Chapter 17 Serene Morning

The tree-lined path of the Yggdrasil Academy, bathed in the morning sun, was exceptionally tranquil.

In the distance, birds flitted among the branches of the Alchemy Institute's botanical garden, their melodious chirping ringing out from time to time.

"..."

Having hastily fled the Cat Boss Restaurant, Lan Qi and Hyperion walked along the path leading to the Magic Engineering Institute's main building, both tacitly silent.

Now, nearing the end of the semester, with the examination week approaching, there were hardly any new courses. The figures of students heading to or leaving classes were also less frequently seen on campus. Returning to their long-absent school, they felt as if half a year had passed in the blink of an eye.

Finally.

They spotted a familiar landmark ahead.

On the route from the Sage Institute to the Magic Engineering Institute was a cold-pressed juice shop, offering more than thirty varieties of pure fruit juices, mixed fruit juices, and vegetable juices. Before leaving Yggdrasil, they often saw many students holding a cup of this shop's beverage after class.

The shop, newly opened last year, had now become an old favorite.

The two exchanged a glance and paused here for a moment, buying two cups without having to queue.

Hyperion remembered that they had walked this same path after Teresa's *General Introduction to Magical Genealogy* class in the Learning and Education Building, chatting while holding cold-pressed juice, before deciding to visit Askesan in the Northern Continent, opening this graduation topic.

Who would have thought that they would actually complete it.

One could only sigh at how quickly time flew.

Returning from the conflict-ridden Northern Continent to the peaceful Yggdrasil, the pace of life seemed to slow down, with novel amusements and cuisines to be found everywhere.

To be able to enjoy the life of Yggdrasil without worries or pressure would be an exceptionally blissful thing.

At this moment, she could also feel Lan Qi's desire to retire early, as well as the everyday life that Tata was already living.

Hyperion chewed on her straw as if killing time, taking small sips of juice, occasionally glancing at Lan Qi. She always felt that Lan Qi had become extremely awkward since leaving the Cat Boss Restaurant.

He obviously understood how abstract he and Tata had been.

As an observer, Hyperion didn't want to say anything first, so if Lan Qi didn't speak, she would pretend nothing had happened and stay with him.

"We'll prepare to depart for the Kretia Empire after challenging the Shadow World one more time."

Lan Qi and Hyperion briefly crossed the intersection without trees on the tree-lined path, gazing at the four-sided building clearly visible in the distance, muttering to themselves.

In the heart of the Yggdrasil Academy, that massive building stood proudly, surrounded by the district attributions of the four major institutes.

Despite their unique charms, the various novel or classical buildings in the academy paled slightly in comparison to this building in the center, which sealed the void gate to the Shadow World.

Soon, they would once again dream back to a history tens of thousands of years ago.

"Yes."

Hyperion also sighed.

Once thought to be out of reach, in just one short year, they had a little hope of going to the Kretia Empire to find Duke Mychaia.

It should be known that when they first met a year ago, she was just a Tier 3 Assassin, while Lan Qi was still a Tier 2 White Mage.

Now... she was still considered normal, that is, her tier advancement was relatively fast, while Lan Qi had mutated into the spiritual leader of the Protoss Empire.

"Hoo..."

After finishing his juice, Lan Qi finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Hyperion, thank you for bringing me out."

Lan Qi showed a look of relief, exclaiming.

The cool sweetness was like a refreshing breeze in midsummer, bringing him back to life.

Feeling the beating of his heart, the magma-like heat in his chest spread throughout his body with his pulse.

It had never been so stimulating.

Although he had paid some unforgettable price, he had truly experienced the ultimate thrill.

"Small matter."

Hyperion shook her head.

She believed Lan Qi had learned enough of a lesson this time.

Now that things had reached this point, he shouldn't dare to do it again next time.

The two were silent again for a moment.

"Speaking of which, how do you view Tata?"

Hyperion asked tentatively.

She recalled the dialogue between Lan Qi and Tata, and always felt a little weird.

Although she knew they were mentally unstable because of the Great Poet.

But she was inexplicably worried that if no one interrupted them, would they have the desire to take the opportunity to act out a play, go with the flow?

"...My most respected master."

Lan Qi paused slightly, answering with a smile.

"Really?"

Hyperion's voice was full of disbelief.

"Uh, then a friendship that transcends age?"

Lan Qi thought about it and described it a little more accurately.

"..."

Hyperion didn't know what to say.

I underestimated you.

The quiet tree-lined path was like a brilliant emerald, painting infinitely numerous and unrepeatable patterns on the bluestone road.

The slow pace of the two would always take a long time to walk on this road.

"Lan Qi, can you stop provoking Tata? Listen to me."

Hyperion struggled for a long time, gradually clenching her palms.

Whether Lan Qi listened was one thing, whether she persuaded him was another, sometimes she might have to be a little more assertive so that he would listen to her.

"...Tata and I have always gotten along like this."

Lan Qi said softly.

"..."

Hyperion didn't know if he was confused about whether he had offended Tata, or unable to resist Tata's temptation.

Seeing Lan Qi's aggrieved appearance, she softened again.

Not letting him interact with Tata seemed more uncomfortable than killing him.

Although the result after the interaction might also be more uncomfortable than killing him.

But he just loved to play.

Hyperion had discovered that playing with Tata had an addictive feeling for Lan Qi.

"If you continue like this, I won't be able to save you..."

Hyperion said with an increasingly weak voice.

"No, no, no, you have to save me, my angel Hyperion."

Lan Qi immediately looked at Hyperion.

Hyperion was his greatest confidence.

"..."

Seeing Lan Qi like this, Hyperion bit her lip lightly.

"Hyperion."

Lan Qi called her name again, his tone retreating by half.

"I will save you, don't worry, I'll protect you."

After a period of distress, Hyperion finally shook her head and agreed.

Although after saying this, she felt a little regret, and had a premonition of an ill omen, but she couldn't do anything about it.

But after thinking about it, the problem shouldn't be big. This time, Lan Fu was taking revenge, so Lan Qi overturned the car. Next time, she really couldn't find his overturning point, unless Tata didn't play by the rules, or her Hyperion's thinking went wrong, or Lan Qi accidentally ate alcohol, or that woman from the Northern Continent crossed the sea for no reason, and so on.

They were all low-probability events, which could be ignored, otherwise it would be a bit of splitting hairs.

Hyperion nodded firmly.

(End of chapter)