Approaching half past four in the afternoon, the sun had already slanted from its high point, shining obliquely through the tall French windows onto one side of the classroom. The light was richer, carrying a golden hue tinged with orange-red, adding a touch of softness to the room.

The desks, empty chairs, and steps were bathed in dappled light, as if quietly narrating the passage of time.

In the back row of the classroom, only Hyperion and Lan Qi were seated at the spacious wooden table.

Hyperion wondered why Lan Qi was looking at her.

After a moment's thought, she met Lan Qi's gaze, staring into his beautiful, emerald-green eyes. She advised, "Lan Qi, don't interfere in my affairs anymore. There's no need for you to get involved..."

However, Lan Qi remained unmoved, simply blinking his eyes with an undisturbed expression.

"I won't stand by and watch my friend get bullied. Besides, didn't you try to defend me when Mo Dan called me a 'lousy lawyer'?"

Lan Qi smiled. He always returned kindness with kindness.

"Anyway, if you need any legal help, you can find me at Room 101 in the Sage Academy dormitory. Once I pass the bar exam, I can hang a sign beside my dorm door: [Lan Qi Law Firm]."

"..."

Hyperion once again found herself unable to respond.

...

Lan Qi's words were inadvertently overheard by other students.

Although no one approached Lan Qi, who looked too tired to deal with strangers.

Many people were pricking up their ears, curious to hear what Lan Qi and Hyperion would say next.

The Ikerite School's rules were actually quite humane.

Because there were often students with unique skills, such as blacksmiths, sculptors, painters, cooks, pharmacists, card-makers, and so on, their dorms would become as popular as shops, often visited by students from all academies and grades.

The school tacitly approved of this diversified campus social life.

But a law firm...

It seemed that no one had ever heard of that before.

Who the hell would look for a lawyer at school!

This is a magic academy, not a law school!

...

The branches and leaves of the trees on campus swayed gently in the breeze, their shadows dancing on the classroom floor like a silent ballet.

Some students strolled back and forth along the campus paths. Distant laughter and chatter occasionally drifted into the classroom, making time feel both illusory and incredibly real.

In the end.

After much hesitation, Hyperion nodded, accepting Lan Qi's sincere kindness.

"If I can find my father, I will definitely have him treat you with the highest courtesy and invite you to become a consultant for the Alanzar ducal family."

Hyperion's expression was one of solemn promise.

Although it was more likely an empty promise, it represented Hyperion's attitude—

She recognized Lan Qi as a friend, and he was also a friend of the Alanzar family.

And the Alanzar family always repaid their debts!

"A consultant for the ducal family? If that really happens, it would be quite a prestigious title. If my old man knew that I was doing so well in the royal capital, he would probably be shocked speechless..."

Lan Qi smiled upon hearing this. He didn't care whether the promise would be fulfilled, but he was impressed by his new friend.

"Hyperion, even though you always put on a ruthless facade, you are actually surprisingly kind at heart."

"What do you mean?"

Hyperion didn't understand why Lan Qi would say that.

"Because you've never been thinking about inheriting the family, but about finding your father."

Lan Qi explained with a smile.

"..."

After hearing Lan Qi's words, Hyperion's eyes gradually drooped, as if she was sinking into inescapable, sorrowful thoughts, unable to say anything for a long time.

Until a short while later.

"...Father, he will be alright."

Hyperion's expression still didn't seem to change, but her emotions were clearly quite complex.

She risked her life and finally investigated some clues related to her father's disappearance, but they only vaguely pointed to the Kerythe Empire to the south.

She was too weak now.

Not only was she alone and lacking support.

She also couldn't tell who in the royal capital was a friend, an enemy, or an insider.

Going to the Kerythe Empire alone to investigate would only be suicide.

She had to get stronger quickly. Perhaps her father could still be saved, but she had to find him as soon as possible...

But Hyperion would never tell Lan Qi about these things.

She couldn't let Lan Qi get any more involved.

"Have you considered fighting the Shadow World? Let's team up and give the Shadow World a little shock."

Seeing that Hyperion had fallen into silence and hadn't spoken for a long time, Lan Qi finally tentatively asked.

Among the people he knew, Hyperion was undoubtedly the most cooperative teammate.

Not only did they have experience working together, but Hyperion had also been very reliable during their previous battles.

This was precisely why they were able to clear the super-doubled version of the [Infinite Phantom Canyon] that day.

Hyperion's fingers froze on the page of her book. She stared blankly at Lan Qi, her mouth slightly open, as if wanting to say something or as if gasping for fresh air.

"...Do you, want to go with me?"

Finally, she sorted out her thoughts a little and asked in a daze, but she was still trying to understand this sudden news from Lan Qi, this somewhat unrealistic invitation.

"Of course."

Lan Qi's tone was firm and affirmative.

Hyperion lowered her head, staring at the book on the desk, biting her lip, seemingly very conflicted.

The reason why Lan Qi was so friendly to her was because he didn't yet know that she was half-demon.

She didn't know how to confess to Lan Qi.

Even if their friendship at this moment might just be a bubble accompanied by phantoms, which could suddenly burst and dissipate at any time, she still didn't know how to burst it with her own hands.

"You can change your mind at any time."

Hyperion said in a low voice, keeping her eyes down.

This was equivalent to agreeing to Lan Qi's team invitation.

However, she also accepted Lan Qi's unilateral change of heart at any time.

"I knew you'd agree! Why don't we take advantage of the fact that the Demon Engineering Institute hasn't gotten off work yet and challenge the Shadow World? I really can't stand this class anymore. Which bastard added 'Chantless Spellcasting' to the required courses this year? I just can't learn it!"

Lan Qi couldn't help but complain, feeling a throbbing pain in his brain as he thought about the class this morning.

He didn't expect the Sage Academy's courses to be so difficult, or perhaps his magical practical skills were just too poor.

Especially this "Chantless Spellcasting" class, which was tormenting Lan Qi. He clearly saw that the previous syllabus didn't have this required course, but this year it was added due to curriculum reform!

"Today?"

Hyperion murmured in a daze.

She obviously didn't expect Lan Qi to be so enthusiastic about taking action.

This was even more surreal than an impromptu journey, causing her heart to pound wildly in her chest!

For a moment, she didn't know what expression to use or what voice to respond with.

"Yes, right now."

Lan Qi stretched vigorously, as if loosening his muscles.

"Want to come with me?"

When he leaned back in his chair and looked at Hyperion again, an absolutely confident smile appeared on his face.