“That’s great then.”
The president listened, nodding seriously.
He was not only a leader, but also a supporter, always caring for the members’ feelings and growth.
“I’ll help you notify the Yaloran Kingdom’s academic delegation. Tomorrow, I’ll have to trouble you to handle this matter.”
Monast said.
“No problem. Is there anything else we can help with?”
Lan Qi asked again, now full of motivation.
“The troublesome matters at hand, Asuna and I have already done half of them. If we hand them over midway, efficiency would just be wasted. If any new troublesome issues arise with the delegation later, I’ll ask for your help. But for now, Lan Qi, today you should first go visit your father.”
Monast answered with a smile.
“You two go ahead, I’ll stay and help the president and vice president.”Frey turned his head toward the other two by the sofa and said.
He knew that Lan Qi still had to take Huperion today to meet the mysterious woman who could protect Huperion.
So this was a good time for the two of them to go together.
“Then we’ll trouble you, Frey.”
Lan Qi and Huperion quickly thanked Frey.
If the three had to split while ensuring safety, the only option was Frey alone, and Lan Qi together with Huperion.
After exchanging a few more words with Monast and Asuna, Lan Qi and Huperion left the student council room, leaving the space much quieter once they were gone.
Asuna returned to her desk and got busy again. The mountain of paperwork piled like an ocean; these few days would keep her and the president very occupied. At the same time, Monast briefly assigned Frey a few tasks, and Frey also left the council room.
…
Frey walked alone in the third-floor corridor of the old Liberal Arts building. In the empty, wide hallway, only his footsteps echoed.
However, before reaching the staircase, a familiar figure entered his view.
At the corner near the stairwell appeared a familiar figure. She was humming a tune happily, a magi-tech camera hanging around her neck. She was just about to head to the council room—the little reporter, and the secretary who rarely showed up.
“Eh, Frey!”
Luwehir shouted in surprise,
“Frey, come here, come here!”
As soon as she spotted him, she waved excitedly.
Though Lan Qi and Huperion had never met Luwehir, Frey had joined earlier and had crossed paths with her once.
After getting to know Frey, Luwehir often came to his detective office with commissions.
“What is it?”
Frey, half-wearing his sunglasses, walked over curiously. Luwehir was one of his rare customers after all.
“What did the president say this time? Any gossip?”
Luwehir’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Nothing much, just that Lan Qi will deal with Adams. Oh, the president did tell us about Dean Loren’s grudge with Knight Commander Juliana.”
Frey thought for a moment before answering.
“Tell me, tell me!”
Luwehir’s little steps tapped eagerly, as if she couldn’t wait to savor the story.
“You absolutely cannot report it, nor spread it around. I only heard it secondhand myself.”
Frey hesitated slightly, then stated firmly.
Originally, he didn’t want to say it. But since five of the six council members already knew while only Luwehir was in the dark, it felt like they were excluding her.
“I, Luwehir, always keep secrets.”
She patted her chest in assurance.
“It all begins with Dean Loren’s fiancées…”
And so Frey began telling her the story.
“Mhm, mhm.”
Luwehir nodded seriously as she listened.
…
Meanwhile.
In the late autumn afternoon, around four o’clock, the sky deepened to a darker shade of blue but remained bright, washed clean by the autumn breeze, clear and transparent.
Alchemy Academy District, Ikerite Academy Medical Center.
The Ikerite Academy Medical Center was a flagship hospital directly under the Kingdom, and one of the largest medical providers in the Hedon Kingdom.
It offered full medical services—emergency, general practice, specialist care, as well as research and education.
Located at a convenient, quiet spot by the Alchemy Academy’s side avenue, it served students, faculty, and residents. Its exterior was modern and striking, with a multi-story glass structure. Through the windows, one could see the bustling activity inside.
By day, sunlight lit up the entire building, gleaming under the blue sky; by night, its lights made it shine like a star against the dark city.
The two entered through the wide, bright lobby.
“Never thought I’d come to a hospital someday.”
Lan Qi had passed by this building many times, but this was his first time inside.
“Lan Qi, haven’t you thought that if you were just a little less capable, you might be a regular here…”
Huperion muttered softly.
“No way, I care a lot about my health. My goal is to stay far away from hospitals!”
Lan Qi said proudly with a grin.
“You’re amazing then.”
Huperion could only praise him.
At the reception, staff busily handled issues with professionalism and warmth.
Lan Qi registered and got a visitor’s pass, then the two headed upstairs toward the wards.
Walking down the spotless hospital corridor—
“By the way, Lan Qi, why did your father come to the Academy? Didn’t you say he was doing trade near the Kreyth Empire’s border?”
Huperion asked curiously.
“He must be here for a surprise inspection of my studies. I’ll definitely give him a great demonstration.”
Lan Qi answered seriously and firmly.
“……”
Huperion was quite sure Lan Qi’s academic “achievements” were strong enough to cause cardiac arrest.
Chatting along the way, they soon found Noé’s premium ward on the fifth floor. After ringing the bell and getting permission, they entered.
The single room faced the sun, natural light pouring in warmly. From the bed, the patient could enjoy the campus scenery outside.
Noé was already nearly recovered, but when he saw it wasn’t a doctor who entered, but Lan Qi, his pupils trembled again.
“Father, are you alright?”
Lan Qi asked with concern.
“……”
Noé gritted his teeth, unwilling to answer this unfilial child.
Every time he recalled the three clergymen who had been “led astray” by Lan Qi, Noé could only pray desperately to the Goddess of Fate.
As this boy’s father, he felt sooner or later he would be struck by divine punishment.
But noticing that Lan Qi had brought a classmate along, he refrained from scolding him.
“And this is…”
Noé’s attention quickly shifted away from Lan Qi, landing on Huperion.
The butler and maid had told him Miss Talia had gray hair and golden eyes. But the silver-haired, amber-eyed girl beside Lan Qi didn’t match.
Her age also seemed about the same as Lan Qi’s, not older.
Noé worried his son was the fickle type—falling for Miss Talia and striving for her, yet immediately flirting with another girl upon arriving at the Academy.
“Huperion, my classmate, teammate, good partner.”
Lan Qi stepped aside to introduce.
“I’ve heard Lan Qi mention you before.”
Huperion nodded respectfully.
“I see.”
Noé looked at her calm, rational demeanor and murmured:
“Miss Huperion, thank you for looking after my foolish son.”
“No, no, it’s always been him taking care of me.”
“You’re too modest. I can tell being with this kid must be tiring.”
The brief exchange convinced Noé that Huperion was a good girl.
And clearly—she was a normal human.
Since their relationship was just partners, Noé was relieved.
After all, Miss Talia was nearly thirty. If Lan Qi wasted her most precious years and she ended up unmarried, he’d truly be a scoundrel.
Still, Noé wouldn’t interfere in Lan Qi’s feelings.
Whether Lan Qi ultimately liked Talia or Huperion didn’t matter.
As long as he could be devoted to the one he loved, that was enough.
This Huperion girl seemed approachable, not likely some lofty noble. She would fit well with their family.
Truthfully, Noé feared Lan Qi, after arriving in the capital, would get too close to a count’s or marquis’s daughter.
Their little merchant family could never reach such heights.
Noé didn’t want Lan Qi dragged into the dangerous whirlpool of power struggles. Their kind of family couldn’t survive such storms.