Chapter 502: Letter from the Academy

"Hurry up, Gustav! The Demon King won't wait for us to be ready!"

"Yes, yes... Miss Lino."

"Too slow! You have to run faster; see that hedge over there? Let it turn into a fading afterimage!"

"... You might as well kill me."

"Cannot die! You are my comrade-in-arms, you have to stay with me all the time! I want to use holy light to resurrect you! Ha!"

"...??"

Fortunately, Lino is only nine years old and hasn't awakened transcendent power, just shouting with her mouth.

But even so, it still scared the timid Nan Fu, almost falling again.

On the other side of the lawn of the Kelin Manor, looking at his brother's embarrassed appearance, the wanton Vivian had almost laughed into an afterimage.

She gave Miss Lino, who looked over, a positive look—

That's right!

Nan Fu is used like this!

The future Grand Duke of the Kelin Duchy reached a consensus with the princess of the human Duchy.

Speaking of both ends, Nan Fu's side was miserable.

For the weak and helpless Nan Fu, this long afternoon was no less than a severe trial.

He had already forgotten how many laps he had run around the lawn, fountain, and flower beds.

That Princess Lino, who was energetic unlike a human, seemed to never know fatigue; after defeating a non-existent Demon King, she soon fictionalized another Demon King as an opponent.

Due to his brother's order, Nan Fu couldn't use transcendent power, only relying on his flesh to endure the scorching of the sun and endless running.

Even if the early spring sun wasn't scorching, it was as tormenting as an eternal curse for the blood race.

This trial lasted until dusk, until the melodious dinner bell came from the manor's main building.

To Nan Fu, this sound was no different from the gospel sent down by Lord Demon God Bayeli.

He felt that if it were only one second later, he would have burned out.

"Don't play anymore! Time to eat!"

Princess Lino finally stopped, let go of the poor Nan Fu, lightly jumped off his shoulder, and turned back into that dignified and elegant princess again.

Nan Fu almost collapsed to the ground.

He panted heavily, feeling that it was good to be alive, but didn't expect that the guy who was as noisy as a little demon approached again.

However, this time, she didn't ride on his neck.

Only to see Lino Campbell lift the hem of her light blue western dress stained with grass clippings, trying hard to stand on tiptoe like a little adult.

Before Nan Fu could react, the warm touch had already fallen lightly on his cheek.

"Chirp."

Nan Fu froze in place, his brain crashed on the spot.

"Thank you, my knight."

Princess Lino giggled, revealing a row of white and neat teeth, "I take back what I said before; you are not a horse. You are a unicorn, prettier than a horse, and stronger!"

After speaking, she giggled, proud of teasing her playmate again, and ran toward the brightly lit restaurant.

Nan Fu stood blankly in place, touching his cheek unconsciously.

The place that was touched was heating up at an incredible speed, and then a heat flow rushed straight to the top of his head.

The pale cheeks were dyed into brilliant red clouds at some point, as if the dusk on the horizon had extended to the lawn of the Kelin Manor.

Demon God above, he had lived so long, his life had been like walking on thin ice, and no demon had ever treated him so gently.

Nan Fu's eyes couldn't help but moisten.

Humans...

Are truly too gentle.

"Too scary... demons are too scary."

"Brother, fortunately, Vivian big sister head isn't the Demon King of Thunder County, otherwise we would definitely be finished!"

"Don't be afraid, I will protect you."

Kelin Manor main building.

Richard and his younger brother Alfred supported each other, walking into the restaurant limping, just like close comrades-in-arms.

Seeing the brothers so close, Grand Duke Edward's face floated with a look of relief. However, perhaps associating it with his own terrible childhood, this relief soon became mixed.

Maids hurried forward to pat off the grass clippings on the two little masters, tidying up their appearance, finally making these two mud monkeys who played wildly look decent.

As for Lino, she was pressed in front of the dressing mirror, tidying up her messy hair.

This little guy who couldn't settle down was pouting at this moment, her smart big eyes looking around, seemingly looking for where her "Gustav" had gone.

Before dinner started, in the corridor.

Nan Fu stopped Luo Yan who was about to enter the restaurant. His expression was unusually serious, and his eyes flashed with the light of thinking.

"Big brother."

Luo Yan stopped, and said kindly.

"What's wrong?"

Nan Fu took a deep breath, the eyes shining with light written with unprecedented seriousness.

"I seem to have understood that sentence you said!"

Luo Yan pondered for a long time, really couldn't remember what he had said again, so he asked casually.

"Which sentence are you referring to?"

"It's the one about how to become a real man!"

The light of confidence flashed in Nan Fu's eyes, and without waiting for the big brother to ask, he said in a hurried tone.

"It's endurance and protection! And the responsibility you mentioned! Thank you for giving me this opportunity to exercise! I, I might have expressed it a bit abstractly... in short, it's like you!"

That was really not just a

Luo Yan's expression became somewhat subtle.

He felt that Nan Fu had probably misunderstood, but this statement actually wasn't wrong.

Except for the last sentence.

They were different; at least the Demon King wouldn't let people ride him like a horse all over the courtyard.

However, looking at the rare look of determination on Nan Fu's face, Luo Yan ultimately didn't expose him and gave him an encouraging look.

"Not all problems in this world have standard answers; go find your own answer, I believe in you."

Little Edward needed a failure to grow, while little Nan Fu needed to win just once.

Personality is a lifelong thing, while values can be changed; by comparison, right and wrong are not that important.

Come to think of it, this is Luo Ke's fault.

Who knows what that guy is doing all day; doesn't this mean he hasn't taught him anything?

Luo Yan felt he had played the role of a father for him again; perhaps this was also the fated debt between them.

Receiving affirmation from his elder brother, a confident flush appeared on Nan Fu's face.

"I definitely will! Become someone as... mighty and majestic as Gutafu!"

He didn't say more, and with that "man's promise," he walked into the dining room with his head held high and chest out.

However, his puffed-out chest didn't stay proud for long, as it soon collapsed due to that silver bell-like laughter...

The atmosphere of the dinner was unexpectedly harmonious.

Soft candlelight spilled onto the clean white tablecloth, and the long table was filled with a dazzling array of delicacies.

There were roasted, crispy lamb legs, stewed and tender oxtail, bread sprinkled with herb crumbs, Nan Fu's favorite creamy mushroom soup, and Nan Fu's most hated cheese-baked snails.

Luo Yan had originally worried that this dinner with "complex ingredients" would be awkward.

However, facts proved that he had underestimated Vivian's "dominance."

This second-generation demon, who had beaten everyone in the Demon Capital, might not be good at other things, but she was quite skilled at dealing with other second-generations like herself.

Richard and Alfred had completely regarded her as their boss.

They sat upright, clumsily imitating Vivian's dining posture, the teachings of their etiquette teacher long since thrown to the back of their minds.

They cut the steak on their plates with evil and exaggerated gestures, as if what lay on the plates were the corpse parts of a Demon King.

Come to think of it, the world of transcendent beings is truly full of wonders; three-year-old Alfred actually no longer needed to be fed and could use a knife and fork to eat by himself.

Furthermore, in their eyes, Prince Kelin, who could conquer Vivian, had already become the "boss of the boss," the respected hero!

This gave Luo Yan an inexplicable sense of pressure.

As for Lina...

This spoiled little princess ignored everyone else and completely latched onto his younger brother, Nan Fu.

She moved her chair very close, sitting next to "Gutafu." Being the eldest, she was too lazy to wield a knife and fork herself, simply resting her chin on her hand and smiling as she directed her clumsy "knight."

Or rather, unicorn.

"Gutafu, I don't want to eat those beans... Yes, I want that, ah—"

Nan Fu's face flushed red.

Under the gaze of Lina's expectant eyes, he stiffly raised his fork, fulfilling that heavy sense of manliness.

The rigid maid stood to the side, her eyes bulging, yet she dared not step forward to advise the princess to observe dining etiquette.

After all, the Grand Duke hadn't spoken.

Although royal servants had considerable authority regarding etiquette, this pitiful authority had long been shattered by the fierce reputation the "White-Haired Duke" had established during the Winter Moon Civil War.

Eliminating three powerful vassals at once was unprecedented in the history of the Aus Continent.

Even though Edward didn't intimidate his servants, that dignity that commanded respect without anger was enough to make anyone who wanted to say something shut their mouths.

Nowadays, apart from his closest aides, perhaps only Prince Kelin could communicate with him equally and naturally.

Although he occasionally felt lonely because of this, compared to other costs, this was the most negligible one.

Watching these two families getting along so well, Edward Campbell couldn't help but show a gratified smile, raising his glass to toast to the deep friendship between the Kelin family and the Campbell family.

Luo Yan politely returned Edward's toast, but in his heart, he once again looked forward to the opening day of the Hell Higher Academy.

Hurry up and start school.

Perhaps he should write a letter to the headmaster of the Demon Higher Academy as a councilor, seriously discussing the necessity of winter break in Hell.

The second-generation demons of the Demon Capital are the future pillars of Hell; how could they waste their time at the age when they should be striving the most?

Fortunately, the dinner at Kelin Manor ended successfully amidst laughter and candlelight.

Outside the window, the night was deep, and the moonlight spilled onto the garden path, beautiful as a poetic painting.

The laughter in the dining room gradually thinned, and Alfred had already started yawning, entering his sleepy time.

Upon learning that she had to go home, Lina looked at "Gutafu" with reluctance, asking if they could meet again.

Nan Fu, blushing, promised her with a tone of unprecedented solemnity.

"Definitely!"

As for Richard, he was shouting that "he would be back." One day, Richard Campbell would become a powerful hero, as powerful as Prince Kelin.

Vivian covered her scarlet lips with the back of her hand, hiding the fangs at the corners of her mouth, laughing "ku ku ku."

That lazy look clearly didn't take this weak clamor to heart.

Humans were like bugs in her eyes... except for her respected elder brother.

However, Vivian, like her brother, didn't mock the dreams of young people.

No matter when, having dreams is a good thing.

In this chaotic world, demons not only walked under the sun but also sat together with humans for dinner.

Perhaps this was something neither Saint Xisi nor the Demon God had expected...

Seeing off the noisy Campbell family, the manor finally returned to the tranquility that night should have.

The dinnerware had been cleared away by the servants, the noise had faded away, and only the chirping of insects in the hedges remained.

Luo Yan returned to his study, the fire in the fireplace dancing quietly, reflecting on his side profile which had returned to calm.

He took the letter from the Academy out of his coat pocket; the wax seal of the Castillion family on the envelope looked particularly striking in the light.

Breaking the magical seal, he opened the envelope and unfolded the letter paper, which carried a faint scent of ink.

【... Dear Prince Kelin, it has been over a year since we parted; I wonder if you are well?

I hope you are doing well, and I hope you still remember that in the distant northern wasteland, there is a girl who misses you.

And many others who miss you just as I do.

】

The beginning of the letter was in Orphia's energetic handwriting; the writing was like the person, as brave, cheerful, and passionate as ever.

And beneath that sunny and cheerful greeting, Luo Yan also saw many familiar handwritings and signatures.

Including his favorite student Ilana, as well as Jamie and Ram, and Hard and Bane, and even Corgi, who often ran errands for him.

While sending him blessings, they also shared some trivial matters from their daily lives and anecdotes from the laboratory.

Luo Yan's mouth couldn't help but curl into a nostalgic smile; he could almost imagine them busy at the laboratory table.

Ilana must be calculating equations on scratch paper that he was finding harder and harder to understand, Ram was probably fiddling with optical instruments, and Jamie was likely fixing that table that could never be fully repaired.

And Hard and Bane, he wondered if their thermobaric flame bombs had succeeded in blowing up the training ground. As for Corgi, without him to order around, he had probably spent a leisurely year.

Collecting everyone's greetings and pasting them into the letter, it was clear that Orphia must have poured a lot of thought into writing this letter.

Luo Yan continued reading down the letter.

Besides the daily life that brought a knowing smile, Orphia also shared some of the latest news from the Academy.

Whether it was happy things or unhappy things.

【... Ever since you left the Tower of the Great Sage, this high tower has returned to its former appearance.

I often hear people talking about you in the library; they all say that you opened a window for the Tower of the Great Sage, letting fresh air blow in, and also making people realize that ordinary souls can live out extraordinary lives.

It's just a pity that you left too hurriedly; before people could finish hearing your story, you flew away like a butterfly in spring.

I often hear people missing you, whether they are preparatory students, mages, or those teaching assistants and professors who once received your help. The sentence I hear them say most often is, if only you were still here.

Whenever I hear this sentence, my heart is filled with joy. And this has further strengthened the idea in my heart; I must pass on your theories and must never let them be buried in the snowfield...

】

Seeing this, Luo Yan was very gratified.

Not only because the footprints he left on the snowfield were still warm, but also because Orphia wouldn't be chasing him here for the time being.

One Vivian was enough to give him a headache; if another Orphia came, he reckoned he would have a headache for a while trying to figure out how to continue the story.

Orphia mentioned in the letter that Professor Hector's situation recently wasn't very optimistic.

Ever since Professor Uriel, who was regarded as the "Great Sage Candidate," inherited Professor Alister's academic legacy, his influence in the Academy had grown day by day, and his exclusion of Professor Hector had become increasingly obvious.

And this was clearly related to Professor Hector having been too close to Professor Kelin before.

Orphia was, after all, a princess of the Holy City, having been influenced by politics since childhood, and she saw through the essence of the problem at a glance—

Professor Uriel was using the beating of Hector to suppress the Academy's scientific school, thereby achieving the goal of eliminating dissenters.

It was precisely because of this that Professor Uriel was not only full of hostility toward Hector but his hostility toward other professors and students of the scientific school had reached an undisguised level.

He regarded this theory, which originated from practice and challenged authority, as a blasphemy against knowledge.

At first, his criticism was somewhat restrained, but later it developed to the point where he didn't hesitate to publish articles and publicly denounce them.

Honestly, looking at all this from the perspective of an outsider now, Luo Yan just smiled in his heart and didn't take Professor Uriel's naked hostility to heart.

If he had to evaluate it in one sentence, it would probably just be that there are many turtles in shallow water.

Of course, this was a bit biased; the Academy, after all, gathered the best brains in the entire Empire.

There were still many outstanding mages there, but under the influence of the Great Sage, it was difficult for them to pour all their brains into academics.

This wasn't just Luo Yan's thought; Orphia had similar thoughts in her heart.

She lamented in the letter that the towering Tower of the Great Sage could no longer accommodate a quiet laboratory table.

Many professors, in order to protect themselves, began to deliberately avoid having too much contact with scholars of the scientific school.

The journal "Science" had gradually lost its original influence due to the cold treatment from professors. After all, having seen Professor Hector's encounter, everyone was worried that if they published articles in it, they might be regarded as a thorn in the side by the future Great Sage.

Luo Yan felt they were completely overthinking it; the "Great Sage Candidate" and the real Great Sage were about an epoch apart.

Alister had no hope of becoming the Great Sage, and Professor Uriel certainly had no hope either.

No matter how hard he tried to show loyalty and guess the intentions of his superiors, he couldn't change the fact that he was just a tool used by the Great Sage to manage his garden.

Orphia didn't talk about the Great Sage, but in the letter, she mentioned that she hadn't been discouraged by temporary setbacks but instead ignited a high fighting spirit.

Including Ilana, many core members of the scientific school were still publishing their research progress in the journal "Science" and supporting a world of their own with a spirit of hard study.

【... I will treat this as a trial and will never be easily defeated by this little setback. I am Orphia, daughter of the Duke of Castillion, the lucky person who defeated the Chaos Chosen; I will never sit idly by and watch this kind of academic persecution!

Just wait and see; if Uriel attempts to stifle the freedom of exploration with authority, I will check and balance him from the political and economic levels. We will let them see that truth does not belong to any faction, but only to the true truth!】

That unyielding and hot-blooded aura jumped off the paper; Luo Yan seemed to see Orphia's aggressive face and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Just like something she would say."

The firelight from the fireplace reflected on the letter paper, light and shadow flickering, and he turned to the next page.

【... Also, there is good news! Professor Wali recently made significant progress in the stability research of magic airships. The professor specifically asked me to tell you that he is very sorry for your airship crash accident—he said it was the biggest alarm bell in experimental verification. He assures you that the next airship will not fall from the sky again!】

Seeing this, Luo Yan smiled knowingly; he didn't blame Professor Wali.

If it weren't for that accident, he certainly wouldn't have met Kalian.

Although the final result might not have been any different, this big game of chess probably wouldn't have been as natural as it was now.

Everything was like an arrangement by the gods.

At the end of the letter, a thin magic photo was tucked in.

It was a group photo in the laboratory, including Professor Wali, Ilana, and many people Luo Yan was familiar with, all squeezed in front of the lens.

Of course, Orphia put herself in the most conspicuous center of the photo.

She was wearing a clean and tidy mage robe, holding a two-handed staff, with her usual bright smile on her face.

Looking at that confident smiling face, the lines on Luo Yan's face softened a lot.

He was very gratified that this smart and brave girl had finally found a career she was willing to fight for.

Although he didn't deny that this career was, to some extent, forced upon her by him.

The study was very quiet, with only the slight "crackling" sound of firewood burning in the fireplace.

Vampires after nightfall are always particularly energetic.

For example, at this moment, a dark purple figure slid into the study silently, without making a single sound.

Vivian, like an agile cat, tiptoed lightly behind Luo Yan's chair.

Having waited for a long time without receiving punishment, she was a bit impatient and wanted to see what the Demon King was doing.

She quietly poked her head out, her small chin crossing Luo Yan's shoulder, dark purple hair tips hanging down.

Those ruby-like eyes were like the light from the fireplace, seeing the elegant handwriting on the letter paper and that particularly conspicuous magic photo at a glance.

The "enemy-seeking radar" sounded an alarm, and Vivian locked onto that smiling girl in almost just one second.

Orphia Castillion!

Vivian, who read this name, was furious, screaming like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Wait a minute, let's not talk about Ailin for now, who is this Orphia?! I don't agree to this marriage—!"

Before her words fell, there was a soft "thud."

Luo Yan didn't even turn his head; a magic book that flew into the air tapped lightly on her smooth forehead.

"Ji—"

Vivian, holding her forehead, let out a short cry of sorrow, falling off the back of the chair with a clatter, landing on her bottom on the cashmere carpet.

A sense of grievance welled up in her heart; she looked at her elder brother's back, which didn't turn around, with teary red eyes.

Not explaining was one thing, but actually using force—this unreasonable look was simply too handsome—bah! Too much!

Vivian's shoulders couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"Tsk... don't always think in that direction; she is just my student."

Luo Yan calmly folded the letter he had finished reading and threw it into his space ring along with the commemorative photo.

"Stu, student?"

Vivian blinked, clearly not expecting this answer, her face full of disbelief, and for a moment, she even forgot the slight pain on her forehead.

"That's right, that was when I was a professor at the Academy. Honestly, her enthusiasm occasionally gives me a headache," Luo Yan didn't hide this experience, saying concisely, "But fortunately, I have already arranged a stage for her to perform to her heart's content; she should be too busy to worry about me for the time being."

From this perspective, the narrow-minded Professor Uriel was also somewhat useful, at least helping himself a lot in containing Miss Castillion.

Vivian rubbed her slightly painful forehead while blankly looking at her brother.

"Wait, you were a professor at the Academy? When was this? Why do I have no idea at all?!"

This had to be clarified.

She still had to go back and show off to that vixen from the Partridge family!

Vivian felt she was extremely busy; why were there enemies in all directions when she looked around?

"To tell you the truth, there was indeed such a period of time." Luo Yan pondered for a while and said in a flat tone, "It was probably last winter."

The air in the study was quiet for two seconds.

Although he just said it casually, this sentence set off a monstrous wave in Vivian's mind!

The Academy was outside Hell's line of sight; Vivian's understanding of that place was limited to books, knowing only that it was the brain of the Empire, gathering the best mages in the entire Aus Empire.

And those thousands of mage towers were all researching spells to torture demons under the leadership of the Great Sage; in short, they were all a bunch of very, very bad people!

Thinking that even such a terrifying place had been included in the map of the Demon King's corruption by her brother, the stars of worship gradually flickered in Vivian's eyes.

As expected of my brother!

His strength is truly unfathomable!

Looking at the stars flickering in those red eyes, Luo Yan felt that her misunderstanding of him was even deeper than Nan Fu's misunderstanding of manliness.

However, he was too tired today and didn't want to waste time on useless explanations; this was even more exhausting than responding to the dreams in the hearts of the Campbell people.

Luo Yan waved his hand, making a gesture of driving her away.

"Alright, go back to sleep once your curiosity is satisfied. Don't forget you are in human society now; I hope that at least during this time, you can behave like a normal person."

Vivian obediently climbed up from the ground and stood at attention, performing the Campbell military salute she had just learned.

"Yes, Professor!"

"Call me brother, or Prince, here. Also, if you dare to sneak in without knocking again, I will..." Luo Yan suddenly got stuck here; he found he really had no tricks left.

Even those upright little tricks could only control Vivian for a while. And once the evil forces recovered, having tasted the sweetness, they would only dare to do it again next time.

How about...

Gathering ideas on the official website?

Luo Yan seriously thought about this for the first time.

Fortunately, before he could finish this sentence, Vivian's shoulders suddenly trembled again.

The knowledge learned in class jumped into her mind, especially those cruel means regarding the Academy's torture and interrogation of demons.

Thinking that all this was in the hands of the Demon King in front of her, Vivian finally felt a trace of real fear, her teeth chattering.

She nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, almost biting her tongue.

"Ji, got it!"

Watching Vivian, who was satisfied on her own and scared away on her own, Luo Yan, sitting in the study, couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Well, the purpose of deterrence had been achieved.

Although he didn't know what had happened, her self-awareness had saved him a lot of trouble.