110 Dekan Visits the Academy and Will Attend an Event
Today, Tristin City looked as though it were gearing up for a festival.
It was not yet ten in the morning, yet all the magical devices within the city, which were usually only activated during festivals, were already in operation.
This made Tristin City appear dreamlike.
Many magical screens displayed in a loop the announcement, “Celebration Event, December 25th at 12 noon, Officially Commencing!”
Even though the New Year was still a few days away, Tristin City already looked exceptionally festive, dazzling all who beheld it.
People were naturally pleased, the long-awaited New Year’s atmosphere arriving sooner than expected.
Was it not a wonderful thing?
The entire city brimmed with joyful anticipation. They looked forward with great interest to what surprising event would be announced at twelve o’clock.
It was said that Lord Rampard would personally host it. Moreover, a mysterious guest was also going to participate.
Those immersed in the festivity did not realize the kind of calamity Tristin City was about to face, nor were they aware of the undercurrents secretly roiling within the city.
…
On the second floor of a mansion, a few people had gathered.
Their expressions were rather grave, seemingly baffled by the unexpected festive atmosphere in Tristin City.
“How did a celebration suddenly come about?”
A middle-aged man scratched his head.
The preparation to stir up trouble in Tristin City had been arranged by them.
Now, they had a strange feeling — was the lord planning some kind of countermove?
“Could the lord have uncovered the intelligence?”
“Unlikely. Even if they used the harshest methods of interrogation, those two captured wouldn’t have confessed so quickly.”
Traitors of the Rebirth Church could not escape retaliation, even if they were hidden in a dungeon.
One of the church’s tenets was the uncompromising punishment of traitors.
Moreover, the three people who tied up Dekan had no knowledge of the operation’s details.
“Prepare for the worst-case scenario; Isabel may issue an order to act earlier.”
Isabel was the name of the leading figure in the previous gathering at the Temple, a close aide sent by the Cardinal.
Their original plan was supposed to start the following day.
Since the Ice Snow Princess was the known target and they were operating covertly, thorough preparation in a timely manner was beneficial to them.
Now, considering the possibility that the lord’s actions were not coincidental, they might have to act earlier.
However, not knowing the lord’s intentions, Isabel would probably hesitate to disrupt the timing of the plan prematurely.
After all, the lord’s strange operations did not seem to be geared toward prevention.
Most importantly, without any warning signals from the intelligence operatives in Capital City, it indicated that the lord had not requested aid from the capital.
It was highly likely that it was just a regular event planning.
After all, a promotional scheme would not interfere significantly with their plans.
Besides, today happened to be the day Dekan and the Ice Snow Princess had arranged for a special level of review.
In Isabel’s instructions, it was preferable to avoid engaging Dekan as an unknown factor in the operation.
Hence, even if they acted earlier, Isabel would likely only issue an order after the meeting between Dekan and the Ice Snow Princess concluded.
By that time, it would be close to the time for the announcement.
Thus, they could use this opportunity to see what grand scheme the lord would announce and subsequently decide on whether to proceed earlier.
…
Tristine Magic Academy.
Due to the Ice Snow Princess’s precious time, Dekan was given only an hour for the special review. The scheduled time was from eleven o’clock to before twelve.
Dekan departed early from the Lord’s estate, riding in a carriage sent by the lord, accompanied by an escort of knights, and arrived at Tristine Magic Academy.
Today, Dekan did not wear the school uniform of Hewenlit Academy but a black formal suit specially prepared for him by the lord, draped in a majestic, heavy cloak, with his hair combed meticulously.
Dekan had a busy schedule today. After completing the special review, he would also have to participate in a celebratory promotional event hosted by Lord Rampard.
And the event involved putting up an elaborate show for the Rebirth Church.
At the entrance of Tristine Magic Academy, a crowd of students had gathered.
They watched in awe as the lord’s personal guard respectfully opened the carriage door, and Dekan descended with a composed expression that exuded an aura of authority, resembling some grand dignitary.
Many students of Tristine Academy were astonished. They had heard about a legendary near-Special Class Cardmaker among the students of Capital City’s Hewenlit Academy, but unfortunately, they did not spot this particular gray-haired, blue-eyed Dekan in the visiting group from Hewenlit yesterday.
A rumor circulated that Dekan had been detained for overspeed driving.
However, today, that ridiculous rumor was instantly debunked. Seeing the debonair, young man descending from the carriage exuding a powerful aura, they now understood.
The legendary near-Special Class Cardmaker Dekan had not been arrested but was instead cordially invited to the lord’s estate.
“Is it true that a person like him only makes dark cards?”
“I have a friend at Hewenlit Academy, and they say Dekan’s early nickname was the ‘Cult Priest’…”
“But he looks so noble and sunny…”
The students could not help but feel that something was off.
The more radiant he seemed, the more unsettling his reputation became when juxtaposed against his demeanor.
But leaving aside his cardmaking and conduct, purely considering his capabilities as a cardmaker, the students of the academy felt complex toward Dekan.
It was unclear whether admiration or jealousy was more dominant.
After all, for a cardmaker student of Tristine Magic Academy, the ultimate goal was to become a Special Class Cardmaker.
Yet for most, this was an unreachable lifetime goal.
However, there was someone of their age in today’s world close to achieving it.
The students who previously held the Ice Snow Princess as a star of admiration now viewed Dekan as a second rising star.
They might even develop an illusion that this star seemed not so far away.
But in reality, it remained beyond reach.
“Mr. Dekan, we will bring you to meet Lady Ice Snow Princess.”
The teachers in charge of Tristine Academy and officials from the Cardmaker Division had been waiting at the entrance.
They quickly formed a circle around Dekan.
“Thank you.”
Dekan did not engage in pleasantries and proceeded to follow them into the academy.
Though Dekan did not do anything deliberately ostentatious, his dignified and authoritative demeanor was striking.
Also, many teachers from the academy were politely guiding and following him with respect.
It really looked like he was performing an inspection, making it seem he was a visiting senior official.
