Chapter 172: There is No Way that Radiant Demon Could Appear in the Real World

Bathed in the clear morning sunlight, a magitech train roared into Ikerite Central Station the next day. Constructed with a roof of reddish-brown slates, this station served as the transportation hub for the entire Kingdom of Hutton. It blended classical and modern styles, and its soaring vaulted ceilings, marble columns, frescoes, and stained glass windows left a deep impression on first-time visitors.

Only after the massive mechanical beast came to a complete halt on the platform did the doors of every carriage slide open. Dozens of seconds had passed following the announcement of the arrival of this train.

Unlike ordinary travelers, the group emerging from the luxurious first class carriages consisted of students who, despite their youthful appearances, exuded an air of composure and profound depth.

They made their way through the station concourse, weaving past bustling crowds and tourists who lingered indecisively in shops selling Hutton Kingdom specialties. The students cut striking figures in the station hall, drawing the gazes of many in the crowd.

Aside from the professor leading the team, the young men and women wore well-tailored blazers. Their ties bore the emblem of the Royal University of Yaloran, which was a flame-red motif set against a black checkerboard pattern. The jackets featured double-breasted fronts and peak lapels.

While they lacked the epaulettes and military sleeve insignia found on formal military dress uniforms, contrasting piping along the cuffs, hems, and pocket edges signified the students' respective grade levels and academic divisions.

In these students, the travelers at Ikerite saw the vitality and confidence characteristic of young geniuses, as well as the maturity and poise of seasoned powerhouses.

The academic delegation from the Kingdom of Yaloran numbered just over twenty. Among them were several third year students of exceptional strength. They were individuals who, in the real world, would constitute a formidable combat force in their own right.

Unlike the comprehensive Ikerite University, the Royal University of Yaloran specialized in practical combat within both the real world and the Shadow Realm. It focused primarily on training students for combat-oriented roles.

Consequently, their roster of scholars and magical artisans was not as balanced as that of Ikerite University. In previous years, the visiting delegation from the Royal University of Yaloran would typically bring along students with potential in support roles to study at the College of Alchemy and College of Magical Engineering.

This year, however, was different. They had brought students specializing in combat roles, and it was an entourage that was poised to challenge the status quo.

One reason for this shift was the hostile relationship between Juliana, Commander of the Royal Order of Knights in Yaloran, and Lawrence, the dean of the Sages' College in Ikerite University.

On the other hand, the Royal University of Yaloran, whose magical engineering program had long been considered a weak point, had finally recruited a rare prodigy. This student had obtained a Gold card maker certification immediately upon advancing to their second year.

Even at Ikerite University, no second year student in the College of Magical Engineering had achieved Gold Certified status. In fact, one could count the number of Gold Certified card makers among the third years on one hand. Their visit carried a distinct air of showing off.

Generally speaking, the two institutions had enjoyed a cordial relationship for years. It was only with recent changes in leadership that a sense of rivalry had begun to emerge.

The students in the group chatted amongst themselves. One student smugly commented, "Not since Duke Michael has the Kingdom of Hutton produced such a dazzlingly talented card maker as we have."

Another gossiped, "Who knows if Duke Michael is truly missing versus committing treason? There were rumors claiming the mysterious Cardinal of Eternal Darkness from the Church of Resurrection was actually the duke. People used to laugh it off, but lately, it's starting to seem plausible."

The first scolded, "You shouldn't say things like that while we're in Hutton."

The other student shrugged. "It's fine. I hear Ikerite University has a reputation for being ruthless to their own. They're even harsher when badmouthing their own people than outsiders are."

After moving from the platform level up to the main concourse of Ikerite Central Station, they were greeted by the city's fresh air and brilliant sunshine.

"So, this is Ikerite?"

The tall young man leading the group wore his hair in a neat, clean-cut style. The morning sun shining from above made the tips of his hair glint, while his eyes were clear and bright, sparkling like the stars.

He declared, "As Lady Juliana's sword, I intend to properly test my skills against the finest student under Dean Lawrence."

The cheerful young man appeared brimming with confidence, and his objective for this visit was clear. Of note, he was indeed formidable. Back when he clashed with the Saint of Decay, he had lost only by a narrow margin.

Juliana, the commander of the Yaloran Kingdom's Royal Order of Knights, had Cardinal Farmer, the Cardinal of Decay, as her arch-rival. Meanwhile, Lawrence, high priest of the Church of the Goddess of Fate, was the sworn enemy of Cardinal Ivanos, the Cardinal of Destruction.

To date, quite a few clerics from the Church of the Goddess of Fate had met gruesome ends at the hands of the Saintess of Destruction, yet Lawrence had never managed to groom a young talent capable of standing up to her.

The dean was simply too indecisive and soft-hearted. Unable to be stern, he was, at his core, a failed mentor. Not everyone possessed Lawrence's monstrous natural talent. Under his laid-back and gentle teaching style, even promising prospects would end up squandering their potential.

He was better off just staying at the university and coasting along. In terms of mentorship alone, Juliana had far surpassed Lawrence. Of course, these were all thoughts the young man had.

He turned back to speak to the girl walking behind him. "Don't worry, Karen. I know what I'm doing. I won't put Dean Lawrence in a difficult position."

She was a young woman with light-colored hair, green eyes, and a delightful, pleasant air about her.

Karen was a genius magical artisan from the Yaloran Royal University who had become a Gold Certified card maker while still a second year student. She said in a soft voice, her eyes filled with innocent, guileless charm, "If possible, Adam, I'd prefer you didn't get into any conflicts. I know you're doing this out of consideration for Lady Juliana, but I... I just don't want you to get hurt."

A collective murmur of admiration rose from the surrounding students. Both men and women felt their hearts melt.

The youth said, "Sorry about that, Karen."

Another student commented, "Karen is just so gentle."

A third sighed. "An angel has descended to earth."

While listening to the voices around her, Karen maintained her smile. Inwardly, however, she was cursing. Adam, you f***ing idiot. You know I'm coming here to study the Wind Primal Tablet, yet here you are picking fights with Dean Lawrence of all people.

Magical artisans were incredibly scarce at the Royal University, so those with talent were highly sought after. Although Karen was only a second year student, her status was clearly higher than any other student present. She certainly enjoyed the feeling of being adored like a superstar.

She believed that things would be the same if she were at Ikerite University. Given her talent, everyone would revolve around her like stars circling the moon. After all, she was the very embodiment of innocence; it was impossible for anyone not to like her!

While the front of the group was busy singing Karen's praises, a small clique at the back was deep in their own conversation.

One student whispered, "I've heard that combat classes from Ikerite's Knights' College are pretty tough. We should challenge them to a duel where we stake our spirit of combat on the outcome."

Another chimed in, "But word has it that last month, their top combatant, a Gold Licensed challenger named Zirvini, suddenly transferred to the College of Alchemy to study law. Apparently, she's given up on the spirit of combat entirely. She's determined to become a lawyer, even if it means doubling her coursework and torturing herself with endless study just to earn the credits."

A third gasped, "No way? Is there really a warrior out there who can actually handle academics?"

The first snorted. "If she won't accept the challenge, then we'll just have to teach her lackeys a harsh lesson. That'll surely force her to reignite her spirit of combat!"

Several combat specialists from the Yaloran side burned with a desire to fight that was even more intense than that of Adam, the strongest third year student leading the group. In short, everyone had their own agenda.

Soon, the professor leading the group located the Ikerite University staff members and student council representatives who were there to receive them, and began to converse with them.

A young brother-and-sister pair in the group had remained silent ever since stepping off the train. The older brother, a paladin, noticed the pale complexion on the face of his younger sister, a priestess, and asked, "What's wrong? Didn't you sleep well?"

The young woman closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm sorry... I've been having frequent nightmares ever since that Shadow Realm run."

Two months ago, just as they had advanced to their second year, they took on a Level 4 Shadow Realm dungeon themed around an ancient Demon Kingdom. As Rank 4 Silver Licensed challengers, the dungeon, while perilous, was not beyond their capabilities.

However, the experience had left such a deep impression that it inflicted lasting psychological trauma on the younger sister. During a chaotic, near-fatal situation within the Shadow Realm, they had come face-to-face with an ancient, high-ranking demon. It was an entity that should have never appeared in a Level 4 challenge.

Just when they thought all hope was lost, that terrifying Radiant Demon forcibly abducted them. They were held captive by it for a full two hours.

Trapped in the headmaster's office with that Radiant Demon, every second had been an ordeal of sheer terror and mental anguish. They felt as though they were sitting on a bed of needles.

Bizarrely enough, the Radiant Demon actually let them go in the end. They couldn't even fathom the rank of the headmaster of Purgatory Corridor Academy. He possessed such mastery that they couldn't sense a single trace of magical fluctuation from him.

Such perfect concealment of power implied an unimaginable gap between him and themselves. They hadn't felt this level of fear even when standing before Lady Juliana. That Radiant Demon was likely an entity of extreme evil, on par with a cardinal of the Church of Resurrection.

The mere thought of sharing a room with a cardinal from the Church of Resurrection for two hours would drive any ordinary young person to madness. To protect the privacy of challengers, there was no way to look up information about the other participants they had been matched with through the Southern Continent Shadow Realm Management Association after a challenge concluded.

The priestess softly whispered, "I hope this trip to Ikerite helps put my mind at ease."

Her brave paladin brother was holding up well enough, but she was so terrified that she no longer dared to attempt any more Shadow Realm challenges. The priestess remembered that there were six people in total in the Shadow Realm dungeon known as Purgatory Corridor Academy.

However, for some reason, it felt as though it had just been the two of them from start to finish. They never once encountered any other challenger. While they were challenging it, the dungeon suddenly went berserk, then it was followed by an inexplicable victory. They had never encountered such an absurd dungeon!

While they should have been relieved to have survived such an ordeal, the terrifying Radiant Demon headmaster of that academy had left an indelible mark on their minds.

Still, looking on the bright side, they would never have the chance to encounter such a demon in reality. That Radiant Demon was merely an ancient, high-ranking demon projected by the Shadow Realm, and he was a figure long since vanished from history.

Therefore, the shadow cast upon her heart would also gradually fade away with the passage of time.