Chapter 1 The Stillness of Night

Night shrouded the Purgatory Corridor Academy, the silence of the school buildings broken only by the occasional sound of the wind.

After Lan Qi took over as headmaster, it only took him an hour to delegate the follow-up handling of the upheaval.

The officers of the Demon King's Special Service Investigation Unit were all sent away, but Lan Qi entrusted them to help repair the damaged buildings of the school.

The school leaders of Purgatory Corridor Academy, though seemingly curious about this exceptionally affable headmaster, didn't ask too many questions due to the late hour and went to rest as instructed.

The hands of the clock were about to point to four in the morning.

Cheerful voices came from the corridor outside the headmaster's office on the top floor.

"This school is just like I remember it. The vice-principal hasn't changed a bit."

The heavy oak door was pushed open, and a group of people walked in, chatting and laughing.

Leading the way was a tall Phantasm Demon male, a nostalgic smile on his lips.

"The moment you opened your mouth, the vice-principal seemed to recognize you a little, but he didn't dare confirm it. After all, last time you were a fake headmaster, and this time you're the real one."

Hyperion acted as Lan Qi's secretary.

Lan Qi's headmaster demeanor was too recognizable.

Among the teachers, she also saw many demons who had left an impression during their first time in the Shadow World.

As soon as they entered the headmaster's office, the air instantly warmed up.

The dim yellow light shone on the deep brown wooden floor, and the Demon Realm rock coal in the marble fireplace was burning quietly, crackling softly.

"Yes, everything here feels familiar and welcoming, as if time has flowed back to the past."

Lan Qi walked to the wide brown wooden table, gently stroking the surface with his fingers, feeling its ancient texture.

"This headmaster's office is really nice, just like I saw in my dream."

After Talia led Xi Gelei into the headmaster's office, she immediately went to the window.

She thought the small round table and armchair by the window were excellent, and the night sky of the Demon Realm outside the window was more brilliant and dazzling than that of the Human Realm, with twinkling stars.

To be honest, she really wanted this room.

She remembered that when she and Lan Qi were making cards together in Flower Capital, she had been affected by the magic power from the final stage of the [Kalierrah's Shadow Weave Codex] and had fallen into a dream, vaguely seeing a similar headmaster's office.

"Kalierrah, I won't get lost."

Xi Gelei, still being led by the hand, said to Kalierrah.

She felt that the Purgatory Corridor Academy, if not directly smashed through the walls, was simply a nightmare.

Earlier, when she followed the Holy Son in the corridor, she inexplicably lost sight of him.

This time, to prevent her from getting lost, Kalierrah personally held her hand tightly and brought her into the headmaster's office.

Only then did Kalierrah feel relieved.

Although Xi Gelei was very grateful for Kalierrah's meticulous care, she always felt like she was being treated like a child, and she couldn't help but feel a little shy.

"Oh, good."

Talia let go of her hand.

She was really worried that Xi Gelei would suddenly disappear again in the corridor.

Unlike Lan Qi, that big-hearted father, she was a very responsible mother.

"Why is there a swimming pool in this headmaster's office? I like it."

The moment Xi Gelei was released, she ran to the far end, gazing at the water.

The pool water on one side of the headmaster's office shone with a soft blue light under the illumination of the lights, like a pure sapphire.

"I told you, this headmaster's office has been renovated by me to be suitable for all ages."

Lan Qi said with a smug sigh.

"..."

Talia and Xi Gelei both looked at Lan Qi at the same time.

They both thought this guy was a bit of a jerk.

The headmaster's office became silent.

A knock came at the door.

"Mr. McCarthy, I have arranged for your luggage to be placed in the school, and the living quarters are in the resting area, which is relatively close to the corridor of the Demon King's Imperial Restaurant. If you need someone to lead the way later, please feel free to contact me."

Lisandra knocked on the door and saluted Lan Qi.

"Okay, Lisandra."

Lan Qi thanked her.

Before Lan Qi could take the room card from Lisandra's hand, he stopped.

Because Hyperion couldn't wait to talk to Lisandra.

Their relationship was very good back in Demon King's City, Nicalis.

Lan Qi no longer sat on his office chair, but walked to the sofa in the resting area of the headmaster's office and leaned against it.

It was no longer office hours, he didn't need to work, and Lisandra didn't need to maintain a working appearance. Now they were all friends.

"Lisandra, thank you!"

Hyperion took Lisandra's hand and said sincerely.

She could hardly imagine how much danger Lisandra had faced these past few days to cooperate with her from within. She might have even been approached by the Profane Lord himself tonight.

Having such a close friend made Hyperion want to stay in this era.

"Princess, it's good that you're safe."

Lisandra breathed a sigh of relief.

Even hiding in the safest headmaster's office in Purgatory Corridor Academy, she could still feel the tremors of the Purgatory Lands outside the school. She was terrified.

Fortunately, it was McCarthy who came back, which meant that McCarthy had won once again.

However.

What really surprised Lisandra was that she saw that supreme Phantasm Demon woman who ruled the Demon Realm again.

"Lord Kalierrah..."

Lisandra looked at the hazy and beautiful figure by the window of the headmaster's office, her heart filled with emotions, not knowing what to say.

"Ahem, cough, yes, I'm back, child."

Talia, feeling a little uncomfortable with the demons being so respectful, regained her dignified demeanor and turned around to answer.

"..."

The cat boss in the shadows poked its head out, looking at Tata.

It felt that Tata had become more and more abstract since she had been with Lan Qi for a long time.

Talia hesitated for a moment, walked to the timid Lisandra, and patted the head of the headmaster's secretary.

"You did a good job, Lisandra."

Talia slowly withdrew her hand.

She wasn't sure if the real Kalierrah would do this, but she felt that this young demon child needed some care.

"Lord Kalierrah...?"

Lisandra, startled, shrank her neck and hugged her head, looking at the Fallen Lord.

Kalierrah, who had always been far away and untouchable, was actually being so kind to her, like a mother.

"I'm no longer the regent of the Demon Realm. You don't have to be so restrained with me. You don't need honorifics."

Talia said very casually.

She had long been accustomed to giving up her status and facing the facts.

There was no need to dwell on the dreams of yesterday, nor to worry too much about the future. What mattered was the present.

"Is that, is that so?"

Lisandra was still a little overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.

She, who had always been exceptionally competent, became a little inarticulate.

"By the way, Lisandra, can I ask you to take care of Tamisa again?"

Hyperion took the small gray cat out of her arms, gently stroking the sleeping gray cat, and handed it to Lisandra.

The crisis had been resolved, and Lisandra had a safe office location near the headmaster's office and a secretary's lounge, which might be more suitable for the solitary Tamisa to rest in peace.

Hyperion realized that she was indeed a terrible mother. She hadn't taken good care of Tamisa along the way. The skillful former court etiquette officer Lisandra would definitely let Tamisa rest well.

"No problem, leave this child to me."

Lisandra took the gray kitten and assured Hyperion,

"You should rest early. I'll take my leave to settle Tamisa."

She didn't plan to stay in the headmaster's office for long, bowed, and left.

The door to the headmaster's office closed.

Only the headmaster and his friends were left.

At this moment, the room was filled with the ease of having overcome danger. All worries were thrown to the winds.

"That was really close. If it were me in the past, I might not have been able to defeat the Profane Lord Merogais."

Xi Gelei clenched her fist, looking at the palm of her hand and said.

Before she was sealed in the Northern Continent, she was probably level 88 according to Lan Qi. Since breaking through the tribulation-like seal, she had reached level 89 that Lan Qi spoke of.

If it were during the day, she and Merogais would probably have a fifty-fifty chance, and it would be hard to say who would win.

"Xi Gelei!"

Hyperion pounced on Xi Gelei and didn't want to let go,

"Thank you for protecting me. You're the best!"

She felt extremely sorry for Xi Gelei's previous injuries. She didn't know what to say to Xi Gelei in the corridor earlier, but now she could finally hug her.

Although Xi Gelei had become bigger, Xi Gelei's cuteness had never changed.

"Hyperion..."

Xi Gelei was stunned to be hugged by Hyperion. The warmth, softness, and the faint fruity fragrance between the girl's hair were all unreservedly in her arms, able to be felt.

She recalled Hyperion's hateful attitude towards her back in the Northern Continent.

Looking at Hyperion's overflowing love at this moment, Xi Gelei realized that her guess was indeed correct—

Hyperion's favorability towards Xi Gelide and Xi Gelei was completely different.

Even though Xi Gelide and Xi Gelei were actually very similar, Hyperion hadn't noticed at all and was super biased towards them.

"I've become so strong. Aren't you afraid of me?"

Xi Gelei asked tentatively.

"You're already so strong. I'm relieved. You must be well."

Hyperion hugged Xi Gelei even tighter.

This Shadow World was probably the last time she would see Xi Gelei.

From now on, she would never see her sister again.

As long as she knew that Xi Gelei could live safely and well in the history of tens of thousands of years ago, Hyperion could say goodbye to her with a joyful heart.

"...Sister...can't you always be with me?"

Xi Gelei asked naively and ignorantly.

Letting Hyperion hug her.

"I...of course I want to be with you forever, never to be separated again..."

Hyperion didn't know how to explain. Her voice became hesitant and mumbled.

"Me too. When we meet next time, can you guarantee that you'll still say that to me?"

Xi Gelei murmured in Hyperion's ear like a dream.

Just like being hugged by Hyperion, it made her feel very at ease.

"Definitely!"

Hyperion said firmly.

Her expression was full of sadness and reluctance.

"Then it's a deal..."

Xi Gelei's voice was natural.

But a sly smile had already appeared on her face.

She was about to lose it, afraid that she would tremble too much and be discovered by Hyperion.

"Xi Gelei, are you cold?"

Hyperion felt Xi Gelei trembling.

"Yes, so can you hold me a little tighter?"

Xi Gelei believed that it was a waste not to take advantage of the situation.

When Hyperion saw her in the real world in the future, she would never be so affectionate with her again.

Back then, she wanted Hyperion to be a saintess, but Hyperion ignored her.

Now, with a little trick, she could make Hyperion take the initiative to hug her.

"Okay."

Hyperion really did as Xi Gelei wished and hugged her even tighter.

"Can you say that you love me the most, sister?"

Xi Gelei sincerely requested, murmuring in Hyperion's ear.

"I love you the most. How can you be so cute, my Xi Gelei."

Hyperion was about to turn into a caterpillar, treating Xi Gelei as her large-sized pillow, reluctant to let go.

Clearly, Xi Gelei hadn't acted spoiled to her much when she was a child.

Now that she had grown up, Xi Gelei had become even more clingy to her.

"Sigh, you two."

Talia looked at Hyperion and Xi Gelei, who seemed to be sucked together like magnets as soon as they met, with her hands on her hips.

She could feel their happiness even through the air.

Even if they were biological sisters, they probably wouldn't be as loving as the two of them.

But seeing Hyperion and Xi Gelei getting along so well, Talia also felt healed.

Hyperion and Xi Gelei's eyes followed the sound and looked towards the gray-haired Phantasm Demon girl by the French window.

The two of them let go and pounced towards her.

"Kalierrah!"

Hyperion purely missed her too much.

Xi Gelei, on the other hand, was following the atmosphere, unable to stop her playful heart.

"I thought I would never see you again. You said you wouldn't abandon me and would always assist me."

Hyperion's voice was choked with sobs, and all the grievances burst out at this moment.

The moment she heard the Profane Lord Merogais say that Kalierrah had died in Demon King's City, she felt an unbearable heartache. The moment she saw Kalierrah again, her first reaction was whether she had fallen into the Fallen's Gentle Town.

Only when she was sure that Kalierrah was real did Hyperion feel a steady happiness.

"Hyperion, I will always be with you."

Talia stroked Hyperion's long hair, closing her eyes with mixed feelings.

She also didn't forget to pat Xi Gelei on the back at the same time.

Having these two beloved daughters, she felt that her demon life was too perfect.

Now that her real-world sister had also been found, if she could also remove the poisonous fire from her sister's body, quell the disasters in the Southern Continent, and return to the peaceful life of Iklit, she might really have no other requests.

The only pity was that in the real world, she only had Hyperion, not Xi Gelei.

But Talia was very relieved. The words "unable to be complete" filled her demon life from beginning to end. Sometimes accepting this incompleteness, accepting the fact that there was always give and take, could broaden her mind. This was also a kind of completeness.

"Good, that's great."

Lan Qi clapped his hands straight while leaning on the sofa.

Nothing was more beautiful than this scene.

He was also moved.

Even the portrait of the Goddess of Fate on the wall seemed to be smiling.

"Lan Qi, stop smiling. I'm a little scared, meow."

The cat boss poked its head out and looked around, tugging at his trouser legs.

It always felt that something was a little scary, but it couldn't say what it was, and Lan Qi didn't notice it at all.

It was said that boys who loved to laugh wouldn't have too bad luck.

Believe in Lan Qi.

The clock ticked.

Hyperion and Talia chatted by the window for a long time before they reluctantly realized that it was time to separate.

"Ugh, I'm going to sleep."

Xi Gelei rubbed her eyes sleepily.

She felt that Lan Qi might still want to chat with Hyperion about matters related to the Shadow World.

Everyone else regarded her as a native of the Shadow World projection.

If she was there, they wouldn't be able to discuss the Shadow World.

Anyway, her work in this Shadow World should be over. The strongest opponent had also been defeated. All that was left was for her to play and have fun with Hyperion and Kalierrah in the Purgatory Corridor Academy.

"I'm going to rest too."

Talia also looked towards the door of the headmaster's office.

In order not to make Hyperion sad, and to give Hyperion a complete Shadow World memory, Talia had played the role of Kalierrah.

Kalierrah was definitely not a Challenger, so she should also avoid the topic of the Shadow World.

"Together?"

Xi Gelei's eyes, which were originally filled with sleepiness, lit up.

Along the way, she and Kalierrah had warmed each other on the sled, but when they arrived at the city-state, Xi Gelei rested alone, while Kalierrah stayed in the kitchen, energetically cooking. Sometimes, she would disappear as if out of thin air.

These were the last few days to be with Kalierrah.

"Uh..."

Talia's original intention was to find a place to cancel the summoning state.

But Xi Gelei seemed to want her mother to accompany her.

And indeed, Xi Gelei needed her to take her back to her residence, otherwise she would get lost in the corridor again.

Even if she could let Lisandra guide Xi Gelei around the Purgatory Corridor Academy, she was too embarrassed to always ask Miss Lisandra for help. She still had a lot of work on her shoulders, being the busiest demon other than the headmaster.

"What to do, Lan Qi? Do you still have enough magic power?"

Talia asked Lan Qi in her heart.

"If you don't make any big moves, I can still maintain your summoning for the time being."

Lan Qi responded.

As long as Xi Gelei was happy.

Tonight's decisive battle had even produced the MVP.

Of course, he had to agree to her request to have an eight-hundred-year-old vintage wine. She deserved a reward.

"Well, then I'll go take care of Xi Gelei. You take care of Hyperion!"

Talia transmitted mentally, too lazy to be angry with Lan Qi, happily opened the door of the headmaster's office, and nodded to Xi Gelei at the same time.

"Xi Gelei, want to have some midnight snack? Let's eat something before we sleep."

Talia suggested.

She had just heard Lisandra say that the Demon King's Imperial Restaurant was very close to the arranged residence.

Having seen the Demon King's Imperial Restaurant in the recording of Lan Qi's first Shadow World, Talia had missed it for a long time. She thought she would never have the chance to see the authentic Demon King's Imperial Restaurant in her life, but she had the opportunity to eat it as soon as she came to the Shadow World.

"Perfect. You're the one who knows how to enjoy life, Kalierrah."

Xi Gelei couldn't wait to follow, catching up with the gray-haired demon girl,

"See you tomorrow~"

She didn't forget to give Lan Qi and Hyperion a flying kiss each as she disappeared at the door of the headmaster's office.

"See you tomorrow..."

Hyperion hesitated to raise her hand, looking at the automatically closing door of the headmaster's office.

She always felt that something about Kalierrah had changed.

Strictly speaking, Kalierrah was still Kalierrah. The general direction hadn't changed, but she always had a bit of a brand new flavor.