Chapter 7 The Seventh Floor Atrium

The sunlight streamed down from the transparent dome of the seven-story atrium, the silken, delicate light interweaving with the faint shadows in the air. Outside, the darkening sky hinted that the rumble of thunder wouldn't be far off.

Lanchi, still cradling the little black cat, walked the familiar path to the atrium with practiced ease.

Indoor greenery clustered on either side, and artistic decorations and bas-reliefs were scattered here and there, blending seamlessly with the surroundings, adding a touch of humanism to the tranquil top floor of the building.

Although Lanchi was only a first-year student, he had been here several times already. To enter the artificial shadow world, one had to come to the seventh floor of the Learning and Education Building, where I克力忒 (Yikelite) Academy had placed the artificial shadow world activation terminal.

The weather outside was gloomy, but as he approached the atrium, the lights grew brighter, creating an even more comfortable atmosphere.

"Lanchi, you're such a great person, meow!"

Cat Boss rolled over in Lanchi's hands, looking particularly happy and content.

I克力忒 (Yikelite) Academy was not only lively, but it also allowed him to witness his favorite kind of story: matchmaking!

Next, Lanchi only needed to win his bet against Adams fairly and squarely to successfully create the perfect date for Loren and Juliana!

The cat boss would give this young man a perfect score, based on his observations so far.

Cat Boss was becoming more and more satisfied with Lanchi and felt that he and Tata were a good match.

A cold, intellectual older sister and a gentle, intelligent, handsome young man – wow, he couldn't wait to see the sparks fly between them.

Just thinking about it made the little black cat want to twist into a cat-shaped worm.

"Right? There's no one more loving than me."

Lanchi proudly reached out and high-fived the cat.

Although he never sought fame or reward for his good deeds, he still felt a warm glow inside when praised, and it motivated him to do even more good.

He had to show off his skills to Cat Boss today.

Bypassing the marble railings and entering the preparation area for the artificial shadow world, he noticed that many gazes were focused on him.

The most eye-catching figure was Teacher Theresa, who was holding a tablet-like magical device and was in charge of guiding participants at the artificial shadow world activation terminal.

The upperclassmen from the Sage Academy main building's top-floor conference room had all come to the atrium to wait.

Soon, the magic screen in the atrium would also display the scenes from the shadow world in real time.

Teacher Theresa had been in charge of Lanchi's entrance exam.

Now, she stood before Lanchi once again, but Teacher Theresa was no longer smiling so gently; instead, she was filled with nervousness and solemnity.

The prominent "Strictly Prohibit Forced Restart" sign that had been added to the magical equipment behind her was still there.

And Theresa clearly remembered Ferrat, the examiner who had been carried away on a stretcher during the third round of the exam.

"Lanchi, are you sure you can win against Adams?"

Theresa asked anxiously.

In any case, she still hoped that Lanchi could win.

"I'll do my best, don't worry."

Lanchi nodded and replied.

"..."

Hearing this, Theresa felt somewhat relieved.

Although every time she saw Lanchi facing danger or difficulty, she, like the other teachers, had no idea how Lanchi would win.

But after watching him for a long time, they had developed a premonition.

As long as Lanchi looked so calm and collected, he was definitely confident. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made this unauthorized bet.

What if he lost?

Theresa really couldn't imagine how Lanchi would convince Loren to apologize.

If Dean Loren could handle his own love triangle, he would have already gone to Juliana and explained everything.

When it came to matters of the heart, Dean Loren's situation was similar to Lanchi's music classroom: a vicious cycle that couldn't be broken or escaped, and one glance would cause it to explode.

It wasn't long before Adams arrived as promised from the direction of the atrium's main entrance.

In the light, Adams' figure was like a brand new blade, cutting through the enclosed space.

He no longer concealed his powerful aura.

He walked towards Lanchi, his steps steady and forceful.

"Lanchi, are you ready?"

Adams' voice echoed throughout the space, his eyes gleaming as he stared at Lanchi, as if his only purpose in this trip was to make Lanchi accept his defeat!

"Yes, let's begin."

Lanchi nodded and looked at the artificial shadow world activation terminal.

"Good luck, Lanchi. This is a duel that could determine the fate of Dean Loren!"

"The reputation of our Sage Academy rests on you!"

Accompanied by the shouts of the Sage Academy's upperclassmen.

There wasn't much time for further exchanges.

Following the formal procedure.

Lanchi and Adams were soon led by Theresa to the Gate of Void.

"You may begin."

Theresa nervously activated the terminal with the secret key.

The Gate of Void appeared before them in front of the artificial shadow world activation terminal, displaying a countdown timer.

Challengers needed to enter before the preparation time ended.

Lanchi and Adams, both skilled challengers, didn't say much and stepped into the Gate of Void.

The seven-story atrium instantly became incredibly quiet, as if all sounds had been blocked out.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the magic screen.

The screen flickered with brilliant light, opening up a different-dimensional space like a time tunnel, then briefly plunged into darkness.

When it lit up again, it began to broadcast the battle between Lanchi and Adams in the shadow world!

At the same time, in Jella Memorial Square.

It was already drizzling, and many students were wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas, standing on the stone steps to watch the contest.

The outdoor giant screen displayed the scene of a prison cell.

And Lanchi was standing in the cell.

"I always thought Lanchi was suited for the pure prison style."

"You know, if Principal Lan wasn't wearing shackles, I wouldn't be able to tell if he was a prisoner or a warden."

Even though Lanchi was in prison, wearing a prisoner's uniform, he still exuded a gentle and composed temperament.

However.

At the edge of the square, one student from the Arollan Kingdom saw it completely differently.

"...??"

In the shadow world principal's office of the demon academy that had left her with psychological trauma, there was a Radiant Demon who looked exactly the same.

But looks weren't the most important thing.

It was that aura, that faint smile, that she would never mistake, even if he disguised himself as a human!

The moment the Radiant Demon appeared on the outdoor giant screen, looking at him across dimensions made her feel as if the air in the square around her had become several degrees colder.

Her almost short-circuited brain finally began to function again, looking around anxiously, like a drowning person searching for a life-saving straw.

But for some reason, her brother, who had been by her side just now, had disappeared silently.

"What's wrong?"

Her fellow Arollan Royal Academy students noticed that something was wrong with her and began to call out to her with concern.

She wanted to speak, to call out, to ask for help, but she couldn't control her vocal cords. Her vision began to spin, and the sounds in her ears were chaotic and buzzing. She occasionally heard I克力忒 (Yikelite) Academy students mentioning the word "principal."

No matter which direction she looked, the figure of the Radiant Demon surrounded her like a kaleidoscope on the screens of all sizes in the campus.

Was this a dream?

Or reality?

Why was the Radiant Demon who was always in her nightmares appearing in the real world?

And where had her only support, her brother who would always be with her in the Purgatory Corridor Academy, gone?

Accompanied by a thunderclap that boomed in the sky, her weakened legs completely lost their sense of feeling, and she suddenly fainted on the stone steps of Jella Memorial Square!

(End of Chapter)