Chapter 366: Dusk and Night Wanderings
“Alright, alright, Alena, stop arguing with Xiao Yeling. If she really jumps up to hit you, I can’t help you either. Today, Lolan and Bumansa aren’t here,” Letis said in a single breath, offending both of them at once and instantly extinguishing their conflict, making herself the target of their ire.
“One point five five meters isn’t short,” Yeling confidently stated.
“I’m going to become a dragon tamer,” Alena added.
They chattered amongst themselves, debating the three mainstream views within the academy.
Alena: “If we could make good use of the environment and cultivate various demonic beasts, wouldn’t this world be harmonious and beautiful?”
Letis: “If we could utilize machinery and alchemy, we could change everything and open up a brand new world.”
Yeling: “If humans could be as powerful as dragons, they wouldn’t be confined by weak bodies and short lifespans, becoming more free.”
Eurie watched the three of them play happily, feeling a surge of envy, though she too had a sister who was currently not around.
After the merriment, they settled down and began discussing recent events.
“Who would have thought that Senior Jack unified the High Tower Academy?” Letis remarked with a sigh; among them, she had the most information.
“Is there any inside story?” Alena asked curiously. She was only a second-year student, though ranked fifth in sequence, but wasn’t qualified to participate in internal power struggles. She quietly waited for the upperclassmen to resolve it.
“Mm, apparently, this senior was quite ordinary, spending several years in third year without advancing. Yet, he unexpectedly became a dark horse, breaking many people’s expectations.”
“Did he suddenly become incredibly powerful?” Eurie pondered.
“Yes, he did become very powerful, and he has a large group of loyal students following him,” Letis replied.
“How did he do it?”
“He recently cracked some ancient secret technique, then greatly improved his strength and used this technique to recruit a large number of students, thus growing stronger.”
“Sounds impressive. I want to learn it too,” Alena said enviously.
“It’s hard to say. Some seniors oppose it, saying it’s dangerous and untraceable, but it was quickly suppressed.”
Letis shook her head. With her family’s resources, she naturally didn’t lack extraordinary potions or secret techniques, so she didn’t believe much in them. If such convenient methods existed, they would have spread long ago. Now, with Frost Rose and Verdant in a tense standoff at the border, they should use technology if it helps win.
“However, this senior is special. He doesn’t emphasize personal strength but rather using tools to arm himself. For this competition, he gathered many senior alchemists and prepared many new things,” Letis continued.
“This makes me look forward to it, though second-year students like us are mostly spectators, waiting until next year,” Alena looked at the menu, thinking about what to eat today.
“That’s not certain. The current leader of the Fortress Academy is a second-year student.”
“Huh?”
—
On the other side, the Temple Academy.
Lolan Hill wore a black veil, following behind Cisina. Her dress was predominantly black, paired with silver hair and snow-white skin, exuding a peculiar charm and beauty. This outfit wasn’t something she chose voluntarily but was forced upon her by Cisina, who claimed it had great use.
After some resistance, Cisina agreed to help Lolan ripen a batch of Glowing Flowers today, allowing her to wear this black attire.
“How does it look? Quite popular, right?” Cisina whispered to Lolan, noting how many people were looking at the unique silver-haired girl, some even standing still.
“Mmm, I don’t want it this way,” Lolan objected softly.
“Haha, girls should show their beauty when young. Being too shy won’t do, Lohil,” Cisina, the mature senior, placed her finger on her lips, closing one eye, speaking with the air of someone experienced.
“Tonight will be a grand event.” She took Lohil’s hand, leading the way, explaining their plans now.
“We’ll ride a flower carriage to tour the entire academy, while participating students and clubs will perform to boost morale.”
“In the process, you need to showcase yourself well, don’t fall behind.”
Lolan nodded, half-understanding.
As the sun set, dusk gradually enveloped the sky. However, the Temple Academy didn’t light any lamps. The streets, halls, and alleys were immersed in the twilight, appearing quiet. Fewer people spoke, and occasionally, birds flew overhead, their calls echoing faintly in the low sky, adding a sense of desolation.
Cisina led Lolan through several small paths, turning past fences and doors, finally stopping at a corner.
“Here it is,” Cisina said.
Lolan looked at the empty alley, with a few lonely streetlights standing by the roadside, somewhat bleak. In the distance, the scenery gradually faded into the murky darkness.
“Here,” Cisina pulled out a small lantern, its four-cornered black iron design with curved wire edges, topped with a circular ring for easy carrying.
The lantern’s middle held thick semi-transparent glass, emitting orange light that faintly illuminated the surroundings in the dusk.
“Repeat after me,” Cisina held Lohil’s hand, whispering softly.
“Roaming at the crossroads of dusk, spirits, remains, and saints, please guide me forward.”
Feeling no danger, Lolan softly repeated:
“Roaming at the crossroads of dusk, spirits, remains, and saints, please guide me forward.”
As her words fell, the lantern in her hand gently swayed, as if a bell rang, then vanished into the night. Just as Lolan was puzzled, clear hoofbeats echoed from the end of the street, followed by the creaking sound of wheels rolling over cobblestones. A peculiar carriage slowly emerged from the darkness.
The two horses pulling the carriage had no flesh, their bodies skeletal and dark, except for blue flames burning in their eyes.
The carriage’s wheels were large and thin, the body entirely black, with black vine-like corners at the edges. Four orange lanterns hung from the corners under the eaves, though not very bright. The carriage had a dark fantasy style, quite unusual.
“Come on, Lohil. Tonight is a grand parade,”
A headless ghost butler descended from the driver’s seat, opening the carriage door. Cisina climbed aboard, inviting Lolan in.
At some point, ghostly blue flames began rising from the academy’s streets and alleys. Invisible ghosts drifted through, and the sounds of bones clashing echoed everywhere. Strange figures appeared on the road.
The night wanderings began.
Thank you all for your support, including tips, votes, and recommendations. I apologize for not properly tallying during the busy Spring Festival.
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I haven’t updated much recently, but I’ll catch up. No need to worry.
It’s late, so I wish everyone good dreams and a healthy life with early rising and sleeping.
End of Chapter
