Chapter 18 A Close Call

Green shadows of the trees swayed in the breeze, casting patches of morning sunlight through the glass and curtains, making the entire living room feel more peaceful and serene.

Lan Qi had already brewed two cups of tea and placed them on a tray, carrying it from the sink to the living room. He handed one cup to Vice-Dean Ron.

Lan Qi didn't speak first, but sat upright, waiting for Ron to speak.

Finally, after a moment of contemplation, Vice-Dean Ron held his teacup and said, "Lan Qi, I've come to ask you, on behalf of the Council of Sages, about the origin of the [Friendly Exchange] card you used in the third test."

Ron seemed concerned about putting pressure on Lan Qi, so he spoke very slowly. "Of course, if it's inconvenient to reveal, you don't have to answer my question. I merely want to understand, and I have no malicious intent."

Although Lan Qi's performance in the Shadow World combat exercise the day before yesterday was remarkable, Ron felt that, as a human, it was not appropriate for him to comment on the Shadow World. Furthermore, their Council of Sages teaching and research group needed to carefully consider which segments of this Shadow World should be sealed as forbidden material, or used as teaching material after being harmonized to some extent.

As for the silence spell card [Friendly Exchange], it could have a huge impact on the Council of Sages' future teaching methods.

Equally concerned for Lan Qi's protection, and in agreement with Dean Loren, Ron had no choice but to communicate and inquire with Lan Qi first.

"..."

In the quiet space, a brief silence fell after Vice-Dean Ron's words.

Although Lan Qi made the card.

The most crucial principle of poison magic came from Talia. Since [Friendly Exchange] used demon-related poison magic, tracing its origin could cause trouble for Talia.

Lan Qi only planned to make two [Friendly Exchange] cards so far, one for him and one for Talia. After all, one of the terms of his master-disciple contract with Talia was that any practical magic cards he made would also be shared with her, and whether these magic cards could be sold needed Talia's permission first.

Precisely because of this, their interests were completely tied together. Talia would confidently and wholeheartedly teach Lan Qi, helping him get rich as soon as possible to pay off his debts.

"...I exchanged it from a mysterious old beggar woman on the southern Vantina border. She claimed it was a secret passed down from her ancestors. Later, after a while, I couldn't find her anymore."

Lan Qi simply said from beside the sofa.

After spending a long time with Talia, he had developed a habit of being honest.

"I see..."

Vice-Dean Ron nodded upon hearing this.

It seemed that [Friendly Exchange] was unlikely to be the work of a new card maker, but rather an old card that had been passed down and accidentally obtained by Lan Qi.

Although Lan Qi had hesitated slightly in his answer, Lan Qi looked him straight in the eyes when he spoke, his gaze unwavering, and his magical power was stable, not the behavior one would expect when lying.

High-level magic-based professionals can often glean a lot of information by observing the magical fluctuations on their enemies.

Therefore, the higher the level, the more they practice controlling their magic, in order to deceive their opponents.

Lan Qi clearly didn't know how to control his magic yet.

Ron didn't intend to test Lan Qi on purpose, but if Lan Qi was asked by people with ulterior motives in the future, Lan Qi would easily have information extracted from him.

"So, this card is likely a natural magic card produced by the Shadow World, rather than a man-made magic card?"

Ron stroked the stubble on his chin and asked thoughtfully.

Natural magic cards can only be obtained through the Shadow World, and even purple ones are likely to be unique.

Ron indeed felt that the [Friendly Exchange] card seemed more like something produced in the Shadow World, and not something that an individual could make.

"Personally, I think it's more like a natural magic card."

Lan Qi agreed.

After hearing Lan Qi's words, Ron finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that they probably didn't have to worry about the worst-case scenario of "this card spreading in the market."

Immediately, Vice-Dean Ron stood up from the sofa.

As if he already understood what he wanted to know.

"Lan Qi, Dean Loren has sealed the record of your third test, and has also warned all other teachers who watched this combat exercise not to disclose any details."

Ron looked at Lan Qi earnestly and said solemnly.

Lan Qi nodded.

He finally knew why even Princess Vivian didn't know the details about his third test.

It turned out that High Priest Loren had protectively helped him hide it.

"So, for the time being, the [Friendly Exchange] card has not been made public, and although you secretly used it for a moment in the demon world Shadow World exam hall, the effect was not obvious, so no one will realize its difference from silence."

Ron continued, "We can only help you cover it up for now. When you use this [Friendly Exchange] card again in public view in the future, you must be careful of those who covet this card. Some profit-driven guys, and crazy cultists, may use any means to get this extremely valuable card and try to develop counterfeit cards."

Although Ron knew that Lan Qi had a unique talent for tormenting people, those extremely crazy and reckless cults that never followed rules or logic could make countless mistakes, but the still-young Lan Qi only had one precious life. As a student, he couldn't risk his life playing with these cultists who were deeply rooted like tumors in the north and south continents.

"I understand, thank you, Teacher Ron."

Lan Qi earnestly bowed to the vice-dean to express his gratitude.

"Then I'll leave first. You can come to the Council of Sages office to find me if you need help."

Vice-Dean Ron still had a lot of official business to attend to. Just coming to see Lan Qi took time that he had arranged long in advance. "Also, as our Council of Sages' most outstanding freshman, you may have the opportunity to accompany the school's team on an academic visit to other prestigious universities in the member states of the Southern Continent Kingdom Council this semester. When you meet the leaders of other schools, you don't have to be as overly restrained as you are with me. You still need to show some youthful energy, but you must also be respectful and courteous."

Ron looked at Lan Qi with satisfaction and said.

The more he looked at this kid, the more pleasing he became, as long as he was one of their own.

"Okay, don't worry."

Lan Qi nodded and quickly ran ahead to open the door of the dormitory for Ron.

After a brief exchange and interaction, Ron had a very good impression of Lan Qi, far more gentle and courteous than he had imagined before coming.

Initially, Ron was quite worried that Lan Qi's true personality would be flamboyant or conceited, leading to big trouble in the real world in the future.

Now it seemed that he didn't need to worry too much about Lan Qi. He was still a student with a sense of propriety, who could distinguish between the Shadow World and the real world.

...

After closing the dormitory door.

Lan Qi leaned against the door and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Whew, that was close. I almost treated myself as the headmaster again."

The moment Lan Qi heard that Ron was the vice-dean, he subconsciously wanted to guide his work.

And in every subsequent conversation with Ron, he tried his best to restrain himself, acting as a student rather than showing the aura of the school's top leader.

But according to Vice-Dean Ron, he shouldn't have to restrain himself so much when visiting other schools for academic exchanges.

Lan Qi was confident that he could show the youthful energy.

(End of Chapter)