The once tense atmosphere of the atrium exam hall had now fallen into an unusual silence.
Huberian and Vivian both averted their gazes to the floor, unwilling to say another bad word about each other.
“……”
Amidst this quiet, the other two examinees who had been waiting on the side were completely dumbfounded by Lance’s words.
Though Lance himself probably hadn’t even realized it, they felt like he had some kind of natural talent for handling high-tension situations!
Even though this wasn’t strictly speaking a classic confrontation—after all, Lance had originally been an outsider and had willingly inserted himself to mediate—he had still managed to take control of the situation with ease.
For a brief moment, they even had the impulse to ask him to be their mentor.
Wasn’t this far more practical than any spell?
Lance quickly noticed their expressions and, seeing the respect in their eyes, returned a polite smile with a small nod.
As expected, performing good deeds like mediating conflicts naturally earned people’s admiration.Being respected felt great.
More importantly, the sight of his fellow students getting along in peace was exactly what Lance had hoped for.
A little more respect and understanding, a little less conflict and hostility, and the world would become a better place.
…
Several dozen seconds passed in silence.
Then came the sound of hurried footsteps.
Instructor Theresa returned to the exam hall, holding her small magic device in her arms.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone, I’m back…”
She had just finished sending off the previous examiner, Flat, and had been worried the entire time that in her absence, the notoriously hostile Huberian and Princess Vivian would get into another argument.
However, before she could even finish her sentence, she froze in slight surprise.
The atmosphere in the exam hall was unexpectedly… harmonious.
Had she been overthinking it?
Shaking her head in confusion, she reminded herself to focus on the present task.
Quickly making her way over to Huberian and Lance, she said,
“Congratulations on passing the exam.”
Instructor Theresa smiled warmly at the two of them.
“On the first day of school, just head to the main building of the Sage Institute, and you’ll receive further instructions. Also, the dormitories will be available for move-in three days before the semester starts, and you can pick up your student wristbands around the same time at the Magic Engineering Institute.”
She pointed at the exam wristbands they were wearing, indicating that they could exchange them for official student credentials at that time.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, Instructor Theresa.”
After receiving their thanks, Theresa waved at them kindly in farewell.
Then, much like a restaurant server at lunchtime, she quickly hurried over to Vivian and the second group of examinees.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. You can get ready to start the exam now…”
Vivian listened absentmindedly to Theresa’s words, her gaze still following Huberian’s retreating figure.
Even though Huberian had just happened to encounter someone willing to lend her a hand this time, it was nothing more than a temporary stroke of luck—one that would soon vanish like an illusion.
Right now, Lance had no wariness toward Huberian.
But that was only because this boy from the border didn’t know Huberian’s secret—
Huberian carried demon blood. She was the illegitimate daughter of Duke Aransal and a member of the Demon Clan.
Vivian was certain that if the day ever came when Lance discovered Huberian’s true identity, his kindness toward her would instantly turn into something completely different.
He might even join the ranks of those persecuting her.
Because in Hetton Kingdom—a nation that had suffered deeply from the Demon Clan’s war years ago—there was no one who didn’t hate and fear demons!
…
Ikrit Academy, Learning and Education Building
The grand staircase, several meters wide, ascended in tiers. Its design was unique and ahead of its time, with beige stone and crystal railings reflecting light, weaving a luminous path through the floors.
Each level of the staircase served a different function—some wooden platforms doubled as student rest areas, others displayed the academy’s latest works, and the lowest level connected to a spacious terrace.
Two young figures walked leisurely up the stairs, their steps unhurried, moving through a space free of pressure—a sanctuary of art.
After today’s grueling exam, Lance’s smile was completely unrestrained, radiating his good mood.
Huberian, as always, remained expressionless, revealing nothing of her thoughts, but the hostility in her gaze had unknowingly faded.
“Hey, Huberian,” Lance spoke as they walked, striking up a conversation with his newfound teammate.
“You’re familiar with the royal capital and have a broad perspective—what’s the fastest way to make money around here? Legally, of course.”
After posing his question, he immediately added that last part.
After all, criminal law itself was a treasure trove of money-making schemes, but that was obviously off-limits.
Their figures occasionally passed by various decorations along the staircase—newly cultivated plants from the Alchemical Institute, fresh academic breakthroughs, as well as the latest inventions from the Magic Engineering Institute and all sorts of peculiar artworks.
“……”
Huberian hesitated for a moment in silence.
She had originally planned to part ways with Lance here.
She was grateful for his help and kindness, but she was also painfully aware that they could never truly be friends.
The secret of her demon blood wouldn’t stay hidden from Lance for long.
Even if she didn’t deliberately conceal it or lie to him, it was inevitable that sooner or later, those who sought to target her would see Lance as an obstacle and reveal her secret to him.
And in that critical moment, it would be the perfect way to drag him down with her.
What she feared most was seeing a former friend suddenly turn cold and distant—or worse, become an enemy she could never reconcile with…
But at the very least, she could repay him for this brief and fleeting camaraderie.
“If my father hadn’t gone missing, with your abilities, our Aransal Ducal House would have gladly invested in someone like you. But unfortunately, I don’t have access to the family’s funds.”
Huberian answered with a helpless sigh.
For now, she would return Lance’s sincerity with sincerity.
“If you don’t have any skills related to manufacturing, then the fastest way to make money is by challenging the Shadow Realm.”
They continued walking, steadily making their way down the steps.
Sunlight streamed through the massive glass walls between floors, brightening the entire space—only to be obscured by the marble walls, dimming the light once again.
“Hmm…”
Lance nodded thoughtfully.
Although he had started learning to craft magic cards, he could currently only produce low-tier ones.
And his craftsmanship was still quite rough—his card-making success rate was low, and he often messed up so badly that even Talia would shake her head at him.
He wasn’t even confident enough to take the registered Card Crafter exam under the Southern Continent’s Card Crafters’ Association yet.
At this rate, his combat class, White Mage, was developing much faster than his manufacturing class, Card Crafter.