Chapter 1 Farewell at the Shrine

In early March, in the Kingdom of Aeserteil, in the royal capital of Gedalia.

The forest city was like a new painting just unveiled from the thick canvas of winter, revealing the tranquility and freshness of early spring. The cobblestone streets, just liberated from ice and snow, were moist and polished to a brighter sheen by the midday sun.

The city's lakes were gradually awakening, with gentle ripples occasionally adorned with scattered petals, drifting lightly on the breeze, barely touching the water. Swaying branches accompanied by the faint scent of fresh grass wafted on the breeze.

Beside the lake in Gedalia, within the ancient tree-encircled shrine, the low chanting of the priests mingled with the distant sounds of flowers, birds, and insects, creating a natural harmony.

Deep within the main hall, in a corner of the space, stood a massive bookshelf, reaching almost to the ceiling. The spines of many books were yellowed with age, while others were preserved as if new.

The Ice Witch stood not far from the bookshelf, her figure illuminated by natural light, her long dress flowing like snowflakes, pure and noble.

"As a secret agent, you must maintain composure at all times—this is a well-known saying."

It was also at this moment, within the shrine, that the Ice Witch gave her parting instructions to Hyperion.

After all, if you are listless, absent-minded, or lose your composure, even the Goddess of Fate will have difficulty helping you.

"This card, I hope it can protect you in my stead."

The Ice Witch handed Hyperion a pink Holy card covered in frosty mist.

Their conversation echoed in the ice and snow hall.

Hyperion nodded solemnly, accepting the card, feeling the familiar magical power emanating from it.

This was a spell that the Ice Witch had promised and rushed to create for her, a spell that Hyperion would not have been able to learn on her own, no matter how long she spent.

"Teacher Almis, thank you for taking care of me during this time."

Hyperion bowed sincerely to the Ice Witch in gratitude.

"Do your best. No matter what, when you go to the Protoss Empire, put your safety first."

The Ice Witch hugged Hyperion.

Having spent this time together, she had already come to regard Hyperion as her most important disciple.

Originally, because of Hyperion's background, Almis had considered maintaining a certain distance from her.

But in the end, Almis was certain that Hyperion was a good child, sincere and without impurity. She certainly possessed the tenacity and ruthlessness of a demon, but when facing those close to her, her eyes only sparkled with honest light.

"You seem to have an Epic card on you. Although I don't know what its effect is, the more trump cards you have, the more at ease I'll be."

The Ice Witch said with a smile.

"No... it's not mine. Lanqi lent it to me."

Hyperion thought for a moment and replied.

"Can Epic cards be lent?"

Almis was slightly taken aback.

Pink Holy and orange Epic-level magic cards cannot be freely exchanged, because pink Holy quality cards are difficult to unbind from the soul, and orange Epic cards are even more impossible to unbind.

Unless it is an automatically triggered high-quality card, it cannot be used even if lent to others.

"This card is a bit special. She can summon herself... even without Lanqi, she can help me according to her own will, but she's quite dangerous, so I haven't let her out in the shrine."

Hyperion explained.

"Can you let me see it?"

The Ice Witch said with great curiosity.

Hyperion nodded and took out the translucent orange card 【Great Poet of Love】, accompanied by a floral fragrance.

"Great Poet of Love, you can come out for a while."

She called out to the 【Great Poet of Love】.

There was no response.

"Lanfu?"

Hyperion held the orange Epic card and called out twice, but the Great Poet of Love showed no sign of appearing.

Hyperion felt very puzzled.

Normally, every time she called the Great Poet of Love out at home, she would jump out happily, but this time it just didn't work.

It was as if she was afraid of the Ice Witch, unwilling to come out and meet her.

However, if a magic card doesn't have its owner by its side, it might indeed be very afraid of being touched by other super high-level magic artisans.

In the eyes of magic cards, that might be a top-tier dismantling machine.

"It's okay. It's normal for intelligent summons to be afraid of unfamiliar magic artisans. I just didn't expect the personality of a demon-type summon to be so timid."

The Ice Witch observed the card and said to herself.

For a moment, even she couldn't quite understand the composition of this card.

"Who's afraid of you? I just don't want you to see my unparalleled beauty."

Suddenly, the Great Poet of Love materialized, but with her hands covering her face, slightly hunched over.

If Lanqi hadn't emphasized to her before leaving, not to let people from the Northern Continent, especially demons, see her appearance, she wouldn't be cowering in front of this annoying woman. How dare she call her timid!

Although the Great Poet of Love didn't know the specific reason for Lanqi's repeated warnings, she could roughly guess something. For example, Tata might have been a relatively famous figure in the Northern Continent, and the Great Poet of Love, with her nearly identical appearance to Tata, might cause unnecessary trouble if she was recognized.

Hyperion looked at the Great Poet of Love's comical appearance, not knowing how to comment.

"How pretty can you be?"

The Ice Witch found it a little funny. She had never seen such a cowardly and argumentative summon.

She didn't intend to say much, but hearing the Great Poet of Love's extremely provocative tone, she couldn't help but retort.

"!"

The Great Poet of Love wanted to lower her hands and let the Ice Witch see her beauty that was second to none, but she was repeatedly recalling Lanqi's warning in her mind.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Finally, the Great Poet of Love's gaze glanced slightly downwards.

"At least prettier than you, you ironing board."

The Great Poet of Love said with a disdainful lift of her lips.

The Ice Witch was stunned. She quickly understood what the Great Poet of Love meant by "ironing board."

She took a deep breath.

"I wouldn't bother arguing with you, but I can only tell you that with your personality, no matter how beautiful you are, no one in the world will ever truly fall in love with you."

The Ice Witch said coldly.

The Great Poet of Love trembled with anger upon hearing this, seemingly unconvinced.

Seeing that they were about to start a big fight, Hyperion quickly stepped between the Great Poet of Love and the Ice Witch.

"Lanfu, calm down, calm down."

She didn't expect that Teacher Almis and the Great Poet of Love's personalities would be so incompatible, that they would start arguing as soon as they met.

"Hmph, although Lanqi always thinks that the woman who looks like me is cold, fierce, and old, I'm different. Not only do I have looks, but I also have charm!"

The Great Poet of Love dropped this sentence and turned back into a summon card.

"Hiss—"

Hyperion broke out in a cold sweat listening to this. She took a deep breath, knowing that the Great Poet of Love was making a veiled insult, seemingly talking about Tata, but actually scolding the Ice Witch for being cold, fierce, and old.

Fortunately, this was the Northern Continent. If these words were spoken in front of someone who knew Tata, then Hyperion would definitely suspect that the Great Poet of Love was wishing for Lanqi's death!

"I'm sorry, Teacher Almis. The Great Poet of Love is spoiled."

Hyperion quickly lowered her head and apologized to the Ice Witch.

"It's okay. It's my problem. I didn't expect to reason with a demon summon."

The Ice Witch shook her head.

In the instant the Great Poet of Love disappeared, she now understood what the summon's effect was. She didn't expect that even she would be influenced by this musical magic.

The second chapter hasn't been written yet, will post before eleven.

(End of this chapter)