The next day.
In the clear morning sun, a line of magi-powered rail trains roared into Ikerite Central Station.
This station, whose roof was built with russet-red bricks and stone, is the transportation hub of the entire Hedon Kingdom. It blends classical and modern styles, with towering arched ceilings, marble pillars, murals, and stained-glass windows that leave a deep impression on first-time visitors.
Until the mechanical giant on the platform level came to a steady stop—after the broadcast voice passed for more than ten seconds—the doors of every carriage opened.
Compared to ordinary travelers, what came out from the luxurious first-class carriages was a group of students, outwardly young but carrying a calm and deep temperament.
They walked through the station hall, bypassing the bustling crowds and the tourists hesitating in Hedon specialty shops.
They drew much attention in the station hall. Many people’s gazes in the crowd were attracted to them.
Aside from the professor leading the team, the young men and women all wore neatly tailored suit jackets. On their ties was embroidered the crest of the Yaloran Royal Academy—a red flame upon a black checkerboard. The double-breasted jackets with peaked lapels had no epaulets or military sleeve-flowers like dress uniforms. Instead, colored edge trims at cuffs, hem, and pockets denoted year and faculty.
On these students, Ikerite travelers saw both the vigor and confidence unique to young geniuses, and the maturity and steadiness of strong individuals.
The academic delegation of the Yaloran Kingdom had about twenty people. Among them, a few third-year students were especially formidable—already extremely strong combat power in the present world itself.Compared to Ikerite Academy, which is comprehensive, the Yaloran Royal Academy emphasizes actual combat both in the present world and in the Shadow World, mainly excelling at cultivating combat professions.
By contrast, scholars and magi-engineers were not as baLan Qid as in Ikerite Academy.
In past years, the Yaloran visiting team would bring many potential support-type students here to the Alchemy and Magi-Engineering faculties.
But this year was different: they mainly brought battle-specialist students, carrying an air of “coming to challenge.”
One reason was that Juliana, captain of the Yaloran Kingdom Knights, had a very bad relationship with Loren, dean of Ikerite Academy’s Sage Institute.
The other reason was that Yaloran’s weak Magi-Engineering faculty had finally recruited a rare genius—just entering second year and already certified as a Gold-rank Registered Cardmaster by the South Continent Association.
Even at Ikerite Academy, no second-year had reached Gold rank; even among third-years, Gold-rank Cardmasters were very few.
So this visit carried a strong sense of showing off.
Overall, the two academies had long enjoyed good relations. Only in recent years, with leadership changes, had rivalry gradually appeared.
“Since Duke Migaya, the Hedon Kingdom has never again produced such a brilliant genius Cardmaster.”
“Who knows if Duke Migaya vanished or defected? There were gossip reports saying the Resurrection Church’s mysterious Night Bishop is Duke Migaya. Though long treated as a joke, it’s looking more and more like truth.”
“Don’t say such things in another country.”
“It’s fine. I heard Ikerite Academy’s style is to ‘not be human’—they mock their own people harsher than outsiders.”
The students in the team chatted.
From the platform level they came to the concourse level of Ikerite Central Station, greeted by Ikerite’s fresh air and blazing sunlight.
“So this is Ikerite?”
The tall youth in front had neat, clipped hair; the morning sun shone from above, making his tips sparkle. His eyes were clear and bright, like stars.
“As Lady Juliana’s sword, I will properly seek instruction from Dean Loren’s finest students.”
The cheerful youth looked very confident, his purpose very clear.
He was indeed strong—when he fought the Rotten Son, he only narrowly lost.
Juliana, captain of Yaloran’s Knights, had as nemesis the Rotten Bishop Famer.
And Loren, High Priest of the Goddess of Fate, had as nemesis the Destruction Bishop Ivanos.
So far, many clergy of the Goddess of Fate Church had died at the hands of the Destruction Saintess. Yet Loren had never cultivated a young one capable of resisting her.
Overly indecisive, soft-hearted, unable to be stern—Loren was simply a failed educator.
Not everyone had Loren’s monster-like talent. Under his Buddhist-style gentle teaching, even good seedlings would be spoiled.
He could only stay at school fishing for hollow honors.
In education alone, Juliana had already defeated Loren many times.
The youth thought.
“But Junior Sister Karen, don’t worry. I know my limits, and won’t put Dean Loren in a difficult spot.”
The youth turned back, speaking to the light-haired, green-eyed, pleasant-mannered girl walking behind.
“If possible, I hope Senior Adams you won’t start any fights. Though I know you act for Lady Juliana, I… just don’t want you hurt.”
This “Karen,” also in the Yaloran team, was that rare genius Magi-Engineer who, in her second year, already became a Gold-rank Cardmaster. Her gaze was radiant and innocent; her voice soft.
Immediately, the surrounding students let out exclamations. Regardless of gender, their hearts melted.
“Sorry… Junior Sister Karen.”
“Karen is really too gentle.”
“An angel descended to earth.”
Hearing their voices—
Karen still smiled.
But in her heart she cursed:
Idiot, knowing I want to observe the 【Primordial Tablet – Wind】, and you still want to go duel.
Since Yaloran severely lacked magi-engineers, outstanding ones were highly sought after.
And though Karen was only a second-year, her status was clearly higher than anyone’s.
She quite enjoyed being adored as a queen.
Even if she were in Ikerite Academy, with her talent everyone would still revolve around her like stars around the moon.
She was the synonym of innocence. No one could dislike her!
While the team’s front sang praises of Karen—
A small group at the back discussed among themselves.
“I’ve long heard Ikerite Academy’s Knight Faculty brawlers are strong. When the time comes, we should gamble our Fighting Souls against them.”
“But I heard last month, the Knight Faculty’s strongest brawler, Gold-rank challenger Czerwiny, suddenly transferred to the Alchemy Faculty’s Law major. She seems to have given up her Fighting Soul, rather torturing herself with double the courses, desperately studying to become a lawyer.”
“No way? A brawler who can actually study books?”
“If she dares not accept challenges, we’ll harshly teach her underlings. Then she’ll surely rekindle her Fighting Soul!”
Several Yaloran brawlers’ fighting spirits burned hotter than even Adams, the team’s strongest third-year.
Everyone had their own thoughts.
Soon, the professor leading them found the Ikerite Academy staff and Student Council members responsible for receiving them, and began conversing.
“……”
In the team, a pair of young siblings had been silent since leaving the train.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t rest well?”
The Paladin older brother asked his Priest younger sister, whose face looked unwell.
“Sorry… since that Shadow World, I often have nightmares.”
The girl closed her eyes and shook her head.
Two months ago, just entering second year, at the start of term they had challenged a Tier-4 Shadow World themed on the Demon Realm.
For them—both Tier-4 Silver challengers—that Shadow World was dangerous, but not insurmountable.
Yet the impression was far too deep, leaving the Priest sister traumatized.
In a death-trap runaway state, they confronted an Ancient Great Demon that should never appear in a Tier-4 Shadow World.
And when they thought all was lost—
That terrifying Radiant Demon forcibly took them away.
And kept them with him for a full two hours.
During those two hours, in the principal’s office, every moment they endured extreme fear and torment of spirit, like sitting on needles.
Strangely, that Radiant Demon actually let them go!
They couldn’t imagine how high the rank of that Purgatory Corridor Academy principal was—yet they felt no magic ripple from him.
That level of complete restraint meant the gap was unimaginable.
Even before Lady Juliana, they had never felt such fear. That Radiant Demon was at least on par with the Resurrection Church’s Cardinal Bishops—an extremely evil existence.
Just imagining two hours alone with a Cardinal Bishop of the Resurrection Church would drive any normal youth insane.
And since the Challenger Association protects privacy, after a challenge ends there is no way to trace other matched challengers.
“I hope this trip to Ikerite can ease my heart.”
The Priest sister spoke softly.
Her brave Paladin brother managed fine, but she was too frightened to dare challenge Shadow Worlds again.
She remembered that Shadow World 【Purgatory Corridor Academy】 had six participants.
But somehow it felt like only her and her brother from start to finish—never meeting others.
Then the runaway… and somehow it cleared itself.
They had never met such an absurd Shadow World!
They should have celebrated surviving—but only that terrifying Radiant Demon principal left an indelible shadow.
But thinking positively—
In reality, they’d never encounter such a demon.
That Radiant Demon was only an Ancient Great Demon projected by the Shadow World, long gone from history.
And her inner shadow would fade with time.