The floating staircase finally slowed to a halt, and the crystalline steps gently carried Lawrence and Lan Qi onto the third-floor corridor.
They stepped into this passage within the Cardmaster Association, its architecture steeped in magitek artistry. A profound stillness lingered in the air. The wooden grain beneath their feet stretched out like the fingerprints of time, silently recording the history and growth of the Association.
“You’re a student of the Magitek Academy. Your teachers will be overjoyed—why would it trouble them in the slightest?” Lawrence asked, puzzled as they walked.
Could it be that this young man had a poor relationship with the professors there? From what he could see, Lan Qi’s manner was gentle and courteous, nothing like the aloof or arrogant type.
“…I’m from the Sage Academy.”
“…”
Lawrence fell silent for a long moment.
“So you’re well-versed in spellcraft too?” His surprise showed at Lan Qi’s apparent versatility.
“No, no. I can’t cast spells at all.”
Embarrassed, Lan Qi lowered his head and waved his hands, trying to dodge the subject.Despite all the skills he’d picked up, the one thing he could never manage was spellcasting. His performance in practical magic was one of the worst in the Sage Academy’s history. By all rights, someone at his level shouldn’t even have been admitted.
“Then why didn’t you apply to the Magitek Academy?!”
Lawrence was completely baffled now, as if his brain had been twisted into knots.
Here was a natural-born artistic Magitek craftsman—yet he had chosen the Sage Academy, where the specialty was combat spellcasting!
“When it came down to the choice between the two, I felt the Sage Academy entrance exam was way easier…”
After all, the Magitek Academy had compulsory courses Lan Qi didn’t care for. The electives overlapped anyway, so to him, it didn’t matter much where he went. Naturally, he chose the Sage Academy—the one he could pass after just two months of prep.
“…”
Lawrence finally realized it—this guy really was carefree.
Completely going with the flow.
Once the Association contacted the Magitek Academy, the professors there would still gladly support Lan Qi. After all, he was a student of their school.
But when the truth came out, those professors were bound to have mixed feelings—so much so that they’d probably lose sleep for days.
They wouldn’t even be able to boast that Lan Qi was their own protégé…
“Actually,” Lawrence went on, “though there’s almost no precedent of underclassmen becoming Platinum Cardmasters, according to Ikerite Academy’s policies, once you’re officially recognized as Platinum, the Magitek Academy can directly hire you under the ‘Special Recruitment Decree of the Hedon Kingdom’—with the rank of professor. Platinum Cardmasters are welcomed everywhere.”
He sighed in admiration.
Sometimes, even senior students at Ikerite Academy took on teaching assistant roles or helped professors instruct. Upon graduation, those deeply attached to the school might stay on as full faculty. Some of the Academy’s most powerful professors had come from this very path.
After all, the Academy provided unparalleled access to the Gates of the Void, where one could challenge Shadow Worlds, with first-class resources and support.
The school never forbade its teachers from holding other legitimate positions either.
For instance, the current Dean of the Sage Academy—High Priestess Loren of the Goddess of Fate—had once been the Sage Academy’s top freshman.
“No, no,” Lan Qi quickly shook his head. “Today was mostly luck. It was just a tier-three card. I still have so much to learn.”
His path in magitek was long, and his true talent lay only in art. At the Magitek Academy, at most he could teach courses on illustration, while still needing to pursue higher studies in advanced magitek.
And those magitek courses—that was where his heart truly lay.
“Wait…”
Lan Qi suddenly furrowed his brows, as if struck by a realization.
This feeling was… familiar.
Hadn’t his story once started with a special appointment as well?
If he really did gain a teaching post at Ikerite Academy, then perhaps—just perhaps—he would be one step closer to that position.
A few steps more…
And one day, if Lan Qi could preside over all of Ikerite Academy—
Maybe then, he could rekindle the glory of the long-lost Infernal Corridor Academy.
Yes, he admitted he was mostly a slacker.
But deep down, he still clung to this one fragile dream.
That fleeting, dreamlike moment he once experienced—he wanted to bring it back. To become that great Headmaster, revered by students, beloved by teachers!
“Tell me, Mr. Lawrence,” Lan Qi asked, his voice trembling with excitement and hope, “once I pass the review and am officially recognized as a Platinum Cardmaster… would the Magitek Academy consider inviting me as a teacher?”
His eyes gleamed with the boundless energy of youth, like a star blazing with ambition in the night sky.
“If both sides are willing… then yes, it’s certainly possible,” Lawrence answered. But his tone was tinged with puzzlement.
“No school would refuse a Platinum Cardmaster. But truthfully, few Platinum Cardmasters are willing to take up such posts.”
For some reason, the fervent look in Lan Qi’s eyes unsettled him a little.
“Then I truly hope the review process goes smoothly.”
Lan Qi’s spirit soared, as if all his fatigue had evaporated.
He strode with newfound vigor, every step brimming with energy.
Soon, guided by Lawrence, he passed through several distinct areas and returned once more to the familiar reception hall on the third floor.
The plush carpet underfoot was woven with delicate floral motifs, classical geometric patterns, and flowing curves. Soft arc lamps in the corners bathed the space in warmth and elegance.
Along the way, many turned curious eyes toward Lan Qi—as though witnessing the birth of a legend.
But Lawrence’s position as Vice President of the Ikerite Branch commanded too much respect. Even the most curious held back, maintaining a polite distance out of deference.
“Lan Qi, if you ever need assistance in the future,” Lawrence said firmly, “just come to the Association and find any steward. Tell them to call for Vice President Lawrence—I’ll see it taken care of.”
Though he’d already explained the key points in detail, and the rest would be formally relayed through the Academy, it seemed Lan Qi wished to leave the Association promptly to rest. So Lawrence would see him out personally.
“Thank you so much.”
The two shared a laugh as they stepped toward the sofas of the reception hall.