked at Flora.

"What, have you finished your final exam review?"

"I'm doomed! If you guys get into the Shadow World this time, who's going to teach me?"

Flora wore a look of despair.

Although she hates studying, she doesn't want to be a role model for failing grades.

Dekan handed her the two books he was holding.

"I've covered the basics of what I need to know. The rest is in these two books. Pay close attention to my annotations, but ultimately, it's up to you."

"I can't help it, "Dekan said helplessly.

None of the artists under his management are easy to manage.

A socially awkward person, a simpleton, and a seemingly easy-going Judith —if she really ends up with Mr. C, then Dekan, as her agent, will have to work a lot more overtime to handle the news.

Flora gratefully accepted the two books, then asked in confusion:

"Hey Dekan, what were you doing just now? How could you be late?"

After receiving the notification via [Ultra-Long Distance Communication Magic], Croix went to the library and found Cornelia.

They waited for Dekan at the library for a while, but to their surprise, Dekan was unusually late.

So I went directly to Dekan's dormitory to find him.

"Sigh, Alice just contacted me, asking me to represent the Norton Kingdom..."

Dekan and his companions went downstairs and headed towards the entrance to the Shadow World Challenge, as he told them what Alice had just talked to him about.

Their team's itinerary is about to change slightly; they will be traveling with the Norton royal delegation.

Flora is here too, so I can go and tell the Idol Group who are traveling with me.

"Lord of Calamity..."

Croix frowned upon hearing this name.

The bad news from Alice clearly worried him.

"Speaking of Croix, do you think it's possible that this Lord of Calamity is actually someone of great status in disguise? After all, it's rare for such a reclusive powerhouse to suddenly appear in this world, isn't it?"

Dekan wanted to take this opportunity to see what everyone was guessing about the identity of the Lord of Calamity.

Whoever is more likely to be misunderstood as the Lord of Calamity, Dekan will then try to find someone to take the blame.

"If I had to choose, I think Bishop of Falsehood Carlos of Illusion is quite possible. After all, he is powerful, his methods are strange and mysterious, and his motives fit the bill."

Croix thought for a moment and quickly stated his deduction.

"It seems great minds think alike; I also think Carlos is highly suspicious."

Dekan stated definitively.

Flora and Cornelia, however, seemed to have no particular interest.

So Dekan prepared to end the conversation.

"I have a feeling... the Lord of Calamity is very good at hiding himself; he might even be someone from within the Kingdom Association!"

Flora suddenly seemed to have a flash of inspiration and said something.

"!"

Although Dekan's expression remained unchanged, he was startled.

Flora, that idiot, has an unusually accurate intuition.

Who do you think it is?

"Dekan asked."

"I bet it's Astrologer Sion! Isn't that surprisingly plausible?"

Flora said with a smug smile.

Dekan: "Shh! You can't say things like that! Idols have to be careful what they say!"

Flora: "Hmm."

Dekan breathed a sigh of relief.

Luckily, this guy is an idiot.

It's best to throw this mudslinging at the Bishop of Falsehood Carlos.

Perfectly arranged.

After reaching a conclusion, Dekan subconsciously glanced at Cornelia was still deep in thought.

She seemed lost in thought, seemingly pondering what Croix and Flora had just said.

But she probably won't have an answer right now.

Cornelia: "..."

However, the moment Dekan's gaze met Cornelia's, the very next second...

Cornelia's eyes showed a mixture of surprise and relief, as if many of her doubts had been resolved in an instant.

Dekan: "!"

Dekan understood in that instant as well.

He can read Cornelia's mind.

Cornelia guessed that he was the Lord of Calamity!

"I also think he's Bishop of Falsehood."

Cornelia said abruptly.

Upon hearing this, Flora clutched her head, feeling as if everyone else was smart and she was the only idiot.

Dekan didn't offer any comment; he simply looked at Cornelia.

Cornelia gazed intently into his eyes.

The two looked at each other for a while, then nodded slightly.

"However, Croix, I feel it's best not to have too high hopes."

Soon, they arrived at the building where the gate to the Shadow World was located.

Dekan was worried that Croix would be disappointed later, so he said this first.

"Actually, I felt we had a pretty good chance this time. The teams that registered all had higher scores than us, and the Kingdom Association automatically assigned them. But the Shadow World didn't open successfully, and we're still short of people. One team just can't get matched."

Croix explained.

"Shadow World who picks its own people? Maybe there's something to it."

This kind of selective Shadow World is rare.

In this situation, the excluded person cannot be matched and the opportunity needs to be passed on to other teams.

Until someone appears who can open the Shadow World.

Of course, not many teams are chosen by the Shadow World.

For example, Dekan and his group were rejected by the ordinary Shadow World last time.

Therefore, the opportunity was passed on to the registered teams with lower scores.

Often, this kind of selective Shadow World is just a team waiting to be selected.

According to the rules set by the Kingdom Association, the Beautiful Soul Squad has ample time to prepare.

If you do not participate in the matching process within the time limit, your opportunity will be postponed.

Of course, they had made preparations long ago.

You can take a trip anytime you want.

They arrived inside the "Gate" building of the Shadow World.

The situation was different this time compared to usual.

Besides Dekan's mentor, Arnold, even the principal and dean will come to see him off in person.

Even if Dekan and his team still don't necessarily succeed in finding a match this time.

However, the significance of a seventh-tier Shadow World is already extraordinary.

It has a distinct feeling of heroes going into battle.

"Let's go."

Dekan waved goodbye to the elders who had always silently helped and tolerated him.

"Dekan, don't let your guard down. The seventh-order Shadow World and the first to sixth-order Shadow World are two different concepts."

Professor Arnold, acting out of a sense of duty, offered some guidance to Dekan.

"Don't worry, Professor, just wait for my report!"

Dekan replied with a smile.

This time, please let Croix write it.

Professor Arnold had intended to say that.

Dekan's report also had some serious flaws, although it was much more restrained than Cornelia's writing style.

Let's forget about it.

As long as they can get through this smoothly, let's just turn a blind eye to everything else.

And so, with them watching, the three giants of a beautiful mind led the cat through the "door".

This time.

They weren't ejected from the Shadow World like last time.

Instead, their figures vanished together into the Void Gate...