Chapter 204: Lances Surprise is Not Over

Chapter 204: Lance's Surprise is Not Over

On the stone-paved paths of Ikerite University, early-rising students and staff hurried about, while others chatted in small groups. However, all of this bustle and activity seemed cut off by an invisible barrier from the few figures standing a short distance away.

Lawrence stood motionless for a long moment. He was already tempted to run away. He truly didn't know how to face Juliana.

Even if the straightforward and proud Juliana honored the absurd terms she had agreed to and went on a date with him, Lawrence couldn't even begin to imagine what that scenario would look like. He had no desire to spend an entire day with a Juliana who was gritting her teeth in fury!

Besides, if the date actually happened, the rumors flying around Ikerite would surely go wild!

Lawrence rubbed his eyes and pleaded, "Lance, I'm begging you. Please let the students from the academic exchange return safe and sound. Once Adam recovers, I'll personally escort him back and offer a formal apology, but I need every single one of the other twenty students back and not a single one missing."

His expression hovered between a smile and on the verge of tears.

Lance remained silent. Hyperion couldn't help but glance at Fenix, who had been standing nearby the whole time. Lawrence's expression froze once more.

"... Student, whatever threats Lance might have made, don't be afraid. Please, just be honest with me, alright?" Lawrence asked, looking at Fenix with palpable anxiety.

He just knew there was something fishy about Lance associating with a student from the Yaloran Kingdom's Royal University! At least this student didn't seem to be missing any limbs or look like he needed a hospital visit.

Fenix looked at Lance, then at Lawrence, but remained silent. He clearly had something very important to tell the dean.

Lawrence flicked his fingers, casting a spell to seal off the sound around them from the outside world. He said gently, "Alright, whatever you want to tell me, go ahead."

Although he didn't expect it to be anything major, he would still listen carefully to anything involving Lance.

Fenix replied, "I am a member of the Church of Resurrection."

Lawrence fell silent for a moment, then he said, "That can't be right. Student, that isn't a funny joke."

He revealed a somewhat awkward, embarrassed smile. He had never encountered a member of the Church of Resurrection who would calmly turn themselves in like this, as if they had been completely reformed. It was nothing short of bizarre.

Fenix said to Lawrence with a stern, cold expression, "I am an elite operative reporting directly to Cardinal Ivanos of the Destruction faction. I only awaken from dormancy to execute missions under special circumstances. My assignment in the Kingdom of Hutton was to assassinate Lady Hyperion and orchestrate a massive incident. Meanwhile, other cultists in the Kingdom of Yaloran were to follow up."

He paused and then continued coldly, "Once you launched an investigation, you would fall into our trap, igniting a conflict that would, in a way you never anticipated, completely shatter the trust between the Kingdom of Hutton and the Kingdom of Yaloran."

At that moment, he no longer looked like a student, having regained the chilling aura typical of a cultist.

The smile gradually faded from Lawrence's face. It shifted from a serious expression to one of momentary mental paralysis.

Fenix said calmly, "Here is the plan I've drafted based on the intelligence I possess, along with my written confession and a list of individuals within key institutions of the Kingdom of Yaloran who are likely members of the Church of Resurrection. I intend to make a full confession and cooperate fully with your investigation. I only ask that you look after my younger sister and shield her from the cult's retaliation. She is truly innocent."

He then produced the intelligence report and confession he had prepared the previous day, handing them over so the dean could grasp the situation as quickly as possible.

Lawrence's hands trembled slightly as he took the papers, his eyes dropping to the shocking details written upon them. Then, he looked back at Fenix. If what the cultist said was true, then this was undoubtedly a massive security breach.

Fenix was no mere pawn within the Church of Resurrection. Instead, he was a "big fish," an elite operative who had maintained perfect cover prior to all of this.

Lance said earnestly, "Dean Lawrence, I'll need to trouble you with the follow-up work, including protecting Phyllis. Also, regarding this intelligence, it's best not to go through official kingdom channels right away. Instead, you should consult a high-ranking figure in Yaloran whom you trust and have that person assist with the investigation. You should know who I'm talking about, right?"

He had even taken into account the official business that would require Lawrence and Juliana to work together. After all, romance was built on a series of events that created opportunities for two people to spend time together. The best scenarios were situations that felt like the work of fate rather than anything forced or deliberate.

Now, Lawrence would have no choice but to seek out Juliana. Furthermore, the ensuing period would inevitably require frequent communication between them. Surely that would be enough to spark a romantic connection!

"Lance... I must first acknowledge your exceptional competence. Rest assured, the credit and rewards due to you later will be substantial." Lawrence gazed at Lance with a complex expression. He could no longer figure the boy out. It was as if the youth was simultaneously trying to mess with him and help him at the same time.

Lawrence had to admit it. Lance was truly the most capable student he had ever encountered. He was so capable, in fact, that his sheer drive and ambition were almost frightening.

Lawrence lamented with a look of pained concern, "But I'm worried that if too few members of the academic exchange team make it back, Juliana will come straight to the Kingdom of Hutton to find me."

Counting Phyllis and Adam, who were currently in the hospital, a total of twenty-one students had arrived. Now, only eighteen were likely to return home as scheduled in a week's time.

If the number dropped any further, Juliana would end up coming to confront him in person. Lawrence didn't even dare to imagine what kind of scandalous rumors would spread about Ikerite if that happened.

"Really?" Lance's eyes lit up.

Beside him, Hyperion's eyes went wide. Judging from his reaction, it looked like he wanted to personally take charge of organizing Dean Lawrence's wedding!

Unfortunately, there was a big problem. Considering how the rumors in the city were getting increasingly distorted, if Knight Commander Juliana came to the royal capital of Hutton and Dean Lawrence's fiancées found out, they certainly wouldn't let the romance between him and Knight Commander Juliana proceed smoothly!

Some of those fiancées might even step in personally. It didn't take a genius to realize that an epic romantic warzone was on the horizon! If only for the sake of Ikerite's peace and quiet, Hyperion knew they absolutely couldn't afford to lose any more students from the Kingdom of Yaloran!

Lawrence didn't dare continue the conversation with Lance. No normal person could ever fathom the thought process of such a madman. The more he said, the more likely he was to trigger the youth into doing something even more outrageous.

Lawrence immediately took Fenix and vanished from the spot like a gust of wind. As the airflow dissipated, the sound-isolating barrier lifted. The campus bustle, the laughter of other students, and the rustling of the breeze through the leaves once again reached Lance and Hyperion's ears.

Looking somewhat wary, Hyperion asked, "Lance, what are you planning to do today?"

Having seen their guest off, the two of them strolled leisurely back. Lance observed the expression on Hyperion's face and fell silent for a moment.

An artificial stream flowed beside the path. The water was crystal clear, revealing the bottom, and fallen leaves occasionally drifted across the surface. It reflected the blue of the sky and the green of the trees, making a picture of serene tranquility.

Lance thought for a moment before answering, "I plan to take the day off. I'll go to the Card Maker's Association to buy some materials, practice card making, and make a transformation card for the Poet."

If he didn't follow through on his promise to the Poet of Boundless Love right away, she might prove difficult to handle the next time she emerged. Besides, while the Poet was in high spirits, it was the perfect opportunity to get her wholehearted cooperation in crafting the card.

"Phew..." Hyperion let out a breath of relief.

Lance did, in fact, still have some downtime left. It was a break granted by the school after completing the Banquet of the Sanctuary Villains Shadow Realm.

"By the way, Hyperion, could I borrow your Polymorph: Human spell card for a couple of days to study it?"

For the skins Lance intended to craft for the Poet, any racial transformation would rely on principles derived from transformation magic. Using Polymorph: Demon as a base would allow her to become other types of demons, whereas Polymorph: Human would allow her to take on a human form.

Lance wasn't sure if altering her race would trigger any unforeseen side effects, though the final result would also incorporate his own hand-drawn artistry.

"Sure, no problem."

Hyperion readily produced the card and handed it to Lance, opting to maintain her own human form using the disguise spell she had used from the very beginning.

Although helping Lance play dress-up using Miss Tali's likeness gave her a distinct sense of impropriety, Hyperion was also curious to see what the Poet would look like. Tali was already stunningly beautiful; if the opportunity arose, Hyperion would even love to bring out some of the exquisite outfits from the duke's estate to style her.