"Dekan, actually…" Professor Arnold cleared his throat twice. "Every year at the end of the year, there will be exchange activities between our two schools. So, some students will also depart for Tristin Magic Academy on Monday tomorrow. You will go with them, and you can rest assured about safety."
"There's such an activity?" Dekan scratched his head. However, upon careful consideration, he realized that he was more concerned about external intelligence. He hadn't paid much attention to these internal activities; there wasn't even any relevant notice from the Knight College.
"Generally, outstanding second and third-year students from the College of Alchemy will go. Occasionally, students from the Mage College will accompany them. Next year, students and teachers from Tristin Magic Academy will come for a return visit," Professor Arnold said, glancing at Dekan.
In truth, if one were to talk about the most outstanding technical talent among the students, it would be Dekan. Even though he didn't belong to the College of Alchemy but rather the Knight College, Dekan's technical expertise and his ability to transcend the scope of the school were beyond question. That said, there was no need to allocate a spot for Dekan. After all, he was invited by the Card Makers Association to visit Tristin Magic Academy.
Even though he was the most sinister student he had ever encountered, Professor Arnold couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for Dekan.
"By the way, do you have a list of students visiting this time?" Dekan asked. It would be nice if his non-blood related sister, Mielle, could be his teammate. Although the compatibility between the two poison masters in research was perfect, Dekan hadn't tried causing mischief with her.
"No specific list here, but I know that Princess Alice will be going. So, there will be a tier 7 Knight Commander escorting you this time," Professor Arnold stated. The reason he was so confident about the safety of this trip was because Alice was among the travelers. Therefore, with a tier 7 Knight Commander as an escort, even if the Resurgence Church dared to attack, they would surely be repelled.
In addition, Tristin City paid special attention to receiving Princess Alice. Thus, the accompanying personnel would receive an equivalent level of security. There was almost no possibility of danger. If there were truly insurmountable risks, Dekan’s three-person team wouldn't be able to handle it anyways.
"Well then… I'll go by myself," Dekan said, chin resting on his hand, contemplating the situation.
The Resurgence Church had now added another potential target. But the probability was low. Once a member of the Royal Family was kidnapped, the king would never compromise with the kidnappers. He would relentlessly pursue and hunt them down like mad dogs. This was an unwritten rule among the Norton Kingdom's Royal Family.
However, regardless of the Resurgence Church's actual target, since they had harbored malicious intentions, Dekan decided to pay them a visit.
Bringing Cornelia and Croix along might even discourage the Resurgence Church. He didn't want to scare the fish away. Dekan was kind-hearted and didn't want to disrupt the Resurgence Church's carefully planned operations.
Furthermore, since Molion could handle the Resurgence Church alone, Dekan believed he could too. Sometimes, there was a strange sense of male competitiveness.
"Dekan, I have great confidence in your abilities, but please don't mind me being verbose. You mustn't offend the Ice Princess," Professor Arnold, looking at Dekan deep in thought, couldn't calm down and reiterated his advice.
"All right, you can put your heart at ease. I've always been prudent in my actions," Dekan returned to reality, and a brilliant smile once again adorned his face. His interest in the trip became even more apparent, and he couldn't hide his excitement about the journey.
"If you say that, I'll have a hard time sleeping..."
Professor Arnold covered his forehead, unwilling to see Dekan anymore. He had an ominous premonition.
Finally, after President Leyun handed some tickets and documents to him, Dekan bid farewell to the two and left the office.
"Arnold, why do you look so worried?" President Leyun observed Arnold's distressed expression and couldn't help but laugh.
"I hope it's just my overthinking," Professor Arnold sighed deeply and stood up, preparing to leave the office with President Leyun.
"Don't worry, I've seen Dekan in the real world. He’s always mindful and courteous, a good young man."
"...True."
Dekan, the least reassuring person for Arnold, was also his favorite top student. However, this was the first time Dekan was being sent on an external mission. Professor Arnold wasn't sure if Dekan would cause a big commotion. He hoped that Dekan would at least restrain himself a bit in the real world.
...
On Monday morning, before the sun had fully risen, a pale golden light penetrated the dawn and illuminated Dekan's room. Outside the window, a few crows seemed to pass by, slicing through the sky with sharp cries. This made Dekan, who had just woken up, feel particularly comfortable.
It seemed like something good was going to happen today.
After preparing, Dekan shouldered his baggage and set off immediately!
He felt like he had been on high-intensity tourism recently.
Life experience after coming to the academy was nothing short of perfect.
Originally, Dekan planned to bring Teacher Cat along. However, thinking about Cornelia facing a week of classes alone, he was worried she might feel uncomfortable. So, Dekan entrusted an important task to Teacher Cat - spend more time with Cornelia these days.
But now that Flora was there to keep Cornelia company, she probably wouldn't feel lonely.
Hmm, Dekan started worrying if Flora would lead Cornelia to skip classes...
Dekan shook his head.
Forget it, he didn't want to think about it.
He believed in Cornelia's perseverance.
Dekan arrived early at the Alchemy College’s dormitory, the meeting point agreed upon by the visiting team. Some students were already waiting there.
Dekan quickly spotted his familiar friend, Mielle.
He greeted her and walked over.
"I was worried there wouldn't be anyone familiar this time. Mielle, you're a lifesaver. Oh, and Princess Alice."
"Hehe."
Mielle smiled without saying anything, leaving the space for conversation to Alice and Dekan.
Alice avoided eye contact, somewhat embarrassed, and uttered a few awkward yeses.
She had just learned yesterday that Dekan would be joining their team for this trip. Although the purpose of the visit was different, they would be traveling together.
"Princess Alice, please don't resent my childish behavior. I've always been taught by my teacher that a true master has the heart of an apprentice. So, I did seek your advice with a humble heart that day."
Dekan rarely had the chance to chat with Alice.
He felt that he might as well take this opportunity to dispel any misunderstandings.
Last time, when he scared Alice into fainting in Mielle's dormitory, Dekan genuinely felt guilty.
"You, were you really not mocking me back then?" Alice could never forget Dekan's last smirk at the Card Makers Association that left her utterly humiliated.
"What? What are you talking about? I made a good card, so of course, I would smile," Dekan showed a puzzled expression.
"..."
Alice was skeptical of Dekan's explanation. Although Dekan seemed sincere now, Alice had witnessed his process of conquering the Shadow Worlds. His adept acting skills were like a mask he wore all the time; she couldn't trust even half of what he said!
But if she didn't trust him, and he didn't trust her, they would never trust each other.
After hesitating for a while, she sighed. "Okay, okay, I believe you. Actually, I didn't blame you. It's just that I embarrassed myself too much..."
Alice said helplessly.
Whenever she recalled the poems Dekan recited that day, she couldn't help but cringe.
She actually recited them with such pride!
"Princess Alice, such magnanimity! I think 'With stars in hand, plucking the sun and moon, there is no one like me in the world' suits you better," Dekan admired Alice, praising her.
"Stars in hand... No, enough already!"
Alice couldn't help but recite these pretentious words again only to suddenly realize she almost let Dekan lead her into a misconception again.
This guy definitely wanted to add more dark history to her life!
Mielle: "Alice, if you want to get along well with Dekan, always be on guard against him."
"What are you talking about? Clearly, I have no guard up against you at all." Dekan said disappointedly to Mielle.
"Hehe."
Mielle covered her mouth and chuckled lightly.
Alice: "Wait, I was curious just now. Are you two very familiar?"
Dekan: "Ah, we chose the same elective course, happened to be group partners, and our interests are similar. So, we hit it off."
Mielle: "Yes."
Alice nodded.
"Since you are Mielle's friend, you are my friend too. Let's get along well in the future," Alice said seriously, looking at Dekan with clear eyes.
Dekan was slightly stunned.
With words like these, it might be a bit embarrassing to tease Alice in the future.
But indeed, from the beginning, he didn't find Alice annoying.
She was always a very friendly person.
Plus, she was generous.
Dekan sighed in relief and smiled freely.
Dekan: "I'm glad to be your friend."
Alice: "Me... me too."
It seemed that this was the first time Dekan had genuinely smiled at Alice.
Dekan's expressions when interacting with friends were without any pretense.
Alice could see a subtle change in Dekan's demeanor, but she couldn't pinpoint where it had changed. However, she was sure it was a positive change. She felt as if a knot in her heart had been untied.
