Noon the next day, Stockleigh Magic Academy, Dean’s Office.
Inside the oval-shaped office, sunlight streamed through the glass dome, illuminating a middle-aged man in fine clothing who sat opposite the desk with his legs crossed.
“Dean Emil, your student has certainly given us quite a surprise,” the man said slowly.
His relaxed demeanor formed a sharp contrast with Dean Emil, who sat behind the desk looking visibly tense.
The news of Lynn clearing a fourth-tier secret realm with the strength of a second-tier mage had already begun to spread through the Central Capital.
Not to mention, he had even used a witch’s power and a Legendary Pawn to resolve a Sage’s projection.
That was the projection of one of the Twelve Sages!
Even the weaker projections possessed the strength of at least a fourth-tier mage.
Either of those two feats taken individually was enough to defy common sense, let alone the fact that Lynn had accomplished both at once.
Now, rumors of all sorts regarding Lynn were flying all over the capital.
Some said he was the closed-door disciple of some hidden powerhouse. Others claimed Lynn was actually the Emperor’s illegitimate son.
After all, if he didn’t possess the Imperial bloodline capable of commanding all things by nature, how could a low-tier mage possibly conquer the spirit within a Legendary Pawn?
Setting the first rumor aside, the widespread circulation of the second rumor had already caused a very negative impact on the Emperor’s image.
The man had surely come to find him because of this…
At that thought, a bead of cold sweat rolled down Dean Emil’s temple.
He thought to himself that he certainly hadn’t told Lynn to go challenge a projection in a fourth-tier realm!
“Uh, Duke Klein, I can assure you that this matter was definitely an accident. I will eliminate the negative impact of these rumors as quickly as possible…”
Dean Emil repeatedly wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
The man sitting across from him was Duke Klein, the Emperor’s most trusted confidant—without exception.
To a large extent, his words represented the Emperor’s own will.
Dean Emil had a premonition that if he didn’t answer correctly, both his life and his career might end right here.
That little brat Lynn does nothing but bring me scares all day long…
Dean Emil thought somewhat helplessly.
Seeing the terrified expression on Dean Emil’s face, Klein realized he had misunderstood something and gave a helpless smile.
“Dean Emil, don’t overthink it. I didn’t come here today to assign blame.”
“?”
Seeing the confusion on the Dean’s face, Duke Klein immediately explained, “Don’t misunderstand. We have simply noticed the talent Lynn is gradually displaying. If possible… please tell Lynn that we hope he will consider joining us after he graduates from here.”
He slowly pulled a gold-plated pass from his breast pocket.
Lynn’s name was already engraved upon it in beautiful calligraphy.
Of course, the most eye-catching part was the four small words at the very top of the pass:
Nightfall Fools.
The moment he saw those words, Dean Emil’s pupils constricted.
“Are… are you certain it’s Lynn?”
Dean Emil stood up slowly, his hands and voice trembling slightly.
He knew all too well the weight of those four words.
Nightfall Fools—the most mysterious special operations squad in the Central Capital.
Some said they were the Emperor’s invisible right hand, specifically responsible for handling matters that could not see the light of day.
That was all nonsense.
Dean Emil had some understanding of this team.
They were organized by Duke Klein to serve as the first and last line of defense against the Abyssal Cult.
Those chosen for the Nightfall Fools were geniuses among geniuses, one in ten thousand.
Even someone as excellent as himself had not been fortunate enough to be selected in his youth.
And almost everyone who joined the Nightfall Fools would go on to leave their own legend in the history books!
Thinking of this, a spark of joy began to blossom in his heart.
He was teaching a future legend!
“Naturally,” Duke Klein nodded.
“To be honest, I didn’t realize before that the ‘demon child’ of the Carlet family would turn out to be such an outstanding young talent.”
“I will tell Lynn!”
Dean Emil took the pass with both hands, his face solemn.
After Duke Klein left, Dean Emil couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief and slumped into his seat.
“Lynn, oh Lynn… why do you always give me a surprise only after scaring me half to death?”
Looking at the pass in his hand, which shimmered gold under the sunlight, Dean Emil shook his head helplessly.
“Right.”
He looked toward the door as if suddenly remembering something.
“The two of you standing outside reflecting can come in now.”
As soon as he spoke, Felica and Livia walked into the room.
However, both of them carried expressions of defiance.
Even while reflecting outside, the two had never stopped competing with each other.
The same thought had occurred to both of them simultaneously: How dare you claim to love Lynn more than I do!
“Sigh.”
Sensing the faint scent of gunpowder in the air, Dean Emil felt a headache coming on.
“Assistant Livia, Assistant Felica, I am asking you—please do not take Lynn to such dangerous places again, alright?”
“Understood,” the two replied perfunctorily.
The moment they finished answering, they went back to their silent rivalry, seemingly not caring about Dean Emil at all.
Looking at the scene before him, Dean Emil was quite helpless.
To be honest, with his usual temper, he would have started shouting long ago.
But now…
Two witches and one living ancestor.
He couldn’t afford to scold any of them.
Forget it, such was his fate.
With that thought, Dean Emil shook his head and gathered his thoughts.
“To the point. Which of you will go keep an eye on Lynn?”
Dean Emil said, then frowned as if something wasn’t quite right, adding, “It would be best to protect him and make sure he doesn’t take such risks again.”
He was truly afraid that the next time Lynn got a wild idea, he might go straight to challenge a Sage’s true body…
“Protect?”
The moment they heard that word, a brilliant light involuntarily radiated from both of their eyes.
Didn’t this mean they could have more private contact with Lynn?
At this thought, a smile couldn’t help but appear on the corner of Felica’s mouth.
Since it was to protect Lynn… then she had a perfectly good reason to lock Lynn in a small room!
Then, she could place a restriction on the door—the kind where Lynn absolutely couldn’t leave unless he had sex with her!
That way, she would not only complete the task Dean Emil assigned, but she could even…
Thinking this far, Felica couldn’t help but cover her flushed face with her hands.
Livia looked at the bashful Felica beside her, and her right eyelid twitched for no apparent reason.
She had a feeling the other woman was thinking about something absolutely heinous…