Chapter 1 In a Hurry

Amidst the bustling downtown of Emperor Heluomu, with its ubiquitous, similar-looking high-rises, two figures moved swiftly through the wind, darting down street after street.

Overtaking the sluggish traffic, they dashed through an intersection just as the light changed.

"Why am I rushing to catch a train with you?"

Xi De turned her head, speechless, but didn't slow her pace.

She could usually reach the location in a few seconds with a leap through the air, but taking the Heluomu underground arcane railcar would take several minutes.

"Isn't this all because the Cardinal suddenly abducted me?"

Lan Qi, hearing her grumbling complaints, politely met her gaze and retorted.

They were already running late.

Actually, there was still hope they could make it.

Being a little late shouldn't be a big deal in theory. As long as they weren't too late, they, who had achieved the best results in the final assessment, should be given some leniency.

But the problem was that Lan Qi didn't like being late. He had never had any records of rule violations, absenteeism, or tardiness at the Yi Ke Li Te Academy.

A truly good student and role model should never be late.

Moreover, both of them being late together would more or less arouse unnecessary suspicion from the Silence Branch.

"Don't talk back to your superior."

Xi De muttered coldly, no longer looking at him.

"..."

Lan Qi stopped talking.

Although he had suggested that Cardinal Ba Tian give him another super cool, trackless roller coaster ride back to where he was abducted, she regretted to say that she was a person of principle. From now on, she wouldn't revert back to the eighth rank unless Lan Qi's life was in danger. She was Xi De, a fourth rank like Lan Qi, and didn't have such strong abilities.

The cat boss in Lan Qi's arms was even more dazed and frightened.

It didn't understand why things had suddenly developed like this.

It had been enjoying the peaceful life in Heluomu just yesterday.

Now, a legendary cardinal of the Resurrection Church was beside it, rushing to school with this kid like two students about to be late. This sense of youth felt a bit off.

On the side of the bustling downtown avenue, the entrance to the underground arcane railcar station was already visible. They could even hear the buzzing of the machines and the chatter of passengers entering the station.

The two ran down the descending steps towards the station entrance.

Maintaining his pace, Lan Qi glanced at the time on the sign on the wall.

"We have to catch this one."

Lan Qi said with certainty. If they missed this train, which would leave in a minute, it would definitely be late if they took the next train, considering the time it would take to run at full speed to the Silence Knights Order after getting off.

He also thought of a serious problem at the same time.

"By the way, Xi De, do you have a monthly pass?"

If they didn't have a monthly pass, it would definitely take more than a minute to line up to buy a ticket and go through the gate.

"Of course."

Cardinal Ba Tian took out a small card holder from her jacket pocket.

Then, she and Lan Qi only waited in line for a few seconds at the gate and passed through with a light swipe.

However, the beeping sound from the machine on Xi De's side was slightly different.

"?"

It wasn't the sound a regular ticket like Lan Qi's would make, but the sound that only a student ticket, like Ze Si Ti La's, would make.

"Why do you have a student ticket?"

Lan Qi asked in confusion.

He now realized that Xi De's identity was not just a temporary, impromptu fabrication, but seemed to be a habitual act of playing young.

"..."

Xi De didn't answer, choosing to respond with silence.

Without time for more questions, the two tacitly stopped this awkward topic, ran down the stairs, then ran up the stairs to the opposite platform, and entered the railcar just as the doors were about to close with only two or three seconds to spare.

"Not bad, not bad, we finally made it."

Xi De leaned against the door and smiled brightly. Lan Qi also nodded slightly.

"So, why do you have a student ticket?"

Lan Qi continued his earlier question.

"...Before I met you, didn't I say I wanted to find a talented young person? The Pu Luo Tuo Si Royal Magic Academy is a good place, so I would occasionally go in to take a look, but none of them satisfied me."

Xi De realized that this kid didn't want her to change the subject, so she could only sigh and explain to him.

It wasn't anything embarrassing, just pretending to be a few years younger to carry out some official business at the academy.

"Is it okay for you not to go back to school normally?"

Lan Qi remembered that the written and re-examinations of the Silence Branch were all on weekdays, and Xi De had stayed outside the school without any scruples.

"It's okay, just deduct points."

Xi De raised her right hand indifferently. Those things at school were just children's games to her, and she didn't care about those grades and prospects. It didn't matter whether she graduated or not.

"Just right, if you're going to stay in the Pu Luo Tuo Si Royal Academy next week, I'll also go back to school to pay attention to your performance. Don't make me feel bored or disappointed."

Xi De instructed Lan Qi as if she were assigning a task.

Although her Saint Son was very capable on the surface, he might be restricted in a place like a school with its rules and regulations, making it difficult for him to perform.

However, she was also very interested in seeing what level of follower her Saint Son would be assessed as in the Pu Luo Tuo Si Royal Magic Academy.

"Huff, if you're supervising me, then I have to be more serious."

Lan Qi was silent for a moment before saying.

He felt that if he hadn't known Xi De's identity now, he might not have recognized that she was Cardinal Ba Tian even if he met her at school.

And it seemed that according to this development, regardless of whether he participated in the assessment of the Silence Branch, he would be targeted by Xi Ge Li De and abducted, even in the Pu Luo Tuo Si Royal Academy.

He was destined to be unable to avoid this overlord.

"Are you always running away?"

Xi De stared at Lan Qi. After precisely suppressing her strength back to the fourth rank, she found that this kid, despite being a magic support, ran surprisingly fast in the town, and didn't pant much after running through several streets.

"My teacher once told me that I need to practice running more, otherwise I'll die easily."

Lan Qi thought for a while and replied.

"Forget her words. Now I am your teacher. Don't waste time doing this kind of thing in the future. Focus more on the career you want."

Xi De's expression didn't reveal any emotions, but her tone seemed to be slightly displeased that Lan Qi had mentioned someone else's teaching.

"Then what if I encounter unreasonable thugs chasing me?"

Lan Qi found that town mobility was actually quite important. After all, it had been used in the Yi Ke Li Te Academy. He still had vivid memories of the illegal construction demolition incident of the Grappler Team. If he had run any slower, he would have probably ended up in the Yi Ke Li Te Medical Service Center.

"With me here, what are you afraid of?"

Xi De answered as a matter of course.

After hearing this, Lan Qi thought for a long time.

Why was it that he had an eighth-rank bodyguard in the Southern Continent as well, but never felt the actual bodyguard service?

That's right, with an eighth-rank bodyguard, one should be able to act recklessly and without any worries.

"Miss Xi De, you must be very popular, right?"

Lan Qi finally asked.

"Why do you ask? I am indeed very loved by my subordinates."

Xi De responded somewhat puzzled.

Lan Qi nodded.

As expected, the difference between popular and unpopular women is obvious at a glance.

(End of Chapter)